Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Religious Zealot; A Fanatical Partisan
I live in an area of the USA that is populated predominantly by people of the Mormon faith. They are good people in general yet they have a reputation for being a bit odd. Perhaps it is because of their strict moral code which includes everything from modest dress to abstaining from sexual encounters (until marriage) and avoiding all things addictive, including caffeine and alcohol. But it is primarily the behavior of the zealots in their sect who insist on their right to live a polygamist lifestyle that gives them a bad name.
I was raised in an area of the USA that was populated predominantly by people of the Catholic faith. As a non-Catholic I felt they were basically good people but considered them a bit odd. Their strict dogma (especially the birth control thing), rosary beads and hail Mary’s, dashboard Jesus statues, no meat on Friday and their Pope’s fancy robes and hats all seemed somewhat strange to me. Yet ultimately it was the 'forbidden' sex rule imposed upon their priests which led to their penchant for molesting little boys that gives them a bad name.
Later I lived in an area of the USA that was populated predominantly by people of the Baptist faith. As a non-Baptist I felt they were basically good people but considered them a bit odd. In general they seemed a little on the fanatical side. I’ll never forget the grand white tent revivals with their healing preachers and their honest-to-God holy-rollers, and the occasional snake handler. Yet ultimately it was their racial prejudice and their zealots in white sheets that gave them a bad name. The dress and actions of these zealots and their isolated incidents of violence were intentionally sensationalized so as to bring their beliefs to the attention of all.
They did some horrible things and as a result were abhorred by all outside of their ranks. Subsequently, most realized the error of their ways and sought more peaceful ways to convey their message.
Now I find myself living in a world overflowing with Muslims, which I find odd because I don’t know any Muslims. My perception however is that this particular group of people is overrun with zealots. Dangerous, deadly zealots.
It seems like every time tourists are blown up in a resort hotel or a night club, every time an American embassy or military barrack or naval ship is bombed resulting in the death of young women and men, every time a suicide bomber shreds the flesh of innocent shoppers or worshipers in an open air market or mosque, every time a hijacked airplane is used in an unbelievable act of horror, every time a Dutch film maker is stabbed in the heart on a public street for expressing his beliefs, every time a writer or cartoonist is sentenced to death for his words or drawings… there seems to be behind it, the almighty Muslim God, Allah, who seems to trump all other Gods, and the Koran (Qur’an) which appears to me to be written under the guidance of the same entity who inspired the work, Mein Kampf.
I’m not reading about any Mormons or Catholics or Baptists or Protestants or Jehovah Witnesses or Seventh Day Adventists, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus or any other group of people murdering others in the name of their God, other than the exception of Muslims.
Can someone please explain this to me? Are there any moderate Muslims out there who do not believe in ‘death to the infidels’?
If so, why do we not hear your voice?
This latest incident at Fort Hood has once again been associated with a Muslim. Regardless, any individual who chooses to wantonly murder 13 individuals and wound another 31 in an attempt to end their lives deserves to have his life ended immediately and without mercy. The brave souls who confronted him and cut short his vicious and heinous act are hero's without question. Yet in a way they fell short for not treating their reaction as a mob execution and walking up to Nidal Malik Hasan's motionless body and pumping a few more bullets into his skull.
- 100% Me Self
I was raised in an area of the USA that was populated predominantly by people of the Catholic faith. As a non-Catholic I felt they were basically good people but considered them a bit odd. Their strict dogma (especially the birth control thing), rosary beads and hail Mary’s, dashboard Jesus statues, no meat on Friday and their Pope’s fancy robes and hats all seemed somewhat strange to me. Yet ultimately it was the 'forbidden' sex rule imposed upon their priests which led to their penchant for molesting little boys that gives them a bad name.
Later I lived in an area of the USA that was populated predominantly by people of the Baptist faith. As a non-Baptist I felt they were basically good people but considered them a bit odd. In general they seemed a little on the fanatical side. I’ll never forget the grand white tent revivals with their healing preachers and their honest-to-God holy-rollers, and the occasional snake handler. Yet ultimately it was their racial prejudice and their zealots in white sheets that gave them a bad name. The dress and actions of these zealots and their isolated incidents of violence were intentionally sensationalized so as to bring their beliefs to the attention of all.
They did some horrible things and as a result were abhorred by all outside of their ranks. Subsequently, most realized the error of their ways and sought more peaceful ways to convey their message.
Now I find myself living in a world overflowing with Muslims, which I find odd because I don’t know any Muslims. My perception however is that this particular group of people is overrun with zealots. Dangerous, deadly zealots.
