As I see it

seems like only yesterday

2012-01-29T13:46:00.000-06:00

But it was nearly 4 years ago when I was writing on politics, in particular DFL -- The Hillary-Barack battle. Now, we are rapidly (THANK GOODNESS) approaching the end of Obama's first (And many people hope only) term. There are no challengers to him on his side.At least, none that we can see. He's unopposed by any DFL member.

4 years ago, it was a battle on GOP -- McCain, Romney, Huckabee...and I was preparing for the MN caucus. I missed it: I was battling influenza A. But I had done my research. I was not going to do more than a "token" vote ; the straw poll isn't binding.

4 years, and 1500 miles away, this year I prepare for my first PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY. It's on Tuesday, January 31st, here in Florida. Unless I wind up in the hospital or something extreme happens, I will be casting my first vote in Florida.

I've been watching. There's little civility, if any. It's enough to turn me off. But I know: It's my duty to get out there. This isn't a general election. It's little more than a "beauty contest.," But I've tried to follow the candidates. I was a T-Paw fan. Then he dropped. Bachmann fell by the wayside. Cain was forced out. Huntsman Shuffled aside. The candidates dwindled. I found myself with a choices that were not acceptable. Except one.

I know of "Romneycare"...And I find it nothing more than a mirror image of Obama-care, and NEITHER is any good. Obama's is worse, because of the "extra taxes" that are being forced on to us, the consumer.

PAUL -- Too much of "Maverick" for me. His anti-Israel views hurt him. and it's gonna see a "Drop" soon. Maybe as soon as Tuesday.

Gingrich -- Well, I have a few words about his infidelity. If it comes down to him vs. Oblamebushforya, I still won't support "O". But I'm not sure I can support "G", either. Sure, I like Newt's vision of a moon base. But I don't see how I can support a guy who's been married 3 times. I had a hard enough time justifying 2 with McCain.

That leaves Santorum. A little of an unknown to me, but at least some of our views match. I can say that about ALL the GOP candidates, though. "Some" of our views match.

We need JOBS, not job killing (See Solyndra, Keystone pipeline), We need spending cuts before increasing taxes. We need a balanced budget, and a budget from the Senate. We're getting NONE of this from "O".

Florida is a "Winner take all" state, I understand. But I don't trust the polls. And I can't see any way that Gingrich and Romney would pair up, nor Romney and Santorum...CERTAINLY not Paul!
While Florida may be a "Winner take all" state, there's a problem: They won't get full delegate support. Neither will NH, nor SC. Rules and bylaws of the party give us pause. But even if any one candidate slips by (By even 1 vote), Florida is done... and the winner may just grab the coveted nomination.

Whoever the Republicans finally choose -- there will still be a division in the party. At least, for a little while.

So far: Romney won NH. Santorum succeeded in Iowa. Gingrich got the nod in South Carolina. While Florida won't determine the final outcome (Bet on California), expect whosoever comes in 4th to drop. If it's Paul, you might expect a "3rd party" showing up. Some would say the show's already over. Some would say it's just beginning. But, As I see it, The show isn't over, nor is it beginning. It's not a "SHOW" at all. It's a circus. It's an asylum. And it's got to be solved before, and I mean LONG before JUNE...since the convention is in August. We need to put aside our petty squabbles...and focus on the task at hand: Removing an incompetent President (Or a usurper?). If we don't make peace amongst ourselves, we get what we deserve. It's a Frightening thought.

Yes, just think of what 4 more years of Obama is likely to do. If that doesn't frighten you, you're a bit of a fool: AS I SEE IT!

Revenge of the Consumer!

2012-01-27T12:56:00.000-06:00

You may get calls, letters, fliers.. all offering to "help" get your debts down. They claim they'll "mediate" your debt, what not. They generally use "credit card" offers to try bringing it down...just to entice.

Today, got one of the letters. A month ago, they wrote and offered their "Services". I ignored it. After all, the only "Debt" I currently have (aside from utilities, car insurance) is a disputed debt, one mortgage, and one "very small" doctor bill. Nothing else that I am aware of, and nothing that I would spend money on negotiating!

But these dingleberries seem to think that they can convince me.

Aside from the obvious problems of there not being enough, plus the fact that things are just "questionable" in almost all conditions, what's the point?

I decided to ELIMINATE their harassment, once and for all. I hid my phone number (I don't use it when talking to unknown people, collection agencies (When they are right OR wrong) or creditors. I WILL use it when talking to Family, friends (Mind you, I have no hearing, so I cannot HEAR them, but I need a caption phone), or business which I need services. (That doesn't include agencies, schools, or whatnot). I WILL not hide it when talking with politician's offices, stores that I do business with, or along that line.

Anyway, I told 'em "I have no credit card debt". True enough. I have no cards! None on my own, and my wife's is small enough not to be a major factor. But then they asked "Any loans, hospital bills, blah, blah". Only "Loan" is a mortgage, which is current. Only medical -- one currently for me, one for my wife...and that's it...CURRENT. This doesn't include disputes, or the like.

Told 'em TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST. They did...supposedly. We shall see.
Their number -- was an 800 number 800-900-6068.

May I recommend you do no business with them? They're obviously vultures...No thanks.

The CONSUMER wins THIS ROUND>... As i see it!

Both humorous and appalling!

2012-01-26T16:30:00.000-06:00

I get a lot of spam mail... actually, my wife does. I get a whole lot less. But sometimes, things get through to an account... and I simply delete.

Well, everybody needs a hobby. Sending Spam mail is just one way idiots pass the time.

Today, though..IT REALLY BURNS MY BUTT.

Why? The letter from someplace called "Searches" -- I didn't save the whole name, it was just stupid. But the Email title caught my eye. It amused...then ANGERED me. Why? Well...

"Your EX has searched for you!" it declares. Wow. My "EX" searched for me, huh? You gotta wonder how she found me. I mean how did she even know where to look? (SARCASM MODE OFF, NOW)

The thing is, the email declares "Find out who." WOW. I mean my EX, and then I have to find out WHO? I mean, It's absolutely astonishing...CONSIDERING I'VE ONLY BEEN MARRIED ONCE, AND AM STILL MARRIED TO THE SAME WOMAN AFTER 21 YEARS!

Do they REALLY think that I'm gonna click a link, trying to track my "ex" who searched for me...when she doesn't even exist?!

CRIMINEY, YOU FREAKING SPAMMERS, VIRUS UPLOADERS, AND HACKERS... Do you think I'm STUPID?

I called them out. I told 'em that they were a bunch of FOOL LIARS... And NOT SO KINDLY!

Look, you stupid spamming/hacking dorks...you have a LOT to learn. And AS I SEE IT, you're just too stupid to realize that NOT EVERY MARRIAGE ENDS IN DIVORCE. Not everyone owes income tax. And not everybody is stupid enough to fall for your machinations!

Battles with the intolerant

2012-01-15T08:24:00.000-06:00

Sure, I admit it. I'm guilty of intolerance of somethings. Who isn't? But I try to be tolerant of people. When the become rude or insulting, I turn them off. Simple. They'll spread lies, rumors...The truth will out.

One fellow on Twitter is giving me a time...doesn't want to talk to GOP, at all...I pointed out some stuff, he responded...I asked for an example of what he was saying. But he tells me to go look it up. Well, I don't know what he's thinking about; how am I to look it up? Why won't he say? Because, probably, he knows that I'll be able to puncture holes in his argument. You know the old saying right? "I've made up my mind, don't confuse me with facts!"

In the spirit, I wrote a short Twitter poem.

Consider it, AS I SEE IT... this little poem about tolerance rings true.

TOLERANCE, TOLERANCE, that is the key.
I tolerate you, but you don't tolerate me.
So, I don't tolerate you, and we have a war....
Soon we're both tolerant, because We are No More.

It's a statement on hatred. It's a statement on war. And like it or not, it's the Truth. Not just the truth as i see it, but a full-fledged universal. And TRUTH, YES, TRUTH NEVER CHANGES.

Ease on down the road.

2012-01-13T13:37:00.000-06:00

1 PM in FL on 1-13-2012, with "Supposedly" 343 days until the end of the world. :) Temp isn't even 50 degrees, but not uncomfortable. I have no vehicle available today (at this hour) so I decide I'm going to walk to the store. It's about 1 mile away.My walking speed used to be about 4 MPH, Recently, though, I've been averaging about 2.8. I'm not as fast as I used to be.

I left my meds at home (Foolish) and walked down to the store. Then I decided to try something. Is it even possible that I might be able to double my pace? Can I get the mile in 12 minutes/ It requires me to try a slow run. I have COPD, such a run may prove to be stupid. But I decide I will try.

I doubled my pace ... for about a minute. I was thoroughly winded afterwards. It was stupid, I guess, to try. I continued walking...and about 5 minutes later tried again... I didn't even make a minute, that time.

I know this old body of mine ain't in the condition it could be, especially not the lungs. But I tried. I did not succeed.

Is there any reason to be discouraged? Not really. I didn't expect to be able to do much.
Is there any reason to be ENCOURAGED? Again, not really. I wasn't able to double my pace, although I may have picked it up slightly.

I'm just old. Bodies wear out after time. Mine is wearing out faster because of COPD. But I find it slightly promising that I was able to do ANYTHING. That I am still able to walk 4-6 miles a week is pleasing.

So, I'm getting old. I can't run a marathon. Can't cover a mile in under 20 minutes anymore. but I CAN still walk. I guess that's something....AS I SEE IT

Long winded answer on Biblical questions...

2012-01-08T16:44:00.001-06:00

Twitter gets you a chance to know people. The problem is you are
constrained to 140 characters per tweet, and complex questions can run on
forever. The answers can be even more so.

I was asked, and I can see it's a good question, sincere in its intent -- If
you read the Bible and want to determine if a part of it is true, HOW DO YOU
DO IT?

The answer is, as briefly as possible: It depends! Not specific, I grant
you -- but it depends on what you are researching, or what you want to
validate is true.

This means it breaks down into several possibilities:
1) Existence of a location
2) Existence of a miracle
3) Explanation of how a miracle may have been accomplished
4) Existence of a person
5) What appear obvious errors
6) Proof of future prophecy.

Location is fairly straight forward, I think. Archeological journals,
information on excavations, A good atlas, and a good knowledge of History
could all be needed.
Names of cities can change over millennia. Some, however, such as Jerusalem
have remained pretty much constant over the years. Sodom, Gomorrah, they
vanished. The Garden of Eden vanished. Babylon became ruins. Assyria
became powerful, then diminished. The Ark of the Covenant has vanished.
Where are the mountains of Ararat? And is there any proof that the Ark is
there?
And where is the land of Magog? (It's Russia!)

Thing is, what some would call "Climate Change" is a problem with some areas
Eden was in Iraq. So was Babylon and the hanging gardens (Accepted as
factual by archeologists and historians alike.) Iraq was a garden spot up
until about the time of Lot which was about 3300 BCE. The story says that
God sent 2 angels (Men, Messengers) to warn lot of the destruction to come.
And, you know the story -- Sodom and Gomorrah are gone. So, for Places, now
archeology is best bet.

Existence of Miracles is somewhat harder, although Science has confirmed
that such situations could happen. Moses and the Dividing of the Red Sea
(More accurately called the REED sea, but called Red because it reflects the
mountains of Edom -- and Edom means RED) is one example that science proved
could be done -- they did it in a Lab. The wind would have had to have
been from the east (what the Bible said), and science shows that a powerful
enough, sustained wind would divide such a body of water IF it was over a
shallower area. Such as a ridge in the sea. Guess what. They examined the
sea in the area. There's a ridge! A powerful, sustained wind could cause
water to "pile up" on either side. And, perhaps appropriately, they found
remnants of chariots in the sea in that area.

Destruction of Sodom is another matter -- but the climate change comes into
effect, according to science. Actually, the consensus is (and is born out)
that a meteorite exploded in the area -- it rained down fire and sulfur upon
those in the area. Lot had fled to the mountains. But his wife turned back
and got incinerated. Since the human body is mostly chemicals (Salt, for
one), the pillar of salt seems a logical conclusion.

The Plagues? Check the History channel. They show how it could have been
done -- including the death of the first-born sons of Egypt. Although, it
does seem a little more selective....mainly because it doesn't indicate that
the women got hit, too. And it showed how Elijah could have accomplished
the destruction of the Prophets of Baal with this fire -- how it could have
been kindled.

The Resurrection is only confirmed by those who actually saw Christ alive
afterwards. This one, we must take on faith. It's not a good answer, but
it's the ONLY answer.

The washing of clothes after contact with a dead body? People didn't learn
that until after the Black Plague. But the Bible said so. And the
circumcision on day 8? Turns out that a vitamin which accelerates clotting
doesn't reach acceptable levels until day 8. Too much of "coincidence" if
you ask me!

Now, what about discrepancies? Could Adam lived more than 900 years?
Methuselah?
Well, some records show that some rulers lived "thousands" of years. While
it doesn't seem possible, consider a turtle -- it can live 250 years.
Elephants 100. Parrots, 150.

Could fewer germs been a reason for people to live longer? Or could it be
a different measurement of year? This we may never know.

Verifying people is hard when you go back this far. They generally need be
well connected. Cleopatra, Caesar Augustus, Julius Caesar, Herod... Moses
had his name struck from the books in Egypt. Was this COMMON? No. But at
least one Queen had her name struck from almost all the records in Egypt.
(History Channel). One spot, they actually found reference to the name. So
you can see it DOES happen.

Proof of the prophecies can be seen in the past -- Sodom, Babylon, Rome,
Assyria.

But prove future prophecies? The only way you can do THAT is wait. This
one MUST be on faith.

I hope I've answered your Question, you who call yourself "GodlessAtheist".
If not, Tell me what needs more specification. I'll be glad to give more
specifics -- if I can't, I'll tell you.

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Health issues, faith, and the atheists

2012-01-08T07:15:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, I was in the Hospital last August, with a severe attack of COPD. The reasons I have it are immaterial, because I do have it. It began to develop about 15 years ago, then started to became less manageable after 2 years...and slowly went out of control. I have been in the hospital (Not just ER), now, 2 times in less than 6 months, and a third time they wanted me to stay overnight. I declined.

But this last time there was a CT. They found "Suspicious spots" on my lungs. They want to do a biopsy. I have 3 options, 2 of which actually yield the same result. 1) I can have the biopsy. 2) I can decline it, or 3) I can delay it. The last one is the same result as number 2. It's not standing still. It is impossible to stand still.

I've read about the biopsy procedure. I know what it does. I know what the results can be. And the results are the same for all paths. Ultimately, the path will end in a hole down the road. The paths circle back. And the result is the same.

I have sought advice from family, friends, physicians. Ultimately, I make the final decision. And yet the result is out of my hands. I think of the words I have often read, "Which one of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his height?" (Luke 12:25)

Yet, each option gives two choices:
Having it will say if it is malignant or not. Then the choice is treatment or non-treatment. And the yes or no decision leads to a result that is out of my hands: It works or not. And sometime in the future after my decision is made, my body is dust anyway. The other two routes just branch out into "yes or no" and finally the same result -- dust. ALL choices ultimately lead to physical death.

At this moment, anyway, my choice has been made. Future options, or changes in the path all in involve risk and the YES or NO options. And the result is still the same.

Yet, I am comfortable with my choice. It is because I feel that God will guide me into the best choice. And if that choice is a faster physical death, so be it. I've had 52 years, there is still some more time ahead. But I don't know how much. In fact, NOBODY knows how much. No mortal can!

Now, how do Atheists fit in here? Well, I've met another (It's not hard to find someone on Twitter who doesn't believe.). His questions are genuine, I can see that. And I can see (Despite what he says) that he is actually struggling with his choice. I do understand. He wants to be convinced that he has made the right choice. The questions he asks are not those of a closed mind. He wants to understand. I truly sympathize. It is a matter of FAITH. He asks "Will God burn those who do not find Him?" I point out "Seek, and you shall find. Ask, and it shall be given to you...." So he says the Bible is wrong -- I say no, because it is not those who do not FIND, but those who reject.

It is a principle of law: Ignorance is no excuse. It is also a principle of the Bible. But in FAIRNESS, God doesn't punish those who break the law knowingly with the same severity. Those who know the law but do not keep shall receive a severe beating. Those who do not know the law will receive a light beating.

I don't claim to understand God's ways. Nor do I claim perfection in Biblical interpretation. We need to temper what we have read with our knowledge of what is. For instance, The Bible says 6 days for the Universe...Or "heavens and Earth" if you prefer. It also says that "A thousand years is but a day in thy sight when it is passed, or a watch in the night." But consider: Did anyone really know what a BILLION was at that time? Perhaps the term THOUSAND meant BILLION. When you do the math, it calculates to almost the figures that science has given.

People often misquote the Bible. It's easy to do.

To the guy with whom I am speaking on Twitter: Science and faith and spirituality are not mutually exclusive. They are complimentary. It is sometimes difficult to see the connection. We both want to be convince that we are right. We seek out opinions, dwell on the past, try to perceive the future.

Thing is, I know where my physical future leads when my decisions are made. While my spiritual existence is in doubt to many, it is not to me. But really -- if there is no beyond, what is the point in our existence? I don't think that you can answer that. But consider this -- As far back as recorded history goes, there have been people who have worshiped gods, goddesses, nature, and the like. Can the billions of people who ever lived on this earth ALL be wrong?

My decision, my choice, my responsibility. Your decision, your choice, your responsibility. And we will all share the same PHYSICAL fate. You, and no one else, can deny this. We can tell each other we're wrong. And in all fairness, what mortal is qualified to tell another that his/her belief is wrong? We can share our beliefs. But we must also accept each other's belief that we're right. Until such time that your indisputable evidence arises for you, my evidence (which is indisputable for me) is going to be no more than hearsay for you. I guess it's part and parcel of being human....AS I SEE IT.

The lying morons are at it again...Of course.

2011-11-25T10:41:00.000-06:00

In this economy, the prospect of easy money, big money, is an almost irresistible temptation. But, as the following will show, it not only must be resisted, but thoroughly investigated.

My wife received a letter in the U.S. Mail. Always . Even with the USPS in dire straights, they continue to exist. So, letters are inevitable.

The letter begins, "you have been identified as needing money." I suppose so. We've complained about it on Facebook, and Twitter, for ages. The offer is to become a "Secret shopper." That's legitimate. The company, although I've never heard of them, is based in Minnetonka, MN. They even sent a check to cover the first job.

I was immediately and justifiably suspicious. I looked at the check: $1530.00. Way to much for a "shopper." They wanted Trish to cash the check, keep 300 for her services, pay $90.00 to Western Union, then wire the rest to them in an attempt to evaluate the service. They even sent an "evaluation form."

I started an investigation. I looked up the bank -- it existed. I looked up the name of the place that wanted the evaluation. It existed. Then I looked at the envelope. CANADIAN POSTMARK. This letter is from Minnesota, why does it have a Canadian Postmark?

No return address. These are red flags.

The address of the place was accurate. But the phone numbers seemed odd; I'm from MN, originally. This phone number was 1-818-666-xxxx. The 666 didn't seem right. I checked. Yes, it exists -- IN CALIFORNIA. Why would a Minnesota company be using a California phone number? There was a fax number, too. It was an 800 number. But thanks to the 'net, I was able to determine that that number is in New Jersey. That's odd. Minnesota company, Canadian postmark, with a California voice phone and a NJ fax? UNH-UH.

The Bank, as I said, existed -- in INDIANAPOLIS.

I finally called the bank. I asked them to verify the check. The Routing Number was correct. But what they told me was "This is not a valid check number." IE, This is COUNTERFEIT!

If the check had been cashed, my wife would have been ON THE HOOK for $1530.00. The bank told me to tear up the check, or contact the local authorities, or the FBI.

I then called the company from whom the check allegedly was. They were aware of the scam. Fortunately.

So, I gathered All the info I had, and took it all to the local police, 12 miles away. They now have the fake check, the letter, and the envelope. IF the phone numbers are investigated and found to be involved, it's curtains for those morons.

Can YOU imagine being held responsible for something you believed was real? And to the tune of over 1500 bucks, plus criminal charges?

This makes the point. BE SURE you INVESTIGATE thoroughly if you get something like this. Examine the phone numbers. Check the addresses. CALL THE PLACES -- not the numbers on the checks, nor on the letter -- LOOK THEM UP! Verify if the stuff is real. If you don't, I can't be responsible. I've done my best, AS I SEE IT, to warn you. YOU must take the warning to heart. If it, it could be jail. It's up to you to protect yourself; I am not your keeper. You must be your own!

Misconceptions-- let's clear 'em up, huh?

