New Year Wishes

There are so many new year wishes one can bestow upon family and friends. Wishes of good health, prosperity, and happiness are just a few. But, I would like to offer one that I’ve never heard anyone say.

I wish for you that at the end of each new day in the new year, that as you lay your head down to rest, that you can honestly say, "I did my best. And, tomorrow, I promise myself, I will do better."

Then, you will truly have a happy new year.

PMO
©2017

National Bacon Day

I’m writing this on Saturday, December 30, 2017 - National Bacon Day. Finally something you can really enjoy. There is always a national day of something, but I just ignore them. But, one should not ignore national bacon day.

Depending upon which study you read, bacon is either deadly or it’s not. It truly doesn’t matter, bacon is good. I do try to limit myself to three slices per day, but there are occasions that force me to have more. According to my taste buds, there is nothing that improves taste like bacon or black pepper. Either or both of them is good on anything. I don’t think I’ve ever tried black pepper with ice cream, but it sure sounds yummy to have a little bacon with it. I regret to inform you that neither will improve broccoli or Brussels sprouts.

I would encourage everyone to celebrate bacon day, everyday. Even if it kills you.

You will die with a smile on your face.

PMO
©2017

Predictions 2018

The new year is nearly here and as I’ve said before, I do not make resolutions. However, I do make predictions. Here are just a few of the predictions I have for 2018:

The media will continue to make up (fake news) stories and hate Trump.

Hillary will not go to jail.

Men will continue to be the blame for anything and everything.

Politicians will continue to ignore the voters and do whatever is good for them.

"Chicken little’s" will continue to run around shouting, "The sky is falling."

People will survive in spite of all the odds against them.

And, last but not least, there will not be a day when mattresses are not on sale.

PMO
©2017

New Year Plan

Oh, what to do for the new year? Among the options are parties with lots of drinks and food; staying up til midnight just for the heck of it; or, go to be early and see what the new year looks like in the morning. I always choose the go to bed early option.

Of course you can make new year resolutions and see how many you keep by January 2^nd. I don’t think I’ve ever made a resolution, but if I did it would be a resolution not to make resolutions.

Being the grumpy old man that I am, I have decided to ring in the new year, I will go out and buy a new gun. Do I need a new gun? Probably not, but I’m trying to catch up with some of my friends that have their own arsenals. It’s a guy thing - an old guy thing. It’s been that way out here in the east since it’s no fun trying to have the best looking and fastest cars because they all look and run about the same. You don’t have to shoot the guns, just have them, like my friend Dr. Wild Bill. He buys them and never shoots them. I think that he is planning to throw them at anyone that tries to attack him.

I’m thinking a Daisy Red Rider BB gun might get the year off to a good start.

Do they still sell them?

PMO
©2017

A Wise Old Man

A very wise man once said, "the children of today are going to the dogs," or something to that effect. What he was saying is the same thing that people have been saying for centuries.

Every generation has concerns for the next generation. They don’t think the same way, they don’t have the same values, and they don’t even talk the same language. Yes, it is true that as each generation comes into their own, new thoughts and behaviors come with them. Is this disturbing. Yes. Because the older you are the older you see the world.

As we approach a new year, the children of yesterday will be the leaders of tomorrow. And, believe it or not, they will be good leaders if they take the time to learn from everything and everyone.

What the wise old man really said was, "The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers."

Who was the wise old man?

Socrates (469–399 B.C.)

PMO
©2017

Percentages

I have upon more than one occasion mentioned how much I dislike percentages taken out of context. The media loves to spout out numbers that are intended to shock the audience. "If you do so and so you will have a 50% higher chance of dying of something." They never mention that the chances are 1 in a million and the higher chance is 1.5 in a million. And, they use the same approach to mislead you in the other direction. "Participation is now up 50%." No mention of the participation was only 100 before.

Let me illustrate on a personal level. I manage an email bulletin board for our little commune. We have just over 600 subscribers that look to see who has what to sell or what meeting is coming up. We also post lost dogs and cats and the occasional weather alert, from our resident NASA weather man.

On Christmas day, I posted the Christmas Guest poem that was posted here. Now, let me say that I don’t do this job for thanks, but I had hoped that we might receive some comments about how they liked it. To my surprise, comments doubled over anything done in the past. How about that? A 100% increase.

Out of 600 plus sent, we got two comments.

It’s the best we’ve ever had.

PMO
©2017

Twas The Day After Christmas

Ready or not, here is my attempt at a little, very little, poetry about the day after Christmas.

Twas the day after Christmas with wrapping paper galore,
ribbons and bows strewn all over the floor.

Everyone was examining their presents with care,
and wondered when to return them and, where.

There was the shuffling of paper all through the house,
as replacements were ordered with the click of a mouse.

When suddenly there came a terrible crash,
as everyone rushed to take out the trash.

A fat man on the collection truck said as he drove away,
"you didn’t make it, but we’ll be back someday."

PMO
©2017

Christmas Guest

It happened one day near December’s end,
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend

 

And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made merry with a thousand boughs of green,

And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine

And said, "Old friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,

The Lord appeared in a dream to me
And said, 'I am coming your guest to be.'

So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir,

The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters the holly is twined,

And now I will wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear

His step as He nears my humble place,
And I open the door and look in His face."

So his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known,

For, long since, his family had passed away
And Conrad has spent a sad Christmas Day.

But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest
This Christmas would be the dearest and best,

And he listened with only joy in his heart.
And with every sound he would rise with a start

And look for the Lord to be standing there
In answer to his earnest prayer

So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all that he saw on the snow-covered ground

Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.

So Conrad was touched and went to the door
And he said, "Your feet must be frozen and sore,

And I have some shoes in my shop for you
And a coat that will keep you warmer, too."

So with grateful heart the man went away,
But as Conrad noticed the time of day

He wondered what made the dear Lord so late
And how much longer he'd have to wait,

When he heard a knock and ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more,

A bent, old crone with a shawl of black,
A bundle of kindling piled on her back.

She asked for only a place to rest,
But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest.

But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away
Let me rest awhile on Christmas day."

So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.

But after she left he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were passing away

And the Lord had not come as He said He would,

And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.

When out of the stillness he heard a cry,
"Please help me and tell me where am I."

So again he opened his friendly door
And stood disappointed as twice before,

It was only a child who had wandered away
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.

Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he should make this little child glad,

So he called her in and wiped her tears
And quieted her childish fears.

Then he led her back to her home once more
But as he entered his own darkened door,

He knew that the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.

So he went to his room and knelt down to pray
And he said, "Dear Lord, why did you delay?

What kept You from coming to call on me,
For I wanted so much Your face to see."

When soft in the silence a voice he heard,
"Lift up your head, for I kept My word --

Three times My shadow crossed your floor --
Three times I came to your lonely door --

For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet,
I was the woman you gave something to eat, 

And I was the child on the homeless street.

Three times I knocked and three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.

Of all the gifts, love is the best,
And I was honored to be your Christmas Guest."

~ Adapted from, The Story of The Christmas Guest,

by Helen Steiner Rice ~

Give Back

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, I have a strong aversion to "give back." Let me give a bit more detail on why. We live in a society that attempts to put us in a position of feeling guilty about things we did not do, nor would ever do. It’s no surprise. There is an element that wants to shame everyone, make them think that they owe something. That’s not the way it works, or should work.

"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son," is the way it is supposed to work. God didn’t give back because he owed the world anything. He gave because he knew that was the only way for we mortals to have a chance to be drawn unto him - freely giving to those that would receive.

Christmas is only a few hours away. Contrary to popular beliefs, it is a day of recognition for the greatest gift mankind has or will ever receive.

Make this Christmas where you receive.

©2017

Pet Peeves

As mentioned several times over the years, I have a lot of pet peeves. Most people probably do. You know, the little things that just irritate you. Like lousy customer service, bad products and inflated prices. These are just a few reasons I am a grumpy old man.

