E-cigarettes contain 10 times the carcinogens of regular tobacco

Electronic cigarettes contain up to 10 times more cancer-causing substances than regular tobacco, according to the latest study by Japanese scientists.

A team of researchers from the Japanese Health Ministry examined the vapor, finding carcinogens like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. 

The former was found in quantities exceeding traditional cigarettes by 10 times.

"Especially when the... wire (which vaporizes the liquid) gets overheated, higher amounts of those harmful substances seemed to be produced," researcher Naoki Kunugita said.

Kunugita wanted to raise awareness about the fact that “some makers are selling such products for dual use (with tobacco) or as a gateway for young people" to start a smoking habit.

E-cigarettes are largely represented as a safe way of smoking, not harmful to one’s health.

The report was submitted on Thursday by Kunugita and his team at the National Institute of Public Health, AFP reported. Japan’s Health Ministry stated that it is examining the results to develop ways to regulate e-cigarettes.

The researchers analyzed several kinds of e-cigarette fluid, using a special ‘puffing’ machine that inhaled 10 of 15 puffs of vapor.

E-cigarettes work by heating flavored liquid, which often contains nicotine, and creating a vapor.

Ferguson officer who shot Michael Brown resigns

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — The Ferguson police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown has resigned, his attorney said Saturday, nearly four months after the confrontation between the white officer and unarmed black 18-year-old that ignited protests in the St. Louis suburb and across the nation.

Darren Wilson, who has been on administrative leave since the Aug. 9 shooting, resigned effective immediately, said his attorney, Neil Bruntrager. He declined further immediate comment.

The Brown family attorney, Benjamin Crump, didn't immediately return phone and email messages from The Associated Press.

Wilson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he was stepping down out of his "own free will" after the police department told him it had received threats of violence if he remained an employee.

"I'm not willing to let someone else get hurt because of me," said Wilson, who had been with the department for six years.

This is actually how it is .......... in reality...

I think it is almost criminal, how Columbus, Ohio media, and OSU officials try so hard to keep the idea of a horrible rivalry alive, just to fill the coffers of the university. A rivalry is one thing, exciting, emotional,, and ads to the game. In the days of Bo and Woody, they loved the rivalry, THE game made the Winter months more tolerable for the winner.

Pictured here, the Michigan quarterback is comforting the Ohio State quarterback after he was injured. This is as it should be. Both coaches use the game to try to motivate their players. Ohio State hates Michigan, why? I have listened many years to WJR, Detroit radio station,, and I have heard many broadcasts the time preceding the BIG game. They handled it as a rivalry, not a war, OSU has kept approaching it from that standpoint.

Merchandise sales SOAR prior to the Michigan game. It is, just a game, the world keeps spinning in its orbit, regardless of the outcome. Rivalry is good, as long as it does not get out of hand, as it often does in this case, in Columbus, thanks to local media.

Money, sales, sales of all kinds, money rolling in, last chance this season to fill the pockets.

Michigan may have lost this game, but OSU lost a quarterback, his change for a Heisman, and I think, their chance to play in a BIG game. I think OSU lost much more than the game, perhaps the season, or at least the "icing" on the cake.

11/28

Black Friday - 2014

I would hate to be a retailer, it has to be madness. Frenzy personified. Apparently a good day for sales, shopping, buying and demonstrating, especially demonstrating, the demonstrations don't seem to have anything to do with anything, just a good day for it because of the crowds. Annually, unions organize protests at Walmart, I wonder what it actually costs them. Thousands of people demonstrating against their wages. People, sitting on the floor, tape over their mouths. Now, why do they really care? "Well, they don't be payin them folks nuff." "An, well, some of them be gettin some welfare stuff n i wan all thet myself .... I don wanna be sharin nun a thet, you no?"

I remember year ago, Klamath Falls, Oregon, a union wanted to get in to the local Montgomery Ward Store. The lumber business was dying ... they needed more. They singled out one of the most vocal employees in the store, bought him a boat, motor some cash, and he took over, talked with all the employees, many, long time elderly women clerks, and first opportunity, the Union was voted in. With this store on board, and other companies unionized, they pretty much controlled commerce in the area.

I did do a little checking today, on some GREAT Black Friday prices. Odd, some were the same as they were a month ago, only now, it was a Black Friday price. I think in such a frenzy, all reason is thrown to the wayside .... see how much the color RED is used.

If retailers were as smart as I am .... I would run a  Black Friday special ... House Money, good only in  the store ..... I don't know, it would take one of their genius marketers to figure it out, perhaps $100 for $90 .... at that point, House Money would have no value and it would all be spent in the store. WALBUCKS   ..... It would be comparable to buying chips in a casino ..... might be more trouble than it would be worth.