2011-10-18T19:36:00.001-05:00

Now, let's get something straight: I'm not a democrat, I'm not a communist, I'm not a Nazi. I AM disabled, laid low by COPD and total hearing loss. I'm a Republican. And I am ANGRY.

I get a small stipend from the Govt, and it is something for which I worked 30+ years. It ALL goes to upkeep...and there isn't much else I can do. MOSTLY house...

There have been some GOP member who have been giving crap about Medicaid. To hear them speak, it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, and a huge waste. It (according to these folks) gives FREE medical...Nothing out of pocket.

LET ME TELL YOU, FOLKS. YOU ARE WRONG. Stop Bull-shitting, and start learning the facts of the matter!

Now, I grant you I'm not familiar with Medicaid in any state other than my current one. Each state has its own rules. But don't tell me it gives "FREE" care. It doesn't! In MY case, I have to shell out 1079 A MONTH in medical expenses before I'm eligible for help.That happened in August. But in September, it went RIGHT BACK to that figure of monthly deductible of almost 1100! I don't have insurance, other than medicare, because of my disability.

Then, there are the statements about illegals on Welfare, free medical...Again, it's bullshit. I've done my research. There was a story about a mother in FL who was pulling in 1500 a month per child, she had 8 kids and was only 25. Florida law doesn't give that much. MAX would be 671/month. But there's no such person!

Look, folks... If you're gonna exaggerate to prove a point, you better be prepared to say to yourself "Do I have proof of this? Am I willing to testify UNDER OATH that this is true?"

Sure, there are liars on both sides. And things get TWISTED. Statements about companies that pay "NO INCOME TAXES" -- the original survey indicated that once in seven years, certain big businesses paid no taxes. That's NOT THE SAME as Not Paying ANY taxes. What about those other 6 years?

I'm TIRED of your bull shitting. I'm tired of your lies and half truths. And if you are not prepared to DO THE RESEARCH NEEDED... Don't repeat the story. Don't go to blogs as sources; too many of them are liars, as well. Get Legitimate sources. Check out the Congressional Record. Check out the library of Congress.

A recent story put out by the Tea Party indicated "Cash Transactions banned in Louisiana. " This is fully exaggerated. The title has you believe that they're banning ALL cash transactions. I've read the law. I don't like it. But that IS NOT what it says. Not exactly. But similar laws have been enacted in many states, including MN and FL. But the wording of the laws differ, making the laws vastly dissimilar. For instance, if you take a lot of scrap metal to a recycling spot in MN, they must pay by check. In FL, they have to take your license and info about your vehicle, but they will pay in cash...unless it's too high. They also take a thumb print and picture, sometimes. So like it or not...It's the way it is.

Congress has the right to regulate commerce. The states have to follow the rules, but they can add to the rules, to an extent. But NOBODY can FORCE COMMERCE.

Just do me a favor: If you're going to pass along info, AS I SEE IT, you have an obligation to yourself to check the facts, and a duty to others to be sure the facts are accurate. If you're going to shirk your duty and obligation, you have no right to spread information; you're nothing but a gossip monger. So, GET WITH THE PROGRAM. If you REFUSE to check out your information with RELIABLE SOURCES, you're nothing but a coward-- AS I SEE IT!

When the COUNTY is running an extortion scheme.

2011-10-16T10:44:00.001-05:00

In June, My wife had a job interview in a neighboring county. While there, she receive a freaking traffic ticket -- 3 of 'em, to be exact. Deserving? Well, two of them were dismissed right off.

HOWEVER, we had nothing to pay the remaining ticket. We got an extension. I sold an item, went to the neighboring county 4 days before the September due date. I paid the fine, justified or not... Got the receipt, then went home. I had my wife put the receipt someplace where we could find if the cops decided something was wrong. Weeks passed. No problems.

UNTIL YESTERDAY. My wife received a letter claiming the fine hadn't been paid and that her license will be suspended. HUH? I paid the damn thing. I PAID IT IN CASH. I have the DAMN RECEIPT.

This leads to one of 4 conclusions:

1) Computer failure. This is possible, I suppose. Of course, I know of nobody else who has the same problem.

2. Misplaced data. Things have a tendency to get lost.

3) INCOMPETENCE on part of cashier. However, she SEEMED competent.. So, I tend to discount this one.

4) EXTORTION RING... Attempts to STEAL more money for any unfortunate who was unlucky enough to get a ticket in that county.

I, for one, have never equated LOCAL GOVERNMENTS with crooks. FEDERAL, STATE, yeah. NOT LOCAL.

But this looks like a blatant attempt to steal $154 bucks more. It AIN'T GONNA WORK, YOU F***ERS! We KEPT THE RECEIPT.

Your little extortion ring is gonna be EXPOSED, and YOU ASSES will be in JAIL, if I* have anything to say about it!

Fortunately, we have a lawyer in the family. FORTUNATELY, we have the receipt. Fighting City Hall is always tough. But they're gonna have a hard time getting away with this!

The county in question shall remain NAMELESS...but I say this: IF YOU THINK That we're going to roll over and play dead, allowing you to STEAL 154 more, You better THINK AGAIN...AS I SEE IT!

(I'll keep you informed as to the results. WE'RE GONNA KICK SOME COUNTY ASS!)

I still love poetry.

2011-09-23T16:52:00.001-05:00

As many of you have discovered, I am a poet. I love poetry in almost all forms. Some I don't understand, so I find it hard to include it on my list.
I love the rhymes, the meters, I love a good limerick, and naked verses were the first type I did...in a journal, anyway.

This morning gave rise to another.

The morning of the twenty-third,
I heard a silent cry.
"I know that sound," I quietly mused.
"Something had to die."

It was early morning
the sun not yet on the rise.
The night was dark, the stars were out,
but the moon was in disguise.

I opened my door and went outside
while I held my breath,
hoping, somehow, to shield myself
from the prominent smell of death.

But the air was clean and sweet
on this dark and cool night.
But what of the sound, the cry I heard?
Could I have not been right?

The silent cry I heard again.
To find the source, I glanced around.
I saw a single, reddened leaf,
floating gently to the ground.

But in my apprehension,
I felt a twinge of grief...
Could I have really heard the death cry
of a single leaf?

A breeze blew softly through the branches
but with nary another sound
More of the leaves broke off a branch
And floated to the ground.

I realized, then, what I had heard,
It wasn't a leaf's cry.
It was the final cry of summer:
Summer had to die.

As we pass, like Earth, through seasons,
passing swiftly like a fly....
Let's appreciate our summer --
Because our summer, too, has to die.

AN OPEN LETTER TO MURPHY OIL CORPORATION (Petroleum, not soap!)

2011-09-18T09:52:00.002-05:00

My wife has been searching for a job for 7 months. She has applied to your company several times, and she keeps getting rejected. Your company claims "You did not pass the assessment."

Tell me, what's more important: Someone who can pass a test filled with opinions and/or hypothetical situations , or someone who is experienced as a cashier in a fast paced environment -- Someone who can DO THE JOB?

A cashier is NOT going to be scheduling meetings. A cashier is not going to be scheduling vacations. A cashier is not going to need a 50,000 word vocabulary. A cashier IS going to need to know how to make change. A cashier will need to know how to operate the register and POS terminal. A cashier will need to know how to deal with irate customers and proper procedures in case of a robbery. A cashier needs HONESTY, Integrity, understanding, and willingness to do the job.

But for some reason, you folks seem to think that your "Assessment" is so important. The thing is, circumstances are never has you have them. The circumstances require that a cashier be able to think on his/her feet. A Cashier needs to be able to foresee trouble and head it off.

THAT is what my wife offers. And that is what you folks are rejecting because she "doesn't pass the assessment."

I submit to you that your assessment process is UNFAIR AND BIASED.

Make your judgements from interviews, not standardized tests. People do not fit into a standardized mold. What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another!

I may not be able to get you to interview my wife for a cashier position. I may not be able to get you to discard your assessment tests. Of course, if you're looking for bilingual, that should be clearly stated.

Oh, you want my business? "SORRY, YOU DID NOT PASS THE ASSESSMENT!"

______________________________________

The above may seem harsh. But it's this blogger's opinion of "Assessments", pre-employment tests. This aren't background checks. These aren't reference checks. These tests are unnecessary, a hassle, and a complete waste of time. They SHOULD be ILLEGAL. We should BOYCOTT Murphy Oil...AS I SEE IT!

Re: Your Amazon.co.uk Enquiry

2011-09-02T11:21:00.000-05:00

"Unable." Such a funny word. Especially when used in such a manner.

Perhaps you can do the following:

Since I know of at least 3 Indies who have been blocked for alleged violations, Including Ms. Howes and Mr. Leather, perhaps you can find out who the complainant is. You don't even need report names. Just check it, and see if it's the same person. I'm told that the name sounds "Japanese"... Something like Quasimodo, but obviously not that, since that is the hunchback from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. IF it is the same person, investigate the person's list of complaints against authors. If it is as I suspect, it's the complainant who needs be blocked, not the authors.

In the U.S., anyway, we have the right to face our accuser. I suspect it is the same in Great Britain, the U.K., England, or whatever you want to call it.

Justice means fair treatment. And I don't find banning someone for an alleged violation (even a one time violation) Fair treatment.

One last thing? If you're going to shut off a person's access, don't sign it "warmest regards." It is impossible to give a reprimand warmly!

-------Original Message-------

From: Amazon.co.uk

Date: 9/2/2011 10:41:35 AM

To: cwbuckett@centurylink.net

Subject: Your Amazon.co.uk Enquiry

Hello Mr. Buckett,

I am sorry that you feel this way. However as my colleague Sarah has already explained we are unable to advise you on the reason behind this situation due to our confidentiality policy.

We do understand that you are upset, however we will not be able to offer any additional insight or action on these matters.

Thank you for shopping at Amazon.co.uk

Warmest regards,

Caroline C

Amazon.co.uk

Your feedback is helping us build Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company.

---- Original message: ----

BULLSHIT. There's a DAMN TROLL out there who's causing trouble for her.

And Believe me, she's not the only one. I DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION... OR,

Maybe you prefer a lawyer on your case? I can do that. My brother-in-law

is an attorney, I'll be sure to give him your number.

Ms. Howes has violated no rules. I suggest you deal with the troll, not the

authors. BTW: If you REALLY want, we Indie Authors can start pulling our

books. I mean, Some of the authors are selling THOUSANDS a month. That's

THOUSANDS of dollars you will not have. Think about it.

-------Original Message-------

From: Amazon.co.uk

Date: 9/2/2011 4:19:29 AM

To: cwbuckett@centurylink.net

Subject: Your Amazon.co.uk Enquiry

Hello Mr. Buckett,

Thank you for contacting Amazon.co.uk.

I'm sorry that you feel that Mrs. Howes has been unfairly banned from

posting on our Discussions.

While we are unable to advise you the reason behind this situation due to

our confidentiality policy, it had come to our attention that our Discussion

Guidelines were not met which is why action was taken. Please take a look at

our guidelines for more information:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/forum/content/db-guidelines.html/

For every participant in discussion, if we see a particular guideline

constantly ignored, we will take action.

I understand that you are upset and I regret that we have not been able to

address your concerns to your satisfaction. Unfortunately, we will not be

able to offer any additional insight or action on these matters. If Mrs.

Howes wish to contact us concerning this issue, we would be happy to assist

her.

Thank you for shopping at Amazon.co.uk

Warmest regards,

Sarah

Amazon.co.uk

Your feedback is helping us build Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company.

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ATTENTION BOGUMILA, ET AL.. At AMAZON. COM, and AMAZON.CO.UK

2011-09-01T08:33:00.001-05:00

I am writing to protest, in strongest terms possible, your treatment of Indie Authors.

I am aware of one particular "Troll" who delights in trying to bring down successful authors. His/her most recent target is PAM HOWES.

You folks seem to forget: YOU are making money off these publications. Your treatment of PAM HOWES, among other Indie Authors, is APPALLING, SHOCKING, UNPRECEDENTED, AND UNCALLED FOR!

While I grant you that I do NOT know who the Complainant is, I feel it's the troll. I want a full investigation into that account, find out how many times this person has complained about Indie Authors. I think you'll find that this person has complained more than once about various authors, and he/she is probably a disgruntled author who hasn't been able to sell more than a handful of books -- or possible a pirate of such books.

I FORMALLY REQUEST REINSTATEMENT of PAM HOWES to her status on the forums, and a FULL INVESTIGATION into the person who is complaining.

ON BEHALF of ALL INDIE AUTHORS (Including myself)

CHARLES W. BUCKETT, Florida, USA.

Here we go....rocking all over the state.

2011-08-24T18:21:00.000-05:00

Hear the clanking and clattering?
It's coming from Miles around.
Yep, it's that Time Again.
MN STATE FAIR is in Town!
#statefairtime

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Ames, Iowa, Straw Poll: What does it mean?

2011-08-14T08:43:00.000-05:00

School hasn't started in most parts of the U.S. It's barely August, and Halloween Candy has been in the store for weeks already. School supplies have been out longer. In a matter of just a few days, we'll be seeing CHRISTMAS products hauled out of storage.-- Typical in this nation. BUT -- We are assaulted constantly with politics. And now, the "Season" begins IN EARNEST...in the State of Iowa...and it kicks off what looks to be a very odd campaign for the G.O.P. I'm waiting to see if any D.F.L. member has the guts (or balls) to challenge the current "Moron-in-chief." I'm not banking on it. But the purpose of this post isn't to berate the D.F.L.

The AMES, IOWA straw poll is history. Two people I expected to be running, 2 I hoped would be -- those 4 are nowhere to be seen. They do not have much time to get into the game. If they do not announce by November 1st, at the absolute latest, they may as wall hang up the "boxing gloves" for another 4 years. There simply won't be time to raise the money need, or establish the organization required.

1. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
2. Congressman Ron Paul
3. Governor Tim Pawlenty
4. Senator Rick Santorum
5. Herman Cain
6. Governor Rick Perry
7. Governor Mitt Romney
8. Speaker Newt Gingrich
9. Governor Jon Huntsman
10. Congressman Thad McCotter
NOTE, ALSO: Sarah Palin was not on the Ballot. But, then again, neither was Rick Perry.
But what does this poll really MEAN? Does it really establish a "front-runner"? Is there any significance AT ALL?

As I see it, this poll is nothing. It is a beauty contest, nothing more. It is a non-binding straw poll. Granted, even the caucuses are that right up until the state conventions. The "Winner take All" idea in the primaries is outdated, and I am not sure it works anymore, if it ever did.
I feel the Ms. Bachmann, with all due respect, is too far "Right". I'm not sure what to make of
Ron Paul. Governor Pawlenty is Proven, but needs more recognition and organization.
Santorum is really not that well known. CAIN? A wild card thrown into the race. PERRY, recognition, proven -- but with a very late start. But the write-in campaign proved strong. This candidate may be a contender.
The others -- Romney, Gingrich, McCotter, Huntsman -- they may as well drop out right now. Their showings were worse than Perry's, who only had a write-in campaign, and that wasn't his own doing!
If Palin, Rice, Powell, Patreaus are going to enter the race, they must do so NOW.

I fear Bachmann is a novelty. Cain may be an oddity. Pawlenty and Perry may actually have the best shots.

But IS THERE any meaning in this poll? It's not binding. The "Tea Party" is out in full force for Paul and Bachmann. Pawlenty's 3rd place finish holds promise, but 13%, and being defeated by a greater than 2 to 1 margin is not promising.
Right now, Iowa is in the spotlight. But that spotlight is a 15 watt bulb. or maybe it's just a candle. It is said "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." But this candle is leading us to a big unknown. We can't see the potholes, traps and landmines in our way.

Down the road a ways (February or March of 2012) this straw poll may have blown out the Straw-man candidates. Or it may have led us into a trap.

Ames, Iowa straw poll: Impact minimal, significance undetermined, a likely mirage to be ferreted out by March, 2012 -- AS I SEE IT!

Links to blog poetry

2011-08-07T18:29:00.001-05:00

This is a list of MOST of my poetry and stories on AS I SEE IT.

No current title.
http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2011/05/poetry-continued.html

Goodbye Cruel World

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2011/05/poetry.html

Echoes of Silence (Published 2001, in an abridged format)
http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2010/10/echoes-of-silence.html

State Fair Poetry (2010)

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2010/09/state-fair-poetry.html

Ode to a Dollar Bill

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2010/07/old-poem-of-mine.html (July.
2010)

Loud and Smelly Fart (parody of Achy Breaky Heart)

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2010/05/by-popular-demand.html

ASHES

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2010/01/so-much-i-miss.html

A Tribute to Challenger

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-meant-to-post-this-yesterday
html

A CANARY award poem

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot
com/2010/01/canary-awards-year-end-canaries-and.html
(Look for canary awards, you'll probably find more!)

Lose my Name, Lose my number!

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2009/10/lose-my-name-lose-my-number.html

Role Playing Poetry (Zimmerman)

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2009/09/this-is-weird-one-folks.html

State Fair Poetry (2009)

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2009/08/state-fair-poetry.html

A Pessimist's view on Life (1986)

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot
com/2009/07/it-makes-no-difference-which-way-you.html

Role Playing Poetry (another character)

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2009/07/poetry-continued.html

Political Poetry (Anti-Franken Limericks)

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot
com/2009/07/franken-limerick-for-those-of-you-who.html

More "Franken" Poetry

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2009/06/poem-regarding-our-new-senator
html

The Bill Collectors (poem)

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2009/05/poetry-continued.html

Take me to the Graveyard

http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2009/05/take-me-to-graveyard.html

The Judgement of the Judge (A short story)
http://asseenbydoldman.blogspot.com/2007/08/judgment-of-judge.html

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#SampleSunday : some years later -- Mike's heart is about to lead him to the edge of a cliff

2011-08-07T08:12:00.000-05:00

My SampleSundays have actually gone too far into my book now. So from this point on, everything will be earlier in the Timetable of the book

It's been years since Mike and Diane met, now. Mike's crush has deepened so much that he's truly in love with Diane. It's been 6 years since they met. They've dated -- not a lot, though. And Mike, in this particular November, decides to follow his heart. It's going to be a trip to the edge of a cliff.

FROM CHAPTER "A PROPHECY FULFILLED" (Book Special Times, Special Summers)

One night, I was just sitting and thinking about the future. That’s when I remembered my address book, on top of one of the boxes of books that I had packed. I reached for it and it fell to the floor. It opened as it fell, landing on the page where Diane’s name and phone were listed. I hadn’t seen Diane in quite some time. But my heart came to life again, in a way that it hadn’t since the last time I saw her. It seems that my life was just empty without her.

I dialed the number. Then the familiar voice, the angelic melody which was Diane’s voice, answered.

“Hi, Diane! How are you doing today?” I asked.

“Mikey!” she exclaimed. “Oh, goodness! It’s been so long! Things have been going well here. I just got a new job, and I no longer have to work swing shifts!”

“Diane, that’s great!” I responded. “I’ve been busy studying, getting the last details in before graduation from college this next spring. I’ve gotten a fine job offer, too. I’ve not accepted yet, but it would begin shortly after graduation. I’m going to call and take it in a few days.”

We talked for 30 minutes, just about the things that had been going on for the last couple months. Then, as I had done for the first time in the summer months, I got up my nerve. “Diane, would you be free on the night of the 15^th? I’d like to see you again, and that night is free for me. Maybe we could go out for a night on the town. How does that sound to you?”

“I’ll have to check my calendar, Mike,” was her response. “Hold on, and I will check!” I waited for 5 minutes, and thought she may have forgotten me. Then the voice: “I’m free, Mike. What time?”

My heart was pounding. “7:00 PM. I have just the place. It is a little fancy, you will need a dress. I’m going to have my suit cleaned, just for this,” I informed her.

“Dress?” she asked. “Do you know how long it’s been since I wore a dress? And you’ll be wearing a suit? Mikey, what is going on? Where are we going?”

Now, it was my turn to tease a little. I recalled the words she had told me, years ago. “Diane, what’s life without a little mystery?” Then, I laughed. “Actually, Di, it isn’t a place that requires a tux or gown. But they do not allow jeans, and they demand ties for the guys. It’s their dress code, and I’m not going to argue with them over it. So, are you game or are you going to say no because of this dress code of theirs?”

She paused so long that I thought I had lost the connection.

“Honey,” she said, “Do you know how much I dislike dresses? They make me uncomfortable. They’re also darned cold at this time of year! But, for you…. I’ll wear one. I have just the thing. Is Black okay by you?”

“Black? Diane, that would be positively perfect,” I said, amazed at what seemed to be a woman's intuition. “Do you have a strand of pearls to go with that? I mean, they do fit together, you know!”

