Another cowboy bites the dust ..........

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Dale Robertson, the star of scores of Hollywood Westerns in the 1950s and 1960s, has died at the age of 89 in Southern California, Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla said on Thursday.

Robertson, who was best known for his role of special agent Jim Hardie in the NBC television series "Tales of Wells Fargo" from 1957-1962, died on Tuesday, the hospital said.The "Sitting Bull" star had been in poor health for about two years and had a cancer diagnosis last week, his niece, Nancy Love Robertson, told The Oklahoman newspaper.

Born Dayle Lymoine Robertson in Harrah, Oklahoma, in 1923, the actor attracted the attention of Hollywood agents after a Los Angeles photographer posted his photo in a display window.

Robertson, who served in Europe and Africa during World War Two, starred in 60 films and television shows over his five-decades acting career, starting out with roles in 1950s Westerns such as "Devil's Canyon" and "Dakota Incident."

The actor was inducted in 1983 into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum's Western Performers Gallery in Oklahoma City, alongside some of Hollywood's most famous on-screen cowboys including John Wayne and Roy Rogers.

More from Will

 I don't make jokes. I just watch

      the government and report the

      facts. -- Will Rogers

A what?

Benedict XVI leaves Vatican, issues final tweet

I can imagine Martha and George, up in Heaven

George speaks, "Martha, what the hell is a tweet, is that some sort of a catholic thing?"

Pope I asked Pope II the same question.

Tweety Bird

"WOW, the guy in the funny hat speaks my language"

Out of the mouths of babes ............

I was eating breakfast with my 13-year-old granddaughter and I asked her, "What day is the 20th of February?"

She said "It's President's Day!"

She is a smart kid.

I asked "What does President's Day mean?"

I was waiting for something about Washington or Lincoln, etc.

She replied, "President's Day is when President Obama steps out of the White House, and if he sees his shadow we have one more year of unemployment."

You know, it hurts when hot coffee spurts out your nose...

Richly deserved ............

A Congressional Committee was formed a few months ago, to determine where, 

out of respect for his presidency, which currency, 

$1, $5, $10, $20, $50 or the $100 bill should be changed to reflect the presidents accomplishments. 

By unanimous vote, the above photo indicates the results.

His policies have put more people on welfare than any president before him, 

so this placement is most appropriate. 

Unlike the Nobel Peace Prize, for which he did nothing, 

this is an "honor" he richly deserves. 

Prosonian Gar Control

I was asked about gun control, or gars, as they are known there, on Prosonia and how the Prosonians had handled that situation. I contacted Glurb and we had a nice conversation about that topic. He told that many years ago, shortly after their government was formed, the subject of gars came up, and much consideration was given to eliminating the potential problem which they saw could arise, and what steps they should take.

Many Prosonians felt it was their right to own a gar, they felt protected with a gar on them. A considerable amount of debate went in to the problem. Each side gave their views, some said that "Gars don't cause problems, Prosonians do." Gar control became a major issue in Prosonia.

The Parama met, and came up with a solution that was agreeable to both sides of the debate.

Everyone could own a Gar, and, openly have it displayed on their person.

The law then, and now reads, all Gars are to be manufactured to certain Parama specifications, the main one of which was that a Gar could only be loaded with a Jarn, or as they are called in your country, a harmless, cork. The theory being that you felt "protected," but you could not harm anyone. Children were taught in school to "respect" the Gars, and give serious thought to the intent of the Prosonian who was wielding the gar.

For example, if someone entered a bank, showing a gar, and demanded money, you would give him some, because he obviously was in need. Even thought you knew he could not hurt you, you felt his need, and gave him the money. In most cases, the gar wielding bandit would sign an IOU for the amount he took.

Prosonian SWAT teams also used gars, but with a much larger cork. Some gar users even went to the extreme to use a colored jarn, some of which were covered in a colored ink, so the recipient knew who had wielded the gar.

There have been a few wars and/or "police actions" as you call them on your earth, and the advantage to the Jarn loaded Gar, all of the wars were fought on small fields, as the range of the jarn was only a few feet. Colored jarns were used, ink coated, and the war was carried out similar to your paint ball games of today.

Everyone on Prosonia has a Gar, loaded with a Jarn, and in an altercation of any kind, the worst thing that might happen, is a red welt. Problem solved.


Pictured above is a SWAT team Gar loaded with a special Jarn.......

Wisdom from Mark

Suppose you were an idiot. And

    suppose you were a member of

    Congress. But then I repeat

    myself. -- Mark Twain

OH, what a meal .................

OH,what a great meal tonight ............ I broke down and bought a "pot roast," I just hate spending that much for dinner, but it has been a long time and I broke down ...............

Let is slow cook for three hours, and put in potatoes, carrots and onions and let it simmer for an hour ... it was all so tender ........... made a sauce to accompany it  with sour cream and horseradish
 ....

The meat was nice and tender, used a fork, did not need a knife, the vegetables were done perfectly, it was a great meal .....

Life is good .... our thoughts and prayers are with our dear friend Leo, had a valve replaced and he is recovering ............. send a prayer his way ...............

Closure

I hear a lot about closure nowadays, seems like a lot of people need it. I don't remember hearing about it years ago. Things happen, and then they got on with their lives. Now they need ........ closure. I heard my Dad use the term, after an operation, the incision, there was closure. In that sense, closure consisted of suturing up an incision, and there was ............. closure.

How do you know if you've gotten closure? Closure only seems to be needed after a tragedy. If a really good event happens, and you get really excited, don't you need closure to get back to normal? Apparently not, never heard of it happening.

What is the dividing line between "getting over something" and having "closure?"

Are we a great country, or what?

Story on TV. A homeless guy in, I think, Kansas City .......... sitting on the sidewalk, leaning on a parking meter. Some lady drops some money in his cup, and drops her obviously ill fitting diamond ring into the cup. 

I can't imagine, if it was that loose, why she had not lost it before ............. but

She dropped it in this homeless guy's cup.

Next day, he gave it back to her..

Somehow, the story got out, probably got out on the internet ...........

$140,000.00 ............ has been collected for him.

Do you think the two of them might have scammed up the whole story ....?

"Hey, lady, I got a great idea. I'm gettin tired of this Winter weather, I wanna head to Florida. Drop that rock into this cup, come back tomorrow and you'll get it back. Put it out on the internet. I'll split the money with you, OK? Should be good for a few bucks, enough to get me to Miami." 
"It's only a Zircon!"
"They won't know the difference, it's the story that counts, go heavy on the HOMELESS . Ugh, could you scuff up my new LeBron X shoes, they look too new."

What happened?

With our country going down the tubes, WHY is Gun Control such a big issue, we have problems much more serious than that. WHY has the present administration focused on this issue?

The publicity on guns alone has fed a frenzy of buying guns, and ammunition is now on the endangered list. Is it just that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. A magician can do wonders with that concept. A politician can do the same thing, maybe even take it to new heights.

I have never felt so far removed from our government, I might just as well be living in Siberia. I, like everyone else, watch the news on TV, listen on the radio, and none of what I hear makes any sense. I only know that if a Republican likes it, the Democrats don't, and there seems to be no middle ground.

