Big "Sweet"

Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton (October 13, 1922 – August 31, 1990) was an American multi-sport athlete best known as one of the first African Americans to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

During a part of the war he played Basketball for Wright Patterson's team in Dayton, Ohio. After the war, some of them stayed on in Dayton and played for The Dayton Metropolitans, a team of pros, but it was not as organized then.

"The Dayton Metropolitans was a professional basketball team in Dayton, Ohio. The team was one of the founding organizations of the National Basketball League, which formed in 1937. In 1949, this league joined with the Basketball Association of America to form the National Basketball Association. The Dayton Metropolitans played for just one season (1937-1938). During the season, the team finished last in the the National Basketball League’s Western Division. The Metropolitans won just two and lost eleven games. Due to its dismal performance, the Dayton Metropolitans disbanded at the end of the season."

I saw most of their local games at the old Fairgrounds Coleseum, and watch several of their practices there. My brother was coaching a high school team at the time and also practiced there occasionally. After one practice, I got to meet ... Big Sweet .... a 14 inch hand, I feared for mine. 

He had also played some baseball with the Harlem Globetrotters, was signed and played a few games with the Dayton Indians. Not sure of how it all came about. It was either Bill Veech or Hank Greenberg brought him to Cleveland and he played a few games with the Indians. On one occasion, he hit one home run that Greenberg said was the longest ball he had ever seen hit.

He was a very quiet, mil mannered giant of a man. He has received some recognition for his achievements, but, is basically forgotten. So, I am remembering Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton.

Experts: Carney's Departure Comes as Press Grows More Wary of Obama

White House press secretary Jay Carney's resignation capped a tenure that saw the media grow increasingly restless toward President Barack Obama amid of a bevy of scandals, including the controversy that led to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki's departure on Friday, experts told Newsmax.

"I wish him well," Ari Fleischer, who served as press secretary for President George W. Bush for nearly two and a half years, said in an interview. "He served a long time in a very hard job. Regardless of politics or ideology, or whatever anyone thinks of him or his boss, it's a hard job and a wonderful job."

Democratic analyst and pollster Doug Schoen likened Carney's performance to that of the inept sergeant of the television sitcom "Hogan's Heroes." "Press secretaries have a natural life of only about one term, so I am frankly surprised he has stayed as long as he has," he said in a statement. "That being said, he played the 'Sergeant Schultz' role well. "He spouted the party line, avoided difficult questions, and maintained he knew very little about most subjects beyond what he had already said.

"A job well done, from the president's point of view."

And Tobe Berkovitz, an associate professor of advertising at Boston University, was even more caustic.

"Despite the fact that the press knows that he lied to them repeatedly, that he was part of the cover-up of a whole bunch of administration scandals, he will still get a job for probably several million dollars a year," he told Newsmax in an interview. "The irony would be if he goes into a healthcare provider."

Black Mobs Attacking Whites in Cincinnati Just for the Fun of it

Last weekend, Cincinnati held its annual food festival knows as the Taste of Cincinnati. This year they had over 200 different food vendors filling the streets with a wide variety of tastes and smells. City officials estimated that over 550,000 people attended the three day event, helping the city’s economy.

For the most part, the Taste of Cincinnati had few problems, but the crowds did bring trouble makers to parts of the city near the festival. In these cases, mobs of black teenagers attacked white people.

The first reported attack was near a bus stop. The aftermath of the attack was captured on video by a metro bus. Jon Deters, son of the Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters. He was helping his girlfriend get her car out of a parking lot when a group of 12-20 black teens attacked him, hitting him, knocking him to the ground and kicking him before running away.

In another attack, David Manz was walking to a bus stop to go to his night job at a Dunkin Donuts when he saw a group of about 20 black teenage girls run towards him. They laughed as they began hitting and kicking him before running away. Manz suffered bruises, scrapes and several broken ribs. He had to be placed on a breathing machine for a short time to help prevent pneumonia from setting in.

Good stuff to read .........

There is some really good stuff in my PAGES .... check them out ... at the of the right column.

Spencer Watson Seupel

I had forgotten about this, a very good read, for everyone ........

READ HERE

Good Advice

What else could Ballmer buy with $2 billion?

Not long after the TMZ audio leak that made Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling an instant pariah, it became clear he was unlikely to hold onto the NBA team for long.

The question then was not so much “who wants to buy the L.A. Clippers?” as “who doesn’t?” Folks including Magic Johnson, Larry Ellison, Oprah Winfrey, David Geffen, Matt Damon and even Frankie Muniz expressed interest in releasing the team from the clutches of an owner perceived by many as a repugnant racist.

Now, former Microsoft (MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer has come out ahead in the bidding war with a cool $2 billion offer for a team that, just this past January, was valued at only $575 million by Forbes. Ballmer, known as a bit of a big spender during his tenure at Microsoft (recall that $8.5 billion Skype buy?), is an avid basketball fan who can well afford this purchase; his net worth is a reported $20 billion, largely due to his Microsoft holdings.

And while we’ve seen business deals just this week that are worth more, $2 billion is a record price tag for an NBA team. As an entertaining exercise, Yahoo Finance looked into some of the other purchases that could be made for this price or less, with an eye toward Ballmer and his specific likes (he’s a golf lover, and has been known to hold many business meetings at a favorite Washington steakhouse). Items tallied are equal to or just a bit less than $2 billion; it's worth noting that, after buying Del Frisco's (DFRG) and BJ's (BJRI) at their current market cap totals, Ballmer would have enough cash left over to purchase approximately 167,785,234 10 oz bottles of Lea & Perrin's Worcestershire sauce.

U.S. investigating Icahn, Mickelson in insider trading probe:source

I hate to hear this, I hope there is nothing to it. Phil was on my list of  "Truly Professional Athletes" from golf, along with Palmer, Nicklaus, Snead and Gary Player. My list is very short .... may get shorter.

By Jennifer Ablan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating possible insider trading involving billionaire investor Carl Icahn, golfer Phil Mickelson and Las Vegas gambler William Walters, a source familiar with the matter said.

Federal investigators are looking into whether Mickelson and Walters may have traded illegally on private information provided by Icahn about his investments in public corporations, the source told Reuters, confirming a report by the Wall Street Journal on Friday.

Icahn, Mickelson and Walters were not immediately available for comment. Spokespeople for the FBI and SEC declined to comment.

The investigation is the latest case to emerge from a multi-year crackdown on insider trading by U.S. authorities. It involves two of the highest-profile personalities in finance and sport: famously combative activist investor Icahn and multiple Masters champion Mickelson.

Walters, who plays golf with Mickelson, is a well-known sports bettor who met Icahn through a mutual acquaintance and struck up a friendship, according to the Journal.

The investigation into the trio centers on suspicious trades in Clorox Co options days before Icahn announced a bid to acquire the company in 2011, according to the Journal, citing people briefed on the probe.

Icahn had accumulated a 9.1 percent stake in Clorox in February 2011. In July, the activist investor made an offer for the company that valued it at above $10 billion and sent its stock soaring.

Investigators were also looking into trades that Mickelson and Walters made related to Dean Foods Co, the Journal cited the people as saying.

Close call ........ and, I had the right a way

I came close to getting struck by a car today. I was crossing the street from the parking lot to enter Krogers. A lady in a red SUV .... TALKING ON HER CELL PHONE .... never moved her head to see if anyone was in front of her .... or crossing the street .... just talking away, phone in her left hand, covering up her eyes.

Fortunately, I saw what she was doing, and there were no others crossing .... she just drove on by, oblivious to what could have happened, still talking, never missed a word.

At least she would have been ready to call  911.....