We were in our local Walmart this evening around 5. Crowded, not bulging, many merchandise specials in the middle of the aisles .... they don't like shelves any more .... just skids and pallets .... filling the middle of the nice wide aisles. We got our few items, an empty cashier aisle, we paid, and out the door, no trouble ...........

How do THEY make money?

Really nice ............some lucky kid ............

Thanksgiving and football

Thanksgiving Day football, once a tradition among the high schools and colleges of America, has more or less faded into oblivion in most sections of the country.

But it is still alive in the National Football League in two franchise cities, Detroit and Dallas, where Thanksgiving Day football has become a normal, expected way of life. Beginning in 1966, Dallas has missed playing on the holiday only in 1975 and 1977.

However, when it comes to Thanksgiving Day football, NFL style, most fans first think of the Lions and the tradition that was started in 1934. It was their first year in Detroit after a local radio executive, George A. Richards, had purchased the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans and moved the team to Detroit. The Spartans were members of the NFL from 1930 to 1933.

With the Spartans, not only was Richards bringing a proven, quality team to Detroit, he was also bringing at least one super-star, Earl "Dutch" Clark, one of the most versatile backs ever to play the game. Clark had an outstanding supporting cast in the Detroit backfield with a big, talented line anchored by Frank Christiansen.

Even though he knew there was some risk in scheduling a game on Thanksgiving Day, Richards also recognized that his Lions were taking a back seat to the baseball Tigers on the sports pages. So as one way of attracting Motor City fans during the team's first season, he opted for the Thanksgiving Day contest.

The matchup between the Lions and the World Champion Chicago Bears proved to be an all-time classic. The 1934 Lions had not allowed a touchdown until their eighth game and entered the game with the Bears with a 10-1 record. But with 11 straight wins, Chicago had an even better record. Still a win would put the Lions into a first-place tie with the Bears with only a game left, a repeat clash with the Bears in Chicago, just three days later on December 2.

The 26,000 tickets for the Turkey Day clash in the University of Detroit Stadium, were sold out two weeks in advance of the game. It was estimated that another 25,000 would have attended had there been seats available.

The Bears edged out the Lions 19-16 in the classic holiday struggle and then prevailed 10-7 three days later to clinch the NFL Western Division crown.

Not despondent over the last two losses, Richards reasoned that his team had done well in its first year in Detroit. His confidence was rewarded the next year when the Lions won the 1935 NFL Championship. The key game in the title drive came on Thanksgiving Day, when the Lions defeated the Bears 14-2 to clinch the West championship.

Thus the football-on-Thanksgiving tradition became firmly established in Detroit. With the exception of a six-season gap from 1939 to 1944, the Thanksgiving Day game has been played with no interruptions.

The Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day heritage gained national attention in another way, starting with the very first game in 1934. Knowing the publicity potential of radio, Richards along with NBC Radio, set up a 94-station network to broadcast the Lions-Bears showdown. The famous announcing team of Graham McNamee and Don Wilson described the action.

A Banana, yea, a banana ....stupid

 GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A man was arrested after allegedly pointing a banana at two deputies and telling them that he thought it would be a "funny joke" to post on YouTube to "lighten the holiday spirit."

Police say the man, identified as Nathen Channing, 28, was not recording the Saturday incident.

According to the arrest affidavit, Deputy Joshua Bunch first encountered Channing at approximately 11:15 a.m. Bunch, who was in a marked patrol car, saw Channing walking on the sidewalk. "I observed Nathen reach into the left side of his coat with his right hand and pull out a yellow object, pointing it in the air then in my direction as I approached him," Bunch wrote in the affidavit. "Nathen drew the object in the same manner someone would draw a standard handgun from a concealed holster."

Bunch says he immediately ducked into his patrol car and drove away, afraid that Channing had a weapon. He then called another deputy in the area and warned him of the situation.

The affidavit says Bunch saw Channing point an object at the other deputy, who initially thought it was a gun. "Deputy (Donald) Love stated he was in fear for his life at this point, and was in the process of pulling out his handgun when Nathen yelled 'It's a banana!'" Bunch wrote in the affidavit.

When asked why he decided to point a banana at two deputies, Bunch says Channing told him that he "does a lot of YouTube" and he thought it would be a "funny joke."

Bunch said Channing then informed him that he's a standup comedian and "it was just a joke that he realizes, now… is not funny."

