New Year Resolution

I, myself, do hereby declare, resolve, aim, intend, plan, commit, pledge, and promise with unquestionable will, not to make any New Year resolutions.

Signed,

Me

PMO
©2016

Worse Drivers

On a local news channel, there was a report that Texas is tied for first place with Louisiana on having the worse drivers in the country. A study reportedly using data from the National Highway Safety Administration included a number of factors to determine the result, including the number of death per million miles driven.

Furthermore, the report stated that Smith County, Texas is the second worse drivers in the state. My abode is on the western edge of Smith County, and I can testify that drivers in this area are horrible - worse than Dallas and Houston combined.

The number one worse county in Texas was not reported.

I have to find out, because I do not want to go there.

PMO
©2016

Russian Hackers

With all the attacks on the Russians about causing Hilldawg Clinton to lose the election, I have serious local concerns. We have an election for some new directors on our little commune board. For those that believe that the Russians caused Hilldawg to lose, I am asking for some help.

We actually vote by completing a ballot and taking it to the club office and depositing it into a metal ballot box - with a lock on it. Because we can’t afford to hire extra security, it would be helpful if volunteers would stand guard 24/7 to ensure that there is no hanky panky with the votes. It should be easy to spot any Russians that sneak in to alter the vote or cause someone to vote for a particular person.

Russians don’t dress like they do here at an East Texas golf club. And, they don’t talk like the people here either.

How do you say, "y'all" in Russian?

PMO
©2016

Honestly

Is there such a thing as an honest person? I mean a genuine honest about everything person. Probably not. If there was an honest person, how would he or she deal with society?

"Honesty is the best policy," we’ve been told. I would say that I would agree with that. But, what would happen if everyone, even politicians, were totally honest? What would happen? The world would look a lot different and how we deal with each other would be most interesting.

I’m not suggesting that everyone would go around telling everyone about how they had not been honest. What I’m saying is that when asked, you would tell the honest truth, regardless of the consequences. Just imagine making a deal on a used car like that. One can only imagine the implications.

The divorce rate would skyrocket, but you could get a good deal on a used car.

PMO
©2016

Christmas Gifts

I believe that my ace number one daughter (only child) kept an annual dollar value of stuff she got for Christmas. The expectation was to get more next year. And, she always did. Now she has two daughters that don’t keep up with the dollars, but the time. They like to open presents - for hours and hours. My financial controller does all she can to see they get as many presents as possible - about all you can haul in a crew cab pickup. Sometimes with a trailer.

As for me, I don’t have any wants or expectations. Maybe that’s why I don’t get a lot of presents. This year I did get a surprise, a new skillet. Yes, I said skillet. The kind you cook with. I needed a new skillet. Oh, I’m not a great cook, or even an average one, but to my knowledge, no one has died yet. Gotten sick, is another thing. My old skillet needed replacing but I’m too cheap to buy one until I have to - like when the handle falls off and all the food burst into flames.

And, I got an Echo. That’s one of those things that you can ask a lot of questions. It even keeps a grocery list, sets an alarm or timer, or if you have some the add on’s, it will turn the lights on and off. By the time I learn everything it will do, I will be too old to remember to use it.

Right now, I’ve got it looking for recipes to cook in a new skillet.

PMO
©2016

Leave

A number of celebrities said they would leave the county if Trump got elected. They didn’t. No one ever thought they would. They are not exactly reliable on anything they say.

Then there’s "Mooch’elle." She has no hope now. Remember, before Obama was elected, she had never been proud of this country. I don’t know if she would have been proud if Hilldawg had won, but I am assuming that she would have hope.

"Mooch" just needs to get in a quick multi-million dollar trip on the tax payers before she has to move out. She can have her legion of assistants pack up all the dishes, drapes, furniture, rugs, and drapes while she is away.

Maybe "Mooch" and all the celebrity experts can start their own country somewhere far away from here.

The media would certainly have something new to talk about.

PMO
©2016

Christmas Prayer

Lord, it’s me again. Begging for forgiveness and mercy. You know, just like I do everyday. I know you think that someday I will straighten up and maybe get through one day. Keep on hoping and I will keep on trying, but let’s not get our expectations to high.

I can be especially trying to others this time of year, but hey, they get on my nerves. When the in-laws and outlaws gather, it can be nerve racking. I suspect that one or two of my relatives get on your nerves too. I’m sure that you have some extra forgiveness and mercy this time of year. So, please Lord, send down a double load with a really big sack of patience. I need all the help I can get. But, you already know that.

If nothing else, keep my mouth shut.

Amen

©2016

Happy Birthday

In 1958 cartoonist Stan Lynde launched a comic strip called "Rick O’Shay." It was about a young deputy sheriff and the people in a town named Conniption. The comic strip ran for 20 years, but I remember just one six panel strip. It stuck in my mind and every year I remember.

One of the characters was Hipshot Percussion. He was the good guy, bad guy. One Christmas, Hipshot is seen riding through town past the church, saloon, and houses. He could have stopped at anyone of them and would have been welcomed in, but he didn’t. Hipshot kept riding his horse out of town to a snow filled meadow where a bright star shown in the sky. It was there, all alone, he removed his hat and looked up at the star and said, "Happy birthday Boss."

One might need to have a little cowboy inside to understand how significant the message was, but let me try to explain the best I can. Hipshot was saying not now to all the trappings of that day and sought out a time alone with the One that really matters. He knew that in all the hustle in town he would not find the one to one peace he needed to say what he was feeling. It was personal. The way it should be.

As a boy I remember a Christmas when I was awake late into the night and I could see out my window into the cold darkness. I didn’t hear any sounds. It was especially quite and I was alone with my young boy thoughts. Then, for some reason, I became aware that I was not alone in my mind. A strange peace came over me and I knew, maybe for the first time, what Christmas is all about.

Take some time and get away by yourself where there are no distractions. Spend a few minutes or even hours.

Maybe you’ll find Christmas.

©2016

The Real Reason

It’s almost here. Christmas Holiday. Ever wonder why we have Holidays? I think Old Ben Franklin was right again.

"O! 'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments." —Benjamin Franklin (1743)

Christmas only comes once per year.

PMO
©2016

TV And Turkey

There is always some technical issue at my lean to. Computers, printers, TVs or other electronic stuff that is designed to drive me crazy. We had a wireless speaker system go out and silly me thought I would just go buy another one. Not even on Amazon can I find a wireless system. So I thought I would switch to Bluetooth. Again I was wrong. Technical reasons I won’t get into.

We decided to have another cable drop and run the speaker on a small TV to solve our problem. Sounds simple, but it’s not. After about three hours, it finally works. That’s good time for a 20 minute project. Did I mention that it has taken over a week to get a tech out? Promises made were not kept, but that is the norm these days.

Meanwhile, we had ordered a turkey for Christmas dinner. Did it show up on the day I was told. NO! You really have to stay home when someone is going to leave a turkey on your doorstep. Then, my financial controller questioned if the bird is big enough.  And, she wants some wires rerouted on the new hook up for the TV.

I now have wired the turkey up to the televison.

I’m going to get a job so I will have some time off.

PMO
©2016

Stock Price

Perhaps you may have not noticed the price of Kimberly Clark stock recently. It was up again this afternoon as this is written. Oh, Kimberly Clark makes Kleenex.

About three months ago the stock was down, but now it is on an upswing. The reason is simple. Liberals are still slinging snot and slobber. If this keeps up, I’m not sure the company is going to be able to keep up with enough production.

Rumor is that Hillary is buying Kleenex by the truck load.

Bill is becoming an angry white guy trying to keep all the used ones hauled off.

PMO
©2016

It's Better Now

Things have changed a lot since Jesus was born.  Beginning with verse 4 in the second chapter of Luke, KJV, “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”

Things are better now.  Taxes now are taken from your pay, you pay them when you buy something and if you owe more, you just mail the money to the IRS.  If you don’t, they call you in and take what they want.

See how much better it is now.

PMO
©2016

Not My President

Protesters continue to shout, "Trump - Not My President." Well, little snowflakes, then move. Pack up and move to some socialist country where you will be happy.  Obviously, millions of Americans think Mr. Trump is their president, and never thought Obama was.

The best one I’ve seen is some woman (I think) shouting, "This is my America." Meaning she has no idea of what the real America is all about.

North Korea is nice this time of year.

PMO

©2016

Christmas Shopping

You have only six more shopping days until Christmas. All the merchants wanted you to know that. But, you have a bunch of shopping days left if you start now to shop for next Christmas.

I don’t do shopping for anything except tools and fishing stuff. Since we never give tools or fishing stuff, I don’t do any shopping.

It occurs to me that since all the "snowflakes" want to do away with Christmas, shopping should be banned. That way you would have more time to log into Facebook and pickup the latest fake news, run around condemning something, eating only things that taste bad or contemplating your navel.

Come on people, Christmas is a religious holiday and we just can’t have that. Okay, we can allow radical religions to have holidays.

If you don’t, they will kill you.

Talk about the holiday spirit.

