Acidman has several posts over the last few days about slavery and history in general. In my archives (you hunt it, I am too lazy) I had a several posts about the Civil war and Lincoln. I am a historian by education and avocation. I love to study history and I often get lost in research, on the internet and at the library. I own hundreds of volumes of non-fiction covering many periods of history. As an example, here is what you would find if you look at the bookshelf closest to my desk:
La Provencia di Torrino (coffee table book from my boss)
Apache Wars by E. Lisle Reedstrom
Brave Men's Blood by Ian Knight(Zulu Wars)
Uncle Sam's Little Wars (Span-Am, Philippines, Boxer Rebellion)by John Langellior
Napoleon on Napoleon (duh)
To the Bitter End by Emanoel Lee (Zulu Wars)
Chickamauga 1863 ed by Military Book Club
World Almanac and Book of Facts
The Waterloo Campaign by Albert Nofi
Fearful Hard Times by Ian castle and Ian Knight (Zulu Wars)
Last Stand famous battles against the odds by Bryan Perrett
Decisive factors in 20 Great Battles by William Seymour
D-Day by Stephen Ambrose
Citizen Soldiers by Stephen Ambrose
1812 - Napoleon's Russian Campaign by Richard Riehn
By the Dim and Flaring Lamps the Civil War Diary of Samuel McIlvane
No Better Place to Die by Peter Cozzens (Battle of Stone's River)
The Washing of the Spears by Donald Morris (Zulu Wars)
Dictionary of Military Biography Wordsworth reference
Queen Victoria's Little Wars
Mr. Kipling's Army all three by Byron Farwell
Eminent Victorian Soldiers
At Dawn We Slept by Gordon Prange
The Great Sioux War 1876-77 by Paul Hedren
Diary of a Deadman by Ira Pettit (Andersonville)
To Win the Winter Sky by Danny Parker (air war in the Ardennes 1944-45)
When the Odds Were Even by Keith Bonn (Vosges Campaign 1944-45)
The Philippine war 1899-1902 by Brian Linn
This is a tiny sampling of my collection and readings. The point -- I would guess I have studied History more than most. I don't know shit. I do know that we can never predict the future from History. We can only study history to learn the lessons from the past. For instance, we can learn that appeasement does not work. It did not work for the French against the Prussians. It did not work with Hitler. Yet, here we go appeasing terrorist shit turds in Gaza, and there are some who think appeasement will work against the terrorist in Iraq. Maybe we should study what happened when cities paid the massive tribute to Gengis Khan (Temujin). He took the money then slaughtered the inhabitants of the cities anyway!
History does have a way of repeating. We can take nearly any situation in today's world and we can find a similar event in History. Sadly, man will likely make the same mistakes the second and third time around.
August 16, 2005
August 15, 2005
Monday Grab bag
For those who think that appeasing terrorist will bring peace consider Hamas actions to the Jewish settlements closing in Gaza. This is a stupid move from the Israeli Government and will only encourage more attacks, in the twisted logic of the Palestinian Terrorists, they have won, this is a victory for terrorism. They feel they have forced the Jews out. Now they will keep it up:
In a rare press conference this morning, Hamas leaders declared the withdrawal a victory for terrorism, and vowed to continue fighting Israel until "all territories" are "liberated."
Can we call this Sheehan woman what she is: a crazy woman. She has become a pawn of the hate Bush / hate America crowd. There is no need for further evidence she has gone of the deep end than when she claims she does not have to pay taxes because her son died WTF?
My son was killed in 2004. I am not paying my taxes for 2004," Sheehan told an audience of Veterans for Peace. "You killed my son, George Bush, and I don't owe you a penny. ... You give my son back and I'll pay my taxes. Come after me [for back taxes] and we'll put this war on trial."
Sheehan continues with the same old tired crap -- "blood for oil. For the last time, if we invaded Iraq to get their oil, we must be the most incompetent imperialists in history. Oil is fucking $70 per barrel, and more than $2.50 a gallon.
"And the other thing I want him to tell me is 'just what was the noble cause Casey died for?' Was it freedom and democracy? Bullsh--! He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East.
Finally, this barking Moonbat buys into the "just give in and all will be well" mindset of the Jews of Europe in the 1930's. See above -- give in to terrorists and see what happens.
We're not freer here, thanks to your Patriot Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism,"
she said.
PALESTINE never existed. The Jews can not give back what never was. She clearly has lost the scope of her grief and has become an embarrassment to the memory of her son, and a tool of the Hate Americans. So sad.
Edit:
For an excellent post regarding Israel and Palestime check out GuyK
golfing
A man and his wife walked into a dentist's office. The man said to the dentist, "Doctor, I'm in one hell of a big hurry! I have two buddies sitting out in my car waiting for us to go play golf. So forget about the anesthetic and pull the tooth and be done with it--I don't have time to wait for the anesthetic to work!"
The dentist thought to himself, "My goodness--this sure is a brave man, asking to pull his tooth without using anything to kill the pain."
So the dentist asked him, "Which tooth is it, sir?"
The man turned to his wife and said, "Open your mouth, Honey, and show the doctor which tooth hurts."
The dentist thought to himself, "My goodness--this sure is a brave man, asking to pull his tooth without using anything to kill the pain."
So the dentist asked him, "Which tooth is it, sir?"
The man turned to his wife and said, "Open your mouth, Honey, and show the doctor which tooth hurts."
August 14, 2005
Three War Soldier
David Allen was an ordinary man of his times. His life was extraordinary by our standards. Born in Clinton County Indiana on March 15, 1843, Allen was 18 when he enlisted in the 10th Indiana Infantry at the beginning of The Civil War. He served through the three-month call-up and then reenlisted for the duration in the same regiment.
Allen served as an aide-de camp to Generals Steadman, Scoefield, and Brannon. He was severely wounded at Chickamauga as a second lieutenant of Company C, 10th Indiana.
The next 30 years saw Allen succeed in business; he helped found a bank and a railroad. He dabbled in politics. When the War with Spain loomed he began organizing the men of Clinton County. They formed a militia and then got themselves assigned to the 2nd Regiment, Indiana National Guard. When the telegram was sent from President McKinley calling out the National Guard, Allen was ready; his men jumped aboard the Monon train to Indianapolis by 6:00 am, arriving at Camp Morton (the current State Fairgrounds) before anyone else. The men climbed the fence and were setting up their tents when the Colonel of the 2nd, Harry Smith, arrived. The Unit was mustered into US service as the 158th Indiana Volunteer Regiment. Allen was named captain of Company C. The troops were sent to Camp Thomas at Chickamauga. The 158th were slated for the invasion of Puerto Rico, but scrubbed at the last minute. The troops mustered out and went home when the Spanish surrendered.
Less than a year later, as the Philippine Insurrection continued, Allen led 200 men from his native county to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. There he was told that the long-standing practice of forming regiments and companies from geographical areas was being abandoned. Allen was livid, he made a nuisance of himself until a company of his contingent was mustered as Company I 38th US Volunteers. This was the last time a company would be formed from local men. Those from AllenÂ’s group of more than 200 men enlisted in other regiments or companies. Many were sent to China to quell the Boxer Rebellion.
Allen and the 38th Infantry saw significant action in the Philippines. They fought several actions around Batangas Province, and battledinsurgentss andguerrillass. Allen and the rest returned in 1901. Major Allen died in 1911, a veteran of three wars. David F. Allen of Frankfort, Clinton County, Indiana was a true hero.
My great-grandfather, whose portrait in his Span Am uniform graces the wall of my office, was one of the men who traveled with Allen to St. Louis and served in Company I, 38th United States Volunteer Infantry.
Allen served as an aide-de camp to Generals Steadman, Scoefield, and Brannon. He was severely wounded at Chickamauga as a second lieutenant of Company C, 10th Indiana.
The next 30 years saw Allen succeed in business; he helped found a bank and a railroad. He dabbled in politics. When the War with Spain loomed he began organizing the men of Clinton County. They formed a militia and then got themselves assigned to the 2nd Regiment, Indiana National Guard. When the telegram was sent from President McKinley calling out the National Guard, Allen was ready; his men jumped aboard the Monon train to Indianapolis by 6:00 am, arriving at Camp Morton (the current State Fairgrounds) before anyone else. The men climbed the fence and were setting up their tents when the Colonel of the 2nd, Harry Smith, arrived. The Unit was mustered into US service as the 158th Indiana Volunteer Regiment. Allen was named captain of Company C. The troops were sent to Camp Thomas at Chickamauga. The 158th were slated for the invasion of Puerto Rico, but scrubbed at the last minute. The troops mustered out and went home when the Spanish surrendered.
Less than a year later, as the Philippine Insurrection continued, Allen led 200 men from his native county to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. There he was told that the long-standing practice of forming regiments and companies from geographical areas was being abandoned. Allen was livid, he made a nuisance of himself until a company of his contingent was mustered as Company I 38th US Volunteers. This was the last time a company would be formed from local men. Those from AllenÂ’s group of more than 200 men enlisted in other regiments or companies. Many were sent to China to quell the Boxer Rebellion.
Allen and the 38th Infantry saw significant action in the Philippines. They fought several actions around Batangas Province, and battledinsurgentss andguerrillass. Allen and the rest returned in 1901. Major Allen died in 1911, a veteran of three wars. David F. Allen of Frankfort, Clinton County, Indiana was a true hero.
My great-grandfather, whose portrait in his Span Am uniform graces the wall of my office, was one of the men who traveled with Allen to St. Louis and served in Company I, 38th United States Volunteer Infantry.
August 13, 2005
Bathroom etiquette, or please rip out my eyes
The wife and I went to see The Dukes of Hazard last night, All three kids were gone, and we were bored. We had seen nearly everything else playing at the Old Cineplex, so that was about our only choice.
The movie was exactly what you would expect. I had never seen the TV show, so I am not sure if the plot was reworked, original, etc. Jessica Simpson looks good, but she could not act her way out of a paper bag.
Anyway, this post is not intended to be a movie review. I want to talk about what came after. I headed to the head to get rid of my $5.00 of coke. I was standing at the urinal when this piece of white trash, maybe in his late 20s or early 30s comes in a moves to the urinal right next to me. This, I should not have to say, is bad etiquette since there were other urinals open. He proceeded to drop his pants, boxers, everything. He stood at the urinal, pants around his ankles and took a piss. His big ole' white ass shining for the world to see. As I headed to wash my hands he farted a nasty wet-sounding cloud of methane. As I headed out the door, he was still standing there, left arm in the air while his right hand dug at the armpit. Crab hunting? [insert here shudder].
I guess I never watched the Dukes of Hazard when it made its run on TV because I could see white trash rednecks all around me (and sometimes right in the mirror!).
The movie was exactly what you would expect. I had never seen the TV show, so I am not sure if the plot was reworked, original, etc. Jessica Simpson looks good, but she could not act her way out of a paper bag.
Anyway, this post is not intended to be a movie review. I want to talk about what came after. I headed to the head to get rid of my $5.00 of coke. I was standing at the urinal when this piece of white trash, maybe in his late 20s or early 30s comes in a moves to the urinal right next to me. This, I should not have to say, is bad etiquette since there were other urinals open. He proceeded to drop his pants, boxers, everything. He stood at the urinal, pants around his ankles and took a piss. His big ole' white ass shining for the world to see. As I headed to wash my hands he farted a nasty wet-sounding cloud of methane. As I headed out the door, he was still standing there, left arm in the air while his right hand dug at the armpit. Crab hunting? [insert here shudder].
I guess I never watched the Dukes of Hazard when it made its run on TV because I could see white trash rednecks all around me (and sometimes right in the mirror!).
I saw a man...
There was this man who lost one of his arms in an accident. He became very depressed because he had loved to play guitar and a lot of things that took two arms.
One day he could not stand it anymore. He decided to commit suicide. He got on an elevator and went to the top of a tall building to jump off. He was standing on the ledge looking down and saw this man on the sidewalk below skipping along whistling and kicking up his heels. He looked closer and noticed this man didn't have any arms at all.
He started thinking, what am I doing up here feeling sorry for myself, I still have one good arm to do things with. There goes a man with no arms skipping down the sidewalk happy and going on with his life.
He hurried down and caught the man with no arms. He told him how glad he was to see him because he had lost one of his arms and felt ugly, useless and was going to kill himself. He thanked him again for saving his life and he now knew he could make it with one arm if that guy could do it with no arms. The man with no arms began dancing and whistling and kicking up his heels again.
He asked "Why are you so happy anyway?"
He said "I'm NOT happy; my ass itches."
One day he could not stand it anymore. He decided to commit suicide. He got on an elevator and went to the top of a tall building to jump off. He was standing on the ledge looking down and saw this man on the sidewalk below skipping along whistling and kicking up his heels. He looked closer and noticed this man didn't have any arms at all.
He started thinking, what am I doing up here feeling sorry for myself, I still have one good arm to do things with. There goes a man with no arms skipping down the sidewalk happy and going on with his life.
He hurried down and caught the man with no arms. He told him how glad he was to see him because he had lost one of his arms and felt ugly, useless and was going to kill himself. He thanked him again for saving his life and he now knew he could make it with one arm if that guy could do it with no arms. The man with no arms began dancing and whistling and kicking up his heels again.
He asked "Why are you so happy anyway?"
He said "I'm NOT happy; my ass itches."
