Some final thoughts for the day.
Why do we see all these photos on TV of stray dogs and cats, sad faces, needing a home, and then turn the channel and see them killing Alligators or Crocks and that is allright. Or even killing wild pigs. They catch those Gators, pull them near the boat, and shoot them. WHY has there not been an outcry about that?
How about watching moonshiners make illegal hooch, and broadcasting that on TV. How can you televise something that is illegal? Is it OK to see a crime being committed and not report it?
There is very little that we have not seen on TV. I wonder what they will come up with next????
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Federal Judge Dismisses PETA Lawsuit Claiming SeaWorld Whales Are Slaves
SAN DIEGO (AP) — An effort to free whales from Sea World by claiming they were enslaved made a splash in the news but flopped in court Wednesday.
A federal judge in San Diego dismissed an unprecedented lawsuit seeking to grant constitutional protection against slavery to a group of orcas that perform at SeaWorld parks, saying the 13th amendment applies only to humans.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller stopped the case from proceeding two days after he became the first judge in U.S. history to listen to arguments in court over the possibility of granting constitutional rights for members of an animal species.
“As ‘slavery’ and ‘involuntary servitude’ are uniquely human activities, as those terms have been historically and contemporaneously applied, there is simply no basis to construe the Thirteenth Amendment as applying to non-humans,” Miller wrote in his ruling.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed the lawsuit in October and named five whales as plaintiffs. PETA says the wild-captured Orcas are enslaved by SeaWorld because they are held in concrete tanks against their will and forced to perform in shows at its parks in San Diego and Orlando, Fla.
SeaWorld called the lawsuit baseless and a waste of the court’s time and money.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Ellen
For those who could not get to the network link, here is Ellen's page.
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2012/02/ellen_addresses_her_jcpenney_critics_0208.php
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2012/02/ellen_addresses_her_jcpenney_critics_0208.php
Jack
I don't know what made me think of it this morning, but my thoughts went back many years, to the Crystal Bay Club, North Shore, Lake Tahoe. That was in the days when there was a slow, two-lane road around the lake, a Summer resort, many places closed for the Winter.
The North shore had a few casinos, as did the South shore.
I worked at the Nevada Lodge, first Winter it had been opened, and had a room under the Crystal Bay Club, which was right across the street, nice. Since there weren't many places open, we spent most of our time in the Crystal Bay Club. I got to know the bartender there well, Jack, only his last name is forgotten. Don't know why, but we called him Homer, Homer Lipschitz.
In the mornings a crowd of us would often go to someones home nearby, around the lake, fixed great breakfasts, had some really nice times. The lake was beautiful in those days, before the Winter Olympics and all the crowds and new construction.
Back to Jack, or Homer. One shift at the club, he had a heart attack and ended up in the hospital in Carson City. As the story goes, when he came to and woke up some hours later, his wife was on one side of his bed, and his girlfriend on the other. He said he just closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Never did hear how the story ended, but knew the best part.
The North shore had a few casinos, as did the South shore.
I worked at the Nevada Lodge, first Winter it had been opened, and had a room under the Crystal Bay Club, which was right across the street, nice. Since there weren't many places open, we spent most of our time in the Crystal Bay Club. I got to know the bartender there well, Jack, only his last name is forgotten. Don't know why, but we called him Homer, Homer Lipschitz.
In the mornings a crowd of us would often go to someones home nearby, around the lake, fixed great breakfasts, had some really nice times. The lake was beautiful in those days, before the Winter Olympics and all the crowds and new construction.
Back to Jack, or Homer. One shift at the club, he had a heart attack and ended up in the hospital in Carson City. As the story goes, when he came to and woke up some hours later, his wife was on one side of his bed, and his girlfriend on the other. He said he just closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Never did hear how the story ended, but knew the best part.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS ........................
That seems to be the loudest cry from our candidates.
"When I am elected, I will create JOBS, JOBS, JOBS," etc., etc., etc.
What is it we need manufactured, where are all these jobs going to come from, and what will they produce? Aren't jobs created because of consumer needs, what is it the consumers need? Do we just take millions of jobs away from other countries, and if we manufacture products in this country that are not competitive price wise, what then? Maybe just create a few million government jobs, local, state and national.
Hypothetical. You receive a ten million dollar grant to start a manufacturing plant, what would you make?
