The Flag in the Window

Saw so many of these during WWII, most had the Blue Star, but occasionally one hanging with the Gold Star, indicated a loss. I was young then, but I remember seeing a Gold Star, and reverently taking a brief moment to bow my head, quietly showing a moment of  respect. I knew the family had suffered a loss in the war. The little flag in the window was quite significant, with either a BLUE or a GOLD star. I always wondered how a Mother could take her  Blue Star flag down, and replace it with a Gold one/

The banner was designed in 1917 by United States Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the Fifth Ohio Infantry, in honor of his two sons who were serving in World War I. It was quickly adopted by the public and by government officials. On September 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman read into the Congressional Record:


The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the Governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother — their children.

Transgender Illegal Alien Detainees Will Get ‘Hormone Therapy’ Courtesy of the US Taxpayer

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the division the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for enforcing the nation’s immigration laws, will provide “hormone therapy” to illegal aliens it has detained who say they are transgender, according to the agency’s operations manual for its detention facilities.

The 2011 Operations Manual ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards says that all illegal alien detainees shall be screened by a specially trained detention officer within 12 hours of their arrival at the detention facility. The operations manual specifically states that the “screening shall … inquire into a transgender detainee’s gender self-identification and history of transition-related care, when a detainee self-identifies as transgender.”

If the self-professed illegal alien transgender detainee has been receiving hormone therapy on the outside, ICE will give it to him or her on the inside.

“Transgender detainees who were already receiving hormone therapy when taken into ICE custody shall have continued access,” states the report. “All transgender detainees shall have access to mental health care, and other transgender-related health care and medication based on medical need. Treatment shall follow accepted guidelines regarding medically necessary transition-related care.”

Are we a great country, or what..................

Wendy's Survey on Facebook

Wendy's
What song do you wish could start playing as soon as you take that first bite of a Dave's Hot 'N Juicy cheeseburger?

David Mackay Super Mario Bros.

Stacy Barthlemess Foist James Brown..." I feel good!!"

David Styres Slayer - Angel of Death

Karen Lawrence Where's the Beef??? The meat is almost so thin now how much thinner can it go. Waste of money and I love Wendy's just sick of throwing money away. One piece of lettuce if your lucky its ridiculous how they cut corners and charge us more.

John Samson Don't stop believing!

Sharon Judy Shields Another 1 bites the bun sung 2 another 1 bites the dust !

Greg Barton Baby by Justin Bieber DUH

Jeff Williams Something very happy! They are terrific!

Joe Dooley "Nearer My God To Thee"

9 Things You Shouldn't Buy at Grocery Stores

By Wise Bread | U.S.News & World Report LP – Tue, Jan 17, 2012 9:39 AM EST

Grocery stores offer plenty of conveniences to make food-buying as simple as possible. Most of us head to the grocery store to pick up fresh produce, meats, cheeses, snacks, and other convenience foods, and you can pick from dozens of brands and generic items that fit your budget. Still, there are a few things you don't want to pick up at your local supermarket. Certain types of produce are full of pesticides and you'll be better off heading to the local farmers market or buying organic. Buying non-grocery items at the supermarket usually means you'll spend much more than the average price in your area.

Here are nine items you shouldn't pick up from the grocery store:

1. Cosmetics and skin care items. Even though many grocery stores are stocked with popular brands of cosmetics and skin care products, you'll probably pay a premium for every item. Head to your nearest chain drugstore, Walmart, or Super Target if you want to stock up on or sample makeup, moisturizer, cleansers, and scrubs.
2. Pre-ground coffee. Some grocery stores offer great prices on coffee beans that you can grind right in the store, but buying pre-ground coffee could put a dent in your grocery budget. The mark-up on pre-ground coffee is relatively high and you could get a much better deal on large coffee cans at your neighborhood big-box store. Remember you can also track down coupons and vouchers for certain brands.
3. Party supplies. As convenient as it is to pick up candles, balloons, and other party supplies for that last-minute get together, you'll end up paying a high price solely out of convenience. Plan to make a pit stop at the local dollar store or party supply store to take advantage of lower prices.
4. Kitchen appliances. Whether you're in the market for a new toaster, blender, or food processor, do your homework and track down a great price on kitchen appliances online. Grocery stores typically carry a very small stock of these items and you probably won't even find a quality brand. Stick with big-box stores and online merchants for your kitchen appliances and other small electronics.
5. Hardware. Light bulbs, extension cords, nails, and small tools don't come cheap at the grocery store. Again, these are considered to be specialty goods at a grocery store and most will only have a very small inventory of hardware items. Stick with big-box retailers, the dollar store, or even your local hardware store when you need to stock up.
6. Cookware and bake ware. If you're suddenly inspired to cook a banquet-style meal when shopping at the grocery store, make sure you pick up your basic supplies elsewhere. Cookware and bake ware items are usually heavily marked up at the grocery store and you could end up paying almost double the price for your items. Make a list of what you need then head out to a store that has a larger inventory of these specialty items.
7. Some fruits and veggies. PBS put together two lists of fruits and vegetables that are worth buying-and not buying-at the grocery store, based on the level of pesticides and chemicals present in each items. The recommendation is to stick with organic varieties of apples, bell peppers, peaches, strawberries and potatoes. Grocery stores are your best bet for fruits and vegetables like asparagus, sweet peas, eggplant, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and onions.
8. Gourmet cheese. The deli section of most grocery stores is stocked with pricey items that also have a very short shelf life. If you're looking for cheese, head to the dairy section where you'll find processed varieties for a fraction of the price of the fresh, gourmet options. If it's gourmet cheese you're after, keep an eye out for deals on offerings from daily deal sites at local wine and cheese stores in your area. You can also get better pricing on cheese at your local warehouse club.
9. Name-brand spices. Fresh spices are another gourmet food item that you're probably paying a premium for at the grocery store. Your best bet? The ethnic food markets and local ethnic food stores. Some big-box stores also tend to stock a large spice inventory and will price these at lower price points than your neighborhood grocery store. Consider buying in bulk from the ethnic market to save even more.

Tips on pumping gas

This was an earlier post, but I have been asked to post it again. 

Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon.

In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role. A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3)stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.

Unlike service stations, every truck that is loaded is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.

Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

Well worth reading .......... a good thought

A young couple moved into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast, 
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside. "That laundry is not very clean", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look!

Another Monday Thought

Ron Paul is NOT Electable. I've heard that said many times and heard it even more often on TV. Who started that and why? What a great strategy, just say that he is not electable and go on your way.

But then, I got to wondering who started that and why, it's a statement that is easy to overlook. Just a little "off hand" statement that doesn't get a second thought, and "closes the door" for further investigating.  Then I asked myself, Why? I read this article .

"Contrary to the false propaganda proclaiming that Dr. Ron Paul is “not electable”, his numbers are rising, his support growing and he stands an excellent chance of winning both the GOP nomination and the 2012 presidential race.

Dr. Paul’s opponents are desperate to stop Americans from listening to, and subsequently electing Ron Paul. Opponents of liberty falsely present Ron Paul as “unelectable” to the American people, attempting to plant subconscious seeds doubt of “don’t listen to him, don’t vote for him in the primaries or caucuses because he’ll never win”. This strategy is failing as more Americans hear Dr. Paul speak, leading them to contribute to his campaign and vote for him. The American public understands Dr. Paul’s common sense approach and trusts him. The other candidates are clearly in the race to serve their egos and personal agendas. The “Dr. Paul is not electable” rumors are deliberately created and spread solely as a calculated attempt to confuse honest, hard-working American with falsehoods such as “Ron Paul is crazy, anti-women, anti-Israel and anti-blacks. He’s isolationist, he’ll wreck the country, he’s anti-government”. These are simple “control the masses” fear tactics to try and stop Americans from actually listening to Dr. Paul, hearing his logical and intelligent plan and deciding for themselves."

Just remember who told you he could not get elected and more importantly, WHY?

Listen to the man and then judge, don't eliminate him as a candidate. Dewey couldn't lose. Truman couldn't win, Carter couldn't win, Nixon ........... will just leave it there . My Dad was an OBGYN, he would have made a great President.

Sunday Morning in Ohio, 1.15.12

Cold and snowy, but the sun is out right now, so it makes it brighter out. Now, what to write about this morning?