The term "you guys" is stupid as far as I am concerned. I know the difference between males and females and to say, "you guys" must mean that the person speaking does not. Yes, I know the term is an attempt to be all inclusive, but it is an insult to women and men. Why not just say, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, men and women, or even citizens? If everyone is a guy, then let’s not hear any sexual misconduct complaints if a woman gets a pat on the butt if she is on a sports field.

Give back implies that you took something. When children play and one takes a toy from another, he or she is told to give it back. If adults take something, then they should face criminal prosecution. Yet we are barraged with "so and so wanted to give back to the community or everyone should give back to the community." What happened to "so and so gave to the community," after he or she worked hard and earned the resources to do so? I never give back, but I do give.

And, last but not least today is "your day," such as in a weather forecast, "the weather for your Saturday is going to be hot and dry." If it’s my Saturday, it will be 70 with clear skies and a southerly breeze of 5 mph.

You guys need to give back on your Saturday. And, enjoy the lousy service, bad product quality and high prices.

I’m not going to.

PMO
©2017

Cost Of Christmas

Some of you have been buying Christmas presents. Shopping is reportedly in the billions of dollars. Personally, I’ve spent less than $10. I don’t do shopping. And, I afraid to ask my financial controller what she spends.

When I was much younger - back in the 50s - $10 would have bee a lot of money to spend on presents. In today’s dollars, that would be about $50. I don’t think my parents ever spent $50 total for Santa to bring us toys. More like $20. And, guess what, we had more than we knew what to do with.

Today, if you’re a real Scrooge, like me, it seems ridiculous to spend $500 or more for one present. Do the math on what 10 would cost. Can anyone truly afford to spend thousands? Remember, about half of what you buy probably is going in the corner or closet never to be heard from again.

Truth is that while over 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas, less than 50% view it as a religious holiday. Obviously, secular holidays require a lot of money to try to feel good and think you are being really nice. That’s not what Christmas is about. The true meaning is simply the birth of a child that literally changed the world. At least for a few thousand years.

Go ahead and spend your thousands and tell everyone you had a great Christmas. They won’t know the difference.

Maybe someday, you and they will know the joy of a real Christmas.

PMO
©2017

WWJD

Not to long ago, there was a fad to wear a little rubber bracelet inscribed with "WWJD." What would Jesus do? I called it a fad because some people with good intentions attracted people with no intentions, which resulted the whole thing just fading away from the culture today.

But, the question remains, "What would Jesus do?" What would he do in the world today? I believe he would do exactly what he did when he walked here before. He would spread the "good news" and seek out believers that would follow his teachings. He would create an awakening that would live long after his physical presence on earth.

The answer for you is simply remember, what Jesus would do is call mankind unto himself. That’s what Jesus would do.

Perhaps you should be calling others unto him, and let him work out whatever needs there may be.

PMO
©2017

Survey

The media loves to do ‘man (or woman) on the street surveys. They like to catch people off guard and get reactions to an idea or event. So, I was wondering what the reactions would be to the following question:

"What do you think about a surefire plan to put America first economically, have peace and safety for the American people, improve education and job opportunities, and lower taxes?"

I suspect that the reactions would be almost 100% in favor of such a plan - Wow, great, wonderful, super, terrific, etc. But now let’s add one word to the question, "What do you think about Trump’s surefire plan to put America first..............."

Sorry, but we don’t print expletives.

PMO
©2017

Cable TV

We have a choice of cable companies, so long as choose the only one in town. It’s like a communist election, you get to vote but there’s only one candidate. Sure, I could go with satellite TV, but I’ve been there and done that.

Now the point I want to make. We had a problem with one of the TV boxes and I did all the trouble shooting and discovered that it was the power converter to the box that had failed. I took one from another room that we don’t use the TV there. But, I called the cable company to get them to bring me a replacement for the power cable. Well, after making two calls and enduring automated answering and questioning I did finally get a live person. It took five minutes to get out of the automation circle. They must believe that you’ll hang up and go away before you figure out a way to talk to an agent. My question is why would such a large company use a system that is not user friendly and even annoying?

I suppose there is no use complaining, this is typical service these days. That’s why when I get someone that is really helpful, I have a hard time believing it.

With all the trouble we’ve had with this company over the past five years, I’m thinking they should give me a stand-by stash of parts. I usually can find the problems, but don’t have the parts to fix the problem.

But, I’m not going to call them and ask. I don’t want to connect to the automated system again.

If my financial controller didn’t watch TV, I could get by without it.

PMO
©2017

What's It All About

What is Christmas all about? Have you thought about that in a long time? If you are like millions or billions of others, you’ve lost sight of what Christmas is all about.

It’s not about rushing about to get a present for someone who probably won’t like it anyway. And, it’s not about the pressure you feel to get the shopping and planning done. And, believe it or not, Christmas is not a tradition, it is much more.

You have only about a week left to get your shopping done and all the food you need to make the meal a true tasty treat. Better hurry, time is running out.

Someday, when you get old, you just may look back and wonder why you’ve lost the meaning of Christmas.

Maybe, the grinch really did steal Christmas.

Or maybe it was Amazon that didn’t get your order to you on time.

PMO
©2017

Death And Taxes

It is often said that there are two things certain in life, "death and taxes." Then there’s the estate tax or more commonly known as the ‘death tax.’ Basically, this is a tax for dying and leaving an estate worth more than $5.49 million. The current rate is 40%.

This is a tax to punish anyone that worked hard and tried to provide for their heirs. You may think that it’s good tax because it punishes rich people. Truth is, there are few rich people that end up paying the tax. But, it you look at a family farm that may generate less than $200,000 to $300,000 gross income per year, the estate may be worth more than the $5.49 million. The end result may be that the heirs have to sell off land or assets to pay the tax and where would that put them?

What happens to the family farm? It may go out of business. Workers may get fired. The people the farm supplies may not be able to operate profitably without them. And the list goes on and on. Wait you say, just how many family farms are there? That’s not the point. Family farms are just an example because with today’s land prices, it doesn’t take a lot of land to get into the millions.

The point is, that if someone, anyone, works and plans all their life, to end up with nearly half of what they earned, which has already been taxed, being forfeited to the government.

The estate tax is a slap in the face of everyone because it demonstrates just how much government power exists.

What’s next?  Maybe taking the gold out of the deceased’s teeth before burial.

PMO
©2017

Getting Old Is A Drag

Everyday I discover something new that makes getting older more and more trouble. Trying to find comfortable shoes is the latest episode in "falling apart." I think I have tried on 50 pair of shoes and none of them is quite right. So, I decided to ask my podiatrist about any foot problems. He checked out my tootsies and suggest I get some orthotics or have him give me some shots in my feet. I went for the inserts.

They worked fine until I tried to take my shoes off. It seems the special pad they added came unattached and attached to my socks. They are going to fix it next week.

Hey, it’s all part of the aging process as they say - whomever they are. After all, it beats dying.

I’ve never been dead, so I really don’t know.

PMO
©2017

Open Line

Welcome to the open line - an overview of what is annoying me today:

It now appears that any male, especially white males above the age of two, that speaks to or shakes hands with any female will have committed sexual misconduct.

If you want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you are limited to reading only the Bible.

Smart phones are so addictive that people are quitting smoking so they will have more time to play with their phone.

I am still trying to find out why everyone is supposed to hate Jews. The ones I know seem to be pretty good folks. Then, the people I know of all races and nationalities seem to be good folks too.

Truth is that if the Palestinians wanted peace, there would be peace. If Israel wanted war, there would be no Palestinians.

Groceries are continuing to increase in price. In the past five years, the now on sale price is the same as what used to be the regular price. I’m going to have to quit eating.

You may not realize it, but if you buy a new pickup today with just a few extra features you will pay about half of what you can buy a house for. Best to just get the house and stay home.

Newspapers print fake news and charge astronomical prices for a subscription - compared other sources of information.

Computers were invented to drive me crazier.

Notice I said, crazier.

PMO

©2017

Destroying Society

Usually I don’t like to include a long excerpt from any article, but the following one deserves to be read. Are two billion people being duped by Facebook and other social media? Keep reading.

