A couple of weeks ago I put ‘weed and feed’ on my lawn. Just trying to kill two rocks with one bird - is that how that goes? Anyway, I timed the application when it was supposed to rain, and it did. I thought this is perfect. Wrong. Apparently the little granules didn’t know their job. Nothing happened. The weeds continue to thrive and the grass just did nothing.
So, I decided that I would give the weeds another shot. I got out my trusty sprayer and carefully measured the ‘weed killer’ for my type of lawn. Now, I have to wait again. But, while I had the sprayer out, it seemed like a good time to spray those pesky bugs. If you don’t remember a previous post, we have every known bug and some that only exist in my yard. This time, I carefully measured the mixture - one whole bottle to about a gallon of water. I want those bugs dead. And, it they have to suffer, that would even be better. And again, I have to wait and see.
If the weeds and bugs are not dead in the morning, I’m spraying them again.
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Government vs Terrorists
Justin Wilson, a comedian back in the old days, told stories about Cajuns. He was half Cajun. One of my favorites involved Beaudreaux. That’s pronounced, ‘boo-drow." It’s like phideaux is pronounced, ‘fido." Beaudreaux asked another Cajun, "how come you told me that lie?" The other Cajun replied, "which one?" Which is the subject today. When we peasants ask the government, "how come you told me that lie?", the only response can be, "which one?"
You may not realize how Americans ignore lies from politicians, but it is alarming. Would you repeatedly do business with someone that constantly lies to about their product or service? How would you react to a spouse that told you nothing but lies? Why then, are there so many people that keep going back to government for solutions? Ronald Reagan said, "Government is not the solution. Government is the problem."
A couple of polls recently revealed that almost half the country still trust the government to keep them safe from terrorists, even if it means giving up constitutional rights. But, the trend is changing. A Fox News survey reveals for the first time since May, 2001, more Americans answered no to the question, "Would you be willing to give up some of your personal freedom in order to reduce the threat of terrorism?" The survey, April 16, 2013, revealed 45 percent said no with 43 percent answering yes. This compares to 71 percent agreeing to sacrifice personal freedom, after the 9/11 attacks.
A similar poll conducted April 17 and 18 discovered the change in attitudes. Forty eight percent worry the government will go too far in compromising constitutional rights to investigate terrorism.
The Fox News poll broke down the responses by political affiliation. Democrats were more willing to give up personal freedoms. However, independents were the most resistant with only 29 percent willing to sacrifice freedom, while 58 percent were opposed.
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserves neither liberty or safety." - Ben Franklin
The next time you hear anything from the government/politicians, ask the question, "How come you told me that lie?"
It appears that the difference between government and terrorists just may be, the terrorists kill you quickly, but government drags it out for years.
PMO
©2013
You may not realize how Americans ignore lies from politicians, but it is alarming. Would you repeatedly do business with someone that constantly lies to about their product or service? How would you react to a spouse that told you nothing but lies? Why then, are there so many people that keep going back to government for solutions? Ronald Reagan said, "Government is not the solution. Government is the problem."
A couple of polls recently revealed that almost half the country still trust the government to keep them safe from terrorists, even if it means giving up constitutional rights. But, the trend is changing. A Fox News survey reveals for the first time since May, 2001, more Americans answered no to the question, "Would you be willing to give up some of your personal freedom in order to reduce the threat of terrorism?" The survey, April 16, 2013, revealed 45 percent said no with 43 percent answering yes. This compares to 71 percent agreeing to sacrifice personal freedom, after the 9/11 attacks.
A similar poll conducted April 17 and 18 discovered the change in attitudes. Forty eight percent worry the government will go too far in compromising constitutional rights to investigate terrorism.
The Fox News poll broke down the responses by political affiliation. Democrats were more willing to give up personal freedoms. However, independents were the most resistant with only 29 percent willing to sacrifice freedom, while 58 percent were opposed.
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserves neither liberty or safety." - Ben Franklin
The next time you hear anything from the government/politicians, ask the question, "How come you told me that lie?"
It appears that the difference between government and terrorists just may be, the terrorists kill you quickly, but government drags it out for years.
PMO
©2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Bugs
As spring time springs in East Texas, I am discovering lots of bugs and spiders. So far I’ve seen 27 million species of spiders. Yes, I counted them. My least favorite are the ones that hide under the eaves of the house and then "spidy jump" down on you. Going outside is a real adventure because of all the spider webs. And, after you walk through them and hopefully get out alive, they are already re-weaving behind you.
There are bugs that crawl, fly, jump and just lay there waiting for someone to come by. Yes, we do live on a lake and bugs are to be expected. But this place is an entomologist dream come true - entomologist is a fancy word for people that study bugs. They’re usually kinda buggy themselves.
We have critters that swarm every morning and every evening. And, then there are those that just gather when ever they want to. They can make a windshield about as transparent as solid steel in seconds. Don’t turn on the wipers.
I used to wonder why people in East Texas burned something every spring. Now, I know. They are setting up a smoke screen to keep the bugs away when they go out for the morning paper.
Make that 27 million and one spider species.
PMO
©2013
There are bugs that crawl, fly, jump and just lay there waiting for someone to come by. Yes, we do live on a lake and bugs are to be expected. But this place is an entomologist dream come true - entomologist is a fancy word for people that study bugs. They’re usually kinda buggy themselves.
We have critters that swarm every morning and every evening. And, then there are those that just gather when ever they want to. They can make a windshield about as transparent as solid steel in seconds. Don’t turn on the wipers.
I used to wonder why people in East Texas burned something every spring. Now, I know. They are setting up a smoke screen to keep the bugs away when they go out for the morning paper.
Make that 27 million and one spider species.
