Sad State of Affairs

What is happening to our country?

Video Exposes Flaws in U.S. Power Grid

The video, produced for the Homeland Security Department and obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, was marked "Official Use Only." It shows commands quietly triggered by simulated hackers having such a violent reaction that the enormous turbine shudders as pieces fly apart and it belches black-and-white smoke.

We, the people of the United States Of America, just don't get it.

This was "obtained" by The Associated Press and they quickly got it out there on the Internet for the WORLD to see.

It used to be an act of treason to obtain and publish something the government had marked "Official Use Only."

This country is doomed!!!



Speaking of doomed:

Judge Strikes Down Parts of Patriot Act

A judge rules that two provisions of the Patriot Act, which greatly expanded the government's authority to investigate suspected acts of terrorism at home and abroad, are unconstitutional because they allow search warrants to be issued without a showing of probable cause.

Well sure, the terrorists fight by the rules so we the victims should too!!!!

This country is doomed!!!



After Mistrial, Spector Case Will Go On

LOS ANGELES - The specter of Phil Spector will haunt Hollywood well into 2008. On Wednesday, the judge presiding over the legendary "Wall of Sound" producer's murder trial declared a mistrial after jurors indicated they were hopelessly deadlocked, 10-2, in favor of convicting Spector on charges that he killed actress Lana Clarkson more than four years ago.

Every criminal and every terrorist when caught will request their cases be tried in Los Angeles!!!

Los Angeles jurors are like Florida voters, they don't have a clue!!

This country is doomed!!!



Federal raid at McDonald's nets 40 arrests

RENO — Federal agents raided 11 McDonald's restaurants in northern Nevada and made more than 40 arrests Thursday as part of an investigation into illegal immigration.

Agents for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made the arrests in Reno, Sparks and Fernley after raids at the restaurants and a franchise corporate office in Reno, agency spokesman Richard Rocha said.

"They are people suspected of being in the country illegally. As far as I know, they were all McDonald's employees," he said.

They are everywhere! Push 1 for a Big Mac and 2 for Fries!!

Hispanic leaders and representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union scheduled a news conference to respond to the arrests.

Of course they did!!

This country is doomed!!!



New Recalls for Toys, Jewelry, Play Yards

WASHINGTON - Toys and children's necklaces made in China were recalled Wednesday, including five more items from the popular Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway product line, because they contain dangerous levels of lead.

RC2 Corp.'s "Knights of the Sword" series toys and some of its Thomas and Friends items, along with floor puppet theaters, chairs for children, and toy gardening tools sold by Ohio-based Jo-Ann Stores Inc., were among the more than 601,000 toys and children's jewelry announced in the recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recalled toys contain high levels of lead in their surface paint, and the necklaces and jewelry sets contain excessive lead in some of their metal parts.

Under current regulations, children's products found to have more than .06 percent lead accessible to users are subject to a recall. The government warned parents to make sure children are not playing or using any of the recalled products.

This is the second recall from the Thomas & Friends product line after RC2 Corp. announced June 13 a recall of 1.5 million wooden railway toys. The company is recalling five items, totaling about 200,000 toys in all, of Thomas & Friends toys not included in the first recall.

When will the citizens of the once great United States Of America say enough is enough?

This country is doomed!!!

"I don't think consumers have seen the end to lead paint recalls," said Julie Vallese, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Of course we haven't!!!

This country is doomed!!!

Now there is a downer for the weekend. But hey, at least it is the weekend!!!!

Health Warning

Today's post is to address a serious illness many people are unaware of.

OK I have been married to Vicki for 31 years next month.

It has taken me until now to discover a disease Vicki has had since I have known her that has gone undiagnosed by any doctor.

At times her mysterious disease has really caused a problem in our lives.

I'm proud to say after endless hours, endless days, endless nights, and endless years of research, I have finally had a breakthrough discovery.

I don't know how many of you know of this disease as it is not widely publicized.

Maybe you have heard of it, it is called the THANK YOU disease.

That's right, the Thank You disease.

Here are the symptoms and how it has affected Vicki all these years.

People with this disease will look at things that make them smile or happy and then say thank you.

