Friday, 5/24/2013

Friday Morning in Nerk, Ahia, as it is sometimes called, 46 degrees out, feels like Fall, only its June 24th, Memorial Day Weekend.

I hope everyone, this weekend, spend a few minutes, contemplating what it actually means to "give ones life for ones country." Really think about it. Put down your burger or brat, your beer or soda, raise your eyes to the heavens, and ask Him, or talk with Him, about what that actually means.

I have lived during a time when thousands have "given their lives" ..... and I really don't think that any of them have really "given" ... it was taken away from them, and I think it is marketing genius to come up with a statement like, "he gave his life so others might live." Comforting words, "on behalf of a grateful nation." I wonder who, when and where, it was determined as "honorable" to die for ones country. That is something we have grown up with and been told, or seen, frequently.

Are those who died to be honored, of course, they paid the "ultimate price for freedom."

I was in the service, the Navy, 1952 to 1956, I was never in combat, one Korean who had too much to drink took a shot at our ship with a rifle, that  was it. We were tied up on the port side, so we used the starboard side to walk around. While tied up in Korea, after being shot at, I was written up, and taken before the "Captain's Mast," I think it was called. For what, you ask? We had a visiting Chaplain that performed church service that Sunday, he was a Catholic Priest. My offense, it was later learned that I did not use "blessed" candles on the alter. I forget how that all ended, but I served no "hard time."

I realize that this day of observance is for those who died while in the service, I had none. But, my Grandfather was in the Civil War, my Dad in WWI, my Brother in WWII, I was in Korea, a son in Viet Nam, and another son in Desert Storm. All of them will be remembered this weekend.

"On behalf of a grateful nation," ................

Steve Forrest passes .......

Actor Steve Forrest, best known as the star of the 1970s action drama "S.W.A.T.," has died.

Forrest passed away at his home in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, his family announced. He was 87.

"S.W.A.T.," which aired on ABC for two seasons in 1975 and 1976, was a spinoff of the Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg-produced series "The Rookies." Forrest played Lt. "Hondo" Harrelson, the tough-yet-tender leader of the S.W.A.T. team in a Southern California city. He was best known for his catchphrase, "Let's roll."

Born as William Andrews in Huntsville, Texas, Forrest served in the Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge before attending college at UCLA.

He was the younger brother of actor Dana Andrews, who starred in "Laura" and "The Best Years of Our Lives."

Obama orders review of guidelines on investigating reporters

By David G. Savage, Washington Bureau

May 23, 2013, 5:20 p.m.

WASHINGTON — President Obama said Thursday he was troubled by the possibility that leak investigations may "chill" investigative journalism and said he had asked Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. to review Justice Department guidelines for going after reporters or their records.

"Journalists should not be at legal risk for doing their jobs. Our focus must be on those who break the law," Obama said, referring to those who leak secret information.

The statement seemed to mark a departure for the president, who has been particularly determined to investigate those in his administration who leak national security information to reporters.

The president appeared to be responding to two recently revealed incidents in which prosecutors investigating leaks had secretly seized the phone records of reporters. In one case involving the Associated Press, the Justice Department said a special prosecutor had obtained phone records for at least 20 phone lines used by Associated Press reporters.

What might have been

MEMORIAL   DAY   2013

What might have been .......

Mum talked down Woolwich terrorists

A mother-of-two described tonight how she put her own life on the line by trying to persuade the soldier’s murderers to hand over their weapons.

Cub scout leader Ingrid Loyau-Kennett selflessly engaged the terrorists in conversation and kept her nerve as one of them told her: “We want to start a war in London tonight.”

Mrs Loyau-Kennett, 48, from Cornwall, was one of the first people on the scene after the two Islamic extremists butchered a soldier in Woolwich, south east London.

She was photographed by onlookers confronting one of the attackers who was holding a bloodied knife.

No comment, just some serious prayers, I don't Understand.