The following are excerpts from The Washington Post story, "Former Facebook VP says social media is destroying society with ‘dopamine driven feedback loops’: A former Facebook executive is making waves after he spoke out about his "tremendous guilt" over growing the social network, which he feels has eroded "the core foundations of how people behave by and between each other."

Chamath Palihapitiya began working for Facebook in 2007 and left in 2011 as its vice president for user growth. When he started, he said, there was not much thought given to the long-term negative consequences of developing such a platform.

"I think in the back, deep, deep recesses of our minds, we kind of knew something bad could happen," said Palihapitiya, 41. "But I think the way we defined it was not like this."

That changed as Facebook’s popularity exploded, he said. To date, the social network has more than 2 billion monthly users around the world and continues to grow.

But the ability to connect and share information so quickly — as well as the instant gratification people give and receive over their posts — has resulted in some negative consequences, according to Palihapitiya.

"It literally is a point now where I think we have created tools that are ripping apart the social fabric of how society works. That is truly where we are," he said. "The short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created are destroying how society works: no civil discourse, no cooperation, misinformation, mistruth. And it’s not an American problem. This is not about Russian ads. This is a global problem."

Facebook has pushed back on the former executive’s comments, saying in a statement Tuesday that Palihapitiya has not worked there for more than six years and that it was "a very different company back then."

Though he didn’t have immediate answers on how to permanently correct the problem, Palihapitiya encouraged students to take a "hard break from some of these tools and the things that you rely on." He added that he has posted on Facebook only a handful of times over the past several years and didn't allow his children to use "this (expletive)" either, referring to social media platforms.

"Everybody else has to soul-search a little bit more about what you’re willing to do," he said. "Because your behaviors, you don’t realize it, but you are being programmed. It was unintentional, but now you gotta decide how much you’re willing to give up, how much of your intellectual independence."

The problem is not isolated to Facebook, he said, citing other social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. Palihapitiya pointed to a hoax in India that had spread through WhatsApp and led to the lynching of several men who were falsely accused of being child traffickers.

"Bad actors can now manipulate large swaths of people to do anything you want," he told the audience. "And we compound the problem. We curate our lives around this perceived sense of perfection, because we get rewarded in these short-term signals — hearts, likes, thumbs up — and we conflate that with value and we conflate it with truth. And instead, what it is, is fake, brittle popularity that’s short-term and leaves you even more, admit it, vacant and empty before you did it. .?.?. Think about that, compounded by 2 billion people."

This is why I don’t use social media.

I have all the problems I want without them.

PMO
©2017

Extinction

In case you have become unaware, the movement to prevent extinction is alive and well. You should be devoted to saving the cross-eyed tsetse fly or some other something. About the only thing that isn’t causing concern is the cockroach.

When you hear all the cries about global warming or climate change, and how you should be ashamed for contributing the extinction of some creature or even mankind, stop and think for a moment. Since this planet has been around, there have been a lot of species that are not here now. The obvious is dinosaurs. Did man cause them to disappear? The way nature works is simple, only the strong survive. And, in nature, creatures adapt or die out.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t be aware of and find ways to eliminate pollution, but to suggest that we are destroying the planet is hard to believe. Who’s fault was the ice age. I don’t think there were nine billion humans running around polluting the atmosphere then. And what about the entire planet being under water?

A little research will reveal that this little green dot in the great universe has had it’s share of changes. Think about events like the "dust bowl" of the 1930s. Or, how about floods, tornadoes, wild fires that start by lightening, or other such events.

If climate change is caused by humans, the only solution is to get rid of humans. Kill off a few billion here and a few billion there.

The cockroaches and fire ants will be delighted.

Nothing kills them.

PMO
©2017

That's Why

There has been much discussion and independent action to ignore or circumvent the Constitution. After all it gets in the way of political plans and ambitions. Ignoring the Constitution is easy to do, because the people don’t know or don’t care.

And, John Adams did say, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people."

PMO
©2017

Way Back Then

I talked with an old friend this week, a man I’ve known for over 40 years. He’s old too. In our conversation we got sidetracked to the good old days and what we had to do.

We ate things that we would not dare eat today, like dry salt pork. It was mostly salt. And, we ate gravy made without milk. Just flour, water and the grease from frying the salt pork. Yummy. Then, there was the little house out behind the house. No indoor plumbing. I remember that if the back of the outhouse was turned toward the north, it was an absolute cure for an upset stomach in the winter time.

Bathing, which was not daily, was a metal tub in the room that had the heating stove - wood burning stove with a pipe that ran up to a chimney or just outside. The water was heated on the stove or the top of the cooking stove which usually burned kerosene. And, it was a family bath - everyone bathed in same water. If you were last, you bathed in cold dirty water.

Food was often provided by whatever you could hunt or catch. I’ve eaten squirrels, rabbits, a turtle, and of course fish and crawfish. Doesn’t sound yummy? It wasn’t. However the fried chicken was great. After you killed the chicken, plucked all the feathers out and then held it over a fire to singe the fine hair that remained.

We wore hand-me-downs without regard to whether it fit or not. Shoes, didn’t have to be in style, just close to fitting properly.

We rarely had any money, but that was okay because we didn’t know anybody that any money.

Yes, those were the good old days - NOT. But, the focus was on surviving and people. There was always a helping hand when you needed help.

Today, it is doubtful that most people would survive under those conditions. Just imagine, no air-conditioning, or fast food drive thru.

Makes me wonder what the young people today will have to say about the good old days.

"Like, we had to, like, wait sometimes, like for a whole day before our on-line order was, like, delivered.

PMO
©2017

IACD

Have you heard about IACD? I had not until today, Saturday, December 9, and it is International Anti-Corruption Day. It began in 2003 when voted by the delegates to the United Nations.

The UN Convention stated in part that there is a "concern about the seriousness of problems and threats posed by corruption to the stability and security of societies, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardizing sustainable development and the rule of law."

The delegates to the Convention are to "promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption and ......promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property."

Looks like I would have heard about this before now.

Obviously, D.C. and, the media still haven’t heard about it.

PMO
©2017

Fat Tax Failed

In 2001 Denmark implemented a fat tax to force people to eat healthier. It added a tax to any food that contained more than 2.3% saturated fat. It failed because people just went to Germany or Sweden to do their shopping. This is just another example of how "sin taxes" don’t work. Government can’t force people to do not do something by levying a tax. Denmark repealed the tax in 2002.

Over the years, governments have tried various methods to force the "pheasants" to do what they want them to do. Remember prohibition? Reacting to a group of teetotalers, alcohol was outlawed. The result was speakeasies and stills that produced to supply them.

A few years ago I wrote about a fat tax on people. It was simply a tax that if you were not the correct weight as prescribed by government, then you would be taxed on a per pound basis. It’s a good thing that no government officials read this blog or it would have gone into effect shortly after the post was made.

But, government, that knows what’s best for you, will never give up. Just wait for a tax or prohibition on sex.

Sound crazy? That’s what government does best.

PMO
©2017

Don't Say A Word

The way this country is heading, it can’t be long until men will be forbidden to be around women.  If that sounds ridiculous, think of all the things that have occurred just because of a few.  We are a nation of extremes.

Yesterday as I was driving and listening to talk radio, a man called in and explained that he was a maintenance contractor and often worked in a particular building downtown Dallas.  It was the policy of the company that each contract employee have someone sign the work order when the job was done.  The man said that he had finished his work and took the job ticket to a woman on the front desk, as he had in the past, for a signature.  That’s where the trouble occurred.

While he was waiting for a signature, he noticed a bowl of Hershey kisses candy on her desk.  When she handed him the signed job order, he reached down to the bowl and said, “Can I have a kiss?”  Guess what happened next.

She reported him to her supervisor, who called the maintenance company, that called him in for discipline.  Fortunately he did not lose his job, but cannot go back to that location to work.

Sound crazy?

You ain’t seen nothing yet.