Following are some examples of Vicki's symptoms. She sees any dog, she smiles and says thank you to herself because the dog made her happy. She might see a baby in a stroller and says thank you, or maybe someone brings cookies to the park making the other people happy so she smiles and says thank you. An airplane flies over going anywhere and, since she likes to travel, she smiles and says thank you. A walk along the ocean beach makes her smile and say thank you. Shoe shopping, she smiles and says thank you. A trip to the park, she smiles and says thank you.

You see how it works?

Her disease is acknowledging the blessings in her life and making a point to recognize them.

This is also called practicing receiving gratitude.

I was extremely lucky to find a clue as I was reading Webster's Dictionary, which I often do, and I came across the word gratitude.

Upon research of the word I found it originates from the Latin word gratus which by definition means 'Thankful, Pleasing Quality or Good Will.'

So now back to the problems it has caused over the years. Do you know how hard it is to live with someone who finds something good no matter how bad?

That is not right. It is no fun if there is always good triumphing over bad. What does that leave a person to rant about?

Finding things to smile and say thank you about all the time must be a terrible burden to have. I certainly don't have the disease.

Do you see the pattern?

People with this disease want others to have it as well.

This is very dangerous. By spreading the disease, thus making everyone else happy, can reek havoc in towns and cities across America.

They get caught up in the idea that everyone should be happy.

The next thing you know they want you to seize the moment and reach out to others with small gestures like smiling, saying hello or some kind of action to others to make them feel grateful and say thank you as well.

Most people with this disease don't even realize they have it and don't understand that there are a lot of people out there that don't want to be happy.

All people with this disease know is they need more and more gratitude.

Consider this a warning that Vicki is out there among you with this disease.

When I find a doctor that can treat this disease I will let you know. Until then be very careful because last night Vicki made me smile and say thank you as she greeted me when I came home from work!!!!!!

That's all for today. I hope by reading this you didn't catch anything to make you smile and say thank you!!!

Off Day

I had such an outstanding post for today all formulated in my mind. Then before I could type it I saw the news that Jack Bauer had been arrested for DUI.

I became so depressed I forgot all the good stuff I was going to write today.

So it's off today for me and if everything follows true in Hollywood, Jack is off to Rehab.

Thanks for checking in.

Half a Rant and Half Silly Questions

It is only Tuesday and I am ranting.

Why is it every lame duck president seems to bury his head in the sand and lose track of reality?

Bush Says the Economy Is Holding Up Well

President Bush on Thursday cited "some unsettling times" in the U.S. housing and credit markets as he sought to assure jittery Americans that the economy is holding up well despite worries about a recession. "I say that the fundamentals of our nation's economy are strong," Bush told a White House news conference.

Inflation is down, markets are steady, unemployment is relatively low, exports are up and corporate profits seem to be healthy, Bush told reporters.

"There is no question that there is some unsettling times in the housing market and credits associated with the housing market," the president said. But he said he didn't see that spreading to the broader economy.

How is it no one knows how to use my domino method?

The domino method simply means you stack dominos on end in rows and when they are all stacked you push on the starting domino and you follow each one as it touches the next one. As you will see from that, the first domino technically touches all the dominos.

To say he didn't see the effects of the housing and credit markets spreading to the broader economy means he did not follow the domino theory.

He doesn't understand this affects our whole economy because he doesn't follow who (each domino) is touched by this.

This affects a huge market not just houses and lenders. It goes clear down to restaurants, automobiles, and retail stores among others.

Words like 'unemployment is relatively low' and 'corporate profits seem to be healthy' worry me.

What is considered relatively low unemployment?

What corporations is he looking at when he says profits seem to be healthy.

Are those American corporations? Are they oil-related corporations?

Take a look around at the workers you know and ask how the U.S. housing and credit markets have affected their jobs.

I guess since I'm not college educated, I really don't know what the definition of the fundamentals of our nation's economy is.



Speaking of jobs:

Is it better to have a job that already pays well or not have a job that pays more?

73,000 workers walk in nationwide GM strike

Since the start of 2005, GM has taken a hit in its core North American auto unit, which posted nearly $13 billion in net losses in 2005 and 2006 combined. Losses continued in the first quarter of 2007 before the unit posted a narrow profit in the second quarter, but it was likely to report continued losses this year even without the costs associated with a strike.