August 12, 2005
Marines
1. Go read this at momamontezz's place.
2.My kind of Marine
As the crowded airliner is about to take off, the peace is shattered by a five-year-old boy who picks that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother does to try to calm him down the boy continues to scream furiously and kick the seats around him. Suddenly, from the rear of the plane, a man in a U.S. Marine Corps uniform is seen slowly walking forward up the aisle. Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand, the courtly, soft-spoken Marine leans down and, motioning toward his chest, whispers something into the boy's ear. Instantly, the boy calms down, gently takes his mother's hand, and quietly fastens his seat belt. All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause. As the Marine slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants touches his sleeve. "Excuse me, sir," she ask quietly, "but could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?" The Marine smiles serenely and gently confides, "I showed him my pilot's wings, service stars, and battle ribbons, and explained that they entitle me to throw one passenger out the plane door, on any flight I choose, and that I was just about to make my selection for this flight."
2.My kind of Marine
As the crowded airliner is about to take off, the peace is shattered by a five-year-old boy who picks that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother does to try to calm him down the boy continues to scream furiously and kick the seats around him. Suddenly, from the rear of the plane, a man in a U.S. Marine Corps uniform is seen slowly walking forward up the aisle. Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand, the courtly, soft-spoken Marine leans down and, motioning toward his chest, whispers something into the boy's ear. Instantly, the boy calms down, gently takes his mother's hand, and quietly fastens his seat belt. All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause. As the Marine slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants touches his sleeve. "Excuse me, sir," she ask quietly, "but could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?" The Marine smiles serenely and gently confides, "I showed him my pilot's wings, service stars, and battle ribbons, and explained that they entitle me to throw one passenger out the plane door, on any flight I choose, and that I was just about to make my selection for this flight."
August 11, 2005
Impeach Breyer
Justice Breyer must be immediately impeached. He has publicly admitted he not only knowingly makes wrong decisions, he uses documents other than the US Constitution when deciding cases. He has sworn an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Subverting the Constitution in favor of "world law" is a violation of that oath.
Taking his vacation home is not enough. He should immediately resign or Congress should begin impeachment hearings as soon as they return from recess. Step up, now is the time to show who in the US Government backs the rule of law.
I beg, I implore, someone take charge and remove this sack of shit from a position of power.
Taking his vacation home is not enough. He should immediately resign or Congress should begin impeachment hearings as soon as they return from recess. Step up, now is the time to show who in the US Government backs the rule of law.
I beg, I implore, someone take charge and remove this sack of shit from a position of power.
Open Letter to T. Owens
Dear Mr. Owens,
With all due respect (not much is due I am afraid) please go away. Be quiet. Shut up.
YOU signed the seven year contract with the Eagles. If you were not aware of the contract's contents, you should have asked or hired a representative to explain it to you. If you want to be paid based upon your previous year's work, you should have only asked for a one year contract. If you had a shitty year, I am sure you would ask for less salary the following year, right?
Your family is not starving, you are not asking for more pay in order to "put food on your table".
Everyone is sick of your poisonous attitude. You, sir, represent nearly everything that is wrong with professional sports. If you think you should be paid like other professionals at your position, try acting a little more professional. Marvin Harrison does, and he is paid accordingly. Until then, I do not want to see you do sit-ups. Just go away. Forever.
I not the one to do it.
Would someone please tell my wife she is substandard, below average, dragging down the numbers?
I would like to live, else I would do it myself.
I would like to live, else I would do it myself.
Oh my aren't we the stubborn one.
I will be the last to admit am a bit stubborn. I have been called a bulldog. I get an issue in my teeth and hold on until I win, or you give up. As you might see by reading the posts on this site I like to be right. I like to have acknowledgement that I am right.
I do not give up easily. I will not let two of my favorite blogs defeat me. I will continue checking you, Rachel Lucas, every day. Your gackles will not wear me down. You Queenie, one of my favorite spots, want to humble me into submission by a blank page. Your lack of posts is like a flash of milky white thigh, I have to have more. Hah, I laugh at you both. I will click on the link every day until you post or the site disappears. I have checked the Infidel every day for 85 days. I will still be there 85 days from now. Queenie, I dream of you.
I want to be perfectly clear, this post is in NO WAY A CONDEMNATION of those who no longer blog. What they do with their time is none of my business. What they do or do not post is of no consequence to me. I will not give up on you, I enjoy your writings, I will be here if you ever come back. That's me, outside in the bushes checking out the your blog to see if I can catch a glimpse of anything new. Do not be alarmed.
I do not give up easily. I will not let two of my favorite blogs defeat me. I will continue checking you, Rachel Lucas, every day. Your gackles will not wear me down. You Queenie, one of my favorite spots, want to humble me into submission by a blank page. Your lack of posts is like a flash of milky white thigh, I have to have more. Hah, I laugh at you both. I will click on the link every day until you post or the site disappears. I have checked the Infidel every day for 85 days. I will still be there 85 days from now. Queenie, I dream of you.
I want to be perfectly clear, this post is in NO WAY A CONDEMNATION of those who no longer blog. What they do with their time is none of my business. What they do or do not post is of no consequence to me. I will not give up on you, I enjoy your writings, I will be here if you ever come back. That's me, outside in the bushes checking out the your blog to see if I can catch a glimpse of anything new. Do not be alarmed.
August 10, 2005
The DaVinci Code
According to the Today Show, Christian groups are already in a tizzy over the upcoming movie based on the bestseller The DaVinci Code. I have read the book and here is what I have to say:
Get a life, people. You see, the book is FICTION. The author says so. The Library of Congress says so, and so will your local bookseller. If you do not like what the book says, do not read it. If you do not like the plot, do not see the movie. If you honestly believe this movie will do irreparable harm to Christianity, you have little faith. If you believe this movie will cause some individuals to no longer believe, that person was on the edge already. Those who want the film stopped are no different than the crazy Mooselimbs who wanted to kill Rushdie over his book about Islam (The Satanic Verses). It is just a book/movie.
I read the book, it was entertaining. It did not cause me to change my beliefs in any way. Listen up. Those aliens that attacked in War of the Worlds -- fiction, it did not happen. That little girl who pissed on the floor in The Exorcist -- was not possessed by the Devil. The dude did not knock out all the lights in The Natural. No one comes from a cornfield to play ball. All policemen are not in the employ of the Mob, no matter what you saw in The Godfather movies. The Blues Brothers did not save an orphanage. THESE ARE ALL FICTION. So is the DaVinci Code. See it or don't, but it is of no interest to you to make it more "Christian friendly" or to stage elaborate boycotts. Relax, move on, nothing to worry about here.
Get a life, people. You see, the book is FICTION. The author says so. The Library of Congress says so, and so will your local bookseller. If you do not like what the book says, do not read it. If you do not like the plot, do not see the movie. If you honestly believe this movie will do irreparable harm to Christianity, you have little faith. If you believe this movie will cause some individuals to no longer believe, that person was on the edge already. Those who want the film stopped are no different than the crazy Mooselimbs who wanted to kill Rushdie over his book about Islam (The Satanic Verses). It is just a book/movie.
I read the book, it was entertaining. It did not cause me to change my beliefs in any way. Listen up. Those aliens that attacked in War of the Worlds -- fiction, it did not happen. That little girl who pissed on the floor in The Exorcist -- was not possessed by the Devil. The dude did not knock out all the lights in The Natural. No one comes from a cornfield to play ball. All policemen are not in the employ of the Mob, no matter what you saw in The Godfather movies. The Blues Brothers did not save an orphanage. THESE ARE ALL FICTION. So is the DaVinci Code. See it or don't, but it is of no interest to you to make it more "Christian friendly" or to stage elaborate boycotts. Relax, move on, nothing to worry about here.
August 9, 2005
Message to my readers.
Thought For The Day
"Good looks catch the eye but a GOOD personality catches the heart. You're blessed with both!"
Don't be flattered, this message was sent to ME!!
I just wanted YOU to read it. bwahahahahahaha
"Good looks catch the eye but a GOOD personality catches the heart. You're blessed with both!"
Don't be flattered, this message was sent to ME!!
I just wanted YOU to read it. bwahahahahahaha
Legend of a Mind
Timothy leary's dead.
No, no, no, no, he's outside looking in.
Timothy leary's dead.
No, no, no, no, he's outside looking in.
He'll fly his astral plane,
Takes you trips around the bay,
Brings you back the same day,
Timothy leary. timothy leary.
He'll take you up, he'll bring you down,
He'll plant your feet back on the ground.
He'll fly so high, he'll swoop so low.
Timothy leary.
He'll fly his astral plane.
He'll take you trips around the bay.
He'll bring you back the same day.
Timothy leary. timothy leary.
Timothy leary. timothy leary.
Timothy leary.
MOODY BLUES
This song has been stuck in my head for three days now. I have tried singing it aloud. I have listened to it repeatedly. It is all to no avail; the song swims in my gray matter endlessly. I hear it now. Maybe writing about it will help.
When I was in college I read Timothy Leary's autobiography. It was self-aggrandizing bullshit, the showman, the hype, the "look at me now swagger" of a twelve year old. That was Leary to the end, making a buck off of his trademark phrase "Tune in, Turn on and Drop out".
Leary will be forever known for his advocacy for psychedelic drugs, the poster boy for liberal leftist hippies. He was flown in as a special guest to Woodstock. He was a friend of Abbie Hoffman, Jack Kerouac and others.
The amazing thing about Leary was that in spite of his love for acid, for the image of the 60's godfather, he was an unabashed capitalist. He had no qualms making a buck touring with his one time nemisis -- G. Gordan Liddy (the first prosecutor to arrest Leary for drug crimes). He made money off his books. Some say he was a paid CIA informant. In the end Leary was unabashed Liberatarian:
Many modern liberals, I now suggested, might agree with him about certain aspects of his pro-liberty philosophy and not others. He was aggressively dismissive of such people. "That's basically socialist, communist, totalitarian. The so-called liberal is totalitarian. Even more so now. [Even] back in the '60s, so-called liberal left-wing magazines were very opposed to psychedelics."
He sure knew who the enemy was didn't he? Whatever you think about Timothy Leary, he sure is dead now, his ashes sent to space along with Gene Roddenberry. In any event that damn song remains pounding in my brainpan.
Of soldiers and their mothers
Reader Teresa's son leaves today for basic training to become an MP. She is justifiably concerned. Take time to let her know we are all proud of her son's service to our country. Please say prayer for them both, if you are so inclined.
August 8, 2005
All this pumping makes my arm sore
For the past 15 years I have purchased the majority of my gasoline from a Shell station down the street. It is the closest to my house, and most convenient. No more will they get my hard earned pennies. I am a rare breed I suppose, I like to use cash on occasion. Now they insist I pay them before I pump. Screw that. I usually fill up my gas guzzling SUV. I have no idea what it is going to cost. I do not want to make two trips into the store so I can pay, and then get change if I overpaid. Today I bought a mere $20, and told the cashier that he should tell his owners that they lost an additional $20 in sales today, and any future business I have.
While I was there I saw two other cars pull to the pump, see the sign and leave. I am sure this new policy is because some asswipe stole gas, pumping and jumping. That sucks for the owners. But riddle this -- how much business did that one tank cost those very owners by instituting the draconian response?
The loss of my hundred plus dollars a month will no doubt have little impact on the bottom line for the owners of this station. The new inheritors of my gas pumping largesse will likewise never acknowledge their windfall. I, however, will sleep well knowing I did what I could to punish those who do not appreciate earning my business and fail to trust me.
While I was there I saw two other cars pull to the pump, see the sign and leave. I am sure this new policy is because some asswipe stole gas, pumping and jumping. That sucks for the owners. But riddle this -- how much business did that one tank cost those very owners by instituting the draconian response?
The loss of my hundred plus dollars a month will no doubt have little impact on the bottom line for the owners of this station. The new inheritors of my gas pumping largesse will likewise never acknowledge their windfall. I, however, will sleep well knowing I did what I could to punish those who do not appreciate earning my business and fail to trust me.
Truman
Alli has a very nice post on the dropping of the Bomb on Japan. Of course the usual trolls showed up to claim that it was all unnecessary, Truman...blah blah blah.
Truman will not be treated kindly by history. He continued the disastrous policies of FDR by kissing Stalin's hairy behind. He gave away Eastern Europe. He gave us the Marshall plan, Korea, etc. etc. etc., as the King of Siam would say.
My Grandfather was in the Navy in WWII. After boot camp he was sent for infantry training. He was issued Marine gear. He was to be part of the invasion force for the assault on fortress Japan. He was thankful Truman dropped the "Big One".
There are plenty of revisionists who claim that it was the US' fault that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. These are the same people that think we had it coming on 9/11. These same intellects also believe that Japan was going to surrender peacefully if we would just wait, no more soldiers, sailors, or marines needed to die. I guess that is why the Japanese were still fighting in the Philippines, in China, on the Ryukyu Islands, in Southeast Asia? Their everlasting commitment to surrendering to the US was patently obvious, that is why it took TWO fucking bombs to get them to capitulate!
The Emperor wanted to quit. Tojo and his junta had no interest in surrender. To surrender was the greatest dishonor according to the Bushido code. The Americans who surrendered on Makin Island early in the war were beheaded, because they were unworthy of respectful treatment. The prisoners were beheaded in Bushido tradition on Kwajalein at the order of Vice Admiral Abe to Lt. Commander Hisakichi Naiki. The Japanese saw no problem with treating our POWs as lower than whale turds, that is how the Japanese viewed them -- less than men and dishonored.
