Very Scary

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The following is reprinted from a blooger, Professor Joseph Olsen, Hamline University, School of Law, St. Paul, MN.:

In 1887 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior:

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

From bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage.

Olsen points out some interesting facts concerning the last Presidential election:

Number of States won by: Obama: 19 McCain: 29
Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 McCain:
2,427,000 Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million McCain: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Obama: 13.2 McCain: 2.1

Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory McCain won wasmostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country. Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low incometenements and living off various forms of government welfare...

Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the"complacency and apathy"
phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy,with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.

If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegal's - and they vote - then we can say goodbye to theUSA in fewer than five years.

Of course we are not a democracy, we are a Constitutional Republic . Someone should point this out to Obama. Of course we know he and too many others pay little attention to The Constitution.

There couldn't be more at stake than on Nov 2012.
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Thinking: This'll be the Day that I Die

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It was Summer 1975, when the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) was at war with America, inside America. In addition to planting bombs under police cars in Los Angeles, these homegrown terrorists had killed several innocent people while robbing banks to finance their effort. Their actions were much the same as the President Obama's good friend and the then leader of the Weather Underground Group, Bill Ayers (who since served prison time for trying to blow up a federal building),

Anyway, a group of fellow officers had surrounded 5 members of the SLA inside a house in Watts and were involved in a nasty shootout against men armed with automatic rifles. As I headed toward the officers cry for help, It was then that I thought for the first time in my life, "Will this be the day that I die?" I feared death then.

Within a few months, while patrolling at night in downtown Los Angeles, I spotted a man trying to climb through an alley window into a ground level apartment residence. As I approached, he suddenly drew a 45-caliber pistol and aimed it at my face. I could clearly see his finger flexing as he tried to pull the trigger. And I wondered again whether it would be the last day of my life. I feared death then.

I followed an orange glow in the midnight sky to a house on fire only to find an old lady trapped inside. Amid small explosions, intense heat, and heavy smoke, I thought once again, "Will this be the day that I die?" I feared death then too.

Incidents like these occurred often in the world’s busiest police precinct during those turbulent times that I served in. Far more times that I want to relive in the stories I could tell.

But you know, I don’t fear death any more. It’s not that I’ll go looking for it, but more that I have prepared myself for it. I know that the only reason I’m still alive is because of God’s Grace. And I know that some day He will call again, and then I will live in a place without fear forever and ever.
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Marooned in the Middle-Fifty

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While travelling through Junction City this past weekend we saw a man rocking out to the music of his own tune as he walked the road facing traffic. Dancing, waving, flailing his arms to the passing traffic, some of which responded with toots from their car's horn.

A mile or so down the street was another person dressed as Captain America, shield and all, sitting on the curb. I'm sure you've seen many other versions of these freaks yourself. So, why do people act like this?

Long ago, as a son born into a relatively poor, and then-minority family, I was taught to stay out of the "Lime Light." To be successful, I knew it was beneficial to be within the hump of the Bell Curve. To dress and behave like the majority of the other people I ran with. To not be the fastest, the smartest, the best. And likewise, not be caught in the rear of the pack.

The "Middle-Fifty" they called it back then. And to be able to adjust to a new Middle Fifty where ever my father's military career took us. And so, it is there where I remain today, and will likely always be.

Not because I am not the best, or the brightest, or the fastest. And likewise, not because I might be at the start of the Bell Curve with the worst, or the dumbest, or the slowest. But if I were there, you'd never know it because I'll blend in to be just like you, wherever you are.

You see, I don't bring attention to myself. Unlike the "It's all about me" attitude that too many of us have. Like the Captain America dude, or the freak rocking out to his own tune (or perhaps cartoon), it is not all about me. But it is for that very reason that people love to spotlight themselves.

It takes an entire team to complete a pass for a touchdown, not just the quarterback who throws the pass and then bows and prays to God, thanking Him for his talent. It requires an entire army to win a war, not just the heroic actions of some soldiers, or the leadership a general. But it is these people that spotlight themselves.