PMO
©2016

All The Same

Yogi Berra once said, “You can observe a lot just by watching.”  Yogi was seldom ever wrong.  Truth is that you can hear a lot by just listening too. 

This week I heard someone say on TV, I think, that people see God differently, but He sees us as all the same.

Some things one hears, are worth remembering.

This is one you need to remember.

PMO
©2016

Doubt Removed

There are those that believed that the Clinton candidacy was honest. There are still believe that it was. But, the events that followed the election surely has gotten some followers to thinking.

We have the CIA, FBI, Obama and his press aide, and all the media crying first one thing then another. " The election was rigged," they cry. That is a likely fact, but it was the Democrats that believed they had it fixed and Hillary could not lose.

If the election were held today, I believe that Trump would win again with numbers that this nation has never seen. America again is a sleeping giant that has been awakened.

Meanwhile, the Russians are coming.  They are after your voter ID.

The Russians are coming.

PMO
©2016

Gun Control Argument

One side of the gun control argument are those that don’t want anyone to have any guns of any kind.  Not even a Daisy Red Rider.  They contend that if no one has guns, then no one will be murdered - certainly not with a gun.  On the other side are those that want everyone to not only have a gun but to wear it openly everywhere.  Their theory is that if everyone has a gun, few if any people will shoot someone for fear of being shot themselves.

With just one eye open it is easy to see that both sides are wrong.  Yes, you can go out and get statistics and to support either argument, but reality is that people murder people even if they have to do it with a rock.  And you might make a note, a skilled archer can pick off people with a bow and arrow up to 200 yards very easily.  That sort of dismisses the idea of stopping mass shootings with sniper attacks.

Since neither side is right, what is the answer to more shootings every year?  Change people.  Until people are willing to live by rule of law and morals are ingrained in them, they will continue to get worse.  It’s been going on since Adam and Eve time.

I, of course, am on the side of allowing those that want guns to have guns and them that don’t, don’t.  When Texas allowed concealed handguns, I signed up and endured the training classes.  And, personally I believe more training should be required.

“To shoot or not to shoot,” that is the question.

The answer is, I want to be able to shoot if I have to.

PMO
©2016

American Jobs

Mr. Trump made a deal with Carrier to keep jobs from moving out of the country.  Is it a good deal or bad?  There certainly are a lot of valid arguments on both sides of the question.  From the comfort of my reclining office chair, I see a danger in making such deals.

First, a tax break is not a tax break.  Corporations don’t pay taxes. Consumers that buy products pay whatever the taxes may be.  Next, keeping jobs in America is desirable, but the question arises as to what the cost would be.  Higher wages and material cost equal higher product cost.  Corporations really don’t care so long as they can maintain a desired margin of profit and consumers still buy their products.

The reason that illegal immigration is so high is simply cheap labor.  By lowering labor cost, profits are easier to make.  When you raise cost, the consumer suffers, inflation runs amok and everything is basically left at status quo - companies making profits.

The reason that we have a negative trade balance is that other countries have cheaper cost.  And, that’s why so much of what we buy is not make in America.  By keeping jobs in America, can it be that foreign goods will be more in demand?  Add tariffs to reduce the imbalance and the consumers lose.

Trade balance is a tricky and sticky wicket.  Yes, most anyone wants to keep jobs and make “made in America” mean something again.

But does that justify $15 an hour for flipping burgers?  You won’t be able to afford to buy a hamburger.

Business wants to cut cost.  Government needs to cut cost first.

Lower taxes means benefit to consumers.

PMO
©2016

More Blame Game

The Russians and about a million others have been hacking our government servers, according to "news" reports. And, the media is trying to support the current administration by joining in the blame game by pointing here and there to somebody, somewhere at sometime. All of which are the fault and responsibility of the Trump supporters, according to the talking heads.

Reality check. Who has been in charge of the secure servers for the past 8 years? You only get one guess.

Let me be perfectly clear. Obama was on watch.

PMO
©2016

Blame Game

It is business as usual in Washington D.C. to blame someone else when you do something bad or stupid.  Such is the case of the Democrats right now.  They blame the Russians for losing the election. 

It could have been the FBI or the CIA or even the tooth fairy.  How about the KKK, the Fox News channel  or maybe George W. Bush.  All the donkeys know for sure is that it wasn’t their fault.

Because liberals ignore facts and distort what they don’t want to see, they have obviously over sighted the real reason they lost.

It was the deplorables.

PMO
©2016

Term Limits

Term limits for congress has been discussed and cussed since I can remember.  It is often mentioned that the term for some in elected office should be life in prison.  I’m inclined to support that.

Currently the way congress works is that representatives are elected for two year terms.  Senators are elected for six years.  And, the president is elected for four.

While the president is limited to two terms in office, there is no such restriction on representatives and senators.  This is why we have career politicians that have no idea what the real world is like.  People being people, when they get into a position of power, they like it.  They don’t want to give it up and they want more power.

The current system allows for individuals to work themselves into power and with the help of lobbyist, some become very wealthy.  Influence in congress is for sale.  It has been reported that lobbyist write more legislation than congress does.  Talk about pay to play.

It would seem that if representatives were limited to two terms and senators to one, the temptations for serving self would be tremendously reduced.  We need to control congress, not congress controlling us.

Further more, the benefits of being elected are tremendous - retirement and insurance.  And, don’t forget the opportunities to become lobbyist themselves.  Mr. Trump is currently planning to prevent that little tidbit.  Going to congress was never intended to be a life time job.  Congressmen and women should serve the people for a short period and then go back to the farm where they can participate in the legislation they pass.

By now you should have come to the conclusion that I have lost my mind.  It will never happen.  But, if enough people apply enough pressure, it could be a lot better.

A simple step is to get all 50 states to agree that they will not allow anyone to represent their state except for two terms as representative and one as a senator.

You’re right. I have lost my mind.

PMO
©2016

Life Expectancy

The government announced this week that the life expectancy in this county has declined. This was the first time since 1993 that the death rate increased. The higher death rate in ‘93 was reportedly because of AIDS and the flu.

According to the report the death rate for men went from 76.5 to 76.3 years while women changed from 81.3 to 81.2 years. Demographers are all in a tizzy over the drop, even though it is in tenths. They see it as a possible trend which does not match the rest of the industrialize nations.

As one might expect, there has to be a cause. Scientist see the obesity ‘epidemic’ as a possible threat in areas like heart disease, strokes, diabetes and possibly Alzheimer’s. All I can think of is, "We must ban everything, or tax it."

Truth is that other countries still smoke, eat what’s bad for you, like bacon, and drink more than they should. We are catching up on the drinking.

My only conclusion about all this is the difference between the men and women death rates. Men die younger. They always have.

It’s because they want to.

PMO
©2016

Education

We place a large importance on education in this country, but it does not appear that the quality of education is important.  You can get a PHD in basket weaving or some other worthless pursuit.  Our education system focuses on social engineering instead of the basics of what it takes to survive in a world you would want to live in.

Education does not mean knowledge.  In the old days some folks were referred to by saying, “He’s been educated beyond his intelligence.”  Knowledge is education that is useful to one’s self and everyone else.  Knowledge requires education with experience and understanding that the world is not going to be your happy or safe place and you must adapt to making the world better in a peaceful logical manner.

Unless our education system reverts back to teaching the 3 r’s, we will continue to fall behind in knowledge.

Knowledge is power.

PMO
©2016

The Best

There have been, by my estimate, millions of comments about the outcome of the Presidential election.  I  have read a few hundred or thousand myself.  But only one stands out and I don’t remember who said it.

“The Democrats haven’t been this upset since the Republicans freed the slaves.”

PMO
©2016

December 7

It was just another relaxed Sunday morning at Pearl Harbor until all hell broke loose and an unprepared nation was plunged into war. We now remember those that died and those that lived with remembrance that there were those that said we would never be unprepared again. But, we are.

In the comic strip "Family Circus" one of the children ask the question, "Who was Pearl Harbor?"

We better remember, or we will never forget.

PMO
©2016

Maybe The Reason

There is usually a cause for things that happen. Such is the case for human behavior and especially radical left wing liberal progressive behavior. While conducting some research on medications recently I ran across the following information:

The prescription drug Wellbutrin side effects include: Confusion, fainting, false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts, having extreme distrust of people, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, seizures (convulsions),trouble concentrating, anger, assaulting others, attacking others, being aggressive and, being impulsive.

Maybe that’s why some people behave the way they do.  Even in public or on TV.

Note to doctors:  Quit prescribing this drug.  You're killing the rest of us.

PMO
©2016

Why?

As an official grumpy old man, I wonder if anyone ever wonders why grumpy old men are grumpy. Almost all of the other grumpy old men that I’ve met are really just teddy bears. But, for some reason they present a grumpy front.

If one really has a genuine and caring interest to know, perhaps all it would take is to ask. But, be prepared for the answers you may get.

And, there may be answers the "grumpies" won’t give you.

Those are the ones that make them grumpy.