Was going to watch TV, but after scanning the channels I realized that was a waste of time. Ice Road Truckers, Pickers, Gold Mining, Swamp Logging, were my  best choices. Caleb, our dog, has asked to go out five times now. He just sits and stares at me. I tell him, NO, but he sits and stares and I eventually let him out. He stays out a minute or so and wants back in. Nice little game we play. He has us trained well. When we go to the store, he expects us to buy him a toy, so he can search through the bags till he finds it. He has quite a LARGE pile of toys.

I realize why we have stayed in Ohio all this time. We have Summer, nice and warm, sit in the sun, then we have Winter, cold and snowy and windy. In the Winter, I look forward to Spring and Summer. If it wasn't for Winter, I wouldn't know the difference, always have something to look forward to, that way.

Just like now, looking forward to Spring Training and baseball season. Then, when that rolls around, I can start looking forward to college football season, then basketball, always something to look forward to, that's what makes my world go around, always something to look forward to. But, I think I could force myself to live in Key West. But, then again, I know people who lived there, and they wanted to move farther North in Florida, too hot and too buggy. Grass is always "greener" I guess.

Politics, I really don't think that I understand it. What are these Primaries for? I thought there was a Republican Platform. Don't all the Republicans adhere to that, if so, what are they debating about. The really sad part of the whole scenario, they are spending millions, if not billions that could be put to better use, and when it is all over there will be a picture of them, arm in arm, good friends.

A thought for the day: We are destroying our Democracy ....... I think I am of the opinion that Democracy is destroying our Democracy, the very things that make it great, are destroying it. We certainly are NOT what we used to be. It used to be that an American never went to a foreign country.

We are still somewhat that way. Not thinking, I was driving, and I once said to my wife, "A lot of New Jersey license plates." She replied with, "We are IN New Jersey."

The "quietness" on the news is frightening. A cruise ship ran aground, the primaries in South Carolina, some award shows, of which there are many, no real catastrophes to report on, all the "big" news folks are stranded in cold New York and Washington, wishing that something would happen in Florida or Vegas, or somewhere warm, so they could load up all their equipment and head to a warmer climate.

Caleb is at my feet, staring at me. I am trying to ignore him. What a face, those eyes so intent, he looks so sad and forlorn, and all he wants me to do is put him on his leash and put him out.

OK, he wins.

Nevada's largest casinos lose $4 billion 2011

And, we're building new ones in Ohio -------- to make MONEY?

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) —

Nevada's largest casinos suffered a combined $4 billion loss in 2011.

A report released Friday by the state Gaming Control Board shows 256 casinos grossed $1 million or more in gambling revenue for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Combined, they had total revenue of $22 billion and posted a net loss of $3.9 billion from the previous year.

In 2010, the largest casinos had a net loss of $3.4 billion on total revenues of almost $20.9 billion.

Total revenue includes money spent by patrons on gambling, rooms, food, beverages and attractions.

The report says revenue from gamblers accounted for nearly $10.2 billion, or 46 percent, of total revenue.

Casinos paid $792 million in taxes and fees, equating to 7.8 percent of gambling revenue.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I want to wish all of the followers and readers of Dooley Observed

A Very Happy New Year

and hope and pray that 2012

finds all of us prosperous and in good health.

I have published "The Bridge maker" a number of times.
The last stanza states ...............

"This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."


Building a Bridge - Good thought for 2012
Happy New Year to ALL

Hey, what's the score - Ah, we don't keep score

Protests, the economy in a shambles, real estate in a state of chaos, prices going up, imports, exports, government spending that is out of control and let's not forget the "protests."

I started wondering who these protesters are, their generation, and I came to some conclusions.

These are people who never kept score in Little League, any sports, they played for the "fun" of it, they have never lost at anything they have done because no one kept score. They were never disciplined in school, probably never spanked and most likely were never taught, to think for themselves, they were never taught how to learn because the computer didn't know about that. They never learned to think for themselves, and my guess is they lived on their cell phone, and played games standing in front of their TV.

Many have been "supported" by "the government" most of their lives, rent, food, Christmas meant firemen bringing them toys and food, not Santa, firemen, "Toys for Tots."

