We traded HOW MANY TALIBAN for HIM and he's a WHAT?

I have a feeling that we have been "scammed" on this incident. I think he was and is just a ploy, used to get back five of their leaders. Diabolical, yes, clever yes, and our leadership fell for it, hook, line and sinker, so to speak. I think that historically, this will go down as one of the great "blunders" of all time. Thank you mister president! I wonder what Hillary thinks about it?

President Barack Obama called the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl after five years' captivity in Afghanistan "a reminder of America’s unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield," but some of his fellow soldiers are continuing to claim he deserted his post in 2009.
Javier Ortiz, for one. The Army combat medic told the Washington Post he believes Bergdahl should be tried for desertion. Former Sgt. Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl's platoon when he went missing, told CNN, "Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him."

And Nathan Bradley Bethea, who served with Bergdahl, wrote that he "was a deserter, and soldiers from his own unit died trying to track him down" in a recent column for the Daily Beast.

Bergdahl was exchanged for five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Saturday, after months of negotiation led by the government of Qatar. Republicans, among them specifically Sen. John McCain, questioned whether the U.S. got the best of that deal, referring to the former Gitmo detainees as the "hardest of the hard core." The circumstances surrounding Bergdahl's capture have been murky for years. Some reports said he was captured while sitting on a makeshift latrine. Others said Bergdahl simply left his post and never returned.
There are also reports of emails Bergdahl sent to his parents before he was captured that express his disillusionment with America's presence in Afghanistan, and that he was considering deserting. Those emails were published by Rolling Stonein 2012, but could not be authenticated by the Associated Press, according to CBS News.

CNN reports that at least six soldiers lost their lives while searching for Bergdahl.

While speaking to reporters on Sunday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel declined to comment on whether the military would pursue any disciplinary actions against Bergdahl.

"Our first priority is assuring his well-being and his health and getting him reunited with his family,"Hagel said. "Other circumstances that may develop and questions — those will be dealt with later."

Rolling Stone magazine quoted emails Bergdahl is said to have sent to his parents that suggest he was disillusioned with America's mission in Afghanistan, had lost faith in the U.S. Army's mission there and was considering desertion.

Bergdahl told his parents he was "ashamed to even be American." Bergdahl, who mailed home boxes containing his uniform and books, also wrote: "The future is too good to waste on lies. And life is way too short to care for the damnation of others, as well as to spend it helping fools with their ideas that are wrong."

The Associated Press could not independently authenticate the emails published by the magazine in 2012. Bergdahl's family has not commented on the allegations of desertion, according to Col. Tim Marsano, a spokesman for the Idaho National Guard. Marsano is in regular contact with Bergdahl's mother, Jani, and father, Bob, who has grown a long, thick beard and has worked to learn Pashto, the language spoken by his son's captors.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel declined to comment on earlier reports that the sergeant had walked away from his unit, disillusioned with the war. Such matters "will be dealt with later," Hagel said. Hagel, visiting troops in Afghanistan, was met with silence when he told a group of them in a Bagram Air Field hangar: "This is a happy day. We got one of our own back." It was unclear whether the absence of cheers and applause came from a reluctance to display emotion in front of the Pentagon chief or from any doubts among the troops about Bergdahl.

Television Commercials

They are getting worse ... Watching Perry Mason or one of those shows, commercial break, they worked in 16 commercials ..... 16. We are recording many shows, later watch, commercial, Fast Forward .... a ONE HOUR Perry Mason is close to being seen in ONE HALF of an hour. That is ridiculous.

Some of the "ideas" for shows this Summer, well, the premise is beyond stupid, anything, any premise, any idea, just to get a show on the are. There are no parameters for the topic of the show. Anything to fill airtime between commercials .....

Police on Lookout for Serial Flasher

Police are on the lookout for a serial flasher. They say the same man exposed himself to people at several area businesses in Northwest Columbus, including Bethel Road. The Columbus Police Sexual Abuse Squad is investigating this case. Crime Stoppers is now offering a $2,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to an arrest.

