This is an old Spoof post of mine ....

Jim Tressel, the maligned ex head coach at Da Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio was recently spotted working as a greeter in a Walmart in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

A clause in his contract stipulated that each person entering the store be greeted with an "I'm Sorry," rather than the usual "Welcome to Walmart."

When management was asked if they felt he would honor that clause, they indicated that they were aware of his "respect" for clauses, and felt he would eventually resort to the usual Walmart greeting. They also indicated that they were in the process of acquiring a "vest" for him to wear, in maize and blue.

Oddly enough, his pay scale is higher than the store Manager, Bo Bruce, but Tress answered, when asked about it, "Hey, I'm used to that, I made more than the school President, and the Athletic Director, I'm used to being overpayed."

Prior to being hired, he told personnel management that he would not say "Go Blue" under any set of circumstances, and by the same token, he would not utter "Go Bucks" as customers entered the store.

In the news .... a spoof of course

The Hip Replacement Hip Replacement Company of Las Vegas, Nevada recently announced that they are considering opening a new subsidiary company that would be located in Fallon, Nevada, that would offer hip replacements for those who had unsuccessful hip replacements that were not successful.

In 1940 at Johns Hopkins hospital, Dr. Austin T. Moore (1899-1963), an American surgeon, reported and performed the first metallic hip replacement surgery. The original prosthesis he designed was a proximal femoral replacement, with a large fixed head, made of the Cobalt-Chrome alloy Vitallium.

Most of these replacements have been successful, but a few have failed and required additional hip replacement surgery.

Now, we are finding that a large number of the hip replacement hip replacement surgeries have been unsuccessful for the same problems encountered with the second replacement.

The third level replacement prosthesis is in development, and will replace the replacement after more testing is performed. HRHRIII is looking for volunteers to test the new unit.

If you have had a hip replacement that was replaced, please get in touch with HRHRIII in Fallon, at 1-800-GOODHIP.

Wise words ..........

When did it happen?

I am thinking back to the late 50's, my Dad was the outgoing President of the Montgomery County Medical Society. In his speech, he outlined his thoughts of what was in score for the future of "medicine." He , as a Doctor, had been involved in "Medicine" all of his working life, and unfortunately realized what would happen.

And it has. In Columbus, Ohio, a new cancer hospital, cost over a BILLION .... working on a cure. While BILLIONS are being spent to Cure Cancer. Something is wrong there.

Here in Newark, fifty years ago, we had a small hospital that seemed to be able to take care of all of the needs of the community. Then, they built a new big one, which has been enlarged and remodeled a few times, and, this is only in Newark, Ohio. Each community has experienced the same growth, I am sure. I think the hospital is the largest employer in our county, and I imagine this occurs in other communities also.

My guess would be that the "industry" is one of the largest employers in the country, if not the largest. One of the most controversial issues, Health Insurance.

Why and when did all of this happen ... Doctors OWNED by hospitals, drug stores, grocery stores all with their own "clinics" .... a plethora of medical facilities ..... nursing homes, extended care, hospice care, assisted living care, the VA alone ..... medical care and treatment is, well, out of hand ......

The old Country Doctor, making a house call, horse and buggy, or even, as my Dad did, making house calls, being a Doctor, Minister, Counselor and Friend .... those days are gone.

Who is to blame, probably a number of things, but I think the first abuse came at the hands of the Doctors, who initially ..... took advantage of INSURANCE, over billed, billed for services not performed, procedures not performed, then the hospitals did the same thing, and all of these caused the EXPLOSION ..... Take two aspirins and call me in the morning ... but, before you do that, go to the hospital and have these tests performed. get ALL of these prescriptions filled, X-rays, EKG's, tests, tests, and more tests ...... then call me .... ah, well, after you pay all those bills, OK?

No more ....

I've decided to do a blog, anyway, feeling really sorry for myself today. My ADD, being a Spendthrift, being Impulsive, have had a lot to do with the situation we are in today. My Estate Planning has been non-existent, so my "Twilight Years" are not without problems.

We probably will celebrate our 50th by getting a burger at Burger Chef. We'll get a few flowers, maybe a fruit basket, someone will bring ice cream and a cake over, and the day will end.

Remorse, yes, I feel some every day. I have thrown away a number of opportunities, jobs, businesses, homes, estates, etc., etc., etc.