Two more people have been arrested following yesterday's brutal killing of a British soldier on a London street by machete- and meat-cleaver-wielding attackers claiming retribution for crimes against Islam. 

Scotland Yard said U.K. counterterrorism officers arrested a man and woman, both 29, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. 

The two men involved in yesterday's attack and shot by police -- a 28-year-old-man and 22 year-old-man -- have been hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds. 

Pictured is the victim, Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, nicknamed "Riggers" by his friends.

MORE ON THIS STORY

Elena Delle Donne

Elena Delle Donne's talents have never been in doubt.

A McDonald's All-American coming out of high school, Geno Auriemma and UConn came calling, landing the highly-coveted recruit. 

After just a few days in Connecticut, however, Delle Donne returned home to Delaware, reuniting with her older sister, Lizzie, who suffers from cerebral palsy and is also blind and deaf. 

Delle Donne eventually made her way back to the court at the University of Delaware and led the the Blue Hens to their first-ever NCAA tournament wins, prior to being selected as the No. 2 pick of the WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. 

At 6-foot-5, Delle Donne's superior ball-handling ability, three-point range and post-up moves represent a unique challenge for WNBA defenses.

From what I have seen and read, here is a gal that your kids could look up to, respect and admire. If they need a hero, here is one for them to consider. She and Jenny Finch are two I really admire.

BRITTNEY GRINER

If you have followed sports, ladies sports, you are aware of this gal.........

The numbers are impressive -- Height: 6-8, Shoe size: 17 (men's), Wingspan: 86-inches, NCAA record 736 blocked shots, undefeated 40-0 National Championship season her junior year at Baylor, three-time First Team All-American, 18 career collegiate dunks -- but its the one-of-kind nature of Griner's size, strength, speed and athleticism that has captured the attention of every true sports fan. 

The women's game simply hasn't seen a player who can run the court like a guard and also employ a back-to-the-basket, spin-move, two-handed slam dunk during the regular flow of a game. It just doesn't happen. Until now. Hyperbole Alert: Griner may indeed be the women's equivalent to Wilt Chamberlain. 

Things You Need to Know About the WNBA

I am a fan of the WNBA, and moreso this year with the advent of three rookies to the league. I have followed them while they were in college, and really looking forward to watching them in their pro careers. I admit I love ladies athletics, basketball, softball especially. I have a great deal of admiration for young ladies who excel in sports. Three rookies to watch this year .......... 

BRITTNEY GRINER

ELENA DELLE DONNE

SKYLAR DIGGINS

By Jim Reilly

The 17th season of the WNBA tips off Memorial Day Weekend. That's right, THE 17th SEASON. Despite the ups and downs associated with the start of any American professional sports league, and the additional challenge of establishing a women's sports league, the WNBA is alive and kicking and poised to reach a new level thanks to an exciting infusion of fresh talent and personalities to a league already sporting an impressive collection of bold, athletic and entertaining players.

The Haircut..... by Bill, the Barber

Bill was an old, dear friend of mine, he was full blooded Osage Indian. Bill did not know his real Indian name, when he was born on the reservation, they named their children whatever they wanted, Bill always figured he was named after Jessie James, who was popular at the time he was born. If Bill could have proven that he was in fact, Osage, there was quite a bit of money awaiting him from the sale of their reservation, he never was able to ........ one evening, we were sitting around our fire pit  talking, and he related this story to me .............

One day his first customer was a florist who came in to see him  for a haircut. After the cut, he asked how much he owed, and Bill replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When Bill opened his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door, from the florist. Nice, Bill placed them by the front window for all to see.

Later, a policeman fiend of his came in for a haircut, and when he tried to pay, Bill gave him the same answer, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The policeman, who Bill knew,  was happy and left the shop.

The next morning when Bill opened up,  there was a 'thank you card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door. He shared them with his firs customers of the day.