The first offense took place on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, at approximately 1:00 pm, at 1355 Bethel Rd. (La Casita). The suspect was talking on his cell phone, while he was walking around the restaurant.

The second offense took place at the Rag-O-Rama, located at 3301 N. High St. on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008, at 3:15 pm. The suspect went into a dressing room next to the victim’s dressing room and exposed himself, while talking on his cell phone. The employees have seen the suspect in the store, prior to the exposing .

The third offense took place at the Starbucks on Polaris Parkway (the store, not the mall), on Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at 12:00 pm. The suspect walked around the store, talking on his cell phone and exposed himself to a female sitting at a table with a man and another woman.

The fourth offense took place at Noodles, near Tuttle Mall, Friday, October 24, 2008, at 1:00 pm. The suspect was in the store for approx. 50 minutes, before picking out a victim, exposing himself and running from the store. A witness followed the suspect, but no vehicle or further information was given

The fifth offense took place at Subway, 801 Bethel Rd, on Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at 3:05 pm. The suspect stood next to the victims table talking on his cell phone, with his penis exposed

The sixth offense took place at 1425 Grandview Ave, at Caribou Coffee, on Sunday, January 25, 2009, at 8:20pm. The suspect approached the victim, while she was reading. He had excessively baggy jeans on and had his penis exposed for 10 minutes. He then walked over to two other females and stood in front of them

On Saturday, January 31st, 2009, Det. David made contact with the employees of Caribou Coffee. They gave no additional information and both stated that they did not see the suspect. There is no video in the coffee shop & no video in the parking lot or surrounding stores

The seventh offense took place at 106 King Ave, an apartment building, on Wednesday, January 28th, 2009, at 4:45 pm. The victims were approaching their apartment complex together and observed the suspect nearby with his pants undone and his penis exposed. He was on his cell phone, fondling his penis and when the victim got closer he ascended nearby steps. Officers attempted to speak to residents on the floor, but no one answered their doors.

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Obama carbon rule gives states more time to comply

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a sweeping initiative to curb pollutants blamed for global warming, the Obama administration unveiled a plan Monday to cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by nearly a third over the next 15 years. But the plan moves the deadline for state compliance until after President Barack Obama leaves office in early 2017.

The 645-page rule, expected to be finalized next year, is a centerpiece of Obama's plans to tackle climate change and aims to give the United States more leverage to prod other countries to act when negotiations on a new international treaty resume next year. Under the plan, carbon emissions would be reduced 30 percent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, putting in motion one of the most significant actions ever on global warming.

The proposal sets off a complex regulatory process, steeped in politics, in which the 50 states will each determine how to meet customized targets set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

"The glue that holds this plan together — and the key to making it work — is that each state's goal is tailored to its own circumstances, and states have the flexibility to reach their goal in whatever works best for them," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, according to prepared remarks released in advance of Monday's formal announcement. She characterized the proposal as "ambitious, but achievable."

Initially, Obama wanted each state to submit their plans for cutting pollution to meet the new targets by June 2016. But details of the new proposal show that states could have until 2017, and 2018, if they join with other states to tackle the problem. That means even if the rules survive legal and other challenges, the dust won't likely settle on this transformation until well into the next administration, raising the possibility that political dynamics in either Congress or the White House could alter the rule's course.

Today number of unemployed persons, at 9.8 million

Donald Sterling attends service at black church

It is good he went to church. As to why, would be speculative. Who really cares. I wonder how much he put in the collection plate?

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Donald Sterling, whose racist remarks in a recording triggered the fight over ownership of Los Angeles Clippers, attended a predominantly black church service in South Los Angeles on Sunday.

Sterling told KNBC-TV he went to Praises of Zion Missionary Baptist Church to support the church and said the service was "beautiful."

The station said the church's pastor met Sterling recently and invited him to worship with the congregation. Sterling received a warm welcome, and Pastor J. Benjamin Hardwick told him the congregation was praying for him.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fined Sterling $2.5 million, banned him from the league and started the process to end his ownership of the Clippers after an audio recording of Sterling disparaging blacks became public in April.

Richard Dawson .....