“No pearls, Mike. Gold chain. Will you be in that blue suit you’ve mentioned?” she asked.

“Nope. Gray. I got a new suit a while back, planned on it for graduation this spring. But I am going to wear it on the 15^th, just for you,” I replied.

As we hung up, I went to talk to Dad. “I’ve got a date with a very special girl on the 15^th,” I said. “She’s always been special to me. In fact, more so than you probably realize.”

Dad looked at me, with a knowing gleam in his eye. “Oh, planning on moving swiftly, are you? You were aware that I did the same at your age? You are definitely following the footsteps of your old man, son. Let me guess: It’s Diane Lester. And you are requesting your Mom’s rings. I held them for you as your mother requested.”

My dad seemed to have realized that my attraction to Diane had grown over the years. And he hit the nail on the head. Although I hadn’t dated Diane more than once, I knew that she was the one for me. But I had to ask my dad about something. “How many dates did you have with mom before you proposed?”

He smiled at me. “Son, I know what you are thinking. My brother proposed on the second date. I was on the third. Your Grandfather had only 5. So, you are in keeping with the tradition that has been established. I will get the rings from the bank’s vault tomorrow.”

I called to make reservations at The Crystal Chandelier, which was the place that I had in mind.

(NOTE-- While there is no such place of which I know, It's a very RITZY place. It's a top of the line restaurant and ballroom...just PERFECT for what Mike is planning...But both guys and gals alike are aware of the potential Answers -- YES, or NO.)

#sampleSunday entry -- The day Mike and Diane meet, her flirting begins

2011-07-30T17:32:00.000-05:00

From Chapter 2 of Special Times, Special Summers:. It's July 4th. Diane and Mike have just met, really. But already she's turned on the "Flirt-burner". It's JUST a game of Rag Tag...but it's already turning into something more. Read On!

I heard a splash, and a moment later Steve surfaced next to me. Too late, I realized that he had the rag, and he got me in the chest for the second time. I snatched the rag and did a dive, heading for the ladder. I powered the rag into Karl’s behind, finished climbing the ladder, and paused to catch my breath. No such luck, however. I found myself in the water. As I surfaced, I was met by a human projectile I recognized as Steve. He had pushed me in, and somehow he apparently was suffering the same fate. Diane was the only one on the raft. Had she done it? I climbed the ladder and heard her say softly “That one is for you, honey.”

Honey?, I said to myself. Did I hear that right? Did she call me ‘honey’? Not able to make myself believe what I had heard, I stood for a second, until I saw Karl coming up the ladder. No rag. Linda had it but she tossed it on the raft and left the game. Apparently, she had been out on the raft too long. Diane grabbed the rag and went after Steve, who did an amazing back-flip into the water. He apparently came up under the raft, where it was somewhat safe. Diane stood holding the rag, looking at me. I waited to see what she would do, ready to dodge. But Diane surprised me. She walked over to me, placed the rag in my hand, and said “Go get them, Mikey.”

Mikey? I wondered. Nobody has ever called me that before. Karl came up the ladder. I hit him in the belly, and went into the water. Steve followed Karl up the ladder.

In seconds, Karl was in the water, but he still hadn’t gotten rid of the rag. I climbed the ladder and attempted to push Steve in, but the big guy was too strong for me. As I went into the water, I saw Diane coming up after him. She was in the water in a second or two, and we both dived for the underside of the raft. I came up first, grabbing a beam. She surfaced just barely after I did and sputtered incomprehensibly.

“It seems that they want to play ‘king of the raft,’ Diane,” I said. "Let’s go get those idiots!” She took my hand as if to shake it. But she held it too long, and then she said, “Okay. We have a pact.” Now, what was that supposed to mean?

Diane and I teamed up. If I was hit, she would take the rag and hit the person who hit me. I did the same for her. If one of us was pushed in, the other one of us pushed the person who did the pushing. I found myself wondering why I was teaming with her. But I didn’t question the fact that I was teaming with her.

The ringing bell alerted me that Lunch was ready. I excused myself and left the game, and when I did the game broke up. I didn’t go in immediately, knowing that the lunch bell usually meant 10 minutes. I headed for the gym bars. Diane went to the swings. Steve and Adam left the beach entirely and Karl went in, too. The parades had started. That meant it was 2 in the afternoon. Had I been out there that long? Somebody tossed a firecracker behind me. It exploded and I jumped. I glanced around, finally glaring at the offender who was laughing at me. It was a big, burly guy who apparently he thought it was funny. I looked over at the swings. Diane was there, swinging a little but looking directly at me. Then she did something that struck me as a bit weird. She put two fingers to her lips, then lowered them and blew across her fingers, toward me. Then she headed up to the cabin. Once again, a firecracker landed at my feet, and I got out of the way just in time. That one wasn’t an ordinary firecracker. That one was an M-80. It was the equivalent of a quarter stick of dynamite. Same fellow tossed it as before. Not wanting to put up with it, I went to the west side of the beach. And I thought about what Diane just did. Then it occurred to me. She had blown a kiss to me.

I wrote to the President this morning, very early

2011-07-28T09:03:00.000-05:00

I have ALWAYS been on to speak my mind. It never changes, that fact. I speak my mind. Sometimes I put my foot in my mouth. Sometimes I issue sage advice.

The current budget impasse/debt ceiling trouble is my big issue. I am FED UP with it.

I arrived at the whitehouse.gov website, and I sent an Email. I reworded it three times. I finally got my best effort And this is what I sent to Oval Office occupant. (SEE BELOW)

Mr President:
It is time for you to PUT FORTH A PLAN to keep the U.S. From Defaulting. I have not seen one from you. Not one.

Look, I'm going to give you my idea- Use my name if you wish, tell both sides this is from a man who is disabled, a GOP member, on SSDI -- a man who's been through foreclosure and bankruptcy. PUT FORTH THIS IDEA, and let everyone stew, but please do it.

1. Put a 10% across the board cut into effect. This means YOUR salary, CONGRESSIONAL salaries --SSDI, SS, SNAP, Medicare -- 10% across the board. I'm willing to take a 10% cut if YOU and CONGRESS and GOVT WORKERS do the same.

2) INCREASE taxes by 1.4% on INCOME. 1.4% is not going to break anyone. And I don't mean just the rich, I mean EVERYONE with income. But it must be rolled back by .14% each year until it returns to current levels.

3) Offer credits for businesses which bring jobs back to the U.S. From overseas and stop outsourcing.

4 Give a 1 Trillion increase in the debt ceiling. BUT, with the stipulation that it is ROLLED BACK by 10% each year until it returns to current levels.

The current problem is EVERYONE'S problem. Not just DFL and GOP. EVERYONE.

A default is risked. America cannot stand another year of this economic climate. Something must be done now. The ball is in your court. Don't fumble it away, Sir.

Of course, I used my name. I gave my state. I didn't give a phone number or address.

But you can see I told the President, REALLY, what needs to be done. I offered him a chance to use this plan. He can use my name if he wants.. Or he can claim credit for it, I don't care. AS LONG as he puts forth a plan. A GOOD plan.

5 Days until default. 4 days to get a solution. Less than a day to offer a reasonable plan. And disaster on day 6 if nothing is down -- and The President will be "Celebrating" his Birthday in CHICAGO... Give ALL Americans, Mr. President, a reason to celebrate with you. PUT FORTH A PLAN. MINE, OR NOT, DO IT. That's the only choice to prevent chaos -- AS I SEE IT!

#SampleSunday entry -- Mike Confronts Steve, and the aftermath

2011-07-24T07:54:00.000-05:00

Last time, Mike's Plan backfired and Steve began to date Diane. Mike can't take it anymore. He's never felt like this -- he doesn't know jealousy because he's never experienced it.

Read on -- see what happens!

I heard voices. I ducked behind the cattails, and listened. I heard a girl's voice, low and melodious. It was Diane's voice. I couldn't make out more than a few words. I heard some rocks hit the water with a splash, and heard a couple of turtles splash into the water. Someone had succeeded where I had failed. Then, there was a boy's voice. I listened closely. As I peered through the rushes, I saw Steve, walking hand in hand with Diane. As another kiss was shared, I could not take it anymore. It was time to go over and tell Steve to keep his hands off of Diane.

I stood up, and saw that both Steve and Diane were facing the lake, rather than the road where I was. Steve put his arm across Diane's shoulder. And that was the final blow to me. I yelled across the swamp. "STEVE! I want to talk to you!" The anger in my voice echoed around the lake. Steve turned, and saw me. I began to run around the swamp, racing to face Steve.

Shortly before I got to the other side, a car pulled up near Steve, and stopped. That big guy, the one who had tossed the firecrackers at me, was the driver and he got out of the car. I didn't know the guy's name. But I could see that he would be trouble.

I reached Steve and Diane. Diane looked at me curiously, as if wondering what was going on, why I was there. Steve spoke to me, saying "What's up, Mike?"

I responded tightly, through clenched teeth. "I said I want to talk to you." The anger in my voice grew worse. The vehicle's driver walked up to Steve, his back to me. He positioned himself between me and Steve, and turned, giving me an evil stare. I was close to the swamp, just a few steps from it. And I noticed that he was just a step or two from a large, fallen branch.

"Is this guy bugging you, Steve?" he asked.

"Nah," responded Steve. "He's a friend."

But the big guy pushed me. He pushed me hard, and I fell. Picking myself up, I stood there and I hoped that Steve's comment would stop the fellow from causing trouble. I shook off some mud. And I returned the stare that he gave me. I uttered a curse in Latin. That may have been a mistake. The guy pushed me again, even harder than last time. I stumbled backwards, stepping into the mud of the swamp.

Diane spoke up. "Ralph, calm down!" Now, I knew his name.

He muttered "Blasted idiot." And it was too much for me.

"Oh, yeah? You creepy S.O.B!" I replied, with my voice increasing in volume, pitch, and anger on each syllable I spoke. I took a step forward, and threw two punches. I threw a left to his stomach, and a right to his jaw. Then, I shoved with all my might, and he stumbled over the branch, falling. I knew that I wouldn't be able to count on Steve to help me. I turned, and I ran. I ran faster than I thought I would ever be able to run. I reached the beach in a matter of just a few seconds. Ralph had just gotten up, and was trying to start his car. I ran the rest of the way to the cabin, and sped inside. Nobody was home but me. I hastened to lock the doors. Then I went to my room, and there I allowed the tears of pain to fall. There was no choice.

I watched outside as the guy pulled up to the driveway. He knew where I lived. And it would be bad for me. As I watched, however, my parents pulled up, and I unlocked the door for them, while Ralph drove off.

Now, I locked the door to my room, and sobbed quietly. And I wondered what I would do next. As I did, an alien thought one again entered my brain. But that thought was no longer a complete stranger. This time, I could not dismiss the thought so easily. I had to protect Diane. And, if it came down to it, that I acted on the thought.... then so be it. And the thought continued to burn at my brain. The thought didn't change. It still said "Kill."

Debunking the left...or trying to. A Twitter account.

2011-07-23T17:38:00.000-05:00

One person out there Is claiming (or at appears as such) That all "RIght-wingers" are nut jobs; killing, bombing, hating. The following information came from "Leftyladi" as sent to MIKE_BLANDEST.

Now, to be specific, Mike is a character In a Book, and really ought to avoid political discussions since it's going to make that book harder to sell.

But let's say this: and I think you'll agree: There can be nut jobs on EITHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. It's not just one Side. It has been my finding that there seem to be more on the DFL side, but I admit I look at it with a biased eye.

THESE were examples used by Leftylady after 3 names were Pointed out as being leftists who resorted to violence. 1 was the guy who attacked the Congresswoman. They claimed "Right-WIng nut." But his favorite books were Mein Kampf and the Communist Manifesto. Those afe LEFTIST, not right-wing. Also mentioned were Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth, both leftists.

Unabomber, Timothy McVeigh, Eric Robert Rudolph, Holocaust Museum shooting, Austin IRS attack, murder of Dr. Tiller, KKK...

Jul 23, 9:39 AM via web

LeftyLadi Lefty Lady

@Mike_Blandest Aryan Nation, Army of God, The Covenant...all right wing nut job terrorists who bomb and kill. Valid argument. (HER TERM, VALID)

Let's look at the KKK first. She claimed it to be a Republican organization. BUT, it was founded by Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Democrat from Tennessee. The purpose, according to the sources, was for a "Reign of terror against blacks and Republicans." The argument isn't valid for the KKK, I fear. Sorry, that's strike one.

Let's look at McVeigh, the infamous OK city bomber. She called him a "Rightwing Christian nut" -- not exactly those words, but the idea. However, until his dying day, he considered himself an agnostic. NOT CHRISTIAN. Argument, again -- not valid. Strike two.

Looking at Rudolph (the name wasn't familiar), I find him to be the infamous Atlanta Olympics bomber. The man CLAIMS to be Christian. He also said that his crimes were not racially or politically motivated. But his actions are not Christian, not in the least. If you take one part of this at face value, you need to accept the other part. BUT NOTE THE FOLLOWING from Wiki-pedia:

IN the summer of 1996, the world converged upon Atlanta for the Olympic Games. Multinational corporations spent billions of dollars, and Washington organized an army of security to protect these best of all games. The plan was to force the cancellation of the Games, or at least create a state of insecurity to empty the streets around the venues and thereby eat into the vast amounts of money invested.

Sounds like he's trying to get back at big business because the sponsored and are going to make a fortune from it. This is ANTI-CAPITALIST -- Marxism in another guise.

Leftyladi, you've struck out once.

Now, on to the TILLER part. Be informed, I do not condone abortion, nor do I accept murder or the death penalty. Doctor Tiller was wrong. But so was his murderer. The person forgot the Biblical admonishment: "Vengeance is mine, I shall Repay, saith the Lord."

I'll accept a strike here. Right-wing crazy who played G_D.

Museum shooting- The shooter was a violent racist with anti-Semitic background: A Nazi. Nazis are Socialists, leftists. Doubt it? "National Socialist White People's Party." Leftist. Not "Right Wing Crazy." LEFTIST. Strike 1!

Checking the IRS attack in Austin: I grant CRAZY, but no evidence is given as to political leanings. Argument inconclusive, therefore not admitted into evidence.

Looking at Unabomber info, I must conclude while crazy, that there is no evidence of political leanings. This guy was smart -- a 167 IQ is nothing to sneeze at. He attacked both intellectuals (Libs) and Businessmen. I am forced to conclude he was an "Equal Opportunity Terrorist," but cannot put a label on his actions. I am forced to dismiss this conclusion of "Right-Wing".

As for the "religious" groups mentioned -- Hate groups are not religions. They are ideologies. The "Aryan Nation" that you mentioned-- is actually based in Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. They were adopted by Hitler for use. His NON-Christian effort to destroy the people of Israel is NOT Christian in any size, shape or form. But some claim "Christian" and some "non-Christian" formats. While I'll give you a half-point, you get no more.

FINALLY, Leftyladi, you asked "What's Christian about 80 people murdered in Olso. What's Christian about Hate?" Can't you see the answer is right in front of you. NOTHING is Christian about it. But if it's not Christian, then it must be something else. If it's something else, then the people who are claiming "Christian" are lying. Liars aren't Christian.

I'm OPEN to any information or links you can provide, "LeftyLadi." You show me, I challenge you -- show me where I'm wrong, back up your arguments.

Until then, it's apparent that you've LOST YOUR ARGUMENT AS I SEE IT!

The calm before the storm? Or the eve of destruction? AN OPEN LETTER!

2011-07-22T22:38:00.001-05:00

America seems oddly at peace tonight. Oh, there's nothing odd about the peace that's shared nightly in the country. But it's odd for a peace to be in place when the whole country is about to fall down Mount Everest. We are on the verge of the biggest disaster in American History. And the people in Washington are playing a game of "chicken" with the people of the United States held hostage by their decisions.

Of course, I speak of the debt ceiling and budget woes. Neither side is willing to give an inch. The DFL wants to raise the debt ceiling, raise taxes, spend and spend until we have to raise the ceiling again. The GOP won't allow taxes to rise, they won't raise the ceiling; they simply want to cut the budget. But what do you do when the money runs out?

August 2nd. That's the deadline. And it's a probably HOUSE OF HORRORS for the Americans who are being held hostage in this crisis. We are the innocent bystanders. We may have spoken up to our representatives, or Senators, or even the President. But we are being ignored. We are pawns in this game of economic brinkmanship, this game of chicken which could send this country into turmoil not seen since the War Between the States!

August 2nd. That is the date the Treasury says we'll run out of money. There will be a default. Soldiers won't be paid. Government Employees will be laid off. The only people in the Government who will get paid are the people who are causing this Pandora's box to be opened. Once the Genie escapes, there is no turning back. And America will suffer for it.

August 3rd. Social Security checks are supposed to go out. Obama has threatened to block them. MILLIONS of Seniors who rely upon that money won't get it. Their bills won't be met. There will be legal action against them, possibly costing them their homes -- as if the current foreclosure crap wasn't bad enough. There will be no S.N.A.P. No food stamps for those who can't afford food without that assistance. In a day or two, the people will be starving. And without the money they need, the situation will just get worse.

There will be a run on whatever banks are open. The money will vanish in short order; the banks will close. There will be a general failure.

For those lucky enough to have cash, they will descend upon D.C. In mass, demanding the heads of those responsible. It won't be just the DFL. The GOP will be held accountable, too. Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Cantor, Boehner, Reid-- Every Democrat and Republican-- heads on the chopping block.

The only protection I see for politicians is MARTIAL LAW. It would be declared early, just before the rioting begins. There won't be any way to stop disaster. The people who go to DC will likely find themselves being arrested before they reach 200 miles away.

BUT-- If Martial law is declared, the Military will have to be paid. If they are not, you can expect a coup d'etat.

It's ripe for an attack by terrorists. And this is very disturbing!

You can expect the Internet to be shut down. Expect your phone calls monitored. You won't be able to get any money -- there will be looting. Expect a DUSK to DAWN curfew.

It's time for the Government to stop playing CHICKEN and GET THE JOB DONE. There are too many people who rely on the government (Which is part of the problem) to continue this destructive path.

The following offer, a temporary solution As I see it , gives a little hope -- IF the Government will stop ignoring the People and start working. It contains distasteful ingredients. But it's the ONLY WAY we're going to keep from blowing a gasket on August 3rd!

1) 10% across the board cut in Government spending. This means Welfare, SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid. It ALSO means cutting the salary of GOVERNMENT WORKERS by 10%. Congressman, you're earning 170,000 a year. CUT IT. 10%. Mr. President, the SAME FOR YOU. Cut 40,000 from your salary! Judges and Justices: SAME. 10%.

You've been saying CUT THE SPENDING. YOUR OWN SALARY IS INCLUDED.

2) Pass a DAMN BUDGET! 30 day limit to get it done, or you DON'T GET PAID. Fair enough? You've been elected to do a job, not hold us hostage!

3) I don't like taxes. I admit it. Yet I see that a revenue increase is going to be needed. Let the cuts expire. Raise SS taxes by .05%. Hit the wealthiest by 1.5%. Get the companies to stop outsourcing jobs. Each outsourced job is an American on Welfare. Bring the jobs HOME. Give tax breaks for THAT, not for sending the jobs overseas.

4) The debt ceiling, despite its already ridiculous number, must be increased some. NOT Trillions! Figure 1.2 Trillion. And THAT must be accompanied by cuts.

5) STOP GIVING AWAY THE STORE. Cut foreign aid. Cut Planned Parenthood. Cut ACORN and NPR. Send ILLEGALS back to their home countries, let the come in LEGALLY. NO MORE WELFARE TO ILLEGALS!

We're in the LAST TWO MINUTES of game. You've got the ball, but you seem to insist upon running out the clock. The thing is, if you run out the clock without a score, you lose.

You've GOT WHAT IT TAKES, AS I SEE IT. Don't be stupid. Because if you are, it's going to cost THOUSANDS of lives...and your own MIGHT just be among them!

Potential disruption, potential for disruption

2011-07-21T07:11:00.001-05:00

Two-fold meaning, of course, but I'm not dwelling on more than one. There's
a 3-fold potential for disruption, but I'm going to ignore those bills,
hopefully they can be handled shortly. Too many, too high... But need the
cash flowing before that -- HOWEVER, I refer to a different type of
disruption.

Twins are in 4th. 5 games under, 5 games back. 4 of the 5 teams play each
other. MN gets Detroit, Chicago gets Cleveland. MN is a half-game back of
Chicago. Neither Chicago nor Cleveland play until Friday.

Cleveland on top, Detroit, Chicago, MN. Cleveland and Detroit tied for top
spot.