It seems like every time tourists are blown up in a resort hotel or a night club, every time an American embassy or military barrack or naval ship is bombed resulting in the death of young women and men, every time a suicide bomber shreds the flesh of innocent shoppers or worshipers in an open air market or mosque, every time a hijacked airplane is used in an unbelievable act of horror, every time a Dutch film maker is stabbed in the heart on a public street for expressing his beliefs, every time a writer or cartoonist is sentenced to death for his words or drawings… there seems to be behind it, the almighty Muslim God, Allah, who seems to trump all other Gods, and the Koran (Qur’an) which appears to me to be written under the guidance of the same entity who inspired the work, Mein Kampf.
I’m not reading about any Mormons or Catholics or Baptists or Protestants or Jehovah Witnesses or Seventh Day Adventists, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus or any other group of people murdering others in the name of their God, other than the exception of Muslims.
Can someone please explain this to me? Are there any moderate Muslims out there who do not believe in ‘death to the infidels’?
If so, why do we not hear your voice?
This latest incident at Fort Hood has once again been associated with a Muslim. Regardless, any individual who chooses to wantonly murder 13 individuals and wound another 31 in an attempt to end their lives deserves to have his life ended immediately and without mercy. The brave souls who confronted him and cut short his vicious and heinous act are hero's without question. Yet in a way they fell short for not treating their reaction as a mob execution and walking up to Nidal Malik Hasan's motionless body and pumping a few more bullets into his skull.
- 100% Me Self
Saturday, November 7, 2009
I need more ZZ Top...
An interview with Billy Gibbons followed by a classic stage performance by the band.
If you're interested, this performance is even better. It's a little more polished of an act; smacks of perhaps, Las Vegas. NBC won't allow the embed code to be posted on YouTube so I can only provide the link.
ZZ Top has got to be one of the most original acts ever; unmatched by anyone and definitely the most bodacious 3 man rock band on the planet.
And then there's the following performance. It's over 8 minutes long and was back when the boys were young and very energetic. They hadn't pegged the act yet. Billy even looks a little Amish.
- Larry
If you're interested, this performance is even better. It's a little more polished of an act; smacks of perhaps, Las Vegas. NBC won't allow the embed code to be posted on YouTube so I can only provide the link.
ZZ Top has got to be one of the most original acts ever; unmatched by anyone and definitely the most bodacious 3 man rock band on the planet.
And then there's the following performance. It's over 8 minutes long and was back when the boys were young and very energetic. They hadn't pegged the act yet. Billy even looks a little Amish.
- Larry
An all too common wound...
I was five and you were six.
We rode on horses made of sticks.
You wore black and I wore white.
You would always win the fight.
Bang, bang you shot me down.
Bang, bang I hit the ground.
Bang, bang that awful sound.
Bang, bang… my baby shot me down.
Seasons came and changed the time.
When I grew up I called you mine.
You would always laugh and say,
Remember when we used to play?
Bang, bang I shot you down.
Bang, bang you hit the ground.
Bang, bang that awful sound.
Bang, bang… I used to shoot you down.
Music played and people sang.
Just for me the church bells rang.
Now you're gone I don't know why.
And to this day sometimes I cry.
You didn't even say goodbye,
You didn't take the time to lie…
Bang, bang.
Bang, bang you shot me down.
Bang, bang I hit the ground.
Bang, bang that awful sound.
Bang, bang… my baby shot me down.
- Some great lyrics written by Nancy Sinatra (modified from the original to be non-gender specific).
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Defination of Tyranny
In the Federalist 46, James Madison wrote: "The accumulation of all power, legislative, executive, and judiciary in the same hands... may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny." THE VERY DEFINITION OF TYRANNY!
It is AMAZING that the political party pushing Obamacare cannot say what part of the Constitution grants Congress the power to force every American to buy health insurance. And WHY NOT? Because they HAVE NO AUTHORITY to do so. NONE of the enumerated powers afforded to Congress by the Constitution support them forcing an individual purchase mandate.
An individual political liberal idiot, Senator Baucus, when asked about their Constitutional authority to force this on Americans called it, "a novel question." GEE! YA THINK!? In reality, the forcing of a health care mandate on us is nothing more than a tyrannical enforcement of power, which is a view 180 degrees OUT of what the Framers’ vision of the our government's limited and enumerated powers.
If we allow this to happen what will stop them from forcing us to, say, buying ugly hybrids fit only for neutered liberal men to drive? We're too fat? Why, Congress can mandate that we join health care clubs, run by their buddies, to burn off the fat. We can even be fined for failing to lose the blubber! Not eating enough broccoli according to the Health Czar? Not a problem.
Our fine politicians can mandate that each of us must choke down a certain amount of broccoli each week or face a fine! They can even create a new bureaucratic office to ensure we're good little sheep and grazing on that broccoli. (Kickbacks from the broccoli farmers can go directly to the Congress) Talk about your "shovel-ready" jobs.
At the bottom line is that this behavior in BOTH Houses of Congress and in the White House, is seriously un-American, it bypasses State's Rights, it trashes the Constitution, and it ENDS individual liberty and many, many Americans are sick and damned tired of it!