I do know that we are running out of money. I am concerned about our Armed Forces being neglected, using inferior equipment and being faced with the fact that the existing equipment cannot be serviced or updated.

Yet, the president spends millions of dollars each week, travelling about his luxury accommodations to locations that are expedient and fortify his agenda, it is all politics and done to glorify his image. A lot of "joking" material surfaced recently about his putting his name in the hat to be elected as the new Pope. Why would he want that, it would be a step down for him, in his eyes.

We are living through a period in our history that we are not even aware of. Someday we will all arise some morning and ask, "What happened?"

New study links extreme weather to climate change

Scientists said Monday they have identified a physical mechanism behind the extreme weather that has plagued many parts of the world in recent years -- and that it is tied to climate change.

Since 2010, for example, the United States and Russia have each suffered scorching heat waves, while Pakistan saw unprecedented flooding.

Scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) have traced the events to a disturbance in the air currents in the northern hemisphere, in a new study out Monday in the US Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"An important part of the global air motion in the mid-latitudes of the Earth normally takes the form of waves wandering around the planet, oscillating between the tropical and the Arctic regions," lead author Vladimir Petoukhov said in a statement.

"During several recent extreme weather events, these planetary waves almost freeze in their tracks for weeks. So instead of bringing in cool air after having brought warm air in before, the heat just stays," he said.

In an ecosystem ill-adapted to long periods of extreme heat, the stress can be disastrous, with high death tolls, forest fires, and agricultural losses.

For instance, during Russia's 2010 heat wave -- the worst in its recorded history -- wildfires spread out of control, killing dozens of people, burning down thousands of houses and threatening military and nuclear installations.

Global warming, despite its name, is not uniform across the planet. At the poles the bump in temperatures -- amplified by shrinking snow cover and ice -- is greater than in the swathes between, the scientists explained.

This reduces the temperature differences between the Arctic and the middle latitudes, which affects the flow of air around the globe.

In addition, continents heat and cool more rapidly than large bodies of water, the scientists said.

These two factors "result in an unnatural pattern of the mid-latitude air flow, so that for extended periods the slow synoptic waves get trapped," Petoukhov said.

Blizzard warnings issued in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

A ferocious blizzard blasted the southern Plains with heavy snow and high winds Monday, burying much of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles under more than a foot of snow, wreaking travel havoc on the roads and in the air.

Overnight Monday and through the day Tuesday, the storm will slowly slog to the north and east, bringing a swath of snow across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, the National Weather Service reported.

"This storm will have a huge impact, with additional heavy snows likely over portions of eastern Kansas and northern Missouri which received very heavy snowfall amounts last week," weather service meteorologist Robert Oravec wrote in an online bulletin.

The storm is blamed in the death of a 21-year-old man whose SUV hit an icy patch on Interstate 70 in northwestern Kansas and overturned Monday.

What once .......... was

Everyday we're reminded that Barack Obama is no Ronald Reagan.

Unfortunately, the differences between the two men couldn't be more stark. 

Obama has bowed to foreign leaders and apologized for America time and time again; Reagan stood up to America's enemies and is credited with disbanding the socialist Soviet Union. 

Obama has led one of the most partisan administrations in history; Reagan worked across the aisle to get the job done. 

Obama's policies reflect a belief that government knows best; Reagan knew that government interference hinders progress.

Pride ........... no more

Water, water, everywhere ....... except

DENVER — After enduring last summer’s destructive drought, farmers, ranchers and officials across the parched Western states had hoped that plentiful winter snows would replenish the ground and refill their rivers, breaking the grip of one of the worst dry spells in American history. No such luck.

Lakes are half full and mountain snows are thin, omens of another summer of drought and wildfire. Complicating matters, many of the worst-hit states have even less water on hand than a year ago, raising the specter of shortages and rationing that could inflict another year of losses on struggling farms.

Reservoir levels have fallen sharply in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. The soil is drier than normal. And while a few recent snowstorms have cheered skiers, the snow pack is so thin in parts of Colorado that the government has declared an “extreme drought” around the ski havens of Vail and Aspen.

Thoughts on a Monday morning

How do I feel about it, you ask, and someone did, and basically, here was my answer ....... with some explanation.

Six or seven years ago, I saw Barack Obama for the first time, I did not see his speech at the convention, I saw him on some TV show, along with his wife. I predicted then that he would be the next president. (A side comment here. I have been in the printing business most of my life, and done a great deal of typesetting. I always capitalized the word President, I don't, anymore, I see very few that do).

I felt he would win out over Hillary and win the presidency. I assured everyone he would win re-election, and, of course he did. Just think of all the things that "he can't do," that he did.

I think the wheels are in motion now to enable him to be able to run in the next election for a third term, and after that he will be in office for as long as he desires, or "they" want him in.

I get emails every day about his non-citizenship and other "negative" information, from optimistic opponents, and I think they are mote points.

Billions have been poured into his "agenda" by names we have never heard of, with intentions we know nothing about. I personally think that "events" have occurred to back up and solidify this same agenda. "They" will stop at nothing, as we have seen.

Being optimistic is not an option.

These thoughts stemmed from watching a little news this morning, the headlines, "Dresses at the Oscars." And very subtly, another gun went off at a gun show, every Monday morning, we hear that a similar incident has occurred. I can't recall ever hearing that in the past. Now, any time a gun goes off it is news, wonder why. Just think of how we have been manipulated over the years by radio and TV, we eat, drive and live by what we are told on TV. I would love to see the "script" that has been written for our country, and even more, would like to see who wrote it ......

Neither his bite nor his bark is scary

By VLADIMIR NEGRON

July 22, 2009

Can your "teacup dog" really fit in a tea cup? Do you even know what a "teacup dog" is? Well, Scooter the Maltese terrier, at just 8 centimeters tall, not only fits in a tea cup ... he may just be the smallest dog in the world.

At just six months old, Scooter is still young, but he also appears to have stopped growing.

Owner Cheryl McKnight, from Gisborne, New Zealand, told the AAP that Scooter came from a litter of three and stopped growing before he reached two months.

According to the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest dog -- an American long-haired Chihuahua named Boo Boo -- is bigger at just over 10 centimeters tall.

Scooter was originally named Pee Wee, but Ms. McKnight decided to change his name and not give him an inferiority complex.

An inferiority complex? I think he has more things to worry about than that ... like getting crushed by common household items. Even the toy figurines belonging to Ms. McKnight's grandson tower over him!

NYC Bans 2-Liter Bottles Of Soda With Pizza Delivery

Finally, some legislation to cure our ills.............

Posted on February 24, 2013

Take a big gulp, New York: Hizzoner is about to give you a pop.

Nanny Bloomberg unleashes his ban on large sodas on March 12 — and there are some nasty surprises lurking for hardworking families.

Say goodbye to that 2-liter bottle of Coke with your pizza delivery, pitchers of soft drinks at your kid’s birthday party and some bottle-service mixers at your favorite nightclub.

They’d violate Mayor Bloomberg’s new rules, which prohibit eateries from serving or selling sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces.

Bloomberg’s soda smackdown follows his attacks on salt, sugar, trans fat, smoking and even baby formula.

What a great show .......