PMO
©2017

Rarity

In my quest to get three computers conquered - three different operating systems - I ran upon a problem with one of my printers. Try as I may, I could not get two of the computers to print to it. Finally I gave up and called the manufacturer for support. You may not believe what happened.

As usual I had to stay on hold for a long time, but finally I got someone to pickup my call. A man named "Deepak" introduced himself and asked how he could help. I explained the problem and suggested that it may be with the drivers on the two computers. He explained that Windows 8.1 and 10 sometimes fail to add the drivers in their updates. And, we agreed that he could connect to the machines. In 15 or 20 minutes, both PCs were working with the printer. And, now the rest of the story.

All the time we were talking and working, Deepak was genuinely courteous and helpful. He was very professional and patient and had the knowledge and skills to solve the problems. And, you may have guessed from his name, he was not from East Texas. He spoke perfect English, with an accent, and was easy, even for me to understand.

When we finished and it was time to hang up, he said, "God bless you." Right back at you Deepak.

I’m not one to heap praise very often, but this man deserves it. I can’t tell you how many people I have told about this experience.

I hope he is contagious where he works.

PMO
©2017

Chicken Plucker

I need to get out more.  Oh, I admit that I am not up to date on a lot of stuff, like smart phones. And, more and more I find that I no longer speak the language: you guys; emoji; hashtag; and who knows what else. Truth is that if technology doesn’t apply to me, I simply ignore it. However, I do find myself a little embarrassed when I discover advances in tools or guns that I did not know about.

But, today, I became aware that I am so far behind the times, that I did not know there is a machine that can pluck a chicken in 15 seconds or less. This is a giant step from the way we had to remove the feathers from said chickens. One had to dip them in hot water and then pull them out. It was not a pleasant task.

Oh, I guess in the back of my mind, I knew that commercial chicken producers had to have a better way that dropping them in hot water, but just think, you can go down to a local farm store and get a machine that snatches the chickens bald in seconds.

Makes me wish I had a chicken.

I wonder if the machine would work on squirrels?

PMO
©2017

Government Reform

As I mentioned earlier, the best way to get a true tax reform would be to have a government reform. It is time to not only "drain the swamp," but insure that it never fills up again. The first obvious solution is to have term limits on Congress - two terms period. And, every member must be subject to all the laws they pass, as well as the laws passed before. Their benefits would be the same as the average working person has.

They would get no pension, only pay while they are in office. Thirty days off per year including vacation, holidays and personal time. No special protection or privileges of any kind would be allowed, such as free meals from lobbyist and not paying their parking tickets.

They would be held responsible for a balanced budget and if they fail to balance the budget, they would be subject to recall by the voters. And, they must reduce the national debt by no less than 10% per year too.

This few actions are just for starters. The list could and should go on and on, but each member must be required to read and understand the Constitution and take an oath to uphold it or face dereliction of duty penalties.

Basically, we need a government that is by the people and for the people.

It’s nice to dream isn’t it?

PMO
©2017

Tax Reform

Of all the smoke and mirrors that government uses to charm the peasants, tax reform always works. They say, "It’s simple, just tell them we are not going to take as much of their money as we are now. And, don’t tell them the whole story."

I will repeat again, corporations don’t pay taxes. They never have and they never will. This is an expense that is added to the sale of their product or service. But, we hear how much corporate taxes are going to be lowered to boost the economy. Reality is that lower taxes will result, or should, in lower product and service cost and that will boost the economy.

So far as any personal gain tax reform will continue to have loop holes for the really rich and the "middle class" will continue to get smaller. Yes, the current plan boasts lower taxes for the working person - temporarily.

As one critic observed, taxes will go back up in a couple of years, but without tax reform taxes will go up sooner. Think of tax reform this way, "I’m from the government and I’m here to help you."

The last time I had a decrease in taxes, my tax bill went up. It was on property taxes and all the county did was lower the rate and increase the property values.

I think what we really need is government reform.

That has a better chance of lowering taxes.

PMO
©2017

The Gist Of Things

The "gist" of something means, the most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience. "He got the gist of the speech," is a simple example. Well, I think I am getting the gist of getting older. When you get older you get a lot of gist.

There are oncologist, urologist, ophthalmologist, audiologist, dermatologist, cardiologist, physiologist, anesthesiologist, and proctologist. That last one can really get your attention.

Heck, even the woman that cuts my hair is a cosmetologist.

She tells me better stories than the others.

PMO
©2017

Not To Wonder

With all the sexual misconduct charges being thrown around in D.C. and the media, have you noticed that no one has made any improper advances toward Nancy Pelosi or Hilldawg Clinton - even when they were younger?

I suppose that even perverts have to draw the line somewhere.

Just saying.

PMO
©2017

How To Eat A Fish

Believe it or not, people do not like all the same foods. There are different taste, especially when you change cultures. There are some Chinese dishes I like, and others are a big no. I don’t like all Mexican food dishes and no French cuisine. The list can go on, but the point is that my taste is different from others.

Today, the "in thing" is vegetables. We are supposed to eat broccoli and brussels sprouts and kale. Not this grumpy old man. The way I eat most vegetables is to feed them to a cow, and then eat the cow. But, some cows won’t eat them either.

Those that know me know that I won’t eat fish. I love to catch fish, but release any I catch. I have been known to catch them, clean them and cook them for others, but I don’t eat them. It would be easier for me to eat broccoli.

The only way I can think of to eat a fish is to feed the fish to a cat.

And, then eat the cat.

PMO
©2017

Trip To Dentist

If there is one thing that most people can agree on, it is that a trip to the dentist is not fun. Many people have to be sedated to undergo dental treatments. I never have, but I think I do need to be sedated to get me to go to the dentist.

As I am lead to believe, I go to a dentist twice per year. In the five years that we have lived in East Texas I have gone to at least five dentist, trying to find one that fits me. None have so far. My most recent visit caused me to have almost constant pain from an overly aggressive scaling. And, as expected, the dentist takes the side of the hygienist.

I could tell other horror stories about dental visits, but I won’t. I will say that in my experiences, I would trust a used car salesman before a dentist. Of course, I know that they are not all bad.

Only the ones I’ve gone to.

PMO
©2017

Crazy Computers

I started working with computers when we had key punch cards.  The machines were about the size of large freezer.  Then came desktop monitors connected to a mainframe somewhere with desktops and laptops to follow.  Now we have computers that are phones and even smaller.  And, we have a world of instant access to worthless information.

Right now I, a grumpy old man, am trying to work with three computers, actually four, with three operating systems - Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.  Trust me when I say that progress is making less and less sense.  There was a time when we used Windows XP, a stable system that actually worked.  But now, it is confusing to know what does what and why did that not work.  The focus is on visual appeal with compound duplicity.

Being a grumpy old man, it is not easy to switch from one operating system to another.  Some of the basics still exist, but the processes take much more effort to accomplish actual work.

Why didn’t we just stay with Windows 3.1?

Is there an app for that?

PMO
©2017

Tax Pays For Sex

In case you may have missed this, there is a fund set up by congress in 1995 to pay off complaints about them or their staff, including sexual misconduct.  So far this year, it is reported that fund has paid out over $900,000 and about $15 million since the fund was authorized.  Yes, this means that you pay for any little  transgression they may have.

It has been said that we have the best government that money can buy.  But, the way it is in D.C. now, I don’t think we can afford them anymore.

Do these people think they have diplomatic immunity - not responsible for anything or everything?

I don’t think we have to pay for diplomats sexual misconduct - at least not yet.

PMO
©2017

Bad Medicine

I’m only guessing, but I suspect that almost everyone has had or will have a medication side effect.  While I try to avoid medications, I do take some occasionally - if there is no other choice.  And, I have had some serious side effects, like when I had my tonsils out at age 27, and was given a codeine pill for pain.  That’s when I discovered I am allergic to codeine.  It caused me to viciously vomit.   And, that was just one example. I don’t do well on medications.

However, the past few days have demonstrated just how bad a medicine side effect can be.  I was given an antibiotic and took it for about four days before I stopped.  It caused me to have serious achy joints, headaches and loss of appetite.  I am too skinny to have a loss of appetite.