The Michael Jacksons, the Lady Gagas, and the Madonnas all conduct themselves using all about me attitudes. Casey Anthony recently talked all about her new I-pad, a new hairdoo and glasses, but never mentioned the loss of her child. It was all about her.

And the list could go on and on if you can see things clearly.

But you know, each one of us has an important place in life and in America. Our President, the future President, and not even Nancy Pelosi can pull us out of the mess this country is in. It takes all of us. All of you. Everyone to make a change. So do your part whether you chose to be in the spotlight or not.

For me, I'm forever marooned in the Middle-Fifty, just doing my part and trying to make some sense for those whom are nonsense.
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Doing the Laundry

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Well, let me first wish all of my Followers a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Most of you know, and most others have figured out that I've been away for the Holidays. Yes, just spending time with the family, friends, and with God as it is intended to be.

But for me, the wonder of Christmas never really goes away. The Thoughts, the Faith, and the Truth seems to never go away although the Season has ended. The sounds of "Joy to the World" just keep bouncing around in my head throughout the year.

I've found that things do not always come clean in the laundry as some say. Like that rebounding Christmas music in my head that never seems to go away, the decisions that we make today will never simply go away but have long lasting effects well into the future.

Now, that could be a good thing, but all too often it is not, which is the subject of this post.

President Obama's decisions in particular. His decisions in his appointees to the courts will be there a life time. His appointees to key federal offices will be there a career time. His policies will have a generation's length of impact. And you know, I can't even think of a single thing that he has done that I think was appropriate. And every day, every hour he does even more to destroy the American ways which our country was built upon.

In the course of just two days (yesterday and today), he sidesteps Congress and appoints three of his biggest union chromies to the Federal Labor Board, a payback for their support and funding in his campaign. He created a new summer jobs program for low income youths, and another program giving immigrants job prefernces over others. It is just another of his ways to spread the wealth, even in so much as to non-Americans.

These policies will never come clean in the wash, even after he is replaced. And he needs to be replaced ...... soon. There is no telling how much more damage he can cause in thie next year.

I'm Back!!
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The Snake Pit

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I’ve said in many previous posts that if you know nothing else about a person, then judge him for whom his friends are. In not so many ways, if you run with snakes, then you are a snake.

It seems a very long time since the name "Obama" first came to attention for the most of us. We asked, "Who was this tall, dark, handsome man," who was making so many promises that seemed too good to be true? Few, including me, knew him but most of you failed to look at the most telling point: Who does he run with?

A Chicago Senator was my first clue. Chicago, a place where snakes are born. Chicago, a place renown for corruption, the Mafia, and union heavies, where several of it’s past leaders are in prison, and at least one more is on his way now.
And while in Chicago as a Neighborhood organizer, Obama meets up with a snake named William (Bill) Ayres. Ayers, a top fund raiser for Obama’s Presidential bid, who was the leader of the radical Weather Underground group and was also convicted and sentenced years ago in a plot to blow up federal government buildings. Ayers, a convicted Chicago slum lord sold Obama some real estate well below fair market value and hosted a fund raising dinner at his home, but Obama denied knowing him.

And there were questions about where this Obama guy was born, and how did he ever get enough money to attend an infamous east coast college, and the fact that he refused to disclose his birth certificate or financial records.

And even more concerns about Obama began to surface after his election.

Then came a snake named Rod Blagojevich who Obama passed on his Senate seat to, and then in turn tried to sell it to another snake.

And it is his political appointees like Holder, Napolitano, and many more. Every one of them were Obama fundraisers and snakes in their own like. Holder lies about his involvement in Operations Fast and Furious. And our Homeland Security Chief can only revise the color coding at airport security. What an asset she is.

