Way back in one of my previous lives, I had to use police ten codes in my job. You probably know, "ten four", which means I understand. The police don’t use these codes much anymore. They just say what they mean. I don’t know how they understand that.
"Ten seven" meant, this unit is in service. "Ten eight" meant this unit is out of service.
For the next few days, this blog is "ten eight."
Check back and read the archives while you wait. There are actually some of my rambles that make sense.
PMO
©2011
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Hey You
France is proposing to ban the use of the terms of "mother and father" in legal documents as they prepare for same sex marriages - Fox News reports. Each of the couple would be listed as "parent" on adoption papers for homosexuals and heterosexuals.
As usual, I have questions. What is the child going to call the parents, if they aren’t mother and father? Perhaps they will be known by their first name. That is going to cause problems when the child gets old enough to realize that other kids have a mother and father. They will just have to pass another law banning the use of "mother and father" everywhere.
The Catholic Church, as you would expect, is protesting this proposed ban. I have no information on what the Baptist Church, if there is one in France, is doing, but it should not be a problem. We just call them, Ma and Pa.
That is the legal term in the Baptist Church.
PMO
©2011
As usual, I have questions. What is the child going to call the parents, if they aren’t mother and father? Perhaps they will be known by their first name. That is going to cause problems when the child gets old enough to realize that other kids have a mother and father. They will just have to pass another law banning the use of "mother and father" everywhere.
The Catholic Church, as you would expect, is protesting this proposed ban. I have no information on what the Baptist Church, if there is one in France, is doing, but it should not be a problem. We just call them, Ma and Pa.
That is the legal term in the Baptist Church.
PMO
©2011
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Handyman Tip
I have been doing my handy man thing by spray painting some items from the house. The process is to take the object down, clean it, let it dry completely, paint it, and let it dry completely before putting it back inside. Sounds simple enough. The problem is that my financial controller doesn’t let me use spray paint inside the house - nor the garage.
Being the thinker, I have devised some "paint boxes" that allow me to keep dust and stuff from getting onto the painted objects. However, the boxes are still open.
Here’s my tip. Do not spray paint outside in a 40mph wind. If you must spray paint in a 40 mph wind, do not face into the wind while you paint.
At least take your glasses off, if you wear them.
PMO
©2011
Being the thinker, I have devised some "paint boxes" that allow me to keep dust and stuff from getting onto the painted objects. However, the boxes are still open.
Here’s my tip. Do not spray paint outside in a 40mph wind. If you must spray paint in a 40 mph wind, do not face into the wind while you paint.
At least take your glasses off, if you wear them.
PMO
©2011
Monday, September 24, 2012
Fingerprints
I have to get fingerprints made for a license I have. It is time to renew and the procedures have changed. Last time, I went to a provider and they got ink all over my hands, but we got the prints. Now, everything is electronic.
It should be simple to just go online and set up an appointment but it is not. Because the prints are for both the State and Feds, I took my time and read carefully all the instructions. I followed directions and got everything correct. Then it happened. The last step was to print a "pass" to get into the location. When I clicked on the button, it was the last time I saw the appointment form.
The only logical step was to call the provider. Wrong again. After multiple calls and disconnects, I finally got put on hold for about 20 minutes. When a real live person did answer, I explained my problem. She checked and said, "You’re all signed up. Just show up with your ID and a check."
There was no explanation of what happened to the online stuff.
Now in cyberspace, there is an appointment for fingerprints.
Don’t try to use it. It will identify you as a really grumpy old man.
PMO
©2011
It should be simple to just go online and set up an appointment but it is not. Because the prints are for both the State and Feds, I took my time and read carefully all the instructions. I followed directions and got everything correct. Then it happened. The last step was to print a "pass" to get into the location. When I clicked on the button, it was the last time I saw the appointment form.
The only logical step was to call the provider. Wrong again. After multiple calls and disconnects, I finally got put on hold for about 20 minutes. When a real live person did answer, I explained my problem. She checked and said, "You’re all signed up. Just show up with your ID and a check."
There was no explanation of what happened to the online stuff.
Now in cyberspace, there is an appointment for fingerprints.
Don’t try to use it. It will identify you as a really grumpy old man.
PMO
©2011
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Survey
The polls are humming. I got a call today from one of the major survey organizations taking a poll. Since I always hear about "the polls" I decided to take their survey.
First of all, they take too much time and they won’t accept answers that are not one of the choices they give you. I had a lot of answers they just didn’t want.
Now, I can’t wait to see the next poll results. Just think, my answers are in there. Wow.
I’m not impressed either.
If you get one of these calls, you decide if you want to take your time.
I think they took my number off their list.
PMO
©2011
First of all, they take too much time and they won’t accept answers that are not one of the choices they give you. I had a lot of answers they just didn’t want.
Now, I can’t wait to see the next poll results. Just think, my answers are in there. Wow.
I’m not impressed either.
If you get one of these calls, you decide if you want to take your time.
I think they took my number off their list.
PMO
©2011
Saturday, September 22, 2012
So What?