When I finally became aware that the drug was causing loss of appetite, I stopped taking it.  This may be the worse side effect ever for me.  My loss of appetite included my second addition - Twix candy bars.

Giving up Twix is not an option - for any disease.

PMO
©2017

Black And White

Back in the ‘day,’ we had black and white television. For you youngsters, that means no color. Hard to imagine, isn’t it. Not until the mid 60s did very many people have a TV that would handle color. It was 1965 when people flocked to buy color sets because the networks announced they would broadcast half of their shows in color the next fall season.

I must add that remote control, just to change the channel, didn’t come out until the 50's and they were wired to the TV. The tuners were still mechanical and the remote didn’t always work. Times were tough back then.

This week we watched a program from the 60s that began with the NBC peacock and the caption, "Presented in living color." Talk about advanced technology. My dad refused to watch color TV for several years. I don’t know why.

Anyway, the point is that with all the stuff on TVs now, we often watch a channel that broadcast the old shows in black and white. I think I like them better, because there was more emphasis on the scripts and acting. No razzle dazzle graphics and all that. Makes me wonder what ratings a program would get today if broadcast in black and white. Occasionally, there have been a few movies that used the old format. "Schindlers List," 1993, was one of those in black and white, except for a little girl in a red coat. It was a great movie.

It has been said that not everything is black and white, but when television was, the programs were entertaining.

Even if you had to get up and go to the TV to change the channel.

PMO
©2017

Half Of What You See

You may have heard the old adage, "Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what your see." I wonder how many people actually do that? My guess is less than one in ten.

The point is that we humans are often fooled by other humans and look up to them or even want to be just like them. The truth is that no one is exactly what they appear to be. Edwin Arlington Robinson published a poem in 1897 titled 'Richard Cory' that is worth reading and contemplating.

"Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.
And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.
So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head."
Remember, ".....only half of what you see."

PMO
©2017

Pecan Pie

We had pecan pie for thanksgiving dinner. I only had two slices, but saved a slice for later. So, it was a good thanksgiving dinner.

If you have never had real homemade pecan pie, then you need to find someone that can bake one. I’m not talking about something you get in a mix or order at a restaurant. It takes a talent to make good ones. And, I’ve had some really bad ones.

Why am I rambling about pecan pie?  Because we have it again at Christmas.

Come on Santa Claus.

PMO
©2017

Turkey Day

It’s Thanksgiving again. Time to do whatever it is that you do. Whatever that is, I would guess it is a far cry from the meaning of the first thanksgiving celebration. For one thing, there was no football then.

I don’t know about you, but I am one of those people that just goes along and forgets to be thankful for all that I have to be thankful for. I just take for granted that we will have turkey and all the trimmings, including pecan pie.

Perhaps, as a nation it would behoove us to stop and really be thankful just for one day. Forget all the issues that divide us and truly give thanks for being the best place on earth to live. It couldn’t hurt to try it.

And, don’t forget to be really thankful for the pecan pie if you have one.

PMO
©2017

Five Faces

Back in the old days it was common to refer to someone as being, "two faced," meaning they were not as nice as they pretend to be. Reality is that we all have five faces, or we are five different people.

First there is the person that the world knows. Those at work, church, school, or the clerk at your favorite store.

Secondly, there is the person that your friends know. This is the person that feels comfortable with some of his/her faults around other people.

Third, is the person that the family knows. This person has a lot of faults but doesn’t care. Hey, it’s family and you can get by with a lot.

Then, there’s the person that you know. This is the person that hides the darkest secrets from everyone else, and knows limitations and shortcomings.

Finally, there is the person that God knows. It is best to focus on improving the one that God knows.

That will fix any faults with all the others.

PMO
©2017

Forgiveness

How forgiving are you? Have you been wronged or mistreated? Are you supposed to forgive everyone for everything? Think about it: someone steals from you; a spouse is unfaithful; you are cheated, especially by someone you know; a loved one or close friend is murdered and the murderer is arrested; or, someone that you trust and think them to be the best person you know turns out to be something entirely different.

Just how forgiving are we supposed to be? I don’t know. I know that God says we are to forgive as we are forgiven. I also know that there are something’s that I’m not sure I can forgive.

Have you ever been forgiven for something you have done? I suppose the seriousness of the transgression would have a significant impact on what you felt if you were forgiven. And, what would you feel if you asked for and did not get forgiveness?

These are some pretty deep questions and require a lot of soul searching to come up with an honest answer. I suppose the best thing to do is not to do anything that requires giving or receiving forgiveness. Good luck with that.

With all that said, I don’t think that even God will forgive Microsoft - Windows 8 and now Windows 10.

I pretty sure that I won’t.

PMO
©2017

More Guilty

As mentioned in the previous post, everyone should be considered innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. I am not taking sides in the current cases, but it is strange that the women involved waited years, even decades, before telling their stories. I can understand why the men accused would keep quite, but not the women. Were they that afraid? Again, I don’t know the why’s.

In 1990 there was a movie, "Flatliners," from which a single line may hold the answers.

"In the end, we all know what we did."

That applies to all of us.

PMO
©2017

Guilty Or Not

There was a time in this country that a person was innocent until proven guilty. Now, a person is guilty until proven innocent. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of hearing about politicians and celebrities being accused of sex crimes. And, to the media it does not matter if the accusers are legitimate or not.

Anyone can accuse anyone of anything and the accused is automatically guilty regardless of what the truth may reveal. There is a constant bombardment by the media and if someone is finally tried and acquitted, there is only a one time blip on the news.

Let me assure you that you and I do not know if those accused are guilty or not. It is unlikely that we will ever be on the jury that decides. Oh, I am inclined to believe anything about politicians and celebrities, but there is, or should be, a legal process to determine guilt beyond a shadow of doubt.

Wow! I can’t believe that I am actually taking a stand on behalf of politicians and celebrities.

However if members of the media should face similar charges, I can’t see any reason for a trial.

Just hang’em.

PMO
©2017

The State Of The Union

Do you really want to know what the state of the union is? I did an on-line order from a major department store and had the items shipped to the local store. As expected, I got an email that my order was ready for pickup. Here’s the rest of the story.

The email gave exact instructions on how to pick up the order. First, get your credit card and bring it with you. Next, go to the store. Go to the pick up counter in the store.

Yep, that’s where we are. I’m guessing they have a problem with people not going to the store.

Look around.   Ever wonder how many people can actually dress themselves?

PMO
©2017

Goernment

Have you noticed that our "federal government" rarely does anything for the "people, only to the people?" They spend all their time fighting each other or fund raising. So, I would like to suggest they adopt the way we do it in Texas.

The Texas legislature meets every two years for 140 days, in regular session.

There are some, and I must admit I am among them, that think they should meet every 140 years for two days.

We would get more work done "for" the "people."

PMO
©2017

Injustice

The NFL players that choose to disrespect the flag and anthem say they are protesting injustice. The question is, "What injustice?" I must have missed the ‘expert’ journalist report that asked this question. Let’s get some specifics.

If you want to say there are just injustices, then you are right. There are and always will be. The world is not fair to everyone and cannot be, without destroying everything, with an end result of injustice for everyone. And, injustice is so often misinterpreted because of perspective and prejudice, therefore there may not be as much occurrence as one might think.

Is racism the issue with these prima donnas? Well, racism will always exist. The number one recipients of hate crimes are Jews. How about that? Then there’s the black college professor that teaches his children to hate white people. Isn’t that racism?

And, talk about injustice, how about the working people that are forced to support people that do not and will not work. Don’t they deserve justice?

It would appear that the solution to injustice would be to come together as a people united to make America the greatest country on earth.

With a united "what we all have in common mind set," injustice will not go away, but at least there will be a common goal to minimize it.

PMO
©2017

Logic

When one opens his or her eyes and looks around, there some things we have lost that can only lead to destruction of the world as we know it. Honor, integrity, morals are at the top of the list. Then there’s logic. Logic is reasoned and reasonable judgment - aka common sense. Perhaps we should start referring to it as uncommon sense.