- The 'Gunny'
It is AMAZING that the political party pushing Obamacare cannot say what part of the Constitution grants Congress the power to force every American to buy health insurance. And WHY NOT? Because they HAVE NO AUTHORITY to do so. NONE of the enumerated powers afforded to Congress by the Constitution support them forcing an individual purchase mandate.
An individual political liberal idiot, Senator Baucus, when asked about their Constitutional authority to force this on Americans called it, "a novel question." GEE! YA THINK!? In reality, the forcing of a health care mandate on us is nothing more than a tyrannical enforcement of power, which is a view 180 degrees OUT of what the Framers’ vision of the our government's limited and enumerated powers.
If we allow this to happen what will stop them from forcing us to, say, buying ugly hybrids fit only for neutered liberal men to drive? We're too fat? Why, Congress can mandate that we join health care clubs, run by their buddies, to burn off the fat. We can even be fined for failing to lose the blubber! Not eating enough broccoli according to the Health Czar? Not a problem.
Our fine politicians can mandate that each of us must choke down a certain amount of broccoli each week or face a fine! They can even create a new bureaucratic office to ensure we're good little sheep and grazing on that broccoli. (Kickbacks from the broccoli farmers can go directly to the Congress) Talk about your "shovel-ready" jobs.
At the bottom line is that this behavior in BOTH Houses of Congress and in the White House, is seriously un-American, it bypasses State's Rights, it trashes the Constitution, and it ENDS individual liberty and many, many Americans are sick and damned tired of it!
- The 'Gunny'
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Basic Laws of The World Wide Web
Here's a few important laws you need to be aware of when surfing the web and especially when reading blogs:
- Skitt’s Law - Expressed as "any post correcting an error in another post will contain at least one error itself." It is an online version of the proofreading truism of Murphy’s Law, also known as Hartman's Law of Prescriptivist Retaliation: "any article or statement about correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling is bound to contain at least one eror."
- Pommer’s Law -Proposed by Rob Pommer on rationalwiki.com in 2007, this states: “A person's mind can be changed by reading information on the internet. The nature of this change will be from having no opinion to having a wrong opinion.”
- The Law of Exclamation - First recorded in an article by Lori Robertson at FactCheck.org in 2008, this states: "The more exclamation points used in an email (or other posting), the more likely it is a complete lie. This is also true for excessive capital letters." It is reminiscent of the claim in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels that the more exclamation marks someone uses in writing, the more likely they are to be mentally unbalanced. According to Pratchett, five exclamation marks is an indicator of "someone who wears their underwear on the outside".
Thursday, October 22, 2009
They shoot bloggers don’t they?
I should shoot myself in the head for this post.
There’s nothing worse than being called a racist, except for maybe being called a pedophile or a sex offender.
Nobody wants to be called a racist.
Which is exactly why the minorities in this country use the accusation to promote their agenda and silence their opposition.
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton realized this a long time ago and have perfected and massaged the technique into very lucrative professions.
Yes it can be said that whites, of generations past, due primarily to a disparity of numbers between the races (people abuse people everywhere) have abused blacks. Yet no people anywhere have done more to lift up blacks than white America.
America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known, anywhere in the world, even today.
The pendulum swings? Who exactly are the racists in America today?
I’ll say it. Primarily the blacks, and many Hispanics are foolishly following suit.
The largest group of illegal immigrants that ‘get it’ and are thus capable of showing respect for independence and personal freedom while working their way out of the shadows are the Asians. Perhaps it is because no race has been slaughtered in more significant numbers by dictatorial and oppressive governments than the Asians.
I can honestly say I’ve never met an Asian I didn’t like. Both Blacks and Hispanics should take note.
On the other hand, as an innocent adolescent I lived in the south and learned first hand that there was a marked difference between regular black folks and niggers. Niggers gave all black folk a bad name. Same as trailer trash and ‘crackers’ gave white folk a bad name, as well as white whores and drunk Irish thugs and Italian gangsters gave their race or heritage a bad name. In fact, where I grew up there were white folks we called niggers.
Yet for the reason I state above you can’t call a nigger a nigger anymore. Go figure.
I lived in the south, and later lived in the San Francisco bay area. As a result I’ve know and been friends with a lot of black folk in my life. I liked most all of them, they added a new perspective to my life and thus enhanced it. They all had a sense of humor no matter their situation and they all loved life in general. Based entirely on my personal experience I view them to this day as great musicians, dancers, athletes and thinkers. And that’s saying something. Again, as the numbers go, I’ve met a lot more ignorant, bad, stupid white folk as I have black folk.
Top of my list of niggers:
Ever see one of those guys dance, make an athletic move, sing, play a musical instrument, display a sense of humor or even think? Me either.
I could go on but I’ve already said too much.