I thoroughly agree we need jobs, I just don't understand where they are going to come from, and what they are going to produce. Maybe go back to the "barter" system, that would cause people to produce products or services on their own to barter.
We need consumers also, to purchase those products.
Solution, more casinos. You work in the casino for a wage. You take those wages to Walmart to buy your groceries. Walmart pays their employees, who take what they have left over, after getting their groceries at Walmart, go to the casino, and lose their money. One BIG cycle. I think casinos are the answer, Ohio is hoping so, they are building three, we may need more if these politicians create all those jobs they are promising.
"When I am elected, I will create JOBS, JOBS, JOBS," etc., etc., etc.
What is it we need manufactured, where are all these jobs going to come from, and what will they produce? Aren't jobs created because of consumer needs, what is it the consumers need? Do we just take millions of jobs away from other countries, and if we manufacture products in this country that are not competitive price wise, what then? Maybe just create a few million government jobs, local, state and national.
Hypothetical. You receive a ten million dollar grant to start a manufacturing plant, what would you make?
I thoroughly agree we need jobs, I just don't understand where they are going to come from, and what they are going to produce. Maybe go back to the "barter" system, that would cause people to produce products or services on their own to barter.
We need consumers also, to purchase those products.
Solution, more casinos. You work in the casino for a wage. You take those wages to Walmart to buy your groceries. Walmart pays their employees, who take what they have left over, after getting their groceries at Walmart, go to the casino, and lose their money. One BIG cycle. I think casinos are the answer, Ohio is hoping so, they are building three, we may need more if these politicians create all those jobs they are promising.
Got this from an old friend, Ernie, an old Navy buddy, and a bagpiper who does not have a GPS. He was our navigator on board ship, and the one who had the helm when we ended up in Okinawa instead of Hawaii.
Joe
As you know, I am a bagpiper, and I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the California back country.
As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.
I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. played like I've never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."
Apparently I'm still lost.... it's a man thing
Ernie
Joe
As you know, I am a bagpiper, and I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the California back country.
As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.
I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. played like I've never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."
Apparently I'm still lost.... it's a man thing
Ernie
Fans bet $94M on Super Bowl at Nevada casinos
Someone, somewhere, has money, things aren't too bad around the country. This was just Nevada, just think of ALL the other bets that were made around the country and the world. Just think what might have been wagered in China, they have more money than we do. Are all of our "ducks in a row"?
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) —
Sports fans bet $93.9 million at Nevada casinos on Sunday's Super Bowl match up between the New York Giants and New England Patriots, the most wagered in the past decade.
The Gaming Control Board says unaudited tallies show 184 sports books won a little over $5 million on the football action. New England was about a 3 point favorite, but the Giants won 21-17.
It was a different story for Nevada casinos when the same two teams played in the 2008 Super Bowl. The Patriots opened as 14-point favorites four years ago, but Giants backers bet the line down to 12 points and got paid when New York earned a 17-14 win.
Nevada casinos lost the most money ever on the Super Bowl that year — $2.6 million.
A great poem ....Walk With Me As I Age
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 3:05 AM
To: Joe Dooley - Marilyn Dooley
Subject: Fw: "Walk with me as I age." Please read--it is so lovely and it has meant so much to me!!!
Love you both!
This is so sweet, I just wanted to share it with my special friends.
Subject: "Walk with me as I age." Please read--it is so lovely!!!
Walk with me as I age..
I hope this poem has the same spellbinding effect on you as it did on me - then my forwarding it will be well worth the effort. I know you will be richer for the reading...
Walk With Me By The Water - worth the read...
A BEAUTIFUL POEM ABOUT GROWING OLDER:
Damn...
I forgot the words....
Shelters planning Super Bowl parties
I was searching about the number of Homeless in Indianapolis when I found this article. Turns out there are not too many homeless there, and they decided AGAINST rounding them up prior to the Super Bowl and keeping them away from the downtown. Then I found this, haircuts, meals, TV, all for the Super Bowl. That makes the Super Bowl more important than any other day of the year ..... a game, something wrong with that picture, somewhere.
Wheeler Mission Ministries, which provides services and shelters for the homeless, annually holds a Super Bowl party on game day for the homeless and will do so Feb. 5.
"They'll be able to watch the game, have some pizza and enjoy the festivities," said Steve Kerr, chief development officer for Wheeler. In addition to its shelter on Market Street, Wheeler has overflow space at its center at 245 N. Delaware St.