It is clear that those in control of Japan intended to fight to the death in defense of the home islands. Would there be a million casualties? Who knows, but if you extrapolate the numbers from Okinawa and Iwo Jima, the estimate could be accurate. No amount of mining of the harbors, or embargoes would have worked. The island of Japan had been cut of from many of its sources of supply for months (that very lack of resources was the primary cause of Japan's pan-Asian philosophy that led to the war). Similar "surrounding" of Okinawa, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, and Yap had little or no effect. We only removed the stiff Japanese resistance by force. The United States forces were surrounded, outnumbered and doomed to defeat at Wake Island and at Midway, but they did not surrender without a fight either!
It is Ok to disagree with Alli's position, but to attack without facts makes the trolls like jb and others the uneducated fools they appear to be.
Yeah, Alli, I know you do not need me to defend you. You have responded eloquently and effectively to these nitwits, but I had to get in my two cents, and did not think it right to take up your entire blog with this response. Thanks in advance for your indulgence.
Truman will not be treated kindly by history. He continued the disastrous policies of FDR by kissing Stalin's hairy behind. He gave away Eastern Europe. He gave us the Marshall plan, Korea, etc. etc. etc., as the King of Siam would say.
My Grandfather was in the Navy in WWII. After boot camp he was sent for infantry training. He was issued Marine gear. He was to be part of the invasion force for the assault on fortress Japan. He was thankful Truman dropped the "Big One".
There are plenty of revisionists who claim that it was the US' fault that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. These are the same people that think we had it coming on 9/11. These same intellects also believe that Japan was going to surrender peacefully if we would just wait, no more soldiers, sailors, or marines needed to die. I guess that is why the Japanese were still fighting in the Philippines, in China, on the Ryukyu Islands, in Southeast Asia? Their everlasting commitment to surrendering to the US was patently obvious, that is why it took TWO fucking bombs to get them to capitulate!
The Emperor wanted to quit. Tojo and his junta had no interest in surrender. To surrender was the greatest dishonor according to the Bushido code. The Americans who surrendered on Makin Island early in the war were beheaded, because they were unworthy of respectful treatment. The prisoners were beheaded in Bushido tradition on Kwajalein at the order of Vice Admiral Abe to Lt. Commander Hisakichi Naiki. The Japanese saw no problem with treating our POWs as lower than whale turds, that is how the Japanese viewed them -- less than men and dishonored.
It is clear that those in control of Japan intended to fight to the death in defense of the home islands. Would there be a million casualties? Who knows, but if you extrapolate the numbers from Okinawa and Iwo Jima, the estimate could be accurate. No amount of mining of the harbors, or embargoes would have worked. The island of Japan had been cut of from many of its sources of supply for months (that very lack of resources was the primary cause of Japan's pan-Asian philosophy that led to the war). Similar "surrounding" of Okinawa, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, and Yap had little or no effect. We only removed the stiff Japanese resistance by force. The United States forces were surrounded, outnumbered and doomed to defeat at Wake Island and at Midway, but they did not surrender without a fight either!
It is Ok to disagree with Alli's position, but to attack without facts makes the trolls like jb and others the uneducated fools they appear to be.
Yeah, Alli, I know you do not need me to defend you. You have responded eloquently and effectively to these nitwits, but I had to get in my two cents, and did not think it right to take up your entire blog with this response. Thanks in advance for your indulgence.
There must be sumpin in the water
Apparently I am not the only one who is contemplating blogging and why I do it. Grampapinhead has a nice essay and roundup of what others are saying.
August 7, 2005
Bring it on
About one year ago I read my first blog. Up to that point I had no idea what a "blog" was. Vox Day's site was my first. I followed his links the Grouchy Old Cripple and others. I soon found the DuToits (both) and Acidman and others that became my daily reads. I had suddenly found a whole new world. There were actually people out there who thought like me. There was a free flow of ideas, opinion, facts, and yes, bullshit. I could read and discuss at will. Suddenly I was back in College having meaningful discussions, hearing the opinions of educated and uneducated folks alike.
I rarely commented on others blogs. I always felt that if I had nothing meaningful to add to the discussion, I should not waste people's time or bandwidth. Eventually I formed the opinion that I should just begin my own blog to have an outlet for my opinions, rage, thoughts of the day. Thus Fat in Indiana was born.
The title is a play on words. I am overweight, but not obese. The 'Fat' pertains more to the alternate meaning -- content, happy. I sign myself as Hoosierboy, not because I am a fan of the Indiana Hoosiers, but rather as an indication of my pride in my native state. My ancestors were among the first settlers in the Hoosier heartland, and I suppose I will live my life here.
I started the blog in March of this year. Apparently, so did a lot of other people. After just a few posts I got my first regular reader -- Alli at Ranting Fox. She was the first to bogroll me and offer encouragement. I am not sure I would have kept it up without her support. Since then, many others have offered links, help and support, like Og, Grampapinhead, and YOU (I mean it, I would not/could not leave YOU out). If I did not mention your name specifically, it in no way lessens my esteem and thanks.
I still do not comment often on other blogs. I prefer to post my opinions here. I am trying to change that practice, but I have a hard time being witty, pithy and original when I do not have anything to add to the discussion. I have discovered one fact. I love comments on my posts. I enjoy almost more than anything a good argument. I have been known, in my younger days, to take the opposite side of a discussion just so I could argue! I welcome Breezy, Teresa and other commenters who dissent from my opinions because I crave the discussion. Too bad they often disappear just when things get fun. Argue with me, tell me I am full of crap. Just be ready to back it up with facts and logic. If you agree with me, tell me. I look forward to the words of encouragement and kindness I find in my comments; Hell, we all like our egos stroked now and then. I find it especially gratifying when you think enough of my writing to blogroll me, or even better, provide a link. I take it as the highest compliment.
Some days I feel like Blanche DuBois, "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers". Each day I turn on the computer to see who has visited me. It is the best part of my day. Somehow my blog friends are no longer strangers. You have let me see your thoughts, your happiness, your sadness, and a glimpse into your life. You have allowed me to share my pain as loved ones have died, and others fought devastating illness. You have allowed me to share the jokes I used to tell my coworkers before I worked alone. You have soaked up my rage towards leftists, terrorists, and those who do not have our county's best interest at heart.
I want to say thank you to my loyal readers, thank you to my new readers, thank you to my occasional readers. Bring it on, tell me what you think. I don't care how much comment space you need, if you think I am wrong, tell me. I will be glad to set you straight.
I rarely commented on others blogs. I always felt that if I had nothing meaningful to add to the discussion, I should not waste people's time or bandwidth. Eventually I formed the opinion that I should just begin my own blog to have an outlet for my opinions, rage, thoughts of the day. Thus Fat in Indiana was born.
The title is a play on words. I am overweight, but not obese. The 'Fat' pertains more to the alternate meaning -- content, happy. I sign myself as Hoosierboy, not because I am a fan of the Indiana Hoosiers, but rather as an indication of my pride in my native state. My ancestors were among the first settlers in the Hoosier heartland, and I suppose I will live my life here.
I started the blog in March of this year. Apparently, so did a lot of other people. After just a few posts I got my first regular reader -- Alli at Ranting Fox. She was the first to bogroll me and offer encouragement. I am not sure I would have kept it up without her support. Since then, many others have offered links, help and support, like Og, Grampapinhead, and YOU (I mean it, I would not/could not leave YOU out). If I did not mention your name specifically, it in no way lessens my esteem and thanks.
I still do not comment often on other blogs. I prefer to post my opinions here. I am trying to change that practice, but I have a hard time being witty, pithy and original when I do not have anything to add to the discussion. I have discovered one fact. I love comments on my posts. I enjoy almost more than anything a good argument. I have been known, in my younger days, to take the opposite side of a discussion just so I could argue! I welcome Breezy, Teresa and other commenters who dissent from my opinions because I crave the discussion. Too bad they often disappear just when things get fun. Argue with me, tell me I am full of crap. Just be ready to back it up with facts and logic. If you agree with me, tell me. I look forward to the words of encouragement and kindness I find in my comments; Hell, we all like our egos stroked now and then. I find it especially gratifying when you think enough of my writing to blogroll me, or even better, provide a link. I take it as the highest compliment.
Some days I feel like Blanche DuBois, "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers". Each day I turn on the computer to see who has visited me. It is the best part of my day. Somehow my blog friends are no longer strangers. You have let me see your thoughts, your happiness, your sadness, and a glimpse into your life. You have allowed me to share my pain as loved ones have died, and others fought devastating illness. You have allowed me to share the jokes I used to tell my coworkers before I worked alone. You have soaked up my rage towards leftists, terrorists, and those who do not have our county's best interest at heart.
I want to say thank you to my loyal readers, thank you to my new readers, thank you to my occasional readers. Bring it on, tell me what you think. I don't care how much comment space you need, if you think I am wrong, tell me. I will be glad to set you straight.
August 6, 2005
Damn you, Jeff Harrell
If I were a talented writer, erudite, smart, a true wordsmith, this is what I would have said. I am jealous, but I have the sack to point out true genius when I read it. We are in a war to the end with Muslim fanatics. We will not lose. Go read the post, you will agree with him, and with me.
August 5, 2005
Screw you NCAA (or am I allowed to use those letters in that combination without paying you a fee?)
Once again Political Correctness has run out of control. It is no secret that America's Colleges and Universities are among the most Liberal, Left leaning bastions remaining. Colleges are all for Politically Correct Speech (as long as it is "liberal and left leaning). Now the NCAA has decided what is best for everyone by banning "hostile mascots".
"The NCAAA's executive committee decided this week the organization did not have the authority to bar Indian mascots by individual schools, committee chairman Walter Harrison said today in Indianapolis...'What each institution decides to do is really its own business outside NCAA championship events.'"
How long do you think this will last? It is only a matter of time before the NCAA insists these mascots and nicknames are gone forever. This body has gone so far as to control how you say their name, refer to their tournaments, and has tried to drive competing tournaments out of business. Now they want to tell member schools how to refer to themselves? Some individuals are not offended by Indian nicknames, are we to tell them to piss up a rope?
Is it the NCAA's ideal that all the teams have stupid names like the "Red Storm" or "Golden Eagles" WTF? Do we need more bears, bobcats, and lions? Aren't there enough tigers, spartans, owls, and bulls? Will Notre Dame have to change its mascot -- "Fighting Irish" has a negative connotation? Will PETA protest because depicting animals as vicious and aggressive violates the animals' rights? After all a grizzly bear is just protecting its territory and cubs! The label "Giants" makes fun of persons with growth hormone problems. My high school nickname "Hot Dogs" likely will offend vegetarians. Is there a single mascot out there that is not offensive to someone or so stupid that no one gets it (again "red storm")?
Where will it end? How far do we have to go to make sure no one is ever again offended or made to feel uncomfortable in this society? Can we point out that all suicide / homicide bombers since 9/11 have been Muslims? Can we state that some kids are dumb; that some homeless people are just bums and like it that way? The First Amendment gives us the right to say what we think. It does not mean we have to like what others say. Give it a rest. Indians/Native Americans/indigenous peoples, whatever, your stereotype is a brave, fighting, worthy foe. Did it occur to you that maybe the nicknames are an honor? Kiss my ass NCAA.
It is all about the Border
Via Right Wing Rocker read Kathleen Parker's article about Hilary Clinton. One paragraph leaped off the page:
I ask again, please explain to me again why we are not closing our borders? We are busy making sure the old lady in front of me has to remove her sandals and is checked thoroughly in person and bagagage at the airport*, but letting thousands cross our borders unchecked daily. WHY IS THIS?
*I saw this happen on Wednesday -- she was about 70, and she was the "target" of the day.
To date, some 1 million non-Mexicans have entered the U.S. through Mexico, of which about 700,000 have disappeared, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News. No one knows how many might be terrorists, though rough estimates are that about 70,000 of those non-Mexicans are Saudis between the ages of 18 and 34. Ponder that as you abhor racial profiling and replenish your stores of duct tape.(emphasis mine)
I ask again, please explain to me again why we are not closing our borders? We are busy making sure the old lady in front of me has to remove her sandals and is checked thoroughly in person and bagagage at the airport*, but letting thousands cross our borders unchecked daily. WHY IS THIS?
*I saw this happen on Wednesday -- she was about 70, and she was the "target" of the day.
You Are Guilty Too
Come on, I know you have done it. We are all guilty. I just bet you have never done on the scale of the Neanderthal
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link fixed
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link fixed
August 4, 2005
It is no wonder the citizens hate the government
Here are a few facts to consider:
The Tea Act which led to the "Boston Tea Party" imposed a tax of 3% on tea. This was one of the catalysts for the American Revolution.
The Stamp Act imposed fees for government documents
This was one of the most hated and unjust Acts of Parliament and helped fuel the beginnings of the Revolution.
I want to state at the beginning of this post that I screwed up, all the things I am about to bitch about are MY FAULT. I don't want to see that obvious fact bandied about in the comments. Mea fucking culpa, OK?
I forgot to renew the plates on my daughter's car. Brain fart, old age, I just spaced it. She was pulled over and TICKETED. I think that this is Mickey Mouse horseshit, but she (I) broke the law. In my mind this is one of those issues like a busted headlight, etc., you should have x many days to fix the problem. This should not be a traffic ticket item. The policeman gave her a ticket, threatened to have the car impounded, gave her hard time, was a dick about it. In the end, I will pay the fine, I made the mistake, even if I think it is ridiculous.