They just did an hour and showed some old Laugh In segments. I had forgotten how creative and funny that show actually was. They had everybody as guests, incredible show. It could not be done today, the talent does not exist today that they had then.

The cast was comprised of comic geniuses, and the guest list included anyone who was anyone. You could take all of the current shows on television and the talent level would not come close to the level of that show.

For more, LINK HERE.

Go, Danica, the world is watching

Sunday, 2/24/13, 12:15, Daytona 500 Race day. I am not a big race fan anymore, in my younger days I spent a lot of time at Funk's Speedway in Dayton, Ohio. Midgets raced on Friday night, Stocks on Saturday and Sprints on Sunday. Also always been a fan of the Indy 500. Liked it more when it was an all day event, back in the 30's and 40's.

But, I love women, I admit it, and women who participates in sports, and excel, I think are great. Jennie Finch, softball pitcher, outstanding, a tremendous roll model for young girls. Martina of tennis fame, the epitome of an athlete. So many I admire, softball, basketball, pool, soccer, so many. Jeanette Lee and
Allison Fisher of pool fame are great.
Today, Danica Patrick is the FIRST woman to hold down the Pole Position at the biggest of all stock car races. How great is that.

I, and many thousands, including many young girls who have never had an interest in NASCAR will be watching, a girl, a lady, a woman, lead the field down the track on that opening lap. More viewers today than ever, because of that.

But, as she said today, "My Dad raised me to be the fastest driver, not the fastest woman."

Time for some inspiration .............

Conducting a test here ...

I say my prayers at night and in the morning. At night I thank him for the day, and His help in getting all of my family and friends through the day. In the morning I thank him for giving me another day to hopefully live through. I also love Southern Gospel music. Actually, I have spent most of this evening listening to music.

Try this for me. Listen and watch this video. You may encounter an ad, but put it on full screen and you don't have to contend with the other material on the page. The little FULL SCREEN button in the lower right of the video, under the O in VEVO/

Sit back, close your eyes and listen closely. I must admit, it brings me to tears. I listened to it four times tonight and got chills and tears each time.

Let me know what you think. joedooley@yahoo.com

LISTEN HERE

A day that will go down in history ............

Today, 23 February, 2013

A day I will never forget .........................

At 2:07 PM ..........................

I took all of the magazines and catalogs, and there were many .....

Out of our bathroom ..............

And replaced them with ..............

An ANDROID

There were tears in my eyes, a new era had dawned, and, I was there ..

A letter, a what?

Watching some movie this morning, the closing scene, she is reading a letter ................

A thought occurred to me, when was the last time I wrote a letter?

When was the last time you wrote a letter, signed it, folded it and put it in an envelope, put a stamp on the envelope, and mailed it?

I don't think we even have any envelopes any more.

I can picture one in a museum sometime ... A Letter  ...  An Antiquated form of communication

The Morning man, Bob Connors

The older I get, the more I realize how things have changed around me. It's Saturday morning, just sitting here and drinking coffee, and it dawned on me, no Bob Connors to listen to this morning. I used to turn on the  radio every morning, but on Saturday I got all my  "chores" done while listening to WTVN in Columbus, Ohio, and Bob was the morning guy. I guess I have listened to him for thirty years or more.

I met him a few times and chatted with him a little on Saturdays at the pregame show on Lane Avenue in Columbus, Ohio prior to an OSU football game. Bob was a big part of OSU football.

As they, whoever "they" are, say,  "You don't miss the water till the well runs dry."

There is more to learn on Bob, right HERE. Listen to the Farewell, nice tribute.

Words of Stein

An old quote

-  A Quote from 1944  -

If you aren't Scared, 

you're NOT LISTENING.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...

I received this in am email today, much to mull over. I have read and studied them, truth abounds ... food for thought.........................

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
You can get arrested for expired tags on your car but not for being in the country illegally.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
You have to have your parent’s signature to go on a school field trip but not to get an abortion.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
An 80 year old woman can be stripped searched by the TSA but a Muslim
Woman in a burka is only subject to having her neck and head searched.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
Your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions
of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more of our money.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
A seven year old boy can be thrown out of school for calling his teacher "cute” but hosting a sexual exploration/sexual diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
The Supreme Court of the United States can rule that lower courts cannot display the 10 Commandments in their courtroom, while sitting in front of a display of the 10 Commandments.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
Children are forcibly removed from parents who appropriately discipline them while children of "underprivileged" drug addicts are left to rot in filth infested cesspools of a “home”.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
Hard work and success are rewarded with higher taxes and government intrusion, while slothful, lazy behavior is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, subsidized housing, and free cell phones.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
The government's plan for getting people back to work is to provide
99 weeks of unemployment checks (to not work).

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
Being self-sufficient is considered a threat to the government.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
Politicians think that stripping away the amendments
to the constitution is protecting the rights of the people.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
The rights of the Government come before the rights of the individual.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
You pay your mortgage, and deny yourself the newest big screen TV or latest gadgets. Your neighbor defaults on his mortgage while buying iPhones, TV's and new cars, and the government forgives his debt and reduces his mortgage with your tax dollars.

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
Being stripped of the ability to defend yourself makes you "safe".

You know you live in a Country run by idiots if...
You can write a post like this just by reading the news headlines.

There are some good ones still around .....

I saw this on the news tonight, brought tears. Great story. There are some good people still around.  

EL PASO, Texas –  A High School basketball coach and a rival player in Texas are credited for giving a student team manager with special needs - the shot of a lifetime.

The gym at Coronado High School was packed Tuesday night for a west side rivalry showdown between Coronado and Franklin High School. But as the clock ticked down, both sides of the bleachers found themselves cheering for the same player. It was going to be a surprise for him, so during our shoot-around yesterday (Tuesday), I gave him a uniform, and his eyes just sparkled. He was ready for the moment.

That player is Mitchell Marcus, who has been Coronado's team  manager for the past three years. Team coach Peter Morales describes Marcus as someone everyone wants on their team. "Mitchell has been a big part of this team and this team's success," said Morales.

To reward his right-hand man, Morales wanted to give the senior something special: He wanted Marcus to suit up. "It was going to be a surprise for him, so during our shoot-around yesterday (Tuesday), I gave him a uniform, and his eyes just sparkled. He was ready for the moment," said Morales. "That would have been enough," said Amy Marcus, Mitchell Marcus's Mom.

But there was more. With a 14-point lead and two minutes left to play, the coach turned to Marcus and told him he was going into the game. "We were so grateful the kids got us a big enough lead that everyone felt comfortable letting Mitchell in, which was amazing," said Amy Marcus. Marcus stepped onto the court and the crowd erupted. "It gave you chills and just to hear the crowd go Mitchell, Mitchell, Mitchell," said Morales.  It was a moment, Marcus didn't think her son would ever have.

"There aren't words to describe it. But the entire section, the whole Coronado section was standing up and cheering. There was not one person sitting down," said Amy Marcus.

His teammates kept passing him the ball, he'd shoot, but nothing wanted to go in. "Oh and Mitchell's a great shot, and he took that first shot and missed and you could hear the whole crowd sighing," said Amy Marcus. With only seconds left, the ball fell into the hands of the Franklin team.

"We all knew he wasn't going to have his chance," said Amy Marcus.