According to the affidavit, when pressed as to whether or not he was recording the incident, Channing admitted he was not. "I informed Nathen his reasoning did not make (sense) to me since he did not have anything to post on the internet," Bunch wrote in the affidavit. "Nathen stated he was just completing 'trial runs' of the joke."

Bunch says Channing told him he thought the joke would "lighten the holiday spirit."

A third officer was then called to the scene, and Channing was taken into custody at around 11:30 a.m., according to the affidavit.

Channing is facing charges of felony menacing.

I would like those who think this is funny to line up over there, and those who don't, over here. I imagine the lines would be about the same. This is a statement of where we are, in this country, today. Channing is a Jackass for doing it, at any time in history, but, especially now. 

Two Big words for the holidays .....

I am watching the NOON news and all the events around the area, all the ads, etc., and it makes me even more realize the reason for the season .... DONATE and SPEND. Money movement.

Why does everyone have to be home and together for Thanksgiving? All forms of the travel industry need the money. And let's not forget the grocery industry, and, imagine what Walmart does in sales in this week, and until the first of the year.

Sentimentality has nothing to do with it. It is almost obscene the way they manipulate us, playing on our sympathies, our emotions, get home, spend time with family, but, fly, train, bus, just travel and spend money.

Christmas, you ask. Well, we used to make chains out of construction paper, and decorate the house with electric candles in the windows, and our tree, showing through the front window. That was it. Look what "they" have us doing now, billions of dollars in decorations, some which we now display in November, and, if you put up a Manger Scene, you could get arrested ..... "Hey, we don't want no baby Jesus around here!"

"String popcorn, what the heck is that, I got them nine blow-up Santa things an this blow up tree, and I got 128 thousand lights when I hit this switch ..... what, ..... well, no, by the time we pay our lectric bill we ain't got no money for presents, but we lite up the whole neighborhood."

Oh, the joy we all experience, the joy of ...... giving ...... of receiving ... and to some, no, well to many, the joy of .................... selling, of accepting donations. And thanks to TV and their encouragement, like having Christmas in July and other year round selling events .... we get more joy out of the season and they ............... well ............. they make more money.

Yea, aa little sad today .................

I must admit, I am a little sad, due to some health issues and other things, we decided to do "Turkey Day" on Sunday. It is now 11:15 AM and there is no "Turkey" aroma in the. There are no kids here, watching the parades. I made my kids sit and watch, whether they wanted to or not.

I am thankful, though, no "tube" coming out of my side, and I am feeling pretty good, and independent. I am letting Marilyn sleep in this morning, but thankful she is home and we are together.

I think this is the first year for this, nothing to do this morning, but, reflect.

My Mom loved holidays, she loved "family" and getting the family together for events, such as today. Jessie had decorations for every holiday, and proudly displayed them on the appropriate day. I am not sure when we had our last Thanksgiving together, Mom and Dad, probably in the 70's sometime.

One that stands out in my mind, late 50's, Reno, Nevada. Working at the Primm, got off work around 11, Ernie Primm offered a Holiday Drink to our crew, sitting at the bar, Jimmie Jones and some others, most of whom lived alone and had nothing to do. So, I invited them all home. They and others took me up on the invitation, by late afternoon we had quite a crowd, everyone brought food, so there was more than enough. We ended up with 20 or so, and it was so memorable, sharing that day, with so many, who did not have others to share the day with. Never forget that one, sharing with others.

Brad and Melissa and Dennis, growing up, I remember when they televised a parade, rather than the TV show it is today. I remember listening to the football game, sitting around the Philco, I think it was on WJR from Detroit, and the Lions, even then. It was the start of, the introduction to, the Christmas Holiday Season. I even remember when the day after, was a day to rest and eat leftovers, not go shopping.

Yea, I'm a little sad, no bread to be torn apart and dried for dressing, no giblets on the stove making a nice broth for the dressing, and, the gizzard, liver, heart and neck to munch on, and, actually fill up on, no gravy to worry about getting the right "turn" on ... a great grandmother term. No pies to steal a little crust off of to munch, no kids to yell at when they were not as "excited" about the day as I was, "You will like this day as much as I do, or else."

But, I can do it all on Sunday, more practical. Some have some Black Friday shopping to do and other things. Marilyn and I are out of the hospital, I have no tube sticking out of me.

The good memories are still there though ..... I hope those of you who do celebrate this day, have a nice day ............. Remember, I am related to William Bradford .... he was at the first one ...

11/27/2014 - Thanksgiving Day in the USA

What a Day this has been ......................

How was your day, Joe?