Then a Member of the State Legislature, a politician,  came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay, Bill related, again, to him, that he could not accept money  that he was doing community service this week, and all first haircuts were free. ' The Politician was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning, when Bill went to open up, there were a dozen Politicians lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And as Bill told me, that illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

He said he never forgot that lesson.

More of the same .................. rhetoric

The storm that ripped through Oklahoma, leaving death and destruction in its wake, all but guaranteed that once the situation stabilizes and the rebuilding begins, Air Force One will carry President Obama to the scene. There, he will tour the devastation, meet with survivors, huddle with local officials and pledge federal aid in the recovery.

It is a routine all too familiar to this president, whose time in office has been marked by an unusual number of deadly natural disasters and far too many funerals and memorial services after several mass shootings and one terrorist bombing. Starting with his trip to Beckley, West Virginia, April 25, 2010, to deliver the eulogy for 29 miners killed in a coal mine explosion, the president has made such somber treks far more often than he would like. He has viewed storm damage in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey and New York. He has gone to communities shaken by gun violence in Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Connecticut. And, most recently, he has prayed with the victims and survivors of the bomb attack in Massachusetts and industrial explosion in Texas.

No travel plans have yet been announced for Oklahoma. But this delay is also part of the familiar pattern. "In situations like this," explained White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, "we always make decisions, in the first instance, based on the president's insistence that his travel does not interfere with recovery efforts, (and) does not drain resources from those efforts."

When he does get there, the script is well known, changing little for any modern president. The aerial view of the devastation from helicopter. The walking tour with local officials. The meetings with survivors trying to rescue remnants of their previous lives. The words of comfort for those still alive. The prayers for those who perished.

That script changes for visits to those communities rocked by shootings, and criminal attacks. There, he must give voice to the nation's outrage and pledge to bring the perpetrators to justice and to search for ways to prevent similar crimes from being committed.

But in all cases, whether the deaths and destruction result from acts of God or the misdeeds of man, the nation expects its president to provide comfort and solace and to serve as the mourner-in-chief. They also hope that his words will somehow help them make sense of the event that has so disrupted their lives.

Are we a great country, or what?

WASHINGTON (AP) -- At the center of a political storm, an Internal Revenue Service supervisor whose agents targeted conservative groups swore Wednesday she did nothing wrong, broke no laws and never lied to Congress. 

Then she refused to answer lawmakers' further questions, citing her Fifth Amendment right 

not to incriminate herself.

One too many ..................

I think I am "disastered" out. I think we are all allotted so many disasters to either live through or hear about, not sure what the number is, but I know I have reached my limit.

I was not around in 1913, but we had a high water mark in our house, and I heard a lot about the "flood of 1913" at Dayton, Ohio. Then, or course WWII, after hearing many stories about WWI and even the Civil War, which my grandfather served in. My Dad was in WWI.

Not until television, and more recently the new portable TV equipment, have we been so informed about disasters. Now we are exposed to Before, During and After the disaster occurs. We have hundreds of reporters sticking microphones in front of hundreds to hear, first hand, all of the tearful stories they can find. It has turned in to a feeding frenzy.

I apparently had a pre-set "ENOUGH" Disaster Gauge, built in. It let me know I had reached my limit at the onset of the Moore disaster.

I have not been following it. I don't have to observe it to know what was asked. I know there were heroes, they were interviewed. Firemen and policemen were also, as well as, the Governor, some mayors and probably the president.

I noticed one article this morning where the "people"are suing .... I think it was The United Way, or someone, anyway, they are being sued by the "people" because they didn't get all the money that was raised for them. I forget which disaster that was. Money collected for them, and they are having to sue to get it. Are we a great country, or what?

With television coverage as thorough as it is, why is it necessary for EVERY television station to send a camera crew to get "live" coverage.

Watching the noon news. A list of agencies collecting money for Moore.They have crews, "live" on site, and, oh, yes, there are looters, locally, cancer scams, a few shootings, robberies, one store got hit twice, one guy tried to kidnap his 14 year old girlfriend from her school, she ran away, they are looking for him. Just the regular stuff.