Jay Carney resigns as White House press secretary

White House press secretary Jay Carney is resigning, to be replaced by deputy press secretary Joshua Earnest, President Obama announced Friday. “Jay has become one of my closest friends and is a great press secretary,” Mr. Obama said in a surprise announcement during Mr. Carney’s regular briefing at the White House. “I’m going to miss him a lot.”

The president said Mr. Carney, who took over the job in 2011, will spend most of the summer with his children before deciding what job he will take next.

He said Mr. Carney had asked to leave in April. He will leave in mid-June.

“Jay’s had to wrestle with this decision for quite some time,” Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Carney said he hasn’t “made any decisions yet” what he’ll do next.

“It’s been an amazing experience, so fulfilling,” Mr. Carney said.

Mr. Earnest will accompany Mr. Obama on his trip to Europe next week.

Mr. Carney’s departure had been rumored for months. The former Time magazine reporter is the father of two young children and is married to ABC News reporter Claire Shipman. Prior to replacing White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, Mr. Carney served as the spokesman for Vice President Joseph R. Biden.

Draw your own conclusions ... but ... his book will make him MILLIONS.

Thoughts for the day .........

Words, Words in a Speech .... meaning. I have tried to look back and some of the speeches made by one Barack Obama. He uses the word "period" on a number of occasions, I thought as an emphasis, but I am more inclined to think it is a signal, to someone, some group, that, "I really don't mean it." We all know that he does not write his speeches, he has a LARGE staff that does that. How much input he has, is up for speculation.

Among the words Obama has used more than other presidents: innovation, Republicans, jobs, why, I’m, kids, college, because, companies, can’t, don’t and Democrats. Among the words Obama has used less than other postwar presidents: must, peace, program, federal, freedom, nations, national, period, war and policy.

Why does he, Obama, feel that he should get in, stir up or get involved in the "concussion" controversy. I was not aware he had any medical background.

What does Obama have against Drew Carey? I turned the TV off when the "Bulletin" came on, I knew what was going to happen. Why do government employees, especially those in the VA get ridiculous bonuses for doing "nothing much" in the first place. Oh how I wish I had gone to work for the government when I got out of high school. Officials apparently don't get fired, they must make a lateral move to another job, same pay grade. How great is that?

Yes, I think Indiana will win tonight. Advertising has already been paid for .... on game 7. I am not always right, but more often than not, just visualize WHAT outcome would most profitably benefit TV?. James may again get in to foul trouble, and change the outcome, not always, but?????? I have predicted the last four Super Bowls, not the best team, the "most satisfying" for TV.

Help the VETS?

I have no idea how many "veterans" there are, but I wonder how many of them are  really involved in any of these organizations ... this does NOT include the VA. You should see how long that list is. BIG INDUSTRY.

Air Force Association
Air Force Sergeants Association
American Ex-Prisoners of War
American G.I. Forum
American Legion
American Veterans for Equal Rights
AMVETS
Aztec Club of 1847
Blinded Veterans Association
Catholic War Veterans
Disabled American Veterans
Dark Horse Syndicate
Fleet Reserve Association
[(Florida Veterans Assistance, Inc)]
The Greatest Generations Foundation
Healing Heroes Network
HeroBox
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America or IAVA (formerly OpTruth)
Iraq War Veterans Organization
Jewish War Veterans of the USA
Marine Corps League
Military Officers Association of America
Military Order of the Carabao
Military Order of Foreign Wars
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Navy League of the United States
National Association for Black Veterans
National Gulf War Resource Center
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
New Battlefront Foundation
Operation Sacred Trust
Operation Stand Down
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Pearl Harbor Survivors Association
Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)
Sierra Club Military Outdoors
Society of the Cincinnati
Student Veterans of America
United Service Organizations
United States Submarine Veterans Inc. (USSVI)
United States Submarine Veterans of World War II
Veterans Advantage
Veterans for America
Veterans for Peace
Veterans History Project
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans Union
VETPAC
Vietnamese American Armed Forces Association
Vietnam Veterans of America
Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Wounded Warrior Project

He is GOAL oriented ...........

Jathan Muhar dreams big. Dressed in his cap and gown, the pint-size pre-schooler recently strode up to the microphone during his graduation ceremony and confidently announced his future career goals. 

“I’m Jathan Muhar and I want to be Batman,” he said, while the crowd erupted in cheers. 

The adorable moment was captured on video and posted to YouTube on Wednesday. As of Thursday, the clip had racked up nearly 20,000 views. 

Given how ridiculously mature preschool graduations have become — complete with official capsand gowns, diplomas, and speeches — to celebrate milestones such as learning to share and count, Jathan brings us back to earth with a reminder that, no matter how grown up we treat them, kids are still kids. 

Students’ diplomas initially withheld because they tossed their caps in the air during graduation

The administration at Ridgewood High School in the Chicago suburb of Norridge, has “re-thought” their decision to initially deny the entire senior class of 2014 their diplomas after many threw their caps in the air at the graduation ceremony. 

The graduates were instructed repeatedly, "Please do not throw the caps or there will be consequences." 

It shouldn't have been entirely surprising behavior for students at a school that calls itself the, “Home of the Rebels.”

The Chicago Tribune reports that after the punishment was given, Ridgewood’s website told graduates they had to pick student representatives to “apologize to the school’s board of trustees for their ‘disrespectful and insubordinate behavior,’” in order to receive their diplomas.

Several students spoke to WMAQ NBC 5, to express their dissatisfaction with the administration’s decision. Jackie Rios said, “I just think it's really ridiculous only because we worked so hard to get to this point." 

Another senior classmate said, “It wasn’t a way to disrespect anyone it was just in a way where we wanted to do something together and celebrate, like, the end of the year." Parents, like Mary Sticha, support the students. “Oh I love [the graduation cap toss], they do it every year, so I was expecting it and I, it was kind of silly that they would request them not to,” Sticha said.

Zuckerberg, wife gift $120M to CA schools

Speaking of dispersing of internet monies .... I'm still living in the 60's .... nice gesture on their part .... I don't remember anyone donating 120 million in the 60's, other than the government. I'm surprised Obama didn't offer to purchase the Clippers and let the government run them ... they are already losers, much like our government ... may do a blog on that.

MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are donating $120 million to the San Francisco Bay Area's public school system.

The couple's gift will be spread over the next five years and is the biggest allocation to date of the $1.1 billion in Facebook stock the couple pledged last year to the nonprofit Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

"Education is incredibly expensive and this is a drop in the bucket. What we are trying to do is catalyze change by exploring and promoting the development of new interventions and new models," Chan said in an interview Thursday at Facebook's Menlo Park, California, headquarters.

Shelly Sterling agrees to sell Clippers to Ballmer

Apr 29, 2014 - According to the latest valuation by Forbes, the Clippers franchise is now worth $575 million, a 34 percent increase over the 2013 valuation:. 

OK, I guess I can see that .... so then ...... WHY would someone pay TWO BILLION for a basketball team????????? Gotta be a TAX thing. And, even more amazing, SOMEONE has enough money to purchase them ..... "How much." .... "Two Billion" .... "Oh, OK."

 Herb Kohl, who bought the team for $18 million in 1989, 

And, they are the worst team in the league.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has agreed to buy the Los Angeles Clippers for a record-breaking $2 billion. Now it's up to others whether the deal goes through.

Shelly Sterling said in a statement issued late Thursday that she'd signed a binding contract for a sale of the Clippers by The Sterling Family Trust to Ballmer in what would be a record deal if approved by the NBA.

Ballmer "will be a terrific owner," Sterling said, "We have worked for 33 years to build the Clippers into a premier NBA franchise. I am confident that Steve will take the team to new levels of success."