There is so much these days that just doesn’t make sense. There are laws enacted or in process that require clinics that are pro-life to post signs and materials on abortion as an alternative. Explain to me how that makes sense. Are abortion clinics going to be made to do the same with pro-life facilities? No!

Parents decide that their child should be a different gender than what they were born and convince the child that they are not what they look like. Doctors get on board for expensive surgeries and then other doctors get to make more money dealing with the psychological issues that arise and destroy the child for life.

It has gotten to a level of what you say will be used against you. Unless you conform to political correctness, you best keep your mouth shut. And even then, you will not be safe, because "they" can read your mind and know you thought something not approved.

Law suits are filed against gun manufacturers because they "knew" that their guns could kill people. Say what? Duh? And, speaking of guns, if gun owners are as dangerous as the anti-gun people say, there would be no anti-gun people.

As a nation, we have lost the ability to think reasonably.

Guess where that leads us.

PMO
©2017

Check List

In aviation a pre-flight checklist by the pilots and crew are essential to the safety of the flight. However, with all the technology today, there are flights that do not manually make the all checks that may be essential to safety.

I would like to suggest that seniors have a checklist for safety and sanity before leaving home. (Surely there’s somebody that can come up with an "app" for that)  It would need to include essential stops to be checked before leaving home, like the following:

Turn off the oven and burners on the range.

Turn off the coffee pot.

Turn off the water in the shower or tub.

Get your car keys.

Get your purse or wallet and check for drivers license, insurance cards and credit cards.

Be sure you have all your clothes on. (Check this one twice)

Turn off the lights.

Know where you are going.

Close the garage door.

PMO
©2017

No You Can't

Children are taught, "You can be anything you want to be." And, that’s how they grow up - believing they can be anything they want to be. I hate to burst your bubble, but, no you can’t. What you can do, is be anything you can do well.

As a small boy, I wanted to be superman. But, try as I may, I found out that I just couldn’t fly. Thank goodness, I never tried to stop a speeding bullet. Over time at the encouragement of my biology teacher, I wanted to be a biologist. Then, I found out how much biologist earn. That ended that want to be. I wanted to be a singer, but I can’t sing. The point is that you cannot be what you cannot do.

Yes, there are people that do get to be what they want to be, but they soon find out that there’s a lot of hard work included. Remember the old adage, "Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.

Mike Rowe, of cable TVs "Dirty Jobs" suggests that one needs to look around and see what is not being done and then find a way to do that.

Reality is that in spite of all the cherry well wishers and encouragers, you should not expect to be what you want to be if you can’t do what it takes. But, never give up. Find a fit that makes you happy. I spent 30 years doing a job that I never heard of when I started, and I enjoyed it.

The next time you hear someone tell another they can be what they want to be, jump in and add, "if you have what it takes."

It’s an injustice to send people out in the world thinking they can, if they can’t.

PMO
©2017

Sound Of Battle

In the military you are trained to run toward the sound of battle, which is contrary to human nature. It is natural to run away when the shooting starts. Or at least hide if you can.

In the past few weeks, we have seen two horrific shooting incidents, one in Las Vegas and one in Sutherland Springs Texas. In Vegas, people scrambled to get out of the line of gunfire and tried to hide, which is what they should have done under the circumstances. They were easy prey for a madman who knew there was nothing they could do to stop him. The people were defenseless.

In the small Texas church building, the people reacted the same as those in Vegas, but was there something else they could have done? Yes, they were trapped and unarmed, but what would have happened if they suddenly rushed the shooter? Of course some would have been shot, but everyone was going to get shot if they did not. Had the shooter been overpowered by men and women wielding whatever they had, books, purses or just bare hands, would fewer people have died?

The problem with both events is that people have become so comfortable living in peace that there is no preparation for insane attacks. Perhaps it is time for average citizens to pause and think about what they should do and what they could do. Do we all need to start carrying guns? Let’s hope not. But, it is time for a plan to deal with insanity that wants to kill.

I know of churches that have armed and trained people in the congregation that are ready to stand and fight if the need arises. As terrible as it sounds, this is the time in which we live.

Resources are available from professionals on how to deal with the conditions that exist. In many cases it is a matter of contacting local law enforcement for help, before it is needed. It takes training and commitment to run toward the battle, but in a do or die situation, it may be the only way that not all will die.

There is a rule of "21" that simply states that if one person has a gun but is suddenly rushed by three people less than 21 feet away, one of those people will reach the shooter.

PMO
©2017

11-11-11

It is fitting and proper that on the 11^th day of the 11^th month at the 11^th hour this nation should pause and give honor to those that have served in military service. It is only by their efforts and lost lives that we are able to enjoy life as we know it today.

Even John Stuart Mill, a liberal of liberals, had this to say, "War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

What then makes someone leave the safety of home and go where no one wants to go? Again, a question answered by one that knows:

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag." —Army Veteran Charles M. Province

Thank a veteran.  You both will feel better.

PMO
©2017

Anthem Is Racist

The California NAACP has declared that the National Anthem is racist. Francis Scott Key was a slave owner. Guess that settles that.

We’re going to need a new song. How about, "She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes?"

Wait! That won’t work. That’s sexist.

PMO
©2017

Not On National News

We are all shocked and sickened by the recent shootings in Nevada and Texas, as we should be. But, the problem occurs daily through out the country on a smaller scale, but no less tragic.

A couple in Illinois starved a six year old boy to death as punishment. He weighed 17 pounds. An illegal immigrant in East Texas was arrested for beating a six month old boy in the face with her fist. She was baby sitting the boy. And, every year there are thousands of children sold into sex slavery.

It is time to stop and look around your neighborhood, your city and your state to see the atrocities that happen everyday. These so often go unnoticed except by a local few.

Collectively the horrors not mentioned on national news exceed all those that are by thousands or more.

Again, I quote Pogo: "We have seen the enemy and he is us."

Clean up your own house first before you try to tell others what needs to be done.

PMO
©2017

The Solution

The solution to gun violence is and always has been the same. The way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. Such was the case of the horrible shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

The attack by a hate-filled individual killed 27 people and wounded 20 more. Had it not been for a law-abiding citizen with a gun, a former NRA instructor with his own AR-15, there no doubt would have been more killed. Stephen Willeford armed himself and engaged the killer, shooting him twice and, along with fellow neighbor Johnnie Lagendorff, pursued the shooter when he fled. They knew that it would take more time than they had for police to arrive.

Watching one of the talking heads on TV when they interviewed Lagendorff, only further me that these people have no clue about the real world. She asked him how he was able to compose himself and know what to do in a situation such as this and then said, "Why would you take off after a man that had just shot all those people?" His reply was simple, "Why would you not?"

The Babylon Bee, a Christian satire website, has a suggestion on how to solve the real problem - human nature. Just have congress pass a law prohibiting human nature and that will solve the problems.

Of course you would have to arrest about 350 million people.  Congress would be the first to be arrested.

I think we should test the idea by arresting them now and see how everything improves.

PMO
©2017

What Evil Lurks?

Many years ago there was a radio program called, "The Shadow," that spoke of the evil that lurks in the hearts of men. Again, we have seen the evil in tiny Sutherland Springs, Texas. And, again there are no real answers to "why."

Benjamin Franklin said, "If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it?" The shooter was reportedly an avowed atheist.

Perhaps that is the answer to "why."

PMO
©2017

Time

Humans are the only creatures that are controlled by time. We have to get something done or be somewhere by a certain time. We eat on time - most of the time. And, we have to plan ahead for the time when we retire or if we should become disabled. We worry about time because once a second passes, it never comes back.

We complain about the bad times and quickly forget the good times.  How often do you hear someone talk on and on about something, and say, "I'm glad that's over?"  And, then when they do remember a good time, it's a simple, "That was a fun time."

It all seems so silly because we are only going to be here at best, about a 100 years or less. The average age to die now is in the 74-78 year range. We have to get everything done, we think. Which poses two questions, how long is eternity and how far away is it?