Wheeler Mission Ministries also operates a shelter for women and children at 3208 E. Michigan St., and Kerr said holding another Super Bowl party at that shelter is under consideration, depending upon the interest.
Among others planning Super Bowl parties for the homeless is Homeless & ReEntry Helpers, 940 E. Michigan St., which serves as a resource center for the homeless and provides a Helpers Helping Others Outreach Team.
Founded by street ministers about three years ago, the resource center serves meals three days a week to about 450 homeless people, said Don Hawkins, executive director. The center hopes to add a fourth meal day after the Super Bowl.
On the day before the game, the homeless will be offered free haircuts and a meal from 3 to 5 p.m. On game day, meals will be served from 3 to 5 p.m., after which those attending can watch the game on two big screens.
"We just thought it would be nice," Hawkins said.
Who won the Super Bowl ...
What a world-wide event it has become, around 116 million viewers. chickens lost though, 1.25 billion chicken wings eaten Super Bowl weekend. The players made money, the owners, the league, ad agencies, the networks, TV stations. One guy plopped down $1000 on a first score being a safety, I think he won $50,000, the list of "happenings" goes on and on.
I remember the first one, and have watched all or part of all of them since. I did not like the "strike" situation this year, and as a result, my own "silent protest" consisted of watching no NFL games this year. During the game, I was channel hopping and did see Brady throw that pass that cost them two points, and I watched the last two minutes of the game, which really was all that was needed.
I am not clairvoyant, but I did predict a Giants victory. I am skeptical and have been for quite some time. TV is the reason for the games, so I think TV has a lot to do with outcomes. Welker rarely drops passes, but if he had held on to that one, the outcome might have been different, so he dropped it. Maybe a coincidence.
TV loves close halftime scores to lure people back for the second half. You don't see him, and I have not been to a game in a while, so it could be different, but on the sideline, near the end zone, is a guy with a brightly colored sleeve. When his arm goes up, no football, when it comes down, they play. He lets them know when it is OK to play. He is the TV guy on the field, not the refs or the line judges, the guy with the colored sleeve tells them when to play, controlled from up above by the guys on TV.
Both the losing team and the winning team players will be able to relax in their million dollar homes, work out the kinks in their Jacuzzi s, maybe take the trophy wife and the kids to Disneyland, or Nassau or some exotic place to unwind, been a grueling season. "Hey hon, I'm going to take the Bentley and get some steaks and lobsters for dinner tonight."
Everyone is happy, the fans, the networks, owners, teams, all the stores who sold the goodies. Well, maybe some who are homeless, out or work, hungry, maybe some right there in Indianapolis, not far from the game, maybe they felt better knowing everyone was having a good time, maybe.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Quote of the Decade:
“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, "the buck stops here.' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.”
~ Senator Barack H. Obama, March 2006
A SUPER BOWL Memory
This is number 46, this memory goes back to one of the first games, not sure which one, could have been number one or two.
On a Saturday, we were visiting my wife's Grandmother, who was almost 100 years old, and lived out in the country. She still cooked on a wood stove, kept house and was active. She had her son, Paul, still living on the farm with her, he was in his 80's
It was a nice Winter day, not too cold, and we were sitting on the stairs on an outside porch. The news of the day was entirely about the Super Bowl, radio, TV, newspapers, everywhere, the talk was about the Super Bowl.
During the course of our conversation, I asked Uncle Paul, "Are you gonna be watching the big game tomorrow, looks like everyone will be watching it."
The reply. "Naw, our TV went out a few months ago, and we just never got around to getting it fixed."
Caught me off guard, got me thinking and rearranging my priorities a bit. Everyone in the world was excited about The Super Bowl, all except Uncle Paul and his Mom, In Linneville, Ohio, their TV went on the "fritz" a few months ago. Certainly made me stop and think.
On a Saturday, we were visiting my wife's Grandmother, who was almost 100 years old, and lived out in the country. She still cooked on a wood stove, kept house and was active. She had her son, Paul, still living on the farm with her, he was in his 80's
It was a nice Winter day, not too cold, and we were sitting on the stairs on an outside porch. The news of the day was entirely about the Super Bowl, radio, TV, newspapers, everywhere, the talk was about the Super Bowl.