Sterling negotiated the sale after her husband, Donald Sterling, made racist remarks that were made public. The remarks included Sterling telling girlfriend V. Stiviano not to bring blacks to Clippers games, specifically mentioning Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

Shelly Sterling's statement noted that she made the deal "under her authority as the sole trustee of The Sterling Family Trust, which owns the Clippers." Donald Sterling's attorneys contend that he is a co-owner and therefore must give his assent for the deal to go through. They also say he won't be giving it.

2 boys declared co-champions of Spelling Bee

OXON HILL, Maryland (AP) — Two spellers were declared co-champions of the Scripps National Spelling Bee — the first time in 52 years.

Indian-Americans Sriram Hathwar of New York and Ansun Sujoe of Texas shared the title Thursday after a riveting final-round duel in which they nearly exhausted the 25 designated championship words. After they spelled a dozen words correctly in a row, they both were named champions.

The past eight winners and 13 of the past 17 have been of Indian descent, a run that began in 1999 after Nupur Lala's victory, which was later featured in the documentary "Spellbound."

Sriram, 14, opened the door to an upset by 13-year-old Ansun after he misspelled "corpsbruder," a close comrade. But Ansun was unable to take the title because he got "antigropelos," which means waterproof leggings, wrong.

Sriram entered the final round as the favorite after finishing in third place last year. Ansun just missed the semifinals last year.

They become the fourth co-champions in the bee's 89-year history and the first since 1962.

Another on veterans - I am one.

I did a VA post not long ago. Let's be honest, whether we like it or not, Veterans are a "dead horse." We are all Rah, Rah when they join, give them nice shiny uniforms, have parades, pat them on the butt and send them off to fight people they don't know, and probably don't know why they are doing it. In some cases, when there is a draft, you go whether you want to or not. "It's the right thing to do," THEY say.

Then, some general decides to do something because the losses are "acceptable." Some are buried where they fall, in some foreign land, they are the "easy" ones. They get shot, they die, and they get buried.

Now, most are flown home in a flag draped box, given a glamorous funeral, thousands line the funeral route, they are televised and given a heroes burial.

And then we have the ones that don't die. They are the problem, especially those  who got wondered, or even worse, those who suffered some "problem" because of what they had seen or gone through, the traumatic injury type of stuff. Houses, jobs, medical treatment families, these things all cost money, money that "we" could better spend, well helping other countries, how about rebuilding those countries we tore up in the battles we just fought, and, well, it costs a lot of money to run out government, all the buildings and the salaries and bonuses, especially those bonuses. We, the government, appreciate what you have done, but, let's be realistic, your job is over, ours is still going on.

Alimony and child support, same thing, that old "dead horse" payment, unpopular, to say the least.

But, popular "fodder" for politicians and veterans groups, and who comes out on the short end ...... The Veteran. I especially feel sorry for the guy who was drafted, made to leave home, made to get training, made to fight ... got wounded ..... and now, has to almost beg for help from the government who got him in the mess in the first place. And, it all could have originated by a "politician" who has never "served his country," and who holds an office because there were NO qualifications other than "more votes."

If this don't pick you up ..... nuthin will

OK, time for a little uplifting and spiritual awakening.

This has almost become my favorite

I like the enthusiasm in Larry Gatlin sitting in the front row

I have a hunch, from their reactions that this

was  a whim of Bills.

LISTEN HERE

HIDE ME THOU

Obama receives standing ovation from less than 25% of West Point cadets

Probably an accurate percentage, ONE/FOURTH of the country, likes, agrees or trusts him. I look upon him the same as I would the head of any large corporation. In almost all cases I do not know their names. I know his. He does not know mine. He does not really care about me, my family, or my problems. He is merely a corporate image. He makes a lot of money and will have an excellent retirement. One has to question his intelligence by not accepting 50 MILLION, just to show his birth certificate. OBAMA is probably the ONLY person in the WORLD who would NOT do that. I wonder WHY? The Corp, this year, altered the tradition of throwing their caps in the air, they threw them at Obama ..(I made that up)

President Obama was welcomed by the Black Knight of the Hudson for his speech at West Point on Wednesday, but less than 25 percent of the cadets gave him a standing ovation upon his introduction.

“Receiving tepid applause and a short standing ovation from less than one-quarter of the audience upon his introduction, Obama argued for a contradictory foreign policy that relies on NATO and the United Nations while insisting that ‘America must always lead on the world stage,’ the paper reported.

During his speech, which the Wall Street Journal called “consistent with that of every post-Cold War administration,” the president also took a swipe at critics, saying: “I believe in American exceptionalism with every fiber of my being. But what makes us exceptional is not our ability to flout international norms and the rule of law; it’s our willingness to affirm them through our actions.”

Much of the president’s speech focused on using military force only as a last resort and working with allies to solve global conflicts.

“I would betray my duty to you, and to the country we love, if I sent you into harm’s way simply because I saw a problem somewhere in the world that needed fixing, or because I was worried about critics who think military intervention is the only way for America to avoid looking weak,” the president said.

The president stressed that the U.S. needed to work with the international community to combat terrorism, and that increased efforts to do so would include a new $5 billion fund. That money would also expand funding for Defense Department intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, special operations and other activities, the Associated Press reported.

This sums it up ..... pretty well - What is the difference, you ask?

Donald Trump Offers Obama $50 Million for Birth Records

As Danny Devito's character, Vincent Benedict, in Twins (1988) so aptly put it, "Money talks and bull s--t walks." Trump's talking with his money. You can't get any better than that.

This latest story is about

Donald Trump offering President Obama $50 million for his birth records and $5 million for his college transcripts.

Obama is always talking about income inequality. Taking Trump up on the offer would have spread the wealth around to people in need and put to rest forever any questions people still have over his birth records and college transcripts.

I wouldn't want my high school transcripts made public. They are really bad, but for $5 million, I'd make wallpaper out of them. Something's going on here.

Many critics of people like Trump want to know what the big deal is.

It comes down to honesty and full disclosure.

Tiger Woods withdraws from US Open

DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Tiger Woods withdrew from the U.S. Open on Wednesday as he recovers from back surgery that has kept him out of golf for nearly three months.

It will be the second U.S. Open, and sixth major, he has missed because of injury over the last six years.

The U.S. Open is June 12-15 at Pinehurst No. 2, where Woods tied for third in 1999 and was runner-up in 2005. The announcement on his website was not surprising. A week ago at a promotional event for the Quicken Loans National at Congressional, Woods said he still had not taken a full swing with a golf club and did not know when he could.

He had microdiscetomy surgery to relieve a pinched nerve on March 31.

"Unfortunately, I won't be there because I'm not yet physically able to play competitive golf," Woods said. "I'd like to convey my regrets to the USGA leadership, the volunteers and the fans that I won't be at Pinehurst. The U.S. Open is very important to me, and I know it's going to be a great week."

Three years after Japan tsunami, suspected bits of debris arrive on Washington shores

In March 2011, an undersea earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan and resulted in more than 15,000 deaths. Three years later, the disaster's aftermath is still being felt in ways large and small, far and wide.

On a beach in southern Washington, approximately 4,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean, debris that may be from the tsunami is washing ashore.

Experts have yet to confirm that the debris, which includes small fishing boats, foam blocks, and water bottles, is all a direct result of the tsunami. However, George Hill, a tow-truck driver who spoke with KING-5, said that many of the water bottles and assorted items of trash appear to have originated in Japan.

Hill, who hauls away the large pieces of debris, told KING-5 there are portions of the beach that look like a dump truck just emptied a huge pile of trash.