The big story on the front page of the daily drivel today is about how much each presidential candidate paid in income taxes. The big question is who cares and why is this important?
I really don’t care how much a candidate pays or doesn’t pay. What I want to know is how they are going to fix this mess we are in. Unemployment, trouble in the middle-east, trillions in debt, the economy, shifting away from American values, high gas prices, illegal immigration, social security, medicare, laws stifling business, government control of private lives, special rights for selected people, are just a few things more important than how much income tax a candidate paid.
If the democrats want to make an issue of Romney’s taxes, how about Obama’s college files? That appears to be some information that is more top secret than how we were able to take out BinLaden.
The point is, that if Americans are going to let class warfare control how they vote, then they deserve what they get.
So what if Romney paid about 14% and Obama paid about 20%. Romney had to personally pay for the vacations his wife took
That more than makes up the difference.
PMO
©2011
I really don’t care how much a candidate pays or doesn’t pay. What I want to know is how they are going to fix this mess we are in. Unemployment, trouble in the middle-east, trillions in debt, the economy, shifting away from American values, high gas prices, illegal immigration, social security, medicare, laws stifling business, government control of private lives, special rights for selected people, are just a few things more important than how much income tax a candidate paid.
If the democrats want to make an issue of Romney’s taxes, how about Obama’s college files? That appears to be some information that is more top secret than how we were able to take out BinLaden.
The point is, that if Americans are going to let class warfare control how they vote, then they deserve what they get.
So what if Romney paid about 14% and Obama paid about 20%. Romney had to personally pay for the vacations his wife took
That more than makes up the difference.
PMO
©2011
Friday, September 21, 2012
Popcorn
Since we are acquiring a house in East Texas, we have made several trips and met a number of people. I don’t expect any of them to survive me. At a meeting last week at the clubhouse on the property, we got to meet some more nice people and were given the nickle tour.
The highlight of the meeting and tour for my financial controller seemed to be popcorn. They keep fresh popcorn ready all day. You just walk in and fill a container and away you go. I’m not sure they intend for her to have a gallon bag per visit, but they better get used to it. As for me, they offer coffee. This property is a full fledge private gated community with golf, tennis, swimming and all that stuff. I have never gotten into tennis or swimming. I played golf for twenty years and never did learn how to play, so I sold my clubs.
I wonder how much popcorn and coffee it is going to take for me to get my money’s worth?
PMO
©2011
The highlight of the meeting and tour for my financial controller seemed to be popcorn. They keep fresh popcorn ready all day. You just walk in and fill a container and away you go. I’m not sure they intend for her to have a gallon bag per visit, but they better get used to it. As for me, they offer coffee. This property is a full fledge private gated community with golf, tennis, swimming and all that stuff. I have never gotten into tennis or swimming. I played golf for twenty years and never did learn how to play, so I sold my clubs.
I wonder how much popcorn and coffee it is going to take for me to get my money’s worth?
PMO
©2011
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Pogo
His full name is Ponce de Leon Montgomery County Alabama Georgia Beauregard Possum. He was created by Walt Kelly. The last syndicated comic strip about Pogo ran July 20, 1975.
Kelly described Pogo as "the reasonable, patient, softhearted, naive, friendly person we all think we are."
It is reasonable that Pogo’s most famous quote applies more today than it ever has. "We have met the enemy and he is us."
A lot of wisdom from an possum. I wonder if people will ever figure it out.
PMO
©2011
Kelly described Pogo as "the reasonable, patient, softhearted, naive, friendly person we all think we are."
It is reasonable that Pogo’s most famous quote applies more today than it ever has. "We have met the enemy and he is us."
A lot of wisdom from an possum. I wonder if people will ever figure it out.
PMO
©2011
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Father-Daughter Dance Banned
According to the American Civil Liberties Union - ACLU - father-daughter dances should be banned because they are gender specific. That’s what happened in Cranston, Rhode Island. Superintendent of Cranston schools, Dr. Judith Lundsten issued a letter banning all "gender specific events" because of the ACLU complaint last May. This action also bans mother-son ball games.
Steve Brown, of the RI ACLU, told WPRO Morning News, "This is 2012 and public schools should not be in the business of fostering blatant gender stereotypes."
It is actions like this that drive a grumpy old man up the wall. What would happen if a bunch of people just said, "Hell no" we won’t knuckle under?
I keep hearing my friends say, "Our hope is that the Lord comes back soon."
He may be looking down and thinking, "I’m not going down there and get in that mess."
PMO
©2011
Steve Brown, of the RI ACLU, told WPRO Morning News, "This is 2012 and public schools should not be in the business of fostering blatant gender stereotypes."
It is actions like this that drive a grumpy old man up the wall. What would happen if a bunch of people just said, "Hell no" we won’t knuckle under?
I keep hearing my friends say, "Our hope is that the Lord comes back soon."
He may be looking down and thinking, "I’m not going down there and get in that mess."
PMO
©2011
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
No Respect
We have discussed before that grumpy old men get no respect. My case in point is my friend, The Rite Reverend Wild Bill of the Get Down With Your Bad Self Church of What’s Happening Now. Bill and I have a lot of history. He is to do my eulogy when the time gets here.
