Warning drivers gets woman arrested

A Houston woman's attempt to save drivers from a speeding ticket landed her something worse: 12 hours in jail.

As she rode her bicycle home from a grocery store last week near downtown Houston, Natalie Plummer noticed police officers pulling over speeders. After she parked her bike and turned one of her grocery bags into a makeshift sign warning drivers about the "speed trap" ahead, an officer drove up and arrested her.

"I was completely abiding by the law," Plummer told ABC's affiliate KRTK. "I was simply warning citizens of a situation ahead."

But Houston police saw it differently, and arrested Plummer for standing in the street where there a sidewalk was present, a misdemeanor charge. Houston police spokeswoman Jodi Silva said that officers found Plummer standing in the street, waving her arms as she held the sign. But Plummer denied ever leaving the sidewalk on West Dallas Street, alleging that the arresting officer invented a reason to detain her.

"He couldn't take me to jail for holding up this sign or he would have. So all he could do was make up something fake about it," Plummer told KRTK. The officer searched Plummer's backpack, she said, and threatened to arrest her for obstructing justice, a felony charge.

The Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama's health care law on Thursday, but Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a possible Republican vice presidential contender who has refused to establish a federally mandated health care exchange in his state, said Friday that he will continue to ignore it.

"We're not going to start implementing Obamacare," Jindal said during a conference call with Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. "We're committed to working to elect Gov. Romney to repeal Obamacare."

Under the Affordable Care Act, states must set up a health insurance exchange program by Jan. 1, 2014, and will receive grants from the federal government to implement it. Several Republican governors, including both Jindal and McDonnell, have put off setting up the exchanges in the hope that the law would be repealed or struck down by the court. Now that the law has been upheld, Jindal said he won't change course and is looking to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to lead the repeal effort if he takes office in 2013.

"Here in Louisiana we have not applied for the grants, we have not accepted many of these dollars, we're not implementing the exchanges," Jindal said. "We don't think it makes any sense to implement Obamacare in Louisiana. We're going to do what we can to fight it."

Independence Day

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. 

Independence Day is the national day of the United States

Nadal shocked at Wimbledon

To quote the late Jack Buck, "I don't believe what I just saw."

World No. 100 Lukas Rosol stunned two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets in the 135-year history of the tournament. 

Nadal had made the finals in his last five Wimbledon appearances and had played in the last four Grand Slam finals overall. He was 17 days removed from winning the French Open.

The 26-year-old Czech is playing in his first Wimbledon. 

He was 0-5 in qualifying matches at the All England Club and had never won a single ATP match on grass courts since joining the tour in 2005. He had 19 wins in his career. 

Nadal had 41 this year. But behind a powerful serve and fearless returns, Rosol took Nadal deep into a first-set tiebreaker, then refused to fold after dropping it 11-9, winning the next two sets after early breaks.

Democrats Defect, Vote for Holder Contempt

The House on Thursday cited Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. for contempt of Congress in a historic vote weighted with political significance, though it does little to break the stalemate over his decision to withhold documents over the Justice Department’s actions in a botched gun-walking operation.

The 256-67 vote amounted to a political spanking for Mr. Holder and President Obama, and 17 Democrats joined with Republicans in demanding the documents be released. Most Democrats, however, walked out in protest of the vote.

It marks the first time an attorney general has been held in contempt by a chamber.

But the White House dismissed the proceedings as a sideshow, and the vote does nothing to break the impasse, though it further poisoned feelings in an already bitterly divided chamber.


“No Justice Department is above the law, and no Justice Department is above the Constitution,” said House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican.

Are we an intelligent race of people here in the USA, or what. 

Fires in Colorado, heat wave over much of the country, dry, dry, dry ..... 

and what are they saying on the news ...............

 FIREWORKS ... FIREWORKS ..... FIREWORKS

A record number of fireworks displays this year

 ........... all over, everywhere, does that make sense to anyone?

I wonder how many fires the fireworks will start.

Could it come back to ..................

President Barack Obama’s big win with the Supreme Court could come back to bite him at the election, political guru Dick Morris told Newsmax within minutes of the court decision being announced.

Now that the only way to get rid of Obama’s healthcare overhaul is via the ballot box, it could persuade more people to turn out and vote against him in November, Morris said in an exclusive interview.

Morris, a former political advisor to President Bill Clinton who is now a Fox News analyst, pointed out that polls have shown roughly 55 percent of voters oppose Obamacare with 40 percent supporting it, even though the president holds a slight lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney in head-to-head surveys.

“The Supreme Court has spoken,” said Morris. “This means the only way we can overturn this obnoxious law is by defeating Obama and capturing the Senate.

One Major Question?

Did John Roberts just hand Romney the White House on a "silver platter?"

Would like to hear some opinions ...............

RON PAUL ON SUPREME COURT OBAMACARE RULING

“I strongly disagree with today’s decision by the Supreme Court, but I am not surprised.  The Court has a dismal record when it come to protecting liberty against unconstitutional excesses by Congress.

“Today we should remember that virtually everything government does is a ‘mandate.’  The issue is not whether Congress can compel commerce by forcing you to buy insurance,  or simply compel you to pay a tax if you don’t.  The issue is that this compulsion implies the use of government force against those who refuse.  The fundamental hallmark of  a free society should be the rejection of force.  In a free society, therefore, individuals could opt out of “Obamacare” without paying a government tribute.

“Those of us in Congress who believe in individual liberty must work tirelessly to repeal this national health care law and reduce federal involvement in healthcare generally. Obamacare can only increase third party interference in the doctor-patient relationship, increase costs, and reduce the quality of care.  Only free market medicine can restore the critical independence of doctors, reduce costs through real competition and price sensitivity, and eliminate enormous paperwork burdens.  Americans will opt out of Obamacare with or without Congress, but we can seize the opportunity today by crafting the legal framework to allow them to do so.”