PMO
©2016

Smart Car

My financial controller got a new vehicle recently that came with a monitoring service.  It’s one of those services that calls if you have an accident or you call for assistance.  And, each month or so, it sends out an email report about the vehicle.

The latest report stated it’s almost time for an oil change, but the engine, transmission, air bags and all that stuff are okay.  It did mention that the tires were low and how much air they have and what they need.  Of course we still have to manually drive this car, so I guess we are not driving the latest and greatest.

With all the technology on this vehicle, I expect to get a report that tells me what I had for lunch while driving. 

Just imagine, a printed report that warns, “When you have bean burritos, roll down the windows before you eat them.

PMO
©2016

Snowflakes

In case you may have missed it, we now have a new generation.  Snowflakes.  And, they are definitely flakes. 

The “Snowflake Generation,” is a term referring to the young adults of the 2010s, who are perceived as more prone to taking offense and less resilient than previous generations.  They can’t deal with adversity or hardship of any kind.  Their approach is to go to a safe place and be all warm and fuzzy.


They are usually found on college campuses where they are taught to be offended and hide from anything that may cause them to feel uncomfortable.

I don’t know who came up with the term “snowflakes” but it’s easy to see that a great injustice is being done by teaching young people to run home to mama.

Snowflakes melt very easily.

PMO
©2016

Freedom Of Speech

"Everybody is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people's idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage." Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Sir Winston was right again.  Such is the time we live in.  Only radicals and extremist have the right to free speech.  The recent BLM protest and riots are just one example.  They do not want others to say that Blue Lives Matter or All Lives Matter.

Typically radical and extremist operate on the principle of I am right and you shut up.  They think the one that talks the loudest wins.  Not for one millisecond do they think that anyone else has the right to free speech.

The “Donald” has said that anyone that burns the flag should be punished.  Yes, I agree with him, but if such action is freedom of speech, which it isn’t, then those that commit these acts have the right.

Just because you have the right to do something doesn’t mean you should do it.

PMO
©2016

Nancy

There is a comic strip called “Nancy.”  I do not intend to offend anyone, especially the comic strip, but Nancy Pelosi reminds of the comic strip (not in appearance.)  She thinks she is something she is not.

Ms. Pelosi has been re-elected as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.  You may recall at one time she was Speaker of the House.  Remember, she said congress needed to pass the “Obamacare” bill so we can see what’s in it.  Are you beginning to see the similarities between Pelosi and “Nancy” in the comics?

Bottom line is that Pelosi being re-elected is good news.  She’s going to help a lot of republicans get elected.

And, may cause some Democrats to switch.

PMO
©2016

Focus Group

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I got involved with a group of members of our little commune to discuss improvements on the club house.  Well, we had a meeting and it was typical.  The intended focus of the group was to be on needs to improve the facility but it wasn't - that's typical
.
First we had to address items such as lighting, which is the only real reason I was there.  Someone did recognize that we have some dark spots outside that need lighting.  Then they turned their attention to the inside and complained about the lights in our large banquet room.  A man said that we needed to change out the lights with LED replacements.  I told him that we did that two years ago.

The subject of handicap parking spaces came up and two women assured us that there were some people that were not really handicapped using the spaces - even though they have a tag for their cars.  These two should open a medical practice.  They can tell by just looking at someone if they are handicapped or not.

It was mentioned that we need to tear out the stage in the banquet room because we need more room.  That raised the question of where entertainers and speakers were to perform.  That didn’t deter the woman that wants that stage out.

I could go on and on and tell you only that absolutely nothing was accomplished in the meeting.
Well, they did decide to leave the grease trap (a sewer smells better) for the kitchen where it is.

We can put the stage over it.

PMO
©2016

Worm Them

Cajun comedian Justin Wilson told a story about two dogs laying in the yard watching a bunch of teenagers dancing to music. The kids were twisting and jerking, with nobody dancing with anybody as the music blared loud enough to be heard for miles. One of the dogs turned to the other and said, "If we did that, they’d worm us."

Such is the case with the politicians, especially now, and the media. They jerk and twist with a bunch of gibberish blaring.

Bottom line, if we really want to clean up government, maybe we need to worm them.

PMO
©2016

Remodeling

Note to myself - quit volunteering.  “Somebodies” have decided that we need to look into remodeling our club house in our little commune.  I will let you imagine the ‘somebodies.”

They have gathered a list of things that need to be considered and focus groups have been formed to investigate.  Because I am a glutton for punishment, I mentioned that I would be willing to help on items that deal with energy efficiency - structure insulation, lighting, air conditioning and all that kind of stuff.

About two years ago I did an energy audit of the building and made a list of recommendations to conserve energy.  They did replace some light bulbs with more efficient ones.

So here I go again.  Hey, it’s a work in progress.

I'm guessing they will stripe the parking lot.


PMO
©2016

Time

The songwriter said, “If time were not a moving thing.”  Truth is that time stops for no one, and that’s the  grumpy old man thought today.  How much time is wasted?  Wouldn’t it be neat that if someone is not using some time, they could give it to you?  What would get done if it were possible to gather up all the time that is wasted everyday and shift it over to something worthwhile?

Here’s a little exercise for you to do.  Take a watch or clock with a second hand, and watch it move for one second.  That’s one second that you can never live again, and when you multiply that by trillions, it adds up to a lifetime.

If you don’t use the time you have for any other reason, use it to think.

For some, that’s going to be really hard.

PMO
©2016

Still Counting

Newsweek is reporting that if Green Party candidate Jill Stein is successful in getting a vote recount in the three states, Hillary Clinton’s campaign will participate.  Lawyer Mark Elias that their action is to ensure that the process proceeds in a manner that is fair to all sides.

I want to mention right here that I have some ocean front property in Arizona for sale cheap.

Please explain why the Green Party wants a recount.

Maybe Stein has a hanging chad.

PMO
©2016

Recount The Votes

Okay people, it is time to recount the vote until Hillary wins - no matter how many times it takes.  We do live in a democracy and it’s only fair.

I’m not sure how many times it will take in Smith County Texas.  These crazy deplorables voted overwhelmingly for Trump.  And, in our little commune, where over 80% of eligible voters voted, the Republicans ran away with the vote.

Time is running out.  Hilldawg is going to have to pitch in and count a few boxes herself.

Why didn’t somebody just tell us we had to vote for her?

PMO
©2016

Arrested

Would you be willing to be arrested by a police officer that is not a citizen of the United States?  The Denver Sheriff Department will have to pay $10,000 and change its hiring policy because they exclude job candidates that are not U.S. citizens.  The good ole Justice Department has determined that the Sheriff Department violated law by requiring deputy sheriff applicants to be citizens and posted job ads with the requirement.

It seems that police departments can impose restrictions if they are the result of state law or government mandate, but not internal policies.  The candidates must have a work permit.

Over 40 states do have laws to allow hiring of citizens only, but that means there are those that don’t.  Ain’t that wonderful?

If it is okay for illegal immigrants to vote, then it must be okay for them to be police officers.  How will you know if you are arrested by such an officer.

The first clue will be they don’t speak English.

PMO
©2016

Happy Thanksgiving

It’s turkey day - hurray!  Non stop football and a house full of people.  I don’t think the pilgrims had such as deal.

This week I read a couple of short notes about thanksgiving.  First, if you could only speak two words that would please everyone, what would those words be?  The answer, “Thank you.”  Try using them with God.

Next, someone described Thanksgiving as that time of year when all your dysfunctional family gathers at your house and you hope that you won’t have to call the police.

Have a happy and safe holiday.

Keep the police on speed dial.

PMO
©2016

Generation Gap

A few days ago my number two granddaughter came home for college for no apparent reason except to eat a steak at my house and go with her sister to an event for special needs adults.  She rode home with me in my truck, which is unusual.  Since I had her attention and she couldn’t get out at 70 mph, I decided to expand her education because she is a communication major now.

I pushed the button on my CD player and selected a song that she had never heard - Convoy by C.W. McCall.  I told her to listen to it all the way through and we would discuss it.  First the poor kid barely knew that at one time CB radios ever existed.  She sure didn’t know that they ruled the roads.
I tried to explain to her that CB radios were the cell phones of the day.  One could not text or tweet.  You actually had to talk.  I don’t think she understood

Then there were the words that she had never heard of.  Words like, “a cab over Pete with a refer on.”  And, a Jimmy hauling hogs.  Pure poetry.  Her eyes glazed over when a reference was made to “shy town.”

The point was to emphasize that communication only takes place when both parties in a conversation know what the other one is talking about.  That is the rub today.  We have so much conversation and no communication.

It seems to me that more problems would be solved if people would focus on communicating and not just talking, texting or tweeting.

“Breaker one nine, this is the Rubber Duck, you gotta a copy, Pig Pen, come on”

That’s communication.

PMO
©2016

December 2011

Why Blog?

It has been said that everyone has at least one book in them. That may be true, but the trick is to get the book out of the person and onto the page. Actually, I’m glad everyone doesn’t write a book. I don’t have time to read seven billion books. And, if it is best to write about what you know, then all those books would be about a lot of stuff that I don’t know.