Washington state has been keeping track of the debris that is confirmed to be from the tsunami. Items include boats, portions of docks, and volleyballs that have all washed ashore over the past three years. Alaska, California, and Oregon have also been monitoring their coasts.

The most recent waves of debris began to arrive on beaches on Friday. Authorities are investigating to see if the boats and other items can be identified. They will also be checked for invasive species.

In addition to the mass destruction and thousands of deaths, the earthquake that caused the tsunami altered the spin of the planet, according to reports.

Lightning hits World Trade Center

73-year-old seeks 'stand your ground' protection

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A 73-year-old man has been charged with murder in a recent shooting that killed a man and wounded a woman who had done meth and entered his vacant duplex without permission in suburban Reno.

The defendant, Wayne Burgarello, acknowledged the Feb. 13 shooting at a property he owns in Sparks but says he was acting in self-defense under Nevada's "stand your ground" law, according to court records.

Activists working to bring attention to the case hailed prosecutors Wednesday. Debbie Peckham, mother of 34-year-old Cody Devine, says her son was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" when he was killed. She says he was unarmed and wasn't dangerous.

More than 30 states have "stand your ground" laws that allow deadly force against attackers posing an imminent threat regardless of whether the aggressor is armed. Nevada law says the shooter cannot be "the original aggressor."

Burgarello was not asked to enter a plea during an initial appearance at Sparks Justice Court via video link Wednesday. His next court appearance is June 2. He is being held in Washoe County jail without bail after being arrested Tuesday. He doesn't yet have a lawyer.

Prosecutors say Burgarello shot 29-year-old Janai Wilson and Devine without justification as the two were resting on a pallet on the floor.

"How can you feel endangered if they are sleeping?" Peckham asked at a news conference Wednesday.

Wilson told police she met Devine the day of the shooting and that they had injected methamphetamine together before entering the vacant property and going to sleep about 4:30 a.m. She said over the past three years she had occasionally stayed at the duplex, which was often vacant and unlocked.

Burgarello entered the residence with a high-powered revolver and a semi-automatic handgun, according to police reports. He told police he identified himself as the owner and warned, "This is private property and nobody better be in here."

Wilson said as Burgarello approached, Devine started to get up from the floor and said they were just sleeping. That's when the shooting began, she told police.

Burgarello told police Devine had moved his arm in a threatening manner. "The arm came up like a gun, and I reacted," Burgarello said, according to a police affidavit.

Devine was shot five times, including once in the head, an autopsy determined.

Wilson was shot in the arm, stomach and leg, but she was able to flee for help, according to police statements. Authorities have said she was recovering but have provided no other details.

Rev. Howard Dotson, a Sparks pastor, organized candlelight vigils after Devine's death and criticized police for failing to charge Burgarello. He said Wednesday he hopes the arrest signals that "you can't hide behind 'stand your ground.'"

"These stand your ground laws — people are getting killed for Skittles," he said. "People are getting killed for throwing a popcorn box or having loud music, and now Cody was killed for being on a date."

Intel readies 3D-printed robots for handy consumers

By Noel Randewich and Alexei Oreskovic

RANCHO PALOS VERDE California (Reuters) - Intel Corp introduced a walking, talking robot on Wednesday made from 3D-printed parts that will be available to consumers later this year, if they are willing to assemble it with a kit that costs around $1,600.

The company's Chief Executive Brian Krzanich was accompanied by "Jimmy" on stage at the Code Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The white 2-foot tall robot shuffled onto the stage, introduced itself and then waved its arms.

Intel describes Jimmy as a research robot, but the company intends to make 3D-printable plans available without charge for a slightly less advanced version, and partners will sell components that cannot be 3D-printed, such as motors and an Intel Edison processor, in kits.

Jimmy can be programmed to sing, translate languages, send tweets and even serve a cold beer.

Under Krzanich, who took over a year ago, the chipmaker is trying to be an early player in emerging technologies like smart clothing, after coming late to the mobile revolution and making little progress in smartphones and tablets.

Its strategy includes engaging tech-savvy do-it-yourselfers and weekend hobbyists working on everything from Internet-connected baby blankets to robots and drones.

Owners of the robots will be able to program them to perform unique tasks. They can then share the programs with other owners as downloadable apps.

Intel, based in Santa Clara, California, hopes the price for the robot kits will fall below $1,000 within five years.

Separately on Wednesday, entrepreneur Bill Gross announced plans for a 3D printer that would sell for $149, far less than devices that now typically sell for $1,000 or more.

Photo

A visitor takes photos from an elevated walkway connecting giant concrete tree-like structures called Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore May 28, 2014. 

(REUTERS/Edgar Su)

Prosecutor: Hernandez killed 2 over spilled drink

BOSTON (AP) — A spilled drink prompted former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez to stalk the stranger who had accidentally bumped into him at a Boston nightclub then open fire on his car, killing him and a second man, prosecutors said Wednesday.

"I think I got one in the head and one in the chest," Hernandez said to a friend as they fled the scene in an SUV, prosecutors told the court at the former star's arraignment.

Hernandez, already charged with killing another man last year, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to seven charges — including two counts of first-degree murder — in the 2012 shooting that killed Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. A third man was wounded.

In the months before the killings, Suffolk County First Assistant District Attorney Patrick Haggan said Hernandez had become increasingly convinced that people "had been testing, trying or otherwise disrespecting him when he frequented nightclubs in the area."

The night de Abreu and Furtado were killed, Haggan said Hernandez and a friend drove from Connecticut to Boston to go to a nightclub called Cure. They were standing at the edge of the dance floor when de Abreu accidentally bumped into Hernandez, smiled at him and did not apologize, according to prosecutors. Haggan said de Abreu and his friends did not appear to recognize Hernandez and had no idea he was upset.

Hernandez became increasingly agitated and told his friend that de Abreu had deliberately bumped into him and "was trying him," Haggan said.

The price is right .........

Doesn't ANYONE watch the Price is Right? How can all these people get on the show, never having watched it before. We watch it, I generally know what to bid, how to bid, but none of the contestants ever do, well, occasionally someone does, a little. Bid last and bid high, most often wins.

I know that shoes are expensive, jewelry generally is, I know the price range of cars, I also know, that the more "gregarious" .... loud, animated .... "stupid" you act, the more successful you will be. Big "jiggely" breasts also help. The more the bounce, the more screaming, the happier they are.

What is the BIG attraction ..... Rachel, Gwendolyn, Amber and Manuela .................

Another day wasted, we had to call SS to resolve a problem that they created....

I do not know all that happened, my wife takes care of it all. But, there is nothing as exciting as calling Social Security. We got a letter the other day .... well, one time we got an extra $20 on my SS check. Now, we got another one that says we owe $20, and the letter states if any questions, call us, gave a number.

So, Marilyn called that number they told us to call, and she was told that we would have to call our insurance provider. Our insurance provider will tell us to call SS. It is a day long, ending in tears event, every time she has a question about our SS, Insurance or anything related to either.

You just gotta love the government, it is a world all unto itself. They speak their own language and have their very own "attitude." And, I might add, one hell of a pay scale.

Advice to any young person, stay in high school, get a diploma, and go to work for the government, any, local, state, federal, just get a "government job" and stay with it. Don't bitch, don't make waves, just vote for whichever party is in power, support your "peers" .... you WILL go a long way, and have a nice retirement. Don't be ambitious, ambition is not good in government work. Because, you may step on some superiors toes, and you don't want to do that.

Either get a job in advertising, or with TV, or the government ............ all good.