Franklin player Jon Montanez had the ball, and that's when, suddenly, the pride of the west side rivalry didn't seem to matter anymore. "I saw all the players had been trying to get the ball to Mitchell and he hadn't made a basket. Since we were down and there was only 13 seconds left, might as well give Mitchell his last shot," said Montanez. That's what he did, Montanez passed the ball to Mitchell. "That was just the most incredible sportsmanship I've ever seen," said Amy Marcus. Mitchell took his shot and that time, it went in.

"Then, the fourth time, I made it, and everybody from Coronado like, came out and cheered me on and said my name a lot," said Marcus. The crowd rushed the court, lifting Marcus onto their shoulders, chanting, "Mitchell! Mitchell!"

"To put away the rivalry for a persons special moment in his life, was just amazing," said Morales, who also credited the Franklin team, coach and officials for their sportsmanship.

Marcus has always had a big cheering section led by his mom. Tuesday night, he had nearly 50 people there to support him but before the night was over, the whole gym was cheering for him. "I was bawling, just bawling. Every mom around me was bawling," said Amy Marcus.

While Mitchell may have special needs what happened on the court Tuesday night, was nothing less than extraordinary. "The kids from both sides did everything possible to make Mitchell's night be beyond anyone's expectations, with such a rivalry between the two schools, everyone dropped the rivalry," she added.

With all of the excitement from the game still pumping through the halls of Coronado, Mitchell has become somewhat of a celebrity. "I know," he said with a smile.

Tuesday night, the crowds cheers, a team's support and an act of kindness ended up changing the game. The game, Marcus said, is a highlight of his senior year.

Happy Birthday George

George Washington

February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, serving as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

He also presided over the convention that drafted the Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation. 

The Constitution established the position of President of the republic, which Washington was the first to hold.

It ain't gonna work

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned this week that looming military spending cuts “will result in a serious erosion of readiness across the force.”

The caution comes as no surprise to Aaron Negherbon, whose nonprofit helps soldiers circumvent government fiscal challenges and red tape to get critical equipment to combat troops.

“I’ve been told by units that are over there, as well as units that are still stateside, that they are already feeling budget pinches as a result of the state of affairs in D.C.,” said Negherbon, TroopsDirect founder. “We’re hearing more statements that are along the lines of, ‘Our supply chains have been minimized, and we can’t get stuff in the time that we need.’”

For the past three years, Negherbon says his handful of volunteers near Oakland, Calif., have secured and expedited 60,000 pounds of vital supplies like stretchers, communications gear, protective goggles and more to infantry units and special operations forces around the globe. But then a few weeks ago, the former real estate broker fielded a call for something never requested before: bulletproof vests.

“We need body armor,” Negherbon recalls the veteran Army sergeant saying. “He said, ‘We’re getting ready to deploy, and they are only giving us 30 of the 60 vests that we need.’ The way he laid it out to me … it was part budget and part just general policy of what the unit was going to be issued as opposed to what they needed to have issued.”

The sergeant told Negherbon 60 soldiers in his unit, which deploys to Afghanistan in early April, are route-clearing specialists assigned to eliminate roads of obstacles, primarily improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“It’s not like they are chefs or secretaries,” Negherbon said. “They are the guys that go out there and identify and defuse the bombs."

GREAT in many ways ..............

A  long article, but it is nice to know that some "super stars" live in the real world, and accept their responsibility. "No man stands so tall, as when he stoops, to help a child."

GOVHU, South Africa (Reuters) - "Big brother Roger," as the village schoolteachers call him, smiles at the small children and asks them to guess which sport he plays.
Most of the bright-eyed three-year-olds have no idea who their visitor is but one, quicker than the rest, pipes up: "You play tennis!".
Delighted, Roger Federer turns his palms up to reveal a badly calloused right hand punished by 23 years of holding a racquet, showing the children the difference from the smoother left one.
There are few parts of the world where the man considered as the greatest ever tennis player and holder of a record 17 grand slam titles is not instantly recognized.
Here, in rural South Africa where he is visiting one of the village pre-schools his charitable foundation supports, the Swiss is unfamiliar to the children but commands their attention and curiosity.
In a small, cool, classroom, the toddlers sheltering from the heat stand with heads tipped upwards and eyes fixed on the towering champion as he hits a tennis ball against a wall, demonstrating how to swing a racquet.
Federer looks composed in the sweltering heat of Limpopo province, on the border with Zimbabwe, even though his bright red shirt, wet with sweat by noon, gives him away.
Deep in the densely vegetated village some 20 kilometers from the nearest paved road, the ground is parched and dust flies into the air as brightly-costumed Venda women dance to entertain their world-famous guest.
"My heart is in South Africa, through my mum," Federer, the son of a Swiss father and a South African mother, told Reuters.
"My mum being from here, me spending a lot of time here as well, I feel most connected to this part of the world."
The Roger Federer Foundation supports 40 pre-schools in the area and spends over $3 million a year on educational projects in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ethiopia and Federer's home country Switzerland. Over 50,000 children benefited from the foundation's efforts in 2012 to improve quality education in pre-schools and primary schools.
BROKEN EDUCATION SYSTEM
"When I travelled the world, I definitely saw poor countries, people who told me it was so hard for them to get an education," said Federer, who was visiting two pre-schools in the Limpopo province with his mother this week to mark the 10th anniversary of his foundation being founded.
"I always liked the idea of education because in our world going to school is the most normal thing in the world. We sometimes forget what a privilege it is, to go to school."

Walmart theft discovered

A Walmart employe in Indiana has been charged with felony theft after she was caught munching Oreos filched from the store’s shelves, police said.

When confronted by cops with video of the alleged theft, Penny S. Winters, 63, admitted she ate the cookies and said she had been doing it for years.

After a box of opened Oreo cookies were discovered at a Walmart in Portage, Ind., and an investigation was conducted, a longtime Walmart employee admitted she not only consumed Oreos she hadn’t paid for, but also took junk food from the company every week for four years.  Penny S. Winters, 63, was also caught on video during her evening shift eating the popular sandwich cookies.

In an incident report released to ABC News by police in Portage, Ind.,  officials state they responded to the Portage Walmart on Feb. 18 in reference to an internal theft investigation. Upon arrival, police spoke with a Walmart manager who said an empty food wrapper was located within the store on Feb. 12, coupled with surveillance video footage, indicated Winters was responsible.

Danica on the pole .....

Feb 22 (Reuters) - When Danica Patrick made her Daytona 500 debut last year there were some who wondered if the media circus that surrounded her at NASCAR's top event was a tad excessive.

She was only the third woman to compete in what is known as "The Great American Race" but some voices in the media wondered if she merited more attention than more established drivers such as five-time Sprint Cup winner Jimmie Johnson.

So when Patrick's car was damaged as she spun off the track on the second lap when she was caught up in a five-car crash, the skeptics could afford themselves a little smugness.

But on Sunday, Patrick will start the Daytona 500 from pole position and this time no one will doubt she deserves all the attention she is receiving or her credentials to compete with the very best.

Patrick, who ran a partial Sprint Cup program last year, showed she was ready to race full-time in American stock car racing by qualifying with a top speed of 196.434 mph around Daytona International Speedway last Sunday.

