Paul Harvey broadcast this little tid-bit in 1965. I don’t think he wrote it as a prophesy, but then the devil is easy to predict.
PAUL HARVEY’S ‘IF I WERE THE DEVIL’
If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of it’s real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee.
So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’ “To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’
“And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
“If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
“Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography — soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress.
And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
“If I were the devil I’d take from those who have, and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what do you bet? I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as thee way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work, in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure.
In other words, if I were the devil I’d just keep right on doing on what he’s doing.
Paul Harvey, good day.
Guess what’s next.
PMO
©2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Illegal?
Politics is not only a blood sport, it is sometimes amusing. There are politicians running TV ads stating they will repeal Obama’s illegal executive orders of one type or another. My obvious question is, “If the actions are illegal, and some of them are, why isn’t Obama being charged with a crime?”
Now, I wondering if some average citizen commits a crime, like robbing a bank, if said citizen could just have a lawyer repeal the crime and everybody would be happy?
The thief would, of course, get to keep the money.
PMO
©2016
Now, I wondering if some average citizen commits a crime, like robbing a bank, if said citizen could just have a lawyer repeal the crime and everybody would be happy?
The thief would, of course, get to keep the money.
PMO
©2016
Saturday, February 27, 2016
We The People
I just did something that I suspect that few, if any, in Congress or the White House have done. I read the Constitution again. Back in the old days, it was required in school that we not only read it, but we had to memorize the preamble.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote
the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America.
It takes only a few minutes to read the Constitution and it is really not hard to understand. Some words are spelled differently than they are today, but the meanings are the same and clear. If only every citizen would read and understand the document that is the foundation of this country really says, it would be a different world.
Believe it or not, there is nothing in the Constitution about freedom from religion, abortion or homosexual marriage. There is the 2nd Amendment that clearly establishes the right to bear arms. And, most importantly there is nothing about being a “living document” that changes at the whim of the people or the politicians. Remember it is the foundation and one should not mess with the foundation or the structure will fall.
Take a few minutes and read it. Then tell someone else to read it.
A little commitment just might set us all back on the foundation laid by some pretty smart men.
PMO
©2016
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote
the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America.
It takes only a few minutes to read the Constitution and it is really not hard to understand. Some words are spelled differently than they are today, but the meanings are the same and clear. If only every citizen would read and understand the document that is the foundation of this country really says, it would be a different world.
Believe it or not, there is nothing in the Constitution about freedom from religion, abortion or homosexual marriage. There is the 2nd Amendment that clearly establishes the right to bear arms. And, most importantly there is nothing about being a “living document” that changes at the whim of the people or the politicians. Remember it is the foundation and one should not mess with the foundation or the structure will fall.
Take a few minutes and read it. Then tell someone else to read it.
A little commitment just might set us all back on the foundation laid by some pretty smart men.
PMO
©2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Competition Is Hot
Our little part of the universe, East Texas, must have about a billion health care facilities. And, the competition is getting intense. TV ads run continuously about new treatment centers or hospitals. Even the specialities like joint pain centers are now advertising they treat colds and the flu. Several big box stores have clinics on site.
This has to be the medical treatment center of the world. No matter what you have, there’s a treatment center for it. And, I’m getting tired of all the advertising.
It seems to me that if they really want to compete, they should think outside the box.
Something like, ‘heart valve replacement’ with a free car wash.
PMO
©2016
This has to be the medical treatment center of the world. No matter what you have, there’s a treatment center for it. And, I’m getting tired of all the advertising.
It seems to me that if they really want to compete, they should think outside the box.
Something like, ‘heart valve replacement’ with a free car wash.
PMO
©2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
R.I.P.
Dying is a part of living. It is inevitable for all of us. I’ve been to my share of funerals, as I’m sure your have. And, I have noticed a disturbing trend. Respect for the deceased and the family appears to be diminishing.
It is not unusual now for people to show up at a funeral dressed like they are going to the lake. And, some of them behave like they are at the lake. What happened to reverence and respect? There was a time when one was expected to wear black to a funeral, and I understand why that trend went away. But, shouldn’t one at least dress and act appropriately for the occasion?
Recently a man that we knew died. He was not a close friend and we did not attend the service. However, there were a number of people that we know that did attend - in their more than casual attire. And, because a number of them knew each other, they gathered for a group picture and posted it on social media.
I’m old and old fashioned, but it is a bit much to see how little respect there appears to be at these times. I’m guessing at my passing, there will be a barbeque buffet.
And, somebody will say, “I didn’t know him, I just came for the ribs.”