- Me Self
P.S. - For the record I do not know the etymology of the word “nigger” so I may be out of line here. On the other hand, maybe not. The meaning of words change from generation to generation.
I have a beautiful sand covered campground with an awesome natural rock fire pit on my property with a creek running on its edge and all of my daughter’s twenty-something friends refer to it as “sick” because... they love it.
Also, there's three sentences above I plagiarized from a Pat Buchanan op-ed because he said exactly what I was thinking.
There’s nothing worse than being called a racist, except for maybe being called a pedophile or a sex offender.
Nobody wants to be called a racist.
Which is exactly why the minorities in this country use the accusation to promote their agenda and silence their opposition.
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton realized this a long time ago and have perfected and massaged the technique into very lucrative professions.
Yes it can be said that whites, of generations past, due primarily to a disparity of numbers between the races (people abuse people everywhere) have abused blacks. Yet no people anywhere have done more to lift up blacks than white America.
America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known, anywhere in the world, even today.
The pendulum swings? Who exactly are the racists in America today?
I’ll say it. Primarily the blacks, and many Hispanics are foolishly following suit.
The largest group of illegal immigrants that ‘get it’ and are thus capable of showing respect for independence and personal freedom while working their way out of the shadows are the Asians. Perhaps it is because no race has been slaughtered in more significant numbers by dictatorial and oppressive governments than the Asians.
I can honestly say I’ve never met an Asian I didn’t like. Both Blacks and Hispanics should take note.
On the other hand, as an innocent adolescent I lived in the south and learned first hand that there was a marked difference between regular black folks and niggers. Niggers gave all black folk a bad name. Same as trailer trash and ‘crackers’ gave white folk a bad name, as well as white whores and drunk Irish thugs and Italian gangsters gave their race or heritage a bad name. In fact, where I grew up there were white folks we called niggers.
Yet for the reason I state above you can’t call a nigger a nigger anymore. Go figure.
I lived in the south, and later lived in the San Francisco bay area. As a result I’ve know and been friends with a lot of black folk in my life. I liked most all of them, they added a new perspective to my life and thus enhanced it. They all had a sense of humor no matter their situation and they all loved life in general. Based entirely on my personal experience I view them to this day as great musicians, dancers, athletes and thinkers. And that’s saying something. Again, as the numbers go, I’ve met a lot more ignorant, bad, stupid white folk as I have black folk.
Top of my list of niggers:
- The 'Reverend' Jeremiah Wright
- The 'Reverend' Al Sharpton
- The 'Reverend' Jesse Jackson
- The tax cheat Charlie Rangle
Ever see one of those guys dance, make an athletic move, sing, play a musical instrument, display a sense of humor or even think? Me either.
I could go on but I’ve already said too much.
- Me Self
P.S. - For the record I do not know the etymology of the word “nigger” so I may be out of line here. On the other hand, maybe not. The meaning of words change from generation to generation.
I have a beautiful sand covered campground with an awesome natural rock fire pit on my property with a creek running on its edge and all of my daughter’s twenty-something friends refer to it as “sick” because... they love it.
Also, there's three sentences above I plagiarized from a Pat Buchanan op-ed because he said exactly what I was thinking.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Why reading this blog improves your brain function...
Research has shown that mental stimulation similar to the stimulation that occurs in individuals who frequently use the Internet may affect the efficiency of cognitive processing and alter the way the brain encodes new information.
Mental Age Assessment
The following was developed as a mental age assessment by the School of Psychiatry at Harvard University. Take your time and see if you can read each line aloud without a mistake.
The average person over 40 years of age cannot do it!
1. This is this cat.
2. This is is cat.
3. This is how cat.
4. This is to cat.
5. This is keep cat.
6. This is an cat.
7. This is old cat.
8. This is fart cat.
9. This is busy cat.
10. This is for cat.
11. This is forty cat..
12. This is seconds cat.
Now, to reveal the true intent of this study go back and read the third word in each line from the top down.
- Thanks to my Uncle Lee for this enlightening bit of knowledge. Or maybe it was Gus. Crap, I can't remember.
The average person over 40 years of age cannot do it!
1. This is this cat.
2. This is is cat.
3. This is how cat.
4. This is to cat.
5. This is keep cat.
6. This is an cat.
7. This is old cat.
8. This is fart cat.
9. This is busy cat.
10. This is for cat.
11. This is forty cat..
12. This is seconds cat.
Now, to reveal the true intent of this study go back and read the third word in each line from the top down.
- Thanks to my Uncle Lee for this enlightening bit of knowledge. Or maybe it was Gus. Crap, I can't remember.
Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
- They once made a Chuck Norris toilet paper, but it wouldn't take shit from anybody.
- When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
- Chuck Norris knows where Carmen Sandiego is.