I am watching Match Game right now ... reruns every morning at 8 and 8:30 still good stuff ..

Richard Dawson (born Colin Lionel Emm; November 20, 1932 – June 2, 2012) was an English-born American actor and comedian, and a game show host and panelist in the United States.

Dawson was well known for playing Corporal Peter Newkirk on Hogan's Heroes, being the original host of the Family Feud game show from 1976 to 1985 and from 1994 to 1995, and a regular panelist on the 1970s version of Match Game on CBS from 1973 to 1978. 

After a successful career in British television and cinema, Dawson moved to Los Angeles. In 1984, he became an American citizen while remaining a British subject.

In 2012, Dawson died of complications from esophageal cancer. He is buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

Imogene Coca passed on this day in 2001

Actress Imogene Coca is remembered best today for her amazing comedic work on the groundbreaking Your Show of Shows alongside Sid Caesar. 

She picked up two Emmy Awards for her performances in 1952 and 1953, and also won a Peabody for excellence in broadcasting. 

She had her own show for a season, and spent decades as a guest star or co-star in dozens of films and television programs, including a hilarious turn as Aunt Edna in National Lampoon's Vacation. 

She continued to act and branched out to voice acting later in her career, keeping busy until well into her 80s. 

We remember Imogene Coca's remarkable life today as well as the lives of other notable people who died this day in history

Driver flees traffic stop with cop in car

FLORENCE, N.J. (AP) — A man who allegedly fled from a traffic stop in southern New Jersey with a police officer inside his car in facing numerous charges.

Florence police tell the Burlington County Times  that 19-year-old Randy Eno Mase of Wilmington, Delaware was stopped early Saturday for speeding.

When officers started speaking with Mase, they say he tried to drive off. An officer then entered the car through the driver's side door and tried to stop him, but Mase drove off with the officer still in the vehicle.

A short time later, the officer was able to stop the vehicle.

Mase faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault, eluding and drug charges. He also faces several motor vehicle citations.

A telephone number for Masse could not be located Sunday.

If the shoe fits .......

RADCLIFF, Ky. (AP) — Police are investigating after finding $3 million worth of missing shoes at a central Kentucky home.

Media outlets report that officers with the Radcliff Police Department confiscated thousands of pairs of Nike shoes that were scattered in front of the home.

According to a search warrant filed last week, the shoes were supposed to be shipped in 2009 from a Nike distribution center in Tennessee to another one in Texas, but never made it.

The women who were in possession of the shoes said they had purchased them from someone else and didn't know they were stolen. They said they were selling them at a flea market.

Police are investigating. No arrests have been made.

Chemist says creating the perfect cup of coffee is all about the water

A barista (/bəˈristə/ buh-ree-stuh; from the Italian for "bartender") is a person, usually a coffeehouse employee, who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks.

Chris Hendon has set out to help a local British barista win the title of world’s best barista and he says the secret to success lies in using the perfect water .

Writing for the Royal Society of Chemistry, the University of Bath computational chemist says the challenge was a natural one for him considering that, “Brewing coffee might be the most practiced chemical extraction in the world.”

Now, there is no shortage of expert opinions on making the perfect cup of coffee, including a few that attempt to break down the process scientifically.

And Hendon doesn’t discount the more obvious factors in making an outstanding cup of coffee or espresso: bean origin, roast, the size of grindings and so forth. But when it comes to the variable of water, he writes:

“This variable is less obvious, but it is clear that the chemical composition of water plays a very important role.” Specifically, different types of water bring out different flavors from the coffee bean – sometimes good and sometimes bad. And being both a chemist and coffee lover, Hendon wanted to experiment with how different variations could be used to extract specific flavors from coffee.

“This was particularly intriguing for the signature drink which featured an espresso shot mixed with two grape extracts brewed in different water – one with high cation content, one with high base content – to extract different flavours from the grapes,” he writes.

For its part, the National Coffee Association says, "The water you use is very important to the quality of your coffee. Use filtered or bottled water if your tap water is not good or imparts a strong odor or taste, such as chlorine. If you are using tap water let it run a few seconds before filling your coffee pot. Be sure to use cold water. Do not use distilled or softened water".