First, I never dreamed about this day actually occurring, 50 years of marriage, and this is my 4th wife, just doesn't happen. I never dreamed I would live to be 82, never occurred to me, but, here I am. On this 50th Anniversary Eve, we have one Doctor appointment, and tomorrow, we have two, all my wife's. My health, even though questionable, is not under scrutiny at this time.

I have felt sorry for myself, all morning, sad despondent, remorseful, But, some little thing happened to change it all. I took a nice long, hot shower, and decided ..... well, we made it to 50, or at least it looks like we may, we are .......... walking ..... without the aid of a walker, I can drive us to the Doctor, and I will fix us dinner tonight, not sure what, but I have some options.

And, I am a Veteran, U.S. Navy, '52-'56, and married 50 years, tomorrow. 

Not everyone can say that, or, will ever have the opportunity. So I will not be in Holland listening to Andre Rieu in Concert, but, my wife does not care that much for him anyway, so it probably never would have happened, regardless.

So, all the remorse is behind me, I am happy, well, not despondent .... heading out to our first appointment at the Doctors .......

The “Five And Dime” Is Still Around In The Texas Hill Country

I found this post on a blog, from 2009, so, it may be gone ................

The list reads like a roll call of old friends. At one time, stores like Woolworth’s, S.S. Kresge, McCrory’s, W.T. Grant, J.J. Newberry, and S.H Kress were an important part of the shopping experience in America. From the late 1800’s to well into the second half of the 1900’s, nearly every town had a dime store. Before they finally succumbed to changing times, the stores provided inexpensive merchandise to families across the country. They’re all gone now. And while the so-called dollar stores serve the same purpose in this day and age, they just aren’t the same.

Like many other things in the hill country, which continue to thrive despite ever changing times, there is at least one “dime store” still left. It is Dooley’s 5-10-25¢ Store in Fredericksburg. For those of us who still remember and appreciate the heyday of the dime store, Dooley’s provides a place for us to walk “back into time,” if only for a few moments.

For me, the nostalgic experience began as I stepped onto the wood floors I remember so well. This was a good sign, and was a harbinger of things to come. From the layout of the store, to the merchandise very rarely seen anywhere else, it is a wonderful place to visit, and by far, my favorite store in Fredericksburg.

And, while the prices are very reasonable, they are not what they used to be for a dime store, but, given the intervening years between my fond memories and today, I am forgiving. There is always a price to be paid, I think, for preserving the past. I am one, for sure, who will gladly pay it.

My Grandfather, Caleb, Civil War Veteran

Caleb Dooley, ninth child of Moses and Palentine Dooley, was born October 23, 1844, in Preble County, Ohio, and came to Grant County, Indiana, with his mother in 1851. He entered the Army September 23, 1861, was a member of 34th Indiana Infantry and served four years and six months.

He was fortunate to receive only one slight wound. His regiment fought the last battle of the Civil War. When about thirty years of age he attended a musical school taught by Aldine Keiffer, and for a number of years afterward organized and taught classes in vocal music in Grant and Howard counties. He possessed a voice full and rich in tone, could sing the leading part or bass equally well.

In those days there were no pianos and few organs in the rural districts, and in the old-time singing school the musical vibrations of the tuning fork gave to the singers the correct key.

Caleb died May 7, 1925.

He was married to Lucy Bradford, April 3, 1889. To them were born five children: Dennison, Paul, Ruth, Mary, and Dean.

Dean, my Dad, served in WWI. He enlisted April 12, 1917, in the 150th Field Artillery, Rainbow Division. He arrived in France November 1, 1917, and saw active service from February 11, 1918, until the end of the war. He took part in the battles of Champagne, Chateau-Thierry, Mt. Faucon, Arragon, and St. Mihil.

My Brother, Dean Shannon Dooley, was in WWII, I was in the Navy, Korean War, a Son, Dean, served during Viet Nam, and another son, Brad, served in Desert Storm.

11/8/14

Obama deploys 1,500 more U.S. troops to Iraq

President Obama is sending up to 1,500 more U.S. military personnel to Iraq to serve as non-combat advisers in the fight against Islamic State terrorists, the White House said Friday.

The troops will “train, advise, and assist Iraqi Security Forces, including Kurdish forces,” the White House said.

“The president also authorized U.S. personnel to conduct these integral missions at Iraqi military facilities located outside Baghdad and Erbil,” the statement said. “U.S. troops will not be in combat, but they will be better positioned to support Iraqi Security Forces as they take the fight to ISIL.”