PMO
©2016
It is not unusual now for people to show up at a funeral dressed like they are going to the lake. And, some of them behave like they are at the lake. What happened to reverence and respect? There was a time when one was expected to wear black to a funeral, and I understand why that trend went away. But, shouldn’t one at least dress and act appropriately for the occasion?
Recently a man that we knew died. He was not a close friend and we did not attend the service. However, there were a number of people that we know that did attend - in their more than casual attire. And, because a number of them knew each other, they gathered for a group picture and posted it on social media.
I’m old and old fashioned, but it is a bit much to see how little respect there appears to be at these times. I’m guessing at my passing, there will be a barbeque buffet.
And, somebody will say, “I didn’t know him, I just came for the ribs.”
PMO
©2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Political Opinion
It is impossible to escape from all the primaries and caucuses because that’s all the talking heads want to talk about. Of course the one receiving the most coverage is Donald Trump. The media does not know what to think about Trump or what to do with him. They continue to try to destroy him but he’s like the battery bunny, he just keeps on going.
My question is, “If Trump is the answer, exactly what is the question?” Is he a great leader that will deliver us all from the chaos and corruption that we accepted in government for so long? Does he have a real plan to fix things that are wrong and bring new ideas? Do his core beliefs match those that support him? Or, is it simply that he represents a protest against the ‘establishment?’
Mr. Trump is, if nothing else, entertaining, to a point. But, does he have the skills and temperament to be the leader of this country. My opinion is no, because I’m not sure what he believe in and have no idea how he intends to do the things he says he will do. For example, he says he’s going to build a wall between the US and Mexico and Mexico is going to pay for it. Mexico’s response has been, “we don’t need no stinking wall.”
Based upon observation, and a little research, my opinion is that Mr. Trump might not be what people want him to be. There is another candidate that would be a better choice. Which one, you ask? The one that everyone in Washington hates. Ask yourself, why do they all hate him and if you try, you will come up with the answer.
Enough on politics.
It’s not politically correct to discuss such things.
PMO
©2016
My question is, “If Trump is the answer, exactly what is the question?” Is he a great leader that will deliver us all from the chaos and corruption that we accepted in government for so long? Does he have a real plan to fix things that are wrong and bring new ideas? Do his core beliefs match those that support him? Or, is it simply that he represents a protest against the ‘establishment?’
Mr. Trump is, if nothing else, entertaining, to a point. But, does he have the skills and temperament to be the leader of this country. My opinion is no, because I’m not sure what he believe in and have no idea how he intends to do the things he says he will do. For example, he says he’s going to build a wall between the US and Mexico and Mexico is going to pay for it. Mexico’s response has been, “we don’t need no stinking wall.”
Based upon observation, and a little research, my opinion is that Mr. Trump might not be what people want him to be. There is another candidate that would be a better choice. Which one, you ask? The one that everyone in Washington hates. Ask yourself, why do they all hate him and if you try, you will come up with the answer.
Enough on politics.
It’s not politically correct to discuss such things.
PMO
©2016
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Don't Think - Don't Say
Are you afraid to think and say what you think? Yes, you are, because of political correctness. We hear a lot today from politicians that proclaim that don’t care about political correctness, but each one is careful not to say anything that might offend anyone.
Exactly what is political correctness? One might boil it down to ‘critical theory’ which means that individuals have no right to think or say, only the elite are capable of doing both. In an unvarnished form, PC is a method of controlling the masses. It has proven to be very effective.
If you want to do some research, you may discover that PC did not start in the 70s or 80, but in the 20s in Germany with an elite group of Marxist. They discovered the way to beat Western culture was to simply make it unpopular or even illegal to think or say what they did not want to hear. The ‘war on women’ became part of the movement in the 20s for feminist, which excluded any women that were not feminist. Those women were treated with contempt, which is contrary to what PC is supposed to be all about.
Through the years we have been conditioned to accept hate crimes, racism, sexism, and a host of other ‘politically correct’ theories that control a population to prevent freedoms.
When you carry PC into other arenas such as economics, you see unbearable debt and fear because facts and figures are not allowed to enter into any equation that is not in line with the objective of control. When you have a nation that tries not to offend anyone and gives us security because of it, you find a nation destroyed from within.
Some examples of PC in this country are students being denied college admission because they are white or have the highest scores on admission exams. Contracts being award to unqualified companies because of their race or sex. People are placed in critical positions that simply do not have the skills, education or knowledge to do a job correctly. And, all of these apply across the board when a woman gets favoritism over a minority or vise versa. Political correctness pretends to defend rights when it takes freedom away.
We live in a nation that, as a whole, is committed to educating and training every citizen to their level of competency. We are a generous nation that spend trillions of dollars to help those that can’t help themselves. But, we are trapped by an ideology that benefits no one, even when some are convinced that it does.