So then it was Solyndra, also great snake friends of Obama, who ran off with billions of tax payer dollars leading the way for a snake called Jon Corzine who now has done the same. Corzine, an ousted New Jersey Govener, was also a top fund raiser for Obama as recently as 6 months ago, now has announced he doesn’t know where 1.2 Billion doolars of our money went although he was the CEO of MF Global when it failed. How nice it was of him not to ask for severance pay when he was fired! Hey, does anyone know what the "MF" in MF Global stood for?

And the list could go on. So, you decide. Is Obama a snake? I've decided and if you can't figure out my stance by who I run with, I'll tell you. You Bet He is!
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National Christmas Tree Week

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Let's celebrate!!

Did you know that for the first time ever in the history of America, we have set aside the first week in December to remember Christmas trees! Yes, our United States Senator from Oregon, second year Democrat, Jeff Merkly, introduced the resolution naming that time as National Christmas Tree Week, and it was unamimously passed by the entire Senate!

So, mark your calendar. We have only four more days to party. Merkley says it will honor the joy that Christmas trees bring to families everywhere each December. Go figure.

Well they are made in America (well mostly in Oregon), but will our festivities that Merkley created for us create any new jobs? Will it give peace to the millions of us that are unemployed? Will our 401K stock values return to the 2005 level> Could it effect the housing market, or make the environmentalists at ease? Maybe it will counter Global Warming.

Starting Thursday, the first full week in December will be designated as National Christmas Tree Week.

Jeff Merkley is a Bozo, and so are the rest of the clowns in the Senate that wasted our money on such a worthless issue. It is not like he is new trying to get some face time. He's been in the Oregon legaslature for four terms. But, I guess, at least the Senate accomplished something this year. After all, the've done nothing to address the real issues of America, like our growing debt.

Well anyway, as I was getting a refill at our local discount gas station, I mentioned to the attendant about it being National Christmas Tree Week and I was about to celebrate. He responded by saying he thought it was a great idea because we need more holidays, especially paid ones.

I replied, "Dude, you got to be sh-t--g me!" He got a strange look on his face as if he wanted to make me think that he was actually thinking, but I knew that was not possible.

As a side note, our 9th grandchild was born this past December 1, and she was as beatiful as any Christmas Tree I've seen. And that is cause to celebrate!
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Opening Day

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Do you realize that on Opening Day of the 2011 NFL Football season every team was tied for first place? Think about that!

The same holds true for other sports races as well. And no matter what the odds makers say, the final season's results for each team is governed by the performance of the individual team through out the season. But every team must also perform in ordered to be judged for that final standing.

Just as in a sports competition, we all are born into first place in this world. Clean, pure, and without sin. But to keep it we must perform to live our lives as it is intended. Every day, until our final day. Judgement.

There comes a time when one has to stand up. Stand up for something. Stand up and be noticed. Otherwise you are just passing through this world by living in the shadows. And that won't cut it.

The good news is that if we err in taking a stance, we can be forgiven. But just to aimlessly wander through life as if it were without meaning or purpose, is for me, unimaginable. And that is how I see many in this world.

So, stand up. Let me see you. Even if we disagree.

I once was a Democrat....

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...Until I became a cop and saw first hand what liberal socialists were doing in Los Angeles.

In the early 70's, I saw vagrancy and public drunkenness laws stricken from the books, resulting in increases of the homeless population throughout the City.

And I saw the authority of the local cop stripped away from enforcing Illegal Alien immigration, resulting in an ever increasing flow of illegals into the City overwhelming our courts, hospitals, and welfare services.

...Until in the 1980's I saw marijuana laws reduced to an infraction, and court ordered "Diversion" programs given to major narcotic distributors, resulting in an increase of gang violence over turf, and more drug overdoses.

And I saw 10% of our police force deployed into the public schools to teach "Just Say No!" under the Dare program, which failed to lower any drug use.