It’s the latest escalation of U.S. military personnel in Mr. Obama’s fight to rescue the besieged government in Baghdad, where the president withdrew all U.S. forces in 2011. Since August, the U.S. has been conducting hundreds of airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq, and more recently in Syria.

The surge in military advisers will more than double the number of U.S. personnel in Iraq, which currently totals about 1,400.

U.S. troops will be asked to train nine Iraqi brigades and three Kurdish fighter brigades, said Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby.

Respect .... one of the few .... Billy Graham - Birthday Today

William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. (born November 7, 1918) is an American evangelical Christian evangelist, ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, who rose to celebrity status in 1949 reaching a core constituency of middle-class, moderately conservative Protestants. He held large indoor and outdoor rallies; sermons were broadcast on radio and television, some still being re-broadcast today.

Graham was a spiritual adviser to several Presidents; he was particularly close to Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson (who was considered to be one of Graham's closest friends) and Richard Nixon. In 1953 he insisted on integration for his revivals and crusades. In 1957 he invited Martin Luther King, Jr. to preach jointly at a revival in New York City. Graham bailed King out of jail in the 1960s when he was arrested in demonstrations.

Graham operates a variety of media and publishing outlets.According to his staff, more than 3.2 million people have responded to the invitation at Billy Graham Crusades to "accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior". As of 2008, Graham's estimated lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion.

Graham has repeatedly been on Gallup's list of most admired men and women. He has appeared on the list 55 times since 1955 (including 49 consecutive years), more than any other individual in the world. Grant Wacker reports:By the middle 1960s, he had become the "Great Legitimator". ...His presence conferred sanctity on events, authority on presidents, acceptability on wars, desirability on decency, [and] shame on indecency....By the middle 1970s, many deemed him "America's pastor".

Michael Brown's mother under investigation for assault and felony robbery

Ferguson police are investigating a fight between members of Michael Brown Jr.'s family on Oct. 18, stemming from a disagreement over who has the right to sell commemorative shirts.

Pearlie Gordon, 54, the mother of Michael Brown Sr.'s wife, Calvina, said she was one of three people selling "Justice for Mike Brown" T-shirts from a tent outside Red's BBQ, at 9300 West Florissant Avenue, when a group of 20 to 30 people rushed them about 1:20 p.m..

Gordon said Lesley McSpadden, Michael Brown Jr.'s mother, told her she couldn't sell the shirts. Gordon said she told her she was Michael Brown Sr.'s mother-in-law, and unless McSpadden had a patent on her son's name, she was going to continue. Gordon said in an interview that she and her son-in-law sell shirts, bandanas and other Brown memorabilia at the tent and over the internet.

Gordon was "repeatedly struck in the back and left side of the head by an unknown subject," according to the report. She said McSpadden ran up and punched her. Gordon told police that her friend, Tony Petty, was also attacked and taken by ambulance to a hospital. Gordon said $1,500 in merchandise and $400 were stolen in the incident.

Politico: 'Great Unrest' Among Democrats Over Pelosi After Midterms!

No Democrat dares publicly challenge powerful House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, even after losing the House in 2010 and losing more members on Tuesday. But privately, "there is great unrest," one Democrat said Thursday.

“As a party, we need to change.” 

His comments reflected a growing unease among rank-and-file Democrats, who still believe their policies are popular among the American public but complain that Pelosi and the rest of the Democratic congressional leadership are failing to broaden the party’s appeal.

Pelosi and Democrat Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland sent letters to their colleagues on Wednesday, announcing they will run again for their posts in the Nov. 18 closed-door party leadership election.

"To succeed, we must inspire, educate and remove obstacles to participation. Only by changing our political environment and broadening the universe of the electorate can we build a strong sense of community and an economy that works for everyone," Pelosi wrote.

"This basic and even nonpartisan challenge, which many of you told me you share, have convinced me to place my name in nomination for Leader when our Caucus meets," she wrote. "I respectfully request your support, your comments and your participation."

A senior Democratic staffer told Politico that Pelosi needs to broaden her core of supporters and advisers.

“If I had to make a bet, I think she would be the leader this coming cycle, but folks hope that Nancy Pelosi will reach out and include some folks that aren’t often included,” the staffer said.

The squabbling has gotten so bad that even the liberal newspaper Newsday, is urging Pelosi to go.