Life is good .............. Buddies

A little on the VA

A few comments about the VA Hospital and Veterans problem. I suppose from the standpoint of the government, it is a necessary evil, something they wish would just ..... "go away." The servicemen, actually, are worthless after they get discharged. It is a bit like "alimony" or "child support," something you just have to do. In the case of the latter two, if you don't pay you go to jail. If the government fails to live up to its obligations, a lot of rhetoric is generated in Washington, but no one goes to jail.

I have had no experience with VA hospitals. Years ago, my Dad, the Doctor had a heart attack and had some paralysis. He could have done therapy here in town, but he wanted to go to the VA hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He knew it would be "rougher" than he would receive here. His Doctor made the arrangements, and Jim Madison and I drove him down. I felt bad about leaving him there, but that is what he wanted.

I don't remember the time frame, but he called and I went down and picked him up. He was considerably better. He related that shortly after he was admitted, put on a ward, and somehow it was revealed that he was a Doctor. He became an "instant" hit with all the patients. He spoke ENGLISH, few to none of the other Doctors did. He said the entire time he was there, patients would ask him questions. I think he loved the attention, he was a Doctor again.

I cannot see why the VA would be exempt from "problems" ... the entire medical profession is experiencing them. Almost every medical "practice" here in Newark, Ohio, is owned by the hospital. Years ago, we called the Doctor if someone was ill or had a medical problem. NOW our Doctor calls us. "Come in so we can write your prescription, a plethora of reasons to visit his office, and, pay, pay, pay, and ..... pay. I was shocked on my last visit .... "I'll see you in a year." I loved his optimism, for one thing. It would be interesting and revealing to know what it costs, for one day, our hospital to operate. ALL those salaries. They even have a large staff, cutting grass and planting flowers.

Veterans are a "dead horse" so to speak, easy to forget, served their purpose. I remember the VA in Dayton had an "Old Soldiers Home," a place where old vets could retire. That would be quite a task today. It was for vets from WWI. No more.

Very true .... unfortunately

NOMOPHOBIA - An alarming problem from Ripley

Dinesh, I have put my entire foot in my mouth .... a number of times.

Central California wildfire burns out of control, threatens 100 homes

By Madeleine Thomas

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A wildfire burning west of Yosemite National Park in central California threatened more than 100 homes on Tuesday as it raged out of control in brush left bone dry by severe drought, state fire officials said.

California’s fire season has been particularly severe this year, with one of the worst droughts in the state’s history playing a key role in the size and number of wildfire outbreaks.

The blaze that erupted on Monday afternoon has already charred more than 1,300 acres (526 hectares) and was burning on the southeastern shores of Lake McClure in Mariposa County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Five firefighters have been injured battling the blaze, including one who suffered serious lacerations in a chainsaw accident, said Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant.

That firefighter was taken to hospital, Berlant said, but his condition was not known. Injuries to the other four were minor, he added.

More than 100 homes were ordered evacuated ahead of the flames, which were only 20 percent contained as of Tuesday evening, Berlant said.

More than 670 firefighters were working to contain the blaze, including crews from Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and dozens of local fire aids.

OAKLAND, Calif.—Here’s a touching story of animal love between a goat and a donkey.

A goat named “Mr. G” became sad and depressed and decided to stop eating after he was separated from his burro friend, “Jellybean”.

The two animals were found living in a hoarding situation and were separated and transported to different animal sanctuaries.

Once separated, “Mr. G” would spend all of his time in the corner of his stall and wouldn’t eat for 6 days.

Volunteers at Animal Place sanctuary recognized they needed to do something to help “Mr. G” eat again.

A volunteer decided to drive 14 hours to reunite the two animals.

Sterling says NBA ban, forced sale is illegal

(Reuters) - Donald Sterling, banned from owning a pro basketball team for inflammatory remarks he made about African Americans, called the National Basketball Association's action illegal because it was based on a "lover's quarrel" that was "illegally recorded."

"This was an argument between a jealous man and the woman he loved that should never have left the privacy of the living room," Sterling said in a letter to the NBA obtained by the Los Angeles Times. Reuters was unable to confirm the authenticity of the letter.

Sterling, controlling owner of the Los Angeles Clippers for 33 years, came under fire after TMZ.com posted an audio recording of him criticizing a female friend for publicly associating with black people, including NBA great "Magic" Johnson.

The NBA said in a statement on Tuesday night that it had received a response from Donald and Shelly Sterling regarding his termination, and added that the league's Board of Governors will hold a vote on eliminating Sterling's stake at a hearing set for June 3, when he can address the charges before his fellow owners.

If at least 23 of the other 29 owners vote to terminate Sterling's ownership of the franchise, the Clippers would have to be sold, the NBA said.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said last week he would prefer to let Donald Sterling and his wife Shelley Sterling sell the team "on a reasonable timetable" rather than proceed with trying to forcibly terminate their ownership.

Sterling handed controlling interest in his team to his wife, the co-owner, and she began negotiating with the league to sell the club, Reuters reported on Friday, citing sources.

Sterling said in the letter that he has received offers "in excess of $2.5 billion" for the team, but did not name potential buyers.

Wow, to be "forced" to sell for 2.5 BILLION, I think I could be forced in to that. I agree with him though, not sure of the "legality" of making him sell. Who controls what in the NBA, NFL, etc., my opinion, TV controls them and has made their decision about this incident, "whence forth comes the dollars."

Foot Thearpy

For many years, my feet have felt ....... funny. Primarily my toes, feel somewhat like there is cotton under the toes. No hurt, no tingle, they just ........... "feel funny." I have mentioned it to my Doctor a number of times, actually, a number of different Doctors, with no response from any of them. They don't bother me, they just feel ............... funny.

Movement has not been restricted at all. so it is not a problem.

It seems to help. At night, not every night, I do about an hour in a Dr. Scholls tub thing, hot water, bubbles, with Epsom Salts and a little lotion in the water. I do that in the bedroom while watching television. Some nights, not every night, I rub Vicks on my feet, and put sweat socks on. Sometime I am going to try this. Cut an onion, about two inch thick slices, and affix to the feet, cover with socks. I have herd it does wonders.

But, the therapy I look forward to the most, in the morning, damp cool grass, barefooted, I take Caleb for a way, that grass does a wonderful massage job on the feet. I have to keep a careful eye on Caleb to make sure I know where, well you know. I do get a little exercise also, bending over, Walmart sack in hand, to, well, you know, again, pick up.

Not to change the subject, but again, a commercial for a "blue cloth thing" that is going to keep me cool. Wet it, wring it, wear it. This Summer, I imagine we will see everyone wearing the "blue" thing around their neck, or on their head. How did we get by, all these years? I see a number of well known athletes have endorsed it. I have never seen any of them wearing it, other than in the commercial.

91-year-old Rep. Hall ousted in Texas GOP primary

ROCKWALL, Texas (AP) — Congressman Ralph Hall, at 91 the oldest-ever member of the U.S. House, was ousted Tuesday in the Texas Republican runoff by a candidate barely half his age.

Backed by powerful national conservative groups, 48-year-old former U.S. Attorney John Ratcliffe was able to paint Hall as too cozy with the GOP establishment after 34 years in office. He forced the incumbent into his first runoff in 17 terms in the House, then won it decisively.

"I just got whipped and got beat," Hall told supporters in his hometown of Rockwall, where he once had a brush with notorious outlaws Bonnie and Clyde while working in a pharmacy as a boy. He insisted, though, that he wasn't surprised or sad.

Ratcliffe relied on modern analytics to better target would-be voters, while Hall used more traditional techniques such as direct mailings and walking cities and towns to chat with voters. At his election party Tuesday night, Hall campaign staffers even wrote county-by-county results on butcher paper tapped to the wall.