And I saw California Supreme Court Judge Rose Byrd's ruling that the insertion of a pistol barrel into a rape victim's vagina did not constitute force or fear or great bodily injury, which resulted in the reduction of a prison term to the convict.

... Until in the 90's, I saw Mayor Tom Bradley publicly call his people to rise up and voice their opinion in protest of the court exoneration of cops accused of excessive force during the Rodney King arrest, which resulting in 10 days of rioting and parts of his City being burned to the ground.

And I saw our police force out gunned by bandits with body armor and fully automatic assault rifles during the North Hollywood bank robbery, which resulted in the cops being trained to fire semi-automatic pistols they then had to purchase on their own.

... Until at the turn of the century, I saw Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa impose racial profiling restrictions on the police, which resulted in the officers turning their attention to Whites committing traffic violations, which resulted in minority criminals having near free will through out the City.

And all of these policies were set into place by the liberal democrats, which has resulted in where we are at today.

And, that is why I am a conservative!
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The Baby Boomer's Nightmare

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I had a dream.

I was startled to find myself with a group of art club members assembled at a local tea shop while they were discussing the benefits of fiber in their diet.

Suddenly their conversation became jubilant when one mother raved about how proud she was of her son. Seems the son graduated from college some ten years ago and has been living at home with her ever since. Unwilling to look for employment, he would shut himself in his bedroom where he would play video games, seldom change his clothes, or shower. Many days he would never leave his room and expected that his food and drink be brought to his room.

As the mother continued her story, she realized that many others at the tea shop gathering had sons and daughters like her own. They all shared the same misery of their adult children (sometimes including their own children) living at home, consuming the parents groceries, and never contributing anything to anyone.

Their jubilancy grew as some of the art club members announced that thier children finally left home, taking nothing more than a backpack full of groceries and their bicycle, before heading off to join the local Occupy movement. Suddenly they were about to stand on their own two feet, just like President Obama and Nacy Pelosi encouraged them to do.

So proud were the mothers of the children that they quickly changed the locks on the doors!

So suddenly I awoke realizing that those worthless scumbags were now my problem.
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Islamophobia?

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There are several organized efforts by people across Europe, and more recently here in America to counter Islam. These groups claim that the teachings of Islam are incompatable with Western societies are are in fact out to take over the world. In America, they stand against any immigration into the country from Muslim countries, deporting those that are already here, stopping the construction of any new mosques, forbidding Sharia law, and holding those that violate our laws accountable.

The liberals in our government, most news media, and most of the entertaiment industry have labled these people as bigots, racists, and extremists. But are they?

Isn't it odd that those of us that stand against Nazis, bigamists, and white supemists are generally not called racists. So what's the difference here? Aren't the KKK or Nazis evil?

Islam is evil by American standards. The women have no rights, and like their children, they are beaten or mudered by the men who have the Allah given right to disicpline them in the name of Islam. In fact, the doctrine of Islam permits those followers who violate Islamic law to be killed. Compare that to the rules of Nazis or the KKK.

Islam is a very well organized group which is spreading it's influence around the world and is growing at an alarming rate. Like many other religions, the local practicers contribute money, which is then funnelled to the top leaders, who then set the direction of the religion, like acts of terrorism. Therfore, any person that practices their faith support the effors of their leaders simply by funding their cause. And the cause of Islam is to erradicate the Infidels (which you are unless you are Muslim).

Although I do not support the Catholic, Mormon, Jehova Witnesses, or Christian Scientists, and many other religious doctrines, I don't consider any one of these to be a personal threat to my safety or way of life. You see, none of them are strapping on bombs as they muder innocent people. None have ever committted mass murders like the one of 9/11, Fort Hood, or the downing of Flight 103.