Bill is going to begin the eulogy with a statement, "hold your applause until the end." I assured him that some attenders will not be able to hold back.
But, here’s the kicker. Now, he wants to know if it’s okay for him to just "Skype" in so he doesn’t have to show up at all.
I don’t know what I would do without friends.
PMO
©2011
Bill is going to begin the eulogy with a statement, "hold your applause until the end." I assured him that some attenders will not be able to hold back.
But, here’s the kicker. Now, he wants to know if it’s okay for him to just "Skype" in so he doesn’t have to show up at all.
I don’t know what I would do without friends.
PMO
©2011
Monday, September 17, 2012
TV Commercials
Commercials on television are another annoyance to me. Remember, grumpy old men do not like to be annoyed.
I saw a commercial early thing morning that offered some medicine to cure something. The drug disclaimers included; the product was only for those over 75 years of age. How does the drug know if you’re 75? I suppose that if you take it the day before your 75th birthday, it won’t work.
Then there’s the buy one and get one free stuff. Is that better than a 50% off sale? What if you don’t need two? Usually, I don’t need one, so I save 100%.
Why is almost every product on the cable channels $19.95 plus shipping and handling? Wait! If you order now, you get a second one for free (see the paragraph above). Of course, you will be charged for the shipping and handling on the "free" one.
Do people really believe that if you buy a product that you get anything free? That’s a rhetorical question. I mean, if you remodel your home, you get a $500 gift card. Really???????
I don’t watch much TV because the commercials drive me crazier.
I think now you can get 100 year financing on a new car.
Better get one before the offer expires.
PMO
©2011
I saw a commercial early thing morning that offered some medicine to cure something. The drug disclaimers included; the product was only for those over 75 years of age. How does the drug know if you’re 75? I suppose that if you take it the day before your 75th birthday, it won’t work.
Then there’s the buy one and get one free stuff. Is that better than a 50% off sale? What if you don’t need two? Usually, I don’t need one, so I save 100%.
Why is almost every product on the cable channels $19.95 plus shipping and handling? Wait! If you order now, you get a second one for free (see the paragraph above). Of course, you will be charged for the shipping and handling on the "free" one.
Do people really believe that if you buy a product that you get anything free? That’s a rhetorical question. I mean, if you remodel your home, you get a $500 gift card. Really???????
I don’t watch much TV because the commercials drive me crazier.
I think now you can get 100 year financing on a new car.
Better get one before the offer expires.
PMO
©2011
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Seniors
This post ran on October 26, 2011. I am posting it again because few, if any, paid any attention to it the first time.
I wish to address my remarks to the Senior Citizens. However, those that have not attained that magic age may discover a truth not known or forgotten. Incidentally, I refer to not yet seniors as SIT’s - Seniors in Training.
The reason the message is to seniors is because you have lived longer, seen more, experienced more and made decisions that you did not want to make. Many of you have children and perhaps grandchildren. You understand how it feels to impact the life of someone you love more than your own. The years have brought the joys, the sorrows, and the regrets of having to take an action that scared the daylights out of you. But, with time and experience you learned how to make more good decisions and fewer bad ones.
In 1968 we were introduced to a new term in our society. Tough love. Merriam Webster defines tough love as ‘love or affectionate concern expressed in a stern or unsentimental manner - as through discipline - especially to promote responsible behavior.’ We have come to think of this as dealing with a rebellious teen or perhaps intervention for an addiction. It is hard to live sixty years or more and not personally know of a case of tough love or even many.
While it is natural to view tough love as being harsh on the one needing help, it often is tougher on the one taking the action required. As the definition states, love is the cause for discipline to promote responsible behavior. As many of you know, it often does hurt you more than the one you love when you have to use discipline.
Today, you and I are faced with a tough love decision that cannot be avoided. Reality is that many have ignored or avoided the inevitable but time has run out. The United States of America must have tough love or it will become as doomed as a drug addict.
I love America. I know that you do too. The question is, how much? In tough love, the one that loves must be willing to go the distance at whatever the cost may be to instill responsible behavior. Our government has behaved irresponsibility for many years - Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. The norm has been to tax and spend with little or no accountability to the citizens from which the revenue is taken. There are so many examples that we surely could not number them of government waste and absurd spending.
We now find ourselves in a vicious debt cycle that is spiraling this once great nation into bankruptcy. Tax and spend has been the rule. It has been said that the golden rule is, "he that has the gold, makes the rule." But, that’s our gold they are spending.
"What can you do about it?" Those are often the first words uttered if you mention the situation we find ourselves in. "I’m just an old man or woman, in many cases in poor health, with little or no money," is what I hear all the time. You can argue that you have put in your time, paid your taxes and did the best you could with what you had. You can say that now it is the young peoples problem. Isn’t that what your predecessors said when you were young? Ladies and gentlemen, if that’s your position, then there is nothing you will do about it. But for those that have one good fight left in them, we must take our country back.