I went to pay the fine today --$106.50. Here is a breakdown of the charges:
Court Cost $70.00
{State Court 49.00
County Court 18.90
City Court 2.10}
Law enforcement fee $3.00
Jury Fee $2.00
Hwy Work Zone $0.50
Auto record fee $7.00
Doc storage fee $2.00
Public Def. Fee $3.00
Judicial Insurance $1.00
Judicial Salary Fee $15.00
DNA Sample Proc Fee $1.00
Court Admin Fee $2.00
Total $106.50
As you can see for driving on expired plates I was charged $106.50 in fees and costs, BUT NO FINE. I paid for city, county and state court costs, but how can it be all three? I should be charged in the State, or the county, or the city, but why should I pay for all three? There was no jury why should I pay jury fees? Why is there a highway work zone fee? The "offense" did not take place in a work zone. A charge to keep a record and to store it? Is there a difference? The "record" is stored on a computer. There was not a lawyer or public defender involved, why do I pay that fee? They raise the judges' insurance, so I get to pay for that as well?
Some lawyers want to be judges. They do not make as much as their ambulance chasing buddies so they demand a raise. Charge an extra $15 on every ticket. Why do I have top pay to process a DNA sample that was never taken, never asked for and certainly not needed?
In the end, I do not have a problem paying the court cost (one of them), the law enforcement fee (although I am double charged since I already paid the officer from my taxes), and the court administration fee. I would not even mind paying a small fine ($15 is probably appropriate, although the BMV charged $5.00 already).
The end result was I was ripped off by fees and hidden taxes to the tune of $80.00. Our forefathers started a Revolution because they thought the Government was sucking money from them at the outrageous rate of 6 cents for creating a court document and 3% tax on tea. I forget to go get my equivalent of the "Stamp" and the state and local governments charge my 106 bucks! The Federal, State, and Local Governments are stealing almost half of our hard earned dollars every year. Still they complain they need more. How long are we going to take it?
The Tea Act which led to the "Boston Tea Party" imposed a tax of 3% on tea. This was one of the catalysts for the American Revolution.
The Stamp Act imposed fees for government documents
For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper, on which shall be engrossed, written, or printed, any affidavit, common bail, or appearance, interrogatory, deposition, rule, order or warrant of any court, or any dedimus potestatem, capias subpoena, summons, compulsory citation, commission, recognizance, or any other writ, process, or mandate, issuing out of, or returnable into, any court, or any office belonging thereto, or any other proceeding therein whatsoever, or any copy thereof, or of any record not herein before charged, within the said colonies and plantations (except warrants relating to criminal matters, and proceedings thereon, or relating thereto), a stamp duty of one shilling
This was one of the most hated and unjust Acts of Parliament and helped fuel the beginnings of the Revolution.
I want to state at the beginning of this post that I screwed up, all the things I am about to bitch about are MY FAULT. I don't want to see that obvious fact bandied about in the comments. Mea fucking culpa, OK?
I forgot to renew the plates on my daughter's car. Brain fart, old age, I just spaced it. She was pulled over and TICKETED. I think that this is Mickey Mouse horseshit, but she (I) broke the law. In my mind this is one of those issues like a busted headlight, etc., you should have x many days to fix the problem. This should not be a traffic ticket item. The policeman gave her a ticket, threatened to have the car impounded, gave her hard time, was a dick about it. In the end, I will pay the fine, I made the mistake, even if I think it is ridiculous.
I went to pay the fine today --$106.50. Here is a breakdown of the charges:
Court Cost $70.00
{State Court 49.00
County Court 18.90
City Court 2.10}
Law enforcement fee $3.00
Jury Fee $2.00
Hwy Work Zone $0.50
Auto record fee $7.00
Doc storage fee $2.00
Public Def. Fee $3.00
Judicial Insurance $1.00
Judicial Salary Fee $15.00
DNA Sample Proc Fee $1.00
Court Admin Fee $2.00
Total $106.50
As you can see for driving on expired plates I was charged $106.50 in fees and costs, BUT NO FINE. I paid for city, county and state court costs, but how can it be all three? I should be charged in the State, or the county, or the city, but why should I pay for all three? There was no jury why should I pay jury fees? Why is there a highway work zone fee? The "offense" did not take place in a work zone. A charge to keep a record and to store it? Is there a difference? The "record" is stored on a computer. There was not a lawyer or public defender involved, why do I pay that fee? They raise the judges' insurance, so I get to pay for that as well?
Some lawyers want to be judges. They do not make as much as their ambulance chasing buddies so they demand a raise. Charge an extra $15 on every ticket. Why do I have top pay to process a DNA sample that was never taken, never asked for and certainly not needed?
In the end, I do not have a problem paying the court cost (one of them), the law enforcement fee (although I am double charged since I already paid the officer from my taxes), and the court administration fee. I would not even mind paying a small fine ($15 is probably appropriate, although the BMV charged $5.00 already).
The end result was I was ripped off by fees and hidden taxes to the tune of $80.00. Our forefathers started a Revolution because they thought the Government was sucking money from them at the outrageous rate of 6 cents for creating a court document and 3% tax on tea. I forget to go get my equivalent of the "Stamp" and the state and local governments charge my 106 bucks! The Federal, State, and Local Governments are stealing almost half of our hard earned dollars every year. Still they complain they need more. How long are we going to take it?
Superman and Other Fallacies
Superman, you may be the man of steel, but you are not real bright. The whole glasses thing is not fooling anyone. Lois and the gang at the Daily Planet know who you are, they are just so embarrassed for you that they do not mention it. Putting on glasses does not change your identity.
I have chronicled in the past that I had to get glasses (bifocals) in March. So far not a single person has failed to recognize me when wearing my glasses. I had occasion to put this to the test this week. I was in big important meetings with engineers, purchasing, etc from a major customer. In this meeting were several people I have not seen in a number of years. They all recognized me. Two past buyers, one from as long ago as 6 years, recognized me immediately. They did not know I was in the building, or even in the area, yet they knew who I was!
I am not big and strong and handsome. I do not disappear every time there is a big crises or story. I do not rescue my closest friends from evildoers and life threatening situations. I would think that if someone just saved your life, made you fall in love with them and looked deeply into your eyes, you would probably remember the face of your hero. Putting on some glasses will not change those things.
Uberman, get over it. We all know who you are, your disguise sucks. I also offer you a bit of fashion advice -- lose the cape -- it makes you look gay.
I have chronicled in the past that I had to get glasses (bifocals) in March. So far not a single person has failed to recognize me when wearing my glasses. I had occasion to put this to the test this week. I was in big important meetings with engineers, purchasing, etc from a major customer. In this meeting were several people I have not seen in a number of years. They all recognized me. Two past buyers, one from as long ago as 6 years, recognized me immediately. They did not know I was in the building, or even in the area, yet they knew who I was!
I am not big and strong and handsome. I do not disappear every time there is a big crises or story. I do not rescue my closest friends from evildoers and life threatening situations. I would think that if someone just saved your life, made you fall in love with them and looked deeply into your eyes, you would probably remember the face of your hero. Putting on some glasses will not change those things.
Uberman, get over it. We all know who you are, your disguise sucks. I also offer you a bit of fashion advice -- lose the cape -- it makes you look gay.
August 3, 2005
My President could whip your Supreme Leader...
Well, maybe not. Bush may have earned better grades than Kerry. Carter may have been a nuclear engineer. Bush I and Reagan might have been a great athletes. Eisenhower was reported to be a great golfer, but could they do this:
Thank goodness he just wants to help his people, else he would come over here and show up Tiger Woods as an everyday hacker. North Korea's Kim Jong-il (Big Boy) is clearly the most gifted genius to ever hold political office.
Kim pilots jet fighters, pens operas, produces movies and accomplished a feat unmatched in the annals of professional golf by shooting 11 holes-in-one on the first round he ever played
Thank goodness he just wants to help his people, else he would come over here and show up Tiger Woods as an everyday hacker. North Korea's Kim Jong-il (Big Boy) is clearly the most gifted genius to ever hold political office.
August 2, 2005
Carter the peanut man is just an asshat
Once again Alli at Ranting Fox has shown wisdom beyond her years:
Go read her post, I am sure you will agree.
I used to think he was a bad President, misguided with good intentions. Now I think he truly hates his country. I am so happy that as my first act as a voting citizen was to vote against him in 1980.
One of the problems with free speech is that it encourages people to speak. Its both a great thing and a curse. Instead of letting people think he is an idiot, Jimmy Carter has opened his mouth and removed all doubt.
Go read her post, I am sure you will agree.
I used to think he was a bad President, misguided with good intentions. Now I think he truly hates his country. I am so happy that as my first act as a voting citizen was to vote against him in 1980.
Thank you in advance
Thanks for your understanding, blogging will be a little light for the next couple of days as I am traveling, trying to do the tasks that bring the bucks to the Hooiserboy household.
I got some great bargains at the famous JR outlet today. If you are a serious cigar guy, you know JRs. Now my wife will have something else to harp on as I sit on the deck of an evening puffing away, the smoke driving off mosquitoes.
Depression is beginning to set in at the house. School begins in just 1-1/2 weeks. The boys are not happy. The oldest is working now, and he is on the schedule for 40 hours this week. That means little to no skateboarding time, and that makes him a grumpy 16 year old. He is not real thrilled with the old man anyway, I insist he pay me the deductible from when he wrecked my car a few months ago. I do not plan to take his whole check, just enough that it hurts until he pays me back the $500. My wife thinks I am being too harsh, I should let it slide. I think it is important to teach him a lesson. The wreck was caused by carelessness, not paying attention. Am I just being an asshole?
I flew for the first time in about a year today. Big deal you say. Yes, I flew an average of 5-6 round trips PER MONTH as little as three years ago. Several years straight of 100 plus trips per year. The whole process at the airport is still a royal pain, not worth the hassle if you are going less than 500 miles. I know now why I have been driving a lot. If you have flown since 9/11 you know what I am talking about. As a side note, I was at home watching TV on 9/11. You see, I was packing for a flight that afternoon.
I got some great bargains at the famous JR outlet today. If you are a serious cigar guy, you know JRs. Now my wife will have something else to harp on as I sit on the deck of an evening puffing away, the smoke driving off mosquitoes.
Depression is beginning to set in at the house. School begins in just 1-1/2 weeks. The boys are not happy. The oldest is working now, and he is on the schedule for 40 hours this week. That means little to no skateboarding time, and that makes him a grumpy 16 year old. He is not real thrilled with the old man anyway, I insist he pay me the deductible from when he wrecked my car a few months ago. I do not plan to take his whole check, just enough that it hurts until he pays me back the $500. My wife thinks I am being too harsh, I should let it slide. I think it is important to teach him a lesson. The wreck was caused by carelessness, not paying attention. Am I just being an asshole?
I flew for the first time in about a year today. Big deal you say. Yes, I flew an average of 5-6 round trips PER MONTH as little as three years ago. Several years straight of 100 plus trips per year. The whole process at the airport is still a royal pain, not worth the hassle if you are going less than 500 miles. I know now why I have been driving a lot. If you have flown since 9/11 you know what I am talking about. As a side note, I was at home watching TV on 9/11. You see, I was packing for a flight that afternoon.
August 1, 2005
Public Schools?
I read this with a great deal of, well sadness. I really have no comment. For one of the few times in my life I have nothing to say. Feel free to offer your opinion.
The Hoosierboy Guide to Hippie Hunting
picture stolen from hereHunting Hippies can be a fun and rewarding experience. Hippie stalking can make for great campfire stories, and there is always the excitement of describing "the one that got away". Here is a brief guide to help you get started:
1. Hippies are usually found on the East and West Coast of the US. There are enclaves to be found in Colorado and Idaho. You can also find hippies in just about every major metropolitan area. Sometimes you can find them in special reserves in the "country" called 'communes'.
2. Hippies usually smell like unwashed human bodies. You will recognize this odor. Remember, all hippies smell bad, but not all sour-smelling people are hippies, some are "homeless".
3. Hippies can be lured to your tree stand through several methods. The best is by staging a "protest". Hippies like to protest everything that is good about America. Stage a protest against the military, against any Republican, for abortion, or terrorists. Hippies are especially drawn to nude protests where they can show off their saggy breasts and little flacid penises. They like protests against money, success, free trade, the war on terror, mining, nuclear power, coal power, natural gas drilling, oil, cars, fire, meat, grocery stores, hydroelectricity, big farms, lumber, cattle grazing, housing, banks, Wal-Mart, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, DDT, and manufacturing in general.
4. Hippies are also lured by drugs. Offer marijuana and extasy. They love the phrase "Please do not eat the brown acid". Use this phrase just as you would say "kitty,kitty" to lure a cat.
5. Hippies are drawn like moths to light when you play music by special lure bands called "Phish" and "The Grateful Dead". Other acts will work also, especially real winners like Curt Cobain or any other "grunge band".
6. Male Hippies have facial hair and drive old VWs. Hippies of both sexes like tie-dyed clothes and sandals. The tie-dye makes great circle targets! Remember -- aim low!
7. Hippies often have names like Moon, Sunshine, Rainbow, and Freedom.
8. You can also recognize a Hippy because the "man" is keeping him down. If you see someone being held down by "the man", it is likely a Hippy and feel free to react accordingly.
9. Hippies are good on toast or even...plain.
10. Hippie chicks are all about free love. Make sure you take advantage of this. Sterilize afterward.
Hoosierboy to Palmeiro -- You, Sir are a cheater.