OK, I admit it. I fear Islam. I fear every Muslim. I am Islamophobic. And, therefore, I stand against it. All of it. So call me a bigot or a racist, but I'll stand against anyone who threatens the American way of life, just as I stand against the Nazis or KKK.
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40 Years of Sex Education

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It seems it all began on the liberal Left Coast in the 70's. You know, with the rise of liberal, socialistic, Democrat leaders like Pelosi, Weinstein, Brown, and friends. I'm talking about government mandated, teacher supported, curriculums in our schools.

You see, it was the educators who believed that parents couldn't manage their children, so they were given the power to take over. And today, they still complain that parents aren't any more responsible.

Look at where we are today because of all these governmental mandates. Venereal Diseases, the advent of AIDS, unwed mothers galore, and birthrates for teenage children, have climbed to historic levels.

What once was exotic, taboo, and immoral sex acts are becoming the common place for elementary school children. Oral, anal, or assisted masturbation isn't even considered sex by most kids, but only a casual contact between friends. Kids, as young as 12 exchange oral sex (and I'm not talking about kissing as I knew it) and think nothing of it. Birth control is now free at the schools; something parents can no longer control. Kids are given immunizations to ward off sexually transmitted cancers. No love. No commitment. No worry. The State pays the costs.

Government mandated classes in schools introducing Gay and Lesbian lifestyles preach tolerance, yet teaching Christianity is forbidden. Drug education is no better with more addicts in today's society than ever before. Drop out rates have climbed in the primary education system, and graduates from college often produces nothing more than non-working, video game addicted, entitlement dependent idiots who just stay at home, make babies, and consume the groceries.

And most teachers are still blame parenting. Get real teach! Parents no longer have much of a say in a child's development. It has been all about what the teacher and government wanted for our kids for the past 4 decades, and they still are demanding more and more. Government has taken control of our kids, and they are being indoctrinated just as much as the children of China and North Korea.

Oh. When will we ever learn?
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Reviewing Two

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Hey, lets review two prior posts from this blog. The first, from just a few weeks ago, and the second from over two years ago (June 2009).


End of the Line: This post was attached to a poll. It was an interesting story (to me) that I thought would generatate some thought. It did not. But that's OK. Actually the reason for this blog is mostly a way for me to express myself, mostly to myself it seems. So, I'll just go on about it by myself.

It was a brief story about an ABC News report where a mother and her child were asked to exit a public transit bus because the kid was screaming and was a distraction to the driver. Remember?

Well, there are just a few things I'd like to point out. First, only ABC (at least that's the only place I saw it reported) aired the incident. ABC made the incident into a race issue and implied that the pair were only asked to get off the bus because they were Hispanic. ABC placed a video clip in their coverage that did not include sound, making it impossible to hear what exactly was said or how loud the baby was. ABC also included a printed transcript of the conversations between the driver and her dispatch. The bus company cited confidentiality issues of the driver when giving a statement to ABC, but they released the communications transcript to ABC. Where was the confidentiality of the driver then?

ABC did not mention the fact that other bus passengers were also complaining about the kid, but did interview two passengers that sided with the mother. ABC did not report that the mother left the bus voluntarily and was picked up 12 minutes later by the next bus and after the kid calmed down. ABC implied the mother was kicked off in a desolate, dark, and unsafe area.
ABC advertises "Fast, Fair, and Accurate" reporting of the news. This was anything but.

Please look at the source of the news before forming your opinions. Look deeply, and ask youself about the motives of the report regardless of where it comes from.

Who killed Michael Jackson?: Now here is a post that did generate some excitement, and I think the most comments to any of my posts. I must have hit a soft spot.

Michael is back in the news. This time with the trial of his doctor who is being accused of negligence in the death.

Why are we spending our resources for this trial? Regardless of how that final dose of drugs were administered, the bottom dollar is that Michael was in control of his own life and killed himself. He used hard drugs for many years before his heart stopped and created the means himself to get and use anything he wanted. It's not that I support that idiot doctor of Michael, but I don't think he should be imprisoned. Do we really file murder charges against the drug dealer every time someone fixes too hot of a load for himself? This case is nothing different.
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Rythm

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It was with that 60's era song, "Listen to the rythm of the falling rain" that began my infactuation with rythm. Everything in life has a rythm and by understanding rythm is to better understand life.