'Brady Brunch' actress Ann B. Davis dies in Texas

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Emmy-winning actress Ann B. Davis, who became the country's favorite and most famous housekeeper as the devoted Alice Nelson of "The Brady Bunch," died Sunday at a San Antonio hospital. She was 88.

Bexar County, Texas, medical examiner's investigator Sara Horne said Davis died Sunday morning at University Hospital. Horne said no cause of death was available and that an autopsy was planned Monday.

Bill Frey, a retired bishop and a longtime friend of Davis, said she suffered a fall Saturday at her San Antonio home and never recovered. Frey said Davis had lived with him and his wife, Barbara, since 1976.

More than a decade before scoring as the Bradys' loyal Alice, Davis was the razor-tongued secretary on another stalwart TV sitcom, "The Bob Cummings Show," which brought her two Emmys. Over the years, she also appeared on Broadway and in occasional movies.

Davis considered her ordinary look an asset.

"I know at least a couple hundred glamour gals who are starving in this town," she told the Los Angeles Times in 1955, the year the Cummings show began its four-year run. "I'd rather be myself and eating." She said she told NBC photographers not to retouch their pictures of her, but they ignored her request and "gave me eyebrows."

Ah, well, ah, because it ... well, might have been my fault!!

“I will not be a part of a political slugfest on the backs of dead Americans,” she writes, according to Politco. 

“It’s just plain wrong, and it’s unworthy of our great country. 

Those who insist on politicizing the tragedy will have to do so without me.”

And, her gestures were great, look at that fist, of course she is mad, they won't drop the subject and may uncover some wrongs ..... that she may have been involved in .... and, well, I may want to run for president ..... and ..... I have a headache, she often told Bill this same thing.

Softball Word Series ..... great games .

If YOU are NOT watching Ladies College Softball College World Series right now, you are missing out on the last bastion of genuine amateur athletics. Both teams are enjoying "the moment." They are serious, competitive, and the loser will shed some tears, but all of these gals have enjoyed a great four years of college. They are true, highly skilled and trained athletes, and, enjoying themselves. I love the emotion.

They are genuinely serious and want to win, and doing all they can to win, but enjoying the moment also. Most will graduate and go about their lives, a few will continue on in the game, but most have attained their goal of reaching the World Series.

This is the way that athletic competition should be, it is enjoyment for all, the fans and the players. Alabama has scored twice, Oregon is ranked Number One .... I think they just got robbed on a call at home, but in this game, a call is a call ....... no arguing. I don't think she touched the plate though.

Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner dead in plane crash

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner Lewis Katz was killed along with six other people in a fiery plane crash in Massachusetts, his business partner said Sunday.

Harold H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest confirmed Katz's death to The Associated Press, saying he was informed by their lawyer, Richard Sprague. The pair bought out their partners last week with an $88 million bid for the company, which also operates the Philadelphia Daily News and the news website Philly.com.

The Gulfstream IV crashed as it was leaving Hanscom Field at about 9:40 p.m. Saturday for Atlantic City, New Jersey. There were no survivors.

The identities of the other victims weren't immediately released. Nancy Phillips, Katz's longtime companion and city editor at the Inquirer, was not on board.

Officials gave no information on the cause of the crash. They said the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.

John Scarne

He was born Orlando Carmelo Scarnecchia in Steubenville, Ohio in the United States of America, and at some point anglicized his name to John Scarne.

He grew up in the New Jersey communities of Fairview and Guttenberg. When he left school after the eighth grade, he learned from a local card sharp how to perform such swindles as The Three Card Monte, and how to cheat in gambling card games by manipulating the cards. Scarne began practicing sleight of hand with the goal of becoming a card sharp, but his Roman Catholic mother dissuaded her son from gambling in general, and cheating others in particular. She persuaded him to practice magic instead. Scarne soon extended his skill at handling cards to learning—and devising—magical effects with cards. He spent a few months learning about crooked gambling devices (including marked cards and loaded dice) at a nearby novelty store. Thanks to his endless practice, Scarne began making money as a magician.