If Mn loses, Detroit moves into 1st, Minnesota drops a game more behind
Detroit, and a full game behind Chicago. If MN wins, Minnesota ties
Chicago for 3rd, Detroit falls 1/2 game behind Cleveland and Chicago,
although idle, gains ground on Cleveland.

NOW is the potential for disruption. 3 games between Chicago and Cleveland.
I think it's 4 for MN and Detroit.

Any spreadsheet would be the size of Alaska. IF weather holds, the only
certainty is that the Twins won't be on top after Sunday's games.
Postponements just complicate things.

Any 3 of four can be on top after Sunday. I think there's a possible 3-way
tie (weather related)

THIS would be the perfect time for the Twins to make a move. Whether or not it happens is up to them -- and the powers that be. :)

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#Samplesunday: Mike's plan backfires; Diane dates Steve!

2011-07-16T21:15:00.000-05:00

This week's #SampleSunday just shows that no matter how meticulous your plan, a monkey wrench can get tossed into it. It's kind of like the Mullin, Standish, Smith triangle of the story involving the Pilgrims. Well, Diane's too young to get married -- but what IS going to happen?.

I went to Steve's about 7:30 that night. He had little to say, but he explained away the date without a moment's hesitation. And what he had learned in the first day of "Superspy" wasn't much. He still had time, and I knew he'd make the best of it. But he requested the rest of the week without having to report. It seemed like a reasonable request, yet it still gave me an uncomfortable feeling. But I let him have his request.

The rest of the week passed slowly: too slowly. Having Diane around would make time fly, but when she wasn't around, things seemed too slow. Karl and I would play golf, fish, swim, or play cards. He didn't play chess, so I let my game slide. But time dragged. I would be very happy when the week was over, and Diane was back at the cabin and joining us for golf, and other things that made life so fun during this summer. Without her around, I felt empty. I mentioned it to Karl, who simply shrugged. I did attempt to learn more about him, his family--and Diane. I asked if he could teach me a few phrases in Swahili, the language he still used from time-to-time. But he seemed reluctant to do so. I guessed that even though we had become friends quickly, he felt uncomfortable teaching another language. Maybe, he just didn't want to give up an advantage. Or maybe he didn't think he could teach it correctly. Either way, I decided that I would check the library for any possible way to learn the language. I didn't know much of the others, even though I did know some phrases and words in Latin, French, and Spanish. Swahili would certainly be my biggest challenge!

I wrote a letter to Wayne. I told him what was going on, and invited him to the cabin if he had a chance. I gave him more information than I had ever given anyone in my letter. I told him that the week had seemed so empty. I did get a letter a few days after I mailed mine, but he simply restated what he had previously said. To sum it up, he said "Be careful. Don't go overboard." And, he repeated that statement that had been with me since he first made it: "Sooner or later, she will crush you."

Finally, the last day of "Superspy" was reached. I breathed a sigh of relief, and hoped that Steve would tell me all I needed to know that evening. I saw his car drive by that evening, but he didn't stop. And Diane was with him, again. Ok, the day wasn't over yet. But now, I felt left out. I felt deprived. And I felt neglected. There was something else, too. I could not identify the emotion. It was there, and it was strong, but it was not familiar. There was a bit of sadness, as well.

Over the next few days, the pattern of feelings continued, and Steve kept seeing Diane. I had asked him to stop after 5 days. He hadn't reported in, he hadn't told me anything, and he was still seeing Diane. Anger was now eating away at me. And I still didn't know what to do. And that's when I realized; Steve wasn't going to back off.

Blog 1 of two -- A question wanting an answer

2011-07-15T11:51:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, while on Twitter, I made a comment that I didn't believe that the MN government shutdown was over. Someone answered, pretty much asking "Why do you care?" It's a fair question, one to which I shall give an answer. But then this same person went on to call the GOP a bunch of "Snot-nosed cry-babies." -- which earns a second post to give my reasoning that it is the "Commies" in disguise of DFL which is running MN into the ground. The response was quick -- I'll deal with the reasoning behind my belief on the next blog entry.

FIRST: Why do I care about the MN govt shutdown?

It's true that it may seem like I should not care about it. I no longer LIVE in MN, so what's the point, right?

First, I still have family in MN. None of them are "Rich" as defined by 750K or more. I believe that it's probably a lot less. My own immediate family is retired, I am disabled. One nephew is on SSDI, one is actively searching for a job without success -- He's a mechanic, but where he worked shut down -- and with all the car dealership closed from the last couple of years, it's left a glut of mechanics seeking work.

Another family member has children, needs help in watching the kids while she's at work (Daycare) -- With the State Government shut down, such aid is not forthcoming.

Now what about Driver's licenses, car licenses, professional licenses? New businesses can't start with that professional license (Doctors, Lawyers, Physical Therapists....and more). This is lost revenue for the professionals, which is also cutting the revenue base for the state. A shutdown did not help.

There's something I needed from MN. But with the offices shut down, I am unable to get it in time for proof. They would be 5-6 weeks as it is. Now, with a 2 week shut-down, there is even more of a backlog.

Then there are beer sales, lottery sales, cigarette sales. And the Track. No beer sales, cigarette sales, or lottery sales would be permitted. Each of these items are taxed, or a revenue stream. Interrupted Revenue streams. The Track needs state Inspectors, and there is a pari-mutual take. Lost jobs, lost revenue streams, lost sales... These things don't come back in a deluge, if they do at all. While State Jobs will get back pay, the revenue that would have come from them does not exist.

So, why do I care? Because my family, my friends, workers, businesses are all affected. And I am affected.

I guess my reasoning here, AS I SEE IT, is best summed up with the immortal words of John Donne:

any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
The bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Diane turns up the flirt switch giving Mike an unexpected trip.

2011-07-10T03:00:00.000-05:00

My #SampleSunday this week is from Chapter 3 of SPECIAL TIMES, SPECIAL SUMMERS. Diane has already flirted a couple of times with Mike -- She's about to turn it up a notch, and he's about to take an unexpected trip -- right to the ground!

A shadow appeared in front of me as I faced west. I turned, expecting Karl. But it was Diane who stood in front of me.

“Good Morning, Mikey!” she said, as she approached me. Her voice pealed like a bell. It was still early and nobody else was up yet that I could see.

I immediately noticed that she had changed her hair style again. Yesterday morning, it hung loosely. Last night, it was more page-boy style. Today, it was braided. Her hair was longer than I had originally thought it was. She was wearing pink shorts and a Montana T-shirt, which I thought was a bit too tight. She wore no shoes. I thought I detected a scent of perfume, but I wasn’t sure.

Again, her angelic voice sounded. “Karl wasn’t feeling too well this morning. I hope it doesn't cancel our fishing trip.” She placed a peculiar emphasis on the word “our.” She took a step closer, and gazed into my pail. “You’ve got quite a haul there, honey.”

I thought: Honey? This is the second time you’ve called me that! Why? Why are you calling me that? But what I said was, “Yes. This is going to last a while. I’ve never had such a good search after the 4^th of July.”

Diane stepped closer to me. I wasn’t wrong; there was a hint of perfume. It wasn’t overwhelming. In fact, it was very pleasing. And the scent fit her perfectly. Then she whispered to me. “Take the pail back to the cabin, then let’s go for a walk, Mike. I’d like for you to get to know me better.”

Huh? I wondered. It seemed that I had heard these words before. Then I realized that I had heard them, in that whispered voice yesterday. It was the one that somehow came to me when nobody else was even around. My vision began to grow hazy, and I felt weak.

“Diane, I....” I said, but she stopped me with a shake of her head. Then, she took another step closer to me. She was less than a foot from me, and now the perfume began to envelop me. I became dizzy, but managed to stand by leaning against the signpost.

“Please, walk with me for a while, “she said.

“But...What about our, uh, the fishing trip?” I asked. Then the dizziness overcame me, and I felt myself sinking to the ground. Then things went dark.

Thoughts, ideas, memories; they all flowed at me with the speed of light. How long was I out? A minute? Maybe two? I felt a cold spot on my forehead, and my eyes slowly opened. I found a washcloth on my head, and Diane leaning over me. She appeared concerned and a bit frightened. I just lay there, taking in what appeared to be a vision of an angel. Then she spoke in a fearful voice. “Are you all right? Mike, what’s wrong?”

I sat up slowly. Then I lied through my teeth. “Blood sugar, maybe. I didn’t have a lot to eat yesterday, and that might have caught up with me. Or maybe I just haven’t recovered from all that sun I got yesterday.”

I pulled myself up using the sign post. “I think I better go back up. Having breakfast may help.” She took my arm. “No. I’m all right. You don’t need to help me.” But she stayed with me for the walk, until I reached the cabin. I went in and Diane walked back to her house.

Sample Sunday, From Special Times, Special Summers -- Chapter "Mr. Lonely Hearts."

2011-06-26T19:09:00.000-05:00

Wayne, being a couple years older than I, had much more experience, and certainly more wisdom than I did. He could also see the cause of my distraction. I hadn't told him a thing. Yet, he understood immediately. "It's a girl, isn't it?" I nodded, reluctantly. "That is trouble, my friend. Big trouble. Talk to me!"

I told him the story. From day 1, but of course day one had been just a couple of days ago. I watched his face. First, he showed disbelief. Then, it was incredulous look. Then it was envy. As I finished the story, it was understanding and perhaps a bit of sorrow. He nodded. Then, I told him what I was thinking.

He said, "Affairs of the heart are something I have some experience in. How old is this girl? Your age, maybe a year older? If you are going to play this game with her, you better be close to the same age."

"No. She's almost 3 years younger than I am, Wayne. She's not even a teen, so far as I know."

His jaw dropped. He was speechless. He closed his mouth, opened it again, and then closed it. It was almost 2 minutes before he said anything. But when he did, he really let loose.

"Are you mad?" he thundered. Nobody was home, but I was wondering if someone had heard. "You must be! She's way too young! Insanity. You've gotten yourself into big trouble!" I fancied that I heard glasses rattling in the cupboards, plates falling off the table.

Then, he calmed down. "Friend, you have big, big trouble. You've developed a crush. And on a girl who's 3 years younger than you. This is bad news, I tell you. And you want to play along? You must be out of your mind. But I cannot advise you how to get out of it. I can only tell you this: It's your heart. You're entitled to risk it." I wrote that down in my book. Then he continued, "Don't go overboard, my friend. This can never last. Girls that age are trouble, and they know little of the way of the world. But let me say this: There's a reason that they call your situation a crush. Do you know why?" I shook my head. "Because that is what is going to happen, believe me. Sooner or later, she will crush you."

Writing Challenge #2. Based on my Book

2011-06-25T08:46:00.000-05:00

For those of you who aren't familiar with my Book Special Times, Special Summers, which is now a 99 cent read at Amazon Kindle Store, this was a POV change from the book. But it's based on the book, with some parts unchanged (The dialog, mainly)
---------------------------------------------------------

Some people described fireworks; the song declared “A kiss is just a kiss.” Mike was about to find out what reality was.

In her cold, white glory, the moon had begun her ascent into the darkening sky. Mike stood with Diane near the door. The conversation had been awkward and had just now ceased. There was really nothing left to say but good night. But Mike noted that Diane’s lips quivered, just a little. She was waiting.

Mike could no longer resist. He pulled Diane close, and he felt her body tremble. Or was it his body that trembled? He gazed longingly into the blue eyes and his eyes fluttered closed as he cautiously and uncertainly touched his lips to hers.

The song was wrong. And there were no fireworks: just a glorious darkness and warmth like a blanket. Mike realized that his hug was being returned, and he was practically suffocating in Diane’s embrace

.They mutually loosened their holds, and Mike opened his mouth to speak, but Diane spoke first: “Don’t disturb the moment, Mike. It’s just us out here. It’s just us.,” she said, oblivious to the sound of the passing freeway traffic. Then, she kissed him again – with a tenderness unexpected. Mike melted into her arms once again.

Twenty-five years later, Mike would remember everything, every word spoken. Sadly, Diane would not remember a thing.

No, no fireworks. Not just a kiss. But what would become a bittersweet memory.

Short story. It was a writing challenge

2011-06-19T21:55:00.000-05:00

Sam stood on the beach of the treasure /coast/ shortly before /sunrise/. How he got there was a bit of a mystery to him, since his home was nearly 30 miles away and his work 12. He stared out over the smooth expanse of water upon which an occasional /bubble/ from a fish, or perhaps methane jet, appeared.

Sam had /lost/ his job the day before following a /conflict/ with his boss, who was a regular /churl./ Sam had called him a cultureless neanderthal. It was true enough. His boss's lack of /passion/ for this job rankled Sam.

Sam left in a huff, but didn't take his car; he wanted a clear head when driving. But it grew dark, and he had become disoriented, confused as to his location. He found himself limping along as deserted highway. Clouds had rolled in; he had been unable to get his location from the stars.

He walked to the water's edge, and after a brief moment of /indecision/ removed his shoes to /rinse/ and cool his aching feet.

It wasn't long before he heard a pitiful mewing behind him. He turned to find a black /cat/, pure black, with a single /pearl/ on its collar. It ran off and returned several times, as if asking Sam to follow. Sam got the message, picked up his shoes, and followed. Behind a dune that was 500 yards farther down the beach, he found a dark man waiting. The man stared at Sam until he became uncomfortable with the silence. But the cat continued its mewing, as if in /despair/.

"Are you all right?" asked Sam. But the dark man continued to stare at Sam, and made no comment.

Confused, Sam changed his question. "Is there something you want?"

The dark man nodded slowly, but didn't speak.

Sam decided to ask one more question. "And that is?"

The dark man spoke with a voice that seemed to originate from a bottomless pit, and he said only two words. "Your soul."

A #samplesunday post from Special Times, Special Summers

2011-06-19T02:14:00.000-05:00

You may have heard me mention, via Twitter or facebook or possible Email, a novella that I wrote called SPECIAL TIMES, SPECIAL SUMMERS. By my own reckoning, it's not a romance -- but it does contain a love story. It is a coming-of-age story -- set at cabin where a boy spends his summer months. And the boy has a great love for the cabin and lake. But his life gets turned upside down by a new neighbor's daughter. She's just a young child, almost 3 years younger than the boy. But she plays the romance game -- she's a flirt. And the boy quickly falls under her spell.

From Chapter 1, LET THE GAME BEGIN

I had not been swimming in a week. The whole week had been one continuous thunderstorm. Today, it was bright, already warm. And it was July 4^th; crowds were showing up
already. Cherry Bombs, Firecrackers, Smoke bombs, and other Independence Day “Necessities” were now starting to go off regularly, the sounds echoing around the lake. Tonight, there was the big fireworks display on the south side of the lake. I didn’t have any fireworks, but tomorrow morning I’d search the beach. I was sure there would be leftovers. I grabbed my “Raft Master” goggles and fins and went out the door. I hoped the lake was warm. And I hoped that fish weren’t biting. At least, I hoped that they weren’t biting on me. I would soon find that I wasn’t the hunter, but the hunted. At least that is what it would appear to be.

The sand was surprisingly cool, but full of cockle-burrs. I had to watch my step, but glanced out at the raft. There was Steve, doing battle with his brother. Steve had the advantage. He was 3 years older than Adam, and 10 inches taller. Both had the same deep red hair, and the freckles to match. Kelly, neighbor to the east was there, assisting Adam. To no avail, however. Kelly, also a redhead, was handled as easily as Adam, both of them getting pushed into the water at once. Kelly was more boy-like than Adam was. Linda, Kelly’s sister, was just a year younger, and more voluptuous than Kelly. A complete contrast to her sister, Linda was the girl of the family. Raven-black hair, certainly more feminine in appearance but a lot stronger than she appeared, Linda simply sat on the raft taking a break from the game.

Suddenly, I heard a voice. Just a whisper, but it caught my attention. “Let’s go for a walk, Mike. I’d like for you to get to know me better.” I looked around for the source of the voice. Nobody was even close to me. Nobody was looking at me, or anyone else. I concluded that my imagination was playing tricks on me.

Checking the water temperature with my toe, I found it warm. I dived in, and did a breast stroke out to the 10-foot deep water where the raft was anchored. But my speed was that of a baby who was just learning to crawl. I took it slow on the short swim out, just observing the bottom and the fish. As I took hold of the ladder, I thought Let the game begin. It did. And my life would never be the same.

The dream: Continue to pursue, let die, or kill it?

2011-06-17T08:35:00.000-05:00

You have been pursuing a dream for months or maybe even years. Although part of it may be completed, you're really no closer to realizing your goal than you were when you started. You may just not be suited for your goal. You may have set our goal too high. Maybe you have no talent. Or maybe, just maybe, you've not been following a dream at all, but you've been wasting your time on a fantasy. You're frustrated. You're tired. You're angry. Or you're depressed.

You realize that you need to determine exactly why you are not reaching your goal Regardless of when you have this epiphany, You have to take a good hard look at your goal. You need to determine what's holding you back. Then you need to do something about it.

Let's say your goal is to climb Mount Everest. You've got the money. But health problems have arisen: Heart problems, diabetes, asthma. You can adjust your goal -- let's say to Mount McKinley. Or the Matterhorn.

Let's say your goal is to run for Congress. But you don't have the funding. The options: Try to spread the word without funding, try to raise funds, settle for something lower (Perhaps city council is in your grasp), or abandon the idea.

In every sense, there are 3 options: You can continue to pursue (although perhaps adjusting the goal), let it die, or kill it.

I'm in such a situation right now. At one time, I wanted to be a musician. But I had no talent for that, instead adjusting the goal to writing music and lyrics -- in hopes that one day I'd have a chance to see my works performed. But after 37 years, it seems likely that the day will not come. My hearing has vanished, the probability that I will ever hear my works performed is near zero.

I face the same choices as a writer. I finished my manuscript. It's been rejected more than a few times. I chose to try self-published. I've changed the manuscript more than once. I've changed the cover. I've changed the "blurb." While it is satisfying to see the work available, it is depressing to have no sales -- and I know how long the book has been available in one form or another. Unfortunately, I have no way to promote professionally, and I have no talent for promotion.

This leads me to my options: Do I continue to pursue the dream, do I let it die, or do I kill it? Or do I somehow manage to modify it to make it come true, in a more limited fashion?

I'm nearly 52. It's highly likely that I have fewer days ahead than behind. In fact, I suspect that 25 years is my maximum time left.

Perhaps it's time to let this part of the dream die. Or maybe I should just give it up entirely. Limited success is better than none, but right now even limited success seems unreachable.

To adjust the goal doesn't deal with the issues at hand. To let the dream die is an acknowledgment of inadequacy. To kill the dream is an admission of failure. Or maybe an admission of trying to follow a fantasy.

It seems likely that the dream is dying. Whether I attempt to revive it, let it die a lingering death, or pull the plug -- that hasn't been decided. But I need to make that Choice... AS I SEE IT.

Exactly what IS the situation?

2011-06-14T10:51:00.000-05:00

In March, The country of Japan was shaken by a major quake. Then they were hit by a Tsunami (commonly, but incorrectly, called a tidal wave). Thousands were killed, thousands more left homeless. They'll be cleaning up the rubble for a long time.

But there's a complication: The electricity-generating nuclear reactors have been knocked off line. The water is not getting through to the reactor cores. There are 6 reactors; 3 of them are in danger of a melt-down.

Information is still hard to come by on the situation. But it is believed that the 3 reactors have suffered at least a partial meltdown. But now comes a word that one of the three may have reached a worse stage: A melt-through. Completely out of the containment building and into the earth, this is likely to cause problems beyond anything ever imagined.

A Japanese Govt. Official (I don't know name, sorry) thinks this is going to render Japan uninhabitable.

Japan is the 10th most populated nation in the world. If the islands become uninhabitable, where are those people going to go? That's 127 MILLION people. Where are they going to go? While the US can take some refugees, I don't believe that they'd open the doors to 127 million more people! Since the Japanese are of an Island, would they want to stay near water? Can you imagine 127 million moving into California? Or splitting between the ocean states such as Florida, Texas, California, or along the East Coast?

The population of Australia is (at last count) about 22 Million. But this continent is good deal of desert.

I'm getting ahead of myself. They haven't even confirmed meltdowns, yet, let alone a melt through.

Is this going to spell DOOM for nuclear energy? You can't plan for every contingency. People are always going to take short-cuts, try to save costs (Unless it's the Federal Govt, and even they are suspect if you ask me!, or fudge about what's been done or how safe something is.

The problem still exists, AS I SEE IT. You need energy. You need electric power. But if you can't use fossil fuels (polluting), Nuclear (radiation), wind (Turbines believed to be killing eagles) or Solar (Takes up a lot of space and can't use it at night), what's left?