That brings up my next question, why would anybody want to write a daily blog? There must be some deep dark psychological reason people blog. Perhaps it is to vent about something or maybe it’s a simple as wanting to share undisputed truth and wisdom. Neither of those apply here.

When I started writing, I had only one goal in mind. I forgot what it was. So I came up with another goal, but then got sidetracked on that one. So as you see today, I try to give you insight into grumpy old men.

It is my hope that when you read all my junk, that you will laugh a lot, think a lot and sometime just wonder, "what is he talking about?"

I really do a good job on making people wonder what I’m talking about.

PMO
©2011

Drain The Swamp

President elect Trump has promised that he is going to “drain the swamp” in Washington D.C..  The American public has taken that to mean, he will expose corruption, get rid of pork barrel politics, reveal the abuses of power and take real action with prosecution of guilty parties.  I hate to tell Mr. Trump, but if the “swamp” is truly drained, there won’t be very many left - on either side.

We will have to wait and see if Trump can deliver this and other promises.  Will he fall into the political pit himself?  He better watch his step and keep his eye on the goal.

“It’s hard to focus on draining the swamp when you’re up to your rear in alligators.”

PMO
©2016

More Insanity

We live in a country where the vocal minority thinks that children as young as 3 or 4 years old have the “right” to choose what sex they want to be.  And, now the same mind set allows children in public schools to walk out of class to protest a president elect they know nothing about.

All kids know is they get out of class and have some fun - some of them think it’s fun.  But, the damage done cannot be reversed.  When children rule adults, adults and children lose.  Wake up America.  Where is this country going to be in a few years?  Today we are afraid of children.  What’s on the horizon?

I shudder to think what Mr. Estes would have done if my high school class walked out.  Mr. Estes was the principal. 

There would have been calls to parents to tell them not to come back.  But, you can’t do that today because it might offend the students.

As my deceased friend Phillip would say, “Have you lost your damn minds?”

PMO
©2016

Time Is Running Out

Some say that Stephen Hawking may be the smartest man on earth.  And, now he is saying we all need to leave earth.  Hawking recently suggested that humans find another planet to live on because, “I don’t think we will survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet.”
According to news reports Hawking has said that new technology would be the demise of humanity as we know it.  Too late!  Technology has already destroyed humanity.  We are now nothing but robots to technology.  Sooner or later someone is going to ask, “Wonder what this button does?”  Kaboom!

So if the objective is to find another planet for humans, we probably should get started.  I’d like to suggest Mars for all liberals, progressives, socialist and communist.  That way, they can all answer the question, “Are you from Mars?”

Time is wasting.

Start packing before it’s too late.

PMO
©2016

Memo

This is a memo from me to Hillary.

Hillary, you are never going to be queen. 
Nobody likes a poor loser. 
Quit encouraging the protesters. 
Charge more for speeches.

The suckers will pay.

PMO
©2016

A Trophy

The protestors against Trump continue their childish behavior.  I don’t know what they are trying to accomplish and from some interviews I’ve seen and heard, neither do they.

The best solution to the protest was heard on a DFW talk radio show.  “Just give each one a participation trophy and they will all go home.”

Home would be back to momma’s house.

PMO
©2016

Ain't Done Nothin Yet

There are thousands protesting Trump’s election.  Riots are occurring in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, New Orleans and Portland just to name a few.  As far as I know there have been no protest or riots in Big Sandy Texas.

Today, I read that there is a self avowed Marxist in Seattle that is now calling for a nation wide strike and protest on inauguration day. That would be because these people don’t have jobs and really don’t have anything else to do.

It has occurred to me that Mr. Trump ain’t done nothin yet and all this happening.  I wonder what will happen when he actually takes office.

He is going to have a really big swamp to drain.

PMO
©2016

Don't Talk Aout It

There are certain things we are taught that we do not talk about - religion and politics.  Why?  If no one talks about them, how does one learn about them?

Religion is one of the most complicated issues for a person to deal with in life.  And, it is the most simple.  Obviously, most people adopt the religion of their family, but does that make it full filling?  Does it fill the need to understand what sometimes can’t be understood and does it cause one to know that there is another dimension to life?  People search for their entire lives to find a true peace.  It is only by talking about it can one to come to the right conclusion about eternal life and how to live in this one.

Politics are exactly that - politics.  The art of getting everyone to loose so you can win, when you have no idea what you won.  Politics overcomes logic and reason and quickly forgets that the goal is the common good.  It is better to talk and understand what your friends and enemies think.

Don’t try talking about these two things to better understand them.

Nobody is allowed to talk to you about them.

PMO
©2016

Prove It

In today’s world it is not unusual for someone to say, “Prove God is real.”  Don’t be tricked into trying to point out all the evidence that exists and end up in an argument that you can’t win so far as they are concerned.

If you encounter such a person, take the high and simple road.  Just tell the person that you will prove that God is real for him/her.  Assure the person that you are going to pray and enlist others to pray that God will reveal that He is real to the person.  And, that you and the others are going to continue the prayer until such time the revelation takes place.  Then do it.

Get the person’s name, address and phone number so you can check back with them from time to time.

It will worry the person so much, that they will start to look for Him.  
               
PMO
©2016

The Reason

John Wayne said, “Life is tough.  It’s a lot tougher if you’re stupid.”  Ron White said, “You can’t fix stupid.”  The election protestors need to read these quotes over and over until they understand what they mean.

The protestors don’t have a clue that they are the very reason that Trump got elected.  The people have finally had enough of the spew that the protestors think they can force down the throats of real Americans.  Back in the day, when a two year old threw a temper tantrum, it was time for a little butt paddling.  That is so politically incorrect now days. 

Maybe we can just put them all in time out.

Five to ten years.

PMO
©2016

3X5

Okay, here’s the executive 3X5 summary that’s really all you need to know.  The Cubs won.  Trump won.  Nobody is protesting the Cubs win.  Both events were almost miracles.

Protesters are protesting against themselves.  If the American people elected Trump, and if they are Americans, they protest themselves.  Although, it may be unlikely that any of them voted.  And, if they are not Americans, then they should just shut up.

The next 100 days may be as critical as the first 100 days.

Now you are up to date.

PMO
©2016

Veterans Day

Veterans have a clear understanding of priorities.  God, country and family.  In that order.

That's why we are still free.

Remember that.

PMO
©2016

What Now?

Well we survived election day - at least some of us did.  There is about a million things I could say about this election, but I won’t say them all today.  The most important lesson in this election is simply the American people are fed up and finally stood up to the status quo of big government.  This should send a strong message to Congress to get their act together.

The reality is that people are sick of political correctness, Obamacare, the economy and outright criminal activity in government.  One side note, Obama told black audiences that for his legacy to live on, they had to vote for Clinton.  The legacy of the potty president.  We sure don’t want to forget that.

I question how many people actually voted for Trump.  It appears they voted against the establishment.  Like the Brexit vote in England.

What now?  How hard are people willing to fight to make America great again?

If voting was all there was to it, it would be easy.

PMO
©2016

Yea! Election Day

If you are thinking that election day will finally bring to an end all the “stuff”, you need to think again.  This mess will go on for quite awhile.

The best analysis of this year’s big event was shared with me by my financial controller from some source she did not name.  “This election is like two parents fighting over custody of the children.  And, all the kids want is to go live with the grandparents.”

That sums it up.

PMO
©2016

God's Will

On the eve of the craziest election ever, I often hear people say, “If it’s God’s will, then so and so will happen.”  I don’t think that’s quite accurate.  Looking back through history, was Hitler’s reign of terror God’s will?  Was the stoning of Christians by the Romans, God’s Will.  Obviously the answer to both is no.

God doesn’t want anything but the best for us.  The problem is that He gives us a free will.  That means that we get to do what we want to, in spite of His will.  If we want to destroy ourselves and bow down to evil, it is our will.  Not His.

God expects us to fight for His cause.  That is His will.  That’s why He has angels to combat evil.  Angels are really not cute little cherubs with wings.  They are not just messengers, but are fierce warriors.  And, they do His will because they are in His service.

Yes, everyone that loves this country needs to be in prayer for the country, but don’t blame God or try to explain away evil as His will, because it is not.  It is His will for those that seek office, first seek His guidance, and do that.

Going back to the history of this country, you will discover that every time that the country starts going down the toilet (so to speak), it is only by a renewal of commitment to His will that saves us.

Further determination of His will in this election is, that I don’t think He would vote for either candidate either.

PMO
©2016

Where?

The questions has been asked, “If America falls, where do you go?”  There is still no place on earth like America.  Unfortunately, America is changing rapidly to be more like the rest of the world, leaving no real choice if one is forced to seek another homeland.

I think it was Socrates that said, “The children of today are going to the dogs.”  He was right, and they still are.  What’s amazing is that somehow the world keeps on turning while people keep repeating the same mistakes that make life less than what it is supposed to be.  This is what has happened to America.