If any politician can truly stop political correctness and it’s destructive impact, then that’s a politician that deserves support.
Of course, you should not think or say you support such a candidate.
That would not be politically correct.
PMO
©2016
Exactly what is political correctness? One might boil it down to ‘critical theory’ which means that individuals have no right to think or say, only the elite are capable of doing both. In an unvarnished form, PC is a method of controlling the masses. It has proven to be very effective.
If you want to do some research, you may discover that PC did not start in the 70s or 80, but in the 20s in Germany with an elite group of Marxist. They discovered the way to beat Western culture was to simply make it unpopular or even illegal to think or say what they did not want to hear. The ‘war on women’ became part of the movement in the 20s for feminist, which excluded any women that were not feminist. Those women were treated with contempt, which is contrary to what PC is supposed to be all about.
Through the years we have been conditioned to accept hate crimes, racism, sexism, and a host of other ‘politically correct’ theories that control a population to prevent freedoms.
When you carry PC into other arenas such as economics, you see unbearable debt and fear because facts and figures are not allowed to enter into any equation that is not in line with the objective of control. When you have a nation that tries not to offend anyone and gives us security because of it, you find a nation destroyed from within.
Some examples of PC in this country are students being denied college admission because they are white or have the highest scores on admission exams. Contracts being award to unqualified companies because of their race or sex. People are placed in critical positions that simply do not have the skills, education or knowledge to do a job correctly. And, all of these apply across the board when a woman gets favoritism over a minority or vise versa. Political correctness pretends to defend rights when it takes freedom away.
We live in a nation that, as a whole, is committed to educating and training every citizen to their level of competency. We are a generous nation that spend trillions of dollars to help those that can’t help themselves. But, we are trapped by an ideology that benefits no one, even when some are convinced that it does.
If any politician can truly stop political correctness and it’s destructive impact, then that’s a politician that deserves support.
Of course, you should not think or say you support such a candidate.
That would not be politically correct.
PMO
©2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
Ceramic Dalmatian
If you haven’t figured it out by now, providing you read this blog at least once and awhile, I really do write about whatever I think about at the moment of writing. Such is the case today, and because I like to ask questions, today’s post is a question.
Do you know the name of the ceramic Dalmatian dog on the Wheel of Fortune television show? The dog appeared back when prizes were chosen and was often selected, although I don’t know why.
They no longer offer the dog as a prize and it has become the official mascot of the program. After all, it’s been on the show for 33 seasons.
Have you answered the question? Need a clue?
Think ‘Big Bang Theory.”
PMO
©2016
Do you know the name of the ceramic Dalmatian dog on the Wheel of Fortune television show? The dog appeared back when prizes were chosen and was often selected, although I don’t know why.
They no longer offer the dog as a prize and it has become the official mascot of the program. After all, it’s been on the show for 33 seasons.
Have you answered the question? Need a clue?
Think ‘Big Bang Theory.”
PMO
©2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Gin And Raisins
Back in the late 80s, I was bitten by a tick that condemned me to a life of pain and misery. Lyme disease wasn’t well known or widely recognized then and so I had it for quite some time before I ended up in a hospital with what was believed to be a heart infection. By the time they got an actual diagnosis, and treated the disease, all the symptoms were mine to live with. There is no cure and dang little relief.
Yes, I could go to a pain management clinic and get some stuff that would make me sit in a corner and hum, but I refuse to do that. The only medication that is effective without that effect has long term side effects and my doctor rightly refuses to allow me to use it except for brief temporary periods.
Over the years, I have researched numerous hours to find something that might help. So far I’ve not been able to find anything. However, I have run into a home remedy that is starting to look good. Gin and raisins.
The recipe is simple. Pour golden raisins into a shallow bowl and cover them with gin. Wait about a week for the alcohol to evaporate and then transfer the mix to a jar with a lid. One should eat 7 to 9 raisins per day and expect results in one to eight weeks.
The remedy was broadcast on Paul Harvey’s newscast in 1994 and got a lot of response. People wrote in to proclaim how it helped with their joint pains. Of the responses I read, my favorite was this one.
Dear Paul Harvey New,
I couldn’t remember whether you said drink seven pints of gin and nine raisins or nine pints of gin and seven raisins, so I did both. Now, I can’t find the raisins....but not pain.”
I just may be on to something here.
PMO
©2016
Yes, I could go to a pain management clinic and get some stuff that would make me sit in a corner and hum, but I refuse to do that. The only medication that is effective without that effect has long term side effects and my doctor rightly refuses to allow me to use it except for brief temporary periods.
Over the years, I have researched numerous hours to find something that might help. So far I’ve not been able to find anything. However, I have run into a home remedy that is starting to look good. Gin and raisins.