Well, I had those tests scheduled for 9 this morning, they wanted us there by 7. We got up, fixed coffee and oatmeal for my wife, we chatted. Nice morning ..... then, after performing a body function, she has had some problems, dizzy, speech slurred, staffers, I thought she should go back to bed, NO, you are going for your tests. I could not win. And, she was going to drive me home.

She staggered, got into the car, we drove to the hospital. I pulled up in front and got her a wheelchair to sit in while I parked the car. She looked so bad, some people were talking to her asking how she was.

We made it to the second floor, a large, vast maze of offices, including surgery. We finally found the proper desk, showed them my paper work .... NO, I am the patient, they got a nurse for my wife, she spoke with them briefly and they took her to emergency. I was escorted to a room, given instructions, complied. Great people worked on me, Had a hard time with the IV, papers to sign, explanations by the Doctor and others ..... how is my wife, She is OK .... here we go.

I was not "out" but, in the twilight zone. They bi passed the kidney stone with a "shunt" no external plumbing. Coffee and sweet rolls afterwards, I am so impressed with our local hospital from top to bottom.

I guess now, see the Urologist and if they can "zap" the stone.

Daughter Melissa and I went to find the wife in Emergency, she was better, still concerned. Assisted Living is looking better all the time.

Thanksgiving Eve, my 82nd, not the best by any means, no cooking tomorrow, going to try it on Sunday. The good news, we are able to sit up and watch TV. It will seem funny not cooking tomorrow, first time I think, but, many wonderful memories to look back upon.

I hope all have a wonderful day tomorrow, I am going to miss that aroma ........

If you have a couple of bucks laying around, put a few bucks on the Michigan game Saturday, no way Michigan can win ..... but, if there ever was a "time" for an upset, this is it .... and it could not happen to more deserving fans ...................

Thank You Pam Nethers

Heavenly Father.. we love You, we thank You, we sing praises to Your Holy Name. You alone are worthy. Come to you in prayer this evening for our brother Joe Dooley Joe is facing health issues as is his lovely wife Marilyn They are in need of extra help right now, dear Jesus.. They've hit 50 years of marriage and so much love there.

Our prayer, Lord is you send down not only the Holy Comforter, but the Healer that You Alone are Master.. Joe and Marilyn have asked for prayers and have health issues that are keeping them in an unstable condition in life right now. Lord, we ask that You in Your Divine way that ONLY You can do, come down and spread your love, healing and intervention on them to solve all their issues. Let them raise up and serve You and show Your Glory thoughtout all they encounter.

All this we ask in Your Holy Son Jesus' name.. 

Amen

An opinion

My kidney stone and I are contemplating the relationship between the police and the general public. There are somewhere around 500,000 policemen around the United States. I do not know what happened recently that resulted in the shooting, I was not there, two people were there, and one is dead. I do not know the officer, know nothing of him, know nothing of the "situation" he was faced with.

I am confident, though, that the Grand Jury looked at it from all sides. It appears the group was as diversified as the community it represented. From their standpoint, it would have been much easier to render a different verdict.

I, personally, respect law enforcement officers, I hold them in high esteem. I was brought up that way and have never changed. I do have a list of professions that I have lost faith in, and now, have little, or less, respect for. Law enforcement personnel are not on that list, never have been.

I would not like to live in a society void of law enforcement officials. Lawlessness would run rampant, we would not be safe on the streets, or in our homes. It would be an unbearable existence.

How many "bad apples" are there in a grove of 500,000?

How many "bad" politicians are there in a group of 500,000?

The officer made a "split second" decision, was it the right one, the ONLY means possible of determining that ............. said yes.

There, but by the Grace of God, go I.

It's "lootin" time ...........

11/23/14

Health Issues .....

Well last Monday I didn't feel well. I had some symptoms that took me back a few years and I ended up in Morristown Hospital and had a Cyst, inside my Colon. Ended up with the Emergency Squad taking me to the hospital.  They did some, many, tests. Turned out on my left side, I had a LARGE kidney stone that was blocking flow on my left side. Had no idea, but, had some indications that went unheeded. I now have a drainage bag on the left side, more tests next week, sometime, if I am up to it, all the poison gets drained out, etc., and, can endure a rather invasice ahesthesia during the laser surgery.

I look, feel and ace like, an old man now. Even have the walker out and using it.

I get a few days off before the next round of tests .......

Better than the alternative .......

Reflections on a Sunday Evening ............

Well, it's Sunday night, you've had a Big week, 50th Anniversary, Melissa had a nice party, relatives you had not seen in many years, some you had never seen, friends, even bumped in to people at Walmart that you had not seen in years, a really great week, are you happy?