Look it was marginal that he would ever make the Hall of Fame. Now I think the confirmed steroid use will ensure he never sets foot into the hall. He is a cheater. In my mind he had done more damage to the game than Pete Rose. Both were liars and cheaters. Here was Raphael Palmeiro's emphatic quote to Congress:
Those that may have or definitely have used steroids have cheated the game. This offense against good order, in my mind, is on the same magnitude as the Black Sox, Rose's gambling, and Sosa's corked bat. They are cheaters, and should be treated as such. Too bad Palmeiro, said to be one of baseball's toughest outs, has tarnished his reputation forever.
"Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids. Period. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never."
Those that may have or definitely have used steroids have cheated the game. This offense against good order, in my mind, is on the same magnitude as the Black Sox, Rose's gambling, and Sosa's corked bat. They are cheaters, and should be treated as such. Too bad Palmeiro, said to be one of baseball's toughest outs, has tarnished his reputation forever.
It is Monday. I need to laugh or Happy August Fools Day
The story of Harvey and Gladys Goldman
Harvey and Gladys Goldman are getting ready for bed.
Gladys is standing in front of her full-length mirror,
taking a long, hard look at herself. "You know,
Harvey," she comments. "I stare into this mirror and I
see an ancient creature. My face is all wrinkled,
my boobs sag so much that they dangle to my waist, my
arms and legs are as flabby as popped balloons,
and my butt looks like a sad, deflated version of the Hindenburg"
She turns to face her husband and says,
"Dear, please tell me just one positive thing about
my body so I can feel better about myself."
Harvey studies Gladys critically for a moment and then
says in a soft, thoughtful voice, "Well...there's
certainly nothing wrong with your eyesight."
Services for Harvey Goldman will be held Tuesday
morning at 10:30 at Beth Israel Synagogue
Harvey and Gladys Goldman are getting ready for bed.
Gladys is standing in front of her full-length mirror,
taking a long, hard look at herself. "You know,
Harvey," she comments. "I stare into this mirror and I
see an ancient creature. My face is all wrinkled,
my boobs sag so much that they dangle to my waist, my
arms and legs are as flabby as popped balloons,
and my butt looks like a sad, deflated version of the Hindenburg"
She turns to face her husband and says,
"Dear, please tell me just one positive thing about
my body so I can feel better about myself."
Harvey studies Gladys critically for a moment and then
says in a soft, thoughtful voice, "Well...there's
certainly nothing wrong with your eyesight."
Services for Harvey Goldman will be held Tuesday
morning at 10:30 at Beth Israel Synagogue
July 31, 2005
Golfing Buddies
Fred, a golfer, died in a fire and his body was burned pretty badly. The
morgue needed someone to identify the body, so they sent for his two
best friends, Daryl and Robert. The three men had always done everything
together, golfing constantly at their club.
Daryl arrived first, and when the mortician pulled back the sheet,
Daryl said, "Yup, his face is burnt up pretty bad. You better roll him
over." The mortician rolled him over, and Daryl said, "Nope, that ain't
Fred." The mortician thought that was rather strange.
Then he brought Robert in to identify the body. Robert took a look at
the body and said, "Yup, he's pretty well burnt up. Roll him over." The
mortician rolled him over and Robert said, "No, it ain't Fred." The
mortician asked, "How can you tell?"
Robert said, "Well, Fred had two assholes." "What? He had two
assholes?!" said the mortician. Yup, everyone knew he had two assholes.
Every time we went into the clubhouse, folks would say, "Here comes Fred
with them two assholes.
morgue needed someone to identify the body, so they sent for his two
best friends, Daryl and Robert. The three men had always done everything
together, golfing constantly at their club.
Daryl arrived first, and when the mortician pulled back the sheet,
Daryl said, "Yup, his face is burnt up pretty bad. You better roll him
over." The mortician rolled him over, and Daryl said, "Nope, that ain't
Fred." The mortician thought that was rather strange.
Then he brought Robert in to identify the body. Robert took a look at
the body and said, "Yup, he's pretty well burnt up. Roll him over." The
mortician rolled him over and Robert said, "No, it ain't Fred." The
mortician asked, "How can you tell?"
Robert said, "Well, Fred had two assholes." "What? He had two
assholes?!" said the mortician. Yup, everyone knew he had two assholes.
Every time we went into the clubhouse, folks would say, "Here comes Fred
with them two assholes.
July 30, 2005
The Rules
My Dad forwarded this to me in an Email. I do not think I have posted them before:
RULES TO ENTER INDIANA
Applies to each person as they enter Indiana.
Learn & remember: East Coast and California-types pay particular attention!
1. Pull up your droopy pants. You look like an idiot.
2. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a pickup
truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust
on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.
3. They are cattle, hog, chicken and turkey farms. That's what they smell
like to you. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-69 and
I-65 run North and South, I-64 and I-70 run East and West. Pick one.
4. So you have a $50,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 combines that
are driven only 6 weeks a year.
5. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Try to
understand the concept.
6. If that cell phone rings while a herd of deer is coming in, we WILL shoot
it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the
time.
7. Yeah, we eat catfish & bluegill. You really want sushi & caviar? It's
available at the corner bait shop.
8. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious
holiday and a good excuse to take off of work.
9. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.
10. Yes, there are "vegetarian specials" on the menu. We're not in the stone
age! Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & bacon.
11. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables,
and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.
12. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over
ice.You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot,
drive a truck, and have long hair.
13. College and High School Basketball is as law here. It is more important
here than the Lakers and the Knicks, and a sight more fun to watch.
14. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards - it spooks
the fish.
15. Colleges? University of Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame and Ball State. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at
passing pickups when they come for the holidays.
16. Indiana is the crossroad of America. If you're from the East or West
coast, you're more than welcome to stop and visit a while, but leave your
liberal ideas at the state line. You will soon find out that Hoosiers are a
hard working, God-fearing people and we sure don't need advice on how to live
our lives.
RULES TO ENTER INDIANA
Applies to each person as they enter Indiana.
Learn & remember: East Coast and California-types pay particular attention!
1. Pull up your droopy pants. You look like an idiot.
2. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a pickup
truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust
on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.
3. They are cattle, hog, chicken and turkey farms. That's what they smell
like to you. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-69 and
I-65 run North and South, I-64 and I-70 run East and West. Pick one.
4. So you have a $50,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 combines that
are driven only 6 weeks a year.
5. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Try to
understand the concept.
6. If that cell phone rings while a herd of deer is coming in, we WILL shoot
it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the
time.
7. Yeah, we eat catfish & bluegill. You really want sushi & caviar? It's
available at the corner bait shop.
8. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious
holiday and a good excuse to take off of work.
9. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.
10. Yes, there are "vegetarian specials" on the menu. We're not in the stone
age! Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & bacon.
11. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables,
and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.
12. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over
ice.You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot,
drive a truck, and have long hair.
13. College and High School Basketball is as law here. It is more important
here than the Lakers and the Knicks, and a sight more fun to watch.
14. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards - it spooks
the fish.
15. Colleges? University of Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame and Ball State. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at
passing pickups when they come for the holidays.
16. Indiana is the crossroad of America. If you're from the East or West
coast, you're more than welcome to stop and visit a while, but leave your
liberal ideas at the state line. You will soon find out that Hoosiers are a
hard working, God-fearing people and we sure don't need advice on how to live
our lives.
July 29, 2005
I vote we shoot baseballs at his head from a pitching machine
This is just sick. I have coached youth baseball for a number of years. On every team, at every level, you have kids who are better than others. You have a responsibility, a challenge, as a coach to make each player improve. That is the definition of coach -- to give instruction.
We all like to win. I manage or helped coach three different youth baseball teams this summer. One of my teams, at the local Boys Club, was made up of those players who lacked the funds, the skills, or the motivation to play in the local Babe Ruth League. The Boys Club league is played primarily as an outlet for kids to have something to do in the summer. It is a rec league played for fun. We still like to win. This year my team had 7 players (out of 12) who had NEVER played before. The Bad News Bears made some of these guys look good. We worked hard, by the end of the season EVERY kid on the team could hit the ball. Most improved in their fielding. All understood the rules of the game. Did I let them play shortstop and first base? Only when we were way ahead or way behind. Hopefully all had a good experience and want to play again next year.
I am just as concerned about the coach's defense that he was offering the kids money to hit a line drive at the umpire. Sweet guy. How he was ever allowed to coach for more than one inning is beyond me.
I do not believe it to be true in this case, but parents have to also know their children's limitations. I remember a few years ago parents suing a soccer league because the league would not let their boy play because he needed a walker. That situation was dangerous for all the children involved. Sometimes, a parent must face the fact that their children are unable to do the activities that other children can.
Attention!
Go read this new blogger. She is serving her country a long way from home. Tell her thanks for her service.
Dismissed!
Dismissed!
Cookin'
I love to cook. I suppose I am pretty good at, since my family (and even my Mom) says everything I prepare is tasty. I occasionally make some bad stuff, but for the most part it is good. I am fat, so 'nuff said. I do virtually all of the cooking at my house, I like to, and I am better at it than my wife. There is no shame in that. We have an equal opportunity household.
I have often opined that any idiot that can read, can prepare a meal. It is not hard to follow a recipe. My wife and daughter disagree. I maintain there is a big difference in preparing food and cooking. I can go to a restaurant, come home and come close to preparing an identical dish. Not always on the first try, but through trial and error. I have to admit that I rarely measure ingredients, I go by smell and taste -- except when baking
I am able to prepare some pretty sophisticated meals, given time and money. That is not my preference. I would rather make simple foods good, rather than extravagant presentations. We do not garnish at my house, though I can and do on occasion. I used to spend a lot of time watching the food network. With the exception of the lady from Savannah, Paula something, most of the cooks prepared food I nor my family would ever eat.
There is a trend in fancy restaurants to "peasant cooking", simple rustic meals. That is what I like, beef and noodles, pot roast, hamburgers, grilled chicken. The food of real Americans. Foods like salmon patties and fried chicken. I would put my fried chicken against the Colonel anytime. I would win.
I have to agree with this guy, purple mashed potatoes are great for shock value, but they really do not taste different. Corn salsa, is that necessary?
Tonight we will have ham steak cooked in brown sugar and the syrup from the can of pineapple. I will make some homemade mac and cheese, slice a couple of fresh tomatoes and add boil a bit of sweet corn. I will make some biscuits. Supper will be good.
I have often opined that any idiot that can read, can prepare a meal. It is not hard to follow a recipe. My wife and daughter disagree. I maintain there is a big difference in preparing food and cooking. I can go to a restaurant, come home and come close to preparing an identical dish. Not always on the first try, but through trial and error. I have to admit that I rarely measure ingredients, I go by smell and taste -- except when baking
I am able to prepare some pretty sophisticated meals, given time and money. That is not my preference. I would rather make simple foods good, rather than extravagant presentations. We do not garnish at my house, though I can and do on occasion. I used to spend a lot of time watching the food network. With the exception of the lady from Savannah, Paula something, most of the cooks prepared food I nor my family would ever eat.
There is a trend in fancy restaurants to "peasant cooking", simple rustic meals. That is what I like, beef and noodles, pot roast, hamburgers, grilled chicken. The food of real Americans. Foods like salmon patties and fried chicken. I would put my fried chicken against the Colonel anytime. I would win.
I have to agree with this guy, purple mashed potatoes are great for shock value, but they really do not taste different. Corn salsa, is that necessary?
That's just stupid. Art shouldn't be all brains and no feeling. And food that tastes good is more important than food that's merely creative. And improving conventional foods IS creative. If we were really ready to give up working on conventional food, it would be because the conventional food we make was so good, there was no point in continuing to fool with it. But it isn't. After hundreds of years of trying, people still make bad biscuits. That tells you we have no compelling reason to grind up sea urchins and spread them on liver ravioli.
Tonight we will have ham steak cooked in brown sugar and the syrup from the can of pineapple. I will make some homemade mac and cheese, slice a couple of fresh tomatoes and add boil a bit of sweet corn. I will make some biscuits. Supper will be good.
July 28, 2005
Ode to my baby girl.
My daughter will leave for college in a few weeks. I am terrified. Not for the reasons you might think. She is smart, fun and driven. She knows what she wants and will make sure she gets there. She has worked three jobs this summer to make money; she knows things will be tight paying for college. She has applied for every scholarship imaginable. I know I have taught her right from wrong. If she does not now know the difference there is not much hope. She will party and have a good time. She will also remember why she is there – to learn.
I am terrified because I know my daughter will be leaving forever. She will come home for breaks and holidays. She will spend her summers in her familiar yellow painted bedroom. However, she will be gone. After college, she will move out and be on her own working, eventually falling in love, gaining a new family in time. Never again will she look at my home in the same light, it will be a stopping point, a place to sleep, a rest stop on life’s highway. I am terrified for me, how will I get along when she is gone?
We have not always agreed. I get pretty mad at her, probably a lot less than her aggravation at me. We are so much alike, it is scary. We laugh at the same things. We are both pig headed. Both are convinced of our inherent righteousness in every matter. The biggest difference is she is beautiful and good.
I remember the day my wife found out she was pregnant. We skipped the needle on my favorite John Cougar album, jumping for joy. I remember the night she was born. I came home from the hospital, elated, exhausted, and sobered by the enormous responsibility now placed on my shoulders. I had never even held a baby prior to that night!
I remember the nights driving her in the car, mile upon mile down the country roads through the cornfields. This was the only way to get her to sleep. Have you ever smelt corn growing in the field? That scent still reminds me of my baby girl, crying in her car seat as she drifted off to her sweet dreams.