The recipe is simple. Pour golden raisins into a shallow bowl and cover them with gin. Wait about a week for the alcohol to evaporate and then transfer the mix to a jar with a lid. One should eat 7 to 9 raisins per day and expect results in one to eight weeks.
The remedy was broadcast on Paul Harvey’s newscast in 1994 and got a lot of response. People wrote in to proclaim how it helped with their joint pains. Of the responses I read, my favorite was this one.
Dear Paul Harvey New,
I couldn’t remember whether you said drink seven pints of gin and nine raisins or nine pints of gin and seven raisins, so I did both. Now, I can’t find the raisins....but not pain.”
I just may be on to something here.
PMO
©2016
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Another Life Rule
From time to time I post one of the official grumpy old man’s life rules. These are intended to enlighten some on what to expect in life. Silly me thinks that people can learn from history. Which brings up rule #52.
“Learn from old people about their mistakes so you won’t have to make the same ones.”
If you insist on making a stupid mistake, at least make it an original.
PMO
©2016
“Learn from old people about their mistakes so you won’t have to make the same ones.”
If you insist on making a stupid mistake, at least make it an original.
PMO
©2016
Friday, February 19, 2016
What Happened To Eight
Growing up I was taught that one should get eight hours of sleep. I think teenagers were exempt, or at least I was. Of course, different people require more or less sleep, but the bench mark was eight hours. Now that has changed to seven hours. The loss in time must have something to do with daylight saving time or global warming.
On our local TV news, they have a segment about a “medical” minute and sleep was the subject of one of the broadcast I saw. There was discussion about the benefits of seven hours of sleep. It’s good for your heart, brain, and just about everything. My immediate question was, what happened to eight hours? Surely eight hours is even better than seven.
There were suggestions on how to improve the amount of time you sleep. One such suggestion was to ‘practice’ sleeping. I am not making this up. Apparently there is some protocol for learning to sleep better.
When you get old, you practice sleeping a lot. My in-laws sit in their recliners all day and sleep, then wonder why they don’t sleep at night.
It may be they practice too much.
PMO
©2016
On our local TV news, they have a segment about a “medical” minute and sleep was the subject of one of the broadcast I saw. There was discussion about the benefits of seven hours of sleep. It’s good for your heart, brain, and just about everything. My immediate question was, what happened to eight hours? Surely eight hours is even better than seven.
There were suggestions on how to improve the amount of time you sleep. One such suggestion was to ‘practice’ sleeping. I am not making this up. Apparently there is some protocol for learning to sleep better.
When you get old, you practice sleeping a lot. My in-laws sit in their recliners all day and sleep, then wonder why they don’t sleep at night.
It may be they practice too much.
PMO
©2016
Thursday, February 18, 2016
No Go
Resident Obama will not be attending the funeral services on Saturday for Justice Antonin Scalia, but will attend a visitation on Friday. When asked why Obama would not attend the funeral, Press Secretary Josh Earnest replied, “I don’t have a sense of what the president’s plans are for Saturday.”
Dear Mr. Earnest: It is your job to know what the president will be doing Saturday.
What will Hillary say? “What difference does it make?”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said that he wanted a time when judgement was not by the color of skin, but by content of character.
That's why the Resident is not going.
PMO
©2016
Dear Mr. Earnest: It is your job to know what the president will be doing Saturday.
What will Hillary say? “What difference does it make?”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said that he wanted a time when judgement was not by the color of skin, but by content of character.
That's why the Resident is not going.
PMO
©2016
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
You AreGuilty
Does this sound familiar? If you are of European decent, you are guilty and should feel remorse for all the injustice that has ever occurred in this or any other country since the beginning of time. Therefore, you owe anyone and everyone that feels the need to exploit you in anyway.
Guess what? I don’t feel guilty of anything that I did not do. What my ancestors did was their doing, not mine. Does this make me un-American? Nope!
It just makes me proud of what I have done to improve the lot in life for everyone I can.
PMO
©2016
Guess what? I don’t feel guilty of anything that I did not do. What my ancestors did was their doing, not mine. Does this make me un-American? Nope!
It just makes me proud of what I have done to improve the lot in life for everyone I can.
PMO
©2016
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
World's Biggest
My financial controller and I took a road trip today and as usual we used the time alone to catch up on the stuff that she says she has told me, but she has not. And, when things get dull, she starts with trivia she gets from some app on her phone. The question today was, “Who is the world’s biggest employer?” The answer she gave was, Walmart. That’s partly correct.
The biggest employer is the U.S. Department of Defense with 3.2 million employees, according to a report in Forbes Business. Number two is the People’s Liberation Army of China, with 2.3 million. Walmart comes in third with 2.1 million and McDonalds is fourth at 1.9 million. So, I suppose that Walmart is the number one corporate employer.