PMO
©2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Nice Kitty
The Sideshow - A tiger briefly escaped at the Shrine Circus in Salina, Kansas last week. According to the Salina Journal, Jenna Krehbiel has just finished watching the big cat show when she excused herself to visit the restroom. Around the same time, one of the cats managed to escape and wandered into the restroom ahead of her.
"You don’t expect to go in a bathroom door, have it shut behind you and see a tiger walking toward you," Krehbiel said. "I saw the tiger; at most two feet in front of me, and I turned around calmly and walked back toward the door. Someone opened the door and said, "Get out.’" She got out.
Yes it was scary for her, but her 3 year old daughter didn’t exactly recognize the seriousness of the situation. "My daughter wanted to know if it had washed its hands," she said. "That was her only concern."
Let me assure you that if I walked into a restroom and came face to face with a tiger there would be a washing.
Laundry.
PMO
©2013
"You don’t expect to go in a bathroom door, have it shut behind you and see a tiger walking toward you," Krehbiel said. "I saw the tiger; at most two feet in front of me, and I turned around calmly and walked back toward the door. Someone opened the door and said, "Get out.’" She got out.
Yes it was scary for her, but her 3 year old daughter didn’t exactly recognize the seriousness of the situation. "My daughter wanted to know if it had washed its hands," she said. "That was her only concern."
Let me assure you that if I walked into a restroom and came face to face with a tiger there would be a washing.
Laundry.
PMO
©2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
George Jones
George Jones was born September 12, 1931 in a log house near Saratoga, Texas. He died April 26, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Waylon Jennings once said, "If we could all sound like we want to, we’d all sound like George Jones."
No need to wonder, nobody is gonna fill his shoes.
PMO
©2013
Waylon Jennings once said, "If we could all sound like we want to, we’d all sound like George Jones."
No need to wonder, nobody is gonna fill his shoes.
PMO
©2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Education?
Fox News - Outraged parents say a New York middle school instructed young females to ask one another for a lesbian kiss and boys learned how to spot young sluts - in an anti-bullying presentation on gender identity and sexual orientation. According to Todd Starnes report, the children attended a special April 11 health class taught by college students at Linden Avenue Middle School in Red Hook, N.Y. Parents say they were not notified of the presentation.
Some of the young female students said they were told it was common for 14-year old girls to have sex and their parents couldn’t stop them. And, parents of middle-school boys were equally upset by the schools on condom usage and determining whether a girl is a slut by what she wears and how many dates she has.
Red Hook Central School District Superintendent Paul Finch said the focused on "improving culture, relationships, communication and self-perceptions," according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Finch said it is mandatory that the middle school teach those issues in accordance with the state’s Dignity for All Students Act.
What ever happened to going to school to learn to read, write and do some math? Occurrences such as this happen everyday in the public schools in this country. It is only the few that get reported. What does it mean? It means that Nikita Krushchev was right. "We will destroy you from within." Without firing a shot. Don’t worry, there is nothing you can (will) do about it. It’s only the future of America.
Wait! Isn’t that where you live?
PMO
©2013
Some of the young female students said they were told it was common for 14-year old girls to have sex and their parents couldn’t stop them. And, parents of middle-school boys were equally upset by the schools on condom usage and determining whether a girl is a slut by what she wears and how many dates she has.
Red Hook Central School District Superintendent Paul Finch said the focused on "improving culture, relationships, communication and self-perceptions," according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Finch said it is mandatory that the middle school teach those issues in accordance with the state’s Dignity for All Students Act.
What ever happened to going to school to learn to read, write and do some math? Occurrences such as this happen everyday in the public schools in this country. It is only the few that get reported. What does it mean? It means that Nikita Krushchev was right. "We will destroy you from within." Without firing a shot. Don’t worry, there is nothing you can (will) do about it. It’s only the future of America.
Wait! Isn’t that where you live?
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Be Careful
In life one learns many things, like come in out of the rain and don’t poke a sleeping tiger with a sharp stick. And, you should learn to be careful of what you hope for, because you might get it. Case in point is my friend Fred. I learned that Fred is running for mayor of the city where he resides. While I live hours away, I might drive over and vote for him - you don’t have to have an ID to vote. It would be the least I could do since I canceled a contract with his company several years ago. His prices were too high. He understood and we have remained friends.
It is beyond my tiny brain to grasp why anyone would want a public office. Fred is a good Christian man and wants to do well for the city. I’m sure that he thinks that he can make a difference and I sincerely hope he does. But Fred, what are you thinking? Running for mayor? You just might get elected.
Then, what are you going to do?
PMO
©2013
It is beyond my tiny brain to grasp why anyone would want a public office. Fred is a good Christian man and wants to do well for the city. I’m sure that he thinks that he can make a difference and I sincerely hope he does. But Fred, what are you thinking? Running for mayor? You just might get elected.
Then, what are you going to do?
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Arrested
Fox News and WOWK TV in Charleston West Virginia report a story about an eight grade student being arrested. He didn’t fight, vandalize school property or even cheat on an exam. He wore a NRA tee shirt to school.
According to the reports, one of Jared Marcum’s teachers told him that he would have to take the shirt off because it had a picture of a gun on it. The Logan County School District’s dress code does not prohibit such a shirt. But, Jared was arrested and taken to jail as well as being suspended from school. The school has refused to speak to the television station or other media, but did tell Fox News that the boy was arrested for "disrupting the educational process." Question: exactly what kind of "education" is going on in that school?
The boy’s parents have a lawyer and are trying to get the charges dropped. They then will reportedly pursue a suit against the school.
Similar events happen everyday in schools across the country. You want to know where young people get crazy ideas, look at the schools. A child’s nursery rhyme pretty well sums it up. "All the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again." Is it too late to save the schools and the country?
Sure looks like it.