I remember the afternoons I picked her up from the babysitter. We went to the park to swing endlessly; she could never get enough. She then would sleep on my shoulder in the old recliner until my wife came home from work. My little girl’s love of spicy foods was foretold the time she ate my chili as a toddler. She ate bowl after bowl, tears streaming down her cheeks. The chili was over spiced, the result of too much beer while cooking. She loved it.
My heart was ripped apart in her early teen years, when girls can be so mean to each other. I had no way to help her. Soon new friends came along. I watched her grow into a beautiful young woman in high school: class president, scholar, and friend to all. I am sorry I rode her too hard for her grades. I did not tell her enough that I love her.
Now she is leaving for education, adventure and excitement. In a small way, I envy her: too soon will she find the burdens of bills and work, and life. I hope she has fun, stays safe, and thinks sometimes about her Daddy. I will be thinking of her.
I am terrified because I know my daughter will be leaving forever. She will come home for breaks and holidays. She will spend her summers in her familiar yellow painted bedroom. However, she will be gone. After college, she will move out and be on her own working, eventually falling in love, gaining a new family in time. Never again will she look at my home in the same light, it will be a stopping point, a place to sleep, a rest stop on life’s highway. I am terrified for me, how will I get along when she is gone?
We have not always agreed. I get pretty mad at her, probably a lot less than her aggravation at me. We are so much alike, it is scary. We laugh at the same things. We are both pig headed. Both are convinced of our inherent righteousness in every matter. The biggest difference is she is beautiful and good.
I remember the day my wife found out she was pregnant. We skipped the needle on my favorite John Cougar album, jumping for joy. I remember the night she was born. I came home from the hospital, elated, exhausted, and sobered by the enormous responsibility now placed on my shoulders. I had never even held a baby prior to that night!
I remember the nights driving her in the car, mile upon mile down the country roads through the cornfields. This was the only way to get her to sleep. Have you ever smelt corn growing in the field? That scent still reminds me of my baby girl, crying in her car seat as she drifted off to her sweet dreams.
I remember the afternoons I picked her up from the babysitter. We went to the park to swing endlessly; she could never get enough. She then would sleep on my shoulder in the old recliner until my wife came home from work. My little girl’s love of spicy foods was foretold the time she ate my chili as a toddler. She ate bowl after bowl, tears streaming down her cheeks. The chili was over spiced, the result of too much beer while cooking. She loved it.
My heart was ripped apart in her early teen years, when girls can be so mean to each other. I had no way to help her. Soon new friends came along. I watched her grow into a beautiful young woman in high school: class president, scholar, and friend to all. I am sorry I rode her too hard for her grades. I did not tell her enough that I love her.
Now she is leaving for education, adventure and excitement. In a small way, I envy her: too soon will she find the burdens of bills and work, and life. I hope she has fun, stays safe, and thinks sometimes about her Daddy. I will be thinking of her.
Is there no pleasing these people?
Alli,at Ranting Fox, has a great post up about the peace movement. Since the beginning of the War in Iraq they have cried, whined, and complained that we must have an "exit strategy", that we must let the Iraqis police themselves.
Now we announce that troops will begin to come home in the spring of 2006 and they complain that we are leaving the people of Iraq in a bind, that they cannot police themselves. WE SHOULD NOT LEAVE. The lefties hippies claim we are only pulling out to "hurt" the peace movement.
These folks truly are booger eatin morons.
Edit:
For another excellent analysis of this see this fine blog.
Now we announce that troops will begin to come home in the spring of 2006 and they complain that we are leaving the people of Iraq in a bind, that they cannot police themselves. WE SHOULD NOT LEAVE. The lefties hippies claim we are only pulling out to "hurt" the peace movement.
These folks truly are booger eatin morons.
Edit:
For another excellent analysis of this see this fine blog.
Is "white" slimming?
Like a woman in a clothing store, I am trying on yet another template. Does this one make my butt look big?
Making these changes is just easy enough that I am sure I will screw it up if I keep trying. This is the story of my life, give me a little control...
Anyway, I am going to leave it alone for a while now, get used to it, wiggle my ass, look at it in different light. I just might wear it to the big dance and then try and return it. Can you do that with templates?
Making these changes is just easy enough that I am sure I will screw it up if I keep trying. This is the story of my life, give me a little control...
Anyway, I am going to leave it alone for a while now, get used to it, wiggle my ass, look at it in different light. I just might wear it to the big dance and then try and return it. Can you do that with templates?
July 27, 2005
Wednesday Joke
Two medical students were walking along the street in Minneapolis when they
saw an old man walking with his legs spread apart.
One of the students said to his friend: "I'm sure he has Petry Syndrome.
Those people walk just like that."
The other student says: "No, I don't think so. The old man surely has
Zovitzki Syndrome. He walks just as we learned in class."
Since they couldn't agree they decided to ask the old man.
They approached the old man and one of the students said to him: "We're
medical students and couldn't help but notice the way you walk, but we
couldn't agree on the syndrome you might have.
Could you tell us what it is?"
The old man said: "I'll tell you, but first you'll tell me what you think."
One of the students said: "I think it's Petry Syndrome."
The old man said: "You thought.......... but you're wrong."
Then the other student said: "I think you have Zovitzki Syndrome."
The old man said: "You thought.......... but you're wrong."
So they asked him: "Well, what do you have?" And the old man said:
"I thought it was a fart................. ......but I was wrong."
saw an old man walking with his legs spread apart.
One of the students said to his friend: "I'm sure he has Petry Syndrome.
Those people walk just like that."
The other student says: "No, I don't think so. The old man surely has
Zovitzki Syndrome. He walks just as we learned in class."
Since they couldn't agree they decided to ask the old man.
They approached the old man and one of the students said to him: "We're
medical students and couldn't help but notice the way you walk, but we
couldn't agree on the syndrome you might have.
Could you tell us what it is?"
The old man said: "I'll tell you, but first you'll tell me what you think."
One of the students said: "I think it's Petry Syndrome."
The old man said: "You thought.......... but you're wrong."
Then the other student said: "I think you have Zovitzki Syndrome."
The old man said: "You thought.......... but you're wrong."
So they asked him: "Well, what do you have?" And the old man said:
"I thought it was a fart................. ......but I was wrong."
Let me know what you think
I have tried a new template, and it was easier than I thought. Thanks to all who helped (I appreciate your Email grampapinhead).
Let me know what you think, I may make more changes, it will take a while to get used to this template.
Let me know what you think, I may make more changes, it will take a while to get used to this template.
Summer
Last night we enjoyed hamburgers fresh from my new grill. These fine burgers were accompanied by potato salad (made myself), fresh tomatoes, cottage cheese, deviled eggs, and pasta salad. We ended with homemade ice cream as lightning flashed over the horizon and Mars twinkled above.
A perfect summer evening.
picture from Larry Kanfer Prairiescapes10 Collection
I'm Sorry, So Sorry...
She is at it again. I guess HonoiJane is only sorry she was a traitor to our country when she was selling (or trying to sell) books to the leftists.
Grampapinhead reports she is preparing to badmouth our country again, traveling in protest of the war against Terrorism.
Once a traitor...
Ed.
see also GOC for a great rant on this subject.
Grampapinhead reports she is preparing to badmouth our country again, traveling in protest of the war against Terrorism.
Once a traitor...
Ed.
see also GOC for a great rant on this subject.
July 26, 2005
Help
I hate the way this blog looks. I want to go to a simpler template. My fear is everything I have been able to add, statistics, links etc will be lost if I change templates.
Is this true?
Will I have to start over with counters etc.?
I do not write HTML. Frankly, just publishing this drivel each day pushes my capabilities.
I also would like to put my self portrait up on my blog. I do not know how to write the html code for this, the "profile" section in blogger asks for a "url" but it is not a picture from the web. Yes, I know I am a moron about this stuff.
I appreciate any advise.
HB
Is this true?
Will I have to start over with counters etc.?
I do not write HTML. Frankly, just publishing this drivel each day pushes my capabilities.
I also would like to put my self portrait up on my blog. I do not know how to write the html code for this, the "profile" section in blogger asks for a "url" but it is not a picture from the web. Yes, I know I am a moron about this stuff.
I appreciate any advise.
HB
I received the following in an Email from my Dad:
Things that make you think a little........
1 There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq during the month of January.
In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January.
That's just one American city..........about as deadly as the entire war torn country of Iraq.
2. When some claim President Bush shouldn't have started this war, state the following
FDR led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us, Japan did.
From 1941-1945! , 450,00 0 lives were lost, an average of 112,500 per year.
Truman finished that war and started one in Korea, North Korea never attacked us.
From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost, an average of 18,334 per year.
John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam "conflict" in 1962. Vietnam never attacked us.
Johnson turned Vietnam into a quagmire.
From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost, an average of 5,800 per year.
Clinton went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent, Bosnia never attacked us.
He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing.
Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.
3. In the four years since terrorists attacked us:
President Bush has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran and North Korea without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.
The Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking, but It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51-day operation.
We've been looking for evidence of chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.
It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick killing a woman.
Wait, there's more.......................
Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. This exchange between Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living. This is a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of our military.
JOHN GLENN ON THE SENATE FLOOR
Senator Howard Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn: "How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?"
Senator Glenn: "I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program.
It wasn't my checkbook, Howard, it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day... to a veteran's hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job!
You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their Dads didn't hold a job.
You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.
You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job? I'll tell you, Howard Metzenbaum, you should be on your knees every day of your life thanking God that there were some men - SOME REAL MEN - who held REAL jobs. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself. And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible.
I HAVE held a job, Howard! What about you?"
NOTE: For those who don't remember - During W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA!
Things that make you think a little........
1 There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq during the month of January.
In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January.
That's just one American city..........about as deadly as the entire war torn country of Iraq.
2. When some claim President Bush shouldn't have started this war, state the following
FDR led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us, Japan did.
From 1941-1945! , 450,00 0 lives were lost, an average of 112,500 per year.
Truman finished that war and started one in Korea, North Korea never attacked us.
From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost, an average of 18,334 per year.
John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam "conflict" in 1962. Vietnam never attacked us.
Johnson turned Vietnam into a quagmire.
From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost, an average of 5,800 per year.
Clinton went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent, Bosnia never attacked us.
He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing.
Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.
3. In the four years since terrorists attacked us:
President Bush has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran and North Korea without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.
The Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking, but It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51-day operation.
We've been looking for evidence of chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.
It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick killing a woman.
Wait, there's more.......................
Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. This exchange between Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living. This is a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of our military.
JOHN GLENN ON THE SENATE FLOOR
Senator Howard Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn: "How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?"
Senator Glenn: "I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program.
It wasn't my checkbook, Howard, it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day... to a veteran's hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job!
You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their Dads didn't hold a job.
You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.
You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job? I'll tell you, Howard Metzenbaum, you should be on your knees every day of your life thanking God that there were some men - SOME REAL MEN - who held REAL jobs. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself. And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible.
I HAVE held a job, Howard! What about you?"
NOTE: For those who don't remember - During W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA!
Hillary is coming
She is coming. Hillary is going to run for President. She is moving to the "center" on a number of positions. She is coming out against illegal immigration. This WILL get her a great number of votes. Politicians have been afraid to this point, because they think they will lose the Hispanic vote, but as I have predicted in the past, immigration will be the key issue in 2012 and possibly 2008. Much depends on the war on Terror.
Clinton is coming out with centrist positions on Terrorism as well. Suddenly she thinks we need to build the Armed Forces:
I guess during her co-Presidency they set the standard by reducing our Armed Forces to a shell of the Cold war forces. The Clintons used the Armed Forces as delivery boys, waiters, and Red Cross workers. They made the Army the most politically correct branch of the service. She has a great record as a supporter of our Military. Remember, her co_president stated publicly that he "loathed the Military". Enough said.
Hillary is missing a great marketing opportunity. With all the buzz being about Harry Potter and the world of wizards and Witches, Clinton could really cash in if she would just admit what many of us already know:
She is the Queen of Witches.
Clinton is coming out with centrist positions on Terrorism as well. Suddenly she thinks we need to build the Armed Forces:
A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, [Clinton} echoed calls from the DLC to increase the size of the military, while calling for smarter decisions on deploying forces.
I guess during her co-Presidency they set the standard by reducing our Armed Forces to a shell of the Cold war forces. The Clintons used the Armed Forces as delivery boys, waiters, and Red Cross workers. They made the Army the most politically correct branch of the service. She has a great record as a supporter of our Military. Remember, her co_president stated publicly that he "loathed the Military". Enough said.
Hillary is missing a great marketing opportunity. With all the buzz being about Harry Potter and the world of wizards and Witches, Clinton could really cash in if she would just admit what many of us already know:
She is the Queen of Witches.
Do you want me to buy your lottery tickets?
If you do you are a fool. I seem to bring on bad luck to all who come near me lately.
Last night I took the wife, the youngest son and a friend of his to see the Indianapolis Indians. The Indians are the local AAA baseball team. They had 4 errors, gave up 13 or 14 hits and got pounded. We had good seats and had a great time, other than the locals lost. To top it off, hot dogs, popcorn, crackerjack, peanuts were all only $1.00, so it cost a lot less than expected!
We dropped the little one off at his friends to spend the night. The local Babe Ruth team was playing in the Ohio Valley Tournament, and still alive in the losers bracket. There were only 4 teams left. We drove by and saw that the game was in the 6th inning. Locals were down 3-2 when we arrived. The visiting team proceeded to knock in 4 more runs in a matter of minutes. The home team lost and are done for the season. I guess we were bad luck again.