"It’s time for new leadership," wrote Alvin Bessent, who also called for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to step down.

Intense storm headed to Alaska's Aleutian Islands

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An explosive storm surpassing the intensity of 2012's Superstorm Sandy is expected to reach Alaska's western Aleutian Islands over the weekend and bring unseasonably frigid temperatures to much of the U.S. next week, weather forecasters said Thursday.

What remains of Typhoon Nuri is moving northeast from off the Japanese coast and is mixing with cold air and the jet stream, which will give it the power to produce hurricane-force winds and waves 50 feet high. It could arrive late Friday or Saturday before weakening in the Bering Sea, the National Weather Service said.

The storm potentially could be one of the most intensive to ever hit the North Pacific, weather service forecaster Brian Hurley said. The Coast Guard and Alaska state emergency responders were keeping a close eye on its strength.

The system is expected to push cold air into much of the lower 48 states next week, forecaster Bob Oravec said. By the weekend, high temperatures in Minneapolis will only reach the upper 20s, and mid-30s are expected in Chicago — more than 15 degrees below normal.

Snow also is coming to areas including the northern Rockies and northern Plains.

"It looks like winter's starting early," Oravec said.

"Were Number 1" ...... who is?

Russian president Vladimir Putin in the most powerful man in the world, according to Forbes magazine. In news that will come as a blow to Barack Obama, the US president was beaten into second place by the Russian leader, with editors describing Putin as the “undisputed, unpredictable and unaccountable head of an energy-rich, nuclear-tipped state.”

China’s Xi Jinping was placed in third place, with Pope Francis and Angela Merkel coming fourth and fifth respectively, making the top five exactly the same as in 2013.

Britain’s David Cameron finishes in tenth place, making him the second most powerful European leader after Merkel, and putting him seven places ahead of France’s embattled president François Hollande.

Forbes’s editors cap the list at 72 people so there is one person for every 100 million people in the world. They then rank individuals according to numerous factors, including the number of followers they have, their financial resources and how they use their power.

The Russian president’s ranking comes after a year in which he inflamed tensions in Ukraine, successfully annexing the Crimean peninsula and aiding an ongoing rebellion in the east of the country.

I certainly am not privy to all of the information available to Forbes,, and I assume they have an extremely intelligent, articulate staff to make such a decision. I would think that China, perhaps, would be Number 1, not sure about Korea and I would think the good old USA might come in 4th or 5th. Not sure, of course, the criteria they use. I am sure "we" think we are number ONE, we once were, and are arrogant enough to think we still hold that ranking, but I have seen video from China and Japan and other countries of their "might" and it is impressive, to sa the least.

We need some help ........ or suggestions ...

OK, I need some suggestions.

I have to generate some income, not a whole lot, but some. The cost of EVERYTHING has gone up, our rent, utilities, everything, and it is imperative that in the next few months, we generate some additional income. My wife was doing some part time work, but her health has eliminated that. So, I have to generate some income on the internet.

Any suggestions appreciated. Please send this out to other on your lists, enough exposure and we may find a solution .............. Thanks ..............

joedooley@yahoo.com

Boehner vows House will repeal Obamacare

House Speaker John A. Boehner said President Obama will “poison” chances for cooperation with Congress if he moves unilaterally to claim powers to grant legal status to illegal immigrants.

“He’s going to burn himself if he continues to go down this path,” Mr. Boehner said Thursday.

Newly elected to his House seat and likely to be returned at speaker in the next Congress, Mr. Boehner said he would like to tackle immigration in Congress but wouldn’t commit to holding a vote, saying he wanted to talk with his fellow House Republicans first.

He did, however, say the House will vote to repeal Obamacare and will also likely pass a bunch of bills to carve out some of the most contentious parts such as a tax on medical devices or the individual mandate.

“We need to put them on the president’s desk and let him choose,” the speaker said.

Storm Warnings out, on my Pond

I have had in my mind, for many years, a pond, the condition of which, revealed how my life was going at a particular time. I have always tried to keep it as calm and tranquil as possible. If it was almost like glass, my life was good ... and I tried to keep it that way.

Today, my pond is full of "whitecaps" ..... large waves, there are no boats on the water today, Storm Warnings are up. I won't go in to details, life is just not good, today, for me.

Hopefully, the sky will clear, the sun will shine, the wind will die down, and a placid pond will appear again.