However, there is an uniqueness in America, that should give us all some hope.  No one can really tell what Americans will do.  Just when the whole country seems hell bound, something happens and America becomes great again.  Therefore, the real question is when will America wake up and get back on the track laid before us.

It needs to be before it’s too late.

If not, there is nowhere else to go.

PMO
©2016

DST

It’s that time of year again.  Time to upset the roosters again.  Daylight saving time.  Just about the time the roosters are adjusting to crowing on time when the clocks are run forward, it’s time to turn them back to real time.  Somewhere there is a radical animal rights group that is not doing their job.  If they were, we would stay on standard time year round.

Just this week while patronizing my local beauty saloon - aka barber shop - there was a woman explaining that one of her roosters had died for no apparent reason.  He was just laying in the yard, grave yard dead.

If that’s not evidence that daylight saving time kills roosters, what is?

Just the thought of changing time again obviously killed the poor guy.

PMO
©2016

Terror Threat

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement today about reports of a potential terror threat in Texas.  This reportedly is a threat about disrupting the election next Tuesday.  The Gov assured everyone that they should go about their daily lives but remain vigilant over the next several days and report any suspicious activity to state or local law enforcement.

When I heard the statement on radio, my first thought was, “Why would anybody want to mess up an election that has been a major mess from the beginning.” 

And, of course, I don’t know how one would recognize “suspicious” activity in East Texas.

PMO
©2016

Them Cubs

How about them Cubs!  Talk about breaking a streak.  What can you say?  Some have said it is better than sliced bread.

Truth is that it’s 20 years better than sliced bread because the last time they won the Series was in 1908 and sliced bread came on the market in 1928.  Just imagine.  Some day things may be better than Google.

We’re already better than Yahoo.

PMO
©2016

The Answer

Yesterday’s post defined the difference between immoral and amoral.  And, I pointed out that one presidential candidate is immoral and one is amoral.  Today, we answer the big question from “Which Is Which.” The witch is which.

But that’s my opinion based upon the facts as presented in actions and behavior.

PMO
©2016

Which Is Which

In the past couple of weeks I’ve read some writers talking about immoral versus amoral.  If you don’t know the difference, pay attention and I’ll explain it to you.

First, immoral, simply put, means not conforming to accepted standards of morality.  It is reasonable to say that most folks have committed an immoral act to some degree.  Another way of explaining is to point out that immoral people know what morals are, but do what ever they want to do anyway.

Amoral is different from immoral in a major way.  Amoral means unconcerned with right or wrong with no moral standards, restraints or principles.  People that are amoral are dangerous.  Very dangerous.

As I point out again that I am an observer, bear in mind these definitions when you go to the polls to vote.  There is no doubt in my mind that one presidential candidate has done some immoral things. 

And, one is absolutely amoral.

PMO
©2016

Computers

It seems like a million years ago that I first used a computer.  Back then, we used them to actually get work done more accurately and faster.  It was a big step up from a 26 column spreadsheet and a number 2 pencil.

But, as technology progressed, we now live in a world that is only confused about how cluttered a computer can be.  Plus, as expected, computer technology now must endure failures from the world of the internet and equipment that is built to fail.  Such is the case recently at my abode.

Our internet provider, mostly reliable - sometimes - has become a real pain in my pursuit of browsing the world for useless information and entertainment.  They have changed out the router, aka wi-fi, four times in the past three weeks.  I finally got them to install a brand new one fresh out of the box.
It was much simpler before we started all this computer stuff.  I even managed to keep my self entertained way back then.

Big Chief tablet and a number 2 pencil.

It doesn’t take much to amuse me.

PMO
©2016

Mary Jane

Back in the day marijuana was referred to as ‘Mary Jane.”  It was illegal then and still is on a federal level.  But, 25 states now have laws that allow its use for medical or recreational use.  And, on November 8, nine states will vote to allow or amend existing laws for the use of marijuana.

I would like to suggest that these laws should not have been placed on the ballots, but not for the reasons you may expect.  In light of our current political climate, it just makes sense that all states should allow the use of marijuana, at least until the end of 2016. 

Some folks might want to take a toke before voting and it would seem reasonable that everybody will need a few hits after the election.

“Hey dude, who did you vote for?”

“I like don’t remember man, but I must have lost.”

PMO
©2016

Way Back Then

Way back in 2010 the following "Brush Fires" appeared on this blog.  It seems appropriate to post it again.

Samuel Adams said, “It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men.  If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace.  May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!”

Remember Sam?  He was John’s cousin.  They and a bunch of other guys got tired of government messing in their lives so they founded a new country.  There is much talk today of the people being  tired of the Congress and the White House. 

I am not a smart man, but then I am not stupid.  I do have a couple of college degrees.  Therefore, it is natural for me to comment on the performance of our governing powers.  It is obvious that we have allowed ourselves to be governed by a bunch of people that couldn’t run a cash register at a convenience store - on the late night shift when things are slow.

Because I am an observer by nature and training, I see the brush fires starting to burn.  It doesn’t matter what your political persuasion is, if you think everything is fine, it is not. 

Just thought you might want to give some thought to it.  Maybe not.

PMO
©2010

Let's Be Honest

Okay folks, let’s be honest.  Would you invite either of the presidential candidates over for Sunday dinner?

How about taking a long road trip with either one of them?

I though so.

PMO
©2016

Just An Observation

As mentioned numerous times before, I am an observer by training and nature.  That means I look at things differently than most folks do.  And, I see things that a lot of people would miss.  It’s probably because I don’t have an iPhone stuck in my face all the time.  It’s easier for me to see what’s going on around me.

I’m not much on conspiracies, but my observation of the current Resident, is that he has done almost everything that can be done to divide this country - race against race, culture against culture and sex against sex.  One might suspect that there was some plan like, “divide and conquer.”  Why would he do that?  Open your eyes and see for yourself.

Now, we have a possibility of a new Resident that is expert at conquering.  She has proven numerous times that she is above the laws and can do whatever brings in money and power.  She knows what it takes and is always willing to do what it takes to conquer the enemy.

To rephrase Pogo, “She sees the enemy and they is us.”

PMO
©2016

Road Trip

Donald Trump has laid out his plan for the first 100 days if he is elected.  He intends to work on fixing things wrong with the economy and other stuff.  While I don’t think that Hillary has actually announced anything.  She has given indications that she will be benevolent as America’s first queen.

There’s even a rumor that Hilldawg and Elizabeth Warren have already planned a good will road trip to the peninsula of Mount Athos in Greece - home to 20 Monasteries where no women are allowed.  Obviously to get the monks to repent of their sexist beliefs.

Wait until those guys meet the “nasty women.”

PMO
©2016

Early Voting

As a rule, I do not vote early, because there is always the possibility something will happen at the last moment that would have changed my vote.  However, I have already cast my ballot. 

I was somewhat surprised at the long lines on a Tuesday morning about an hour or so before noon.  Perhaps others have taken the same position that I have.  It can be summed up by Frank Fleming, the tweeter.

"The silver lining of this election is that no matter what happens, someone who very much deserves to lose is going to."

PMO
©2016

Voter ID - Rerun

Because it's time to vote again, here is a rerun from 2011:

I know this is a stupid question, but, "What is the big deal about requiring a photo ID to vote?" This appears to be a major issue according to Fox News.com. It seems that the Democrats oppose the idea because it is not fair to minorities and the poor. But, in Rhode Island, photo IDs were approved by Democrats and a Democratic Legislature. Don’t they have any minorities or poor in Rhode Island?

It would appear that even those opposing the idea can’t agree. The problem may be that states that have had the requirement for years, find voter participation increases - including minorities.

Republicans counter the argument with the facts that it is just a matter of common sense. I don’t think you can use "common sense" as an argument anymore because very few people seen to have any.

If you have to have a photo ID to sign up for welfare, get on an airplane, buy tobacco or alcoholic beverages, or even use a credit card, then what is the issue with showing one to vote? Is it possible to live in this world today without a photo ID?

I have said all that to say this, "If there ever was any doubt about the sanity of our politicians, then this ought to remove that doubt."

I have to have an ID to get into my house. My financial controller says I don’t look like the dark haired young man she married. She often checks my birth certificate and finger prints.

Whatever the outcome of the voter ID photo issue, remember to vote and vote often.

PMO
©2016

Legacy

Obama wants a legacy for his time in office.  He could point to his economic prowess that doubled the national debt.  Or perhaps his community organizer expertise that has divided the country more than any other time in history.  How about “Obamacare” as the shining example of how to fail.

My suggestion for Resident Obama is that be recognized as the first to be remembered as the most ridiculous.

History should record him as the “Potty President.”

For a lot of reasons.

PMO
©2016

Perfect PC Joke

In the PC world, you had better not offend anyone at anytime for anything.  The PC nannies will get you even you think something, or they think you think something.  Therefore it is somewhat difficult to come up with a really good joke anymore - not that I ever came up with a good joke anyway.  However, I do believe that I have finally created the perfect PC joke.  It follows, between the quotation marks.

“                                                                                                                    ”
If you’re not laughing, you must be insensitive and mean spirited.