"We really felt optimistic," Ratcliffe said in a phone interview, even before Hall had called to concede. He said he considered himself an underdog until the minute the polls closed.

Hall first ran for political office in 1950 and won his congressional seat when Jimmy Carter was president. He was a Democrat until switching parties in 2004.

Fire in S. Korea hospice for elderly kills 21

Seoul (AFP) - A fire tore through a hospice for the elderly in South Korea early Wednesday, killing 21 people -- the latest in series of deadly accidents following last month's ferry disaster that claimed around 300 lives.

"We have recovered 21 bodies and seven people were injured, some of them in a serious condition," a fire department official told AFP from Jangseong County, about 190 miles (300 kilometres) south of Seoul.

Although the fire was brought under control within 30 minutes, the official said many elderly patients on the second floor of the hospice were bedridden and unable to escape in time.

"Most of them died as the result of smoke inhalation," he said.

TV reports cited local officials as saying only one nurse was on duty, caring for more than 70 people -- including stroke victims and patients with Alzheimer's.

The nurse was also reportedly killed in the blaze.

The fact that most of the victims were sick and elderly will fuel debate about lax safety standards for vulnerable people following the Sewol ferry tragedy in which most of the victims were schoolchildren.

Seven people were injured in the hospice -- with six in a critical condition, prompting fears the toll could rise.

Good Question.

Interesting question. What have I seen happen to this country in my 81 years? Freedom lost, over the years. As a child, I had thve the new te freedom to go to the grocery store, the movie, downtown Dayton, walk around town and walk home, with no fears. That freedom has gone by the wayside.

I don't see kids playing outside any more, we used to live outside. I have left on a Saturday morning, and been warned, "Be home at five for dinner." And, my Mom was a worrier if there ever was one. I knew everyone in the neighborhood back then, where the husband worked, what grade all the kids were in, and, I have carried on many conversations in that alley next to our house, with wives, children, fathers, adults, and no one was concerned. I used to enjoy talking with Charley, who lived down the alley and worked at Delco, we talked, and no one was worried.


Soda, pop, cola, by any name, Coke, Pepsi. It was a treat. "Let's go down to Millet's Delicatessen and get a Pepsi, they have the new ....... tall bottle." I don't remember ever having one at home, always, "out" somewhere, it was a real treat. And, drinking water out of the hose, a definite different flavor, and it was unique and odd, "Out of the hose?"

I walked to school, every day of my life, I have still never been on a school bus. I still do not know HOW, I got across busy, busy, Brown Street, which I had to do to get to Emerson Junior High School. I may have walked with Margie Guild, and we had "Crossing Guards," older kids that got to wear those white belts, that went over the shoulder, and, they had a badge pinned on it. In the sixth grade I was old enough, became a "Patrolman" got the badge and all. I can still see the corner II was assigned to. Had a small grocery store and a boulevard on one side, regular street on the other. Had to leave early to get to the post on time, still dark then, stole one of Dad's "Luckies" .... smoked it on the way to my corner. How sinful that was, I imagined that people were looking out at me from behind all those darkened windows.

I reflect, I delivered newspapers to Orville Wright at his Hawthorn Hill home on a few occasions. It meant nothing then, but, what a momentous event it was. I have often seen Charles Kettering, the inventor of the electric starter for cars, going in and out of his bank, and other times. I have seen FDR, Joe Louis in a golf exhibition, Robert Frost, walking through s casino, and then, thought nothing of it.

Computers, TV, Cell Phones have taken all of that away, and so much more .....................

Supreme Court rules against Florida in death penalty case

A divided Supreme Court said on Tuesday that Florida’s use of IQ tests as final evidence to determine death penalty eligibility is unconstitutional.

The case settles a capital punishment case that has been in the legal system since 1978.

In a 5-4 decision, a majority of Justices said in Hall v. Florida that a Florida law prohibiting anyone with an IQ of 70 or higher from being classified as mentally disabled, and thus making them eligible for the death penalty, violates standard medical practices.

“As interpreted by the Florida Supreme Court, however, Florida’s rule disregards established medical practice in two interrelated ways: It takes an IQ score as final and conclusive evidence of a defendant’s intellectual capacity, when experts would consider other evidence; and it relies on a purportedly scientific measurement of a defendant’s abilities, while refusing to recognize that measurement’s inherent imprecision,” Justice Anthony Kennedy said, writing for the majority.

“The death penalty is the gravest sentence our society may impose. Persons facing that most severe sanction must have a fair opportunity to show that the Constitution prohibits their execution,” Kennedy concluded. “Florida’s law contravenes our Nation’s commitment to dignity and its duty to teach human decency as the mark of a civilized world. The States are laboratories for experimentation, but those experiments may not deny the basic dignity the Constitu­tion protects.”

The Hall case arose from the 1978 murder of Karol Hurst, who was 21 years old and seven months pregnant, by Freddie L. Hall. Hall was convicted and sentenced to death in Florida.

A trial judge found Hall to be mentally handicapped, and in 1999, the Florida Supreme Court ruled “there is no doubt that the defendant has serious mental difficulties, is probably somewhat retarded, and certainly has learning difficulties and a speech impediment.”

The Hall case is directly related to a case from 2002, Atkins v. Virginia, when the Supreme Court said it is unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment to execute individuals who are determined to be mentally disabled.

WNBA and Maya Moore

WNBA

Apartment complex bans kids from playing outside

Fliers around the Sterling Park Apartments in Portland, Oregon have been posted to notify residents that kids living there are not allowed to play outside. 

As reported by KPTV Fox 12, the notifications were hung on Thursday morning. 

The station spoke to several residents who said it was the first time they heard of the “no play” policy. 

The flier states, “residents will not be permitted to play in halls, stairways, or entrances of buildings, gardens or landscape areas except where specifically permitted." Melissa Petri, a mom in the complex, said, “When I investigated further there are no such things. There is no area designated for them to play in.” 

The rules eliminate the entire apartment grounds except for the pool. The complex has designated areas for dogs, but none for children.

Ripley

Thanks Ernie ..................

In a dark and hazy room, peering into a crystal ball, the fortune teller delivered grave news:  "There's no easy way to tell you this, so I'll just be blunt. Prepare yourself to be a widow. Your husband will die a violent and horrible death this year."

Visibly shaken, the young woman stared back at the old woman's lined face, then at the single flickering candle, then down at her shaking hands.

She took a few deep breaths to compose herself. Her mind raced. A question forced it's way out... she simply had to know.. She met the Fortune Teller's gaze, tried to steady her voice and asked,  "Will I be acquitted?"

Some reflections

Memorable Memorial Day events. I must admit, these memories are few and far between. Of course, the 500 Indianapolis Race has many memories going along with it. It has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember.

We spent a few of them in Michigan, up at Burt Lake. Thus, this photo of the chair. We had a couple of chairs, similar to this. I remember one Memorial Day afternoon, a beautiful day, had gone fishing in the morning, cleaned the fish, and my brother Bud and a few of his friends were out in front of the cabin, Dad was lounging in his chair, the sky was a deep blue, the weather was nice, Dad was almost asleep, when my brother, lit a Cherry Bomb, and place it under the delicate canvas on Dad's chair. Fortunately, I was young, and did not know the meaning of most of the words that came out of my Dad's mouth. The words came out as rapidly as Dad did, from that chair.