???????????????

Does anyone really believe that Romney can really beat Obama. The beautifully orchestrated "Political Symphony" is being played at this time, and the "orchestra" will be playing 24/7 from now till election time.

What is next? Gas prices are down, Obamacare got an affirmative vote of approval yesterday, today he is putting out the fires in Colorado, the music is playing.

I would like to know who the "conductor" is, or the composer, brilliant political minds. Everything  you see or hear, from now till November is done, or said, for a reason. I wonder who is running the country, we are probably getting instructions from China.

Remember, Obama can't beat Hillary. Obama can't beat old "what's his name," in  the election, Obama can't get his healthcare passed. Obama can't win in 2012?

Observation

Why does Obama feel he needs to fly to Colorado and see the disastrous fires raging out there? What can he actually accomplish, other than causing a great deal of congestion. It seems like any disaster in our country, or for that matter, around the world, has to be visited by some politician who has absolutely nothing to offer.

All presidents and governors have always done the same thing. They have enough "hot air" already, one of the problems they are having. I wonder how many people will be involved in his visit.

"Hey, all you firefighters, stop what you are doing, forget that damned fire, go get showered and cleaned up, be back here in two hours, Obama is coming and we want a nice looking crowd to meet him. Be sure to wash your hands, he will  do a lot of hand shaking. What? Great idea. Clean those shovels up and paint VOTE OBAMA on them."

Better idea, take ALL the Washington politicians out there, give them shovels, and let them work on the fire line. Be nice to see them work for their money for a change.

My Three Sons star passes .....

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Don Grady, who was one of television's most beloved big brothers as Robbie Douglas on the long-running 1960s hit "My Three Sons," died Wednesday. He was 68.

His "My Three Sons" co-star Barry Livingston, who played youngest brother Ernie, confirmed Grady's death to The Associated Press. Livingston said Grady had been suffering from cancer and receiving hospice care at his home in Thousand Oaks, Calif. But the exact cause and place of death were not immediately clear.

"It's the oldest cliche in the world when TV brothers start referring to each other like biological brothers, but he was the oldest, and somebody I looked up to and learned from a great deal about life," Livingston said.

My Three Sons cast, circa 1965: (from left) Stanley Livingston, Fred MacMurray, Don Grady, William Demarest and (in front) Barry Livingston

Wildfire victims crowd shelters as fight continues

By P. SOLOMON BANDA
  
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Fire crews fought to save the U.S. Air Force Academy and residents begged for information on the fate of their homes Wednesday after a night of terror sent thousands of people fleeing a raging Colorado Springs wildfire.

More than 30,000 have been displaced by the fire, including thousands who frantically packed up belongings Tuesday night after it barreled into neighborhoods in the foothills west and north of Colorado's second-largest city. With flames looming overhead, they clogged roads shrouded in smoke and flying embers, their fear punctuated by explosions of bright orange flame that signaled yet another house had been claimed.

"The sky was red, the wind was blowing really fast and there were embers falling from the sky," said Simone Covey, a 26-year-old mother of three who fled an apartment near Garden of the Gods park and was staying at a shelter. "I didn't really have time to think about it. I was just trying to keep my kids calm."

Wilma Juachon sat under a tree at an evacuation center, wearing a mask to block the smoke. A tourist from California, she was evacuated from a fire near Rocky Mountain National Park last week and, now, from her Colorado Springs hotel.

"I said I hope it never happens again, and guess what?" Juachon said.

Obama legacy in jeopardy

The outcome of a 100-year fight for U.S. national health care rests on the verdict tomorrow of nine justices, who will emerge from behind a red velvet curtain.

Just four months before the presidential election, the Supreme Court is poised to rule on the constitutionality of President Barack Obama’s biggest legislative achievement, which would extend coverage to at least 30 million uninsured Americans in the biggest overhaul of the nation’s health-care system since Medicare and Medicaid were enacted in 1965.

“When we talk about Obama 20 or 30 years from now, this is likely to be the bill we talk about,” said Julian Zelizer, a presidential historian at Princeton University. “If the Supreme Court takes away from Obama his biggest accomplishment, this is exactly what a president really fears. In some ways, it’s worse than not getting re-elected.”

I still don't understand it!

They run some promo commercials showing abused dogs and cats, I can't even watch them I feel so sorry for those animals. They show cows and hogs and deer being abused and there is an outcry. Baby seals being beaten, another outcry. Dogfights, outcries.

Why is it, then, one of the popular shows involves hooking alligators, chaining them, clubbing them, shooting them in the head, beating them to death, and it is a popular show. I wonder why that is?

I guess we do the same thing to fish, turtles, must be something about the water.I guess if it swims or lives in the water it is OK to do whatever your want with it.

But, don't abuse a dog or a puppy or a cat. I wonder why?

Russia's public base for London 2012 will be a "family friendly" alcohol-free

The proposed site for Team Russia Park, which would be open to the public for the duration of the Olympic Games, is Perks Field, next to Kensington Palace. 

The land is currently used for football matches, archery and school events and has a helicopter landing pad. Russia plans to turn it into a space where people can support the team.

At a Russian Embassy launch on Thursday evening, officials said they aimed to create "a little piece of Russia in the heart of London," with folk music, traditional food and "true Russian hospitality" - but no vodka. "If people want to drink they will have to go to the big screens in Hyde Park," said Edward Cowell of event management company Eventica.

The focus for the park, which will also have fashion shows, a sports area and screens for Olympic action, is a healthy participation in sport, he said.