Knowing this information has caused me to start thinking again. If we could get the Liberation Army to eat at McDonalds and make a trip to Walmart, a lot of our world problems would be solved. A couple of Big Macs would surely mellow out those fellows. Then, off for some shopping at Walmart would result in none of them ever being heard from again.
Imagine 2.3 million converging on Walmarts.
They may have 2.1 million employees, but only 10 are cashiers.
PMO
©2016
The biggest employer is the U.S. Department of Defense with 3.2 million employees, according to a report in Forbes Business. Number two is the People’s Liberation Army of China, with 2.3 million. Walmart comes in third with 2.1 million and McDonalds is fourth at 1.9 million. So, I suppose that Walmart is the number one corporate employer.
Knowing this information has caused me to start thinking again. If we could get the Liberation Army to eat at McDonalds and make a trip to Walmart, a lot of our world problems would be solved. A couple of Big Macs would surely mellow out those fellows. Then, off for some shopping at Walmart would result in none of them ever being heard from again.
Imagine 2.3 million converging on Walmarts.
They may have 2.1 million employees, but only 10 are cashiers.
PMO
©2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
Nino
It is reported that he was known by his close friends as “Nino.” We knew him as Justice Antonin Scalia. His passing is obviously a tremendous loss to the very fabric of the Constitution and replacing him will be impossible. I’m not suggesting that he was perfect in his job, but he did understand what few, if any, do.
“As long as judges tinker with the Constitution to ‘do what the people want,’ instead of what the document actually commands, politicians who pick and confirm new federal judges will naturally want only those who agree with them politically. - Justice Antonin Scalia -
The Constitution is not a “living document,” but is plain language to be interpreted in it’s historical context.
Is there another person that is qualified to stand the ground to protect the very foundation of this country?
We shall see.
PMO
©2016
“As long as judges tinker with the Constitution to ‘do what the people want,’ instead of what the document actually commands, politicians who pick and confirm new federal judges will naturally want only those who agree with them politically. - Justice Antonin Scalia -
The Constitution is not a “living document,” but is plain language to be interpreted in it’s historical context.
Is there another person that is qualified to stand the ground to protect the very foundation of this country?
We shall see.
PMO
©2016
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Valentine's Day
Let me be clear, I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. Why is there one day set aside to show love to someone? Does that mean you don’t have to do anything the rest of the year? No!
It is unclear when or where Valentine Day started. Was it named after St. Valentine? Which one. There are at least three. Did it come about a Roman pagan celebration? Like the one where goats and dogs were killed, then skinned with the skins cut into strips, then dipped in blood after which men ran about the streets slapping women and crops with the bloody strips. How romantic is that.
If you want to know more, just look it up. You will find that in the 1840s, Esther A. Holland is responsible for the first mass produced heart shaped cards in the U.S.A.. Now it is estimated there are over 1 billion cards given each year. Add that to the candy, flowers, stuffed animals, trims and decorations and whatever else will make a buck and you have Valentine’s Day.
That’s why I offer you the only words I know that rhyme with Valentine.
Cha Ching, Cha Ching.
PMO
©2016
It is unclear when or where Valentine Day started. Was it named after St. Valentine? Which one. There are at least three. Did it come about a Roman pagan celebration? Like the one where goats and dogs were killed, then skinned with the skins cut into strips, then dipped in blood after which men ran about the streets slapping women and crops with the bloody strips. How romantic is that.
If you want to know more, just look it up. You will find that in the 1840s, Esther A. Holland is responsible for the first mass produced heart shaped cards in the U.S.A.. Now it is estimated there are over 1 billion cards given each year. Add that to the candy, flowers, stuffed animals, trims and decorations and whatever else will make a buck and you have Valentine’s Day.
That’s why I offer you the only words I know that rhyme with Valentine.
Cha Ching, Cha Ching.
PMO
©2016
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Farming
It’s time to put onion sets into the ground. Few of you, if any, know what I’m talking about. February or even January in this part of the world is the time to plant onions. Why do I know this? Because I am a big farmer. My last farm measured 64 square feet. It had about a hundred onions, four or five tomato plants, several jalapeno plants and sometimes squash. I hate squash, but under the conditions which I live, I planted squash. She ate very few of them, but the birds seemed to like them.
So, here I am in a new farm location. It used to be a flower bed. There is more square footage, but I don’t think the soil meets my specs so I am having to work on it. It needs compost, fertilizer and maybe a little more soil with clay. I’ve already tilled the place, but when I add the ingredients, I’ll have to till it again.