My spell checker didn't find anything wrong with it.

PMO
©2017

Perfect PC Joke

In the PC world, you had better not offend anyone at anytime for anything.  The PC nannies will get you even you think something or they think you think something.  Therefore it is somewhat difficult to come up with a really good joke anymore - not that I ever came up with a good joke anyway.  However, I do believe that I have finally created the perfect PC joke.  It follows, between the quotation marks.

“                                                                                                                    ”
If you’re not laughing, you must be insensitive and mean spirited.

My spell checker didn't find anything wrong with it.

PMO
©2016

ET Call Home

Don’t let that subject line fool you, I am trying to write about almost anything except politics.  So, here’s a little update on what’s happening in East Texas.

First and foremost, at Wallyworld, bags of candies are no longer in the bicycle department.  If you really look, you can find them in kitchen appliances.  And, they have a special on Coke.  The two liter bottle that is always priced at $1.50 each is now on sale, two for $3.00.  Not to worry though, bags of charcoal are still located on the toilet paper isle.

Should you venture into the pine curtain, here’s a heads up on driving.  If you stop for a red traffic light and it turns green, you may assume that it means “go.”  You would be wrong.  When the light turns green, it means that you have one minute to call “Earl” and ask him if the green ones really mean go. 

Just remember that the light is going to turn red again in one minute and 3 seconds.

PMO
©2016

Rigged

Donald Trump is in trouble again because of his mouth.  Hey, it’s a way of life for him.  This time he is proclaiming that the presidential election is rigged.  He is right and wrong.  There is and always be voter fraud.  The question is how much fraud is there.

In this and every other election, how the votes are counted is what matters.  Do you really know that your vote is counted?  How can you prove it?  Who told you, your vote counts?  Why, the government of course.

Every four years, the government allows we peons to have a little hope that we can actually change the way government operates.  LOL!!!!!  Face it folks, that’s the big issue with Trump.  He is so naive that he thinks he can change the way the government operates.

Just cast your vote anyway.  Remember, we have the best politicians that money - lots of money- can buy.

This time though, we got two from the sale rack.

Do we get a refund?

PMO
©2016

Love Test

While millions focus on the debate, I don’t.  Therefore I must come up with something else to write about.  So, I offer you this little “love test.”

If you want to know if you truly love someone, it is very simple.

Do you love them, when you really don’t want to?

PMO
©2016

27 Letters

If someone were to ask to you recite all 27 letters of the alphabet, what would the last letter be?  It’s trivia day today.  And, yes there was a time when there were 27 letters in the English alphabet. The letter is still in use today, but it is no longer considered a letter.

Up until about 200 years ago, children recited the alphabet with an extra line “and, per se, and.”  But, the letter because to be considered an abbreviation or punctuation.

Ampersand - &.

Aren’t you glad you now know that?

PMO
©2016

What I like

Should you ask what I like about Trump, I’m going to tell you.  First and foremost, he is despised by the liberal left and the media.  In a little over a year, he has single handedly lowered the credibility of the media to almost nothing.  Of course, the media didn’t have many believers to start with.

The Donald has put the Republican party in a tail spin.  They now have an identity crisis and just don’t know what to do about it. 

And, he has caused Hillary a world of misery.  In his own rude crude manner he keeps putting her in the spotlight where she does not want to be.  Polls now show that very few believe anything she says.

With all his mouth open and insert foot remarks, he has exposed the “establishment” corruption better than any politician has ever done.  And, he has stirred up the “silent majority” to a point where more and more are no longer silent.

Will Trump be elected?  No one and no poll really knows.  But credit is due for what he has been through and how he keeps on punching.

I’m hoping that if he loses, the least Hillary could do is nominate him for the Supreme Court.

PMO
©2016

UFOs

I don’t know when people started claiming to have seen UFOs, (unidentified flying objects), but they have been talking about them as far back as I can remember.  The ‘Yay’ sayers contend they are real and the government is lying about their non- existence.  While, the ‘Nay’ sayers say there are no such things and every sighting can be explained.

I have a friend that is always worried about what is really going on in Area 51, while I may think about such things every ten or twenty years.  But, I admit that it would be interesting if we were visited by beings from another planet.  Sure, it could be a wonderful experience or an indescribable horror, but maybe it would finally answer the question.  “Is there intelligent life out there?”

There’s not much here.

PMO
©2016

Medications

I am one of those people that does not do well with medications - almost any medication.  However, over the past few weeks I have had to take four prescriptions everyday.  So far - so so on the side effects.

If you haven’t noticed, when you get a prescription the general directions are printed on the label - take two by mouth before meals.  Have you ever wondered why the directions are so specific such as  “by mouth?”  I mean, what do they expect you to do with them?  I have been told by a highly unreliable source that we can all thank Harvey for this.

It seems that Harvey went to a doctor for a “discomfort” and was given a prescription for suppositories.  Harvey finished the prescription and returned to another doctor appointment.  When the doc asked Harvey if he had taken the prescription, Harvey replied, “Yep, twice a day.  But for all the good they did, I might as well have stuck them up my butt.”

Now you know.

PMO
©2016

Toilet Flush

Never in the history of America have we witnessed a presidential campaign like this one.  In the “old days” the candidates focused on things like taxes, national defense, illegal immigration and other matters that actually mattered.

Thanks to the media, today the candidates are all about things that belong in the toilet.

Please.  Somebody flush the toilet.

PMO
©2016

Reasoning

This nation was founded upon the principle that mankind has reasoning abilities and therefore is capable of being governed by themselves.  But, it has evolved into a nation that no longer reasons and takes as truth what the government and media spews out daily.  Thomas Jefferson understood that could and would happen if the people surrendered their ability to reason.

"Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the spot of every wind. With such persons, gullability, which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason and the mind becomes a wreck." —Thomas Jefferson (1822)

He also realized that two critical basics to self government can correct whatever problems arise.

"Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights." --Thomas Jefferson to Ezra Stiles, (1786)

The question is, how do we get common sense and honesty back into government?

PMO
©2016

She Lies

Hillary Clinton lies.  There is a consensus on that little fact.  But, in her words, “What difference does it make?”  And, guess what?  She is correct.

Trump is a rude, crude, loud mouth.  Again, I think almost everyone agrees on that fact.  The difference is that what he does, does make a difference - at least to the media and liberals.

So, what are voters supposed to do?  I suspect I know what they will do.  They will do what they are told and vote for Clinton, although they know, or should know, what will happen - no Constitution, no borders and no country.

It’s no consolation but Hillary will never be president of the United States because we are no longer a united people.  She will lie and pretend we are, while she knows the deplorables are growing in numbers.

Careful Hilldawg.  It will make a difference.

PMO
©2016

Rule 16

From time to time, I like to mention one of my official grumpy old man rules of life.  Today it’s rule number 16, “Admit when your wrong.”  This is one of the toughest rules for most people - especially me.

No one likes to admit when they are wrong, but unless you realize that you make mistakes, you may make more serious mistakes.

And, don’t think like one fellow that said, “I was wrong one time, when I thought I was wrong.”

PMO
©2016

Who Am I

Have you ever wondered who you are?  Twelve out of ten people never think about it, but I do.  A week or so ago I read something that made me take inventory of me. Based upon what I read, in today’s world, the following is what I came up with.

I was born white, which makes me a racist.  I am heterosexual, which makes me a homophobe.  I am a Christian, which makes me an infidel.  I think and reason so I doubt almost everything the main stream media tells me, which makes me a reactionary.  I am a fiscal and moral conservative, which makes me a fascist.  I am proud of my heritage and our inclusive American culture, which makes me a xenophobe.

I value my safety and that of my family which means I appreciate the police and that makes me a right-wing extremist.  And, I believe in the defense and protection of America by all citizens, which makes me a militarist or ‘hawk.’

Are you beginning to get the picture?  I am a confused old man that doesn’t understand how I got to be all these things.  Heck, I spent my whole life, so far, working hard and trying to do what was right.  And, that’s not the worse of me.

Now, I don’t even know which restroom to use.

PMO
©2016

Nope

Did I watch the second debate?  Nope!  While this is being written a few hours before the circus show, I know I won’t watch.  I have a weak stomach.  Blood, guts, hair and eyeballs I can stand, but not this debate.

It makes me sick to see this country at the level we are today.

Besides, Monday, the talking heads will tell us what a saint Hillary is and what a scum bag Trump is.

PMO
©2016

Guy Talk

I am not going to try to defend Trump’s latest ‘mouth’ problem, but I can assure anyone and everyone, that what he said is normal ‘guy talk’ to many men.  Trust me, I’ve heard women say things that are just as bad or worse.

How many of us, men and women, would like what we said years ago to be revealed to the world?  It’s what  one does that matters. 

If Trump had raped the woman, then he could easily become president.


PMO
©2016

There is a petition to override West Virginia’s ban on the death penalty for a 32 year old man that raped and murdered a 10 month old baby.  Benjamin R. Taylor is being held without bail in a Jackson County jail.  If convicted, he faces life in prison.  If the petition, seeking the death penalty, gets 100,000 signatures, the White House will have to take an action.