Right now, there seems to be 127 million reasons to ban nuclear energy. And yet there are 6 billion plus reasons to keep it.

Has this in any way changed my opinion on nuclear energy? No. But we must continue to make it even more safe. That's not going to be easy to do. And we can't do it at the cost of 127 million people -- Japanese, Muslim, or Marxist...We cannot use humanity as guinea pigs. But we can't do without what we have. And we can't let it go to waste.

It's a tough dilemma. And the question must be answered soon: Are we going to sacrifice certain things, or are we going to use what we have in the way of resources and intellect -- to discover other ways? And if it's the latter, are we willing to sacrifice something else? It's the 6 Billion reason question -- or 127 Million, as you prefer -- As I see it!

Poetry, continued.

2011-05-30T11:12:00.002-05:00

The illusion of Day has now vanished.
The darkness crept over the wall.
All prayers for mercy and intervention have ceased:
G_d has not answered the call.

Unaware of impending disaster,
The dogs are still chasing their balls.
Ignorant of the coming doom,
The horses return to their stalls.

The phone will not ring, or rings non-stop --
They're not promising calls.
People are still out driving --
All headed to the malls.

The drink before me is bitter, so bitter,
Like wine mingled with gall.
The prayers for mercy and intervention have ceased:
G_d has not answered the call.

Before me, now, the abyss awaits.
Going back cannot be done.
There is no way, at all, to regroup:
The battle's lost; the war can't be won.

I do not know what is worse:
Darkness? Unforgiving sun?
The weight of reality shocks like a taser;
It hits with a terrible stun.

Although The the children are outside
Playing and having fun;
I still sense reality
The battle's lost; the war can't be won.

Simple justice, from life, is missing
Like jumping from spring right to Fall.
My prayers for mercy and intervention have ceased.
G_d has not answered the call.

Poetry --

2011-05-06T17:34:00.001-05:00

About 2 years ago, I wrote a poem which I called "Take me to the graveyard."

May -- it's a horrible month, a month of one disaster after another, a month of problems and death.
It doesn't let up. And it hurts. It really hurts.

Today, people are likely to think I'm unstable. But I have to write, or I lose my sanity.

The world is an ugly place;
you seldom see a friendly face.
People don't care if you laugh or cry.
They don't care if you live or die.
Your hair may be black,
or your teeth pearled--
No one cares: Goodbye cruel world!

In this world full of hate
where big biz rules and you don't rate
Justice is absent and God's AWOL
And we're stuck here for the long haul
Ugly man,
or pretty girl--
No one cares; Goodbye cruel world!

All the people, dressed in black
Carrying guns and bags of crack
Living the only way that they know how
the Cops are coming to your door right now.
Does it matter?
Life's just a Churl
No one cares; goodbye cruel world!

Many forced to live a life
full of anger, filled with strife --
Just enough to stay alive
defined by the crappy car you drive
I've bared my soul --
to the wind unfurled--
I bid thee GOODBYE, CRUEL WORLD.

The MORONS are still at it!

2011-04-29T09:39:00.001-05:00

Searching for a job can be stressful. And when the scammers are out there seeking to steal your identity, your bank account, or your hope, it really makes things rough.

This is one letter my wife received in Email. Note the comments in BOLD or RED.

Hello (Name removed for privacy's sake),

Let me introduce myself, my name is Helen B******* and I represent Quinta Group LLC

Company.

I found your resume at beyond.com and you seem to meet our basic requirements!

That's interesting. Was it my total lack of experience in your alleged field that impressed you?

Our company is well-known not only in the USA but all over the world!

We deal mainly with financial services such as escrow services for buyers and sellers

(online auctions around the globe, closed commercial auctions where the number of buyers

Is not large, well-known public online auctions).

That's interesting. If you're so "well-known not only in the USA but all over the world," why do I not find any references to your company on the web?

Two to three hours a day performing your duties over the Internet is sufficient for this

Position.

There's no start-up or any other fees. The company covers all the fees related to the

Hiring process.

We provide a one month paid training period. During your training you receive online

Training and support. A personal supervisor guides your training. At the end of training

A personal supervisor makes the final decision to extend a permanent offer or not. Your

Training is critical to your success!

Your wage during the trial period is $2,300 per month plus 8% commission from each

Transaction. Total income, with the current volume of clients, will be about $4,500 per

Month. After the trial period base salary will be $3,000 per month plus 8% commission.

　Commissions? From WHAT? Am I supposed to be selling something? $30+ an hour for part-time work? Gimme a break.

My goal is sparking your interest. In the present economy our position offers training,

Support and a pay scale comparable to entry level position requiring 40 hours per week. I

Hope you will explore, compare, and then contact me with your questions. Please complete

The form below as part of your return email.

I'll tell you what: You give me your name, location, phone number, and you tell me what I am actually supposed to be doing.

　We have found your resume at www.beyond.com. This letter confirms that your resume has

Been duly processed and your skills meet our basic requirements for the Financial Manager

Vacancy.

　Yours faithfully,

Helen B********(

"Helen, if that is your Real name, why do you use Gmail instead of your company's server? Why do you have no website? Why do you give no address, no phone number? I think the answer is obvious.

Quinta Group LLC Inc.

What's so pathetic, if it wasn't so funny, is the fact that there is NO "Quinta Group LLC INC anywhere to be found on the web. I DID find a WIKI (Which has now gone AWOL) giving an address, a date of incorporation (in 2010). However, when I looked up the address there was nothing about a "Quinta Group." At least the address existed.

Sorry, you idiots. You're going to have to be a LOT MORE CONVINCING to us. And, there's a lawyer waiting to meet you!

The stupidity of Morons, Al Gore Style!

2011-04-20T10:17:00.000-05:00

Light Snow Mist

Temperature

34.0 °F

Feels Like 34 °F

Wind(mph)

0.0

Sunrise / Set

6:19 AM

8:04 PM

Moon

Waning Gibbous

More Astronomy

The above "snapshot" of the weather in St. Paul, MN, was taken at about 9:30 AM on April 20, 2011.. Note the temp! Average "Low" is 43 for this time of year, with an average high of slightly over 60.

Predicted high today, the same as the average low. low today? Well, it's below 34 degrees.

You "Global Warming" activists -- it's time for you to get your head out of your ass and see the truth! You're saying that the colder winters are caused by "warming." You say that lower temps are caused by "warming." You claim the droughts (which have been occurring since time began) are caused by "warming." Hell, you say that your aunt Sophia's hair dryer gave out because of "global warming."

AL GORE -- who is constantly pushing this fraudulent gospel of globabble -- has absolutely no idea what is going on. He'll twist words, and blame everything from Sunspots to meteorites on "Global warming."

Like the so-called animal rights activists and vegan who are out to abolish all meat, he ignores the obvious.
The animal rights activists/vegans also seem to be blind to facts. They want to bring down the CO2 in the atmosphere, but they are eating the PLANTS which use it! If you get the animals, the oxygen isn't used up so much. The more animals there are, the more CO2 is emitted. The more CO2, the more plants are needed.

When you disturb the balance, sure, there will be consequences. But to intentionally disturb the balance for the sake of "restoring the balance" is in itself criminal.

AL -- Where's your HOT AIR in MN? HMMM? Haven't you realized that spreading fraudulent gospel is a sin? I guess not -- 'cuz you're still doing it.

Job searches lead to spam!

2011-04-12T06:36:00.001-05:00

People who use computers today have probably used online searches to help them find jobs. I reviewed MONSTER a while back; they received a great big FAIL. I wrote to them and told them what was going on. They gave some hints. I was using the Beta search. That was the default mode; not good! But you still cannot enter a small town and expect good results. Enter a big city, or larger city, and you'll have better luck. Well, the tips helped some. But I don't like having to enter the name of a large city 30 miles away to get listings. They improved their rating by those tips.

But job searches can lead to spam. If you use your email address in your resume, you must expect it.

Case in point is one my wife received recently--actually, she's had several "Spam" offers, although two of them seem to be with legitimate companies. But some of them -- well, you can just tell!

The email received said her experience in the transportation industry was impressive and they wanted to utilize it. Now, let me see -- tell me, if you can, where the problem is?

1. Job held; cashier/snack bar associate, 7 years.

2. Failed home business (Medical billing)

3. Job held, data entry, 7 years

4. Job held, data entry, 3 years

5. Contract employee with a services for hire company (typing)

6. Misc small jobs, mostly data entry.

TOTAL TIME spent in Transportation industry: 0 days.

VERY IMPRESSIVE, RIGHT? SPOTLESS RECORD.

MY STARS, YOU IDIOTS...CAN'T YOU EVEN TAKE THE TIME TO READ WHAT'S THERE?!

The following response was aborted -- we decided not to send it. It reads as follows:

I am appalled by your apparent lack of intelligence and your carelessness.

You are "impressed" with my "experience" in the transportation industry? You

FOOL, Nowhere in my resume does it indicate that I have ever been involved

In that industry.

Please TAKE YOUR SCAMS ELSEWHERE. I seek JOBS, not scams.

I guess this is part and parcel of the job search arena today. ::sigh::

Today's rule: IF YOU WANT THE JOB you must take the spam -- AS I SEE IT.

Monster review... Don't bet on it!

2011-03-22T20:37:00.001-05:00

If you've ever sought a job, you know how hard it can be to land that desired position. In hard economic times such as we are in, it becomes even tougher. When the unemployment rate is hovering around 10% (As bad as during the Carter administration) it is even more imperative that you use all the resources at your command, right? Drive around, look for signs, stop...get a paper, use the Internet. In fact, there are a lot of job sites on the web that can give you a lot of information. Use your state employment agency, use temporary if you have to use it. Two of the job sites on the web come to mind: Snagajob.com and Monster.com.

I signed up on Monster. It has large lists of jobs, unfortunately a lot of them are specialized. If you don't have a degree in Science, or a medical degree... Well, it can be a pain to sort things out. But you better live near a large city! Let me explain!

Let's say you live in a small town, such as Fort McCoy, Florida. You want jobs within 30 miles, an easy commute. You enter your zip code, and later in the day, or early next day, you got a nice list in your inbox.

The problem is these jobs aren't exactly "CLOSE BY." For me, 30-40 miles would mean cities like Gainesville, Ocala, Palatka, Fort McCoy, Eureka, or some of the other fair-sized cities near 32134.

One day, they had a great number of jobs "Near Fort McCoy." I started checking mileage. 118 miles. 98 miles. 299 miles. 398 miles. 562 miles. HUH? How are these jobs "NEAR" to my home? 6 hours, 10 hours of drive time?! Come on, gimme a break here!

To be fair, these jobs are in Florida...most of them, anyway. But one day, I got jobs listed from ATLANTA. New York City. Phoenix. And dozens upon dozens from CALIFORNIA (Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego) and some from Maine and Washington State.

I'm afraid Monster.com failed miserably for jobs near to home. In fact, there wasn't a single one listed that was less than 90 miles away. They were (If in FL) averaging 200 miles away. SURE, that's "near" on an astronomical scale. Yeah, some of them were even an hour away -- by plane. I DON'T THINK SO!

NO, I don't want to drive to Tallahassee. Nor Daytona Beach. I don't want to drive to Tampa, St. Petersburg, nor Jacksonville.

I think the lesson is obvious: Get yourself a local paper. Or try a different site. But if you're counting on MONSTER.COM to point the way to your next job, you'll have better luck with a witch board.

Monster has too many issues -- and the biggest one is stupidity of what they say is near to you. You are best avoiding them: AS I SEE IT!

The "Terrorist" Memo

2011-03-02T18:41:00.001-06:00

Some time ago, I received a memo about "Terrorists" working in my office. Of course, I didn't work in an office. But the thing was funny!

Dear Sir:

We have been apprised of a group of terrorists working out of your office. They are Bin-Sleepin, Bin-Lunchin, Bin-Drinkin, Bin-Goofin, Bin-gabbin, and Bin-workin'.

We have apprehended 5 of these six Terrorists. Only Bin-workin remains at large.

The Department of Homeland Security believes there is not much reason to worry because anyone who looks like he's Bin-Working will be easy to spot.

You are not a suspect at this time.

Signed:

Director, Department of homeland Security.

Learning the ropes

2011-02-27T16:05:00.000-06:00

I am now in a new state, a state where my grandparents retired, where my parents retired... and now I have joined the throngs of people who have retired to Florida. I'm not retired, but I am disabled...What little I can do, I do.

Yet, I would not feel at home if I had nothing about which I could complain. And believe me, I have complaints!

There are no income taxes here. That's a major plus. I love that fact. I mean, I can do without state income taxes for the rest of my life! But this is offset -- Driver's licenses are $48.00. Compare Minnesota at $21.
License plates here are a minimum of $44.00 with about a dozen extra fees added in. For a bare minimum, you can expect to spend at least 70. I won't be spending that. Probably 250! Why? For one thing, it's a first time registration in this state. That makes 225 right there. The plate is 3, the extra fees add at least 25.

THAT is only, of course, if nothing else comes up. But we're required to have an eye exam, and apparently beforehand. so add in those fees. They don't really count as taxes, however.

Then there are sales taxes -- not as bad as Minnesota, but they're on some things here that they are not in MN. So, it levels out.

The nearest grocery store is 5 miles away. About the same for where we were, in Milaca. However, the price of groceries is comperable...if you don't count the extra fee the store is adding in!

I really have no idea about electric, telephone, internet, or the like. I now have DSL, so the price is higher. But the service of the phone company is faster.

Mail? Well it arrives on time, I guess that's all I can hope for....

Oh, the weather. THAT is something I can't beat here. Minnesota has had blizzards since I left. Temps have been BELOW ZERO. And we -- well -- nothing below 70 for a high recently! :)

Right now, anyway, the mixed bag is producing more diamonds than coal. I guess that's something to be thankful for.

But I still have to learn the ropes. Which way to Sparr? How do I reach Ocala? Where can I get hay at a better price? Do I REALLY need to travel 120 miles to see family? (Wife's side, that is; my family is now 1700 miles away.)

Time will tell how things will go. But right now they look better. I only hope that they stay that way.
That's the meat of the issue: AS I SEE IT.

The human mind is a very strange thing!

2011-01-27T09:41:00.000-06:00

The human mind is a very strange thing. Some time ago, I wrote about a strange trip in my memories of music -- all the way from a phrasing of a trivia question to a song about a toy, which brought me back all the way to LUNCH WITH CASEY, and a song called "I Love Onions."

Now, I got walloped with a similar experience, and I REALLY have no idea what triggered the memory. Now, I'll be trying to remember the lyrics of the song until I either find the paper with the lyrics on them, or re-write them. (Yes, I can do that -- I wrote the original lyrics!)

I used to be in a rock band, years ago (Hey, ol' glorious leader!). I wrote, or tried to write songs for the group. Many of the lyrics were put on paper, then stored in a guitar case. Over the years, I sold the guitar, put the papers in a drawer or box -- finally they became lost and the songs disappeared from my memory--or so I thought!

But today -- I was just done watching a little of the Disney channel, turned off the set. All of a sudden, I found myself thinking of a song I wrote sometime between April of 75 and 1978. I can't pinpoint it any more accurately without the paper on which it was written.

What triggered my memory? The fact that I'm leaving the state very soon? (We've been delayed a little, but we're ready to go...just need to figure out how to move a few creatures to the sunshine state!) Was it what I was watching? (I doubt it,)

Well, whatever triggered the memory, maybe it will trigger some more in the future. I'd love to remember all of those attempts at song writing. There are a few people who would love to get ahold of some lyrics. I've got 'em for ya.

I only wish I knew what triggered my memory!

ARKANSAS: Because MISSOURI loves Company.

Year in review. GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE

2011-01-01T00:22:00.000-06:00

While 2010 officially began on 1-1, the year's disasters began early-- with delivery of foreclosure papers. It was 12-22-2010. We could not avoid the people, no matter what. Shortly thereafter, A HUGE earthquake hit Haiti, killing 230,000 people. There were other quakes, even stronger, but they didn't do as much damage because the country that was hit (Chile) was not as poor and therefore had a better construction. That 9.5 Quake was the strongest in years.

We fell to a "Sheriff's sale" in January, we must clear this property before 1-29-2011. That's just days away, now, and we still have no place to go.

In mid-January, a heart-attack sealed our fate on this property, while we tried to sell...and it's too late, now. Even if we manage to sell before the 15th, all transactions like that must pass through the courts.

After the heart attack, what was next? Pneumonia. Certainly no help. And that was coupled with a blown clutch on the truck and another clutch problem just a month later. YIKES. That was not needed, for sure.

Volcanoes blew in ICELAND, Hawaii, and the Philippines during 2010.

Al-Qaeda and its offshoots continued to attempt terror during the year. In some places they succeeded, but not in others. Several attempts were caught in NYC.

Of course, Obamacare and it's stupid mandate (Deemed unconstitutional by a lower court, but Supreme Court Appeal pending) was shoved down our throats.

AZ tried to deal with illegal immigrants because the FED wouldn't, but courts struck it down, and an appeal is pending there, too.

While the house went on the market in September (at 180K), the price has dropped down to 145K, and even with 40 acres, nobody is interested.

There was a tornado that smashed a carport on our property, tearing the roof off the house, as well...while extra strong winds ripped off more shingles, ruined the garage door, and making a general mess.

I had surgery in July, I think it was -- only partially successful. And then an unidentified gastro-intestinal illness hit Trish in September, knocking her off work, again...really making a general mess of things.

Several blown tires this year -- and I just caught the engine of the truck before it was going to burn out. Added enough oil to protect it for some time to come.

October proved more trouble. Trish had been hit by a car (While she was a pedestrian), but she didn't do anything -- it could have been a lifesaver if she had. But early October, she got served with a lawsuit... It's on hold, but won't be beaten for a little while yet. That depends on something that has to be completed soon.

In November, we took our last resort -- and filed for bankruptcy. Already lost the house, plus another 24K in debt, we didn't have much choice in the matter.

December has come and gone, the bankruptcy hearing is done, but we have one thing to do, yet. And now it's January -- we our into our final 4 weeks of holding on to this place.

And on 12-30, a plane crashed just a few miles from here, killing 2.

So, while the calendar may read 2011, it won't be until JUNE that 2010 officially ends for us. But the disasters, eviction, and unemployment (Forced but with no recourse) looms ahead, loss of insurance as well. UNLESS, of course, we can find a place to live in FL before mid-January.

So, 2011 has already started with the disasters that will mark the conclusion of the troubles that began in 2007, and peaked last year.

I bid GOODBYE and GOOD RIDDANCE to 2010. I can't wait for 2011 to be done with end of the disasters which peaked last year. And I can only pray for a miracle to keep us from the streets. I really don't know what else I can do. That's the meat of the matter, as we struggle to keep the wolf from the door -- AS I SEE IT.

So, how do you explain THIS, Al?

2010-12-28T10:50:00.000-06:00

Over the last 3 days there have been some terrible blizzards in the NE. 32" of snow in Maine, airports at LaGuardia and JFK closed. Teterboro airport closed. Hundreds trapped on a ski-lift in Maine and injuries reported.

Snow in GA, Jacksonville FL, extra cold in Russia, temps below 0 in Britain, and sub-freezing temps as far south as the Florida Keys. Record lows shattered in Florida, Low temp records set earlier this month in MN.

These cold spells, long as they are sometimes, are even worse when the areas like Daytona, and the Florida keys aren't supposed to experience them.

This kind of weather (And some half-wits claim this is only local) makes you wonder how 1/2 of the world can be experiencing such misery. And it's been going on for 3 years, 4 in some areas.

The "Globabble" activists were saying that hurricanes would be increasing because the ocean temps were increasing. Now they claim the opposite; that there will be fewer of them.

3 years. 4 years of more cold than most people experience in a lifetime (Except in Alaska or Siberia). Temps plummet below zero, setting record lows, causing crop damage for oranges, grapefruit, lemons...hurting crops in CA, FL, and TX.

The "Global Warming" activists are blaming "WARMING" for the increasing cold.

EXCUSE ME?! It's LACK of warming that cools things down, you moronic jerks! Are you going to try to blame "Warming" and "Man-made CO2" for the increasing COLD?!

Al Gore and his "god" Soros are still spouting nonsense, and they still think that they can hide the truth. Sorry buds, but the truth is seen; You jackasses are LYING. Every time your lips move, you're lying! Every word you put on paper is fiction!

Now, Al -- have you been sitting on the JFK airport tarmac for the last 7 hours? No, you're sitting at home burning fossil fuels to a larger extent than most people do!

If the figures don't bear you out, lie. But when the WEATHER doesn't bear you out, blame warming, blame Bush, blame big business. Yep, yep, yep... What a crock of S**T!