Yes, there is something about farming (gardening). Raising a few tomatoes, peppers and onions takes one back to the earth. Of course, it also takes one back to the bank. I have never determined the cost of raising a tomato, and I am not going to.
Calculating cost is like how much fish cost when you buy a big bass boat.
It’s about $100 per pound. And, I don’t eat fish.
PMO
©2016
So, here I am in a new farm location. It used to be a flower bed. There is more square footage, but I don’t think the soil meets my specs so I am having to work on it. It needs compost, fertilizer and maybe a little more soil with clay. I’ve already tilled the place, but when I add the ingredients, I’ll have to till it again.
Yes, there is something about farming (gardening). Raising a few tomatoes, peppers and onions takes one back to the earth. Of course, it also takes one back to the bank. I have never determined the cost of raising a tomato, and I am not going to.
Calculating cost is like how much fish cost when you buy a big bass boat.
It’s about $100 per pound. And, I don’t eat fish.
PMO
©2016
Friday, February 12, 2016
Adaptive Intelligence
While reading an article on charitable giving, I came across an unusual term, ‘adaptive intelligence.’ It means that something gets done without an agency running the show. For example, thousands of people attend an event at a large stadium, exit the stadium and drive themselves home without government assistance. If government had an agency in charge of making this happen, one would not ever get out of the stadium, much less get home.
There is no agency that directs food distribution. Yet, we get food shipped into East Texas everyday. How can that be? Humans, in a free capital driven market set up their own system that works much more efficiently and effectively than government. This is why charitable giving is so successful. It is not the few that give large amounts, but the many that give and manage funds to help those in need.
Scientist actually call this, ‘large scale adaptive intelligence.’ If it was small scale, it might catch on in Washington D.C.
On second thought, they are not good at adapting to any kind of intelligence there.
PMO
©2016
There is no agency that directs food distribution. Yet, we get food shipped into East Texas everyday. How can that be? Humans, in a free capital driven market set up their own system that works much more efficiently and effectively than government. This is why charitable giving is so successful. It is not the few that give large amounts, but the many that give and manage funds to help those in need.
Scientist actually call this, ‘large scale adaptive intelligence.’ If it was small scale, it might catch on in Washington D.C.
On second thought, they are not good at adapting to any kind of intelligence there.
PMO
©2016
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Tee Shirt
Every now and then someone has a message on their tee shirt that just makes sense. The following is one that I read this week.
“When I was young I wanted to be older.
But not this much older.”
PMO
©2016
“When I was young I wanted to be older.
But not this much older.”
PMO
©2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Q & A
Sometimes the best way to get someone to understand what you are trying to communicate is to answer a question is with a question. Jack Nicholson is credited with making this approach effective. So, in his style, we are going to answer once and for all the issue of global warming.
Question: Who put the honey in honeybee?
Answer: Mother Nature
Question: Who put the butter in buttercup?
Answer: Mother Nature
Question: Who put the frig in global warming?
Answer: There ain’t no frig in global warming.
That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.
PMO
©2016
Question: Who put the honey in honeybee?
Answer: Mother Nature
Question: Who put the butter in buttercup?
Answer: Mother Nature
Question: Who put the frig in global warming?
Answer: There ain’t no frig in global warming.
That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.
PMO
©2016
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
A Reason
Resident Obama pretends that he knows what’s going on and that he has the solutions to just about everything. Being the economic expert that he is, he now wants to add a $10 per barrel tax to oil. Guess who is going to pay that tax? Hint: Not the oil companies.
With record low oil prices, politicians see an opportunity to add a tax. They never see an opportunity to remove a tax. As I’ve stated before, companies don’t pay taxes. Consumers do.
To support the case for an oil tax, the focus is on how much it will raise gasoline prices. Environmentalist contend that it will only be a slight increase and will help the environment. “?????” Gasoline prices are not the only thing affected by oil prices. And, they are the least important. Just about everything you need is in one way or another impacted by oil prices.
In my humble opinion this is just another attempt to convince the minions that government knows best and stick it to them with another tax that remain regardless of oil prices. And, as usual, there will be no benefit from the tax.
A few weeks ago I read that everything happens for a reason.
Sometimes the reason is that someone acts stupidly and makes bad decisions.
PMO
©2016
With record low oil prices, politicians see an opportunity to add a tax. They never see an opportunity to remove a tax. As I’ve stated before, companies don’t pay taxes. Consumers do.
To support the case for an oil tax, the focus is on how much it will raise gasoline prices. Environmentalist contend that it will only be a slight increase and will help the environment. “?????” Gasoline prices are not the only thing affected by oil prices. And, they are the least important. Just about everything you need is in one way or another impacted by oil prices.
In my humble opinion this is just another attempt to convince the minions that government knows best and stick it to them with another tax that remain regardless of oil prices. And, as usual, there will be no benefit from the tax.