PMO
©2013
According to the reports, one of Jared Marcum’s teachers told him that he would have to take the shirt off because it had a picture of a gun on it. The Logan County School District’s dress code does not prohibit such a shirt. But, Jared was arrested and taken to jail as well as being suspended from school. The school has refused to speak to the television station or other media, but did tell Fox News that the boy was arrested for "disrupting the educational process." Question: exactly what kind of "education" is going on in that school?
The boy’s parents have a lawyer and are trying to get the charges dropped. They then will reportedly pursue a suit against the school.
Similar events happen everyday in schools across the country. You want to know where young people get crazy ideas, look at the schools. A child’s nursery rhyme pretty well sums it up. "All the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again." Is it too late to save the schools and the country?
Sure looks like it.
PMO
©2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Puff Puff
Yahoo!News - An estimated 80,000 people attended Saturday’s "420 Rally" inside Denver’s Civic Center Park. They were celebrating Colorado’s decision to legalize the recreational use of cannabis, aka "pot." At precisely 4:20 p.m. CT, thousands simultaneously exhaled marijuana smoke into the air, creating a haze visible several blocks away.
The fact that smoking pot in public is still against the law didn’t seem to matter. Nor did the laws against selling marijuana, as vendors set up shop offering several varieties of the plant, smoking pipes and even turkey legs. You gotta have lots of munchies.
Apparently not everyone was "chilled" because three people were shot, but none of the injuries were thought to be life threatening. I don’t know if the investigating police officers got in on the "haze" or not. If they did, they may volunteer to work that event again next year.
Now instead of "hard liquor and handgun nights"at the local watering hole, they’re going to have "pot and pistol parties."
PMO
©2013
The fact that smoking pot in public is still against the law didn’t seem to matter. Nor did the laws against selling marijuana, as vendors set up shop offering several varieties of the plant, smoking pipes and even turkey legs. You gotta have lots of munchies.
Apparently not everyone was "chilled" because three people were shot, but none of the injuries were thought to be life threatening. I don’t know if the investigating police officers got in on the "haze" or not. If they did, they may volunteer to work that event again next year.
Now instead of "hard liquor and handgun nights"at the local watering hole, they’re going to have "pot and pistol parties."
PMO
©2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Internet - Not
We have two internet providers at our house because my financial controller works from home and must connect to Dallas. The phone company was our first service, until they got so bad we thought we were going to have to resort to smoke signals. Then we connected to a cable service. It was great for a couple of months. Twice the speed and always there. Not anymore. It went down yesterday and came back this morning and then down again. Calling customer service is a joke - not a funny one. All we get is, "we’re sorry for the inconvenience" and "we don’t know when service will be restored."
Because there is no real regulation on internet service providers, they can pretty well do what they want or don’t want to do. Since governments want power, why don’t they forget guns and focus on something useful like making providers actually provide. There is no reason for them to provide what they promise in the sales department. I would be willing to help write the punishment clause for non-compliance, to any such laws. First offences would be a public flogging and get worse from there.
America is connected by internet providers, wether we like it or not, to be lied to, cheated, abused, misused, ignored and insulted. Not to mention being terribly overcharged - especially in rural areas. Phone companies are regulated on voice service, but not internet. It’s time that the market demand providers deliver what they promise and reliability.
That’s my soap box for today. Now if I can get a connection, I’ll send it to you.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
PMO
©2013
Because there is no real regulation on internet service providers, they can pretty well do what they want or don’t want to do. Since governments want power, why don’t they forget guns and focus on something useful like making providers actually provide. There is no reason for them to provide what they promise in the sales department. I would be willing to help write the punishment clause for non-compliance, to any such laws. First offences would be a public flogging and get worse from there.
America is connected by internet providers, wether we like it or not, to be lied to, cheated, abused, misused, ignored and insulted. Not to mention being terribly overcharged - especially in rural areas. Phone companies are regulated on voice service, but not internet. It’s time that the market demand providers deliver what they promise and reliability.
That’s my soap box for today. Now if I can get a connection, I’ll send it to you.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
PMO
©2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Sail Away
We have never been on a cruise. My financial controller has suggested that we might do that someday, but a little research reveals that they won’t let you fish off the boat. Why would you get in a boat that you can’t fish from? And, we are not travelers. There was a time that she all but refused to fly and I hated to drive. Now, she likes to fly and I don’t. I still hate to drive, except into the desert southwest which is about as exciting as watching paint dry to everyone but me.
My friend Robert likes to take cruises. I think he would go to Oklahoma if they offered a cruise there. Last week he went on another one. Of course, I asked if he took the cruise line that is having so much trouble with their ships, and he did not. But, Robert did a little planning. Since ships seem to have a lot of plumbing problems, he made sure he got a room with a balcony, just in case the plumbing didn’t work.
You just can’t outsmart a Louisiana farm boy.
PMO
©2013
My friend Robert likes to take cruises. I think he would go to Oklahoma if they offered a cruise there. Last week he went on another one. Of course, I asked if he took the cruise line that is having so much trouble with their ships, and he did not. But, Robert did a little planning. Since ships seem to have a lot of plumbing problems, he made sure he got a room with a balcony, just in case the plumbing didn’t work.
You just can’t outsmart a Louisiana farm boy.
PMO
©2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Explain To Me
Please explain to me why network televison must carry live coverage of an event such as the search for the bomber in Boston. I’m not talking about breaking in when something happens. I am talking about hour after hour of nothing but stupid questions and showing the same pictures. Just how many times do they think viewers want to see a truck drive up and down a street, or phone interview someone locked inside their house. One of the stations had some woman ask, "what have you and your husband been doing?" They don’t ever want me to answer that question should circumstances occur.
It apparently never occurs to them, since they are the elite media gods, that few if any people want to watch absolutely nothing. We have sitcoms for that - watching absolutely nothing. Don’t these people have something else to do? Maybe they could get into the house where the woman and her husband are doing something and check out her dog and three cats.