Russian athletes past and present will offer masterclasses and families can enjoy a kids zone.

"We would like to increase the number of people who participate in sport and engage in a healthy lifestyle," said Akhmed Bilalov, Vice President of the Russian Olympic Committee.

NRA gets on board ...........

After a last-ditch appeal by the White House fell flat Tuesday, House Speaker John Boehner told reporters this morning that he will proceed on a vote Thursday to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for withholding certain documents related to the Fast and Furious gun-walking operation.

"The United States government ran a gunrunning operation that has resulted in hundreds of deaths," Boehner, R-Ohio, said. "Brian Terry's family has a right to know what happened. The American people have a right to know what happened and we're going to proceed."

The contempt resolution passed out of committee strictly down party lines and the debate Thursday promises to be a bitter dispute as well. Propounding the partisanship is the National Rifle Association, which announced last week it "will consider this vote in our future candidate evaluations." 

While that warning could persuade some Democrats to vote with the GOP, Boehner said the NRA has "no role" in the contempt vote as far as he's concerned, but rather the unprecedented move "is about getting to the truth."

Facebook

You'd be forgiven for not knowing that Facebook has an external email system built in to the site's familiar messaging system. After all, few of us have need for yet another email address. And given the way Facebook algorithms decide to hide messages that the site doesn't believe is important, we're absolutely terrified of losing important messages.

The fact that you're not using that Facebook email address appears to have led to Facebook trying to figure out new ways to push you to the system. So, they've taken action by forcibly changing your contact email address listed on your Facebook page from your actual address that you regularly check to [your.name.here]@facebook.com — or worse, [random number]@facebook.com.

What does this mean? Well, if your high school sweetheart finds you on Facebook and wants to contact you, they'll have to do it on Facebook — there's no external option. There's nothing opt-in about this change, and there was no notification about it either: Facebook just decided to swap out emails to try to get people to use their cobwebbed email system.

Federer Bows - Not out, to the Prince of Wales

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Roger Federer gave Prince Charles a bow, then gave Fabio Fognini a royal thumping.


With the Prince of Wales visiting Wimbledon for the first time since 1970, Federer was at his best Wednesday and beat Fognini 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

Six-time champion Federer won 37 of 41 points on his first serve, and won 21 of 23 points at the net against Fognini, an Italian ranked 68th.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall sat in the first row of the Royal Box as Federer walked onto Centre Court for the day's first match. Federer and Fognini stood side by side as they bowed awkwardly toward the royals, and Charles responded with a wave and grin.

"They do brief you beforehand," Federer said. "I guess you don't do anything stupid. You behave. Obviously we were asked to bow, which is obviously no problem to do. We're thrilled for the tennis family that they came to watch Wimbledon today."

When Federer completed his victory, Charles and Camilla joined the crowd's applause.

300,000 city going "belly - up"

Among the projects that have helped put Stockton in the red: this downtown multiplex, which opened in 2003 and cost $15 million ... and, there is much more irresponsible spending involved ... the have found the "bottom"  of an endless pocket ... "government money"


Stockton, Calif., is on the verge of becoming the largest city in the nation to declare bankruptcy after its city council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to approve a spending plan that's essentially "a day-to-day survival budget," as the Los Angeles Times puts it.

A bankruptcy filing could happen as soon as today, according to our colleagues at KQED and other local news outlets.

The city of 300,000's painful step follows last year's bankruptcy filing by Alabama's Jefferson County — the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. That county piled up more than $4 billion in debt involving a failed sewer construction deal.

Stockton, as The Associated Press notes, has a $26 million budget shortfall. James Spiotto, a Chicago bankruptcy attorney who tracks municipal bankruptcies, tells the AP that until now the largest city to have declared bankruptcy was Bridgeport, Conn., (population about 144,000) in 1991.

The Times writes that "how Stockton found itself so mired in debt can be seen everywhere in the city's core. There is a sparkling marina, high-rise hotel and promenade financed by credit in the mid-2000s, mere blocks from where mothers won't let their children play in the yard because of violence."

Ford to offer tiny 3-cylinder engine in US

It's about time. The picture here is a Chevy Sprint. I had a  couple of them and really liked the three-cylinder car. I think the new Ford will be a winner. Great gas mileage and a really peppy little car. I have no idea what the Ford will look like, but they are on the right track as far as I am concerned.

DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. will bring a tiny gas-stingy engine to the U.S. from Europe next year, challenging the fuel economy of current hybrid cars, a company official said Thursday.

The one-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine will be an option on at least one of the company's small cars, Joseph Bakaj, the company's vice president of powertrain engineering, said in an interview.

About half the size of the motor in the Focus now sold in the U.S., the engine could put pressure on hybrid and electric car sales because it competes with them on mileage but comes with a far lower price tag.

Ford would not say how much the new engine would cost when it becomes available next summer.

The Oscar Michael Curtiz won for directing "Casablanca" is expected to fetch up to $3 million at auction this week.

Nate Sanders auction house in Los Angeles is selling the award. The auction ends Thursday, June 28, at 5 p.m. PT.

The award is not going on sale without some controversy. In 1950, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences created a policy that bans winners from selling their Oscars to anyone but the academy itself.

But "Casablanca" pre-dates that agreement. The film, which starred Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, also won oscars for best screenplay and best picture back in 1943.

Comment for the day

Watching the evening news .... flooding in Florida, huge holes in the earth, some swallowing up homes, more rain on the way, dangerous situation.... Fires in Colorado, hundreds of homes burned and thousands of acres of gorgeous land  is ruined ....... Stockton  California is going bankrupt, business's are closing, 26 million in the red ..... the big news of the day .... College football is going to have playoff games in 2014 ....  are we a great country, or what?