No, sad, I envy Pietro Mazzini who lived in Mazaguro, Italy. He was born in '32, same as I, he went to school, had a Mother and a Father, a Sister and a Brother. Pietro had four grandparents that lived in the same village, he got to see them all the time, he had many Aunts and Uncles and cousins who he would see almost every week. He had a big family.

Holidays were big occasions for Pietro, he loved tham. all of his many relatives would congregate, get together, the ladies would do all the cooking, the men would all sit outside, admire the beautiful countryside and talk, the boys would play Bocce, the girls would talk and giggle. There would be as many as thirty or forty people, all family members, gathered around the big table, they always tried to get the whole family, sitting together.

Before they ate, it was a tradition that they would all hold hands, and the head of the household would say a prayer. They they all ate and talked, talked and ate.

The whole family stayed and worked in Mazaguro, some in the vineyards, a few at the post office, one was a mechanic, a few worked in the stores as clerks, but, they all stayed in Mazaguro, Mothers, Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, Uncles and Aunts and all the Cousins.

That is why I envy Pietro, he was not a wealthy man, not in material things, but he was a rich man, all of his family lived nearby.

Me, I've got kids in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, family in Michigan, good friends in Oklahoma and California, even some nearby, that I rarely see. I did get to see some this weekend, Melissa got them together for our Anniversary .... didn't get to spend enough time with them though, and, now they are all gone. What a shame we cannot get together more often .....

Pietro, well, a lot of the family get together after church and have a big lunch, then the kids play games and the elders just talk, and enjoy each other, sometimes they just sit and enjoy the quiet, and each other. They don't need TV or football, they have each other, and, they don't even know how lucky they are, they are just ............ happy and content ................

Bill Cosby will not discuss sex assault allegations

By Jonathan Kaminsky

(Reuters) - Comedian Bill Cosby will not comment on "discredited" accusations of sexual assault that have resurfaced in recent weeks against him, his lawyer said on Sunday.

Allegations that Cosby, 77, drugged and sexually assaulted several young women decades ago gained renewed attention after comedian Hannibal Buress called him a rapist during a stand-up comedy routine last month.

"Over the last several weeks, decade-old, discredited allegations against Mr. Cosby have resurfaced," said John P. Schmitt, Cosby's attorney, in a statement. "The fact that they are being repeated does not make them true."

Neither Cosby nor his representatives will comment further on the allegations, Schmitt added.

The lawyer's statement comes a day after the airing of a National Public Radio interview in which Cosby, who is married, declined to answer questions about the sexual assault accusations. He has never been charged with the alleged crimes.

Among his accusers is former aspiring actress Barbara Bowman, who wrote in a Washington Post op-ed this month that Cosby had assaulted her on multiple occasions in 1985, when she was 17, including one occasion when he drugged her at his New York City brownstone.

Bowman said she never went to the police because she feared she would not be believed.

She said she had prepared to testify in a lawsuit filed by another woman, Andrea Constand, who claimed Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her. That suit was settled in 2006 for an undisclosed amount of money, and Bowman never testified.

Another woman, Tamara Green, came forward in 2005 saying Cosby drugged and groped her when she was a 19-year-old model in the 1970s.

Cosby is best known for playing Cliff Huxtable, the father of an affluent African-American family on the TV sitcom "The Cosby Show" that was a top-ranked program from 1984 to 1992, making Cosby a wealthy man.

Woman sues owners of dog killed by her pit bulls

TEXAS CITY, Texas (AP) — A Texas woman whose four pit bulls entered her neighbors' yard through a hole in the fence and killed their 10-year-old beagle is suing them for $1 million.

Emerald White says in her lawsuit filed this week in Galveston County district court that she was "seriously injured" on Oct. 27 trying to stop the attack and retrieve her dogs. She says she suffered "multiple serious bite and scratch-type injuries" and accuses her neighbors of failing to securely confine and restrict their dog, Bailey.

White also contends she's feeling "conscious pain and suffering and now suffers also from fear, anxiety and trepidation."

Bailey's owner, Steve Baker, told The Galveston County Daily News (http://bit.ly/1xrtxoU ) that everyone was telling him to sue White but that he didn't because it wouldn't bring Bailey back and the police declared her dogs dangerous.

"The police took the action I wanted and declared those dogs dangerous and awareness was raised, so I decided to let it go," Baker said. "Now they're suing me for $1 million — I just can't believe it."

Each of the animals must be registered with Texas City annually as a dangerous dog. A sign must be posted in White's yard alerting residents of the danger and she must have a $100,000 liability on the dogs, according to police. A fence at least 6 feet high must also be installed.

Baker said that not long before the incident he had worked to replace parts of the current fence to make it more secure and safe for his dog and family.

