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

Biggest Lie

Politicians lie.  If you are over the age of 1, you should have learned this by now.  And, the lies cost us little taxpayers trillions of dollars.  They also cost us a lot more in the destruction of the country.
It is possible that the biggest lie is in the making right now with Hillary Clinton.  Not that she takes any shame in lying.  It is blatantly obvious that she is avoiding almost any situation that puts her under stress.  Like news conferences and speeches. It has been almost a year since she has met with the press that adores her.  One might suspect there is a reason, if one thinks about things like that.

Clinton has used, as a defense many times, “I have no memory of that.”  And, if one is observant, she appears to mean it.  Her health is in question because of her memory and behavior.  This could be the reason that she avoids situations that might reveal she cannot even handle questions from her adoring worshipers.

This is not a conspiracy theory, but it is an observation of behavior.

If she is incapable of handling the office of President and wins, then the American public has much to lose.

Like the country.

PMO
©2016

Cheap Memory

If you don’t get a lot of junk mail, send me your address and I will get you on whatever list I am on.  Everyday we get something.  And, the one that causes me the most trouble are the catalogs that are full of “stuff” to buy.  There must be a million items for sale ranging from pet products to your own do-it-yourself brain surgery kits.  And, before you ask, they all include items that are, “as seen on TV” for whatever that’s worth.

I do occasionally thumb through them just to see what “must have” I do not want.  In the latest catalog I noticed a genuine imitation stepping stone engraved with, “In Memory of My Loving Husband.”  It only cost $14.99.  Nothing cost $15, because $14.99 is a lot cheaper.  Talk about cheap.  Instead of getting a headstone for the cemetery, you can just get a stepping stone.  I suppose if poor old Hubby was cremated and now resides on the mantle or in the hall closet, this would serve a purpose.

My financial controller is sure to see this item because she goes through each catalog like she’s searching for the secret to life.  If she orders one for me, I invite you to come by and step on it, when I die.  It will probably be at the back door.

But wait!!! Order now and you can get free shipping.

PMO
©2016

Bloody Holiday

Over the labor day weekend, there were 65 people shot, 13 fatally, in Chicago.  Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said, “It’s not a police issue, it’s a society issue.”  He also said, “Impoverished neighborhoods, people without hope do these kinds of things.”

But, when a pregnant woman is shot and a retired minister is shot in the face, how does poverty play a part?  Johnson is right about the problem being a society issue.  But, society, rich and poor must change or the insanity will only get worse.  The solution is not simple or easy.  It takes people committed to not putting up with lawlessness. And it will take the people to tell politicians, “we don’t want free cell phones, we want jobs.  We want dignity and hope.”  That’s the hard part because too many people have existed far too long living off what the “master” throws them.  The “master” is government dedicated to controlling votes and not serving the people.

Being a man is not shooting pregnant women and old men. Being a man or woman is working and taking pride in whatever you earn and how well you take care of yourself and your family.  It means protecting your family from those that would destroy everything for absolutely no reason.

The people of Chicago have a choice.

PMO
©2016

Who You Gonna Call

The reason that police may take several minutes to respond to a call is quite simple.  They are called for so many things that do not fall under their job description.  Dallas Police Chief David Brown pointed this out  in his explanation of how officers are overworked and under stress.

Police are often called for just about everything, from someone parking in your driveway to a gang shootout on the corner.  As Chief Brown, a man I greatly admire, pointed out, the police are assigned anything that no one else wants to do, and a lot of the calls do not or should not fall under their jurisdiction.

There is no simple solution to relieving police officers of frivolous calls, but it is time to take a serious look at helping them do their jobs better with less frustration and stress.

If you happen to encounter a real ghost, please don’t call the police.

They’re trying to deal with what’s happening in this world.

PMO
©2016

Term Limits

If you want term limits for Congress - representatives and senators - it is so simple and there is not a thing the entrenched ‘elite’ can do about it.

Get out and vote for anybody but an incumbent every time you vote.

Told you it was simple.

PMO
©2016

Go East

How far is south from north?  Well, if you travel north from where ever you are, when you pass the north pole, you will be traveling south.  And, if you travel south, of course, when you pass the south pole, you will be heading north.  Funny how that works.

Next question, how far is the east from the west?  When you travel east from where you are, keep traveling east and you can return to where you started - always traveling east.  Such is the case if you travel west.

What’s the point?  It’s an allegory.

Think about it.

PMO
©2016

What This Country Needs

Many years ago there was a saying, “What this country needs is a good five cent cigar.”  I suppose if that were updated, the cost of the cigar would be five dollars, and somebody wouldn’t let you smoke it.  I used to smoke an occasional cigar when I rode my lawn tractor around the huge yard we had at the time.  It took my mind off the fact that I had to mow that blame yard again.

Today, I don’t think even a five cent cigar would help.  What this country needs is something to believe in.  There is so much being done to destroy and divide the nation.  If the people don’t stand up for tried and proven traditions and values and unite in the common cause, country before self, we will fall just as all great powers in history have fallen before us.  Today, we are well on our way to self destruction.

Judeo-Christian beliefs and values were the cornerstone of America.  Yes, there were and will always be injustices and dark periods as we strive to do better,  but so long as the people as a whole hang on to and stand up for those values, America will be greater than any nation in the history of the world.
We must unite in one belief, for one cause - America first.

And, a good nickle cigar wouldn’t be a bad bonus.  Even if it cost $5.00.

PMO
©2016

Lesson

When I was in the Army, I learned a lot, like how to shoot guns and blow up stuff.  That used to be every young man’s dream.  But, I also learned about volunteering.

The usual method of asking for volunteers was for some sergeant to say, “I want three volunteers - you, you and you.”  It may not have been democratic, but it was efficient.  I made it a habit not to volunteer unless I could see a way it would benefit me.  For example, if I stayed and cleaned up the ‘day room’ I got to ride in a truck to the rifle range and unload ammunition.  The whole process took less than an hour, and I didn’t have to walk - sometimes run - 10 to 15 miles to get to the range.

But, I also learned the best advice on volunteering.  A sergeant ask for volunteers and did not get any.  So he walked up a young private and got right in his face and said, “Do you know what to do when I ask for volunteers?”  The young private answered, “Yes sergeant!  I should take one step to the left or right to get out of the way of any volunteer stepping forward.”

Lesson learned.

PMO
©2016

No Smoking

You can kill all the unborn babies you want - about 3 million per year.  In five states, you can kill yourself with assistance from doctors.  You can riot, burn and loot anytime you want.  It’s okay to put the nation at risk and sell favors if you are at a high level in government.  Regardless of your sex, you can go ‘potty’ in the restroom of your choice.  Doctors can prescribe hundreds if not thousands of medicines that have side effects including death, and you are encouraged to take them.  Hospitals kill thousands each year, but you must go there if you are really sick.  Alcohol destroys millions of lives everyday, but we are bombarded by commercials to drink at every occasion.  Marijuana is legal in some states and others are quickly accepting its use - against Federal law.  It is perfectly acceptable to enter this country illegally and sign up for free medical, housing, food and education, imposing a burden on overtaxed citizens.  And, people with a background of terrorist activities are not only welcomed, but transported into the country everyday at citizen expense.  Lifestyles that spread horrible diseases are protected and recognized as wonderful.

But you can’t smoke?

PMO
©2016