PS,  let's not forget all the debris washing up on our shores in California, tons and tons, much more to come, and the money has already run out to "clear the mess" .... and tons more are on the way

PSS ..... my wife and I were just talking about the above problems .... primarily everyone having money problems, individuals, cities, states, the federal government ......  in my estimation, all for one reason, UNCONTROLLED SPENDING OF GOVERNMENT MONEY ... Fiscal Responsibility is a Myth, does not exist .... uncontrolled spending ....... the weather related problems don't help, either.

Way to go there .... Kathryn

Boulder Colorado police arrested a Westminster man on suspicion he stole a bicycle from a Boulder woman after she found it for sale on Craigslist two days later.

Kathryn Lucas, 25, of Boulder, told police she locked her bike on a rack near 14 and Pearl streets Friday, according to a police report. When she returned, the bike was missing and she filed an online report.

On Sunday, Lucas was on Craigslist when she noticed a bike that resembled her road bike. She arranged with the seller, identified by police as Denzel O'Neal Crawford, 18, to look at the bike near a pool in Westminster.

When she arrived, she confirmed the bike was hers and asked Crawford if she could take a test ride. After Crawford agreed, Lucas rode the bike to her vehicle, loaded it into her car and drove away.

She then called Westminster police.

Good time of the year for an old retired guy. Wimbledon to watch, not a big tennis fan but this one is certainly worth following, and, we've got some trials for the upcoming Olympics which will be held next month. I remember when the last Olympics closed, at my advanced age, I often wonder if I will "be around for the next one." Sure enough, here I am.

I have always been a track and field fan. Started years ago watching my brother high jump and broad jump, and later he was a track coach, and followed the Wilbur Wright Track Team and occasionally drove some of his team to away meets. Dayton was also a good "track" town. Many big meets held at the old University of Dayton track, and have attended many Jesse Owens Meets in Columbus. Another great, Dave Albritton was from Dayton and had the opportunity to chat with him on a few occasions. He and Owens both participated in Berlin, and both were highly visible at various sporting events around Dayton. I think I am right in saying that Albritton coached track at Dunbar High School in Dayton, and produced some outstanding teams.

So, again we an watch all the participants march in, see the flame lit and watch the exploits of the participants, a lot of good pure emotions. Track takes a lot of dedication and practice, and the Olympics can be the reward for all that hard work. A number off sports, the reward is millions of dollars, track and field, a Medal, gold, silver or bronze.

Years ago, working at Lake Tahoe, before the Winter Olympics held there, the Disney studio did the decorating and the statues at the complex. Mr. Disney and his wife stayed at the Nevada Lodge where I worked and we occasionally had the opportunity to speak to them.

U  S  A  ...... U  S  A .... hopefully we will hear those chants again, American flags will wave, patriotism will be high .... looking forward to the events ... U  S  A ...... U  S  A.

Jimmy Carter Accuses U.S. of 'Widespread Abuse of Human Rights'

By Amy Bingham


A former U.S. president is accusing the current president of sanctioning the "widespread abuse of human rights" by authorizing drone strikes to kill suspected terrorists.

Jimmy Carter, America's 39 th president, denounced the Obama administration for "clearly violating" 10 of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, writing in a New York Times op-ed on Monday that the "United States is abandoning its role as the global champion of human rights."

"Instead of making the world safer, America's violation of international human rights abets our enemies and alienates our friends," Carter wrote.

WHERE did that feeling go?

Watching TV a while ago and a song started playing, "America." Beautiful song, very melodic, and it got me to thinking and wondering  and remembering how many times I had heard that in my almost eighty years, but, more importantly, the varying degrees of pride I have felt, over the years. It seems like the older I have gotten, the less meaning it has.

I remember the feeling I had every morning, at Emerson School, when the class would face the flag, put our hands over our hears, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  And in the forties, during the war, a tremendous amount of pride, the "Pledge" took on a whole new meaning. I think that feeling lingered on for a few years. I was in the Navy from '52 to '56, Korea was almost over, but in '56, many of the "old timers" were getting out of the Navy, times and traditions were changing. Something was happening, a new generation was taking over. Sailors were being issued zipper fly's instead of the traditional 13 buttons. A minor thing, but an end to a tradition and the birth of a new generation.

Viet Nam was a whole new experience and a massive change in the feelings in our country. Flags were being burned and dragged in the mud, a new generation was questioning America, and what it stood for. I remember some meetings I attended during the latter part of the century, and when we recited the "Pledge,"  they were all a monotone, just words, no feelings. That patriotic feeling was eroding away.

The last time my patriotism was elevated to a point of tears occurred a few years ago, the Ohio State-Navy game in Columbus, emotion was high, throughout the entire stadium, patriotism, proud to be an American, I wonder when we will no longer be able to sing the National Anthem before a game. At the rate we are losing our freedoms, it won't be long. Perhaps if we all learn "the Pledge"  in Spanish, or, maybe we should learn it in Chinese, or ?

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I want to thank those who have already donated, any amount is greatly appreciated.

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The DONATE icon is in the left column, at the top, again, thanks.

A WHOPPER of a Whopper in London

LONDON (AP) — London's sprawling Olympic Park comes with a supersized McDonald's.

The fast-food giant says its flagship restaurant at the park will be its biggest, busiest and most sustainable, with three-quarters of the furniture and fittings set to be reused after the games.

But despite complaints by British doctors, the food choices will largely be the same as McDonald's fare around the world.

McDonald's is the sole restaurant allowed to sell brand-name food at the London Games. It will run four outlets at the venue, including a flagship that seats 1,500 people. It expects to serve up to 14,000 people a day.

The Academy of Royal Medical Colleges recently said having McDonald's sponsor the Olympics sends the wrong message in Britain, which is battling increasing obesity.