The best answers I’ve heard are simple. Just imagine a block of stone that is one million feet wide and tall - a one million foot square  block. Every one million years a bird comes by and sharpens its beak on the stone and removes one millionth of an inch in only a millionth of an inch area. When that bird has whittled that block down to dust, you have just spent one millionth of a second in eternity.

And with all our concern about the few years we are here, consider this, how far are you away from eternity?

One heart beat.

PMO
©2017

What Binds Us?

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas this week, in an interview with Laura Ingraham, posed the question, "What binds us?" He was replying to a question about the NFL protest. Justice Thomas went on to say that some might say that we have only anger and distrust toward one another. He is right.

The last time there was any unity in this country was 9-11-2001. Remember, the flag raised at ground zero. In a few short years, we have gone to disrespecting that flag, tearing down historical monuments, and rioting to prevent free speech of anything opposing a liberal point of view.

I read this week about a protester from the 60s apologizing to a fellow who lost his brother in Vietnam. The man asked a simple question, "Was your behavior worth my brother’s life?" As people get older they begin to realize how stupidly they acted when they were young, but by then the damage is done and can never be undone. Is this what is going to be allowed now?

The national anthem is a sacred song. It proclaims that even under the severest attack, there are those that kept our flag waving for unity against those that would destroy what would become the greatest nation in history. The flag is the symbol of that unity - United States. With all the things that separate us individually, it is that song and that flag that proclaims that we are united Americans, no matter what.

At least that’s the way it’s supposed to be if we are to survive.

PMO
©2017

Income Equality

Would you be surprised to learn that 70% of the budget to run this country has nothing to do with running the government functions? It has been said that 70% of the trillions of dollars taken in by government are simply transferred from one person or place to another. It’s the old working people support non-working people. Of course, there’s also the government employees in the middle that get paid to handle all the transferred money. But, there is still the cry for income equality.

Income equality means that after the truly poor have their basic needs met, food, clothing and shelter, they should have free money, free cell phones, TVs, cars, free anything and everything any working person has. In other words, Marxism.

I have written before about how poor I was as a boy. In those days, we had to drive to a food distribution center and pick up "government commodities." They were terrible - except the cheese. There were no food stamps or cards. While it was a trying time, it was a positive time. I made up my mind that I would not always live that way.

There are so many opportunities today for almost anyone to improve themselves. All it takes is education and a determination to work.

That’s true income equality.

PMO
©2017

Kids Today

If you live in a city, how long has it been since you’ve seen a child walking by himself or herself? I’m talking about an 8 to 10 year old, walking home from school or down to the corner store - even to a nearby playground. You know what happens when a child walks alone? Someone calls the police.

Yes, you will occasionally see this occur in small towns, but even there it is getting to be rare. Society today dictates that children must be supervised at all times. It is believed that this is the only way to keep them safe. When I was a boy I walked to school everyday, unless it was pouring rain - like the flood that floated the Ark. Snow was not an issue. Children were taught what to do and they did it. And, we didn’t grow up requiring a ‘safe place’ to run to when we were upset. We played outside with other kids and learned what it was like not to get our way and how to make friends, get angry at them and then be friends again.  Yes, even friends that disagreed with us.

Today’s kids stay at home when they become adults and don’t want to leave and be on their own, because they don’t know how. Being supervised and told what to do is the only life many young people know, and that’s why there is so many demonstrations on college campuses and in the streets. When someone disagrees with what they have been spoon fed, they get angry. The ability to think for themselves has been supervised out of them.

It’s called communism.

PMO
©2017

Your World Is Shrinking

Many years ago there was a theory that each of us had a world that was about a three foot circle. If something happened outside that circle, we didn’t pay much attention to it. Sure we had some awareness of major events, but for the most part we just lived in our own little world. This was not a good thing.

Guess what? That tiny little world is shrinking. We now live in a world that is less than one foot, and in far too many cases, it may be six inches or less. In our three foot world, we interacted with people and even had room to read a newspaper, back when there was some truth in what you read. Now days, there is little face to face communication, compared to years past, and the world has become the distance from your face or ear to a smart phone or iPad.

We live in the "information age." If it’s not on an electronic hand held device, it may escape most of the populous. The problem is that most of the information is fake or at best slanted and deceiving. Just look around, see and listen to what is happening. Your world is changing quickly and not for the better. Social media has replaced, at least in part, the ability to know what is really happening and clouded the ability to think and reason for oneself.

What will shrink your world next? How small will it get?

Close enough to be literally in your face.

PMO
©2017

Mikey

Many years ago I worked with a fellow named Mike, whom I dubbed "Mikey." He was one of the managers in our department and I got the idea that he really didn’t like the nickname. But, I never let that stop me from calling him "Mikey."

Recently I found a stack of old business cards and there was one with his name and phone numbers, including a cell phone. Wanting to check on him and renew our friendship, we became good friends, I decided to give him a call. When he answered, I asked, "Is this "Mikey?" I knew he would know was calling. He didn’t.

I discovered Mike is now in a memory care facility and doesn’t know most people. Not knowing exactly what to do, I continued to explain who I was, but he still did not remember me. He did recall three people out of the department of about 40.

He explained where he was and that he was getting excellent care. And, I encouraged him and wished him well. Then, he said that he did remember me. He said, "you’re the guy that nicknamed me "Mikey." He seemed happy that he knew me and that I called.

In time Mike will remember less and less, and fewer and fewer people.

It’s okay Mike. We remember you.

PMO
©2017

Where We Are

Thomas Paine said, "These are times that try men’s souls." He wrote that when this country was in crisis. We face a crisis today that may be more challenging than a revolutionary war. At every turn there is condemnation of what happened over 200 years ago, with no thought of how the evolution of a small band of colonies grew to become the greatest nation in the history of mankind.

Political correctness, which is political and not correct, has like a cancer eaten away at the very life of freedom and rights. It has gone from something that people laughed at to a force that can even forbid laughing at all.

I had the opportunity to visit with a cousin-in-law this week that I haven’t seen in a long time. He shared a story about his job at a Dallas area college. He was required to attend a sensitivity and sexual harassment training. In the training he was presented with the following scenario:

Instructor: You are exiting a men’s restroom where directly across the hall is a women’s restroom. Just as you exit, a woman is coming out. You notice that she has pulled up her undergarments and caught her dress in them. What would you do?

Cousin: I would politely bring her attention to what she had done.

Instructor: When you approached her, would you touch her?

Cousin: Yes, to get her attention.

Instructor: Where would you touch her?

Cousin: I would touch her on the shoulder.

Instructor: You would have committed sexual assault. You should step around and get in front of her to get her attention and then quietly point out the error. Now, how would you handle the situation?

Cousin: I didn’t see anything.

If you take the instructor’s point of view as being correct, you cannot understand the true human compassion of one person trying to help another from being embarrassed.

This is where we live today.

In times that try men’s souls.

PMO
©2017

75 Years

My in-laws celebrated their 75^th anniversary this week. By celebrated I mean they stayed awake for most of the party we had for them. Being married 75 years is something uncommon these days. In fact, being married 75 weeks these days is quite an accomplishment in some circles.

I have known my in-laws for about 60 of those 75 years and I am still amazed how opposites attract. She was a school teacher with a masters degree and he was a laborer and tradesman. But, they have had total dedication to each other for all those years. They took their vows seriously, through the good and bad times.

The only answer I have for such a long marriage is perhaps the circumstances when they married. They married and three months later he reported to the Navy for duty in the early days of World War II.

After being married for 75 years, I’m guessing WWII was a piece of cake.

PMO
©2017

JFK Files

Big Deal. They have released the files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. And, golly gee, there still are no answers to satisfy those that want a conspiracy. Apparently Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the murder on November 22, 1963. We are certain that Jack Ruby shot Oswald, but that action took place on live television.

While there are more redacted files that may or may not be released next year, this may remain a closed event. Personally I have always thought that Oswald acted alone, and was probably insane because that would be the condition required to do such a thing.