During the course of our conversation, I asked Uncle Paul, "Are you gonna be watching the big game tomorrow, looks like everyone will be watching it."
The reply. "Naw, our TV went out a few months ago, and we just never got around to getting it fixed."
Caught me off guard, got me thinking and rearranging my priorities a bit. Everyone in the world was excited about The Super Bowl, all except Uncle Paul and his Mom, In Linneville, Ohio, their TV went on the "fritz" a few months ago. Certainly made me stop and think.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
When did HE go to the pump last?
So sad.
President Obama plays comedian and cracks jokes about gas prices. He told an audience today that there’s “a few places” we’re not drilling… the National Mall… at your house.”
Of course, like most everything Obama says, a quick Google search paints a totally different picture of the truth.
Obama has chosen almost always to limit production. He canceled leases on federal lands in Utah, suspended them in Montana, delayed them in Colorado and Utah, and canceled lease sales off the Virginia coast.
His administration also has been slow-walking permits in the Gulf of Mexico, approving far fewer while stretching out review times, according to the Greater New Orleans Gulf Permit Index. The Energy Dept. says Gulf oil output will be down 17% by the end of 2013, compared with the start of 2011. Swift Energy President Bruce Vincent is right to say Obama has “done nothing but restrict access and delay permitting.”
“The U.S. consumes more than a fifth of the world’s oil. But we only have 2% of the world’s oil reserves.”
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Next VP Surprise?
First elected in 2004, McMorris Rodgers is now in her second term as vice chairman of the Republican Conference, which makes her the highest-ranking Republican woman on Capitol Hill. She has built a significant amount of behind-the-scenes clout, and has become one of her party’s most influential leaders on issues like international bailouts, earmark reform and the fight against Obamacare.
McMorris Rodgers also has the kind of compelling life story that political operatives always look for. The daughter of produce farmers who operated a fruit stand, she was the first member of her family to attend college. She earned her MBA from the University of Washington in 2002. By the age of 24, she was a member of the state House of Representatives.
Married to a retired U.S. Navy commander, McMorris Rodgers is also one of only eight women to have ever given birth while serving in Congress, and the only woman who has done it twice.
Her first child, Cole, was born a month premature and was diagnosed with Down syndrome. That experience led her to form a bipartisan Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus, which educates lawmakers about the disorder and aims to protect Americans who have it.
According to Kellyanne Conway, a veteran Republican strategist who was among the first to float Sarah Palin’s name as a possible VP pick in 2008, McMorris Rodgers might actually benefit from her relatively low profile.
Seeing is believing...
Saw one today that took me by surprise. Went to the ATM at a Speedway Gas Station here in Newark, parked on the side so the wife could go inside. Looked up ........
And there it was. A machine, to put air in your tires. Not just any machine, this one needed 75 cents to get the machine working, OR, your CREDIT card. That's right, you could use your credit card to get 75 cents worth of air. Maybe the 75 cents was for a specific amount of air, and if you got more it cost extra, thus the credit card.
It also gave the instructions in Spanish, or Instrucciones.
And there it was. A machine, to put air in your tires. Not just any machine, this one needed 75 cents to get the machine working, OR, your CREDIT card. That's right, you could use your credit card to get 75 cents worth of air. Maybe the 75 cents was for a specific amount of air, and if you got more it cost extra, thus the credit card.
It also gave the instructions in Spanish, or Instrucciones.
Big Ten coaches upset with Urban Meyer's recruiting tactics
Erick Smith
I remember his reputation in Florida, he is up to his old tricks .... "old ways die hard"
OSU may have gone from the "frying pan into the fire" .... Woody, Bo, and Joe, they, and their ethics, are gone ....................
The dust has settled on Urban Meyer's first recruiting class at Ohio State, and there are some hard feelings from some Big Ten coaches.
One issue is Meyer's strategy of poaching commitments from other conference schools.
In the two months after being hired by the Buckeyes, Meyer managed to flip several players, including defensive Se'Von Pittman from Michigan State and offensive lineman Kyle Dodson from Wisconsin.
Spartans coach Mark Dantonio, a Zanesville native and former Ohio State assistant, wasn't pleased.
"They've got a new coach, and it's different," Dantonio told The Detroit News. "I would say it's pretty unethical, in the end."
Meyer also took advantage of Penn State's disarray following the firing of coach Joe Paterno which led to the Buckeyes grabbing All-USA defensive lineman Tommy Schutt and linebacker Camren Williams from the Nittany Lions.