Memorable also, Dad liked working in his shop, all sorts of tools. He had made a brass canon, turned it on his metal lathe, this picture is not his, but for effect only. He had a carriage out of Hickory Wood, and used the wheels from my Erector Set. It was about six inches long. He would use gun powder in it, used a broom handle with a match in the end of it, to lite it. I did make a powerful amount of noise and smoke. He would often start a holiday off, quite early, by firing the canon, much to the delight of our entire neighborhood. He took a great delight in firing it off near our neighbors bedroom window. The houses on our street were terraced, so the distance from our wall to their window was not too great. Mrs. Matthews, our neighbor, never said much, but I am sure uttered some kind words under her breath.

I remember spending one Memorial Holiday in Japan, probably '55. It was odd, in a way, only ten years since the war with Japan had ended. We had a service aboard ship, and later went to an area where there was still some obvious war destruction and some scenes and buildings I had seen in newsreels. It was just, odd.

The start of Summer, I hope I have many more........................

Ripley

"In this case, the red flags were so big the killer's parents had called police ... and yet the system failed," she said.

 GOLETA, Calif. (AP) — It was Friday night when Elliot Rodger's mother got a call from her son's therapist that he had emailed a ranting manifesto about going on a deadly rampage.

The mother went to her son's YouTube channel and found the video in which he threatens to kill people. She alerted authorities and set off frantically with her ex-husband to Santa Barbara.

By the time they arrived, it was too late: their son had killed six people and then, authorities say, himself.

"They're in deep, deep grief," family friend Simon Astaire said Sunday as he recounted the family's ordeal. "Their grief which is nearly unbearable to be close to is as much for the loss of their son as for the victims."

It was the second time in recent months that Rodger's mother tried to intervene. In April, she had called one of her son's counselors after seeing bizarre videos he had posted on YouTube, though not the disturbing one he posted shortly before the killings, Astaire said. The counselor called a mental health service, which then called police.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies who showed up at Rodger's doorstep to check on his mental health, however, weren't aware of any videos, the department's spokeswoman Kelly Hoover said. They concluded after their visit that the well-mannered if shy young man posed no risk.
 
Sheriff Bill Brown has defended the deputies' actions, but the case highlights the challenges that police face in assessing the mental health of adults, particularly those with no history of violent breakdowns, institutionalizations or serious crimes.

"Obviously, looking back on this, it's a very tragic situation and we certainly wish that we could turn the clock back and maybe change some things," Brown told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday.

"At the time deputies interacted with him, he was able to convince them that he was OK," he said.

It's not clear whether the mother's concern about the videos was conveyed to the deputies. An email to the counselor was not immediately returned.

Doris A. Fuller, executive director of the Virginia-based Treatment Advocacy Center, said California law has provisions that permit emergency psychiatric evaluations of individuals who pose a serious threat, but that was never triggered.
 
Rodger's family has disclosed their son was under the care of therapists.

"Once again, we are grieving over deaths and devastation caused by a young man who was sending up red flags for danger that failed to produce intervention in time to avert tragedy," Fuller said in a statement.

"In this case, the red flags were so big the killer's parents had called police ... and yet the system failed," she said.

U.S. Military To Be Saluted at 98th Indianapolis 500

The traditional pre-race ceremonies honoring the United States military at the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 25 will culminate with a special four-plane flyover recognizing the remarkable history of United States air power.

Traditional salutes to the military occupy many moments during the pageantry of pre-race ceremonies at the Indianapolis 500. Military members will march in uniform down the front straightaway, “Taps” will be played, and a military rifle team will fire a volley to honor America’s fallen heroes.

Grammy Award-winning country music sensation Martina McBride will sing “America The Beautiful” to honor the country and its troops, with famed actress and singer Florence Henderson performing “God Bless America,” and the national anthem will be sung by country music superstar LeAnn Rimes.

At the conclusion of the national anthem, four L-39 Albatros high-performance jet trainer aircraft will soar over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the traditional pre-race flyover provided by the Black Diamond Jet Team, a civilian-owned aerobatic jet team featuring planes appearing in a distinctive arctic camouflage paint scheme to match the U.S. F-16s flown in Alaska for the U.S. Air Force.

The planes will appear in a tight diamond formation and are piloted by former military fighter pilots from the U.S. Navy and Air Force with tens of thousands of hours of flight time.

Also during pre-race ceremonies, fans will join beloved Indianapolis 500 legend Jim Nabors in singing “(Back Home Again in) Indiana.” Nabors’ rendition of the song, which he will perform for the 35th and final time at IMS on Sunday, has been a cherished Indianapolis 500 tradition since he first performed it in 1972.

The 98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race is scheduled for noon ET on Sunday, May 25.

Raceday 2014

The Indy 500, an emotional event for me, every year. I remember listening to it on the radio back in the 30's and 40's. Not sure the year, probably the late 30's, we had been visiting my Uncle on his farm in Marion, Indiana, and were on our way home and got caught up in a bad traffic jam, traffic from the 500 crowd.

We were on a long straight stretch, bumper to bumper. Probably 15 or so cars ahead of us, was a railroad track. We looked, and saw an approaching train, and one car was stuck on the tracks, and they could not move. They hit, the train was pushing the car down the track, and we saw a white straw hat, with a long bow, floating away in the air. Never have forgotten that scene. We never learned if anyone was in the car or not, we think not, and the hat, floating in the wind, etched in my memory.

Howdy Bell. Sid Collins, Paul Page, there were many more announcers. Then the length of the track and the slower speeds necessitated announcers at all the turns and the straightaways, and the would bounce back and forth, they would follow a car around the track. Their voices and their enthusiasm were the Indy 500 back then.

In later years, we made a weekend out of the event. We had a nice picnic house out in back, and my friends would congregate for the weekend, big cookout on race day. By '49 it had turned in to quite an event. I imagine that, if still around, I imagine some thoughts are headed back to those events.

They are presenting the drivers, a new tradition, I think .... so much tradition .......

"Gentlemen and woman, start your engines."
or
"Drivers, start your engines."

Find someone to blame ....

 GOLETA, Calif. (AP) — A man whose son was among the victims killed in a shooting rampage near a California university quaked with grief and rage Saturday as he described his "lost and broken"

"Our son Christopher and six others are dead," Richard Martinez told reporters gathered outside a sheriff's station for a news conference the day after the shootings near the University of California, Santa Barbara, where the 20-year-old son was a sophomore. "You don't think it'll happen to your child until it does."

Christopher Ross Michaels-Martinez, of Los Osos, Calif., was the last of six people killed by suspect Elliot Rodger before the gunman apparently shot and killed himself, authorities said.

Martinez choked back tears as he spoke, then grew angrier as he talked about gun laws and lobbyists.

"The talk about gun rights. What about Chris' right to live?" Martinez said. "When will enough people say: 'Stop this madness! We don't have to live like this! Too many people have died!"

He then punctuated his words as he said, "We should say to ourselves: 'Not! One! More!'" before dissolving into tears and falling to his knees as he stepped from the podium.

Martinez said he talked to his son just 45 minutes before he died inside the IV Deli Mart, where bullet holes and blood could still be seen on Saturday. After already killing five others at his apartment and outside a sorority house, Rodger walked into the deli and shot Michael-Martinez, authorities said.

Michaels-Martinez was an English major who planned to go to London next year and to law school after graduation, his father said.

If I heard right on the news, his father notified authorities of a possible problem, he was evaluated and determined to be OK, appropriate people were forewarned, and nothing resulted from alarm. Why was the blame not put there? Someone apparently .... "dropped the ball." I can only imagine his grief ......

Nabors back home in Indiana to say farewell

Oh, I will cry today, many tears, another tradition in my lifetime is saying goodbye. Since his first one, I have religiously stood, watched and listened to Jim Nabors sing this song. My family is from Indiana, the 500 has been a part of my life for all my years. I will die, a little bit today, millions of others will be crying with me, I am sure.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jim Nabors is back home again in Indiana, this time to say farewell.

