Friday, August 15, 2014

Final thought before the weekend...

As I continue to ponder the President’s plea for transparency in Ferguson, MO where a black man was shot by a white officer and the call to demilitarize the local police department, one question comes to mind that won’t go away. Is this the same President that has approved and blessed “authorizing the indefinite military detention of civilians, including U.S. citizens, without habeas corpus or due process” in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012? The same man that took an oath to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution?

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! Are you old enough to know who said that?

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Now I remember why I stopped blogging...

Obama calls for calm as well as a transparent investigation in the death of black 18 year old in Ferguson, MO. He also said there was no excuse for the use of excessive force by the police during the last 5 days of rioting protesting and demonstrating. I am so very thankful our President is still willing to get involved in local government and politics. Within minutes of the President’s remarks, the governor of Missouri promised to remove the St Louis County police from enforcing law and order there.
If the President were in charge in Ferguson, he could probably send in drones and bomb them with valium, halcion and Xanax. Ecstasy would take too long to legalize, unless there was an executive order… Reality show? Operation Chill Factor? I need another weekend, quick!
I believe these people have the right to protest and demonstrate! Violence should not be tolerated, even if the officer wrongfully killed him or if they are using excessive force at the demonstration area. If you’re hanging out there protesting, as is your constitutional right, that gives you no right to commit felonious acts and expect law enforcement to ignore them. Would you be protesting and demonstrating if the offending officer were black?
Well, I watched the latest “Noah” movie with Russell Crowe the other night and although I was highly entertained by the movie, I was very disappointed that Hollywood has turned the story to science fiction.
The best way to sell a lie is to start with a half-truth! Yea, I said that…
And speaking of lies, myths and shtuff like that, I was watching “Ancient Aliens” on the tube last week (I watch about once a year to keep up with the latest theories, conspiracies and anomalies) and it brought up the time when the British invaded Washington DC and tried to burn it down. A storm came from nowhere and put the fire out…not only that, a tornado sent the British fleeing from the area. Here’s the kicker - the theory: Aliens controlled the weather to stop the British so America could have a fair start! Not an act of God, but of aliens…
If there is a hell, it’s gonna be packed! ~ ~ Yea, I said that too!
When I ponder human intellect, a thought comes to mind... "Just smile and wave, boys.  Smile and wave." Skipper the penquin in Madagascar.   

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Are facts just theories, waiting to be disproven?

Sad to hear that Robin Williams apparently died of a suicide due to severe depression. Although I wasn’t a big fan of Mork and Mindy, his standup comedy was the some of the best I have ever seen. He had the quickest, funniest wit of any comedian I have had the pleasure of watching. He was a good actor as well.
Severe depression is a black hole with no light at the end of the tunnel. They say there are several causes, trauma, disappointment, despair, low self-esteem, fear, loneliness… Whatever the cause, the cost is escalating, especially in lost lives, addiction and damaged relationships. Very few understand the condition unless they truly experience it!
I got a good chuckle today after reading the news that there’s enough natural gas under Pittsburgh International Airport’s runway to fuel the entire state of Pennsylvania for up to 18 months. The first question that came to mind…’will they let them frac’? Initial answer that popped up, ‘not without the unions’. I’m still smiling about that one.
Media jargon kills me!!! Violent protesting??? Where do you draw the line between protesting/demonstrating and rioting? Fox News reported that the Ferguson, MO Police Chief said that “members of the crowd threw rocks at police and gunfire came from the crowd”. Other statements in the article include: “police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds near a burned out convenience store”; “police blocked off the area where most of the looting and vandalism occurred”. And people wonder why there are so many FEMA camps inside the USA…
Other than for immediate personal defense, I don’t believe there is ever justification for violence, especially for retaliation, revenge, reprisal or even under the guise of justice. No, my daughter has never been raped, nor my son been murdered. If history and life has taught me anything, it’s that two wrongs don’t make a right. Someone, somewhere must take the higher ground; otherwise, we will continue to kill each other en masse.
I find it humorous that Hilary Clinton has begun to side against the Obama administration’s policies. Maybe this is an attempt to test the water for a run at the Presidency coming soon. Nothing is more politically captivating than blaming the past President and Congress for today’s problems and offering “hope and change”. She won’t have much trouble throwing any Washington politicians under the bus, no matter what political party they belong. Anything to make the headlines… EDIT: Just a few short years ago, Hilary would have been called a racist for disagreeing with the President! 
As I get older, I seem to draw more conclusions. One of which is that there is nothing more unattractive than arrogance and pride. Don’t worry, I won’t be casting stones!

Monday, August 11, 2014

Monday afternoon nap...

After pondering the news that Russian hackers stole 1.2 Billion username/password combinations and 500 million email addresses, I have come to the conclusion that this one’s a pretty big deal. As technology advances, innovation increases and automation progresses, isn’t it logical that all you need to do to destroy an economy, control the infrastructure (e.g. electricity) or embezzle gazillions of dollars is to break into the system that operates it?  
It’s not a matter of if my password to a website will be stolen, but a question of when will it will happen.
I just read where the U.S. Postal Service lost $2 Billon last quarter. Who else can lose 2 billion in 3 months and get away with it? After information like that, how can anyone believe Obamacare will be a success? Just keep smokin that weed and drinkin that koolaide…
The President has indicated that bombing in Iraq could go on for months??? Well, is the war in Iraq over or is this just what is considered a conflict? Or maybe he didn’t want Russia and Israel to get all the warmonger press…
On a lighter note, would someone please tell me what’s gonna happen when the NCAA starts allowing colleges to pay athletes? Will this be the beginning of the end of “for the love of the game”?