Her top speed was the fastest qualifying effort at Daytona since 1990 and inevitably raised talk about her becoming the first woman to win the coveted prize.

Norman died on the way to Gwen's funeral

Norman Hendrickson was known for telling jokes and never wasting money. So when he died suddenly while en route to his wife's funeral, the couple's daughters knew there was only one thing to do: Hold a doubleheader service.

The 94-year-old World War II veteran's impromptu wake was held Saturday at the same eastern New York funeral home where his wife Gwen's funeral was already scheduled. She was 89 when she died on Feb. 8. After Norman died just steps from the funeral home, the daughters decided their parents would be mourned together at the same time.

The daughters said it was a fitting way to say goodbye to a couple who had been together since meeting in Europe during World War II and who had been married for nearly 66 years.

"After we had a little time to process the shock and horror, we felt we couldn't have written a more perfect script," Norma Howland told the Post-Star of Glens Falls. "My sister said the only thing he didn't do was fall into the casket.

Elegant way to travel ...............

My last venture on a train, with a room, was in the late 50's, took a train from Dayton, Ohio to Reno, Nevada. I think it was a three day trip. I took one train from Dayton to St. Louis, and took the "Spirit" to Reno. Classy Dining Car, porters, Club Car, first class all the way. Actually, in St. Louis, one of the Busch family got on board, a complete entourage, and lots of Budweiser for some of the passengers.

Train travel was a world in itself, something about being on board,  you met many people, got to know a few well. Once you got on board, you had a new life, when you got off, to got back to normal.  You said hello to everyone, and they said hello back to you. You were in a select "fraternity" when on board, you were not a stranger for long.

I remember getting off in Reno, had a number of goodbyes to say, a few "Call when you are in town's" .... "I'll be up at Tahoe, come and see me."

Trains in those days were an elegant way to travel. I've crossed the country a few times and enjoyed each trip. On the return trip from Nevada, everything had changed, early 60's. No dining car, no club car, vending machines instead. When I hi the lottery I am heading for Japan and ride on their trains, and of course, The Orient Express. No trains, few buses, everyone drives, what a shame.....elegant travel

Blame guns for it all......

More than a dozen lawmakers who oppose President Barack Obama's plan to expand background checks to all gun-buyers are to be targeted in a series of online advertising as part of a national day of action Friday.

Organizing for Action, the successor group to Obama’s campaign backers, plans to spend up to $100,000 on the campaign, and the national day of action marks the first test of the group's ability to mobilize the president's 2.2 million campaign volunteers to push for legislative change. Organizers have not disclosed which lawmakers will be included in the ads.

OFA plans to sponsor more than 100 events in 80 or more Congressional districts Friday to demand action on the issue. The group says it expects thousands of people to participate in the events, which will include vigils, letter-writing campaigns, and news conferences. 

Executive director Jon Carson said the events display the strength the grassroots organization brings to support the president's agenda.

"We have voices in every corner of this country who are supporting his agenda and can make their neighbors understand where their members [of Congress] stand on these important issues,” Carson said, according to USA Today. 

Obama has presented a sweeping plan to rein in gun violence, in the wake of the Dec. 14 elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn. Carson said OFA backs the entire plan, which also includes limiting ammunition magazine sizes and banning assault weapons.

Everything seems to stem from that date, Dec. 14. What if that had not happened. Why do they focus on that event? There are more senseless killings than that, every day ... what if that event had not happened? With all that is going on in the country and the world, I think our economy is of much greater importance, if something is not done about that, we are on a destructive path. Guns have been a way of life since the country was founded. I think that "progress" is more to blame for the decline in morals and moral issues than guns ever could be. Blame television and video games, blame Mom for not being home after school because she has to work. Blame moral decline, so many other areas to place blame, why blame it all on guns? The timing on that incident could not have been better, kinda makes you wonder?  

Why not???????

WASHINGTON, DC - Sources close to the White House have learned that Barack Obama is planning to run for the office of Pope when the College of Cardinals convenes to elect a successor to ailing Benedict XVI at the end of this month. Calling on the promise of Equality for All, Obama is said to firmly believe that the time has come for a non-Catholic to occupy the Vatican's highest office.

Foreseeing a looming citizenship issue he states that he has discovered an Italian birth certificate that proves he was born in Rome before he was born in Kenya. "That Hawaiian birth certificate never has been worth what I paid for it anyway", he noted.

Continuing, he concluded, "And there's no way that a handful of cardinals could be more expensive to buy than 10 million voters in Michigan." Further questions should be directed to Obama's Papal Campaign Manager, Abdul Azeem Khan.

A stroll down memory lane

Nick Lucas (August 22, 1897, Newark, New Jersey -- July 28, 1982, Colorado Springs, Colorado) born Dominic Nicholas Anthony Lucanese was an American singer and pioneer jazz guitarist, remembered as "the grandfather of the jazz guitar", whose peak of popularity lasted from the mid-1920s to the early 1930s.

Why bring him up? I saw him entertain a number of times in Reno, at I think the Holiday Hotel. He did such nice little "airy" lite songs, very entertaining, and in awe of him and the career that he had. He did the original "Tiptoe through the Tulips," NOT Tiny Tim. He was a true, entertainer, very captivating, he held you in the palm of his hand while he performed. Not all can do that.

My thoughts went back to him from one of my blogs, Smile Awhile was another of his songs. Carl Ravazza was another "old timer" who I often saw at Harold's Club. He was also from that time frame.

Speaking of entertainers, I saw many during my time in Nevada, but only a few stand out as really being "entertainers." I think Wayne Newton worked harder than anyone to entertain ....... he was a true "pro" and knocked himself out to be entertaining. I saw him a number of times in his early days in Reno at the Riverside, late 50's or early 60's. Not the big time or Vegas yet, but he was on his way.

Della Reese entertained, as well as Johnny Mathis, and, of course, Louis Prima and Sam Butera. Some of the "lounge" acts were better than the "headliners." They tried harder and were less impressed by themselves. I have walked out on a few BIG names, some were very disappointing.

Some if the "old time" dealers and casino folks I first turned out and worked with, looked upon all entertainers as "B Flats." They were only bait to get customers in, so they had little respect for entertainers, a necessary evil, just like food and free bingo. In those days, the "dealer" was more important than any entertainer. I turned out in that environment.

Nick Lucas and Johnny Carson

"....... and let the rest of the world go by ....."

I have stated that Obama will be retained in office as long as he wants, and steps are being taken now to insure that happens with the introduction of H.J. Resolution 15. That plan is in motion, and few are aware of it, and most are at a point where they have surrendered, and will do nothing to see that it does not happen.

We were visiting at the home of our newest great grandchild, and Miss Emma was in a "wind up" type swing, all secure, strapped it, well fed, nice and warm, just swinging away. I thought she was like most of the voters and the populace of this country. Just Rockin, and let the rest of the world go by.

And, it didn't matter to which side her politics leaned, she was just content.....

That title is from an old song, Smile Awhile .... it was one of our family "in car" sing-along songs. It was one of Mom's favorites, from WWI when my Dad served ..... Sorry about the ad, it comes with the territory now ........... hate them ....  LISTEN HERE

How did this leak out?