Scarne's most famous card trick was appropriately titled "Scarne's Aces". The trick involved taking a spectator's shuffled deck of cards, performing a series of riffle shuffles himself and then cutting to all four aces.

I have gotten to hear some "first hand" accounts of his prowess. Many years ago Scarne was hired by someone to be the entertainment at a private party. He would take a new deck, shuffle it, ripple it, etc., and then ............. cut down ..... to all four Aces. "Scarne's Aces." In attendance was one of he Rothschilds, who was impressed and asked him to perform at at upcoming party he was having,

Scarney obligated and did the trick at his party. After the party, reportedly, Rothschild offered him a large sum of money to show him the "trick." His reply, "No trick, just practice for many hours a day and many days, until you can ....... while shuffling, count down how many cards between the Aces, and then, have sensitive enough finger tips to count those cards, no trick, just many hours of practice.

He was the first of the "Steuenville Boys," Dean Martin and many I knew in Nevada who had gotten their start there. During the war, the government hired Scarney to travel around the various bases and teach the troops what to look for in "cheaters." The gambling procession tagged him as a "fink," he was not well liked in the industry.

Del Ray .... THE Magician

I was working in a casino in Reno, late 50's, young, had just gotten a "suit" job ... very proud of myself. Did a lot of graveyard shifts, and over a period of time, I learned a "shot" on a crap table ... a spinner, that could result in one die being on the high or low side. The man who taught it to me, Don Eammelli, was my sift boss and a student of the games. He felt he had originated the shot ... and he and I were most probably the only two aware of it.

Early one morning, graveyard shift, a man stepped up to the end of the table, eventually got the dice to shoot, threw them, and ....... wham .... that looked like Don's shot. I said nothing and let if go. He rolled again, down came the shot, I reached out and snatched one of the dice. He got upset, I called Don over to the table ..... they talked .... Del Ray thought that HE was the only one who knew the shot .... and here, at the Primmadonna,  this young kid spotted it ..... Del Ray was impressed that we knew of HIS shot. We went on a break and had a nice conversation with him. He was appearing at The Riverside, and rounded his night out by trying his shot. It was one of his first appearances in Reno, later on, few to none would take his "action."

Harolds Club often had him do some afternoon "sessions" with his dealers, showing them some outside "tricks" they might run in to. He got some of his experience in Northern Kentucky at the casinos there in security, so he had learned all the moves and scams. I think he was in house the night that one of them burned to the ground. From talking with him, I think he liked the gambling-casino life better than being a magician. I have heard of John Scarne and his prowess, but I thin Del Ray was more proficient in more areas, Scarne was just a card man, Del Ray was more well rounded, I think. I treasure the moment that I "caught" Del Ray making "a  move."

Tough question .......

"What?"

"Who was the most impressive person you ever met, who impressed you the most?"

Two very "magnet" personalities I have met. One was L. Ron Hubbard, the other Glenn Turner of Koscot Cosmetics, pyramid selling fame. They were both impressive. I was thinking of all the "politicians" I had med, regardless of their political stature I was really never impressed with any of them. They were all handshakes or seen from a distance, did not have an opportunity to speak with them. I did have an opportunity to talk with Jon Corzine during a fund raiser. He was rather knowledgeable and impressive.

I was greatly impressed with the qualities of most that I met in the casinos. If they had achieved success, it was because of their sharp mindedness, intelligence and ability. I doubt they any of them were highly educated, they were self taught with razor sharp memories and a perceptiveness that was extraordinary. There are many "business" executives in all of the corporations in the country. They have "climbed the corporate ladder," so to speak. Their rewards were for time served.

Lincoln Fitzgerald and Ernie Primm, Bill Harrah and the Smith Family, of Harolds Club fame ... they all had, well, it is an intangible quality that is hard to express. Bill Harrah could have been a preacher, I think, quiet and mild mannered. He easily could have become the President of the United States if he had gone off in that direction, I think the same for all of the others. They all made their own way in life, and, achieved success beyond their hopes and dreams.