There must be a balanced budget amendment. Anyone knows or should know that you can’t borrow almost half of every dollar spent and expect to survive. Government spending must be controlled with "pork barrel" politics thrown out.
There have to be laws to limit terms in Congress, put government employees, including Congress and the President, under the same health care plans as ordinary citizens with no benefits when they leave office. As it stands today, there is no motivation to empathize with ordinary citizens like you and me.
We must have restoration and protection of funds for Social Security and Medicare. Fraud must be stopped and severe punishment administered for those convicted of the crimes.
English is the National language and we need a law proclaiming it as such. While we should try to accommodate some languages, it is they that should have to press one.
Our borders must be secured and illegal immigrants deported. No more anchor babies - when a person is in our country illegally, their offspring are not ours to support.
This great nation was founded upon Christian principles. Unless we get back to those guiding tenets, we will cease to be. You cannot remove the foundation from a house and expect it to stand.
Can these things happen? Yes. Will they happen? I only know that they will not without a fight. It will take a commitment to stand up and be counted. Letters, phone calls and personal visits to government leaders is what it will take. Remember, "United we stand, divided we fall?" If the seniors in this country stand, then the answer is yes, we will restore America.
And if you still are hesitate, because you have been cowed so long that you believe you can’t do anything, I remind you that Patrick Henry said, "The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."
Valdamir Lenin is credited with having said, "If we can effectively kill the national pride and patriotism of just one generation, we have won that country."
Are you that generation?
PMO
©2011
I wish to address my remarks to the Senior Citizens. However, those that have not attained that magic age may discover a truth not known or forgotten. Incidentally, I refer to not yet seniors as SIT’s - Seniors in Training.
The reason the message is to seniors is because you have lived longer, seen more, experienced more and made decisions that you did not want to make. Many of you have children and perhaps grandchildren. You understand how it feels to impact the life of someone you love more than your own. The years have brought the joys, the sorrows, and the regrets of having to take an action that scared the daylights out of you. But, with time and experience you learned how to make more good decisions and fewer bad ones.
In 1968 we were introduced to a new term in our society. Tough love. Merriam Webster defines tough love as ‘love or affectionate concern expressed in a stern or unsentimental manner - as through discipline - especially to promote responsible behavior.’ We have come to think of this as dealing with a rebellious teen or perhaps intervention for an addiction. It is hard to live sixty years or more and not personally know of a case of tough love or even many.
While it is natural to view tough love as being harsh on the one needing help, it often is tougher on the one taking the action required. As the definition states, love is the cause for discipline to promote responsible behavior. As many of you know, it often does hurt you more than the one you love when you have to use discipline.
Today, you and I are faced with a tough love decision that cannot be avoided. Reality is that many have ignored or avoided the inevitable but time has run out. The United States of America must have tough love or it will become as doomed as a drug addict.
I love America. I know that you do too. The question is, how much? In tough love, the one that loves must be willing to go the distance at whatever the cost may be to instill responsible behavior. Our government has behaved irresponsibility for many years - Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. The norm has been to tax and spend with little or no accountability to the citizens from which the revenue is taken. There are so many examples that we surely could not number them of government waste and absurd spending.
We now find ourselves in a vicious debt cycle that is spiraling this once great nation into bankruptcy. Tax and spend has been the rule. It has been said that the golden rule is, "he that has the gold, makes the rule." But, that’s our gold they are spending.
"What can you do about it?" Those are often the first words uttered if you mention the situation we find ourselves in. "I’m just an old man or woman, in many cases in poor health, with little or no money," is what I hear all the time. You can argue that you have put in your time, paid your taxes and did the best you could with what you had. You can say that now it is the young peoples problem. Isn’t that what your predecessors said when you were young? Ladies and gentlemen, if that’s your position, then there is nothing you will do about it. But for those that have one good fight left in them, we must take our country back.
There must be a balanced budget amendment. Anyone knows or should know that you can’t borrow almost half of every dollar spent and expect to survive. Government spending must be controlled with "pork barrel" politics thrown out.
There have to be laws to limit terms in Congress, put government employees, including Congress and the President, under the same health care plans as ordinary citizens with no benefits when they leave office. As it stands today, there is no motivation to empathize with ordinary citizens like you and me.
We must have restoration and protection of funds for Social Security and Medicare. Fraud must be stopped and severe punishment administered for those convicted of the crimes.
English is the National language and we need a law proclaiming it as such. While we should try to accommodate some languages, it is they that should have to press one.
Our borders must be secured and illegal immigrants deported. No more anchor babies - when a person is in our country illegally, their offspring are not ours to support.
This great nation was founded upon Christian principles. Unless we get back to those guiding tenets, we will cease to be. You cannot remove the foundation from a house and expect it to stand.
Can these things happen? Yes. Will they happen? I only know that they will not without a fight. It will take a commitment to stand up and be counted. Letters, phone calls and personal visits to government leaders is what it will take. Remember, "United we stand, divided we fall?" If the seniors in this country stand, then the answer is yes, we will restore America.