A few weeks ago I read that everything happens for a reason.
Sometimes the reason is that someone acts stupidly and makes bad decisions.
PMO
©2016
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Fast Forward
This is being written on Sunday afternoon, on the most holy of holy days in America. SUPER BOWL Sunday! In a few minutes, everybody will stop whatever they are doing and sit in front of the TV for hours to pay homage to football, America’s number one religion. Well, not everyone.
I don’t watch sports on television. Not football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, soccer, rodeo, horseshoes, or marbles. In all the years, now 50, I have never seen a super bowl game.
Those that know me that I record TV programs so I can fast forward through the commercials. This year I am going to record the super bowl. Then, I’m going to fast forward through the game and watch the commercials.
They’re the best part.
PMO
©2016
I don’t watch sports on television. Not football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, soccer, rodeo, horseshoes, or marbles. In all the years, now 50, I have never seen a super bowl game.
Those that know me that I record TV programs so I can fast forward through the commercials. This year I am going to record the super bowl. Then, I’m going to fast forward through the game and watch the commercials.
They’re the best part.
PMO
©2016
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Pet Names
There are nicknames and pet names, which are not to be confused with what you call your dog. They are terms of endearment that some people pick up in life. I have friends like Petro, Johnel, Mr. T, Hodi, Taco Bueno, Mr. K, and Person. We all know those that get nicknames that just stick, and for good or bad they are stuck with them.
Pet names are those that we assign to loved ones for one reason or another. Sugar, Honey Bunch, Squirt, Princess, are just a few that I can think of. I have assigned pet names to my girls - wife, daughter and both granddaughters. They are special names that only I can call them. And, they are names that I always call them by. As, I’ve told my youngest granddaughter, only I am allowed to call you by your pet name.
I used to call my wife, honey.
Now I call her money, because she controls it.
PMO
©2016
Pet names are those that we assign to loved ones for one reason or another. Sugar, Honey Bunch, Squirt, Princess, are just a few that I can think of. I have assigned pet names to my girls - wife, daughter and both granddaughters. They are special names that only I can call them. And, they are names that I always call them by. As, I’ve told my youngest granddaughter, only I am allowed to call you by your pet name.
I used to call my wife, honey.
Now I call her money, because she controls it.
PMO
©2016
Friday, February 5, 2016
The Answer
A couple of days ago I posted a note about “Pierre,” a very successful businessman that died at the age of 61. I want to mention that an estimated 1200 people attended his memorial service including several well known celebrities. My youngest granddaughter got to stand next to Randy Owen of the country group, Alabama, during a special part of the life celebration.
The inevitable question came up this week while I was telling a friend about Pierre. “How can someone do what he did in such a short time? He went from nothing to a success when others told him that it could not be done.” Well, I think I have the answer.
It seems that Pierre rarely went anywhere without a New Testament and a pocket copy of the Constitution.
©2016
The inevitable question came up this week while I was telling a friend about Pierre. “How can someone do what he did in such a short time? He went from nothing to a success when others told him that it could not be done.” Well, I think I have the answer.
It seems that Pierre rarely went anywhere without a New Testament and a pocket copy of the Constitution.
©2016
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Gluten Free
My ace number one daughter told my financial controller that she should try a gluten free diet. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but it doesn’t sound very tasty. But, it’s a mute point anyway.
Some of you may remember that I do the shopping. And, I have rules about shopping. If it’s not on my list, I don’t need it. Lemon pies and jerky are exempt. They are approved impulse buys.
On my trip to the grocery today with coupons and my list marked with what’s on sale, I made it to the check out as usual. Then I came home, unloaded my purchases and announced that the idea of a gluten free diet was dismissed. When she asked why, I replied, “After we eat what I got today, we are going to quit eating. It just cost too much.
Those sale mailers are a trap.
PMO
©2016
Some of you may remember that I do the shopping. And, I have rules about shopping. If it’s not on my list, I don’t need it. Lemon pies and jerky are exempt. They are approved impulse buys.
On my trip to the grocery today with coupons and my list marked with what’s on sale, I made it to the check out as usual. Then I came home, unloaded my purchases and announced that the idea of a gluten free diet was dismissed. When she asked why, I replied, “After we eat what I got today, we are going to quit eating. It just cost too much.
Those sale mailers are a trap.
PMO
©2016
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
This Message Is For Men ONLY!
Ten out of ten women will read this.
Only about half of men will.
PMO
©2016
Only about half of men will.