I do not think you want me to root for your team or buy you lottery tickets until this streak ends.
Last night I took the wife, the youngest son and a friend of his to see the Indianapolis Indians. The Indians are the local AAA baseball team. They had 4 errors, gave up 13 or 14 hits and got pounded. We had good seats and had a great time, other than the locals lost. To top it off, hot dogs, popcorn, crackerjack, peanuts were all only $1.00, so it cost a lot less than expected!
We dropped the little one off at his friends to spend the night. The local Babe Ruth team was playing in the Ohio Valley Tournament, and still alive in the losers bracket. There were only 4 teams left. We drove by and saw that the game was in the 6th inning. Locals were down 3-2 when we arrived. The visiting team proceeded to knock in 4 more runs in a matter of minutes. The home team lost and are done for the season. I guess we were bad luck again.
I do not think you want me to root for your team or buy you lottery tickets until this streak ends.
July 25, 2005
Lance Armstrong wins again
Am I the only one who thinks it is ironic tha the most popular, or at least most recognizable, French sport has "yellow" as its symbol?
ed. note:
For those of you who do not "get it" (like my spouse) "yellow" is the symbol for cowardice.
ed. note:
For those of you who do not "get it" (like my spouse) "yellow" is the symbol for cowardice.
July 24, 2005
Joke of the Day
Two little boys in first grade were chosen to be the leads in their first
school play. It was to be a Shakespearean play. The first little boy was to
say, "My fair maiden.... I have come to snatch a kiss and fill your soul with
hope." The second little boy was to reply by saying, "Hark!, a pistol shot."
Well, on opening night in the school auditorium, the two little boys were
a bit nervous, knowing that all the seats were going to be filled with grown-ups.
The teacher told them to take their places on the stage and to remember to
speak very loud as soon as the curtain goes up.
The curtain rose and looking out upon the audience the two boys were
terrified. They stood there frozen. So the teacher whispered for them to begin. The first boy yelled out these unforgettable words..... "My fair maiden.... I have come to kiss your snatch! And fill your hole with soap."
The second boy screams out.....
"Hark! a shistol pot, a postle shiss, a pot of shit, horse shit,
this is bull shit.... I never wanted to be in this lousy play anyway...
The audience left howling....
school play. It was to be a Shakespearean play. The first little boy was to
say, "My fair maiden.... I have come to snatch a kiss and fill your soul with
hope." The second little boy was to reply by saying, "Hark!, a pistol shot."
Well, on opening night in the school auditorium, the two little boys were
a bit nervous, knowing that all the seats were going to be filled with grown-ups.
The teacher told them to take their places on the stage and to remember to
speak very loud as soon as the curtain goes up.
The curtain rose and looking out upon the audience the two boys were
terrified. They stood there frozen. So the teacher whispered for them to begin. The first boy yelled out these unforgettable words..... "My fair maiden.... I have come to kiss your snatch! And fill your hole with soap."
The second boy screams out.....
"Hark! a shistol pot, a postle shiss, a pot of shit, horse shit,
this is bull shit.... I never wanted to be in this lousy play anyway...
The audience left howling....
July 23, 2005
Weekend grab bag II
In several posts below I linked to some very good blogs. They are in my daily reads.
On occasion I jump the electronic waves to see what other people are working on. Here is a sampling from masterchief60.blogspot:
Is this weird or what? Maybe this sounds like fun to you from damfinoblog.blogspot:
There has been a lot of discussion about Ebonics as a language lately, but there is a whole new issue with language among high schoolers. This new language is the stepchild of instant messaging and text messaging. I fear that grammar and spelling will soon go the way of albums and reel to reel tapes. Here is an example from queenyazi22210.blogspot:
Am I the only one who thinks this is insidious and ridiculous? Help me!
On occasion I jump the electronic waves to see what other people are working on. Here is a sampling from masterchief60.blogspot:
I live on a different planet called Ariho (Pronounced Ahr- EE- ho) with the Dragons of Bloodbound.
Is this weird or what? Maybe this sounds like fun to you from damfinoblog.blogspot:
SO - Saturday, August 6th, a group will form and make their way the only way they know how. Right over to Jordan Creek 20plex for a viewing of "The Dukes of Hazzard." Shocking.. I know. But here is the catch - we are going dressed up in total hick/cowboy getup. I am in the process of getting some boots (cowboy boots... hard to get free ones and I ain't buying them) and I am frantically searching for the appropriately hick belt buckle!
There has been a lot of discussion about Ebonics as a language lately, but there is a whole new issue with language among high schoolers. This new language is the stepchild of instant messaging and text messaging. I fear that grammar and spelling will soon go the way of albums and reel to reel tapes. Here is an example from queenyazi22210.blogspot:
Im already gettin Jitters about the new school year. Sumtimes I have this vision of who i wanna be in my head but then I flake out at the last minute. It sux. But I just got new Hurleys(with palm trees on them) and a ton of cool , on sale, stuff from Abercrombie(can u say tunic) so I think im ready. well w/e. Comment all your emaressing school moments and back to school jitters, I guesse this monthe is named "jitter month". so comment plz!!
Am I the only one who thinks this is insidious and ridiculous? Help me!
Red State / Blue State
In the Post below, one of my favorite commenter named Breezy made some comparisons regarding Blue States and how we "Red Staters" were screwed without the blue staters. For one, If she thinks only Harvard provides a quality education, I hope she checks out the diplomas of her Doctor, her Lawyer, and her accountant. The odds are pretty good none of them graduated from Harvard. I think it would be wise to point out to them that their education was lousy, Breezy. See, I believe that "red states" can also provide quality education. More astronauts have come from Purdue than any other school. Rose Hulman is one of the best engineering schools in the country. Have you heard of Notre Dame, Duke, or Brigham Young?
Breezy, (are you called this because you are filled with hot air?)did you know that 4 out of the five states with the highest graduation rates are "red"? Are you aware that Blue States account for almost 70% of all unemployment claims? Are you aware that 8 out of the ten highest cumulative tax rates are paid by Blue States?
As for what we will be missing let us take a closer look:
85% of all farm land is in Red States. It is even more if we look by county. We have the great lakes, you get the Mississippi Delta. We have nearly 100% of the farm land, including your precious lettuce farms. We have the pigs, the cows, the chickens. We have the corn, the soybeans, the cotton, the wheat and barley. I can live without pineapples from Hawaii. We have nearly all the natural resources including oil, natural gas and coal. You would have a neat source of green energy in wind power except your hypocritical, NIMBY politicians "Swimmer" Kennedy and "I was in Vietnam" Kerry refused to let the wind power generators in.
I guess I can live on French Wine. Heck, I like beer better anyway.
I am most bothered by your view that any state not in New England or the Left Coast has anything to offer. We have quality of life, baseball and football. We have plays and symphonies. There is professional ballet company within 30 miles of my home. New York and LA are listed as two of the 30 most polluted cities in the world. I do not have to fear being murdered for 20 bucks, I am not approached by panhandlers. There are not drug needles on the street in front of my office.
We Red Staters grow your food, build your cars and appliances, make your clothes. We are the majority. You will just have to get a grip and face reality. The country no longer buys into your liberal crap.
Breezy, (are you called this because you are filled with hot air?)did you know that 4 out of the five states with the highest graduation rates are "red"? Are you aware that Blue States account for almost 70% of all unemployment claims? Are you aware that 8 out of the ten highest cumulative tax rates are paid by Blue States?
As for what we will be missing let us take a closer look:
85% of all farm land is in Red States. It is even more if we look by county. We have the great lakes, you get the Mississippi Delta. We have nearly 100% of the farm land, including your precious lettuce farms. We have the pigs, the cows, the chickens. We have the corn, the soybeans, the cotton, the wheat and barley. I can live without pineapples from Hawaii. We have nearly all the natural resources including oil, natural gas and coal. You would have a neat source of green energy in wind power except your hypocritical, NIMBY politicians "Swimmer" Kennedy and "I was in Vietnam" Kerry refused to let the wind power generators in.
I guess I can live on French Wine. Heck, I like beer better anyway.
I am most bothered by your view that any state not in New England or the Left Coast has anything to offer. We have quality of life, baseball and football. We have plays and symphonies. There is professional ballet company within 30 miles of my home. New York and LA are listed as two of the 30 most polluted cities in the world. I do not have to fear being murdered for 20 bucks, I am not approached by panhandlers. There are not drug needles on the street in front of my office.
We Red Staters grow your food, build your cars and appliances, make your clothes. We are the majority. You will just have to get a grip and face reality. The country no longer buys into your liberal crap.
July 22, 2005
You Were There...
Dateline Chicago. July 22, 1934.
The movie Manhattan Melodrama is playing at the Biograph theater. It is 10:40 pm, a good looking man in an expensive suit and a woman in an orange dress leave the theater...
What happens next? Do you know? Do you care? Complete the scene if you like, let me know.
The movie Manhattan Melodrama is playing at the Biograph theater. It is 10:40 pm, a good looking man in an expensive suit and a woman in an orange dress leave the theater...
What happens next? Do you know? Do you care? Complete the scene if you like, let me know.
ed. 07/23/2005
The man was John Dillinger(Hoosier and criminal scumbag), he was shot down in a hail of gunfire just moments later.
London Police Shootings and More on the War on Terror
As usual Mr. Schultz gets it exactly right:
There is nothing I can add, except this logic is probably accurate in a great number of police shootings.
Try this thought from Hog on Ice regarding Liberals and the war on terror:
There is just too much great stuff out there in the blog world today.
And while I'm at it. The guy shot by London police didn't have a bomb on him. So what? He was being followed in the first place because of past associations with Muslimos, was wearing a heavy coat, and ran when ordered to stop by police. He committed suicide.
There is nothing I can add, except this logic is probably accurate in a great number of police shootings.
Try this thought from Hog on Ice regarding Liberals and the war on terror:
Perhaps what we need to do is leave liberals alone. We'll have strong anti-terrorism measures in the red states, and we'll let the terrorists bomb the blue states until there's no one left there to bitch.
There is just too much great stuff out there in the blog world today.
Battle in the Clouds
When I was a youngster a teacher at Bible School told us that thunderstorms were Angels fighting Evil in the clouds.
There was a epic battle last night. The lightning flashes lit the night sky like a strobe light in a disco for several hours. You could see the lightning march across the night for an hour before it arrived with a crash around 10:00. The thunder roared, the lightning was continuous and it rained in sheets for about an hour. Of course the storm was accompanied by the associated watches and warnings. In all, an awesome display of power from Mother Nature.
There was a epic battle last night. The lightning flashes lit the night sky like a strobe light in a disco for several hours. You could see the lightning march across the night for an hour before it arrived with a crash around 10:00. The thunder roared, the lightning was continuous and it rained in sheets for about an hour. Of course the storm was accompanied by the associated watches and warnings. In all, an awesome display of power from Mother Nature.
July 21, 2005
Equal Rights, maybe we DO need that Amendment after all
Am I the only one who is sick of the whole Danica Patrick media blitz? The headlines in my local paper after the IRL race in Nashville blazed: Franchitti Wins, Patrick Seventh. Why would we care who comes in seventh?
I think the drivers are also getting tired of it. Increasingly the drivers are asked to comment on what for any other driver would be an average performance.
I think the drivers are also getting tired of it. Increasingly the drivers are asked to comment on what for any other driver would be an average performance.
Dario Franchitti distanced himself from media darling Danica Patrick on Saturday night after the Indy-car race at Nashville Superspeedway.
Franchitti didn't care that the rookie led nine laps on her way to seventh in the Firestone Indy 200.
"There were a lot of guys out there who did a better job," he said.
Franchitti singled out Patrick Carpentier
At the current moment Patrick is 11th in points. This puts her just midpoint among the 21 drivers who have started at least 8 of the 9 IRL events this year. She has 1 pole, 2 top 5 finishes and 5 top ten placings. Compare to Carpentier, who is ahead of her in points, 2 top 5s and 4 top 10s.
Maybe we should compare her to Vitor Meira, who is 7th in points and Patrick's teammate. He is number 2 in winnings this year. He has 4 top five finishes and 5 top 10s. he is using the same equipment as Patrick. Who do you think is better earning his keep at Rahal/Letterman racing? Did the headlines tout his finish at Nashville? Does anyone know where he finished?
The difference is that he has never done this:
In the World of Equal Rights as espoused by NOW and others, we would never single out a person based on their sex. We are all equal right? Can we stop the hype of a person capable of feats most of us could not do, but still, mediocre in her field?
Corning
Did you ever go corning in your younger days? That was a favorite Halloween prank in my youth. Take a handful of corn and throw it at a window or car. It makes a rattle like buckshot and scares the bejeezus out of the occupant. The sound is especially good on aluminum siding and awnings. For you city types, we are talking field corn; off the cob, not canned corn. Unpopped popcorn will also work (not microwave, New Yorkers) I have not heard a good corning since I moved south of Indianapolis. I am not sure if it was a local thing, or if it has just gone out of style.
One evening when I was in high school three of us were out having some fun. We placed a couple of dummies on the guardrail of the highway. We pissed over the overpass onto cars below. We corned passing vehicles. Pretty boring if you think about it, but welcome to life in small town mid-America in the late 70's. We were not drinking (probably because we could not get anyone to buy for us!). My buddy and I jumped into the back of the pickup (yes, more stereotype) and we were plastering oncoming cars with corn. Great fun. As usual , the driver was out of gas so we stopped to fill up. Suddenly a station wagon flies to a halt just missing the front bumper of the truck.