A few years ago I watched a movie titled, “A Time to Kill.”  It was the story of a father that killed the men that had raped his young daughter.  I don’t care what the liberals think, there is a time when the only justice is a good old fashioned public hanging.  Anything less means nothing.

Hang him.

PMO
©2016

Not Advertising

Exactly what kind of a product would a product have to be to get me to spend $40 on a 30oz. tumbler?  First, it would have to be solid gold.  But that’s what Roy and Ryan Seiders do everyday.  They offer products that cost 10 or 20 times the cost of others and people can’t wait to buy them.

I must have or at least have had 50 or more “gimmie” cups made out of everything from paper to cast iron.  And, they all ended up in the same place - the top of a kitchen cabinet.  Until, they were given or thrown away.  Now, I understand that quality is important, but come on people, do you really need a cooler that cost $300 bucks when you can get a pretty good one for $50?

Perhaps if you had to choose only one cup or cooler for a lifetime, you might want to spend the money.  But, I still wouldn’t.

I’d just wait until you put yours in the top of the kitchen cabinet.

Then, I could get it for free.

PMO
©2016

Inventory

At our house we have a room that is set up as an office, where I have a desk in a corner, a work table and of course computers and printers.  My financial controller sometimes complains about how my work area, which I do not understand.  It looks like my desk at work did, when I had a job.

This week I did remove a big shipping box that contained an empty shoe box from my work table.  That’s my fall cleaning project.  But, I also did a little inventory of my work area and found some stuff that may be the source of comments from others.

I have a box of ammunition, a grill brush for my charcoal grill, a mouse or two, an anti-virus software box, a Trump bumper sticker, a roll of foam door seal insulation, a copy of “Celebrating Peanuts, 65 Years, a book of “Will Rogers Wise and Witty Sayings”, stacks of file folders (some of them labeled) and about ten reams of papers stacked this way and that.  Oh, and the box that my new cell phone came in.

This is not to inform you so much about my work area, but is an inventory for me.

When I can’t find something, I can always check this blog to see where I had it last.

PMO
©2016

A Miracle

It is not unusual for people to say something is a miracle.  But, to truly be a miracle, an event must be a supernatural manifestation of God.  I don’t know if it was truly a miracle from God, but He must have had something to do with me getting out of college.

My point today is that if Trump gets elected it will be a miracle.  There are just too many against him, including the all knowing and elite media.  It doesn’t matter if he is qualified or not.  The money and the media have decided they will determine who gets to be prez.  Hillary, by all evidence, is an unrepentant criminal and offers only four more years of division of the citizens.  It doesn’t matter what she is or does.

If Trump wins, the Pope may need to declare him a saint.

I’ve seen a true miracle.  I’d like to see another one.

PMO
©2016

Going To The Dogs

It has been said that this country is going to the dogs, and now we have proof.  From the September 29th Washington Post, it seems that dog costumes are sexist.  Take a minute and let that sink in.

The Halloween costumes for male dogs are firefighter, policeman and mob boss.  Females however are directed to nurse, princess or maid costumes. “It seems silly on the surface, but this is part of a larger message we’re sending, that there are certain jobs for men and certain jobs for women,” said Scott Lawrite in the story.  She will not be ignored about gender issues.  “The career options for women - and dogs - need to go beyond pink loofahs and pink cowgirls.”

So, if you have a male pit bull, you will need to put him in a pink cowgirl costume.  That ought to cause a little excitement at the fire hydrant.

You don’t have to stop the world.  Just slow it down and I’ll jump off.

PMO
©2016

A Child

In the beginning a child adores his father, listens to what he says and tries to please him.  But, as the child grows older, there comes a time when the child will rebel against the father and refuse to take guidance and knowledge.  Then the child begins to believe that he is smarter than the father, and the father just doesn’t want him to do anything that is fun.

The time comes when the child will abandon his father’s house and seek his way in the world, never seeking advice from the father.  He will make his own decisions without regard to all that his father has taught him, forgetting how much the father loves him.

The father wants the child to stand on his own two feet and make his own way with his own free will.  But, the father dreads all the mistakes the child makes and will make, because he, the father, knows better what is good.  Yet, the child believes that he knows everything and what is better for him, never seeking the council of the father.

As the years pass, the child has set in place his way of thinking and doing what he wants to do.  Then a strange thing happens, the child starts to remember what the father taught him, and how important it is.

If he is lucky and his time does not run out, the child will turn and honor the father and understand that all the father ever wanted was for the child to understand how much he is loved by the father.

That my friends is how God and true fathers work.
PMO
©2016

Another What If

What if you lived in a country were the government was more corrupt than most “third world” countries?  And, in your country, what if public education was inferior to most other industrial nations?  Next, let’s add the class system to your country, where the poor are doomed to be poor and the rich to get richer with a middle class quickly disappearing.  Plus, jobs are being shipped out of this country to others that work for less and are better at technology.  Then, your country was invaded by hordes of illegal immigrants that destroy your social systems.  And one more.  Laws are only for those that obey them, because the elite and certain groups are immune to prosecution.

Doesn’t sound much like a place you want to live?

What if you could change it?

PMO
©2016

Grumpy

My daughter and son-in-law recently took a trip to Disney in Florida.  They brought me a tee shirt.  It has a picture of one of the seven dwarfs, with the caption, “Grumpy is not just a mood, it’s a lifestyle.”

It’s nice to be recognized.

PMO
©2016

Criminals And Idiots

The hatred of police continues to spread unchecked.  Last week a Georgia Walmart bakery refused to make a cake for a police officer’s retirement party.  His daughter tried three times to get the cake made.  The store manager ended up decorating the cake himself.

This past weekend about 40 people attacked a California Highway Patrol officer’s vehicle in Fresno when he tried to break up an illegal side show.  The officer escaped unharmed, but his vehicle received $12,000 damage.  The criminals, using profanity, yelled that they control the streets.

The criminals and idiots are taking over the institution.

I think I hear Nero playing a fiddle?

PMO
©2016

List Is Too Long

I write this blog based upon what has annoyed me on any given day at any given moment.  At this writing I have reached my limit of annoyances for today.  If I were to list them, it would certainly take up a lot of space on the page.  And, when I finished, most people would not care - okay, all would not care.

So, everybody gets the day off today.

PMO
©2016

Ready To Vote

You should be recovering from the debate, unless you actually watched it.  In that case, you may need therapy.

It is now time to get ready to vote.  There’s only about a month or so before election day.  And, there are some things you need to know about voting.  Apparently, you don’t have to be a citizen, speak English, be of voting age, have a photo ID or voter registration, nor be of sound mind.

However, you are limited to voting no more than a dozen times at the same location.

I made that one up.

PMO
©2016

Don't Do It

For some reason my generation was taught that we should not discuss religion or politics.  Seems silly to me.  Otherwise, how does one convince someone to change their thinking or beliefs?  I think that one should not allow others to go through life on the wrong side.

My mother-in-law has announced that she will vote for Hillary.  She has no reason why, but insist that’s her vote.  Far be it from me to use scare tactics to intimidate someone into changing to my way of thinking and voting.  But, she doesn’t drive any more and can’t go shopping at her favorite store unless someone takes her, she needs to carefully weight her decision.

If she votes for Hilldawg, she’ll never see the inside of Walmart again.

PMO
©2016

Debate Summarized

Even if you’re not ready, the big presidential debate is about to happen.  Now, I ask you, “Where else in the world can you get a summary of the event before it happens.”

Hillary lied.

Trump said something stupid.

Any questions?

PMO
©2016

Why Trump

The “Donald” now has the endorsement of arch enemy Ted Cruz.  That says a lot.  Cruz would not have come out and said he will vote for Trump without a reason.  Perhaps his thinking is, “We don’t know what Trump will do, but we know what Hillary has done and will do.”

Or, another way of saying it is, “What Trump says doesn’t bother me as much as what Clinton has done and will do.”

PMO
©2016

Watching TV

As mentioned before, I don’t watch a lot of television.  I try to watch a couple of news programs each day if for no other reason than to check the weather around the country.  My total exposure to new averages about 30 minutes per day.  But, I do find it interesting what I learn from TV news.

First, America sucks - according to Obama.
White people are guilty and should be damned to hell.
Trump is the devil and should be defeated at all cost.
Hillary is wonderful and should be anointed queen.
Laws are made for select people.
There are lots of legitimate reasons for riots, destruction of property and even murder.
Government is wonderful and should dictate what citizens can and cannot do.
It is evil to work hard and smart and make a lot of money.
Celebrities are experts in every field.
The Constitution is a document that should be destroyed.
Christianity and patriotism should be abolished.
Sports, especially football is more important than anything.

Want to buy a TV?

PMO
©2016

Protest And Riots

The difference between a protest and a riot is, you don’t get to destroy property and sometimes lives in a protest. 

Protestors are a bunch of people that peacefully demonstrate their dissatisfaction with an issue.  They are law abiding and respectful and are or should be treated respectfully by authorities.