Nice................

Went up to my mom's house late this afternoon. Quiet. A small breeze blowing her wind chimes but beyond that... Nothing. Sad. No barking dogs, no TV's blasting away with no one watching, no fire burning in the gas fireplace without a log... all the things that would from time to time annoy me. Oh how I missed them today! The stillness was just so sad. Looked at the clothes in her closet, the orange blouse she would always wear, her favorite shoes. She sure could dress it up! All of it hanging there, motionless, retired. 

I had my first good cry in a week. A howling actually. I apologized for a great many things where I think I fell short. I missed her terribly. Terribly. All the great thoughts we've been discussing recently about her lessons of love, humanity, empathy, compassion... had no power suddenly in the hour there. I only missed her. Screw the lessons! I missed her voice, her crooked little smile. I missed the growl in her voice. I missed her rambling on. And if you think I'm bad from time to time, she was the queen of rambling! But it all had purpose hidden deep in the onslaught of words. I hope mine does the same.

I locked up, looked at the pool where my kids and their cousins used to swim in the warm summer sun. The laughter now gone. Sad. I miss her and a time when it was all smiles and a bright future for all. I know the smiles are still there and the future is as bright as ever, but I miss her. The house seemed to miss her. She loved her home. Her home loved her. In the worst of times that house was filled with more love than you can imagine. It's still there, just awfully quiet. Paying it's respects I suppose. I miss you mom. Badly. I didn't know how badly. The person I always went to in times like this... was you. "Experience it, let it pass through you but feel it as it goes, cherish it." That's what you would tell me to do. Well that's what I did today. Felt good. You were right again. And I feel better now sharing it with all of you. Some might call me a fool - too open - too "public." Have at it. I value my friends. There. Done. Tomorrow. Love. Faith. Carry on.

Corbin Bernsen

Brad Dooley - His birthday is today ..

braddooley4@gmail.com

Joseph Bradford Dooley, II. So many memories, little league games, the Holton Trotters, way too many to relate here.

One day I will never forget, was that early morning, on Montgomery Road in Newark, Ohio, and in the space of a minute, that Navy vehicle, took you away, and your Mother and I just sat there and stared at each other, and cried, in that instant, Brad was gone, our little Brad.

I remember fishing at Dillon, our raft trip, a trip to Michigan with Albert, Eating at Dagwood's with Darrell, a few trips to New York, Shamrock Printing.

The thing I will always remember the most, is that you have accomplished all that you have, on your own. You headed to New York on your own. I thank Debra Dooley for what she has done for you, and I thank whatever "God's" were in the heaven that directed you to Bernie, a marriage made in heaven, so to speak.

You have exceeded our expectations in mapping out your life, we could not be more pleased.

Happy birthday, my Son, your Father is very proud of you. You are always in our thoughts, but today, even moreso .........................

Oklahoma ..............

Moore, Oklahoma, never heard of it, till today. Now we have another name to remember, it never stops, one catastrophe or disaster after another. This one has also hit close to home, Jim Madison, in our family,  lives in Chouteau, Oklahoma, we are hoping that it is East, and out of the danger zone. Have not heard from him as of yet, so we are praying that all is well with him.

So many lives just wiped out, Mother Nature can be so cruel, she shows no mercy, young, old, male, female, black, white, or perhaps, American Indian, descendants of those who were here first. We have little defense against her. And, her power can be devastating, as we are seeing.

I just Googled, appropriate prayers for such an incident. I read a dozen or so of  them, all nice, sincere, but none seemed to come close to relating to the disaster that has happened out there. There are pictures of the disaster, everywhere.

I have looked for one foto, there is not just one, I think you have to be sitting on a chair, perhaps the only piece of furniture that was not broken or carried away, and looking at an emptiness, that used to be a home. Everything you owned, every treasure, every memory, every keepsake, gone. It was all there moments ago, now it is all gone. I cannot imagine how that impacts a person.

