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