"Get out you motherfuckers." screams a middle aged man. "Call the fucking cops." he shouts to the station attendant. The gas man just points to the pay phone. We were just smart ass teenagers, we laughed, thinking the guy was just mixed up. If I was smart, I would have walked away. Instead, I stayed to see this asshole's problem.
A few minutes later 4 (four) cop cars show up. The lunatic is claiming we tried to kill his family! Apparently, we corned his car and it scared him so much he drove off the road. His kids were crying, his wife was trying to slink down in the seat, she was embarrassed he was such a jerk. She tried once to tell him to relax and he turned and told her to shut her damn mouth. Nice guy, this Larry.
Our parents had to call and apologize, to keep him from pressing attempted manslaughter charges. My mom called him, apologized, assured him I would be punished. This was not enough I guess. I heard her tell him, "look you stupid son of a bitch, I said I would take care of it. Shove it up your ass you little bastard." I was sure I was going to jail. The little creep pissed off my mom so much I was only lightly punished. You do not screw with my mom. I knew it, my friends knew it, and now this crybaby knew it.
Scared of a little corn.
One evening when I was in high school three of us were out having some fun. We placed a couple of dummies on the guardrail of the highway. We pissed over the overpass onto cars below. We corned passing vehicles. Pretty boring if you think about it, but welcome to life in small town mid-America in the late 70's. We were not drinking (probably because we could not get anyone to buy for us!). My buddy and I jumped into the back of the pickup (yes, more stereotype) and we were plastering oncoming cars with corn. Great fun. As usual , the driver was out of gas so we stopped to fill up. Suddenly a station wagon flies to a halt just missing the front bumper of the truck.
"Get out you motherfuckers." screams a middle aged man. "Call the fucking cops." he shouts to the station attendant. The gas man just points to the pay phone. We were just smart ass teenagers, we laughed, thinking the guy was just mixed up. If I was smart, I would have walked away. Instead, I stayed to see this asshole's problem.
A few minutes later 4 (four) cop cars show up. The lunatic is claiming we tried to kill his family! Apparently, we corned his car and it scared him so much he drove off the road. His kids were crying, his wife was trying to slink down in the seat, she was embarrassed he was such a jerk. She tried once to tell him to relax and he turned and told her to shut her damn mouth. Nice guy, this Larry.
Our parents had to call and apologize, to keep him from pressing attempted manslaughter charges. My mom called him, apologized, assured him I would be punished. This was not enough I guess. I heard her tell him, "look you stupid son of a bitch, I said I would take care of it. Shove it up your ass you little bastard." I was sure I was going to jail. The little creep pissed off my mom so much I was only lightly punished. You do not screw with my mom. I knew it, my friends knew it, and now this crybaby knew it.
Scared of a little corn.
July 20, 2005
God, I wish this was not true.
You Know You're From Indiana When... |
You drive for three hours and the scenery outside doesn't change. There's three feet of snow on the ground and school is still in session. You only go to the mall once a year 'cause it takes too long to get there. While driving all you see is corn. People still have Christmas decorations up at Easter. You start saying to yourself "More than corn in Indiana my butt." Anyone with a cell phone looks out of place. Walking through Wal-Mart with two carts full of kids is normal. Anyone with a tan is rich. The hip hang-out place is McDonald's. There really is more than corn in Indiana. There?s soybeans, too. When you plan an orgy and a Euchre game breaks out. A restaurant has an invisible wall in the non-smoking section and you believe it works. Speeding consists of 2 miles over the speed limit. You think you don't have to use a turn signal on your car because you don't use it on your tractor. You build your dream house on a cornfield, and you considered it posh. You warsh your clothes and you think George Warshington was the first president. You're proud to be called a Hoosier, even if you don't know what one is. You have no problem spelling or pronouncing "Terre Haute" Detassling was your first job. Bailing hay, your second. You can stack hay, swim in the pond to clean off, and then have the strength to play a couple of games of hoops all in the same day. You say things like "catty-wumpus" and "kitty-corner". You own a dirtbike or a ATV. You live in a city ... and there's a cornfield in your backyard. High school basketball game draws a bigger crowd on the weekend nights than movie theaters. You can see at least 2 basketball hoops from your yard. You can name every one of Bob Knight's "exploits" over the last few years. You shop at Marsh. Damon Bailey was your childhood hero. The biggest question of your youth was "IU or Purdue?" Indianapolis is the "big city". "Getting caught by a train" is a legitimate excuse for being late to school. People at your high school chewed tobacco. Everyone knows who the town cop is, where he lives, and whether he is at home or on duty. You actually know what the CART vs IRL debate is about and have taken a side. To you, a raccoon is simply a "coon". The vehicle of choice in your area is not a car, but a pickup. Someone you know is BIG John Mellencamp fan. You've been to the Covered Bridge Festival. To you, a tenderloin is not an expensive cut of beef, but a big, salty, breaded piece of pork served on a bun with pickles. You call a green bell pepper a "mango". Sometimes, you call the toilet the "commode" or the "stool". In the fall, one of your favorite pranks was corning cars. You know what FFA and 4H stand for. You know what chip-and-seal is, and your high school was located on just such a road. You go the county fair every night of it's week-long duration. You can say "French Lick" without laughing out loud. There's actually a college near you named "Ball State." The last "g" is silent in any word ending in "ing." You think the state Bird is Larry. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Indiana. |
Wow
Thanks to Denny at GOC, and his readers for stopping by. I hope you will keep coming. Read the "old" stuff. I try to give a mix of opinions, life, politics, and a few history lessons on occasion. I love a good argument. Don't be shy!
Bad Bosses
I have worked for two really great bosses. I have worked for several good bosses. I have had two bossmen who were as bad as could be. I will discuss the first one today. He was a wunderkid, brought in from a high tech company because he knew the buzzwords, sounded sharp. He had read all the books, looked just right. He did not know his ass from a hole in the ground. Keep in mind I was young, maybe 28 or 30 years old. I knew more about manufacturing than this guy.
I am a firm believer that the workers and employees who run the machines and processes are paid to do their job. I believe you can be an effective manager even if you cannot run the machine. I love all things manufacturing, I took time to learn how the machines work, I asked to operators to show me how to do their jobs. I poked my head into the grinders along with the set up guys. Teach me, help me understand was my credo. I have no problem that my boss had no interest in such things, but after a year, is it too much to expect that he knew what the machines in his area did?
Let me give you an example of some bad management technique. It came time for the annual review. I was young, but I had managed salary people. He was my manager. I knew how the system worked. Their was a budget for the department and he had to split the money accordingly, or have a good reason to get more funds. I received my review: excellent or exceeds expectations in every category ( I still have a copy). He also added a detailed summation of my strengths and weaknesses as he saw them. I will say it was a fair and accurate review, we all have areas to improve.
Then he hit me with the bombshell. I was to get a 0.5% raise. He must have seen my shock, as he then explained that the department average that year was to be 5%. I was only getting a small raise because even though I was his best employee, I made more than the rest of the department and he had to bring the rest of the team into line. I explained as calmly as I could that he had just told me I was exceptional, that I could do tasks the rest of the department could NOT do. I rationalized to him that I did not care what the rest of the department made, I could be the lowest or highest paid, only my salary was important to me. He thought I was unreasonable. I could not believe he was so stupid to screw me, then tell me about it. Why didn't he say that the budget was low this year, he wanted to give me more, but couldn't? Why not say my job was reclassified and this was all he could give me? I could not believe he was screwing me and I was supposed to say thanks?
Needless to say, my motivation dipped. I quit covering his mistakes, I did what I was supposed too, but the extra work ended. No more 14 hour days, no more weekends. About six months later he and I got into a argument because I refused to discipline a coworker (he reported to the same manager, we re equal in "rank"). I said that he was the manager and it was not my role to discipline co-workers (the other guy had been there more than 25 years, he would not have listened to me). The boss said he was sick of my "attitude" that I had to do what was best for the team. He said he was going to personnel. I was sent home (I was on midnight shift at the time).
The next morning, I was summoned to HR. I was asked my side of the events. The HR Manager said not to worry. The boss was fired that day. When I quit doing his job and covering for him they had discovered he was clueless. I found out later that several of my co-workers and employees had gone to HR to support me. That makes you feel good.
This was not my worse boss. That story will be told another day.
I am a firm believer that the workers and employees who run the machines and processes are paid to do their job. I believe you can be an effective manager even if you cannot run the machine. I love all things manufacturing, I took time to learn how the machines work, I asked to operators to show me how to do their jobs. I poked my head into the grinders along with the set up guys. Teach me, help me understand was my credo. I have no problem that my boss had no interest in such things, but after a year, is it too much to expect that he knew what the machines in his area did?
Let me give you an example of some bad management technique. It came time for the annual review. I was young, but I had managed salary people. He was my manager. I knew how the system worked. Their was a budget for the department and he had to split the money accordingly, or have a good reason to get more funds. I received my review: excellent or exceeds expectations in every category ( I still have a copy). He also added a detailed summation of my strengths and weaknesses as he saw them. I will say it was a fair and accurate review, we all have areas to improve.
Then he hit me with the bombshell. I was to get a 0.5% raise. He must have seen my shock, as he then explained that the department average that year was to be 5%. I was only getting a small raise because even though I was his best employee, I made more than the rest of the department and he had to bring the rest of the team into line. I explained as calmly as I could that he had just told me I was exceptional, that I could do tasks the rest of the department could NOT do. I rationalized to him that I did not care what the rest of the department made, I could be the lowest or highest paid, only my salary was important to me. He thought I was unreasonable. I could not believe he was so stupid to screw me, then tell me about it. Why didn't he say that the budget was low this year, he wanted to give me more, but couldn't? Why not say my job was reclassified and this was all he could give me? I could not believe he was screwing me and I was supposed to say thanks?
Needless to say, my motivation dipped. I quit covering his mistakes, I did what I was supposed too, but the extra work ended. No more 14 hour days, no more weekends. About six months later he and I got into a argument because I refused to discipline a coworker (he reported to the same manager, we re equal in "rank"). I said that he was the manager and it was not my role to discipline co-workers (the other guy had been there more than 25 years, he would not have listened to me). The boss said he was sick of my "attitude" that I had to do what was best for the team. He said he was going to personnel. I was sent home (I was on midnight shift at the time).
The next morning, I was summoned to HR. I was asked my side of the events. The HR Manager said not to worry. The boss was fired that day. When I quit doing his job and covering for him they had discovered he was clueless. I found out later that several of my co-workers and employees had gone to HR to support me. That makes you feel good.
This was not my worse boss. That story will be told another day.
July 19, 2005
Breezy, please explain again to me why we should have open borders?
This is an open letter to Breezy and others of her ilk that think closing our borders is cruel and mean.
Read this from RTG. Arabs and Mexican criminals are plotting attacks on the US. Previously I discussed the fact that nukes may have already been brought into the US from Mexico. What do we need to convince you that our border is a problem? If more than 4,000 illegals are entering the US every day, do you really think they are all just hard working folks trying to make a better life for their families?
Give me a break.
Read this from RTG. Arabs and Mexican criminals are plotting attacks on the US. Previously I discussed the fact that nukes may have already been brought into the US from Mexico. What do we need to convince you that our border is a problem? If more than 4,000 illegals are entering the US every day, do you really think they are all just hard working folks trying to make a better life for their families?
Give me a break.
far out, I am so bummed, man
I am 1% Hippie.
What? Am I a Republican? Why did I even bother taken this test?! I guess I’ll back to my George W. Bush fan club and tell them I just wasted 10 minutes of my life. At least I don’t stink, man.I am truely pissed about this. 1%, that must be an error. How about 0%? Something must have rubbed off when we visited California in '67.
Here's to you Teddy K
Here's to you Teddy K, you blowhard.
Remember, cars do not kill, drunk drivers kill. RIP Mary Jo.
As long as the people of Taxichusetts continue to elect this liar, this killer, this pompous blowhard, I will have no respect for that state.
"Do we operate under a system of equal justice under law?
Or is there one system for the average citizen
and another for the high and mighty?"
- Senator Ted Kennedy, 1973 -
Remember, cars do not kill, drunk drivers kill. RIP Mary Jo.
As long as the people of Taxichusetts continue to elect this liar, this killer, this pompous blowhard, I will have no respect for that state.
July 18, 2005
Weekend grab bag
It was really weird not to have baseball games this weekend. It was a little sad, we have been playing baseball since April. We still went out Saturday and tossed the ball around for a while. I am not sure if we will be playing in a Fall league this year. Football will start soon.
Had a nice relaxing dinner at home last night. Barbecue pork chops, corn, deviled eggs, and grilled cheese potatoes. I make these by slicing potatoes, dicing some vidalia onion, and cubing a bunch of colby cheese. Add a little salt, black and red pepper then I wrap all of this in aluminum foil and grill for about 1 hour. These are perfect with pork chops or chicken.
Saw Wedding Crashers, funny, funny. I am reading Harry Potter when I can prise it from the little one's hands. I am a little more than 1/2 done. I will let you know my review later.
Had a nice relaxing dinner at home last night. Barbecue pork chops, corn, deviled eggs, and grilled cheese potatoes. I make these by slicing potatoes, dicing some vidalia onion, and cubing a bunch of colby cheese. Add a little salt, black and red pepper then I wrap all of this in aluminum foil and grill for about 1 hour. These are perfect with pork chops or chicken.
Saw Wedding Crashers, funny, funny. I am reading Harry Potter when I can prise it from the little one's hands. I am a little more than 1/2 done. I will let you know my review later.
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