Focus Group

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

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

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

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

We can put the stage over it.

PMO
©2016

Worm Them

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Remodeling

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

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

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

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

I'm guessing they will stripe the parking lot.


PMO
©2016

Time

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Still Counting

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

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

Please explain why the Green Party wants a recount.

Maybe Stein has a hanging chad.

PMO
©2016

Recount The Votes

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Arrested

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

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Happy Thanksgiving

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

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

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

Have a happy and safe holiday.

Keep the police on speed dial.

PMO
©2016

Generation Gap

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s communication.

PMO
©2016

December 2011

Why Blog?

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

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2011

Drain The Swamp

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

More Insanity

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

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Time Is Running Out

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

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

Time is wasting.

Start packing before it’s too late.

PMO
©2016

Memo

This is a memo from me to Hillary.

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

The suckers will pay.

PMO
©2016

A Trophy

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

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

Home would be back to momma’s house.

PMO
©2016

Ain't Done Nothin Yet

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Don't Talk Aout It

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

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

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

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

Nobody is allowed to talk to you about them.

PMO
©2016

Prove It

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

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

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

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

The Reason

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

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

Maybe we can just put them all in time out.

Five to ten years.

PMO
©2016

3X5

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

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

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

Now you are up to date.

PMO
©2016

Veterans Day

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

That's why we are still free.

Remember that.

PMO
©2016

What Now?

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

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Yea! Election Day

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

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

That sums it up.

PMO
©2016

God's Will

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

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

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Where?

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

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

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

It needs to be before it’s too late.

If not, there is nowhere else to go.

PMO
©2016

DST

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

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Terror Threat

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

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

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

PMO
©2016

Them Cubs

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

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

We’re already better than Yahoo.

PMO
©2016

The Answer

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

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

PMO
©2016

Which Is Which

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

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

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

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

And, one is absolutely amoral.

PMO
©2016