And if you still are hesitate, because you have been cowed so long that you believe you can’t do anything, I remind you that Patrick Henry said, "The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."
Valdamir Lenin is credited with having said, "If we can effectively kill the national pride and patriotism of just one generation, we have won that country."
Are you that generation?
PMO
©2011
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Gun Sales
I read an article today about sporting goods outfitter Cabela’s and their marketing plans for the winter holidays and hunting season. It seems that if Obama is reelected, they will focus on gun and ammunition sales like they did in 2008. If Romney is elected, they will merchandise hunting gear such as water proof boots and camouflage clothing.
Maybe that you need to keep your eye on the polls just before election time. How else are you going to know wether to get an AK-47 or just some warm fuzzy camouflage slippers?
My opinion is that anytime politicians speak, it’s probably time to stock up on guns and ammo.
PMO
©2011
Maybe that you need to keep your eye on the polls just before election time. How else are you going to know wether to get an AK-47 or just some warm fuzzy camouflage slippers?
My opinion is that anytime politicians speak, it’s probably time to stock up on guns and ammo.
PMO
©2011
Friday, September 14, 2012
The Devil Made Me
Apparently our Prez doesn’t feel he has to attend daily intelligence meetings. It is reported that he has played golf more days that he has attended an intel meeting. Please take note he has not missed any fund raising events for his campaign.
I really don’t think a president should be doing the things like this. Or maybe I should say, he should not being doing nothing. His spin doctors always seem to find a way to divert attention to Bush or Romney.
Back in the 70's we had another comedian, by the name of Flip Wilson. One of the characters he played was the reverend Leroy of the "Church of What’s Happening Now." Reverend Leroy had a famous line when he did something wrong. Perhaps the Prez should just use that line.
"The devil made me do it."
PMO
©2011
I really don’t think a president should be doing the things like this. Or maybe I should say, he should not being doing nothing. His spin doctors always seem to find a way to divert attention to Bush or Romney.
Back in the 70's we had another comedian, by the name of Flip Wilson. One of the characters he played was the reverend Leroy of the "Church of What’s Happening Now." Reverend Leroy had a famous line when he did something wrong. Perhaps the Prez should just use that line.
"The devil made me do it."
PMO
©2011
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Homegrown
It has been said that politicians don’t go to Washington and become crooks, they are crooks when they get there. Truth is that local politics are just as bad as the national scene.
I have a friend who’s wife is the mayor in a nearby city. It is difficult to believe some the facts about the elected officials in that town - not a town but a city. Following the election that many of the "old guard" lost, the losers are playing antics that would embarrass a sixth grade boy. It has gotten so bad at council meetings that the mayor has had to have police present to quite the "children."
It has been discovered that businesses were monitored because they opposed the previous regime. In one case, a person in authority wrote letters accusing people of sexual misconduct if they opposed his position.
What is it about humans that make them think they are "supreme" when they get an elected office? I’ll never know. If I ran for dog catcher, I couldn’t win.
Unless, the dogs got to vote. They usually like me.
PMO
©2011
I have a friend who’s wife is the mayor in a nearby city. It is difficult to believe some the facts about the elected officials in that town - not a town but a city. Following the election that many of the "old guard" lost, the losers are playing antics that would embarrass a sixth grade boy. It has gotten so bad at council meetings that the mayor has had to have police present to quite the "children."
It has been discovered that businesses were monitored because they opposed the previous regime. In one case, a person in authority wrote letters accusing people of sexual misconduct if they opposed his position.
What is it about humans that make them think they are "supreme" when they get an elected office? I’ll never know. If I ran for dog catcher, I couldn’t win.
Unless, the dogs got to vote. They usually like me.
PMO
©2011
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
They Hate Us
Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other members of the U.S. diplomatic mission were killed in Benghazi, Libya, yesterday. The news reports credit the attack by a group protesting a movie that depicts the prophet Muhammad. I think it is not a coincidence that the attack came on September 11.
Now the politics have begun to fly. But, what will the end result be?
In case you haven’t heard, there are real people in the real world that really hate Americans. Don’t be naive. Don’t pretend surprise when something similar happens again.
All the nannies with warm fuzzy feelings will not change the world. It is a cold cruel place.
Although we contribute billions of dollars and work to promote peace in the very countries that kill us, people continue to hate Americans. Remember that and behave accordingly.
Just some grumpy old man advice.
PMO
©2011
Now the politics have begun to fly. But, what will the end result be?
In case you haven’t heard, there are real people in the real world that really hate Americans. Don’t be naive. Don’t pretend surprise when something similar happens again.
All the nannies with warm fuzzy feelings will not change the world. It is a cold cruel place.
Although we contribute billions of dollars and work to promote peace in the very countries that kill us, people continue to hate Americans. Remember that and behave accordingly.
Just some grumpy old man advice.
PMO
©2011
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Celebrities
Celebrities are known for entertainment, not deep thinking. Yet, Americans worship them as all seeing and all knowing. Remember people, these "elite few" make a living by pretending. It’s like a small child with a towel around his neck pretending to be Superman. Would you ask that child for his opinion on world matters or even listen to him speak about what we should believe or how we should behave.