I thought what happened in Vegas, stayed in Vegas


LAS VEGAS — A gunfight between a Maserati and an SUV on the Las Vegas Strip caused a fiery crash at an intersection involving a taxi that burst into flames, leaving three people dead and at least three injured early Thursday, police said.

The Maserati driver, the taxi driver and a passenger in the cab were killed. The SUV got away.

In all, five vehicles were involved in the dramatic crash around 4:30 a.m. Thursday at Flamingo and Las Vegas boulevards, a wide intersection surrounded by some of the most famous casinos on the Strip, including the Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the Paris.

It started with people in the Maserati and the SUV exchanging gunfire before the high-end sports car hit the taxi, said Sgt. John Sheahan. Three other vehicles were involved in the wreck, but the SUV was gone when police arrived, Sheahan said.

Sami Rahamim

I noticed an email from a Sami Rahamim, who was a victim of gun violence. In the e-mail, Rahamim explains that one of his parents died as a result of gun violence.

“Share your story,” he invites readers and provides a link to a submission page. I followed the link and ended on the barackobama website. I thought that was a "bit" odd. Makes one think they will go to any lengths to get their agenda fulfilled. Check it out yourself. Search for Sami Rahamim and see where you end up.

Another page on the website displays “stories about gun violence,” attributing the author’s first name, last-name initial and hometown.

Many of the stories are about gun violence involving schools and students. One, by “Kindra S.” of Chelsea, MI, describes how “a mentally unstable teacher went on a shooting tirade after school & killed our superintendent & attempted to kill our principal and another teacher.”

"HI Jim ....... just two cups please ......."

As of Tuesday, U.S. gasoline prices had increased for 32 straight days. The media, however, aren't interested. They would be, though, if a Republican — particularly a Bush — were in the White House.

According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.748 Tuesday, up from $3.730 on Monday and about 15 cents higher than a week ago.

A month ago that same gallon cost $3.304 and a year back it was $3.565. It was $1.83 a gallon the day before Obama was first inaugurated.

The media are providing a smattering of coverage of the rising prices. But the press is more concerned about President Obama's golf outing with Tiger Woods than it is about gasoline prices. And it sure isn't interested in blaming Obama for the rise.

Olympic Costs

SOCHI — Above the Black Sea city of Sochi, metals magnate Vladimir Potanin is spending billions of rubles to turn a patch of mountainside into a global showpiece.

Potanin has paid for new buildings, new lifts and hundreds of snow canons in the hope of transforming slopes not far from sub-tropical Sochi into a world-class ski resort.

Like most of the plans to host the Winter Olympic Games next year, Russia's ambitions for the ski village and other venues are out-sized in scale and ambition. Total investment to make the sleepy region fit to welcome thousands of competitors and the world's media is expected to exceed $50 billion.

History 101

I just watched that North Korean video of our country in flames. North Korea doesn't speak for much of the world, but it does reveal cracks in our armor, that we are respected throughout the world. I remember something a teacher taught me in high school, "An American never goes to a foreign country." I have never forgotten that.

I remember when I was in Mexico, I was surrounded by "foreigners," same thing in Japan and Korea. Driving in New York, I was surrounded by "out of state" license plates.

Disasters seem to bring the country together, I thought that "attitude" we exhibited during that time, would never leave. It didn't take long to dissipate. Most people, if asked for incidents in history that they remembered, they would all revolve around disasters of one type or another. Flags are abundant in areas when a soldiers body is returned home.

President's Day was celebrated locally by furniture sales and no mail delivery. Otherwise, it was just another day. George who, Abe who, no mention of the Cherry tree incident at all.

I remember one group of entertainers in Nevada, I think it was the Gaylords,  did a segment on that, and it is appropriate for the recent holiday.

There was once a country boy who hated using the outhouse because it was hot in the summer and freezing in the winter...plus it stank all the time. The outhouse was situated on the bank of a creek and the boy determined that one day he would push that outhouse into the creek.

So one day after a spring rain the creek was swollen so the little boy decided today was the day to push the outhouse into the creek. He got a large stick and started pushing. Finally, the outhouse toppled into the creek and floated away.

That night his dad told him they were going to the woodshed after supper. Knowing this meant a spanking, the little boy asked why. The dad replied, "Someone pushed the outhouse into the creek today. It was you, wasn't it, son?"

The boy answered yes. Then he thought a moment and said, "Dad, I read in school today that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and didn't get into trouble because he told the truth."

The Dad replied, "Well, son, George Washington's father wasn't in that cherry tree."

Enough history for now.

Crime doesn't pay .... well, maybe a little, sometimes

The Chicago Crime Commission named a new Public Enemy No. 1 on Thursday, a designation originally crafted for Al Capone. The new holder of this dubious distinction, however, is not American nor believed to be in the United States.

He is Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the infamous Mexican drug lord who is Chicago's most wanted because his Sinaloa cartel supplies a majority of the narcotics in the city.

Not since Capone "has any criminal deserved this title more than Joaquin Guzman," commission President J.R. Davis said in a news release.

"Guzman is the major supplier of narcotics to Chicago. His agents are working in the Chicago area importing vast quantities of drugs for sale throughout the Chicago region and collecting and sending to Mexico tens of millions of dollars in drug money."

Guzman is the boss of the Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful drug trafficking operations.

His nickname, which means "shorty," matches his 5-foot-6-inch frame, though he has climbed to great heights in the drug smuggling business. Forbes magazine has estimated that "El Chapo" is worth $1 billion.

Ex-New Orleans mayor pleads not guilty to bribery

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he accepted more than $200,000 in bribes plus free trips and other gratuities in exchange for helping contractors secure millions of dollars in work for the city.

U.S. Magistrate Sally Shushan set Nagin's bond at $100,000 during his arraignment on charges that include bribery, wire fraud and filing false tax returns. She also set a preliminary trial date of April 29.

The charges against Nagin are the product of a City Hall corruption investigation that already has resulted in guilty pleas by two former city officials and two businessmen and a prison sentence for a former city vendor.

His arraignment marked a rare public appearance for Nagin, who now lives in Frisco, Texas, and has kept a low-profile since he left office in 2010.

Say Goodbye to those HEAVY backpacks

The Minister of Education vows the country will see the back of backpacks. Speaking at an interactive session on the final day of a region-first two-day government summit, Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education, said the school bag would become redundant within the next few years.

“The most important thing is to have the smart education project which certainly will come into existence in a few years to come...which will put an end to the role of the school bag, where we will not see it anymore.”

The Ministry of Education was “embracing” the project to enable education to be conducted solely on tablets.

Yep, I did it!

Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.  pleaded guilty this morning to conspiring with his wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson, to siphon about $750,000 in federal campaign funds for the couple’s personal use, and could face years in prison.

Sandi Jackson was scheduled to plead guilty this afternoon to a single charge of tax fraud tied to the same allegations that the couple repeatedly tapped the ex-congressman’s campaign fund, used the money for personal use and then made fraudulent campaign and tax disclosures to cover up the misconduct.

As part of the plea deal with Jackson Jr., the parties have agreed that sentencing guidelines in the case call for a term of between 46 and 57 months in prison, but the sides reserved the right to argue for a sentence above or below that range for him when he is sentenced June 28.