The paper says White's attorney didn't respond to calls seeking comment.

Another SPOOF of mine .............

The FDA released a report that had been compiled by FDA Research Assistant J. Herman Petersilge of Iona, New York, which offers a scenario where self cleaning ovens are a cause of stomach disorders.

"It was right there in front of us all the time," Petersilge stated, "we just could not see it for some reason."

In fourteen different research studies, performed in various locations around the country focusing primarily on stomach disorders which included stomach aches and upset stomachs as well as gastrointestinal symptoms, eighty-five percent of those showing any signs of discomfort, who had recently partaken of a meal, either cooked, baked or broiled, in or on, a stove which had a self clean oven.

Harley Mason, another researcher with the FDA who performed follow up work on the original report commented to astonished reporters, "We are so focused on our work that we sometimes overlook the "big picture," in our wildest dreams we never would have singled out the self cleaning oven, yet, there it was, Herm had hit the nail on the head. As soon as I told my wife, Myrtle, we discarded our self cleaning oven and purchased  a microwave oven, heat all of our meals now, and voila, no stomach problems."

President Obama is considering plans to purchase all self cleaning ovens owned by consumers, in exchange for a $5000 dollar Walmart Credit card. "It's a win win, he stated, I'm getting those damn self cleaning ovens out of the kitchens in return for some stimulus money. Al Gore has indicated to me also that he feels they are a contributor to Global Warming, has to do with the self cleaning cycle, or something like that."

Obama further indicated that all self cleaning ovens, when turned in or collected, will be stored in FEMA camps around the country, and that Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will be responsible for collecting them. When asked about the program, she stated to reporters, "Ve vill get all of them, he vants us tu, do you haf one, reporter?"

Arctic storm has Colorado shoveling ... tumbleweed

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — An arctic storm system has some Coloradoans shoveling out from under tumbleweeds rather than snow.

Tumbleweeds piled up around houses and shops and along roads several feet high in and around Colorado Springs and Pueblo on Monday as the system moved from north to south across the state.

Peggy Perales of the National Weather Service in Pueblo, Colorado says winds gusted up to 60 mph as the storm moved in. That also kicked up blinding dust in the region, with the worst of it lasting for about an hour.

Brian Paulson of Pueblo West wasn't fazed about all the dust and tumbleweeds blowing near his home. He says it happens most falls after the ground dries out and the winds pick up.

Ripley 11/15

Honey drips ... from her lips ..... etc., etc., etc.

Liberals should be so proud. Their lies aren’t even good ones anymore.

Check it out:

Rep. Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she does not know who Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber is — despite previously citing Gruber by name.

“I don’t know who he is. He didn’t help write our bill,” Pelosi said at her weekly briefing with reporters.

But Pelosi has previously cited Gruber’s influence on the bill.

Pelosi used her Speaker of the House website in 2010 to promote “the Gruber Analysis.”

“An analysis of the House bill by noted MIT health care economist Jonathan Gruber concludes that the bill would result in lower premiums than under current law for the millions of Americans using the newly-established Health Insurance Exchange – including those who are not receiving affordability credits to help them purchase coverage,” then-Speaker Pelosi’s website wrote, frequently citing Gruber by name and linking to his analysis.

Famous gambler gets probation for cheating at California casino

The self-proclaimed “king of gamblers” in Las Vegas was sentenced Wednesday to three years of probation for cheating at cards at the Barona Casino in eastern San Diego County.

Known as Archie Karas in gambling circles, Anargyros Karabourniotis, 63, pleaded guilty to a single count of burglary for having entered the casino with the intent to cheat.

Karabourniotis won more than $6,000 by secretly marking cards so he knew the value of each card before it was dealt, prosecutors said. El Cajon Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein ordered Karabourniotis to pay $6,800 in restitution to the casino.

The cheating was caught by surveillance cameras operated by the Barona Gaming Commission, prosecutors said.

Karabourniotis, a Greek immigrant, once turned $50 into $40 million in a three-year span of playing poker, pool and pit games, only to lose it all by late 1995.

He was arrested in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2007 by the Nevada Gaming Control Board on suspicion of cheating at blackjack in casinos in Reno, Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev. He has never been sentenced to jail, officials said.

Karabourniotis is known to wear gold-and-diamond pinkie rinks and to boast that he is the "undisputed champion of gambling." He has also boasted of winning and losing more money than anyone in history.

"I consider myself the king of gamblers," he told ESPN in 2007. "I made it, I lost it and like Frank Sinatra says, I stood tall and I took the punches and I did it my way."