I think I know the answer to my question. It’s the same answer to a lot of questions.
You can’t fix stupid.
PMO
©2013
It apparently never occurs to them, since they are the elite media gods, that few if any people want to watch absolutely nothing. We have sitcoms for that - watching absolutely nothing. Don’t these people have something else to do? Maybe they could get into the house where the woman and her husband are doing something and check out her dog and three cats.
I think I know the answer to my question. It’s the same answer to a lot of questions.
You can’t fix stupid.
PMO
©2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Politics And Guns
You may heard that the Prez is visibly upset that the latest attempt to circumvent the 2nd Amendment did not pass. He has vowed to keep on fighting until he gets his way. Accusing the NRA and allies of lying he indicates he will continue the fight.
Here come my questions. Did prohibition stop the manufacture or drinking of alcohol. Do speed traps stop people from speeding? Both points demonstrate that even if you prohibit something, people will get it. And, if you nanny them to make them mind, they won’t.
We have laws that strictly prohibit murder. Guess what? Murders happen everyday. There are so many gun laws, that are usually observed by gun owners, that it takes a mountain of paper just to print them. If you’ve never been to a gun show, let me be the first to enlighten you. There are background checks before you are allowed to purchase a gun.
Reality is that no amount of laws will prevent some people from killing other people. Just look at Boston. And, there is no way to prevent events like this from happening. Law enforcement is not a force to prevent crime, only investigate it. If they are going to prevent crimes, each man, woman and child would have to be assigned a police officer on a 24/7/365 basis. And, that wouldn’t work either.
I am tired of being made to look like a criminal because I own a gun. If law abiding citizens are all going to become criminal because of the few that are, we are going to need a lot of jails. With all the working people in jail, who’s going to pay taxes? The politicians haven’t thought about that.
They rarely think. Apparently it hurts when they do.
PMO
©2013
Here come my questions. Did prohibition stop the manufacture or drinking of alcohol. Do speed traps stop people from speeding? Both points demonstrate that even if you prohibit something, people will get it. And, if you nanny them to make them mind, they won’t.
We have laws that strictly prohibit murder. Guess what? Murders happen everyday. There are so many gun laws, that are usually observed by gun owners, that it takes a mountain of paper just to print them. If you’ve never been to a gun show, let me be the first to enlighten you. There are background checks before you are allowed to purchase a gun.
Reality is that no amount of laws will prevent some people from killing other people. Just look at Boston. And, there is no way to prevent events like this from happening. Law enforcement is not a force to prevent crime, only investigate it. If they are going to prevent crimes, each man, woman and child would have to be assigned a police officer on a 24/7/365 basis. And, that wouldn’t work either.
I am tired of being made to look like a criminal because I own a gun. If law abiding citizens are all going to become criminal because of the few that are, we are going to need a lot of jails. With all the working people in jail, who’s going to pay taxes? The politicians haven’t thought about that.
They rarely think. Apparently it hurts when they do.
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Another Plan
If there is one thing I have learned in life, it is, plans change. No matter what I have planned for today, next week or even before I get through writing this note, the plan will change. Everyone I know tells me that I have to be flexible and go with the flow. At my age, I am not flexible and I don’t know which way the flow is going. I usually find myself going against the flow.
My usual approach when I wake up in the morning is to "fight the biggest fire." I simply attack what ever seems to be the biggest threat to my well being. And, as each day goes along, the threats increase - like the internet service goes off, the phone quits working or I can’t find the mustard for a sandwich.
Today, I woke up a little early. I went over all the "fires" that had to be put out or at least beaten down to a mild rage. As I put my feet on the floor, I came up with another plan. I went fishing.
I love it when a plan comes together.
PMO
©2013
My usual approach when I wake up in the morning is to "fight the biggest fire." I simply attack what ever seems to be the biggest threat to my well being. And, as each day goes along, the threats increase - like the internet service goes off, the phone quits working or I can’t find the mustard for a sandwich.
Today, I woke up a little early. I went over all the "fires" that had to be put out or at least beaten down to a mild rage. As I put my feet on the floor, I came up with another plan. I went fishing.
I love it when a plan comes together.
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Boston
I am like millions of other American when I say, "has the world gone crazy?" What kind of person would set off bombs to kill and maim people for no apparent reason. Reality is that there are evil people, some of them mentally ill, but some are just evil. The tragedy at the race in Boston is further evidence that we may be heading for a new normal that no one can believe. Things like this just don’t happen here. But they do. And they have been happening around the world for a long time.
Now all the talking heads are doing their best to point to someone, some group or to something to blame. Another shot of reality, we collectively are to blame. You cannot take away the foundation of this country without society falling. And, when you add that the solutions offered by politicians to curb the violence will have nothing to do with fixing the problems, then the inevitable will happen.
I’m just waiting to hear all of the how's and whys government is going to offer now. Don’t be surprised if they want to ban two liter soft drinks and add more taxes to tobacco as the only solution.
Just who are the crazy people?
PMO
©2013
Now all the talking heads are doing their best to point to someone, some group or to something to blame. Another shot of reality, we collectively are to blame. You cannot take away the foundation of this country without society falling. And, when you add that the solutions offered by politicians to curb the violence will have nothing to do with fixing the problems, then the inevitable will happen.
I’m just waiting to hear all of the how's and whys government is going to offer now. Don’t be surprised if they want to ban two liter soft drinks and add more taxes to tobacco as the only solution.
Just who are the crazy people?
PMO
©2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Weather or NOT
Here I go again on weather prognosticators. These soothsayers in East Texas just don’t ever get it right. Well, to be honest, they do get the day of the week right. As I mentioned in a previous missive, I just keep channels until I find a weather forecast I like. It really doesn’t matter though. It won’t be right either.