Just look at what a majority of the "gods and goddesses" do. They use drugs, get drunk, break laws, get arrested, have multiple spouses, have sex like pagans, and generally ruin their lives and those around them. How can anyone place any value on what their politics are or what their opinion on anything is.
Just because they are famous, doesn’t make them smart. Albert Eienstein would have made a terrible actor. Sir Winston Churchill probably would not have made it as a talk show host. Yet, they changed the world.
I have an opinion on everything, but no one lets me on TV to spout off, even though I think my opinion is as good as anyone’s.
Elmer Fudd may have had the best celebrity opinion, when he said, "Quazy wabbit."
That fits all the other celebrity opinions.
PMO
©2011
Just look at what a majority of the "gods and goddesses" do. They use drugs, get drunk, break laws, get arrested, have multiple spouses, have sex like pagans, and generally ruin their lives and those around them. How can anyone place any value on what their politics are or what their opinion on anything is.
Just because they are famous, doesn’t make them smart. Albert Eienstein would have made a terrible actor. Sir Winston Churchill probably would not have made it as a talk show host. Yet, they changed the world.
I have an opinion on everything, but no one lets me on TV to spout off, even though I think my opinion is as good as anyone’s.
Elmer Fudd may have had the best celebrity opinion, when he said, "Quazy wabbit."
That fits all the other celebrity opinions.
PMO
©2011
Monday, September 10, 2012
Shocking Volt
In case you haven’t heard about the Chevy Volt, Reuters reports that Americans don’t want them. But the government does. Therefore we peons are forced to subsidize GM a large amount for each car it sells.
According to the news story the base price for a Volt is $39,995 but it cost close to $89,000 to produce one. Now, folks, I am not a math major, but that does not seem like a good business.
Reminds me of two rednecks who were buying hay in East Texas for $10 per bale and driving to West Texas where they sold it for $10 per bale. After several trips, they figured out they weren’t making any money. The smart one came up with the solution. "We’ve got to get a bigger truck," he said.
Ain’t government wonderful?
PMO
©2011
According to the news story the base price for a Volt is $39,995 but it cost close to $89,000 to produce one. Now, folks, I am not a math major, but that does not seem like a good business.
Reminds me of two rednecks who were buying hay in East Texas for $10 per bale and driving to West Texas where they sold it for $10 per bale. After several trips, they figured out they weren’t making any money. The smart one came up with the solution. "We’ve got to get a bigger truck," he said.
Ain’t government wonderful?
PMO
©2011
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Class Reunion
We are having a 50th class reunion at my old alma mater. I got a notice this week that the class of ‘62 will meet at a designated location in the little town where I went to school. Truth is, I never graduated from high school. I left when I was a Junior because I was hungry. I went to work. I did get a GED in the Army and two college degrees later. But, my old class still invites me back for reunions.
The last one I went to was the 45th. There were a bunch of old people there. And, in the past five years I have seen a few of them and they haven’t gotten any younger.
And, to make matters worse, my eyes must be getting worse. My financial controller and I were dining out one night when she started talking to a woman at a nearby table. When she finished, I asked, "Who is that?’ She told me, and I replied, "No it’s not. The person you say it is, was in my class in school and that is not her."
I haven’t decided yet if I will attend. It sure seems like a good idea not to go, because those old people are now five years older. Maybe that’s why everyone gets a name badge.
I’m not sure if the name badge is to let others know who you are, or so you won’t forget who you are.
PMO
©2011
The last one I went to was the 45th. There were a bunch of old people there. And, in the past five years I have seen a few of them and they haven’t gotten any younger.
And, to make matters worse, my eyes must be getting worse. My financial controller and I were dining out one night when she started talking to a woman at a nearby table. When she finished, I asked, "Who is that?’ She told me, and I replied, "No it’s not. The person you say it is, was in my class in school and that is not her."
I haven’t decided yet if I will attend. It sure seems like a good idea not to go, because those old people are now five years older. Maybe that’s why everyone gets a name badge.
I’m not sure if the name badge is to let others know who you are, or so you won’t forget who you are.
PMO
©2011
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Lived?
We always hear that we need to get the most out of life - really live. Go for the gusto and all that jazz. Yep, we all want the good stuff that life has to offer. But, is that really living? I would suggest that if you haven’t seen all sides of life, then you haven’t lived. Not that anyone would want to experience bad things, but when you do, it changes how you view life. Here are few passed along the way:
If you haven’t experienced unbearable physical pain, you haven’t lived.
If you’ve never experienced betrayal by someone you love, you haven’t lived.
If you have never felt completely alone, you haven’t lived.
If you’ve never done something truly stupid, you haven’t lived.
If you don’t have at least one bad habit, you haven’t lived.
If you have never tried with all your being and failed, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t felt that hope was lost, you haven’t lived.
If you have never disappointed anyone that matters, you haven’t lived.
If you have never been ashamed of yourself, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t experienced real fear, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t been hated for no reason, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t been tempted beyond human resistance, you haven’t lived.