Cities Sell Ad Space on City Property

A growing number of cash-strapped U.S. cities are turning to selling advertising space on ever more city property to raise funds.


The New York Times reported. Baltimore, Md., has begun selling space on its fire engines, and cities in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee have sold space on their manhole covers and fire hydrants to fast food restaurant KFC.


As the economic downturn forces city governments, school boards and transit systems to search for new sources of revenue, one Baltimore city council member explained the new ads were a way to avoid enacting new taxes. "We can’t tax people out of existence," council member William Welch said. "You have to create alternatives." 


Struggling transit systems are using similar tactics, the Times reported, with New York's adding a sponsored name to its signage at one subway station and Cleveland renaming its bus system after a sponsor.

Melissa Reid

It doesn't matter who wins this week on the PGA Tour, the best story in golf came from the Ladies European Tour. Scratch that. The best story in golf this year came from the Ladies European Tour.

If you don't know who Melissa Reid is, do yourself a favor and Google her. Just 24 years old, a three-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, and a member of Europe's victorious Solheim Cup team in 2011, Reid's been billed as England's next big thing.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan until four weeks ago, when Reid's mother, Joy, died in a tragic car accident in Germany. Everyone would have understood if Reid stepped away from the game for an extended period of time, but after taking a month off, she returned to the course at the Raiffeisenbank Prague Golf Masters and won by a shot with a 6-foot par putt on the final hole.

"To be honest I wasn't that nervous. I think with something like what's happened to my family and me the last four weeks nothing really seems that difficult anymore," said Reid, who finished at 9-under for the tournament. "I spoke to my coach when I went back a couple of weeks after and he said to me, 'I don't know when it's going to be, but this will make you a stronger person,' and my best friends have said that as well and I honestly think it will.

"It will make me fight and nothing will seem as bad as what I've been through, so yeah, I actually felt very calm and I knew I was going to hole the putt on 18."

Jeopardy

"Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek is in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering a mild heart attack, according to a statement from his representative.

Trebek, 71, who was admitted on Saturday, was said to be in good spirits. He is under observation and undergoing further testing.

He is expected to fully recover and be back at "Jeopardy!" when production begins taping in July for the new season, the show's 29th.

Great video ......

Sea level rising

The sea level on a stretch of the US Atlantic coast that features the cities of New York, Norfolk and Boston is rising up to four times faster than the global average, a report said Sunday.

This increases the flood risk for one of the world's most densely-populated coastal areas and threatens wetland habitats, said a study reported in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Since about 1990, the sea level along the 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) "hotspot" zone has risen by two to 3.7 millimetres (0.08 to 0.15 inches) per year.

The global rise over the same period was between 0.6 and one millimetre per year, said the study by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

If global temperatures continue to rise, the sea level on this portion of the coast by 2100 could rise up to 30 centimetres over and above the one-metre global surge projected by scientists, it added.

The localised acceleration is thought to be caused by a disruption of Atlantic current circulation.

Dahmer, Bundy, Manson and Sandusky

Jerry Sandusky, the name doesn't conjure up the same picture as some of the other notorious names from the past. Maybe we would rather put it the dark recesses of our minds and pretend nothing happened. In this case, his name was associated with one of the most revered names in sports, Joe Paterno. The  association tarnished, and perhaps killed, a sports idol. Woody Hayes struck an opposing player in a heated moment, ruined his career. Paterno looked the other way, ruined his career.

A  sex offender, a juvenile sex offender, a coach who takes advantage, a priest who takes advantage, how do many get  away, so long, without being brought to justice. Maybe one offense is difficult to prove, but a continuing pattern seems to be difficult to overlook. "I just can't believe it of him, or her." And, in this case, his actions were known for many years, yet no one spoke up. I don't think we know the depth of the "cover up" yet. I think it went much deeper than Penn State University, perhaps to the highest offices in the state. "Maybe if we keep our mouths shut it will go away." And it didn't.

As time goes by, perhaps the name Jerry Sandusky will have more negative connotations associated with it. Dahmer, Bundy, Manson, Gacy, became household words, each with its own meaning,  but time seems to heal the wounds. Never of the victims though. 

Before and during the trial, I don't recall any negative slurs being thrown his way coming from the bystanders, after the jury decision, people shouted out at him, negative comments, maybe they didn't believe it was true till the verdict came in. I doubt that any of his victims feel any different after the verdict, perhaps they do, but the memories linger on.

"Kidneys for Progress," states Obama. TinC

Due to results of recent poles, Barack Obama during his weekly "Chat with the Nation," appealed to all Democratic and Independent voters that still retain both kidneys, to sell one kidney, and donate the money to his presidential campaign.

He stated, "Hey, many of my supporters have both kidneys, and there are many other supporters who are in need of a kidney, it's a win/win situation. I get money for my campaign those in need, get a kidney, and much of the success of this campaign can be attributed to ObamaCare, ah, somehow or in someway, ah, well, anyway, it makes sense to me."

Ebay will handle the sale of the kidneys, the Salvation Army will set up their bell ringers for the collection, and various hospitals around the country will be set up to coordinate the actual surgery. Proceeds from the sales will be made directly to the "Four More and then Some-more" Committee, Chicago, Illinois, Michelle Obama, Treasurer. Illinois residents may register their donated kidney, and vote in the upcoming election.

A "Do it Yourself" kit is being manufactured in China, and will soon be available at all Walmart Stores.

- = + ?

The general presidential election is still months away, but President Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney are already hammering each other with attack ads.

Obama's most recent ads criticize Romney's time as a so-called "corporate raider," while Romney has released several ads seizing upon the president's statement that the "private sector is doing fine."