Weather is important to me because I go outside and I like to know what to wear. There is nothing sadder than an old man in a pair of shorts and a flowered shirt standing in a foot of snow. And, when you grow tomato plants, it would be nice to know if it really is going to rain.
Many years ago, I heard a truism, "only fools and new comers predict the weather in Texas." I guess I am expecting too much. I think it was George Carlin as the "hippy-dippy weatherman that said the forecast for tomorrow is wide spread light during the day and mostly dark at night.
I don’t think the folks on TV here could even get that close.
PMO
©2013
Weather is important to me because I go outside and I like to know what to wear. There is nothing sadder than an old man in a pair of shorts and a flowered shirt standing in a foot of snow. And, when you grow tomato plants, it would be nice to know if it really is going to rain.
Many years ago, I heard a truism, "only fools and new comers predict the weather in Texas." I guess I am expecting too much. I think it was George Carlin as the "hippy-dippy weatherman that said the forecast for tomorrow is wide spread light during the day and mostly dark at night.
I don’t think the folks on TV here could even get that close.
PMO
©2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Pay Up
It’s that time again - income tax day. The day half of the country hates and the other half loves. The half that loves taxes is the side that doesn’t pay anything. Obviously the side that hates taxes is the one that pays for the other side to do whatever they do or don’t do.
I would like to suggest that for those that pay taxes, the form be simplified. A few years ago I saw the ideal form. All you have to do is put your name, social security number and how much you earned. Then you send the IRS a check for the whole amount. And, why not a form for the other side - it’s the least they could do - that asks for name, social security and how much you want.
Remember April 15 is the due date for filing. The tax code is 73,000 pages. If you want to get full benefit of legal deductions you may want to start reading. Now!
Oh well. Page one.
PMO
©2013
I would like to suggest that for those that pay taxes, the form be simplified. A few years ago I saw the ideal form. All you have to do is put your name, social security number and how much you earned. Then you send the IRS a check for the whole amount. And, why not a form for the other side - it’s the least they could do - that asks for name, social security and how much you want.
Remember April 15 is the due date for filing. The tax code is 73,000 pages. If you want to get full benefit of legal deductions you may want to start reading. Now!
Oh well. Page one.
PMO
©2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
New Project
One of my problems - there are too many to list - is that I try to be helpful. There was a need for someone to handle a community email bulletin board in our little commune. Sounds like a simple job and I opened my mouth and said I would help. I really need to spend more time not talking.
All one has to do is forward emails that come into a central point to about 400 other members. In today’s world, there are about a million reasons you can’t do that. If you try it on any server, the email won’t go. Because of the long recipient list, it is recognized as spam. Everyone knows spam is bad. Unless it’s fried.
Fortunately there are servers set up to accomplish such a task. Unfortunately, they are not user friendly. And, there is no help desk. At least, I haven’t found it yet. To send a single email, there are about fifteen steps one has to take. And, in this case you have to have two sessions - one for the original and one for the sending server. The last time I cut and pasted so much I was in the first grade.
We all hate getting mail we don’t want. Now I hate sending mail.
Next time I will pretend I don’t speak the language.
PMO
©2013
All one has to do is forward emails that come into a central point to about 400 other members. In today’s world, there are about a million reasons you can’t do that. If you try it on any server, the email won’t go. Because of the long recipient list, it is recognized as spam. Everyone knows spam is bad. Unless it’s fried.
Fortunately there are servers set up to accomplish such a task. Unfortunately, they are not user friendly. And, there is no help desk. At least, I haven’t found it yet. To send a single email, there are about fifteen steps one has to take. And, in this case you have to have two sessions - one for the original and one for the sending server. The last time I cut and pasted so much I was in the first grade.
We all hate getting mail we don’t want. Now I hate sending mail.
Next time I will pretend I don’t speak the language.
PMO
©2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Free Newspaper
My neighbor, Jack, works in the DFW area and is only at his home here in the promise land a few days per month. He cancelled his subscription to a newspaper, but the carrier continued to throw one in the driveway. He called several times, but the paper keeps on coming. He doesn’t get a bill and he doesn’t pay - he cancelled the subscription.
Since he is away, I used to gather the papers and place them on his porch - out of sight. In one of our conversations, he told me the story I just told you. And, he said, I should take the papers and read them if I wanted to. Well, a free newspaper is not a bad deal. So for the past several weeks, I check to be sure he is not home and I take the paper and read it and dispose of it properly. That keeps him from having a bunch of papers on his porch.
Now that I’m used to reading the blame thing, when Jack comes home I miss the next issue or two. Last week he came over to the fence, to chat, I asked if he had gotten "my" paper.
I have a plan. I always have a plan.
I’m going to call the paper and cancel the subscription I don’t have, and see if they will deliver directly to me.
PMO
©2013
Since he is away, I used to gather the papers and place them on his porch - out of sight. In one of our conversations, he told me the story I just told you. And, he said, I should take the papers and read them if I wanted to. Well, a free newspaper is not a bad deal. So for the past several weeks, I check to be sure he is not home and I take the paper and read it and dispose of it properly. That keeps him from having a bunch of papers on his porch.
Now that I’m used to reading the blame thing, when Jack comes home I miss the next issue or two. Last week he came over to the fence, to chat, I asked if he had gotten "my" paper.
I have a plan. I always have a plan.
I’m going to call the paper and cancel the subscription I don’t have, and see if they will deliver directly to me.
PMO
©2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Racist
I’ve been following a story in the Dallas Morning News about a club in Grand Prairie. It seems that the city is trying to revoke the club’s liquor license. According to the News, police have been called to the club over 120 times during the past year, for complaints ranging from fights to shootings. Police Chief Steve Dye says, "This is far many more police calls for service than any of the area bars combined." And, an undercover officer bought illegal drugs from one of the club’s security personnel.