There was no "Father" figure in many of their homes, they had one parent, they were raised by Mom, who had to work one or two jobs just to make ends meet, so their "family values" might have been blurred.

They "play the game," no winners, no losers, they just participate, and do what the coaches tell them to do. If they played basketball, there were generally one or two good players, the rest, just followed along, same in Little League baseball. Even if you had no talent at all, the rules, let you get in the game, generally in right field, the ball didn't get hit that way often, an ideal candidate to protest - something, anything. In right field they stood with a glove on their hand, now they stand with a sign in their hand, not sure what it says, but they hold it, no less, no winners - no losers, "Jus like wen I waas a kidd."

Priebus Says Obamacare Biggest Loser on Ohio Ballot

By Hiram Reisner

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus says by voting down the mandate element of Obamacare, Ohio residents have signaled what’s in store for President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law. Priebus also told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren Tuesday the defeat of a second ballot issue that would have severely limit collective bargaining by Ohio public-employee unions does not portend nationwide sentiment.

Priebus said he is sure Ohio Gov. John Kasich is “disappointed” in the results of the collective-bargaining law ballot referendum, “but you know it is a state issue.”

“You know, I’m from Wisconsin, obviously, a much different outcome. I think the bigger issue nationally, though, out of Ohio is obviously Issue 3, which really puts Obama on the ballot,” Priebus said. “His keystone piece of legislation — Obamacare — goes down in a major way. And I think that’s what’s really personalized nationally and what you can glean from Ohio, if you want to take anything out of that state tonight.”

Take a serious look at Newt Gingrich

.By David Rothschild

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has long insisted he belongs in the top tier of Republican candidates for the 2012 nomination--even in the wake of campaign staff implosions and embarrassing reports of his free-spending patronage of Tiffany's.

And as Gingrich gains noticeable momentum in the polls, the prediction markets are also starting to take him more seriously. Gingrich's stock in prediction markets such as Intrade has been gaining ground over the past few weeks, but took a sharp upward turn on Monday as the media broke a round of damaging allegations about Herman Cain: claims of sexual harassment dating to Cain's 1990s tenure at the National Restaurant Association, together with reports of campaign fundraising violations.

In the short term, the unorthodox Cain campaign has yet to show signs of flagging in the face of the charges--a new Washington Post/ABC poll shows him essentially tied with Mitt Romney atop the GOP field. But a look at the larger picture via the prediction markets shows that Cain's likelihood of actually winning the nomination is getting smaller each day. The reason that prediction markets have been so skeptical of Cain's success, from the beginning, is that no one has vetted him--meaning that the greater public scrutiny that comes with a higher-profile candidacy would produce unwelcome revelations such as the harassment charges. The insider handicappers who typically participate in prediction markets have also noted that Cain's command of social, economic and foreign policy issues comes across as amateurish.

Cain's recent troubles have created a significant opening for Gingrich, since many GOP primary voters are continuing to search for an alternative to Romney--and since the last vetted anti-Romney candidate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, is contending with plenty of campaign woes of his own.

Gingrich is now the third most likely Republican nominee--still way behind Romney, but just behind a still falling Perry. Thanks to his tenure as House Speaker, Gingrich is the most thoroughly vetted of all of the potential nominees. Of course, Americans have notoriously short-term memories when it comes to politics; Gingrich resigned in 1998 amid very low popularity following the government shutdowns of 1995 and 1996 and the perceived hypocrisy surrounding the Monica Lewinsky scandal and President Clinton's impeachment. You can still expect his far from scandal-free personal life to be a major issue for the religious right as social conservatives weigh his candidacy going forward.

Yet, despite such baggage, the good news for Gingrich is that the field of likely anti-Romney candidates is steadily thinning--leaving him the likeliest candidate for reconsideration among conservative GOP voters. Ron Paul is a libertarian and while he has maintained consistent support and attracted a passionate following, he has not broken into the mainstream of Republican conservatism. Jon Huntsman has been running as a moderate, gaining no traction with the Republicans. And Michelle Bachman and Rick Santorum have positioned themselves as hardline conservative candidates--in a way that has so far prevented them from garnering serious support outside the social-conservative camp.

MORE INFORMATION ON GINGRICH

A RARE opportunity in Ohio

Rarely do voters in any state get to confront the arrogance and greed of public employee unions at the ballot box.