There is no democratic country in the world that doesn't have negativity in it.
- John Geer, Vanderbilt University
Negative campaigning is hardly new, but at the rate this year's campaign is going some say this could be one of the most negative races in recent history.

"I think it's very likely to be the most negative race since the advent of television," says John Geer, a political scientist at Vanderbilt University.

Geer tells weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz that there are several factors that could influence that negativity, including huge superPAC donations and the increasing polarization of the political parties. A third factor, he says, is the candidates themselves.

"Both candidates [have] some flaws," he says, "and those flaws will provide grist for the respective attack mills."

GM burning up sales

DETROIT — Engine fires are forcing General Motors to recall the Chevy Cruze, a popular model that has helped GM win back small-car buyers.

The recall covers 475,000 vehicles made in the U.S. from September of 2010 through May of 2012. It's the car's fifth recall since it arrived in showrooms nearly two years ago, raising questions about the sedan's reliability.

The fires can break out when fluids drip onto a hot plastic shield below the engine. The problem occurs mainly when oil is spilled and not,  properly cleaned up during changes, General Motors said Friday.

The company knows of 30 fires caused by the problem, but no injuries have been reported, spokesman Alan Adler said. Flames engulfed and destroyed cars in two cases reported to federal safety officials.

Sandusky GUILTY

Jerry Sandusky has been found guilty on 45 of 48 counts of child sex abuse, NBC News reports. 


The 68-year-old former Penn State assistant football coach exited the back of the courthouse in handcuffs and entered the back of a police car as onlookers shouted and applauded.


Jurors deliberated for more than 17 hours following strong closing arguments from the prosecution and defense.

North Vegas is going South

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — There are no signs of rioters, wind-damaged homes or flooding. The brand new City Hall features gleaming marble floors and the public recreation centers offer Zumba, karate and Pilates classes.

Despite all of its suburban trimmings, North Las Vegas is officially a disaster area.

After five years of declining property taxes, massive layoffs and questionable spending, leaders of the blue-collar, family-oriented city outside Las Vegas declared a state of emergency, invoking a rarely used state law crafted for unforeseen disasters.

No matter that the statute, which allows municipalities to suspend union contracts and avoid paying scheduled salary increases, doesn't actually include fiscal emergencies among the list of potential disasters.
"It says, in case of 'emergency such as.' You can't list how many different types of emergencies there are in the world," City Council member Wade Wagner said of the move, which will save the city $9 million.

There are many cities across the nation grappling with declining property values and growing expenses like North Las Vegas, but few, if any, have declared financial emergency.

No problem, mate..........

Longevity, living to be 100. In my early days this seemed like an impossibility. When you are young, seems like an eternity between Christmas's, an end to a school day dragged on. I guess we got an inkling of things to come when it came to Summer. In comparison to the school year, Summers moved along pretty fast.

But wait till you make it to seventy or seventy-five, days only have twelve hours. Weekends roll around in no time at all, weeks fly by, before you know it, the month is over.

My 80th birthday seemed a long way off, a few months ago. It is the end of September. A few months back, arrangements were being made for all my East coast children to fly back for a four day celebration at the end of August. This was necessitated by school and business commitments, so we were celebrating a month early. When the reservations were made, it seemed like a long way off. In a week or so, it will be "next month."

It will be a very "special" occasion. Due to a divorce, and people moving, other circumstances, this will be the first time I have had all my "kids" together at one time, took almost 80 years to do it. So, I am finally going to have Debra, Dean, Melissa and Brad, and their families, children, grand children, great grandchild, and one on the way, all together, at one time.  How great is that?

If time keeps speeding by like it is now, longevity is looking good. The first 80 look pretty good, some of the rest may just zip by.

APC's

APC's, probably not many around who remember when they were called that. "Take a couple of APC's and call me in the morning. "My Dad, the Doctor, ordered big bottles of them. When warranted, he would take one of his little pill envelopes, write instructions on the front, count out so many pills, and drop them in the envelope. They were the most  popular pill he dispensed.

When we had our home and office together, 30's and 40's, Dad had his own dispensary in his office. Cough medicine, other liquids and pills, not sure what all he dispensed, but he had a  lot of bottles,  but I do remember the APC's. They were good for colds, fevers, headaches and a plethora of other symptoms.

I don't know when I bought my first aspirins, I always looked for APC's, and, then, one day, there were no more APC's, only aspirins. I asked a young Pharmacist today, about them, he had not heard the term. Made me feel old. As near as I can tell, it stood for  Aspirin-Phenacetin-Caffeine.

Obama’s Actions Suggest Involvement in Fast and Furious Cover-Up

By Paul Scicchitano and Kathleen Walter

Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley charged in an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV Wednesday that President Barack Obama’s decision to invoke executive privilege in the bungled “Operation Fast and Furious” gun-running scheme could indicate that the president is involved.

“I wonder why. Is it because the president does have something to do with it? And I don’t have any evidence of that, but it would be the first time that I had any suspicion,” asserted Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, just hours before a House committee voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for failing to turn over Justice Department documents related to Fast and Furious.

High-Flying Auto Dealer Employee Steals $10M For Luxuries

Patricia Smith, the former controller of an auto dealership in Pennsylvania, is headed to jail after embezzling $10 million from her former boss in a stunning case of a trusted employee looting the business then squandering the cash on luxuries.

Smith, who worked at Baierl Acura located in Wexford, Pa., an upper-middle class suburb of Pittsburgh, was convicted of systematically stealing for seven years--some $4,000 a day on average--for private jet travel, special trips to the theatre, fancy clothes and other goods, according to the court.