The owner of the property is taking legal steps to evict the tenant for nonpayment of rent.
The city officials are being called racist. Why? The club owner is a Latino woman and the clientele are mostly black.
I ask you, "if that is not racism, what is?"
PMO
©2013
The owner of the property is taking legal steps to evict the tenant for nonpayment of rent.
The city officials are being called racist. Why? The club owner is a Latino woman and the clientele are mostly black.
I ask you, "if that is not racism, what is?"
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Fishing Trip?
Well, it happened. I had to take my 90 year old father-in-law fishing. We caught a couple of small fish, but now he wants to go again. In fact, he said, "If I lived here, I’d go fishing every day."
And, he sure does like our house and the food. Is this a sign of things to come?
One of these days, I’m going to get old. Or, maybe not.
It does take some adjusting to having the in-laws in for a stay. But, I try to be patient, which for me is like having a tooth pulled without drugs. I just try to remember that it was my mother-in-law that introduced me to the theater - not the movie theater. My first live production experience was ‘My Fair Lady", and I was hooked.
My father-in-law has contributed life enrichment life lessons too - "Don’t force it. Use a bigger hammer. And, if you can’t fix it with duct tape or a hammer, it’s an electrical problem."
Well at least he didn’t fall into the lake.
PMO
©2013
And, he sure does like our house and the food. Is this a sign of things to come?
One of these days, I’m going to get old. Or, maybe not.
It does take some adjusting to having the in-laws in for a stay. But, I try to be patient, which for me is like having a tooth pulled without drugs. I just try to remember that it was my mother-in-law that introduced me to the theater - not the movie theater. My first live production experience was ‘My Fair Lady", and I was hooked.
My father-in-law has contributed life enrichment life lessons too - "Don’t force it. Use a bigger hammer. And, if you can’t fix it with duct tape or a hammer, it’s an electrical problem."
Well at least he didn’t fall into the lake.
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The AP
Newsmax reports that just two days after dropping the term "illegal immigrant" from its style book, the Associated Press has announced that its entry for "Islamist" has been revised. In case you don’t know what the AP style book is - it’s a guide that journalist use to write "correctly."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has long lobbied for the term to be dropped because it is often used to negatively describe conservative Islamic political movements - Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, the group’s Palestinian offshoot, according to US News & World Report.
The AP sent out an alert to its online subscribers that "Islamist" should not be used as "a synonym for Islamic fighters, militants, extremist or radicals."
The term "illegal immigrant" no longer applies. One may use "illegal immigration." Thereby using "illegal" only to describe an action, not an individual.
Still think that news isn’t slanted and doctored?
Silly rabbit.
PMO
©2013
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has long lobbied for the term to be dropped because it is often used to negatively describe conservative Islamic political movements - Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, the group’s Palestinian offshoot, according to US News & World Report.
The AP sent out an alert to its online subscribers that "Islamist" should not be used as "a synonym for Islamic fighters, militants, extremist or radicals."
The term "illegal immigrant" no longer applies. One may use "illegal immigration." Thereby using "illegal" only to describe an action, not an individual.
Still think that news isn’t slanted and doctored?
Silly rabbit.
PMO
©2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Security Report
As some of you may have figured out by now, I look at everything differently. Today, I offer this example. We get a monthly report from our community, compound, commune or whatever it is that we live in. I read the security report and will now update you on some of what happened during the past month.
During the past month, there have been 13 emergency medical service calls. These were caused by sick people.
There were 4 loose dogs reported and 2 barking dogs. I do not know if the barking dogs were barking at the loose dogs.
There was one incident of dog verses cat. No mention of which one won. The cat does want a rematch.
There was a possible theft of 5 gallons of gas. Now that prices are down, this crime wave is expected to slow down.
There were two suspicious circumstances reported. So that’s why security is now following me around.
There were two door to door solicitation incidents. At the average age of the residents, I don’t think they can go out to be solicited.
There were two golf cart misbehaves. Both carts have been sternly talked to. If they misbehave again, it may be necessary to let the air out of their tires.
I am not making these up. I did add the comments on my own.
And, I didn’t even mention the vandalism. A stone lion was overturned or a stoned lion overturned. I have not seen any lions but that does not mean they don’t come here to get stoned.
The reason for such a low crime report is that we have our own militia. There are hundreds of old men that have to get up in the middle of the night to go pee, so there is always somebody on duty. And, they are armed. Everyone has a set of golf clubs.
You do not want to be smacked with a nine iron.
PMO
©2013
During the past month, there have been 13 emergency medical service calls. These were caused by sick people.
There were 4 loose dogs reported and 2 barking dogs. I do not know if the barking dogs were barking at the loose dogs.
There was one incident of dog verses cat. No mention of which one won. The cat does want a rematch.
There was a possible theft of 5 gallons of gas. Now that prices are down, this crime wave is expected to slow down.
There were two suspicious circumstances reported. So that’s why security is now following me around.
There were two door to door solicitation incidents. At the average age of the residents, I don’t think they can go out to be solicited.
There were two golf cart misbehaves. Both carts have been sternly talked to. If they misbehave again, it may be necessary to let the air out of their tires.
I am not making these up. I did add the comments on my own.
And, I didn’t even mention the vandalism. A stone lion was overturned or a stoned lion overturned. I have not seen any lions but that does not mean they don’t come here to get stoned.
The reason for such a low crime report is that we have our own militia. There are hundreds of old men that have to get up in the middle of the night to go pee, so there is always somebody on duty. And, they are armed. Everyone has a set of golf clubs.
You do not want to be smacked with a nine iron.