- If you have five dollars and Chuck Norris has five dollars, Chuck Norris has more money than you.
- Chuck Norris can touch MC Hammer.
- Chuck Norris invented water.
- Chuck Norris knows how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
- Chuck Norris CAN divide by zero.
- Chuck Norris never learns. He knows.
- Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.
- Chuck Norris can watch "60 Minutes" in 20 seconds.
- Chuck Norris let the dogs out.
- When Chuck Norris does a push-up, he doesn't just push himself up; he pushes the Earth down.
Traditional Americans Are Losing Their Nation
In their lifetimes, they have seen their Christian faith purged from the schools their taxes paid for, and mocked in movies and on TV. They have seen their factories shuttered in the thousands and their jobs outsourced in the millions to Mexico and China. They have seen trillions of tax dollars go for Great Society programs, but have seen no Great Society, only rising crime, illegitimacy, drug use and dropout rates.
- Pat Buchanan
- Pat Buchanan
Monday, October 19, 2009
When tempted to over indulge, reach fo a Lucky Strike instead...
Yes folks, in the 1950's it was claimed that nicotine was a physical stimulant that would lead to exercise and thus fitness. Just as cocaine was in the late 50's - early 60's, with the added benefit of increased brain power. All true, and believable even by researchers until empirical data began to show the substances caused the body and mind to crash and burn.
Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view, as each individual is born, they need to learn this on their own. Therefore, no legislation or prohibition will ever change the scenario.
Raise your child in a convent or in a crack house and they might unexpectedly go off in a different direction.
-Larry
Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view, as each individual is born, they need to learn this on their own. Therefore, no legislation or prohibition will ever change the scenario.
Raise your child in a convent or in a crack house and they might unexpectedly go off in a different direction.
Click on the graphic to the left to view the amazing facts in a more readable size.
-Larry
Cloud computing…
I've never been sold on the idea. What fool would entrust their vital medical records and family photographs to the Internet, where they might be lost or tampered with?
Keep your current hardware in tact and in tune. New devices are leaning heavily towards 'the cloud.' Floppy drives disappeared years ago and now hard drives are beginning to disappear.
Keep your current hardware in tact and in tune. New devices are leaning heavily towards 'the cloud.' Floppy drives disappeared years ago and now hard drives are beginning to disappear.
50 Ways to Never Waste Food Again
This is good. Simple ideas that make a big difference in your food budget and help save resources too.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Some great marriage advise...
This has always been one of my favorite quotes:
I never realized what a poignant statement that is until just recently when I started to think about my upcoming 25th wedding anniversary (gotta plan ahead for such an event).
The twenty-five years is an ‘official’ date. Cathy and I have actually been together for twenty-eight years. I attribute the longevity of our relationship to the fact that during our entire time together we’ve never heard a single word of what the other has said.
Thank God.
My advise? Try not to be too precise when communicating with your spouse.
- Larry
"It is by universal misunderstanding that all agree.
For if by ill luck, people understood each other,
they would never agree."
- Unknown
I never realized what a poignant statement that is until just recently when I started to think about my upcoming 25th wedding anniversary (gotta plan ahead for such an event).
The twenty-five years is an ‘official’ date. Cathy and I have actually been together for twenty-eight years. I attribute the longevity of our relationship to the fact that during our entire time together we’ve never heard a single word of what the other has said.
Thank God.
My advise? Try not to be too precise when communicating with your spouse.
- Larry
A Message to My Daughter
Ignore the social mores in which you are encased.
Disassociate yourself from and resist all who govern.
Turn away from those who “claim” they love you.
Ignore what you have been taught.
Throw away your religion.
Break free, emancipate your being.
And you will land in a realm of searing inner conflict.
A realm which will force you to recognize two worlds:
Good and Evil.
A realm which will force you to understand that you cannot live in both worlds at once and... to prevail in one... requires vigilance against the other.
My heart fears that you will be like the young Antelope, who is not lost but feels the need to venture into the vast unknown, alone, and then is torn apart and swallowed by the Lion.
- Dad
Disassociate yourself from and resist all who govern.
Turn away from those who “claim” they love you.
Ignore what you have been taught.
Throw away your religion.
Break free, emancipate your being.
And you will land in a realm of searing inner conflict.
A realm which will force you to recognize two worlds:
Good and Evil.
A realm which will force you to understand that you cannot live in both worlds at once and... to prevail in one... requires vigilance against the other.
My heart fears that you will be like the young Antelope, who is not lost but feels the need to venture into the vast unknown, alone, and then is torn apart and swallowed by the Lion.
- Dad
David's Spider
I would of given David a discount on his bill for at the very least his effort. Hell, I'd of forgiven him of the entire debt for his tenacity and humor.
Since David eventually gave up do you think he was just trying to buy some time here?
Since David eventually gave up do you think he was just trying to buy some time here?