Jackson spoke softly during the hearing and sometimes dabbed his eyes with a tissue. When asked by Wilkins how he would plead, Jackson answered: “I am guilty, your honor.”

Asked to sum up his conduct, Jackson acknowledged misusing campaign funds.

My Chrysler Imperial

For those who asked ....

I traded the Studebaker for this Chrysler Imperial

Great car .... 

WELCOME BACK

Robin Roberts returned to the "Good Morning America" anchor desk this morning, five months to the day since she underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS, a rare blood disorder.

"I have been waiting 174 days to say this: 'Good Morning America!,'" Roberts, 52, said in the show's open.

"I keep pinching myself and I realize that this is real. This is really happening," she said. "Faith, family and friends have brought me to this moment and I am so full of gratitude."

I loved that car

I used to have hone similar to this, loved it, mine was all white, red leather interior.

In those days, no speed limit in Nevada, really took advantage of that.

Great car - do you know what it was?

Scammers Lurk Behind Area Code 876

Older residents should beware of threatening con artists using Jamaican numbers.

Your phone rings and caller ID shows an 876 area code. While it appears the call is coming from the US, be cautious with this Jamaican area code. If you do not have friends, relatives, or business associates in Jamaica, there is probably a scammer on the other end of line.

“Anyone receiving an unexpected call from area code 876 should be on high alert,” said James Boffetti, New Hampshire senior assistant attorney general. “There is a high likelihood that these calls are from scam artists. Unfortunately, these scammers are very persistent and in some cases verbally abusive, threatening to harm victims if they do not send money.”

Oscar Pistorius Loses Ad Deals With Nike, Oakley

Corporate sponsors of Olympic "blade runner" Oscar Pistorius have begun to distance themselves from the sprinter, who is accused of murdering his model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius is back to court in South Africa Tuesday morning on murder charges.

Oakley, the eye wear manufacturer, and the sporting goods giant Nike announced today that they would no longer run ads featuring Pistorius, the South African double-amputee who gained worldwide fame for running on carbon-fiber blades.

"In light of the recent allegations, Oakley is suspending its contract with Oscar Pistorius, effective immediately. Our hearts are with the families during this difficult time and we'll continue to follow the developments in this tragic case," Oakley spokeswoman Cheri Quigley said in a statement released this afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Nike said it had "no plans" to use Pistorius in future ad campaigns, according to the Associated Press. Nike had already pulled an Internet ad showing Pistorius starting to sprint with the caption, "I am the bullet in the chamber."

The companies made their announcements shortly after Pistorius' own agent, Peet Van Zyl, said publicly that he expected the sponsors to stick with Pistorius through the legal process.

Plus, the Olympic Committee is threatening to take his medals away that he won in the Olympics because of possible steroid usage  and, of course, he may go to jail for murder. What next? Just dawned on me ..... why would they want him to endorse shoes? Then I checked and found out why, see above.

Could Jesus retire?

Could Jesus retire? The Pope is going to, almost the same thing.

How much money does the Pope make, and will he still get retirement the same as our "government" officials, how about Secret Service, or whatever they call it over there. What did they do six centuries ago when that Pope retired? I wonder, too, if there was any "bonus" money paid to him. I wonder if he even has a bank account, or has any insurance agent gotten to him to work on his retirement program.

"Hello, ah, I'm Harry Johnson with Metropolitan, and I was wondering, who I could talk to about setting up a nice retirement program for the Pope, is he in right now. I've heard some folks get an "audience" with him, do I have to do that, and are there gonna be all those people in the room too, some of the questions might be kinda personal."

Can you imagine the chaos in the world if Jesus announced that he was retiring.  "Well, I just don't think enough people believe in me anymore. I see all that is going on in the world, and, well, I just get discouraged. If Benedict can do it, then I may give it a shot. People can still believe in me whether I'm in the office or not, let's face it, the whole thing is built on faith."

WOW ... and he gets in all the games FREE

 A $22.3 Million Bonus for N.F.L. Commissioner
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 15, 2013

N.F.L. owners nearly tripled Commissioner Roger Goodell’s compensation in the 2011 tax year to $29.49 million. According to the league’s most recent tax return, much of Goodell’s pay came in the form of a $22.3 million bonus. His base pay was $3.1 million.

Way to GO, Danica

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.  -  Mark your calendars now and get ready to "reach up and pull those belts down tight one more time!" The Daytona 500 on FOX is set for noon ET on Feb. 24.

Patrick became the first woman in NASCAR’s premier division to win a pole and the 11th consecutive first-time pole-sitter for the Great American Race at Daytona International Speedway.

Prior to Speedweeks, Stewart-Haas Racing hedged its bets by purchasing the owners points from the No. 49 team to secure Patrick’s position in the 2013 Daytona 500.

But as Patrick proved on Sunday, the odds were in her favor.

“I was a little bit nervous,” Patrick said. “It’s all about just getting the shifts right and being smooth and, more than anything, you’re trying to hug the line as much as possible, trying to not steer too much. Sometimes the car wants to track up and move up the track a little bit and you've got to pull it down, but you also don’t want to hit the apron. So it’s not like you go out there and lock your arms, and it just stays there."

Massachusetts Law to Allow Boys in Girl’s Bathrooms & Locker Rooms

Last July, the Massachusetts state legislature amended General Laws,

Part 1, Title XII – Education; Chapter 76 – School Attendance; Section 5 – Place of attendance; violations; discrimination. The amendment reads:
“Every person shall have a right to attend the public schools of the town where he actually resides, subject to the following section. No school committee is required to enroll a person who does not actually reside in the town unless said enrollment is authorized by law or by the school committee. Any person who violates or assists in the violation of this provision may be required to remit full restitution to the town of the improperly-attended public schools. No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.”

Mitchell Chester, Massachusetts Commissioner of Education has recently released an interpretation of the new amendment.  The document, titled ‘An Act Relative to Gender Identity,’ gives instructions to all public school administrators for the state of Massachusetts.

Contained within that document are instructions telling schools that they must allow any student, girl or boy, that claims to be transgender, to have access to bathrooms and locker rooms of their proclaimed sex.  The student does not need a doctor’s or parent’s note or anything else other than their own statement that they are the opposite sex that they appear to be.

The document reads:
“The responsibility for determining a student’s gender identity rests with the student.  A school should accept a student’s assertion of his or her gender identity when there is … ‘evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held as part of a person’s core identity.’”

Therefore, any boy from kindergarten to high school senior has the right to say that he is now a girl and he will be given access to the girl’s bathrooms and locker rooms.  Furthermore, the document warns that anyone referring to a transgender student by their birth name or birth sex will not be allowed and may result in disciplinary action.

President's Day - 2013

President's’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February.

Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government.

Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.

While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.

Thinkin agin

The more I think about that incident in Tennessee where the policemen stopped that car because of the Ohio State Buckeye Logo, the more stupid I think they are down there. WHO, is going to be selling MARIJUANA, illegally, and advertise that fact on their vehicle?