It DOES puzzle me, Al-baby -- how can you blame "MAN-MADE" CO2 for warming when it's getting colder, how can you blame it for a naturally occurring gas -- and an element from which ALL life on the world is made? And since Matter cannot be created or destroyed, how do we get all that extra carbon?

ONCE AGAIN, Al-baby -- you're spouting nonsense. Come up to MN, stick your tongue on a flag pole. When you can't get it off, you'll make more sense than you do when you're spouting your GLOBABBLE.

The EVIDENCE and the OBSERVABLE PHENOMENON beat jumbled figures every time! That's the TRUTH...And you're STILL SPOUTING NONSENSE -- AS I SEE IT!

Facts on the "Skinny" -- the electric cars.

2010-12-18T19:45:00.000-06:00

Some time ago, I asked if the Electric Car -- cars such as the VOLT or LEAF were practical, or prodigal. A few days ago, my questions were answered.

The papers were referring to the LEAF, one of the current (No pun intended) electric cars available. The EPA estimate of "MPG" -- in this case "MPG-Equivalent" was published. I must say that the figure is very nice. 99 MPG-E. Very, very nice. You'll spend about a third of what you do for gas based on a vehicle that gets 30 MPG.

But the facts have come out: SURE, you'll get the "Equivalent" of 99 MPG. But the battery won't hold much. You'll get about 73 Miles before you have to stop for a recharge. So, if you're traveling from MPLS, MN to Chicago, IL, it would take 8 hours by gas-powered car. That's a cost of $39.00 (Approximately) for gas. BUT if you're using an electric car, you'll take approximately 9 hours to get 73 miles! So, it will take you approximately 63 hours (nearly 3 days) of travel if you have only one battery available. Now, if you want to travel 1500 miles, that means more than a week of travel!

While these electric cars may be great for the environment, they are showing very little promise. You'll need charging stations everywhere. You MIGHT create a "battery exchange" system. It would need to be constantly attended, and you'd need millions on batteries everywhere just to cover the expected load!

It would take 22 batteries for ONE VEHICLE to get from MN to FL...on a straight-away trip. Of course, if you stop for 8 hours for sleep, or something, you save 1 battery.

I think it's obvious, now, that these "Electric" vehicles are nothing but a red herring. They may be OK for around town, if you only drive a max of 400 miles a week.

But what about all the energy that will be needed for manning battery changing stations, batteries, and the like if they flip to electric in full?

I'm afraid not. You might save 1000 in gas per year, but you'll pay in the long run. And when the batteries can't be recharged? It's a $5000 replacement.

Methinks they need to make some major adjustments in vehicles, but the electric vehicles are going to need major overhaul to make them effective!

So, the electric cars are nothing but a waste for a normal family. It's BEYOND PRODIGAL -- into the realm of the ridiculous! That's the scoop with the facts -- AS I SEE IT!

Surprises in store from NASA today

2010-12-02T09:07:00.000-06:00

The story is in the news: NASA astrobiologists have an important announcement at 2 ET today. The speculation swirls. There are scores of possibilities as to what this is about.

Actually, the speculation is that they have irrefutable proof of life somewhere. Current best shot in speculation is Mars. Maybe the Rovers have found Bacteria, or living viruses. Or maybe fossils.

Some folks are saying life may have been found on one of Saturn's Moons, possibly Titan or Rhea. However, since we've had no probes on those satellites, I suspect those are out of the question. Some people are saying that proof of life elsewhere has shown up on the moon.

Maybe it's "Twin Earths" planets like this with lots of water, and plenty of green showing. Or even scores of them.

Maybe SETI got a communication from somewhere? Oh, that's possible! Yeah, but the evidence (Probably radio waves) would have taken hundreds, if not thousands or even billions of years, to reach us here.

Maybe NASA is going to "Come Clean" about Roswell? Don't make me laugh!

MAYBE NASA has found God's Castle in the Heavens. Oh, wouldn't THAT be a shocker to the atheists!

Most likely, they announce "We have found nothing new." Or maybe "We don't exist. We're just a delusion in the mind of a dragon which is 10 Million years old."

Don't look for anything startling, however. It's probably nothing new -- or it's so insignificant that we'll be going "HO-HUM" in 5 minutes. Don't go looking for a "SPACE SPECTACULAR" -- That's NOT gonna happen -- AS I SEE IT!

The attack of the Lame Stream Media!

2010-11-22T17:22:00.000-06:00

If you're a politician -- especially if you're a politician -- the Lame Stream Media will give you no rest. Especially when you are popular! Believe me, they attack like a pit bull defending a steak!

They'll drag you into situations in which you've never been. They'll put you in places of which you've never heard. They'll take you to hell if they can. And then they keep attacking. They accuse you of being an atheist, a crook, a Muslim, or sometimes a space alien. That's what you have to expect from the Lame Stream Media.

But tell me why they have to drag the children of these people at whom they are throwing rocks, mud, or pies. WHY do they have to drag in Children, at all?

Case in point, currently: Sarah Palin. Everyone knows her daughter Bristol had a child out-of-wedlock, and at a young (before adulthood) age. Now, of course, Bristol is on DWTS, and they're accusing Palin of Staging a coup d'etat in getting her daughter as far as she's gotten.

But now, and this is the last straw -- The Lame Stream Media (I'm not sure of the "paper" name right now) is claiming that WILLOW PALIN, age 16, is in the same boat as Bristol was 2 years ago. In other words, pregnant. Of course, the "paper" gives no sources, or fake sources...and you have to wonder if attempting to defame the child (Dragging her through the mud) is just another attempt to get Sarah Palin angry. Truth be told, I think it is. They're trying to cast Sarah Palin as a failure in motherhood, and the only way they can do so is to attack the children. They'll probably accuse Tripp of something, soon. But right now they're focused on a 16-year-old girl who's trying her best to live a normal life despite her mother having been a V.P. Candidate, as well as Governor.

IF the story is true -- it's NONE OF THE LAME STREAM MEDIA'S BUSINESS. IF the story is false, they have no business printing lies! Freedom of the press and freedom of speech does not extend to lies, libel, and slander.That much has been stated by the Supreme Court.

My advice to Willow Palin and Sarah Palin: If the story is false, SUE. You'll win big and you'll win quickly. Use the money for Willow's college fund. Hit 'em hard, and make 'em pay big for lies, slander and defamation of character.

If the story is true, there is trouble. But it's likely that you can prove it false. So do that, and win your case.

Of course, I must admit that the "paper" which is telling this story is about as reliable as the 150 times they claimed the world is going to end by a certain date, ALL of which have passed now. And they're FUNNY, too. Like the Bat Boy articles, it's as funny as a crotch. (No, not crutch, CROTCH. I used that term intentionally!)

Listen up, you LAME STREAM MEDIA FOLKS... If you're gonna lie about a politician, it's expected -- mainly because politicians are MOSTLY liars...but Leave the KIDS out of it. ESPECIALLY when they're under 18! Otherwise, you're showing your level of maturity, and you are NOT helping the people of the U.S. With your crock of shit!

That's the fact -- Leave Willow Palin alone -- or get some irrefutable proof, and then KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! Those are your choices, you Morons --Your only choices -- AS I SEE IT!

October Canary Awards and a couple Kudos

2010-11-01T22:18:00.000-05:00

October was a month of canary nominations. Lots of politicians, Sports teams, individuals, organizations....
I had only a little trouble narrowing it down, however.

So, it's TIME TO GIVE 3 NOMINEES "THE BIRD!"

And despite all the jackasses nominated in the POLITICAL department, nobody got the bird...THIS TIME.

The Bronze Canary goes to THE NY YANKEES who, despite one HORRENDOUS finish, throttled the Twins out of the playoffs....only to Fall to TX in the second round. Once again, I laugh at the Yankees for being huge spendthrifts and getting nothing in return.

The SILVER Canary -- goes to Zygi Wilf, Brad Childress, Brett Favre, and the entire Vikings team. You guys were just STUPID to bring in Moss -- I knew he wouldn't last! 4 games -- Such BRILLIANCE, guys!
The Vikings are on their way to a 2-14 season, Favre is throwing interception after interception, and the teams that the Vikings can beat are dreadful!

The GOLD Canary -- goes to a bunch of idiot lawyers who shall remain nameless here. You fools actually thought that suing my wife would get you some money, huh? Well, it didn't work -- she's judgement proof, and now the final results are just a short time away. YOU HAVE LOST, and you won't get a thing because you've driven us back into bankruptcy. I'm thankful we have 3 lawyers on our side to battle your lies!
So, once again, HSBC and their Lackeys grab a GOLD CANARY!

And for those of you who were watching the World Series, I give a KUDOS to Texas -- despite falling to SF, you have proved that you have the stuff!

And to San Francisco, I say CONGRATS... 56 years between World Series Championships is a long time.

So, the Canaries are flying high -- and the Kudos move to some good places: AS I SEE IT!

Power struggle among the power hungry power holders on power trips!

2010-10-26T05:33:00.001-05:00

I am very tired of politics right now, so I am very glad that this campaign is almost over. Not a day goes by now without another attack ad in the mail. I'm tired of it, and am getting to the point where I won't even look at it. Yesterday brought another "Vote for me" type agenda in the mail, this one from the sheriff of the county in which I live.

Therefore, I write this letter to the sheriff, and explain a few things.

Dear Sheriff:

My wife and I received your letter today which requested that we vote for you. I'll get into that shortly, but I want you to realize that our names are NOT "Mr and Mrs Registered Voters." (As you very well know!)

I am both amazed and rather amused that you would request our votes. You have your first challenger in 8 years, as I have determined, so you have someone breathing down your neck. I guess you're too busy looking over your shoulder right now to bother with our names.

I am not going to vote for you. Nor will I vote for your opponent. In fact, I will not vote for any judges, either, nor anyone who is in any way associated with the "Justice System" in this election.

I have no time to vote for anyone whose department has illegally detained, harassed and questioned me and my wife, and has ignored my requests for assistance in retrieving property and ignored the crimes committed against me and our property many times in the last 4 years.

This all started in 2006, but things began to reach a boiling point in 2007 when you and your lackeys started hounding us over our animals. You were quite aware of our kennel variance, but you chose to ignore it, instead demanding we show you the paperwork. Just check the damn courthouse, buddy! It's listed there. Then you started bothering us over the untidiness of the house. THEN you had one of our neighbors yell and scream over the animals again, which got us hauled into court, and we were forced to pay almost a F***ING GRAND in attorney fees (Which we could not afford), and the forced us to miss house payments, which in turn got us foreclosed.

You call THAT justice? I call it F***ING HARASSMENT!

So far, you've delivered a lawsuit (Which we had to spend to stop, and we DID stop it, you bastard). I got bit by a cat, and instead of showing concern for me the victim, you come in and demand to see the Livestock. That is uncalled for! And you bastards threw me in cuffs for no damned reason in May of 2009. You stopped me when I was walking home one night (Again for no damned reason) and questioned me. During a "routine" stop, your lackeys had the gall to question me about my religious faith. Tell me what damn difference that makes, you fool!

You've delivered foreclosure papers (Which was caused by the damn fees we had to pay the court for your damned nonsense!

And you sent a freaking check for $1.00 -- a check which my lawyer believed to be some sort of scam. I've not cashed it-- in fact, I am returning it to you with this letter. I suggest you stop trying to trick us, and start chasing the felons that have been committing the serious crimes in this area.

Instead of helping us retrieve our property from a convicted drunkard, you've ignored our request AND you have ignored the complaints about trespassers on this land!

And you want me to vote for you?!

I will not vote for you. Nor will I vote for any judge running in this district. NOR will I vote for county attorney, nor any freaking TAX AND SPEND Lawyer running for office.

I Strongly suggest that you get a life -- instead of trying to make others miserable.

Yours Truly ,

Resident.

Lights out on "AS THE YANKEES SQUIRM"

2010-10-23T12:36:00.000-05:00

On Friday, October 22, the lights went out on the 2010 season for the Yankees. The Yanks were just too cock-sure of themselves going in, having handled the Twins easily. But they forgot the old truism: "It ain't over 'til it's over." Interestingly, that was so eloquently stated by Yogi Berra, A member of the same team so many years ago.

The Yankees just plain forgot that Texas, which has never made the World Series, would be hungry. They forgot that it doesn't matter what you did to a team in the regular season; once the playoffs start, the regular season is irrelevant.

George Steinbrenner would have their hides hanging from a wall if he had survived the year. Now, he's looking at the team, shaking his head, wondering, "Where did I go wrong this year?"

It's lights out on NY this year. And I hear the laughter of NY Yankee haters everywhere. And the Jeering is loudest in Texas, Tampa, and Minnesota. Watch for Next Years edition of "AS THE YANKEES SQUIRM."

Baseball Soaps.

2010-10-19T23:36:00.001-05:00

Ok, so the Yankees defeated the Twinkees. That's not a surprise, as they've had Minnesota's number for years. But now I look at the situation, Yankees on the brink of Elimination at the home park. Their Bite is a lot weaker than their bark, I would say.

Texas took the first game from the Yankees, and the Yankees evened it up in game two. Then it was to NY, where the Big Apple seems likely to take a bite out of the Texas Rangers. Or so I thought. But I've been very pleasantly surprised that the Rangers have bitten the heads off the Yankees for two consecutive games, 8-0, and 10-3. And the Yankees seem to be fading into the sunset!

Oh, there are still a maximum of three games left. One, and only one, remains in the Bronx borough of the Big Apple.

Will tomorrow end the Yankees season? Or will they come back to haunt Texas tomorrow? At the moment, I can't say. But I can say it's been fun watching AS THE YANKEES SQUIRM!

ECHOES OF SILENCE

2010-10-15T21:14:00.000-05:00

My poem ECHOES OF SILENCE stirred some on Twitter -- And I only tweeted about 280 characters. I searched my blog, but found no evidence that this was ever posted.

This was PUBLISHED, and is copyright by me, so don't get any ideas!

ECHOES OF SILENCE

Into the night, I cry out "WHY?"

Not even an Echo gives reply.

The moon a witness to my plea,

Not even an echo answers me.

I stand upon the beach this night,

Awaiting an answer to my plight.

The water is still; a glassy sea.

Not even a ripple answers me.

I tilt my head to hear a breeze.

There's nothing rustling in the trees.

Strange that things are so quiet tonight.

It's wrong, a fact; it's just not right.

I see a shadow cover me.

It is HIM, he's come for me.

The night, again, hears my plea.

Still nary an echo answers me.

His voice DOES echo in my brain;

"No, my friend, you are quite sane.

This is your time, just come with me."

And the night, AGAIN, hears my plea.

Into the night, an anguished "WHY?!"

God is my witness: No reply.

I shall not see the sun rise again.

I shall not see....

Fighting back against the odds.

2010-10-15T20:37:00.002-05:00

It seems like every time I do something, or my wife does something, we wind up fighting back because someone "Disagrees." It's happening now, and we've had to spend a small fortune already on lawyers, and will need to spend at least 1200 more (And we don't have it!) But we are fighting back, battling the lying bastards who are trying to rip us off while hiding behind "Procedure."

It's tough.

And right now, it's even tougher when we have to sell the house or get out by the 27th of January. The folks that have come to see are trying to obtain for a song and dance. They say that the floor plan is average, or worse. That's up to THEM to adjust, not us! They claim the outside needs work. WELL, I don't deny that, that's why we've cut so much off the assessed value! I mean, we're told the assessed value is 202K, and it's up for 170K. That's 40 acres! And they claim it's "Still too much." Let me tell ya, the land is worth 100K. The house cost 79K, 13 years ago. Don't go telling me that it isn't worth it!

Yes, there are some problems. But dealing with lawyers and people who won't pay a fair price for something like a house is very disheartening!

The odds are against us in legal matters right now. We can play the trump card, and we will win. But it will depend on circumstances. And if this house doesn't sell, we'll be on the street, no recourse. We have to beat the odds in TWO situations. Neither of them is going to prove easy.

Chasing a lying bill collector off your property is one thing -- but having to deal with the same in a legal situation outside of that is hard. Selling a house isn't easy, either...especially when you are under a strict time limit.

We are fighting back against the odds. The decks are stacked against us. But we've always seemed to have found a way. I'm just hoping the odds don't even up there! Without the level playing field, we're in for an uphill battle!

That's a fact -- and I KNOW where I'm coming from on this! It's a long-shot-- Like Onion vs. Secretariat. Or Ferdinand against the rest of the field...AS I SEE IT!

I HATE IT

2010-10-09T19:42:00.001-05:00

There is little I hate more than SPAM MAIL. Not to say there is nothing I hate worse,
but there isn't much.

Today's STUPID LETTER of the day CLAIMS to be from INTERPOL.

Return-Path: <info@golfbox.cn> (Since when is this INTERPOL's Email?)
Received: from mx10.dca.untd.com (mx10.dca.untd.com [10.171.44.40])
By maildeliver08.vgs.untd.com with SMTP id AABGMB5YNA6TZY62
For <NAME DELETED> (sender <info@golfbox.cn>);
(Name deleted to protect the innocent)
Sat, 9 Oct 2010 15:38:05 -0700 (PDT)
Authentication-Results: mx10.dca.untd.com; DKIM=NONE
Received-SPF: None
Received: from guangzhou.golfbox.cn (guangzhou.golfbox.cn [211.147.247.106])
By mx10.dca.untd.com with SMTP id AABGMB5YMAKMA3FS
(sender <info@golfbox.cn>);
Sat, 9 Oct 2010 15:38:03 -0700 (PDT)
Received: from User by guangzhou.golfbox.cn (MDaemon PRO v10.1.2)
With ESMTP id md50000167663.MSG;
Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:57:13 +0800
X-Spam-Processed: guangzhou.golfbox.cn, Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:57:13 +0800
(not processed: message from trusted or authenticated source)
X-MDPtrLookup-Result: pass DNS.ptr=s15353667.onlinehome-server.info (IP=87.106.135.205)
(guangzhou.golfbox.cn)
X-MDHeloLookup-Result: hardfail SMTP
.helo=User (does not exist) (guangzhou.golfbox.cn)
X-Authenticated-Sender: info@golfbox.cn
X-MDRemoteIP: 87.106.135.205
X-Return-Path: info@golfbox.cn
X-Envelope-From: info@golfbox.cn
Reply-To: <bello.daniels@live.com> Notice their stupidity!
From: "Head Internet Fraud Unit."<info@golfbox.cn>
Subject: Interpol Fraud Unit
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2010 15:13:12 +0200
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/related;
Boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0026_01C2A9A6.683B01A6"
X-Priority: 3
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2600.0000
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2600.0000
To: Undisclosed-recipients:;
Message-Id: <AABGMB5YMAKMA3FS@mx10.dca.untd.com>
X-UNTD-BodySize: 11954
X-UNTD-UBE: 5
X-UNTD-UBE-INFO:
50a9289531c9dd2811854561d848f58988d8dd1cd8c1b5c98c89696189ec2811adadf5a8a9989518dd98f8c9d8
E5eccca18c6ca155a1e5
X-UNTD-SPF: None
X-UNTD-DKIM: NONE
X-UNTD-SIGN-INFO:
50a9289531c9dd2811592838d9d869c988a9c91c35cdeded31b97ca89dbc11a8d1d828ac1c094d69c54d5d4dac

X-ContentStamp: 3:4:3246616328
X-MAIL-INFO:5011054871681c5d8c41894d25a15d6cb1adccec65253d25797d
X-UNTD-Peer-Info: 211.147.247.106|guangzhou.golfbox.cn|guangzhou.golfbox.cn|info@golfbox.c
N

This was addressed to <Undisclosed recipients>

Beneficiary <COMMENT: WOW, I'm a beneficiary!? When did THIS happen?>

This is the Internet fraud unit of the Interpol police, we are been mandated by the
British High Commission and the FBI to combat Internet fraud and our monitoring
device picked up several signal transaction on your server and since then we have
been monitoring all your Internet transaction and we have just discovered that you
have been into series of transactions few weeks ago.
<COMMENT: I HAVE? That's news to me!>

From our investigation you have a transaction worth ($1.5 million) which you are in
doubt, we have discovered from our investigation that the compensation funds ($1.5 million)
been allocated to selected Americans citizen who have been scammed and harassed on
the Internet is real and also been backed up by the UNITED NATIONS.
We have been investigating email been directed to selected individual.

<COMMENT: WOW! 1.5 Million? Oh, SEND IT HERE!
PAYPAL, PLEASE!)

We want to clear your doubts; you are to continue your transaction with
Mr bello daniels of the (EFCC) compensation payment department immediately,
In case you have lost his contact you can still reach him with his email:
(bello.daniels@live.com)You are to contact with your full details:
NAME, ADDRESS,CELL PHONE NUMBER,
Please you are to contact the payment department at once.