When taxpayers get that chance, as in Wisconsin (the birthplace of government worker unions), they vote to defeat government of, by and for the staff and re-institute government of, by and for the people.


Such an opportunity is now before the voters of Ohio.

Issue 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot is a referendum by WeAreOhio.com of Senate Bill 5, which was championed by Ohio's new Republican governor, John Kasich, and passed last March by the new Republican majority in the Ohio Legislature.

S.B. 5 removes pension and health issues from collective bargaining while retaining collective bargaining rights for wages and hours for about 400,000 government workers in Ohio.

S.B. 5 prohibits public worker strikes, prohibits government unions from charging "fair share" dues to employees who opt out of union membership, and authorizes increases in government employee contributions (up to 15 percent) for health insurance and pensions.

A "yes" vote will keep S.B. 5, and a "no" vote will repeal it.

A similar reform effort in Wisconsin resulted in a nationally televised confrontation but has resulted in "unexpectedly" balanced budgets in school districts and city governments. School teachers have not been fired, cops are on the beat, firefighters at the ready.

Wisconsin has fallen out of the national media because Gov. Scott Walker and the Republicans were right and the unions were wrong. Reform has saved teacher jobs that were in jeopardy because of falling tax revenues.

A GREAT way to kill some time ..........

This is neat, have NO idea how they did it all ........ GIVE IT A TRY, Amaze yourself ..........

http://www.drawastickman.com/

TOTALLY UNNECESSARY

This was the result of THE GOOD OLD BOY sheriffs department in

MUSKINGUM COUNTY

Zanesville, Ohio

after the pens were open and the animals got out.

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE WASTE

They had been living in that location for a long time.

What was the contingency plan if any of them did get out.

My guess ...........

"SHOOT THE BASTARDS"

I understand that the sheriff did not want them there, anyway.

SOMEONE should assume the blame for this atrocious massacre

and should be held accountable.

Beautiful innocent animals

killed where they stood

because someone let them out.

Please forward this blog to your entire list,

and let's blend our voices together

in PROTEST of this INHUMANE BEHAVIOR.

Jack Hannah, let's hear from YOU.

Did YOU approve of this?

I wonder how may deputies slapped each other on the back, congratulating them on killing another

defenseless animal .......... "Hot damn, I got another one."

"I neever got ter keell so many critters in my whole life, Jethro, wow,

hot damn, bitter than them Ground Hogs."

THE FENCE

You can't get any more accurate than this!

Which side of the fence?

If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

If a Republican doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a Democrat doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a Republican doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Democrat's demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.

If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it..
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for his.

If a Republican reads this blog, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he's "offended."

I think this is funny ............................

School board hopeful admits to past kidnaps

(AP) FAIRFIELD, Calif. - A candidate for a Northern California school board acknowledged she was once arrested for abducting four girls from a bus stop, but said she was under "mental duress" at the time and meant no harm.

Alvina Sheeley, 70, is one of eight candidates on the November ballot for a Fairfield-Suisun school board seat. She was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the abduction in 1998, and spent more than a year in a federal psychiatric hospital.

Lindsey McWilliams, assistant registrar of voters for Solano County, said Sheeley is eligible to run for the school board seat, despite her background. The requirements say candidates must be 18 or older and registered to vote, must not be a convicted felon or on felony parole, and must live in the jurisdiction.

Sheeley, a former high school Spanish teacher, told The Daily Republic of Fairfield that she had meant no harm. She was on leave from her job at Fairfield High School when she tried to gain custody of a girl whom she knew through family in her hometown of Alton, Ill.

The girl's mother refused to give custody to Sheeley, who then took four other girls, ages 8 to 12. She told the girls she was taking them to California for a better life.

Sheeley was released from the federal psychiatric hospital in June 2000 and put on probation. She was placed under the watch of a state officer and a doctor until her discharge eight years later.

"I am sorry that I did it," Sheeley told the newspaper. "The counseling that I received and the medical care helped me to understand why I did what I did."

Some of her former colleagues were dismayed that she could still run for the office.

"I think it's horrendous that someone arrested for kidnapping kids is running for school board," teacher Frank Billecci said.