In hearing the rythm of "pitter-patter" of the rain drops, one can often predict when the next clash of thunder or bolt of lightning will come. Listening to the rythm of a Woodpecker's peck can reveal the type of tree he his boring. From the rythm of my Harley Davidson's engine, I know whether I'm going up or down a hill and at what speed. The churning of clothes in a dryer will reveal when they are about finished. From the rythm of the waves at the beach, I know whether the tide is running out, or when a new storm is brewing in the north.

The cry of a baby, or the voice of a man, often reveals whether he is lying, or whether a diaper needs changing. The rythm of a cracking fire or the gattling of a machine gun reaveals the ammo or fuel supply. The rythym of a heart reveals one's health.

Understanding rythm is but the beginning, for it is recognizing the change in rythms that is important. And that is what many of us can't see. And that is why we are where we are.

Keep vacuuming when the motor is at a high whine, means something is plugged up and your carpet will remain dirty. Ignoring the missfire of your Harley engine will leave you stranded and out gas. Failing to recognize a high heart pulse can lead to a flatline.

Hear the rythm of everything around you and keep alert for the changes as they begin. Recognize the changes and react. The rythm of America is changing. Can you hear it? Our econmy is sputtering. Wall Street is sounding alarms. Our polititions are arguing. Our people are protesting in the streets. Our safety is constantly threatened from all sides. Hurricanes, earthquakes, heavy snow and flooding. Listen to it.

Like the turbulance during the 60's, America is crying out again. Don't look away. See it! Don't ignore or tolerate it. Stop it! Failing to act will force us to return.

Listen to the rythm of a falling America.
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End of the Line

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Ok, I know just how much you guys like opinion polls, so I put one just to the left. Vote in the poll, or comment to let the Followers know what you think.

The following is from a TV News story of an incident that happened outside Portland, Oregon. I don't think it has gone national yet, but by the time you get this, it probably will. It's really controversial. Here is what the news reported:

Last Thursday evening, at about 8pm, a young mother was riding a city bus with her child, which I think was just shy of two years old. According to the bus driver, the child began crying and that crying soon elevated into screams, which bothered not only the driver, but the other passengers.

The bus driver reportedly asked the mother to quiet the child over the PA system, but when she was unable to do so, the driver stopped the bus. The driver asked the mother again to control her child, but she was unable. The driver then asked the mother to exit the bus because she could not operate it safely with all of the commotion. The mother and child promptly exited and later filed a complaint.

The bus driver has subsequently been removed from her position and will be disciplined by her employer.

Here is a link to a video bus cameras. The video has no sound included. It appears that the mother was Hispanic and because she spoke no English. It could also be presumed that she is an Illegal Alien

You decide. I'll give you my opinion after the poll closes.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bus+crying+baby&mid=6CAC76E863AD142174D56CAC76E863AD142174D5&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1

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Bobbing for Apples

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Look how far we've come these past few decades. Such a fear of passing germs now days. Pretty sad I say, well at least for the most part.

Seems like it all started with the advent of toilet seat covers (butt gaskets). Even though every doctor I ever saw swore that you could not catch a disease by merely sittin on a toilet after someone else, the fear prevailed and it soon became state law most everywhere.

Soon to follow were bans on bare feet, shirts, and cigarette smoking in grocery stores, yet laws prohibiting urinating in public and spitting on the sidewalk were abolished in California. With the discovery of AIDS, things got far worse. We wore gloves and masks, and mouth to mouth CPR was abolished. Let them die where they fall. Don't risk contaminating yourself to save a life in an emergency.