PMO
©2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Oh Happy Days
As I write this missive my financial controller has just completed a three hour drive to pick up her parents to come and stay with us for a few days. She will stay overnight and head back in the morning, so I still have time to run away from home. Don’t get me wrong, my in-laws are good people and I’ve been hanging around them almost all my life. But, she’s 86 and he’s 90 and there is a "generation gap."
First, he wants me to take him fishing. It has been a few years since I took him fishing, because the last time, I spent most of the time we were out, watching to be sure he didn’t fall into the water. He’s a big man and I am not. If he falls in, about all I can do is mark the spot so the EMS will have a place to start looking.
Next, I have noticed that there is a plan for our diet to change. We now have a small truck load of shredded wheat and bananas. Not to mention the loaves of wheat bread. It looks like pasta is on the way too. I hate pasta! I’m guessing there will be no chili, ribs or good old American steak while they are here.
And, here’s the kicker. It seems that neither of them can get in and out of a tub very well. Our guest bath has a tub/shower. So, the decision has been made they will use my shower.
I just hope we’re not all in there at the same time.
PMO
©2013
First, he wants me to take him fishing. It has been a few years since I took him fishing, because the last time, I spent most of the time we were out, watching to be sure he didn’t fall into the water. He’s a big man and I am not. If he falls in, about all I can do is mark the spot so the EMS will have a place to start looking.
Next, I have noticed that there is a plan for our diet to change. We now have a small truck load of shredded wheat and bananas. Not to mention the loaves of wheat bread. It looks like pasta is on the way too. I hate pasta! I’m guessing there will be no chili, ribs or good old American steak while they are here.
And, here’s the kicker. It seems that neither of them can get in and out of a tub very well. Our guest bath has a tub/shower. So, the decision has been made they will use my shower.
I just hope we’re not all in there at the same time.
PMO
©2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Don't Go Into The Water
Several news sources have reported on what’s happening in Phoenix, Arizona at the public swimming pools. Life guards don’t have to know how to swim. The problem seems to be that the city used to recruit life guards from schools with swim teams. The better swimmers happen to be white. And, the kids in the pools are either Hispanic or black. Kelly Martinez, a city employee, says, "we don’t like that. The kids don’t relate; there’s language issues."
Evidently the city will spend thousands of dollars to recruit minorities, even if they are not strong swimmers. That means that 29 pools may have unqualified life guards, but they will be politically correct. The city official did mention to applicants, "we will work with you in your swimming abilities."
If this plan makes sense to you, you need to go to Phoenix and go swimming. Isn’t this like your house is on fire and when the fire trucks arrive you turn them back because the fire fighters are not the right race?
Exactly what language does a drowning person speak when their head goes under water? I don’t believe there are people that would jeopardize the lives of children just to be diverse.
Obviously I am wrong.
PMO
©2013
Evidently the city will spend thousands of dollars to recruit minorities, even if they are not strong swimmers. That means that 29 pools may have unqualified life guards, but they will be politically correct. The city official did mention to applicants, "we will work with you in your swimming abilities."
If this plan makes sense to you, you need to go to Phoenix and go swimming. Isn’t this like your house is on fire and when the fire trucks arrive you turn them back because the fire fighters are not the right race?
Exactly what language does a drowning person speak when their head goes under water? I don’t believe there are people that would jeopardize the lives of children just to be diverse.
Obviously I am wrong.
PMO
©2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Brain Washed
I listened briefly to a talk show where the subject was North Korea attacking the United States. The host mentioned that the North Korean people were brain washed. That’s why they live in absolute poverty and support the current leader - and all the past ones too.
That got me to thinking about being brain washed. Yes, the North Koreans are starving but the mere mention of the evil USA and they are ready to fight. Propaganda is a powerful tool. All governments use it. Yes, even here in the land of milk and honey.
First, politicians promise anything and everything. Then they get elected and it’s no holds barred. They use their public information machine and the dumb as a rock media to propagandize their real plan - which is to stay in power. A recent example is the "Obamacare" health plan. It was going to be wonderful and cheap. Guess what, it is not wonderful and is expensive. The full effect won’t hit the general public until next year, and by then it will be too late. By, then the politicians will find a crisis to get your mind focused onto something else.
Brain washing is a terrible thing. It can make the masses believe a lie and be willing to die for it.
I think it’s the spin cycle that does it.
PMO
©2013
That got me to thinking about being brain washed. Yes, the North Koreans are starving but the mere mention of the evil USA and they are ready to fight. Propaganda is a powerful tool. All governments use it. Yes, even here in the land of milk and honey.
First, politicians promise anything and everything. Then they get elected and it’s no holds barred. They use their public information machine and the dumb as a rock media to propagandize their real plan - which is to stay in power. A recent example is the "Obamacare" health plan. It was going to be wonderful and cheap. Guess what, it is not wonderful and is expensive. The full effect won’t hit the general public until next year, and by then it will be too late. By, then the politicians will find a crisis to get your mind focused onto something else.
Brain washing is a terrible thing. It can make the masses believe a lie and be willing to die for it.
I think it’s the spin cycle that does it.
PMO
©2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Motley Lotto
I do not know how many lotto games there are, but my guess is ‘a bunch.’ A recent Motley Fool article in the Dallas Morning News addressed lotto’s and the odds. I am a big fan of Motley Fool so I took notice.
It seems that math professor Tyler Jarvis has explained the California lottery with odds of about 1 in 18 million: "If you have to drive 10 miles to buy a ticket, you are three times more likely to be killed in an automobile accident on the way, than to win the jackpot."
It is also interesting to note that many lotteries, Texas included, market the games by promoting that the funds go to education. Lotteries are a tax on people that are really bad in math. Apparently they don’t use lotto money to teach math.
The Fool might agree, "a fool and his money are soon parted." I’d like to know how a fool got the money in the first place.
Probably from the government.