As much as the conspiracy theorist want to blame someone, they will have to wait until historians rewrite history as they often do.

One thing is sure. It was a horrendous deed and a dark day for the country. One that should never be repeated.

PMO
©2017

Bit Of Borrowed Satire

Sometimes I read something that bears repeating, especially satire.  I do love good satire and this is one of those writings that should be passed along.

ByMatt Walsh

@@MattWalshBlog

October 24, 2017

As posted in the Daily Wire

It's important for white children to understand at a very young age that they are a cancer on the Earth and everything they do is racist. There is probably no better time to drive this into their bigoted heads than Halloween, a holiday rife with problematic potential. On that note, several articles have recently been written explaining why your daughter is essentially committing genocide if she dresses like Moana for trick or treating this year.

In case you haven't seen the film because you're racist, a quick recap: "Moana" tells the inspiring story of a spunky little Polynesian girl who saves her island and the entire world by publishing a series of feminist pamphlets decrying gendered wage disparity in the workforce. At least that's how I interpreted it, viewing it through the lens of an extremely woke individual.

Obviously, dressing as Moana for Halloween is a form of cultural appropriation because Moana isn't white. She also isn't anything, really, because she's a fictional character. But let's not get bogged down by details. In fact, an article at RaceConscious.org explains that the appropriation is all the more appropriative in this case because Moana, a film featuring a magical singing demigod and a sentient island that turns into a giant demonic beast and then back into an island again [spoiler], is "based on real history."

The author goes on to argue that it could even be racist to dress up like Elsa because Elsa is white. It seems very confusing, especially to white people, because white people are all profoundly stupid (except for me) compared to more advanced races. The Offensive Costume Matrix has gotten so complex that a college magazine had to print an entire flowchart explaining how to correctly select Halloween costumes without persecuting 4/5 of the globe.

I've decided to add my voice to this discussion by providing a handy list of nine simple ways to avoid being racist on Halloween. It goes without saying that these rules, like all rules, are intended for white cisgendered heterosexuals only. Everyone else can do literally whatever they want. Indeed, the article cited above closes by touting a black version of Elsa. Is it racist for a black person to dress up like a Norwegian character? No. Norwegian culture is white so it doesn't count. I don't even think Norwegia is a real place, to be honest. Just another lie made up by the white man.

Anyway, here we go:

1. Avoid costumes based on characters outside your race.

This has been covered but it bears repeating. It is absolutely demeaning and insensitive to pretend to be something you're not. Unless you're a man pretending to be a woman, in which case a parade should be thrown in your honor. Now, you might retort that the entire freaking point of Halloween is to pretend to be something you're not, but that argument only reveals your white privilege.

Look, it's simple: people of color are not here for your amusement. It is not acceptable to make a mockery of an entire race of people, even if your intention is to pay them homage. It's hard for you to understand the pain caused by cultural caricatures because you're white and nobody ever makes a caricature of white people. Incidentally, I had a great discussion about this very point last St. Patty's Day while I guzzled Irish beer amid a crowd of drunken hooligans dressed like Leprechauns and wearing shamrock glasses.

2. Avoid costumes based on characters of the same race.

What kind of message are you sending when you dress as a white person for Halloween? Are minority cultures not worthy of your attention? Would you be embarrassed to be seen in a costume associated with a race you clearly find inferior? Do you think the only good fictional characters are white? A white child dressed as a white character is advocating segregation. She might as well just dress up as Jim Crow. The one thing more bigoted than mocking a person of color by dressing like them is excluding them by not dressing like them. You should be ashamed.

3. Avoid costumes made from material that originates from historically oppressed regions.

Costumes made from cotton are definitely out, for obvious reasons. Costumes featuring anything gold or sparkly must be ruled out because they may remind Indigenous People of the European explorers who came here to rape their land and steal their gold. Actually, all fabrics must be ruled out because East Asia has had a prosperous textile trade for many centuries. Oh, and don't even think about wearing a jacket if it's a little cold on Halloween. That would be extremely offensive to Eskimos, who are basically not white and I assume invented jackets.

4. Avoid costumes made from material that does not originate from historically oppressed regions.

What are you trying to prove by dressing your kid in that plastic Batman costume? Plastic was invented by a white man, which is a point of pride for white supremacists everywhere. Are you a white supremacist? Is your kid? When you wear plastic, you otherize and exclude marginalized people who did not have the opportunity to invent plastic. Try to be a little sensitive for a change, you worthless, drooling, knuckle dragging, Nazi caveman.

5. Avoid costumes that marginalized people would prefer you not wear.

This isn't hard. If a person from a marginalized group is offended by your costume for any reason whatsoever, you must immediately tear it off and run through the street naked, beating your chest and screaming, "Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa." The safest approach is to gather together a focus group of your 500 closest minority friends and have them vote on the appropriateness of your costume. This is the process I follow before I get dressed every day. It only takes about 8 to 10 hours, usually. A small price to pay in the name of combating white supremacy.

6. Avoid costumes you buy from the store.

Think about it: If you buy a costume from a local retailer, that's one fewer costume that will be available for the next African-American, Latinx, Sudanese, or Cambodian who walks through the door. In a sense, by purchasing the costume, you are stealing it from a Cambodian.

Worst of all, store-bought costumes advertise your wealth and privilege to disadvantaged groups who've long dreamed of going on a shopping spree at Party City. I seriously can't believe that you would even consider buying a costume for yourself or your child. You may as well just cut to the chase and kick a minority in the shins. Disgusting.

7. Avoid homemade costumes.

Is there any more obnoxious way to flaunt your privilege than to wear a costume you made yourself? Think about the impact this may have on those around you. When I was a child, I wanted to be a knight for Halloween so my mom covered a cereal box in tin foil and put it on my head. As I walked down the street, thousands of black and Hispanic children looked at my ritzy, homemade outfit and wept. I learned then how dangerous Halloween can be.

The other problem is that homemade clothing is customary in many African and Asian cultures. They've stitched their own garbs for millennia. It is highly presumptuous for a white person to partake in such an intimate and longstanding minority tradition. How could you even consider doing something that minorities do -- or don't do?

8. Avoid costumes.

All costumes are cultural appropriation by definition. If you'd studied your history, you'd know that non-white cultures have always worn costumes for their various wonderful festivals and so forth. The Wodaabe tribe in Niger joins together once a year for a ritual celebration where many of the participants wear elaborate face paint and feathery attire. Before you go out this Halloween, think of how your costume will impact any Wodaabe people you may come across. Perhaps it's best to forfeit costumes entirely.

9. Avoid avoiding costumes.

Only a racist would forfeit costumes entirely. To forgo costumes on Halloween communicates two things to marginalized populations: A) You don't want to offend them because you're afraid of them, which perpetuates the myth of the dangerous minority. B) You don't want to partake in this fun holiday with minorities because they aren't equal to you. Your decision to not wear a costume can be extremely dehumanizing to non-white people. Almost as dehumanizing as your decision to wear a costume.

These are the rules. They will be strictly enforced. Any white child who comes knocking at my door will have to follow the above protocols, and pass a short cultural sensitivity quiz, in order to receive a treat. If they fail, well, they'll just have to hope the guy next door is handing out gluten-free pita chips. Mine are reserved for non-racists only.

As Larry the Cable Guy might say, "On’t care who you are, at’s funny."

PMO
©2017

Cave On The Moon

Japanese scientist reportedly have recently discovered a cave on the moon. It may be over 30 miles long and 300 feet wide. The cave was reported formed about 3.5 billion years ago as a result of volcanic activity. The Japanese have said they knew about the cave, but have just now confirmed it. They plan to put an astronaut on the moon in 2030.

So what’s the big deal about a cave of such proportions? Well, scientist see it as a potential shelter that may lead to habitation on the moon. I suppose that it may be a place to get out of the sun, if it is on the dark side.

Wouldn’t it be a bit funny if they get there and discover that ISIS is already hiding in the cave?

Hey, it could happen.

PMO
©2017