Things are gonna be good now .............

Should we feel sorry for president obama. First of all, I, and many other, do not capitalize either his office or his name. I have noticed that now for quite a while. Some ex-Presidents, I could not do that to. President Reagan, President Roosevelt, I guess almost all of them, until now. I guess I just consider him as living in the white house, sitting in the oval office, because of a gigantic mistake. I even considered him President Carter. I don't think the bar was lowered until this ... person ... somehow, got in to office.

His hour speech today, my wife had it on, well, we had a shooting here in town and she wanted to hear about it on the news, and of course .......... he spoke for an hour ..... I expected something to come oozing out of the bottom of the TV set .... an hour of meaningless words .... presented to, presented to, well, presented to .... I honestly do not know why they were presented. An Infomercial for a pressure cooker would have held more interest to me, I would not have "bought" it, and I doubt many "bought" his pathetic attempt today. Embarrassment was written all over his face....

Is the country "saved" now? Well, if we got in this sad shape with HIS people in power, why should we expect any improvement with THEIR people in office. Some states changed color, for what that is worth. Remember, we still have POLITICIANS in office, not good businessmen, not learned individuals .... just people who rose up through their local parties, and were elected. They were not trained, educated or necessarily qualified for the office they were running for, they were "popular" at the time of the election, and "now they be lected ficcials." "Gee, Mom, I'm a congressman ..... what's a congressman, Mom?"

Remember, now they have to do nothing to get payed, receive a TREMENDOUS benefit, insurance and retirement program. They have a payed staff, probably some relatives, definitely friends, a great office, on the "down" side, the cost of living is out of site .... as a result ... a quest for some "additional" finances to defray those costs .... "Hey, a guys gotta live," or, "Hey, a gal has gotta live."

So, in a few days, things will get back to normal. New new guys will settle in, the old guys will head to Arizona or Florida, do "Commercials" of one kind or another, and enjoy a pleasant retirement, or plan for their next election, and the process starts all over again. "What, you mean I can use part of that "War Chest" .... how many million, you say, WOW, crime and politics does pay, don't it?"

Do I respect the man .... you bet, just look at what he has done. He has pulled off the greatest scam in history ... just think about it.  

What, how to cook a turkey?

How do they do it? Or, do we just have short memories. November 5, and already the "chefs" and food talk shows are showing us "new" ways to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving, new and better dressing recipes. Yesterday, a "chef" almost split the bird in half, shot dressing under the skin, and cut the cooking time in half, how many years have we had a Thanksgiving.

Walmart had a big display of roasters, all sizes and shapes, electric ones. What happened to all the roasters they sold last year? Do people use them and throw them out. I have one I use, that my Mom used, probably 100 years old, and, and I miss it, one her Grandmother had, a blue one, ship's hull bottom and the same shape in the domed lid. I loved that, the air flow of the shape, none cooked better.

Each day now till Thanksgiving, we will "learn" how to cook a turkey and all the other stuff, and then go right in to a Christmas cooking season ... it just don't take much to entertain us ..... does it?

"There's got to be a morning after ........"

The day after the election, how do I feel about the outcome, you ask. In my youth, I would have possibly given you a positive, excited answer. In my old age, I can only tell you, regardless of party affiliations, politicians won.

The old hands, reelected, know how much they can steal, and will only take what they have taken in the past. I don't use the word "steal" in the accepted usage of the term. They know what they can do, what they can get away with, and, in some ways, their actions, acts, etc., are not too harmful.

It's the new ones, regardless of party, that have broad grins on their faces this morning, actually sneers, like old Simon Legree, wringing their hands, a kid in a candy store, oh and that laugh, a Vincent Price low guttural , not a laugh, a sound of anticipation, a new door opened to go through, the birth of a new lifestyle.

I have been affiliated or leaned toward one party, more than another. I was a registered Independent for a long time, but no fun when you cannot vote in the primaries, so I am not optimistic that any change will occur, All my Facebook posts and Tweets state that as an old f ... ellow, I am in trouble, but, I knew that anyway.

At least, all the news shows have much to discuss this morning, and they are spewing forth with predictions and analysis of what happened and how it will affect our "new" political lives. Why did we even go to all that expense to hold an election, THEY knew what was going to happen, anyway.

OH, one revelation just exposed by the morning news .... "The American people are fed up with politics." Why don't all these news people run for office, they know all the answers.