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 10-Sep-2008 10:07am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account
Dear David,
Our records indicate that your account is overdue by the amount of $233.95. If you have already made this payment please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 16-Sep-2008 12:37pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account
Dear Jane,
I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead. I value the drawing at $233.95 so trust that this settles the matter.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Monday 21-Sep-2008 10:07am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account
Dear David,
Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately we are unable to accept drawings as payment and your account remains in arrears of $233.95. Please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 28-Sep-2008 10:32am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account
Dear Jane,
Can I have my drawing of a spider back then, please?
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Friday 2-Oct-2008 11:42am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Overdue account
Dear David,
You emailed the drawing to me. Regardless, here it is, copied and pasted from your original transmission and embedded below.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 9-Oct-2008 09:22am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Whose spider is that?
Dear Jane,
Are you sure this drawing of a spider is the one I sent you? This spider only has seven legs and I do not feel I would have made such an elementary mistake when I drew it.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Monday 12-Oct-2008 11:03am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Whose spider is that?
Dear David,
Yes it is the same drawing. I copied and pasted it from the email you sent me on the 8th. David your account is still overdue by the amount of $233.95. Please make this payment as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 23-Oct-2008 11:08am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?
Hello, I have read through your emails and accept that despite missing a leg, that drawing of a spider may indeed be the one I sent you. I realize with hindsight that it is possible you rejected my drawing of a spider due to this obvious limb omission but did not point it out in an effort to avoid hurting my feelings. As such, I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Monday 26-Oct-2008 2:51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?
Dear David,
As I have stated, we do not accept drawings in lieu of money for accounts outstanding. We accept personal checks, bank checks, money orders, credit and debit cards as well as cash. Please make a payment this week to avoid incurring any additional fees.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 30-Oct-2008 3:17pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?
I understand and will definitely make a payment this week if I remember. As you have not accepted my second drawing as payment, please return the drawing to me as soon as possible. I am disappointed that you do not understand nor appreciate the value of my drawing of a spider.
Regards, David Thorne
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The 'Nuge' for President!
Next election for POTUS I'm writing in 'The Motor City Mad Man' Ted Nugent.
"Not in all my years in Florida have I known of a gang attack by raccoons on an individual." That being said, had this woman been packing your basic squirrel gun this never would of happened.
Over at Reason, they reason about gun ownership. The comments following the article are as interesting as the article itself.
Credit to my sometimes brilliant friend Billy Bob for inspiring this post.
"Not in all my years in Florida have I known of a gang attack by raccoons on an individual." That being said, had this woman been packing your basic squirrel gun this never would of happened.
Over at Reason, they reason about gun ownership. The comments following the article are as interesting as the article itself.
Credit to my sometimes brilliant friend Billy Bob for inspiring this post.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Good-bye Summer
Click on the photo for a full sized view.
I took this photo of my front porch on the 21st of September, 2009, the last day of summer.
Yesterday I tuned up my furnace, put away the lawn mower and the power washer and wound up all of the yard hoses and raked up some leaves. If you're viewing this photo today, Sunday, October 4th, 2009 it's almost certain I'm in some flannel pants sitting in my overstuffed leather chair with my feet up watching some football. It's Fall and I love this time of year. Nothing to grumble about today.
Life is good. Hope you're having a great day also.
- Larry
The Wisdom of a Grandfather…
Today, most of the American populace thinks it improper to spank children. My own father used to beat me with a belt and I really didn’t think too highly of the technique. Ultimately I don’t think it had much effect on my behavior (unless of course I knew he was in town) so I used other methods to control my own children (and now my grandchildren) when they became or become unruly.
One method that I’ve found to be quite effective is for me to just take the child for a ride in my car.
I’m not sure if it's the vibration from the car, or the time away from any distractions such as TV, video games, computer, IPod, etc. One thing that I have noticed in particular is that their placement in the vehicle is important. Don’t put them in the back seat or anywhere else where they can avoid eye to eye contact. Eye to eye contact seems to be a very important component of this ‘therapy.’
I have found that almost without exception they usually calm down after only a few miles on the road together.
I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my oldest grandson, in case you would like to use the technique yourself.
Thanks to my Uncle Lee for passing on this knowledge to me.
One method that I’ve found to be quite effective is for me to just take the child for a ride in my car.
I’m not sure if it's the vibration from the car, or the time away from any distractions such as TV, video games, computer, IPod, etc. One thing that I have noticed in particular is that their placement in the vehicle is important. Don’t put them in the back seat or anywhere else where they can avoid eye to eye contact. Eye to eye contact seems to be a very important component of this ‘therapy.’
I have found that almost without exception they usually calm down after only a few miles on the road together.
I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my oldest grandson, in case you would like to use the technique yourself.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
A Word to The Wise
In the late 1400’s there were some trees, some cotton, some hemp, some metal forming technology and the wind and the water. It all came together one day and people began to sail away from the European continent and discover new ‘worlds.’