I can't imagine their thinking ....... "OH, da Sarg, lookkee there, them guys gotta maryijuana think on their bumper, theyen's must be sellin it, call the donut shop, get sum backup, weuns gotta put a stop to thet."

No, no, no, no, not me ...

Speaking in the context of the sequester cuts that would have a measly effect on Congressional pay, Nancy Pelosi said that even though a pay cut wouldn't effect her as much as it would others, she is still opposed to the idea: ”I don’t think we should do it; I think we should respect the work we do. I think it’s necessary for us to have the dignity of the job that we have rewarded.”

Politicians talk an awful lot about shared sacrifice and “fair share.” But they don’t want to be the ones sharing any sacrifice or giving up their fair share.elosi’s opposed to doing the same thing to herself that she is in favor of doing to every American citizen. 

She thinks a congressional pay cut would make her office less “dignified.” I suppose she would argue that a citizen pay cut in the form of higher taxes would accentuate the dignity of those jobs. She would talk about how wonderful our jobs were and how great it was that we were all willing to sacrifice our income for the betterment of society later.

To dream ...... the American Dream ......

Congressional Republicans on Sunday criticized a White House plan on immigration reform that allows illegal immigrants to become legal, permanent residents within eight years -- saying Congress will never pass such a proposal and questioning President Obama’s intent.

Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul said the plan is untenable and so outside of what the country wants that it suggests Obama is not sincere about passing immigration reform.

“The president is torpedoing his own plan,” Paul told “Fox News Sunday.” “It shows me he is really not serious. … The bill won’t pass.”

The draft immigration bill being circulated by the White House also includes plans for a new visa for illegal immigrants living in the United States, as first reported by USA Today.

Obama's bill would create a "Lawful Prospective Immigrant" visa for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants living in the country. The bill includes more security funding and requires business owners to adopt a system for verifying the immigration status of new hires within four years, the newspaper said.

Dozens of pro-Dorner protesters rally at LAPD HQ

Sunday, February 17, 2013  -  Dozens of protesters rallied outside Los Angeles police headquarters Saturday in support of Christopher Dorner, the former LAPD officer and suspected killer of four who died after a shootout and fire this week at a mountain cabin following one of the biggest manhunts in recent memory.

Protesters told the Los Angeles Times they didn’t support Dorner’s deadly methods, but objected to police corruption and brutality, and believed Dorner’s claims of racism and unfair treatment by the department. Many said they were angered by the conduct of the manhunt that led to Dorner’s death and injuries to innocent bystanders who were mistaken for him.

Michael Nam, 30, who held a sign with a flaming tombstone and the inscription “RIP Habeas Corpus,” said it was “pretty obvious” police had no intention of bringing Dorner in alive.

“They were the judge, the jury and the executioner,” Nam said. “As an American citizen, you have the right to a trial and due process by law.”

During the hunt for Dorner, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck called for Dorner’s surrender and said he didn't want to see the suspect or anyone else injured

I wonder about this, I guess there are two sides to every story.........

Your next computer ????

One startup is reimagining the traditional business PC, and the result can be a useful new computing option for entrepreneurs.

Salt Lake City-based Xi3 Technologies has been quietly developing a computer that's roughly four inches by four inches, or about the size of a grapefruit. But what sets this gadget apart from other portable PCs is that the Xi3 splits the core functions of a traditional PC into three separate, easily replaceable components. Think of it as a high-tech equivalent to Ford's model T, which was considered so simple that anyone could repair it.

Each Xi3 device is made up of three separate modules: one for the processor, one for how the unit communicates on a network and a third for power. This means you can upgrade any of these components -- say, to swap out for a faster processor -- with little effort. Just unscrew the back panel, slide out the required part, put the hatch back on and you're done.

Being able to conveniently access individual parts of a computer allows users to upgrade the device as software needs change or when specific parts fail. Entry-level models cost $850 and come with 16 GB of memory built in. Expandable drives are optional and cost extra.

Buckeye leaf mistaken by Tennessee police

Tennessee police might need better instruction in botany and Buckeye football.

A 65-year-old woman recently came under suspicion, she reported, for having a Buckeye leaf decal on her car. The cops mistook it for a marijuana symbol.

“It’s just amazing they would be that dumb,” Bonnie Jonas-Boggioni said.

She lives in Plano, Texas, but she grew up in Columbus and is known as a lifelong Buckeyes fan.

She has served as president of the Ohio State Alumni Club in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

On Feb. 4, Jonas-Boggioni and husband Guido Boggioni, 66, were driving home to Plano after a trip to Columbus to attend the funeral of his mother, Eleanor, 92.

They were in the westbound lanes of I-40, a few miles east of Memphis, when a black police SUV with flashing lights pulled them over, Jonas-Boggioni said.A second black SUV soon pulled up behind the first one.

“Knowing I wasn't speeding, I couldn't imagine why,” she said.

Two officers approached, one on each side of the car.

“They were very serious,” she said. “They had the body armor and the guns.”

Because the couple’s two schnauzers were barking furiously, one of the officers had Jonas-Boggioni exit the car so he could hear her better.

“What are you doing with a marijuana sticker on your bumper?” he asked her.

She explained that it is actually a Buckeye leaf decal, just like the ones that Ohio State players are given to put on their helmets to mark good plays.

“He looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language,” she said.

At that point, Boggioni got out of the car to show that he was wearing a commemorative sweatshirt from the 2002 national-championship season, complete with a Buckeye leaf.

The officer then explained that someone from outside his jurisdiction — apparently another officer — had spotted the leaf sticker and thought it might indicate that the car was carrying marijuana, Jonas-Boggioni said.

She was too rattled to notice what police department the officers represented. But she suspects that a joint drug-interdiction effort was under way because they had passed several law-enforcement vehicles from different agencies.

Neither the Tennessee Highway Patrol nor the Shelby County sheriff’s office in Memphis had information about the traffic stop. A marijuana sticker would not be a sufficient reason to stop a car, said a spokeswoman for the West Tennessee Drug Task Force.

Even if it were, Jonas-Boggioni said, police hunting drugs should know that a Buckeye leaf — which has five leaflets — doesn't look much like a marijuana leaf, which typically has seven leaflets and a narrower shape.

Before they let her go on her way, the officers advised Jonas-Boggioni to remove the decal from her car.

“I said, ‘You mean in Tennessee?’ and he said, ‘No, permanently.’

“I didn't take it off. . . . This little old lady is no drug dealer.”

Meteor launches space safety alert

AS RUSSIAN authorities search for remnants of the space object that startled residents of the Chelyabinsk region, scientists said its shock wave was a loud warning they hoped would inspire action to prevent potential catastrophes.

''When a small piece of rock would fall on the Earth 100 years ago, it could have caused minimal damage and would have stayed largely undetected, but Friday's accident fully demonstrated how vulnerable the technological civilization of today has become,'' said Vladimir Lipunov, head of the Space Monitoring Laboratory with Moscow State University.

''It is high time Russia should start investing heavily in building an advanced space danger monitoring and warning system and a system capable of destroying such super bombs falling on us,'' he said.

His remarks echoed concern among government officials. ''Today neither Russia nor the United States is capable of shooting down objects from outer space,'' tweeted Dmitry Rogozin, Vice-Premier in charge of the nation's defense industry.