The actor whose bumbling Gomer Pyle character endeared Nabors to an entire generation, and whose rich baritone has provided the soundtrack for the Indianapolis 500 for more than four decades, will perform "Back Home Again in Indiana" on Sunday for the last time.

"I'll be honest with you, I didn't want to stay too long at the fair," the 83-year-old Nabors said with a hearty chuckle. "Everyone has been so incredible to me so many years. The first time I was here was 1972, so I guess most people have grown up with me."

Indeed, millions of race fans have come to know Nabors not for his character on "The Andy Griffith Show" and its spinoff, "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C," but for his Memorial Day weekend tradition.

"To many Indianapolis 500 fans the pre-race pageantry is as important as the race itself," Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles said this week, "especially as the lead-up reaches its highest point with Jim Nabors singing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' and Mari Hulman-George giving the command to start engines."

Pinkskin Potatoes

How about the arrogance of old Harry Reid and his cronies. Nothing to do so they decide to criticize the Washington Redskin football team for being called ...... The Redskins. He had the bold faced audacity to say something on behalf of the entire Indian Nation, about the use of the term Redskins.

There is a potato called a Redskin. I purchase them all the time. I like to boil them, and as I immerse each potato into the boiling water, I envision General Custer, standing there, surrounded by bodies and Redskins, the bodies, his troops, the Redskins, the Indians who caused them to be ..... bodies, that are laying around him, and I get "even" with each potato I drop in the water.

I imagine it is impossible to change the name of the potato. How could that be done, it is a potato, not one person owns that name, and they are called that because they have ..... red ...... skins. They could possibly be Carmen skins, pinkish skins, scarlet skins. So, they just call them redskins. Do Indians eat redskin potatoes? How do they order them in a restaurant? "Those little boiled, buttered funny looking, off colored, potatoes.

The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team located in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The team belongs to the East Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The team's home stadium is FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Its headquarters and training facility are at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia, and the newly built Redskins Complex in Richmond, Virginia, respectively. The Redskins have played more than 1,000 games since 1932. The Redskins have won five NFL Championships (two pre-merger, and three Super Bowls). The franchise has captured 13 NFL divisional titles and six NFL conference championships.

I wonder if any Indians have complained about the name.

I imagine when George and boys were forming this country they discussed in detail the eventuality of professional football occurring, and their names. "George, I can see some problems arising when the NFL is formed and they start naming their teams, how many colors and animals can be used," Patrick Henry stated. "We have to be realistic," John Hancock chimed in, "there are only Indians around here, and some team, maybe right here in the capitol is going to want to be called, the Indians, no, the Redskins."

Washington concluded by saying, "What business do we, the Government, the Congress, the House of Representatives and myself, the first President of the United States, have in getting involved in the issue anyway. Pass the potatoes, Adams, what do you call these little red things?"

I uncovered a diabolical plot today, unexpectedly, but, I should have known. It has been there all the time, right before our eyes, and we have missed seeing it, I, well, so simple but, so, so, evil and well, bad.

My wife did a demo at Krogers today. I go in at the start and help her get her demo cart out, on casters, rather hard to push, has her microwave, toaster oven and shelves, anyway, I get that set up for her. Then, at the end, I go to pick her up, and push the cart back to a storage area in the store. I also take any corrugated boxes to the back, and take trash to the back, also.

Today, I took the trash to the back. And, there it was, a mountain, a large mountain, skids and skids and skids of pop, probably 12 or 14 piles, floor to ceiling, it took up 2/3 of the back stock room. I don't think I have ever seen so much pop in one place.

Standing next to the pile was a man, in a black suit, black tie, polished shoes, sinister look on his face, rubbing his hands together in a devious way. He was, well, diabolical looking, to say the least. I walked over to him and said, "That's a lot of pop."

He said, "Da."

"Excuse me," I said.

"Da, mnogo soda," he answered.

I wondered, what and why is this Russian standing, admiring all this soda pop in Krogers.

"Ochen' khorosho," he came back with, my limited Russian knew he said, "Very good."

"Vodka," I said.

"Da," he replied and we walked out of the store, next door to the bowling alley, 

"Two double Finlandia," I said, straight.

"Da, da, da," he muttered.

We drank them, one long draw, he held up two fingers, the bartender brought two more. After we got that one down, he looked at me and said, "I do speak English, very well, went to USC, now work for KGB.

"Why were you looking at all that soda," I asked him.

"Dont tell no von, ve havv a plan, ve re flooding all of America with soda pop, every store, everywhere, soda pop, soda pop and more soda pop. Ve tink in nine years, all merica is diabetic and sick an ve jus march in and take over country."

OMG, is there no stopping this ...................... ?

A thoughtful time for me

Saturday, May 24, 2014, Memorial Day Weekend. Sitting here, looking out the window at this gorgeous day in Ohio, wanting to go out and sit in the sun, but, enjoying the cooler air in here, and watch Georgia play Baylor, ladies softball.

Every Saturday, I think of Alice Tuttle, gotten to be a habit, for some reason. I knew her husband, in Reno, Alice was a dealer at Harolds, she lived in our apartment building, and she was just a friend. She had a ritual, every Saturday morning, she cleaned her apartment. I don't know why that has stuck, but it has. She had an Electrolux Vacuum, stored in a large hassock, in her living room. Funny how some things just stick with you.

Of course, SMI's at The Citadel, Saturday Morning Inspection. EVERYTHING had a place, and had to be there, we bleached the old wooden floor, then a parade, and the rest of the day was free.

Saturday, of course, was the day off from school, Saturday morning radio shows, Big John and Sparky, Buster Brown, there were a number of radio shows, just for kids, on Saturday morning."This is my dog Tige, he lives in a shoe, I'm Buster Brown, look for me in there, too."

Memories are better than gold, but they can make you both sad, glad and happy, and cause regrets. I wish I had asked and listened to my Dad, stories of his experience in WWI. He was a "doughboy" in the trenches on the front lines. One of the few stories he related. Taking a break from his duties in communications, he left his post, left the office in the trench, and went outside for a breath of fresh air. Four of his buddies were playing poker on a makeshift table, "C'mon Dean, sit in." He chose to not do it and instead went a distance away and sat beside some empty ammunition cartons. Within moments, a shell landed in the middle of the table, killing all of his friends. He felt his guardian angel had interceded.

A plethora of stores I never heard, but an abundance of good memories to look back on.

Food for Thought

The definition of the word Conundrum is:   Something that is puzzling or confusing.

Here are six Conundrums of socialism in  the United States of  America:

1. America is capitalist and  greedy - yet half of the population is subsidized.

2. Half of the population is subsidized - yet they think they are victims.

3. They think they are victims - yet their representatives run the government.

4. Their representatives run the government - yet the poor keep getting poorer.

5. The poor keep getting poorer - yet they have things that people in other countries only dream about.

6. They have things that people in other countries only dream about - yet they want America to be more like      those other countries.

Think about it! And that, my friends, pretty much sums up the USA in the 21st Century.

Makes you wonder who is doing the math.

These three, short sentences tell you a lot about the direction of the current government and cultural environment:

1. We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works.

And here's another one worth considering...

2. Seems we constantly hear about how Social Security is going to run out of money. How come we never hear about welfare or food stamps running out of money? What's interesting is the first group "worked for" their money, but the second didn't. Think about it....

and last but not least:

3. Why are we cutting benefits for our veterans, no pay raises for our military, and cutting our army to a level lower than before WWII, but we are not stopping the payments or benefits to illegal aliens.

Are we a great country, or what?