In simpler terms there were boats and water and that’s how new land was discovered, new countries were created and how they were connected to one another.
Then came mining, electricity, the telegraph, lights, the telephone, automobiles, refining oil, chemistry, medicine, the industrial revolution, flight, plastics (light weight speed boats), aluminum (light weight jet airplanes) and a whole bunch of other mind boggling stuff including fiber optics and lasers. Maybe not in that exact order but now, as a result… everybody seems to be in the same boat.
You’re looking at China when you watch American Idol. You’re pulling Viet Nam (yes, Viet Nam) up to your waist, one leg at a time when you put on your pants. A good part of your breakfast came from Brazil and you drove to work courtesy of the hard working folks in Japan. Your after dinner drink came from Ireland, Mexico or Sweden and if you had any tech or financial issues earlier in the day you probably talked to someone in India.
That’s why you need to be concerned about Iran and Afghanistan and Iraq and Jews and Arabs. They are all right in your backyard.
- Me Self
In simpler terms there were boats and water and that’s how new land was discovered, new countries were created and how they were connected to one another.
Then came mining, electricity, the telegraph, lights, the telephone, automobiles, refining oil, chemistry, medicine, the industrial revolution, flight, plastics (light weight speed boats), aluminum (light weight jet airplanes) and a whole bunch of other mind boggling stuff including fiber optics and lasers. Maybe not in that exact order but now, as a result… everybody seems to be in the same boat.
You’re looking at China when you watch American Idol. You’re pulling Viet Nam (yes, Viet Nam) up to your waist, one leg at a time when you put on your pants. A good part of your breakfast came from Brazil and you drove to work courtesy of the hard working folks in Japan. Your after dinner drink came from Ireland, Mexico or Sweden and if you had any tech or financial issues earlier in the day you probably talked to someone in India.
That’s why you need to be concerned about Iran and Afghanistan and Iraq and Jews and Arabs. They are all right in your backyard.
- Me Self
Couric / Beck
I missed this when it was originally aired. You can find it all over the web but I’m going to post it here for myself as a matter of convenience, so I can come back and find it with ease because, I am going to watch it again.
It’s about a half hour long and Katie asks Glenn some tough questions...
...and he doesn't cry, even once (I cried for him).
Note: the audio on this video is not so good. I have searched various sites, including YouTube and they all seem to be the same. So, it's not your computer.
Regardless of who you think Glenn Beck is, to date, he’s had a huge impact on awakening the apathetic and stimulating a much needed debate in our society. Why else would Time Magazine put him on their cover? We’ve all been asleep for far too long.
Forget what Katie is asking this man, forget his answers. For conquering his own demons and having the courage to speak his own mind I see him as an incredible individual, at the very least an inspiration.
I'm an amoeba in the blogosphere. I have a verifiable audience of about 150 people and I’m getting hate mail just for playing around on my computer and venturing into the public with some of my thoughts and opinions. I can't even imagine what Glenn Beck has to put up with. He must spend hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in legal retainer fees alone and even more gobs of money for the personal protection of his very life for simply speaking his mind.
A sad comment concerning our society?
It is people like Glenn who risked their very lives to form this great nation. I take my hat off to him.
To all of you who want to criticize me for assisting in spreading Glenn’s wacko opinions let it be known I also take my hat off to Bill Maher for his courage to also speak his mind, even though I think he is a living, breathing oxymoron - a brilliant idiot:
“Beck's a bimbo and he's a crazy one. I'm telling you - it is not that long before we're going to find Glenn Beck dressed as a woman or playing with his feces or something." - Bill Maher
If you have some time to waste here's some more on Maher.
Don't be too judgmental. He appears to be in it for the money and that's OK by me. And, don't forget, first and foremost he is a comedian.
- Larry
Friday, October 2, 2009
More unbelievable meddling by government...
A DHS spokesperson would not comment on the specifics of the case but says they have no choice but to comply with state law, which is designed...
...wait for it...
...to protect Michigan children.
...wait for it...
...to protect Michigan children.
10 + 8 = -2, bad math or an evil plot?
Okay, so summer is over and I've put my grill away and have started raking the leaves from my yard. So I'll put this behind me for now. But come next spring, if things don't change there's gonna be trouble.
If only I had a gun...
I frequently get emails alerting me of outrageous bills being presented in Congress. Many of them are indeed, outrageous. However, the more outrageous they are the more likely they are to be DOA.
Here's a good article explaining why these bills exist and a good place to keep track of them.
Here's a good article explaining why these bills exist and a good place to keep track of them.
The Evolution of 1 and 0 and A/V
About 7 years ago I purchased a computer with a TV tuner and DVR built into the video card. As far as TV went, I was interested in only a few sitcoms, the History and Discovery channels, the NFL and NASCAR and the news, but I felt like sitting in my living room or lying in bed and watching was a colossal waste of time. I figured if I could watch TV on my computer I could work at the same time.