Never shake hands. Give them an elbow bump instead. Don't touch door knobs, water spigots, and toilet flushers in public places. Sneeze into your armpit. Wear gloves at the ATM, yet use a public phone without concern?

Pretty sad that this has become what we are. No more using the same towel to blindfold a kid's eyes to play Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Who would even think about dunking you head into a water tank where ten others bobbed for apples just before you.

Yet even with all these precautions in place it seems we have more and more biological scares. The bird flu, the pig virus, and food contaminations seem everywhere! A new one several times a year. Can't even fart under the blankets any more without risking a beating from my wife.

Gosh darn it...
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In the Scheme of Things

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There sure has been a lot of talk around town lately about Ponzi schemes. Rick Perry has been blasted about referring to Social Security as one. Seems the very word "Ponzi" raises a brow.

Typically, most folk think about investment opportunities when they hear the word "Ponzi." And that is because those schemes are what make the news. Poor, greedy people, looking for that fast buck are quick to give their money to some one in exchange for unrealistic returns, not realizing that those returns are being paid by new investors luring into the scheme by the very ones that got in early enough. And those last "in" are the losers. That's bad.

But you know, America is one giant Ponzi scheme in itself, and most people can't see it. Social Security pays benefits to retired people from funds collected from those still working, not from the contributions of the retirees as some people think.

Insurance companies, whether health, home, or auto, pay claims to losers from the premiums paid by the others. But nobody calls them Ponzi schemes. Giant multi-level marketing businesses lure unsuspecting, greedy people, on the promise of making big profits in sales. All they really have to due is to recruit new people in to buy their "Starter Packets."

Casinos pay their winners from the losses of the losers. But just as insurance companies and everyone else, the casinos keep far more as profits for themselves. A Ponzi scheme?

For years now, our government has been luring people into the stock market with the creations of the many IRA, 401, and College Savings plans. More and more money is collected and placed into the stock market or banks controlled by long term rules to protect the financial industries. Stocks and interest rates soar, not because the companies or banks are solid, but merely because of the new money coming into play. And when things pop, the newest ones in become the last ones out and thus are the losers.

So, are Ponzi schemes bad? I'm sure at least some of you have benefitted by one some time or another, but never even realized it. Only when someone is a loser does on call foul. No one compains about pulling a winning crank on a slot, but when one looses his quarter, it'd crying time. No one complains about getting a health insurance settlement, but only cries foul about his premiums. Nor does one complain about getting in on a multi-level sales scheme and making a huge profit, but surely whines when he buys in only to find the market is already saturated.

Capitalism is what has driven America for 200 years, and good or bad, Ponzi schemes are everywhere whether you care to admit it or not.

So, get over it. But remember, you've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold them. Not that I always have, but..
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Walk like an Egyptian (Better yet, a Greek)

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Just as in Greece, our lazy and spoiled rotten population just don't understand. The money has run out. The rich will remain rich and the American poor have never been so well off.

They are marching on Wall Street. One young socialist was interviewed on the news. She was complaining that she couldn't pay back her 100k student loan, therefore it should be forgiven. Apparently her 100 Grand education didn't help her intelligence much. Aside from being stupid, she actually believes that she is entitled to a free college education.

We've been feeding the ducks for far too long now. The more these idiots get, the more they demand. Just like the idiots in Greece. Burn their cities. Assault the cops. Shut down government (the very one that has been feeding them) 40% unemployment. Most retire at age 53. No wonder their world has fallen apart, and many more of the European socialists countries will soon follow.

Wake up folks. Quit feeding these ducks.
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American History 101

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-- For those that don't know American history ... Here is a condensed version:

In the beginning, North America was populated by small bands of nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived on deerin the mountains during the summer and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in the winter. The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer.

These were the foundations of modern civilization and together, were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups: Liberals and conservatives.

Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum canwere invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed.

Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to BBQ at nightwhile they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative movement...

Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly BBQ'sand doing the sewing,fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement.

Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. They became known as girlie-men. Some note worthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs,and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that the conservatives provided.

Over the years conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass for obvious reasons.

Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare.. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men.

Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't fair to make the pitcher also bat.

Conservatives drink domestic beer,mostly Bud or Miller. They eat red meatand still provide for their women. Conservatives are big game hunters, rodeo cowboys,lumberjacks,construction workers,firemen, medical doctors, police officers, engineers, corporate executives, athletes, members of the military, airline pilots and generally anyone who works productively.

Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living. Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do with the production.

Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tamed and created a business of trying to get more for nothing.

Here ends today's lesson in world history: ... I'm going to have another beer.
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Thanks DD. I couldn't have said it any better.
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Who is He?

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He has doubled our National Debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year.

He criticized a State Law that he admitted he never even read. He joined Mexico and sued Arizona force it continue to allow Illegal Immigration.

He put 87,000 workers out of work by arbitrarily placing a moratorium on offshore oil drilling on companies that have one of the best safety records of any industry because one foreign company (BP) had an accident.

He gave a an IPod containing videos of his speeches as a gift to the Queen of Englandn and he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia.

He filled his Cabinet and circle of Advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current on their Income Taxes.

He commented about the significance of "Cinco de Cuatro" to a Mexican ambassador instead of addressing "Cinco de Mayo." (I wonder where his teleprompter was?)

He approved Air Force One followed by a jet fighter to fly low over Manhattan for a photo shoot only to cause panic to of millions of people.

He appointed 32 Czars that report directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America.

He's done all these things in 28 months -- and you have less than 19 months to come up with an answer.
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The Long Walk

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Let me begin by saying that this post does not refer to anyone in particular. But more importantly, it does not pertain to anyone that has had a real game changing incident to their way of life. I'm talking about perhaps a significant loss of income, a medical emergency, an earthquake, flood, or a huricane.

It does however refer to many people just like me. The average, everyday kind of guy. The kind of guy that pays his taxes, makes his loan obligations and generally is an honest dude. Most of the people I run with and see everywhere fit into this catagory.

Now, supposing this average kind of guy lived near Los Angeles or Las Vegas, had an average, everyday kind of job (perhaps in the public sector), and has been knocking down 80k for the past 5 years. So this average kind of guy, bought a home in 2005 for what he believed was a steal at 400k. He put little or no money down, and between him and his spouse made the $1800 mortgage payment without much of a struggle.

Nothing changed with this average guy during the next five years. He liked his home. He had the same job (although he agreed to accept 1 furlough day a month), his family was healthy, and he had a retirement building to take care of his needs later in life. Except..... the housing market turned sour and his home was worth 20% less that what he had paid.

So, after hearing a story on the news, this average kind of guy asks the bank to reduce his loan amount and cover his investment loss. Of course they refuse and he asks the government to do the same, and it too refuses. So..... following the advice of that mortgage expert he saw on television, he stops making his mortgage payment and banks the payments he had been making, and then dares the bank to come and get the house after he had banked nearly a year's worth of payments that were owed to the bank. Probably just about enough savings to buy another home.

You know, nothing had changed in his life since he walked out on his obligation. He still had his job, was making the mortgage, was fixing up the place, and really liked living there. But what made this average kind of guy to walk? In doing so, he lost his honor, his trust, and his ethics. He became a thief, and actually stole from many other people like me. But does that evenmatter to anyone except me anymore?

People like me lost their investment CD's, their stock values, and were left holding the bag. And their investments were also down 20%. No one bailed them out, and for me there is no where to walk even if I threw my ethics in the toilet right next to that average kind of guy.

You know, I don't feel sorry for this average kind of guy. Actually I pitty him. He was convinced to compromise his pride and walk, leaving someone else to pay his tab. And this downward spiral will continue as even our government is encouraging many more to just walk away.

All I can do is hope that the walk for him is very long and hard for those kind of guys.
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