<COMMENT: They Even give the name of the Scamming party?
Is it REAL? And they want ALL MY CONTACT INFO.
Don't they HAVE it, if they know about this alleged transaction?>

You are not to disclose this information to a third party as we are on the trail to get all
perpetrators' of cyber crime.
<Oh, don't worry. The FBI is my friend!
I'm sure they'll love this!>

Thank you for your understanding

I UNDERSTAND MORE THAN YOU THINK!

Faithfully
Bryan Smith
Head Internet Fraud Unit.

NOW, for my response, below!

DEAR MORON

I have forwarded your SPAM/FRAUD letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Your belief that I can be scammed is exceeded only by your stupidity.
I strongly suggest you LEAVE ME ALONE, and that you watch for
the Police to show up at your door.
Morons like you don't deserve a break, and you will
NOT get one if I have my way!

Now, just GO TO HELL, and spam somebody
else for a change, You jerk!

The Morons JUST WON'T QUIT, WILL THEY? That's the FACT : AS I SEE IT!

Have you ever?

2010-10-02T09:31:00.000-05:00

Have you EVER wanted to yell at someone in charge? I mean, specifically, a politician? Oh, I can't deny I've wanted to do just that!

Yesterday was my opportunity! And I took advantage of it.

We have a prominently displayed "NO TRESPASSING" sign at the end of our driveway. Of course, it does not apply to police on official business -- but even they cannot enter without a warrant.

Yes, a candidate who is also the STATE SENATOR from this district ignored the NO TRESPASSING sign. My wife was not on the property, but she was on the road just outside of the gate. And she heard me yelling.

I took the Propaganda the gal left and tore it up right in front of her. And I told her in no uncertain terms to GET OUT. And I specified "DEMOCRATS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE." NOBODY is welcome without an invite, unless they are family. And family would contact us first.

That COMMIE won't be back. And any politician, in office or not, who comes onto this land will be run off. Police are not WELCOME, but accepted as a matter of law, but may NOT come inside without a warrant. THAT is OUR RIGHT. But if our gate is up, nobody comes in.

I would write to the senator, but I'm not going to waste my time. NEXT POLITICIAN, CANVASSER, or other uninvited "Guest" is going to be arrested. We have the sign up, they MUST follow the law. If they do not, they can expect trouble. While you can get in trouble, you must AVAIL YOURSELF TO THE OPPORTUNITY... AS I SEE IT!

The Baseball soaps continue

2010-10-01T12:40:00.000-05:00

3 games left, and the Yankees are really in a fix. Tied for the division lead, but Tampa has the tie-breaker; this leaves the Yankees in the back seat of an out-of-control automobile (or a passenger on your motorcycle, take your pick!) They have very little chance of taking the Division. You know it, so do I. All Tampa has to do is match them game for game in wins. But don't count out the Twins who are just a game back for best record in the AL. Don't count them IN, either. The Twins need 3 wins, with no more than 1 win for Tampa and/or NY. None of the teams has been doing very well recently, and that could mean trouble for NY.

Only thing we know for sure about the East: The Rays control their destiny. The Yankees are just along for the ride. It's so amusing to watch As the Yankees Squirm. The question is "Can they squirm enough to get the Division?"

The plot thickens

2010-09-23T22:25:00.001-05:00

While the teams are effectively set for the AL Playoffs, the plot thickens.

NY went into the Tampa series .5 game up. Two games, they were 2.5 ahead. Now it's back to .5 game. But the kicker? The Yankees are NO LONGER the best team in the AL.

That's right, the TWINS are currently the best record in the AL. That was not expected. And with just 10 games left, the tight race in the East takes on even more meaning.

Of course, the Twins can finish 1,2, or 3 and would still play the wildcard team. Now the question is WHO is that going to be? Now, it's true that Boston can still grab the Wildcard, NY or Tampa could drop out, or Texas blunder.If TX blunders it away, that would really be a shocker. If NY blows the playoffs, that would be a bigger shock.

Eyes on the Prize...and that's the Home Field for the Twins. And for NY or Tampa, it's the Division. That's going to need be the first goal -- or they WILL blow it. Boston, NY, or Tampa... Still up in the air: AS I SEE IT.

51 Thoughts (Don't let the title fool you.)

2010-09-18T19:49:00.001-05:00

51. It's an odd number, It's the product of two prime numbers. People don't freak out when they hear you're 51, not like the teens do when they hear you're 30!

If a person hits 51 homers in a season, he's a probable shoo-in for the Baseball hall of fame. 51 touchdown passes in a season (more than per game) is gonna net you a fortune.

If you're married for 51 years, you've quite an accomplishment. 51 gold records in Rock & Roll, you'll be in the rock hall of fame.

But there's something else -- 51 is a horrible age.

With the average life-span of the American Male at 77.5 years, you've already passed middle age by 12 years. You probably have 1/3 of your life ahead, unless it gets cut short by accident or disease.

By age 51, most people have been married a dozen years, 2 kids. They've owned 3 dogs, or 4 cats. They've had at least one auto accident, one broken bone, and one major surgery.

I don't fit many of these categories.

What's awful is the thought of what 51 REALLY IS. It's a progression IN YOUR 6th decade. You've finished your first decade when you have your 10th birthday. So, your working on your 6th decade. Doesn't that sound awful?

Yet one of my family lived for 11 decades, dying at age 109.

51 years may not sound like much, but it's a constant reminder of your own mortality (Especially when you have lost 2 classmates in a week's time.)

Think of the average age of the people in Congress. Then compare to the President. You're older than the President, you've got a constant reminder that YOU ARE OLD.

The singers/rock stars you grew up with are either dead, or in their late 60s or 70s (Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra, KISS, Jefferson Starship, Marilyn McCoo, John Lennon, George Harrison)

Who the HELL is Justin Bieber? Can "Miley" Cyrus REALLY be an adult Child of Billy Ray Cyrus?

Most of us haven't really done anything with our lives. We've been living in obscurity, a faceless member of the masses who toil day in and day out, eking out a living.

51 may be just a number, but to me it's a reminder that we're all under a death sentence.

Yes, it's death watch time. It's time to Call in Dr. Kevorkian, purchase your grave, and write or update your will. It's the facts: AS I SEE IT!

State Fair Poetry

2010-09-03T18:35:00.000-05:00

Last year, out of sheer boredom, I wrote a series of quatrains commemorating the state fair here in MN. While there are 3 days left this year for the fair, I have my set fully done THROUGH TODAY.

If you think you're interested, read on!

Open up the gates!

Swing open wide the doors!

Tomorrow it all starts again.

Can you tell me what's in store?

#STATEFAIRTIME

They have opened up the gates,
And you have stepped inside.
If you're trying to lose weight, don't go,
Cuz EVERYTHING'S deep-fried!
#statefairtime

Wander into the 4-H building
To view the arts and crafts
You view the winning entries;
You gotta wonder "ARE THEY DAFT?"
#statefairtime

Roaming on the Midway;
it's where the action's at.
You gonna pony up the funds to see
The "Cherry-colored cat?"
#Statefairtime

Looking for excitement?
Try the State Fair giant Slide.
Here's your gunny-sack, go down--
But protect your BACK SIDE!
#Statefairtime

You've eluded the crowds, some how.

You sat down comfortably.

Too late you find @BillZucker 's been there;

You're out of TO!

#statefairtime

Out of the sun, in the grandstand aisles,
Your blood still might boil
When you find all the vendors
Peddling their brands of snake oil!
#StateFairTime

Sitting in the grandstand, now.
Please ENJOY the show!
In just 2 months you may be griping
'bout (GASP! Dare I say it?) SNOW!

#Statefairtime

The Space needle beckons at the fair
The sky ride does, too
You're running out of time,
So what ya gonna do?
#Statefairtime

You chose the Space needle ride, of course,

Cuz it won't make you sick.

How appropriate it is:

The ride is on a stick!

#StateFairtime

Gotta love the Fair!

September, time for AUGUST Canaries!

2010-09-02T05:46:00.004-05:00

Absurdity! Absurdity! It's time to issue a Canary or three!

Not Dog, nor cat, nor horse, nor rabbit... I'm in the CANARY HABIT!

Ah, August was a FINE MONTH for nominees for the Canary awards! From a debt collector, to the Govt, to the Mortgage company, to a guy on Twitter, to the weather, to the power company, to the Satellite Company, to the Phone Company, to the anesthesiologist... OH, I had nominees galore.

It wasn't too hard to determine who was gonna get the BIRD. The question was who was gonna get WHICH bird.

While the weather caused a lot of problems last month (Tearing off the roof, wrecking a carport, leaving us without power for 41 hours, without phone service for 72 hours, and without satellite service for 60 hours, the weather STILL came in a distant fourth place.

Third place goes to a MORON whom I will not mention by name. He's a real jerk on Twitter. I thought there was hope for him, but I find I was wrong. This half-wit thinks that FAITH and FICTION are the same thing, seems to think if you can't quantify something it doesn't exist.

Well, I'm gonna respond to that: You can't see the stars in the day time. Therefore they don't exist. You can't see AIR. Therefore it doesn't exist. You can't see his brain, so it doesn't exist. (OH, I'm sorry -- he doesn't HAVE a brain, so it's obvious why you can't see it!)

To this fool, I want to point out that FAITH is a belief. SURE, you can believe in something that is an error. YOU have faith in Medical science. You believe that when you go to a physician, that he can cure you of what ails you. And just what happens when you are wrong?

I CAN'T SEE YOU, YOU do NOT EXIST, buddy! Bronze Canary for whatever your name is. I have NO REASON to believe that you told me the truth about your name. (SEE, that's my FAITH in action. My faith is in your lack of honesty!)

Second place gets the silver canary! And our all inclusive favorite "Debt collectors" get one this month. I was waiting for someone to come examine the house for repair work after the big storm. I see someone pull into the drive (Which is marked NO TRESPASSING), but I knew the insurance adjuster had my permission. To my surprise, it was a F***ing ass who was trying a door-to-door harassment approach to debt collection. I chased him off, told him "I have no time to talk to you. If you come back, I'll have you up on charges of Trespass." While I've not seen him since, I suspect he will return. And I will have the police out here in a matter of minutes!

And our illustrious GOLD CANARY, for the group I want to give the BIRD...goes to Mn School District 912! Since I moved to this area, I have voted down 8 times a proposed levy to "help" the schools around here. 7 times they've had the question on the ballot, one year they had it twice. I've voted it down 3 times in the last 2 years. And sure enough, these "TAX AND SPEND" jerks are at it again, Trying to get us to raise our property taxes for "The kids." But the thing is, they are spending A hundred Thousand trying to get us to raise the taxes! Why don't they stop trying to get us to raise our taxes and spend that money on THE KIDS? Because these morons on fundamentally STUPID, and their evil goes beyond sanity, beyond the darkest imagining of Stephen King! Raise my taxes? NO, NO, A THOUSAND TIMES NO, AND YOU WILL LOSE AGAIN, AS LONG AS I LIVE IN MN DISTRICT 912!

There you have it -- the Canary awards for August. If you have nominations, send 'em, and your explanation why they deserve a canary award. Who knows, maybe I'll give them THE BIRD for YOU!

The Taxoholics are at it again!

2010-08-28T21:40:00.003-05:00

Minnesota is a land of taxes. Income tax, sales tax, property tax, marriage tax, auto license tax, business license tax, estate tax, and more. Last year, the people were fooled when they supported an increase in the sales tax by 3/8% of 1%. The money was SUPPOSED to go for wildlife and "Arts", but what do you suppose happened? It went into the general fund. Now, the state is spending it (More accurately, the DEMOCRATS are spending it) while the state gripes about there not being enough to make their obligations. Oh, how typical!

In my area, the taxoholics are at it AGAIN. 7 times in the 13 years I've been here (And this will be my last year here unless there is a freaking unexpected miracle) the school district has had a ballot referendum, and the same has been rejected 8 times! (They had 2 referenda questions last year, both rejected by good margins, as all of them have been...but the last one was closer than any of the others.

They've had these questions 2 years straight, now. And I was at the market, spotted the headline on the local paper: Ballot Referendum approved for November. THREE STRAIGHT YEARS. Theses Tax-o-holics NEVER give up. They are losers, sore losers, who cannot and will not take "NO" for an answer.

I will not be in this area after January of 2011. But there is a principle involved here. Forcing the people to vote on the same question 3, 4, 5 years straight when they have rejected it 8 times is ridiculous. It's unfair. I'd almost call it unconstitutional, but that wouldn't be correct. But these fools, dorks, spendthrift Demoncrats are at it again, trying to get us to raise our property taxes by 200/year, or more. NO WAY, YOU JACKASSES!

I have voted no on ALL school referenda questions since 1979. I will continue to do so. The Government shouldn't be involved in the schools anyway. Not the Fed, not the state.

I am supporting a law to prohibit reprising the questions more than 1 time in 3 years. It is UNFAIR to the people to have to say NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! But these jerks seem to think it will wear the NAY-Voters down. And it hasn't worked yet. Last year it was an 8% margin of defeat. It's going to be BIG this year. Bigger than ever. And I, for one, am going to write a scathing letter to the school district about BEGGING in this manner. And I am going to tell them STOP SPENDING ALL YOUR MONEY SUPPORTING THIS TAX INCREASE, AND SPEND IT ON THE SCHOOLS. They spend $10,000 plus each time they try this, and they are wasting their budget money. It just goes to show that these fools think a sob story is gonna work for them. I'm here to prove them wrong!

These taxoholics MUST BE SILENCED, by LAW IF NECESSARY. And it seems necessary--AS I SEE IT!

Hoopla, Flip-flop, and questions....

2010-08-18T23:01:00.000-05:00

There was a man who said he would retire. He did, but someone called him to return to the fold. The money was good, he came back.

He retired again. Then came back.

He once again tarried, thinking of retirement. But 3 people went to his place and once again asked him to return.

By now you know who I'm talking about: Brett Favre. Arguably the best NFL Quarterback in history, he only has one Super Bowl ring to his credit. He has played 19 years, this is his 20th season. He's old for a football player (Soon to be 41), but he's still a young man.

The questions before the board: Is he just manipulating the media? Is he for real? Can he have another good season? Is he healthy enough? Can he bring the team to a Winning Super Bowl?

1) Question 1, I think, the answer is probably yes. The media loves a circus, and Brett Favre seems to give you a PT Barnum. He obviously enjoys the limelight, and I suspect money does have something to do with his return. It's probably not the only factor, but it's a big one.

2) Is he for real? His actions speak loudly, but incoherently. But he's back again. I think that makes him real enough.

3) Can he have another good season? Well, that's gonna depend on a lot of factors. It will depend on the fans, on his heel, on his arm, on the offensive line, on the teams being played... I doubt that the season he will have will be as good as last year. But stranger things have happened. The Vikings have never won a Super Bowl. Favre has one to his credit. If he's been training, I give him a 60% chance of having a year close to last one.

4) Is he healthy enough? The team seems to think so. He's undergone another ankle surgery, but I understand he's developed more bone spurs. Whether he's still mobile enough, whether is arm is strong enough, whether his heel is pain-free enough -- that remains to be seen.

5) Can he lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl Victory? His history is not promising in that area, but he STILL has won one more ring than any other Vikings Team member. He almost took the team to the bowl last year, it was a last minute mistake that cost the team that chance. If anyone can do it, Favre can, but you have to wonder -- can the man at 41 provide enough "oomph", enough "Pizzaz" to pull it off-- THAT is the big question. And the only thing that can answer that is the season.

So, while we wait and wonder at and about the MAN at 40-41 years, we have to settle for this: IF he stays healthy, it's likely to be an interesting year. That's a major fact -- and the major question --
AS I SEE IT.

No canaries for July, something else for a while

2010-08-03T22:28:00.002-05:00

Normally, I'd give the Canary award, but it was a quiet July. So, I'm passing on it for now, and I will do a slightly different this time out.

I'm going to talk about my experiences with GOD. (Before you shut me off, I want you to understand -- this means my own evidence of the Existence of GOD, not face to face meetings. I'm not Moses, I've not been granted such a status as to be a prophet, Moses or Not, I am merely a messenger.

Today, (Monday the Second, Tuesday the third) I was in a bit of a debate with a self-proclaimed ATHEIST who is known as "Packard_Sonic" on Twitter. He started out, pretty much, with a similar statement to this "He's not coming back. It's been 2000 years. Get over it."

As a Christian, I felt obliged to speak up, and state my case on this topic.

Well, you can imagine this guy isn't really an "Atheist," but a very die-hard skeptic. He demands Proof... well I demand proof of life on other planets. I've never seen any, but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I demand proof of AIR, in particular oxygen (And I think he would, too). I don't "SEE" any proof...but without oxygen, we'd be dead!

While P_S is claiming "Fables," I point out chariots (Which date from the time of Moses) which were found at the bottom of the Red (Actually REED) Sea. (RED, only because it reflects the mountains of Edom, and Edom means RED.)

While he thinks the Chariots could have been from a Capsized boat, I ask "Where's the wreckage?"

While P_S is great at twisting words, trying to rile me, I am going to point out my OWN EXPERIENCES... and while they probably won't convince him, It's my chance to witness.

So, Pack -- Read up, and I don't think you're going to be able to claim anything but Supernatural in some of these things. And THAT means "THE HAND OF GOD."

In 1972, on August 14th, some friends of mine and I were discussing the disappearance of the 5 avenger Torpedo Bombers (Slightly after WWII) and ONE Martin Mariner plane. All of a sudden, Roland (His real name) speaks something I wouldn't have expected. "I SEE A CROSS!"

We were sitting under a tree, he was looking at the ground...we stared at the ground. Nobody but Roland saw anything. There were no branches that could have made a cross shape. We dismissed it, (although we were young and very impressionable) and went swimming.

About 9 that night, the police came to our home. It seems that my Grandfather had passed away very close to the time that Roland had seen that cross on the beach. I didn't see the cross...but the idea made a mark.

Who's to remember all this, right? Well, a few years later, I started remembering dreams.

One was about a Crash that killed an entire sports team. I didn't recognize the team, but thought it may be professional. Only a few weeks later the entire Evansville Basketball team was killed in a crash. You might call it "Co-inky-dink." But this stuff continued.

Around this time,I dreamed of being in a "Church" -- which had odd rules. They'd tie you down, hold a light over your head...It made very little sense. Some people escaped the "church" just before it caught fire. Not long after, the Jonestown Massacre (or mass suicide, as you prefer) occurred, killin hundreds, plus a congressman.

Have you ever dreamed of a Calendar? I did. Twice, in fact. One date was circle on a 1979 Calendar. It was November 4th. What did it mean? I had no idea. Shortly after that, I had another Calendar dream -- Sunday, May 18th, circled in RED on a 1980 Calendar.

November 4th rolls around -- and there is a storming and seizing of the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran. And then, May 18th, 1980-- Mount St. Helens Explodes...What, more coincidence? Early in 1981, Another dream -- a Shuttle accident, killing all on board. Odd, since the Shuttle hadn't even really begun missions. It was only ENTERPRISE. Until, that is, January 28, 1986, when the Challenger blew up, killing all 7 aboard.

Sometime there after, I was shoveling walks and driveways to make extra money. I was shoveling a driveway, and it began to snow, HARD. It wasn't expected to let up for a couple of days. I noticed a hearing aid missing. I check the driveway I was working on, but NOTHING. I prayed! "Let me find it. Stop the snow until I do!" I knew the forecast: Heavy snow for 2 days. I prayed again, same words. Suddenly, the snow stopped. I kept looking for the Aid, but couldn't find it. I finally went home. The snow was still stopped. I started looking around the house, and finally spotted my aid on the floor, behind a waste basket. I picked it up, put it on...and only a few minutes later it started snowing again.

Shortly after the death of my father in 1995, I began having an "Inner voice" talking to me...or so it seemed. It was telling me to prepare for Mom's death. Ok, her health wasn't "Great." But every time we went to church, a voice would say "Yet (Number) times this scene shall be repeated, and then, no more." When we reached "0", that was it. The scene was never repeated. She was too weak to go to church any more. And only a few weeks later, when I failed to stop where she was that evening, she passed away. What was more frightening was that just a year and a half earlier, I told my dad to Get out of the hospital. The next day, he did...as a corpse.

In 1998, I was driving to work about to pass Elk River, MN. I saw what appeared to be a man in black, crossing the road. I slowed down because he paused in the middle of the road. But then, he vanished. Just a few days later, my brother-in-law died.