I was right , I could do my finances, pay bills, do work I brought home from my job (even extra credit stuff), check and respond to personal as well as business emails, keep up my personal journal and continue to educate myself with things related to my life by doing research on the web.
That’s when I started using two monitors. If you don’t use two monitors you don’t know what you’re missing. Even when NOT watching TV on one of them. It’s like you’re in college studying for a test and you’re in the library and you have multiple books open and spread across the table. You can have several programs and/or windows opened up at the same time on each monitor. So the ease at which you can bounce from one reference to another or one application to another increases your productivity.
The TV? Well I could open it up in a separate window and size it in the corner of one of the monitors.
But then came HD and the idea of watching movies while I worked.
So now I’m at three monitors. One dedicated, when I wish, to entertainment as I work.
As things have evolved in my digital experience now comes along online or internet, world wide web video and ‘on demand’ television viewing.
Remember when MTV first debuted? We were all mesmerized. Nonstop eye candy coupled with music with NO commercials or any other interruptions, 24/7.
I stumbled upon this video web site last night, as I did in 1977 with my discovery of MTV and couldn’t stop watching for over 2 hours: www.isofa.tv.
Make some popcorn and check it out. Simply amazing… give it at least 15 minutes. You’ll see some fascinating stuff.
I’m betting it won’t be long before it’s riddled with commercials.
I was right , I could do my finances, pay bills, do work I brought home from my job (even extra credit stuff), check and respond to personal as well as business emails, keep up my personal journal and continue to educate myself with things related to my life by doing research on the web.
That’s when I started using two monitors. If you don’t use two monitors you don’t know what you’re missing. Even when NOT watching TV on one of them. It’s like you’re in college studying for a test and you’re in the library and you have multiple books open and spread across the table. You can have several programs and/or windows opened up at the same time on each monitor. So the ease at which you can bounce from one reference to another or one application to another increases your productivity.
The TV? Well I could open it up in a separate window and size it in the corner of one of the monitors.
But then came HD and the idea of watching movies while I worked.
So now I’m at three monitors. One dedicated, when I wish, to entertainment as I work.
As things have evolved in my digital experience now comes along online or internet, world wide web video and ‘on demand’ television viewing.
Remember when MTV first debuted? We were all mesmerized. Nonstop eye candy coupled with music with NO commercials or any other interruptions, 24/7.
I stumbled upon this video web site last night, as I did in 1977 with my discovery of MTV and couldn’t stop watching for over 2 hours: www.isofa.tv.
Make some popcorn and check it out. Simply amazing… give it at least 15 minutes. You’ll see some fascinating stuff.
I’m betting it won’t be long before it’s riddled with commercials.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The 10th Amendment
The federal government has no more authority to compel the states or the counties to do anything, no more so than the Prime Minister of Canada has.
This separation of the two spheres is one of the constitution’s structural protections of liberty. Just as the separation and independence of the coordinate branches of the federal government serve to prevent the accumulation of excessive power in any one branch, a healthy balance of power between the States and the Federal Government will reduce the risk of tyranny and abuse from either front.
This separation of the two spheres is one of the constitution’s structural protections of liberty. Just as the separation and independence of the coordinate branches of the federal government serve to prevent the accumulation of excessive power in any one branch, a healthy balance of power between the States and the Federal Government will reduce the risk of tyranny and abuse from either front.
An Incredible SAND Animation
This is one of the most incredible pieces of performance art you will ever lay your eyes on. Kseniya Simonova is the artist, she’s portraying the German invasion of Ukraine in WWII.
Alice in The Army
Dear Ma and Pa,
I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Bubba that being in the the U.S. Army beats working for old man Billy Bob by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.
I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Bubba all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay, practically nothing.
Men get to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Bubba you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.
We go on 'route marches,' which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A 'route march' is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.
The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.
This next will kill Walt and Bubba with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting back at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges, they come in boxes.
Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that 'thug' Jordan from Baltimore, Maryland. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6' and 130 pounds and he's 6'8' and near 300 pounds dry.
Be sure to tell Walt and Bubba to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.
Your loving daughter,
Alice
I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Bubba that being in the the U.S. Army beats working for old man Billy Bob by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.
I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Bubba all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay, practically nothing.
Men get to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Bubba you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.
We go on 'route marches,' which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different. A 'route march' is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.
The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.
This next will kill Walt and Bubba with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting back at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges, they come in boxes.
Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that 'thug' Jordan from Baltimore, Maryland. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6' and 130 pounds and he's 6'8' and near 300 pounds dry.
Be sure to tell Walt and Bubba to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.
Your loving daughter,
Alice
Sunday, September 27, 2009
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