Karabourniotis has said that the thrill of action, not the lure of money, is what attracts him to high-stakes gambling.

"Money means nothing to me, I don't value it," he told author Michael Konik for a 2008 story in Cigar Aficionado magazine. "I've had all the material things I could ever want. Everything. The things I want money can't buy: health, freedom, love, happiness."

After being arrested in 2013, he spent 73 days in jail before being released on bail.

Things have changed, I don't recall any "laws" in effect when I was in Nevada, in regards to "cheating." We had a list, with mug shots of people not allowed in the casinos, we had employees, capable of determining what "cheaters" were doing. I have no doubts that there are some who "tried" to cheat that still "limp" or may still be somewhere in Nevada, desert, some lake, o similar. Don Eammelli, my floor boss, enjoyed thieves "trying" .... he knew as much, or more than they did, knew what they were doing, how to do it, and generally, they walked out the door, shaking their heads, with empty pockets. I doubt any such "intelligence" exists today. ... We somewhat went by the theory, "If you're going to be a sucker, be a silent one." Members of the "old school" are all gone, now, college boys with cameras and computers ..... 

Obama plan to shield up to 5 million immigrants from deportation

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama plans to announce an overhaul of U.S. immigration policy through executive action that would shield up to 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

Such a move will set up a showdown with Republicans, who have blocked Democrats' efforts in Congress to reform immigration laws and warned the president not to take unilateral action on immigration.

The Times, citing unidentified administration officials with direct knowledge of the plan, said Obama's proposed overhaul may be announced as soon as next week. Officials said it would allow many parents of children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents to obtain work documents and stay in the United States.

The Times said Obama's plan will provide more opportunities for immigrants with high-tech skills and add security resources to the border with Mexico. Undocumented immigrants with family ties in the United States and no criminal record also would be considered lower priority for deportation than those with criminal records or who are considered security risks.

Republicans, who won control of Congress in Nov. 4 elections, have warned Obama not to take unilateral action on immigration.

Obama told congressional leaders last Friday he was committed to using executive powers to ease some restrictions on undocumented immigrants since Republicans in the House of Representatives had refused to advance immigration legislation.

My biggest spoof post ........

For those of you who have never traveled to the West or Southwest, cattle guards are horizontal steel rails placed at fence openings, in dug-out places in the roads adjacent to highways (sometimes across highways), to prevent cattle from crossing over that area.  For some reason the cattle will not step on the "guards," probably because they fear getting their feet caught between the rails.

A few months ago, President Obama received a report that there were over 100,000 cattle guards in Colorado .  Because Colorado ranchers had protested his proposed changes in grazing policies, he ordered the Secretary of the Interior to fire half of the cattle guards immediately.

Before the Interior Secretary could respond and presumably straighten him out, Vice-President Joe Biden intervened with a request that before any guards were fired, they be given six months of retraining.

Passed on without further comment....

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the news .... a spoof of course

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When did it happen?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No more ....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Grandfather, Caleb, Civil War Veteran

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

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

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

Caleb died May 7, 1925.

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

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

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

11/8/14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“As a party, we need to change.” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Intense storm headed to Alaska's Aleutian Islands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OK, I need some suggestions.

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

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

joedooley@yahoo.com

Boehner vows House will repeal Obamacare

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

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

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

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

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

Storm Warnings out, on my Pond

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What, how to cook a turkey?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A reply to his ..... whatever ..

"Hey Baby, you be sayin them voters ain't liken me .... you got any idea how much that upsets me ..... I be headin to Florida or Arizona or some nice place n get in a few rounds a golf."

"Don't you be seein what I done ..... ain't no way I was gonna beat that Clinton woman, but I did, ain't no way I was gonna win that election, but I did, my health care program .... no one ever even read it .... and I got it passed ... an lets not forget the reelection thing .... yea, I won that too."

So, like my good friend, Old Alfred E. Neuman, What, me worry!"

I done more in the last six years or so, than any a you'all will do in your lifetime ... so am I worried, does this election worry me none, no way. I'm still living in the big house, got a ton a servants, a couple of helicopters and a few jets, my squeeze and the girls fly all over the world, I had a whole lotta vacations in Hawaii, and that big place at the Cape ..... and member, I ain't out yet, I couldn't do none of the stuff I already done, so stay in longer ..... hey baby .... you never know.

The voters may not be happy baby, but I'm living uptown, living the dream......

Michelle Tells Blacks to Vote Democrat and Then Eat 'Fried Chicken

Here's what Michelle Obama said on the “News One Daily” show to host Roland Martin about today's crucial election as reported by the Daily Caller:

Roland Martin: “So can we, if we go out to the polls, can we, say, we have a souls to polls on Sunday, can we do soul food after we vote?”