If you’ve never watched someone die, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t forgiven others, you haven’t lived.
If you have never asked for forgiveness, you haven’t lived.
If you have nothing to measure the good by, you haven’t lived.
It is said that anything that doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. That may not be true. Remember, pain, emotional or physical, only means you are still alive.
Ouch!
PMO
©2011
If you haven’t experienced unbearable physical pain, you haven’t lived.
If you’ve never experienced betrayal by someone you love, you haven’t lived.
If you have never felt completely alone, you haven’t lived.
If you’ve never done something truly stupid, you haven’t lived.
If you don’t have at least one bad habit, you haven’t lived.
If you have never tried with all your being and failed, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t felt that hope was lost, you haven’t lived.
If you have never disappointed anyone that matters, you haven’t lived.
If you have never been ashamed of yourself, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t experienced real fear, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t been hated for no reason, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t been tempted beyond human resistance, you haven’t lived.
If you’ve never watched someone die, you haven’t lived.
If you haven’t forgiven others, you haven’t lived.
If you have never asked for forgiveness, you haven’t lived.
If you have nothing to measure the good by, you haven’t lived.
It is said that anything that doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. That may not be true. Remember, pain, emotional or physical, only means you are still alive.
Ouch!
PMO
©2011
Friday, September 7, 2012
Reading
My friend Art is an avid reader. He truly enjoys a good book. My financial controller likes to read. A lot of people like to read. For those, like me, that do not read for pleasure, I wonder how people have the time. Oh, I know that you read awhile and then go back to the book when you have a few minutes. The problem with that is that I forget what the book is about by the time I get back to it. That’s why I like history. It usually doesn’t change and all I’m looking for are facts.
While talking to Art gthis week, he said that all the visuals you get on TV and computers do not entertain as much as a really good book. We compared reading to the old days of radio. There were programs that just were not the same when television versions came out. The Lone Ranger didn’t look like I had imagined him.
Truth is, our imagination is greater than any image that Hollywood can conjure up. I just need to spend more time reading for fun.
Does reading the comics in the newspaper count?
PMO
©2011
While talking to Art gthis week, he said that all the visuals you get on TV and computers do not entertain as much as a really good book. We compared reading to the old days of radio. There were programs that just were not the same when television versions came out. The Lone Ranger didn’t look like I had imagined him.
Truth is, our imagination is greater than any image that Hollywood can conjure up. I just need to spend more time reading for fun.
Does reading the comics in the newspaper count?
PMO
©2011
Thursday, September 6, 2012
God Booed At DNC
Unless you live in a cave, you know by now that the Democratic National Convention has done a bad. When challenged about omitting the word God from a speech, it took three times to get a "yes" vote to put it back in. And, when restoring God was announced, the delegates booed.
No body is that stupid? Yes, they are.
If you have any democrat friends, you may want to keep them at a distance for awhile.
Lightning.
PMO
©2011
No body is that stupid? Yes, they are.
If you have any democrat friends, you may want to keep them at a distance for awhile.
Lightning.
PMO
©2011
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Painters
It has been a long time since I had to hire a paint contractor. My luck has run out. I have to hire one now to prepare my house for sale. We are moving to East Texas later this year. At least that is what my financial controller tells me. She has all my money and I go where my money goes.
I am happy to say after interviewing some paint contractors that the process has not changed. They promise the moon. But, memory tells me that is not what you always get.
Someone asked, why I don’t just do the painting myself. The answer is simple; been there and done that. Plumbing and painting are two skills that I no longer have, even if I ever had them.
And, then there’s the driving force - the financial controller. She knows my limitations and tries to keep me from doing things that should take a short amount of time - not a lifetime.
Perhaps the idea of moving everything into the middle of the room and covering it up with plastic, then spraying the whole room one color was not an idea she liked.
Meanwhile the contractors are preparing their bids.
I am practicing saying, "ain’ no #*%! way."
PMO
©2011
I am happy to say after interviewing some paint contractors that the process has not changed. They promise the moon. But, memory tells me that is not what you always get.
Someone asked, why I don’t just do the painting myself. The answer is simple; been there and done that. Plumbing and painting are two skills that I no longer have, even if I ever had them.
And, then there’s the driving force - the financial controller. She knows my limitations and tries to keep me from doing things that should take a short amount of time - not a lifetime.
Perhaps the idea of moving everything into the middle of the room and covering it up with plastic, then spraying the whole room one color was not an idea she liked.
Meanwhile the contractors are preparing their bids.
I am practicing saying, "ain’ no #*%! way."
PMO
©2011
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Concealed
Texas has allowed concealed handgun licenses for a number of years. The process is not difficult, provided you can pass the background check and have the money for all the fees and the class. There is a 12 to 15 hour class required where you learn law and prove a minimum of proficiency with a handgun.
Virginia now is offering a non-resident license that is accepted by 27 states including Texas. The background checks, fingerprints, etc are required, but the entire class is online and takes about an hour. What is wrong with this picture?