PMO
©2013
It seems that math professor Tyler Jarvis has explained the California lottery with odds of about 1 in 18 million: "If you have to drive 10 miles to buy a ticket, you are three times more likely to be killed in an automobile accident on the way, than to win the jackpot."
It is also interesting to note that many lotteries, Texas included, market the games by promoting that the funds go to education. Lotteries are a tax on people that are really bad in math. Apparently they don’t use lotto money to teach math.
The Fool might agree, "a fool and his money are soon parted." I’d like to know how a fool got the money in the first place.
Probably from the government.
PMO
©2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
No Jesus Picture
The Columbus Dispatch - A recently controversial painting of Jesus that has hung in school hallways in Jackson since 1947 is coming down. Jackson City School officials believed that freedom of speech was on their side in defending against a law suit that asserted it was an unconstitutional endorsement of Christianity.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and the Freedom From Religion Foundation representing the suing parents and student, are seeking legal fees as part of the lawsuit. Superintendent Phil Howard said that their insurance company had denied coverage in the matter and the school could not risk taxpayer money to fight the suit.
According to the story, the Hi-Y Club which owns the painting had displayed the painting in what is now the Jackson Middle School since 1947. The club recently asserted its right to move the painting and display it in the current high school.
So, there you are boys and girls. Another step by a single complainant to change what the majority want or are at least not offended by has taken away the right to do so.
The problem in getting older is that you see, if you pay attention, all the little pieces fall into place to form a nation that is contrary to what made this country great. And, you notice that it is more often than not, an attack on what is or was deemed good, or just made sense.
I can walk down any street in any town in this country and be offended by something or someone. Perhaps I should get with the ACLU and all the other anti-everything groups and start suing. After all, their sole purpose is to gather money to support their organizations. I think in this case, I’ll just let Jesus take care of it.
He just may take the student and parents pictures down in heaven.
PMO
©2013
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and the Freedom From Religion Foundation representing the suing parents and student, are seeking legal fees as part of the lawsuit. Superintendent Phil Howard said that their insurance company had denied coverage in the matter and the school could not risk taxpayer money to fight the suit.
According to the story, the Hi-Y Club which owns the painting had displayed the painting in what is now the Jackson Middle School since 1947. The club recently asserted its right to move the painting and display it in the current high school.
So, there you are boys and girls. Another step by a single complainant to change what the majority want or are at least not offended by has taken away the right to do so.
The problem in getting older is that you see, if you pay attention, all the little pieces fall into place to form a nation that is contrary to what made this country great. And, you notice that it is more often than not, an attack on what is or was deemed good, or just made sense.
I can walk down any street in any town in this country and be offended by something or someone. Perhaps I should get with the ACLU and all the other anti-everything groups and start suing. After all, their sole purpose is to gather money to support their organizations. I think in this case, I’ll just let Jesus take care of it.
He just may take the student and parents pictures down in heaven.
PMO
©2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Not On Time
Last week I got a call from one of my readers - I have two. She wanted to know why I was late posting the blog. Usually, I post about 4 p.m.. But, not that day and a lot of days lately. It seems that there just two many things happening. I could bore you with details, but you must already be bored or you wouldn’t be reading this.
When you become a grumpy old man, you just don’t have much time. I think it has something to do with daylight saving time. I am watching my watch to see if somehow there’s more than 60 minutes in an hour. There must be because when I get up and have my morning coffee, I’ve only been up for an hour before it’s noon. But, that rule only applies to the mornings because if I take an afternoon nap, I only get about 30 minutes in an hour.
There is no need for me to check with other grumpy old men, because I know they have the same problem. Hence from this day forward whatever time I post the blog, it will be on time.
Unless it’s late.
PMO
©2013
When you become a grumpy old man, you just don’t have much time. I think it has something to do with daylight saving time. I am watching my watch to see if somehow there’s more than 60 minutes in an hour. There must be because when I get up and have my morning coffee, I’ve only been up for an hour before it’s noon. But, that rule only applies to the mornings because if I take an afternoon nap, I only get about 30 minutes in an hour.
There is no need for me to check with other grumpy old men, because I know they have the same problem. Hence from this day forward whatever time I post the blog, it will be on time.
Unless it’s late.
PMO
©2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Moving Again
If you are planning a trip to New York City, and you want four star accommodations, you may select from The Waldorf, The Pierre, The Plaza or one of the city’s homeless shelters, according to a story in the New York Post. "People pay $3000 for an apartment here, and I get to live here for free!" said Michal Jablonowski, who moved back to the city from his native Poland three years ago. He stays in a Bowery shelter.
According to the story, residents get free: food, three meals a day and some times four; a room with a microwave and TV; medical care; a cell phone with up to 1000 texts; and laundry service. I really like the laundry service.
Some residents say it’s better than working 9 to 5 because you get more. And, Florida snow birds have discovered it may be better to stay in the city. Florida’s resources are a lot more restrictive. If there was such a place in Texas, I would be there.
There is a nine month limit on staying in a shelter, but it apparently is not strictly enforced. Some family members are going there this summer and I’m going to have them check it out. They will save a lot of money. And, I want to know if there are any fishing spots before I move.
Also, I will have to learn the language.
PMO
©2013
According to the story, residents get free: food, three meals a day and some times four; a room with a microwave and TV; medical care; a cell phone with up to 1000 texts; and laundry service. I really like the laundry service.
Some residents say it’s better than working 9 to 5 because you get more. And, Florida snow birds have discovered it may be better to stay in the city. Florida’s resources are a lot more restrictive. If there was such a place in Texas, I would be there.
There is a nine month limit on staying in a shelter, but it apparently is not strictly enforced. Some family members are going there this summer and I’m going to have them check it out. They will save a lot of money. And, I want to know if there are any fishing spots before I move.
Also, I will have to learn the language.
PMO
©2013
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