Rioters are those that are not protesting anything but want to destroy and loot.  They are not law abiding nor respectful and should not be treated respectfully.

Politicians apparently are afraid of rioters.  Thus they allow the behavior to not only continue, but encourage it.

I don’t understand why.

Do you?

PMO
©2016

Survive?

The question is, “Can America survive as a country that becomes more lawless everyday?”

The answer is, “Nope.”

Hope it doesn't inconvenience you too much.

PMO
©2016

Buying Tars

In my best East Texas lingo, “I gotta git sum tars for my peekup.”  Buying “tars” (tires) is a lot like trying to buy a mattress.  There are a million brands and models, plus tires have lots of numbers to compare.  You have to check the speed rating, heat rating, load rating, treadwear, traction, and UTQG - whatever that means.  A good place to start is the tire size and when it was manufactured.  You don’t want to get the wrong size and a dry rot tire.

Everybody and anybody that sells tires like to shout they will beat anyone’s price.  The trick is you must compare prices on two “exact tires” and that would take an eternity to shop around for prices.
Once you decide upon a tire, and a price, you have to start adding additional charges.  It cost extra for air in the tires, putting them on your vehicle and stuff like that.

The only positive about buying tires is that it takes your mind off politics.  Or, maybe it doesn’t.

I’ll vote for whomever gets me free tires.

PMO
©2016

Computer Repair

My neighbor, Daniel, knows absolutely nothing about solving computer problems.  Unfortunately for him, I know a little about such things.

As time has erased my memory, I now know enough to be dangerous about diagnosing computer problems.  However, I don’t let that stand in my way of “fixing” the blame things.  I’ve already resolved some of the issues Daniel had with his laptop, but as I dug into what is happening, I discovered that I now have to go into some folders and delete files to allow updates of other files.  This is the kind of problem that I need my memory for.

However, I will have to trust the computer to have more memory than I have.  I can always just restore the machine to a previous time when it worked correctly.

Wish I could do that for me.

PMO
©2016

More Car Buying Complaints

My financial controller wants a new car, or actually a new SUV.  She wants one that is “itty-bitty” but has all the interior room of a football field.  So, I am in the process of searching for such a machine.

Other than the prices for new vehicles is ridiculous, my biggest complaint is that there is almost no visibility in new vehicles - pickups excluded.  We drove an SUV this weekend that had a hood sloped so that I, nor she, could see anything but the bottom of the windshield.  It is important to know how close one is to something in front of the car.  Don’t have a clue with the one we drove.

And, rear and side windows are so small and ‘swooped’ that one can barely tell what’s going on around the vehicle.  I suppose everyone depends upon cameras and sensors, but technology fails. 
Yes, there are many nice features on new vehicles, but again the prices go up with the equipment.  I know I am old school, but in times past, vehicles were designed to allow drivers to drive without being dependent upon some beeper going off because one can’t see the danger. 

Does this mean that younger drivers are not competent to drive?  Absolutely not.

They are busy texting and don’t want to be bothered with driving.

PMO
©2016

What A Deal

One favorite marketing tool today is zero percent interest for an extended period of time.  Taking a brief look at what really is happening, one needs to remember, “there is no such thing as a free lunch.”  The cost of whatever you buy goes up.  You don’t really think they are going to tie up their money for five or six years without a profit do you?  And, the sad part is that those that do not finance, have to pay the same higher price, but that’s even better for the seller.

Because I like cars, let’s examine what happens if you finance $30,000 at zero percent for 72 months.  In round numbers, the monthly payments are about $420.00.  At the end of the first year, there will be a balance of $25,000.  By the end of the second year, the balance due becomes $20,000.  In all probability, the car is not worth $20,000 at the end of the second year, depending on condition, etc.  It gets worse by the end of the third year.  You still owe half the loan and again the car is worth less than what you owe.

Let’s review.  You paid a higher price for a vehicle that you probably won’t want by the end of the third year, and you have no trade value.  You are now what’s called, “upside down.”  If you trade for another vehicle, the difference in what you owe and what the car value is will be added to your new amount to finance.

The really bad news is that if you bought a house full of furniture on the same “zero percent” plan, the furnishings have no value and you still owe.

While I don’t know what automobile manufacturers consider a good return on a car sale, I would expect that they are looking for at least a 10% return on their money, not counting the up front extra cost for making you such a good deal.

Marketing gurus love this plan because it works so well.

Keep trading cars and by the time you are too old to drive, you will only owe a fortune.

But, you’re too old to drive anyway.

PMO
©2016

Sound Familiar?

This week I read quite an interesting report from the Associated Press, about Uganda.  According to the report from a U.S. based watchdog group, the conflict in the South Sudan has killed tens of thousands and made millions for its leaders.  The leaders of the warring parties manipulate and exploit ethnic divisions to  drum up support for conflict that serves only the interest of the top leaders.

The report said it had obtained images of officials’ family members jet-setting and partying in five star hotels as well as some pictures of their properties abroad.

Can you imagine political leaders here using ethnic division to divide a country while they amass fortunes?

It doesn’t take much imagination.

PMO
©2016

My Dream

In one of my previous lives, I worked in radio news and freelanced TV and newspaper.  Therefore I proclaim myself to be more of an expert that the average citizen on the subject of reporting.  In fact, I proclaim myself more of an expert in the field than 99.9% of the yahoos we hear and see everyday.

My problem, if it is one, is that I went to journalism school when you failed a class if you misspelled a proper noun.  Furthermore, we were taught objectivity at all cost.  Report the whole story without slanting it the way that our subjective self do it.  I learned a lot of terrible things, like ethics.

It makes me upset to see what now is being sold as reporting.  And, as I often like to do, I dream what it would be like if I had my way.  So, my dream is to have a national network dedicated to reporting on the reporters.  I’m talking microscopic examination of what they report and confrontation when they report less than the truth.  The hard part would be getting anyone to agree to an interview on the job they don’t do correctly.  But, if done correctly, I believe that such a network would be an overnight success and either destroy the current media or force it to adjust to legitimate journalism.

The problem with my dreams, is that I wake up to the same old world.

PMO
©2016

States Attorney General

We have an Attorney General of the United States, that is appointed and controlled by whatever party happens to be in power.  Guess what folks, it ain’t working, just like a lot of other offices in D.C..
When we have a person that is supposed to be dedicated to enforcing the laws of this land, that says she will take a recommendation from one agency about the guilt of a person that blatantly flouts breaking laws, there is something wrong.

Since the states are supposed to be in charge of the Federal Government, it should be up to the states to see that the government is doing its job.  We the states need a States Attorney General, elected by a majority vote of the states.  The office would have absolute authority over investigating and prosecuting government employees at all levels.  In other words, the job would be to keep the crooks as honest as possible.

Yes, it would take a large force of investigators, but one might expect the operation cost would be less than letting  our “representatives” run amok without answering to anyone.

Will such an event ever hapen?

Nope.

PMO
©2016

Counting Deplorables

I preside over a group of retirees at two meetings per year.  The attendance is usually about 100.  The purpose of the meeting is to listen to experts in a particular field of interest and receive updates on our common benefits.

At our meeting this week, I veered off the agenda just for fun and asked the question, “Do we have any deplorables here today.”

Hilllary should know, that deplorables are very proud of being deploable.

PMO
©2016

The Reason

Perhaps you and a few million others are wondering why Donald Trump is so popular as a candidate for President.  Yes, there are supporters that are just fed up with government, but there is another segment of supporters.

Trump is crude, rude and brash.  He gets that from his environment, business and private.  But the “Donald” does what nobody else can do.  For the past 40 to 50 years Americans have been told what to think and what to say or not say.  Political correctness has and continues to destroy the fabric of the American culture.  People are simply afraid to say or do anything for fear of being chastised or even arrested.

Everyday, people are punished for saying or doing something that is not approved thinking or behavior.  Some may suffer at their jobs and even get fired.  Others get shunned by friends or family that fear they will get a negative label for just knowing the offending person.  If this sounds like communism, it is.

Trump, however, is somewhat immune to the rules laid out by liberal politicians.  He has enough money that he can’t be bought or threatened.  He is smart, and apparently has not committed any crime that he can be arrested for.  And, the big thing that makes him appealing to so many is that he can say what they would say if they were not afraid to.

This makes him entertaining to watch.

Plus, he drives the media crazy.

PMO
©2016

Deplorables

According to “Hilldawg,” if you are a Trump supporter you have a fifty percent chance of being deplorable.  She did say that half of Trump supporters are deplorable.  This means that you are deserving of strong condemnation.  You are disgraceful, shameful, unworthy, dishonorable, unforgivable, reprehensible, and unpardonable.  Funny, by definition, she just may be deplorable too.

However, let’s take a close look at the word, ‘despicable.’  It simply means, deserving hatred and contempt.  A despicable person is contemptible, hateful, disreputable, unworthy, mean, low and rotten.

Best not call Hillary despicable.

She takes great pride in that.

PMO
©2016

Never Forget