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema, like Dantonio, was unhappy about the developments and was proactive about addressing his concerns about Meyer.
"There are a few things that happened early on that I made people aware of that I didn't want to see in this league, that I had seen take place in other leagues," Bielema told CBS Chicago. "Other recruiting tactics, other recruiting practices that are illegal.
"I was very up front and was very pointed to the fact, actually reached out to coach Meyer and shared my thoughts and concerns with him. The situation got rectified."
He later added that he was happy the Big Ten coaches held itself to a different standard.
"Our league is based on certain values that we're going to hold to be true and if you don't hold those to be true, you are going to be held accountable."
Stores busy as Colo. prepares for major snowstorm
By DAN ELLIOTT | Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — A powerful winter storm moving across Colorado Friday has dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas.
The storm has prompted a blizzard warning for the northeast, forced flight cancellations and school closures, and calls from highway officials to slow down on icy roadways.
National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Kleyla says the snow began falling Thursday night and by 3:30 a.m. MST Friday, six inches had fallen on downtown Denver, more in suburban areas and up to 15 inches in the foothills west of the city.
He adds that Boulder and some areas just north of Colorado Springs were struggling with 10 inches of snow.
But despite the weather, Colorado Department of Transportation spokesman Jarrett Handy says there are no current road closures, even though many roads are icy and snow packed.
He urged motorists to drive cautiously, especially during rush hour.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Roseanne Barr seeks Green Party presidential nod
By ANDREW MIGAWASHINGTON (AP) — Roseanne Barr said Thursday she's running for the Green Party's presidential nomination — and it's no joke.
The actress-comedian said in a statement that she's a longtime supporter of the party and looks forward to working with people who share her values. She said the two major parties aren't serving the American people.
"The Democrats and Republicans have proven that they are servants -- bought and paid for by the 1 percent -- who are not doing what's in the best interest of the American people," Barr said.
Occupy Wall Street protesters popularized the "We are the 99 percent" slogan in their fight against economic disparity and perceived corporate greed.
Barr has submitted paperwork to the Green Party for her candidacy. The party's presidential nominee will be selected at a convention in Baltimore in July.
When asked if she would be singing the National Anthem at the convention, she commented, "You gotta be kidding."
To Ohio State Fans
Urban Meyer is looking good, at this time, for Ohio State, but remember where he came from, and recruiting policies that were in effect down there. In the Big Ten there has always been an unwritten agreement between all the school that when a candidate makes a commitment to a school, it is hands off. Urban has ignored that.
He may field a better team, but he, and the downtrodden, maligned athletic department will take a lot of criticism at his "no holds barred" recruiting policy. The team may be better, but the school will lose a lot of respect around the league, and that's a shame.
Going from "overlooking" to "Shanghaiing." It may come back to haunt them. It would be nice to see them field a good OSU team again, one with NO controversy surrounding it. James, out in Oklahoma, I am wearing my OSU sweatshirt again, with a black armband, the armband is for Woody, I think he may still be turning in his grave. Time will tell.
He may field a better team, but he, and the downtrodden, maligned athletic department will take a lot of criticism at his "no holds barred" recruiting policy. The team may be better, but the school will lose a lot of respect around the league, and that's a shame.
Going from "overlooking" to "Shanghaiing." It may come back to haunt them. It would be nice to see them field a good OSU team again, one with NO controversy surrounding it. James, out in Oklahoma, I am wearing my OSU sweatshirt again, with a black armband, the armband is for Woody, I think he may still be turning in his grave. Time will tell.
Tongue in Cheek News Article
In an interview, Ashhad stated, "The list has grown significantly, and they have every right to fly. There is no proof that they are terrorists, and I figure that putting them all on the same airplane will insure a safe flight. We basically have reverted to the old "Non Schedule" airlines of the 50's. We don't even have security checks to get through our terminals, no need, it would be foolish for a terrorist to blow up a plane of terrorists."
He indicated that they were having difficulty in obtaining any jet airliners, and that all of the prop planes were not worth fixing up. He said the old workhorse, the Ford Tri-Motor was the answer, and that they had been able to pick up a few in Arizona, at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction.
Samallan further stated that he hopes to get the airline in operation by Spring of 1012. They have had many inquiries since the prospect of a Spring War in the Middle East was possible.
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