They all knew .... people ..... they had to ... they were relieving of them of their .... money ... just think what that entails. People entered, knowing that their chance of winning was small, but they tried, most lost and just ...... walked away. They were all perceptive enough to see that "flaw" in the human psyche, and turn it in to their success. How great is that. "Chances are you are going to lose your money, but come on it and give it a try."

I guess the same thing as, "Vote for me and I will ............" You know he won't, but you vote for him anyway. You know you will lose, eventually, but you try anyway ...... Geez, that's the same thing.

Top of my list, most impressive I have met, Lincoln Fitzgerald, Mr. Alan Roberts, Sr., Casino Manager of the old Primmadonna,  comes in second. If he had gone another way, Mr. Roberts would have been the Ambassador to a large country, a high ranking diplomat, or the head of a large PR firm. He will always be, Mister Roberts to me. I have met his wife, she was, Mrs. Roberts. He was the first that I knew of, who had a beautiful lawn, in Reno, no grass, green gravel, now, how smart is that?

One "Nevada Term" .... used rarely, "Super Smart." Few received that title. Some of the above mentioned names, held that title.

Yes, a lot more, Thanks Bob ............

Funny, the things that sometimes stick in our memory, and occasionally rise to the surface. I was sitting here, watching Ladies Softball, which I love, a true, honest sport, one of the few left. Anyway, Oregon was mentioned, I lived in Oregon for a while, which led me to think of Bob Stivers.

He was a teacher at OTI, Oregon Technical Institute, and I took some courses there. I was going to become a Medical Lab Tech, until a young girl, a fellow student, came at me, and was going to draw my blood, in a school lab. I thanked everyone, and left, never went back.

I forget the course, English, perhaps, writing, or something like that. One of his teaching statements that has stuck with me .... "There is a lot more to it, than just a blue sky. What else is there, be more descriptive."

Ah, well, a blue sky, a dark blue sky,  white clouds floating, no, drifting ...... many other statements, things could be said, other than ........... a blue sky.

The land of plenty ............

If you live in the USA or  a similarly prosperous country, you are very lucky. I don't think we really appreciate what we have. We unquestionably have inept leadership in this country, we are governed my "politicians" which are a breed unto themselves. They are "experts" and spending money, especially money that belongs to someone else. Few, if any of them are aware of the responsibility that SHOULD come with that office. But, instead, they take on a self-importance that is creating havoc and unrest in this country.

IN SPITE of leaderships ineptitude, we are fortunate to live here, in spite of them. My wife did a demo today at Kroger's. I go with her and wheel the cart out and get her set up, my cardio for the week. The back room at Kroger's is stocked and stacked, floor to ceiling, with product, all sorts of products. There is a continuous stream of product, coming in the back and going out the front. It is never ending. Not just one product, thousands of products.

Not all I can afford anymore. I remember, especially at Christmas, a picture of a child, a poor child, looking in a store window, tears in his eyes, wishing that he could ..... Now, I am like that child, especially in the meat department. "What do I want this year, for Christmas?" .... "Well, a beef roast would be nice."

Aside from that, we live in a land of plenty.

Then I went to Walmart, to buy some things. They were packed ... Sunday afternoon, around one. Inside, there were five carts to be had. I got a few items, then started to look for a register ... the longer I walked, the longer the lines got. Ten to 15 people in each line. Of course, not many registers open. Why, do they remodel these stores, put in all these registers and then, never open them. I came close to leaving the cart and walking out. Instead I went to the meat department and talked with some employees I knew. They were sympathetic, and agreed management didn't hire enough cashiers. "It's not the way it used to be."

Spoiled, yes we are. I have seen some pictures of people waiting in line all day, for a loaf of bread. I didn't want to wait ten minutes to pay for mine.

And then, driving home, many have new cars, they all look alike, but they look new,  a plethora of new cars.  We are spoiled, perhaps living with our heads in the clouds, our world could be collapsing and we are not aware of it ...... but, for today, so far, so good .........