PMO
©2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Pierre
Pierre came to the United States from South Africa, after his wife died. He worked hard and eventually bought some land in East Texas, where he announced that he would grow grapes and make wine. All the agricultural experts told him that he was crazy because grapes would not grow and/or they would be diseased and unfit, especially if planted European grapes. Pierre didn’t listen. He
went ahead and did what he set out to do, with techniques that now enable others to grow grapes too.
Since the 1980s, he established not only the winery but a convention center, bed and breakfast, restaurant and even a RV park. Everything is first class. That was the Pierre way. He died a week ago at the age of 61.
He was well known for his kindness and generosity. Among all the things he did for the area was to support facilities and activities for adults with special needs. My granddaughter goes to a facility that received a lot of benefits from Pierre. That facility ran a full page ad in the Tyler, TX paper to honor Pierre.
Pierre was loved because he loved, and showed it to others everyday. I know that when my daughter would call him and ask for help on something, he would simply say, “Take what you need.”
There will be a memorial for Pierre this week at the convention center on his estate. His remains were cremated. To honor him, he received a special police escort from the funeral home back to his estate. One of his daughters said she told the escort officers that Pierre had a problem with driving. He always drove too fast. Then she said, “I know that it is unusual and you probably can’t do it, but if you could have the procession bump it up to about 90 miles per hour, dad sure would enjoy the ride.”
Can you imagine a procession running at 90 miles per hour, lead and followed by police cars. No officer in his right mind could do that.
All I can say is, “Pierre enjoyed the ride.”
RIP Pierre
©2016
went ahead and did what he set out to do, with techniques that now enable others to grow grapes too.
Since the 1980s, he established not only the winery but a convention center, bed and breakfast, restaurant and even a RV park. Everything is first class. That was the Pierre way. He died a week ago at the age of 61.
He was well known for his kindness and generosity. Among all the things he did for the area was to support facilities and activities for adults with special needs. My granddaughter goes to a facility that received a lot of benefits from Pierre. That facility ran a full page ad in the Tyler, TX paper to honor Pierre.
Pierre was loved because he loved, and showed it to others everyday. I know that when my daughter would call him and ask for help on something, he would simply say, “Take what you need.”
There will be a memorial for Pierre this week at the convention center on his estate. His remains were cremated. To honor him, he received a special police escort from the funeral home back to his estate. One of his daughters said she told the escort officers that Pierre had a problem with driving. He always drove too fast. Then she said, “I know that it is unusual and you probably can’t do it, but if you could have the procession bump it up to about 90 miles per hour, dad sure would enjoy the ride.”
Can you imagine a procession running at 90 miles per hour, lead and followed by police cars. No officer in his right mind could do that.
All I can say is, “Pierre enjoyed the ride.”
RIP Pierre
©2016
Monday, February 1, 2016
$15
Fast food workers want $15 per hour and they are marching and demanding it. And, they want union rights. Let’s get one thing clear, I know that $7.50 per hour is not a lot of pay, but if you don’t have the skills to get a higher paying job, you need to improve your skills. Fast food jobs were never intended to be a career. These jobs offer work experience, the ability to do a job as directed and offer ideas on how to do it better.
Let’s do a little quick math using some assumed averages. If a burger cost $5 at an hourly rate of pay of $7.50, then the worker can buy a burger and have a couple of bucks left. If labor doubles, then the burger price will have to double, or more. Now we have a $10 burger, but wait! Don’t think that there is $5 left when a worker buys one.
The worker may move into another tax bracket and certainly will on Social Security and Medicare taxes. Now, let’s add in some union dues, say $.50 per hour. Sales will drop dramatically because few people want a $10 burger. And, because the cost of labor has doubled, the fast food establishment owner is going to cut cost, including the hours a person gets to work. That’s business.
These jobs are great as a learning point in a person’s life. And, sometimes a great place for old people to make a little pocket money and stay busy. But, the trickle down effect will not benefit the workers.
It’s simple economics.
Best to move on to bigger and better paying jobs.
PMO
©2016
Let’s do a little quick math using some assumed averages. If a burger cost $5 at an hourly rate of pay of $7.50, then the worker can buy a burger and have a couple of bucks left. If labor doubles, then the burger price will have to double, or more. Now we have a $10 burger, but wait! Don’t think that there is $5 left when a worker buys one.
The worker may move into another tax bracket and certainly will on Social Security and Medicare taxes. Now, let’s add in some union dues, say $.50 per hour. Sales will drop dramatically because few people want a $10 burger. And, because the cost of labor has doubled, the fast food establishment owner is going to cut cost, including the hours a person gets to work. That’s business.
These jobs are great as a learning point in a person’s life. And, sometimes a great place for old people to make a little pocket money and stay busy. But, the trickle down effect will not benefit the workers.
It’s simple economics.
Best to move on to bigger and better paying jobs.
PMO
©2016
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