In 2001, in November, I saw the same vision, and did the same -- I received a call that day that my mother-in-law had suffered a heart attack, and was in the hospital. The next day, I saw the vision again. And the following Saturday, she passed away.

In 2007, I was unemployed. It was summer, storms are nothing new. I was watching the sky darken, and a cloud started rotating...Tornado on the way. My prayer was that it pass us. What happened? As a watched, a cloud formed under the cloud that was rotating. A funnel was coming down, but the cloud below it formed the shaped of a hand. Oh, how I wish I had been able to take a photo of that! The hand-shaped cloud kept the funnel from getting any lower....and the danger passed.

Later in the year, I was getting discouraged in my job hunt. I needed a sign, some sort of encouragement. I asked GOD for a bird of prey to land on a dead tractor we had...as some sort of sign that things would be OK then, that I'd have a job soon.

A day later,k I was going out to feed the horses, and saw a bald eagle on the tractor. It flew off, but only minutes later, I received a call from a potential job... and I GOT THAT JOB. I could not explain it, except that GOD had answered my call.

So, to Packard_Sonic -- Now you know WHY I BELIEVE that God exists, and that Christ will return. You can seek a sign -- but you must have a believing heart. Otherwise, it's like Christ himself said: "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign. Blessed is he who has not seen and yet believes."

Just remember: You and I cannot COMMAND God to do anything. We must pray in accordance to the wishes of His Son: "Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven."

"Birthers" need to SHUT UP

2010-07-18T23:53:00.002-05:00

I want to point out to all those who are calling for Obama's Birth Certificate-- you ought to read the FOLLOWING. Sure, I'd like to see it, too. I'd like to see his school records. But really, what difference is it going to make about his birth certificate, when you read below? This is the current reading of TITLE 8, SECTION 1401, which defines "Citizen at birth," which is another way of saying "Natural-born citizen."

Currently, Title 8 of the U.S. Code fills in the gaps left by the Constitution. Section 1401 defines the following as people who are "citizens of the United States at birth:"

Anyone born inside the United States * (my note, does not include children of those not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. This means children of diplomats, for instance--since they have diplomatic immunity)
Any Indian or Eskimo born in the United States, provided being a citizen of the U.S. Does not impair the person's status as a citizen of the tribe
Any one born outside the United States, both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S., as long as one parent has lived in the U.S
(Note, the above applies to John McCain).
Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. For at least one year and the other parent is a U.S. National
Any one born in a U.S. Possession, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. For at least one year
Any one found in the U.S. Under the age of five, whose parentage cannot be determined, as long as proof of non-citizenship is not provided by age 21
Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is an alien and as long as the other parent is a citizen of the U.S. Who lived in the U.S. For at least five years (with military and diplomatic service included in this time)
(NOTE, Above applies to Obama)
A final, historical condition: a person born before 5/24/1934 of an alien father and a U.S. Citizen mother who has lived in the U.S.

I have added the Bold, italics and underline for emphasis; they are not part of the original text.

Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham was born in Wichita, KS, and spent all her first 17+ years (Until High School Graduation) in the CONTINENTAL U.S.) Her parents moved to Hawaii in 1960, and Hawaii was then a state.

As so far as I am concerned, U.S. Law takes precedence here. "Natural Born" meaning "Citizen at Birth", Obama falls INTO THIS CATEGORY.

So, whether or not Obama was actually BORN IN HAWAII is immaterial. He could have been born ON THE MOON, and it would make no difference.

Case closed.

(NOTE: This doesn't mean I like his policies, it doesn't mean I a democrat, and the previous two statements don't mean you can call me racist. If you do, you're a bigger liar than Clinton with his "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Monica Lewinsky."

Birthers, if you're going to continue beating a dead horse, you're harming the cause. So, SHUT THE HELL UP.

These are the FACTS...not just the fact AS I SEE IT...but what the LAW SAYS.

That's Telling 'em! The Lawyer wins.

2010-07-17T12:15:00.002-05:00

I received the following story in an Email. It's funny enough, so I decided to check more closely. SNOPES identifies this as a bit of "Lawyer Humor" originally from 1955, but embellished and updated several times since then. I don't know to whom to give credit for the story (original story teller), but thanks to my Aunt who sent it to me, and to Snopes for verifying the story (Although status of TRUE or FALSE remains uncertain.)

STORY.

Part of rebuilding New Orleans caused residents often to be challenged with the task of tracing home titles back potentially hundreds of years. With a community rich with history stretching back over two centuries, houses have been passed along through generations of family, sometimes making it quite difficult to establish ownership. Here's a great letter an attorney wrote to the FHA on behalf of a client:

You have to love this lawyer........

A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the lawyer three months to track down After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply.

(Actual reply from FHA):
"Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin."

Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows:
(Actual response):
"Your letter regarding title in Case No.189156 has been received. I note that you wish to have title extended further than the 206 years covered by the present application. I was unaware that any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know that Louisiana was purchased by the United States from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Queen Isabella. The good Queen Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus's expedition. Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it, and the FHA. I hope you find God's original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our damn loan?"

The loan was immediately approved.

An old poem of mine

2010-07-14T21:33:00.002-05:00

Many years ago, I wrote a poem called "Ode to a dollar bill" It's quite significant today, and I was trying to post it on Twitter. But it's really too long for that, so I'm putting it here. (There have been some unintentional changes, I'm sure!)

ODE TO A DOLLAR BILL

What's this in my pocket?

Oh my word, it's GREEN!

Could this be a dollar bill?

It reminds me of one I've seen!

How did I come about this?

In my pockets, so rarely seen;

Is this really a DOLLAR BILL?

It's an omen! What does it mean?

I've got to show this to my friends

around work, the lanes, the Church.

I've got to show this to my wife (Maybe I'd better NOT!);

they've left her in the lurch.

Here comes a friend, I'll take it out.

Oh Gawd, where did it go?

It vanished into the great beyond?

My GAWD, WHERE DID IT GO?!

I hadn't seen one in a year or more...

Now it's gone...

down the street, a cry of glee....

Someone found a dollar bill........

Is Baseball's loss a victory for parity?

2010-07-13T22:48:00.000-05:00

The name "George Steinbrenner" is synonymous with Shipping, Baseball, New York, And the Yankees. The Yankees are a team I love to hate, and I admit to a lifelong animosity toward the Yankees, and George Steinbrenner in particular.

I was watching the news when the news scrolling marque on CNN announced the Death of George Steinbrenner, today, at age 80. He died at his home in Tampa, the result of a heart attack.

In a way, Steinbrenner was baseball. He almost always fielded a winning team. He'd go out of his way to get the BEST players. It didn't matter -- Reggie Jackson, A-Rod -- He'd get 'em -- at ridiculous prices. He'd open his wallet to many -- and I still remember the talks of Rod Carew possibly going to the Yankees. While it didn't happen, it was all the gossip.

Steinbrenner was once suspended from the Yankees day to day operations because of illegal campaign contributions. It was originally supposed to be 2 years, he got off in 15 months.

Oh, I'll never forget the times he hired, fired, rehired, fired again, etc -- the Manager who was constantly associated with the Yankees: Billy Martin. Martin was definitely shrewd. But the personality conflicts and Steinbrenner's obsession would constantly win out.

Steinbrenner opened his wallet -- and caused a torrent of multi-million dollar contracts. Even players who were barely mediocre players started taking advantage of "Free agency" and with the open wallet, teams were forced into auctions, higher and higher prices for less and less quality.

Will Steinbrenner's death today help close the gusher of high-priced players, the higher and nearly unaffordable ticket prices? Will it result

in bringing some common sense back to baseball? Will it bring parity among the clubs, like helping out the Orioles, the Diamondbacks, the Nationals?

Although I suspect not, the loss of Steinbrenner is still a blow to baseball. If the Hall of fame inducts owners, and he's not already there, he'd be a shoo-in.

I wonder what Pete Rose thinks about it. Of course, we'll never know. With the Steroid scandal, I'd say gambling is the least of the problems.

The Yankees will continue without Steinbrenner. They existed before him, they will exist after. But the man with the Money -- the guy who started the era of expensive tickets and multi-million dollar contracts to guys who can barely bat .250...is gone. We can only wait to see what the impact will be. He left the bases loaded -- AS I SEE IT.

Open letter to Congress -- Constitutional Amendment Proposal

2010-07-03T22:54:00.002-05:00

To All members of the House and Senate of the United States of America,

I freely admit that I am not a Judge, Lawyer, nor Constitutional Scholar. I am merely a student of life, an American Citizen, and a man who sees a flaw within the Constitution: A flaw that should be fixed as soon as possible.

As you know, there are qualifications required for being a member of the House, the Senate, and the President. For the House, you must be at least 25, a citizen, and a seven year resident of the US, and a resident of the State you represent. To be in the Senate, you must be a citizen at least 30, a nine year resident of the Country, and a resident of the state you are to serve. To be President, you must be at least 35, a natural-born citizen (Not Naturalized citizen) and a resident of the US for at least 14 years.

If we have such stringent qualifications for Our Representatives, Senators, and President, why do we not have them for the Justices of the court?

I should like to propose the following amendment to the Constitution regarding Justices, and a clarification to the term "Natural Born".

Proposed Amendment the XXVIII

The Supreme Court shall consist of 9 individuals.

No person shall be appointed to the Supreme Court who is not a natural-born citizen, who has not attained the age of 40 years and has not been a resident of the United States for 14 consecutive years. An appointee shall have not less than Five (5) years of Judicial Experience, or been an attorney for a minimum of ten (10) years.

The term of a Supreme Court Justice shall be 12 years, to a maximum of 24 years.

Section II

The term "Natural-born" shall be defined as follows:

1) Born in any State of the United States.

2) Born of any Two U.S. Citizens, anywhere,

3) Born of any ONE U.S. Citizen in the States or Territories, but is the product of a U.S. Citizen and a non-citizen.

Offspring of citizens who give up citizenship before the child reaches the age of 14, shall not be considered citizens.

Section III -- This amendment shall be null and void if not passed by the requisite number of states within 7 years.

---------------

There you have my proposed amendment. If you agree, copy and send to your congressman and/or Senators. We clear up all "Vague" wordings, and we protect ourselves from the possibility of a bunch of "foreign-born" justices who care nothing for the Constitution of the United States.

The JUNE Canaries! Gotta love 'em!

2010-07-02T16:30:00.004-05:00

GOTTA LOVE those Canary awards. Last month, I issued none because I just didn't have enough nominees to make it worth while. (Remember, I issue for the previous month. June would be May's canary awards)

Today is July 2nd, and I had more than enough nominees to fill the bill and make a canary tweet.

So, who is gonna get THE BIRD?

For 3rd place, The PRESIDENT gets a canary. Spending too much time on the golf course, not enough on the oil spill in the Gulf, and his nomination of Kagan for the SCOTUS. Buddy, why don't you DO SOMETHING, instead of sitting on your duff, or working on your Golf Swing. Maybe Tiger Woods can offer some tips on your game, but I'm afraid you need a BRAIN to work with the rest of the stuff. But I don't think Tiger is going to be able to offer any celibacy tips. If he does, he's barking up the wrong tree.

The SILVER Canary goes to "Enhanced Recovery Systems," one of our famous, hated enemies.

They tried to collect a "Debt," upon which requested validation. They received our letter, but within 15 days (And without validating) they sold it to someone else. I've not been able to establish any connection between ERS and the winner of June's Canary (The Gold Canary)

The Winner of the GOLD CANARY is the company to which ERS sold the "Debt," to which we STILL have received no validation. I grant you, they still have a little time (to the 15th) to gather and send the information. But we requested validation from THEM, as well. The Group "West Asset Management" still has a few days to get this stuff to us (IF they can gather it). And if we don't receive the requested info, they will have to withdraw the claim. (And I WILL report both ERS and WEST to the Dept. of Commerce for the state. I did that LAST time (For NCO and Transworld), and they were forced to withdraw the claim IN WRITING. I don't know what my success average will be at the end of this month, but I know it will be no less than 50%. And batting 500 is still pretty darned good.

So, you got the "Winners"-- who are actually LOSERS -- In our CANARY AWARDS -- Losers, all: AS I SEE IT!

The Massachusetts Elementary School Condom Caper. WTF?!

2010-06-25T15:51:00.000-05:00

Imagine, if you will: School's been let out for the week -- the weekend is ahead. Your 6 year-old first grader comes home -- and seems a little -- out of sorts? Confused? You ask what's wrong, but receive the standard "nothing" as a reply. So, you ask what happened at school. Same answer. And you "let it go," until that evening. You have laundry to do, so you check the pockets of the child, just to be sure nothing is in the pockets that has to be done...and you find...<GASP> A box of Trojans!

You demand to know: "Where did you get these?" The child's answer is NOT what you expect: "I got them at school."

"No, tell me the truth. WHERE DID YOU GET THEM?!"

The answer is the same. You send the child to his room...but something is nagging at you. You call some of the other parents. Each one -- each child, 6 years, 7 years old -- has gotten a box. And they All say they got them from school.

NO PARENTAL NOTIFICATION. Children in first grade receiving condoms. No, this isn't fiction. It's happening in MASSACHUSETTS at a school known as Veteran's school. An ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

No parental opt-out for the children. The school gives out a box of rubbers to the kids. Their "rationale" is that they are trying to "Protect" the children. But they're not teaching ANYTHING PROPER. They aren't teaching that the only way to avoid pregnancy is to ABSTAIN. And tell me, how many 6 year old KIDS do you know that are having sex?

Being curious, looking -- at that age -- may be normal. But how many of those kids, even by 6th grade, are running around in the nude, screwing their best friend's sister or brother?

Since when do the parents have no right in knowing what goes on at school? They're paying taxes for an education for their child -- not for a box of rubbers and the advice: Go out, have fun, but you gotta wear one!"

This school has overstepped its bounds. It has ignored the rights of the PARENTS to know what's going on in school. And the school is completely unresponsive.

You start with petitions. Then throw the bums on the school board OUT. If that doesn't work, you go to court.

It's time that the parents once again take over the responsibility for knowing what's going on. With draw the kids, if needed. Home school. Or private school.

Let Children be Children...Teach them the facts of life when it is appropriate. Don't let the schools such as the one above be fools. Don't turn our children into the next "Sex-bot" generation!

You gotta go to school...but you don't have to take this travesty lying down (Except -- that's what the schools want!)

PARENTS -- MASSACHUSETTS, and ALL OVER AMERICA -- You've GOT TO SPEAK UP. That's the FACT -- AS I SEE IT!

As I see it

seems like only yesterday

Revenge of the Consumer!

Both humorous and appalling!

Battles with the intolerant

Ease on down the road.

Long winded answer on Biblical questions...

Health issues, faith, and the atheists

The lying morons are at it again...Of course.

Misconceptions-- let's clear 'em up, huh?

When the COUNTY is running an extortion scheme.

I still love poetry.

AN OPEN LETTER TO MURPHY OIL CORPORATION (Petroleum, not soap!)

Re: Your Amazon.co.uk Enquiry

ATTENTION BOGUMILA, ET AL.. At AMAZON. COM, and AMAZON.CO.UK

Here we go....rocking all over the state.

Ames, Iowa, Straw Poll: What does it mean?

Links to blog poetry

#SampleSunday : some years later -- Mike's heart is about to lead him to the edge of a cliff

#sampleSunday entry -- The day Mike and Diane meet, her flirting begins

I wrote to the President this morning, very early

#SampleSunday entry -- Mike Confronts Steve, and the aftermath

Debunking the left...or trying to. A Twitter account.

The calm before the storm? Or the eve of destruction? AN OPEN LETTER!

Potential disruption, potential for disruption

#Samplesunday: Mike's plan backfires; Diane dates Steve!

Blog 1 of two -- A question wanting an answer

Diane turns up the flirt switch giving Mike an unexpected trip.

Sample Sunday, From Special Times, Special Summers -- Chapter "Mr. Lonely Hearts."

Writing Challenge #2. Based on my Book

Short story. It was a writing challenge

A #samplesunday post from Special Times, Special Summers

The dream: Continue to pursue, let die, or kill it?

Exactly what IS the situation?

Poetry, continued.

Poetry --

The MORONS are still at it!

The stupidity of Morons, Al Gore Style!

Job searches lead to spam!

Monster review... Don't bet on it!

The "Terrorist" Memo

Learning the ropes

The human mind is a very strange thing!

Year in review. GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE

So, how do you explain THIS, Al?

Facts on the "Skinny" -- the electric cars.

Surprises in store from NASA today

The attack of the Lame Stream Media!

October Canary Awards and a couple Kudos

Power struggle among the power hungry power holders on power trips!

Lights out on "AS THE YANKEES SQUIRM"

Baseball Soaps.

ECHOES OF SILENCE

Fighting back against the odds.

I HATE IT

Have you ever?

The Baseball soaps continue

The plot thickens

51 Thoughts (Don't let the title fool you.)

State Fair Poetry

They have opened up the gates,And you have stepped inside.If you're trying to lose weight, don't go,Cuz EVERYTHING'S deep-fried!#statefairtime

They have opened up the gates,And you have stepped inside.If you're trying to lose weight, don't go,Cuz EVERYTHING'S deep-fried!#statefairtime

Wander into the 4-H buildingTo view the arts and craftsYou view the winning entries;You gotta wonder "ARE THEY DAFT?"#statefairtime

Roaming on the Midway;it's where the action's at.You gonna pony up the funds to seeThe "Cherry-colored cat?"#Statefairtime

Looking for excitement?Try the State Fair giant Slide.Here's your gunny-sack, go down--But protect your BACK SIDE!#Statefairtime

You've eluded the crowds, some how. You sat down comfortably. Too late you find @BillZucker 's been there; You're out of TO! #statefairtime

You've eluded the crowds, some how.

You sat down comfortably.

Too late you find @BillZucker 's been there;

You're out of TO!

#statefairtime

Out of the sun, in the grandstand aisles,Your blood still might boilWhen you find all the vendorsPeddling their brands of snake oil!#StateFairTime

Out of the sun, in the grandstand aisles,Your blood still might boilWhen you find all the vendorsPeddling their brands of snake oil!#StateFairTime

Sitting in the grandstand, now.Please ENJOY the show!In just 2 months you may be griping'bout (GASP! Dare I say it?) SNOW!

#Statefairtime

The Space needle beckons at the fairThe sky ride does, tooYou're running out of time, So what ya gonna do?#Statefairtime You chose the Space needle ride, of course, Cuz it won't make you sick. How appropriate it is: The ride is on a stick! #StateFairtime Gotta love the Fair!

The Space needle beckons at the fairThe sky ride does, tooYou're running out of time, So what ya gonna do?#Statefairtime

You chose the Space needle ride, of course, Cuz it won't make you sick. How appropriate it is: The ride is on a stick! #StateFairtime Gotta love the Fair!

You chose the Space needle ride, of course,

Cuz it won't make you sick.

They have opened up the gates,
And you have stepped inside.
If you're trying to lose weight, don't go,
Cuz EVERYTHING'S deep-fried!
#statefairtime

They have opened up the gates,
And you have stepped inside.
If you're trying to lose weight, don't go,
Cuz EVERYTHING'S deep-fried!
#statefairtime

Wander into the 4-H building
To view the arts and crafts
You view the winning entries;
You gotta wonder "ARE THEY DAFT?"
#statefairtime

Roaming on the Midway;
it's where the action's at.
You gonna pony up the funds to see
The "Cherry-colored cat?"
#Statefairtime

Looking for excitement?
Try the State Fair giant Slide.
Here's your gunny-sack, go down--
But protect your BACK SIDE!
#Statefairtime

You've eluded the crowds, some how.

You sat down comfortably.

Too late you find @BillZucker 's been there;

You're out of TO!

#statefairtime

Out of the sun, in the grandstand aisles,
Your blood still might boil
When you find all the vendors
Peddling their brands of snake oil!
#StateFairTime

Out of the sun, in the grandstand aisles,
Your blood still might boil
When you find all the vendors
Peddling their brands of snake oil!
#StateFairTime

Sitting in the grandstand, now.
Please ENJOY the show!
In just 2 months you may be griping
'bout (GASP! Dare I say it?) SNOW!

The Space needle beckons at the fair
The sky ride does, too
You're running out of time,
So what ya gonna do?
#Statefairtime

You chose the Space needle ride, of course,

Cuz it won't make you sick.

How appropriate it is:

The ride is on a stick!

#StateFairtime

Gotta love the Fair!

The Space needle beckons at the fair
The sky ride does, too
You're running out of time,
So what ya gonna do?
#Statefairtime

You chose the Space needle ride, of course,

Cuz it won't make you sick.

How appropriate it is:

The ride is on a stick!

#StateFairtime

Gotta love the Fair!