I have been shooting handguns for many years and I can tell you that just because you have one, doesn’t mean you know how to shoot it. It ain’t like what you see in the movies. I have seen police officers at a range I visit that can’t shoot as well as I can. And, I am not all that great.
Guns are nothing more than a tool. If you own a band saw and don’t know how to use it, you’re probably known as "lefty" or "old two fingers." It is my opinion that any state that issues a license should require a minimum of 8 hours training in gun safety and proficiency, before you could apply for a permit.
As a grumpy old man, and even before I was, I have been and always will be a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment. It is because of private citizen gun ownership that we still have some freedom in this country. I see "mail order" permits as an open door for the Federal Government to step in and take over all licensing.
We all know what happens when the Feds get involved with anything.
PMO
©2011
Virginia now is offering a non-resident license that is accepted by 27 states including Texas. The background checks, fingerprints, etc are required, but the entire class is online and takes about an hour. What is wrong with this picture?
I have been shooting handguns for many years and I can tell you that just because you have one, doesn’t mean you know how to shoot it. It ain’t like what you see in the movies. I have seen police officers at a range I visit that can’t shoot as well as I can. And, I am not all that great.
Guns are nothing more than a tool. If you own a band saw and don’t know how to use it, you’re probably known as "lefty" or "old two fingers." It is my opinion that any state that issues a license should require a minimum of 8 hours training in gun safety and proficiency, before you could apply for a permit.
As a grumpy old man, and even before I was, I have been and always will be a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment. It is because of private citizen gun ownership that we still have some freedom in this country. I see "mail order" permits as an open door for the Federal Government to step in and take over all licensing.
We all know what happens when the Feds get involved with anything.
PMO
©2011
Monday, September 3, 2012
Grumpy Old Dog
We are still doggie sitting until my daughter gets her yard and fence completed. "Sparky" is a Corgi and he is a grumpy old dog. I am not sure if he was that way when he got here or if he has learned from me.
He much prefers to be left alone, except at meal time. I try to feed him each morning around 8:00. He has now decided that is when I am supposed to feed him. Sparky is at the back door and gets upset if I am late. And, he wants a pat on the head after his meal. The remainder of the day, he has no interest in socializing with humans. His time is devoted to barking at anything he sees outside the fence, like rabbits, squirrels, birds, other dogs, horses, sheep and the occasional opossum or racoon. He will chase anything; like bumble bees or wasp. Anything that annoys him, gets a good chase or at least a good bark; kind of like a grumpy old man.
I like Sparky. We have a lot in common.
PMO
©2011
He much prefers to be left alone, except at meal time. I try to feed him each morning around 8:00. He has now decided that is when I am supposed to feed him. Sparky is at the back door and gets upset if I am late. And, he wants a pat on the head after his meal. The remainder of the day, he has no interest in socializing with humans. His time is devoted to barking at anything he sees outside the fence, like rabbits, squirrels, birds, other dogs, horses, sheep and the occasional opossum or racoon. He will chase anything; like bumble bees or wasp. Anything that annoys him, gets a good chase or at least a good bark; kind of like a grumpy old man.
I like Sparky. We have a lot in common.
PMO
©2011
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Labor Day
Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September. Originally, it was to celebrate various labor associations’s strengths and contributions. Back in 1882, the first labor day stemmed from the Central Labor Union’s desire to create a holiday for workers. Today, it is largely a day of rest.
Most people mark Labor Day as the end of summer with one last chance for a trip or outdoor activities. There are still a few places where communities celebrate with fireworks, barbeques, and sporting events. Football season "officially" begins.
A dying tradition is that Labor Day ends the season for wearing white, especially white shoes. And, down south, the custom was to wear a straw cowboy hat from Memorial Day until Labor Day, then switch to a felt hat until the next Memorial Day. Since I don’t wear a hat, that never affected me. And, since I usually had only one pair of shoes, what ever the color was, I wore them.
Today, we have a problem with Labor Day. Since it is estimated that only about half the country really works, the workers will soon be out numbered by the non-workers. Does that mean that we should get only half a day off?
Or, we could just celebrate Non-Labor Day. Instead of getting one day off, everybody would get 182.5 days off.
I’m working on a plan for the other holidays too.
PMO
©2011
Most people mark Labor Day as the end of summer with one last chance for a trip or outdoor activities. There are still a few places where communities celebrate with fireworks, barbeques, and sporting events. Football season "officially" begins.
A dying tradition is that Labor Day ends the season for wearing white, especially white shoes. And, down south, the custom was to wear a straw cowboy hat from Memorial Day until Labor Day, then switch to a felt hat until the next Memorial Day. Since I don’t wear a hat, that never affected me. And, since I usually had only one pair of shoes, what ever the color was, I wore them.
Today, we have a problem with Labor Day. Since it is estimated that only about half the country really works, the workers will soon be out numbered by the non-workers. Does that mean that we should get only half a day off?
Or, we could just celebrate Non-Labor Day. Instead of getting one day off, everybody would get 182.5 days off.
I’m working on a plan for the other holidays too.
PMO
©2011
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