A costume fitting on Broadway? Check. Super Bowl Tickets? Check. There were even trips to the Vatican using stolen money. Smith spared no expense for herself or her family on the company's dime, according to reports from court. The jet charters alone totaled $1.8 million for the high-flying bookkeeper, who officially made about $50,000 a year from the dealership.

World’s highest paid athlete has taxpayers paying his rent

By Ryan Lovelace 

The world’s richest athlete is undefeated boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather.


He made $85 million last year from fights against Victor Ortiz and Miguel Cotto.


Mayweather, nicknamed “Money,” is currently serving a three-month jail sentence in a room one-third the size of a boxing ring in Las Vegas, Nev.

Something for the "Buckeyes" TO DO......

Either copy and send, or send this blog to someone in Ohio. Good reading for ANY citizen, it actually applies to everyone.

Dear Senators Brown and Portman,

As you know, our nation is experiencing its most trying economic times since the Great Depression. Twenty million Americans are having trouble finding jobs and putting food on the table, many right here in Ohio. That's why I was so confounded to recently hear that President Obama's bypassed Congress to unilaterally award amnesty and work permits to 2-3 million illegal aliens.

His unprecedented abuse of executive privilege will make it harder for people right here in Ohio to find jobs. Recent college grads can't find jobs. Immigrants who settled here last year can't find jobs. So, why would the President want to make it easier for people here illegally to take American jobs? Why would we reward lawbreakers and incentivize more illegal immigration? The answer is simple and predictable: It's election year politics at its worst.

The United States gives new work permits to 1.5 million immigrants and other foreign workers each year--not including the illegal aliens. When our nation is trillions in debt and has a shortage of millions of jobs, there is simply no way to justify these numbers. Taxpayers end up subsidizing the Americans who lose their jobs because of immigration.

It has been said that during bad times, 'we the people' find out what kind of leaders we've elected. Here's your chance to show us your leadership skills. Please, take immediate action to repeal President Obama's amnesty and work permits for millions of illegal aliens. Unemployed Americans desperately need jobs, and they're depending on you.

White Chocolate-Berry Bread Pudding

White Chocolate-Berry Bread Pudding

Pudding
4 1/2 - cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 1/3 - cups milk
3/4 - cup grated white chocolate baking bars
2/3 - cup sugar
3 1/2 - cups milk
1 1/2 - cups whipping cream
2 - tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 - tablespoon vanilla
4 - eggs
1 - cup frozen unsweetened raspberries (do not thaw)
1 - cup frozen unsweetened blueberries (do not thaw)


Berry Sauce and Garnish
1/3 - cup sugar
2 - tablespoons Original Bisquick® mix
1 - cup frozen unsweetened raspberries (do not thaw)
1 - cup frozen unsweetened blueberries (do not thaw)
1/2 - cup water
Fresh berries, if desired

1 - Heat oven to 450°F. Butter bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. In large bowl, stir 4 1/2 cups Bisquick mix and 1 1/3 cups milk with spoon until soft dough forms. Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto ungreased large cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Cool on cooling rack, about 30 minutes.
2 - Break up biscuits into random-sized pieces; spread in baking dish. Sprinkle with grated baking bars. In large bowl, beat 2/3 cup sugar, the milk, whipping cream, butter, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Pour over biscuits in baking dish. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
3 - Heat oven to 350°F. Stir 1 cup frozen raspberries and 1 cup frozen blueberries into biscuit mixture. Bake uncovered about 1 hour or until top is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
4 - In 1-quart saucepan, place 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons Bisquick mix. Stir in 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1 cup frozen blueberries and the water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Serve pudding warm topped with sauce. Garnish with fresh berries. Store in refrigerator.

A stroll down memory lane .....

Anyone remember these, I sure do, used one on a number of  occasions. The one I remember was in a shoe store not too far from where we lived, he sold Buster Brown Shoes. You would put your new shoes on, place them in that middle opening, the shoe salesman would get on one side and Mom peered in the other. It gave them an X-ray view of how the shoes fit. Probably also gave off some dangerous x-rays.

Buster Brown also had a radio show which I listened to often. "I'm Buster Brown, I live in a  shoe. That's my dog Tige, he lives there too."

I doubt there are too any left who remember those x-ray machines that were in the  shoe stores, I think perhaps in the late 30's or early 40's. Not sure if they were in use post-war or not.

I can still picture that neighborhood shoe store on Brown Street in Dayton, Ohio. There were a number of stores in the area, and the area had its own name. The Brown Street Bus Barn was also in that area. I think it was called the Rubicon Area. Maybe  someone knows and can correct me. It was probably similar to a strip mall, but they didn't know about them in those days.

Obama’s Holder in Contempt of Congress

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

A House panel voted Wednesday to place Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his failure to comply with a subpoena, defying an assertion of executive privilege from President Obama.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, led by Republican Chairman Darrell Issa (Calif.), approved a resolution along party lines to place Holder in contempt after battling him for months over access to internal agency documents about the gun-tracking operation Fast and Furious.

The vote came shortly after Obama escalated the conflict by sending a letter to the committee claiming executive privilege over the documents that the panel had sought.

Jim got a Divorce ... and then

On the first day, Jim sadly packed his belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases.

On the second day, he had the movers come and collect his things.

On the third day, he sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining-room table, by candle-light; he put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar,and a bottle of spring water.

When he'd finished, he went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimps dipped in caviar into the hollow center of the curtain rods.

He then cleaned up the kitchen and left.

On the fourth day, the wife came back with her new boyfriend, and at first all was bliss.

Then, slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything; cleaning, mopping, and airing-out the place. Vents were checked for dead rodents, and carpets were steam cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which time the two had to move out for a few days, and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked! People stopped coming over to visit.

Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit. Finally, they couldn't take the stench any longer, and decided they had to move, but a month later - even though they'd cut their price in half - they couldn't find a buyer for such a stinky house. Word got out, and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls.

Finally, unable to wait any longer for a purchaser, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place.

Then the ex called the woman and asked how things were going. She told him the saga of the rotting house. He listened politely and said that he missed his old home terribly and would be willing to reduce his divorce settlement in exchange for having the house.

Knowing he could have no idea how bad the smell really was, she agreed on a price that was only 1/10 nth of what the house had been worth ... but only if he would sign the papers that very day.

He agreed, and within two hours her lawyers delivered the completed paperwork.

A week later the woman and her boyfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home ... and just to spite the ex-husband, they even took the curtain rods !!!

Quaker workers from Iowa claim $241M Powerball pot

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group of 20 workers at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids have stepped forward as winners of a $241 million Powerball jackpot.

Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer says one of the workers bought the winning ticket for the group for the June 13 drawing and the winnings will be split 20 ways.

Dan Morris, a spokesman for the winners, declined to give their names but says they range between 35 and 64 years old and work in the shipping department. The group took a chartered bus Wednesday from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines to present the ticket to lottery officials.

The jackpot is the 15th largest won by Powerball players.

Obama invokes executive privilege as Holder faces contempt vote

President Barack Obama invoked executive privilege on Wednesday for the first time since taking office to withhold certain Justice Department documents tied to the flawed "Operation Fast and Furious" gun-smuggling investigation from lawmakers demanding them. 

Obama's 11th-hour decision, revealed in a letter from the Justice Department to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, did not derail the California Republican's plans to hold a vote declaring Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress.

"I write now to inform you that the President has asserted executive privilege" over the documents, Deputy Attorney General James Cole told Issa in a letter released by the White House.

"Although we are deeply disappointed that the Committee appears intent on proceeding with a contempt vote, the Department remains willing to work with the Committee to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of the outstanding issues," Cole wrote in the letter.

Really, did HE say that?

"As long as I’m President, I will never allow Medicare to be turned into a voucher that would end the program as we know it." ..... Barack Obama

"We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America." ..... Barack Obama.

Adidas "Shackle" Sneakers Create Controversy

A new Adidas sneaker has sparked outrage, with sneaker fans accusing the brand of promoting racism. 

The Roundhouse Mid "Handcuff" shoe, created by controversial New York designer Jeremy Scott, features a plastic orange shackle that attaches to each ankle. 

The $350 sneakers hit stores in August, but Adidas promoted them on their official Facebook page on June 14 with this quote: "Tighten up your style with the JS Roundhouse Mids, dropping in August.

Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles?" While the brand may be making a cheeky statement about shoe theft, many are equating these binding devices with slavery and prisoners. 

At press time the "Handcuff" sneaker image has over 36,000 Facebook likes, but many of the comments are angry and disapproving. 

Talk of drones patrolling US skies spawns anxiety

By JOAN LOWY

WASHINGTON (AP) — The prospect that thousands of drones could be patrolling U.S. skies by the end of this decade is raising the specter of a Big Brother government that peers into backyards and bedrooms.

The worries began mostly on the political margins, but there are signs that ordinary people are starting to fret that unmanned aircraft could soon be circling overhead.

Jeff Landry, a freshman Republican congressman from Louisiana's coastal bayou country, said constituents have stopped him while shopping at Walmart to talk about it.

Jack Nicklaus played the U.S. Open 44 times, and those 44 appearances were consecutively - without missing a year. Nicklaus first played as a 17-year-old amateur in 1957, and last played at age 60 in 2000. Along the way, Nicklaus won the U.S. Open four times, posted 11 Top 5 finishes, 18 Top 10 finishes and 22 Top 25 finishes - all tournament records Nicklaus holds or shares. He also finished second four times. There has been a documentary on TV recently, which I saw. In it, he relates this story, which I think is really neat. I have always admired him, and often mentioned his name when bringing up "true - professional athletes." That encompasses all aspects, his personal life and his professional live. In my book, there are very few of them. Nicklaus, Palmer, Bobby Orr, John Havlichek, Cal Ripken, Jr., and a  few more. The following adds to his integrity. 

"There was that 4-foot putt on the 17th hole in regulation that he hit firm to eliminate the break, knowing that if he had missed the ball likely would have rolled off the green. On some of the toughest greens in golf, Nicklaus only had one three-putt all week. The olive pants -- his wife called them his ''Army pants'' -- that he liked so much he wore them again in the playoff. And the 18th hole in the playoff, when Palmer picked up Nicklaus' ball, only for USGA Executive Director Joe Dey to run onto the green and remind them it was stroke play and Nicklaus had to finish the hole.

Mostly, though, there was the cigarette.

Nicklaus used to smoke during golf tournaments, as many golfers did in that era, and a turning point in his behavior on the golf course came after that U.S. Open. It became such an important change that Nicklaus still remembers the day - Dec. 8, 1962 - when the USGA shipped him a film of his big win at Oakmont. He watched the key putts and booming drives, his straight left leg and upright posture. What unsettled him was a scene of him setting down a cigarette to tap in a putt during the playoff.

''It was the worst example for youth I can imagine,'' Nicklaus said. ''It was the last time I ever smoked a cigarette on the golf course.''

Greenburg wasn't about to leave that out of his documentary, but he uses it to share Nicklaus' story on what caused him to give up smoking on the golf course, and years later, to give up smoking for good.

''We have Jack telling the story,'' Greenburg said. ''It was a time period where people are just smoking and not thinking about the ramifications. It's interesting that at 22, Jack figured out at that point that it's not the way to act as a role model. When he saw that film, he was taken aback.''