The press will descend on the area like locusts.

I will not watch any of it, for a few days, Obama will probably visit, as will some politicians building on their image, mayors, governors, the town will double in population for a few days, till the last story has been drawn out. They then will pack their trucks, leave the destruction behind, and head home.

Amen ......the is nothing more to say .............

The IRS targeting of Tea Party groups tied to Obama’s political agenda

As the chair of the Tea Party Caucus, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R – Minn.) is railing against the IRS’s targeting of Tea Party groups, saying: “clearly, this had political implications…that would benefit President Obama.”

“Over and over and over, the common thread is the Obama administration was too willing to use the government to advance their agenda, their political agenda,” Bachmann tells The Fine Print.

Bachmann says individuals in the Tea Party have been voicing concerns to her about getting “ridiculous questions” from the IRS for quite some time and asserts that other groups, in addition to the Tea Party, were also targeted.

“The IRS couldn't do enough to part the waters to make sure that every progressive, left-wing leaning organization got their new tax-exempt status,” she says. “So they were able to get a favorable tax treatment, while Christians, pro Israel, conservative, Tea Partiers, pro-growth, pro-job, pro-business, they were hurt.”

The congresswoman says the recent controversy highlights her broader concerns that the IRS may gain access to people’s medical information under the Affordable Care Act.

“When people realize that their most personal, sensitive, intimate, private healthcare information is in the hands of the IRS that's been willing to use people's tax information against political opponents of this administration, then people have pause and they pull back in horror,” Bachmann says.

I got a good "turn" to it

I've heard that expression most of my life. It came out of the kitchen. Generally when my Mom was making gravy, and she had picked that up from her Grandmother.

When the chicken was fried, probably in lard, in the big old iron skillet, at just the right time, some Pillsbury flour would be added to the leftover grease and all those good "scrappins" left in the skillet, that would all be stirred together, and then, good, rich creamery milk, and then that would be constantly stirred till the bubbles started, and at just the right moment, it was done, good old country gravy.

Then, the stir to test the consistency, then the taste, and if all went well, "I got a good "turn" to it."

That meant the gravy was perfect. Never any measuring, all by sight and experience, and if it all went well, the gravy had a good "turn" to it.

You never hear that term much any more, just when I make gravy, and I don't often get a good "turn" to it. Not as easy as it sounds, to get that just right.

My Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, and Mother, all had the knack, to get that good "turn" to their gravy. I doubt that many even make gravy any more. They buy it in a jar, or frozen, or from a little "packet" where they just add water. Back then, very few old iron skillets where something had been fried, used all them good "scrappins" to make really fine, gravy.

One of the best was when we had a nice bunch of Morel mushrooms. Mom did her thing, washed sliced, floured, slowly fried in pure creamery butter, and then, the gravy was made, often served on hot biscuits, just out of the oven, or even on toast, made from freshly baked bread, covered with hot mushroom gravy ..

Now, that's got a good "turn" to it ..................................

Christine Lamson White passes

Just saw that episode a few days ago, have seen it many times .........

Christine Lamson White may have had a career in Hollywood spanning over 20 years, but to many she'll always be known as "the woman on the plane next to William Shatner."

The actress starred alongside Shatner in the iconic "Twilight Zone" episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," in which he believes he sees a gremlin tearing up the wing of the plane.

Lamson died on April 14 at Brinton Woods Nursing Home in Washington, D.C., as her death notice in the Carroll County Times reports. She was 86.

MEMORIAL DAY 2013 - `Monday, May 27

Another Memorial Day is right around the corner. It comes around with greater frequency each year. Our family has been rather fortunate, many have served, but none, that I am aware of, 

gave their life, during that service.

But, so many have..................

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the 

final Monday of May. 

Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the 

United States Armed Forces. 

Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. 

By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans 

who have died while in the military service. 

It typically marks the start of the Summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.