Michelle Obama: “Absolutely. I give everyone full permission to eat some fried chicken after they vote. Only after, if you haven’t voted… You make a good point. Because I am, I do talk about health. But I think that a good victory for Democrats on Tuesday, you know, should be rewarded with some fried chicken.”

I want you to note two things. First, the stereotype of Blacks eating fried chicken. I know, it's OK for Blacks to make fun of themselves even to the point of using the N-word. In my pinion, however, I think it's a stupid thing to say and quite demeaning.

While the Obamas are eating the best of everything, their voting stooges, who believe in political salvation, are relegated to fried chicken. This is what Michelle thinks of them. Moreover, it perpetuates a stereotype.

Blacks need to wake up and help us transform the Republican Party into the party of liberty, personal responsibility, and the minimalist State.

Second, did you notice how Martin brought in how black churches are a gathering place for Democrat voters. "Souls to polls on Sunday," he called it. Those are black souls for Democrat candidates only.
Read more at http://godfatherpolitics.com/18222/michelle-tells-blacks-vote-democrat-eat-fried-chicken/#umQuq1GO3fytCeRU.99

ELECTION DAY - 2014

I have no advice to give voters on this election day. I am too old and cynical. I have come to the conclusion that entering politics, and only after being "elected"  .... not just running, one must actually become one ... then and only then does the "transformation" occur.

I also have come to the conclusion that the main reason for the transformation is simply this, YOU are spending "other peoples" money ... and it causes one to lose all sense of reason and rationality. There is little that it can be compared to. Hitting the lottery for MILLIONS is as close as I can come. Money, at that point, loses its value. 

There will be some, today who will be elected, and enter that world ... almost a "fairy tale" world, I am an Office Holder, a Professional Politician.

Unfortunately, it leaves a mark on ones life, almost like a tattoo, there for life.

Ideals, morals, integrity, lofty ..... when the hand is taken off of the bible, the transformation begins. Clark Kent becomes Superman, the Hulk ..... becomes the hulk, and Bruce Wayne becomes Batman, and the recent winner .... a POLITICIAN ......

Reinvented ..... every Christmas

I think I have gone in to this subject before, but, how is it, that every Christmas or Father's Day someone comes out with a new "tool?"

They just come with some new way to do something that has been done, since time began. I don't know when the "screw" was invented, followed by a "screw driver." They have been reinventing it since then, every Christmas.

You put something that fits, into a slotted thing, and turn. Simple, but there are hundreds of different products on the market, but they still do the same, one thing.

Just type in screwdriver at the top, check images, and there, many of them are

Coach of the Year

This Dan Benjamin, the head coach of the Mount Union Ladies Basketball Team. He is not as well known as Geno Auriemma of UConn, and most likely will never be that famous as a coach.

He is call Coach Bear, and last weekend he was at the helm of a most difficult, perplexing, sad, emotional, basketball game. If you have followed this blog they you are aware of the Lauren Hill situation. He and his staff,, I am sure with heavy hearts and with tears in their eyes, "pulled it off." I think all of their goals were achieved, and their contributions were overshadowed by the event itself.

Lauren didn't just get a hug, after that first basket ... a hug, and a pat on the head filled with love and admiration.

He gets my vote for Coach of the Year, regardless of what happens the rest of the season. And, his three assistants and others involved with the team, and the team itself, all did well. I cannot imagine the emotion that filled the air. 

That above link, Lauren Hill, I saw this morning. The guy that did the piece, said not a dry eye in the place, and I think he had some tears during his morning interview ............ 

Quiet ....

I am sitting here in the living room, alone, no radio or TV, just listening to and enjoying, the quiet. There is no noise at all .... and the noise is loud ..... if that makes sense. In this day and age it is hard to find someplace that is really quiet. Caleb, our dog, is upset, his "woman" is not here, and he pouts. He sat out in front for a long time, watching cars pass, but no Marilyn, so he is taking a nap, on her coat, on a small couch. He looks up at me once in a while, with a .... "Well???????" ..... look on his face, and then goes back to sleep.

We don't get enough "quiet" nowadays .... the world is too noisy....

I am reading comments on my Facebook, about my wife being in the hospital .... many posts. from all over ... Jenet Mullins, a Facebook friend from Dayton, made a very perceptive comment, worth sharing, 

"Funny about Facebook isn't it? A group of mostly strangers come together to share memories and without realizing it a bond is formed. Take care."

I enjoy the "quiet" but would rather have Marilyn here .......