For his part, union boss Gettelfinger did not dismiss the notion that GM was in trouble. But he said there is only so much the union can do to stem losses at GM facilities.

So the union admits the company is in a lot of trouble but they have no responsibility to help that company from closing. Now there is a bright leader if I ever heard one.

The new American thinking, 'I'm not responsible,' 'it's not my fault,' and 'why should I help you!!!'

So much for made in America!

Can you spell Japanese cars?




Speaking of cars:

Who comes up with names of cars and what in the world are they thinking when they do?

1. AMC Gremlin
"a tiny imaginary mischievous creature that is blamed for faults in tools, machinery, and electronic equipment." Do you really want anything to do with gremlins when you are driving down a steep and slippery road?

2. Ford Probe
Probably the manufacturers meant probe as in space probe. However, we can't rule out another definition: "surgical instrument for exploring."

3. Chevy Cavalier
"showing an arrogant or jaunty disregard or lack of respect for something or somebody," or a "gallant or chivalrous gentleman, especially one escorting a lady." Which do you think they were going for?

4. Plymouth Reliant
"depending on or needing somebody or something." Wouldn't you like to be able to rely on your car, rather than have it rely on you?

5. Oldsmobile Cutlass
"a short thrusting sword with a flat and slightly curved blade used in the past, especially by sailors." This might be a better name for a boat.

6. Volkswagen Golf
"an outdoor game in which an array of specially designed clubs with long shafts are used to hit a small ball from a prescribed starting point into a hole." What if you prefer tennis or soccer? Can you still drive this car?

7. Toyota Corolla
"the petals of a flower collectively, forming a ring around the reproductive organs and surrounded by an outer ring of sepals." Well, at least the literal Latin translation of corolla is "little crown."

8. Chevy Suburban
"relating to, belonging to, or located in a suburb." Why is there no "Urban" or "Rural?"

9. Mitsubishi Mirage
"something that is unreal or merely imagined." This suggests the car may not be as good as it seems.

10. Subaru Brat
"demanding and selfish person: somebody, either a child or an adult, who is regarded as tiresomely demanding and selfish, like a spoiled child." So, it's not surprising that Subaru has discontinued that model.




French Mime Marcel Marceau Dies


In closing I will ask you my burning question for the day:

At a Mime's funeral,in honor of the late Mime, do they observe a moment of speaking?

Slow News

Monday, Monday, and nothing exciting to write especially since nobody got my Friday post.

Today's post needs help,


so let's bounce around a bit and see what happens.


Diocese Settles Abuse Claims for $198M

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego said Friday it has agreed to pay $198.1 million to settle 144 claims of sexual abuse by clergy, the second-largest payment by a diocese.


And where does the Pope stand on these allegations?

He is still in denial and hides his head.



Speaking of covering up:


The Republicans have to take cover from all the B.S. the Democrats are throwing around.



Is there life after death?


Nope, once you are dead, you are dead.



Well that's all I have for today. It's time to go and enjoy a cigarette.



Have a good Monday!!!

From Idaho to Ohio in a Short Time

OK, it's Friday. Yahoo!

I know I'll hear about this, but some things are just so good you just gotta put it out there.

For those that know me, you know my humor; for those of you that don't, I must admit sometimes my humor is out there.

I love to laugh long, hard and a lot, and I think more laughter is what the world needs.

It's time to leave the uptight world and enter the laughter zone.

Every once in a while a story comes along that to me is so funny I have to make sure everyone has the opportunity to share the laughter.

To make it even funnier, a little later I am going to ask you to do as I did and use visualization skills to make the story even more hilarious.

This is the story I have come across and am sharing it with you today. So sit back and buckle up for it's going to be a bumpy ride!!


Does auto insurance cover back-seat sex?

Man says wild intercourse by pair threw SUV off balance, leading to crash

MOSCOW, Idaho - A 22-year-old carnival worker blames two friends having sexual intercourse in the back seat of his SUV for an accident in which his Chevrolet S-10 Blazer struck a telephone pole.

Joshua D. Frank pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor charge of failing to notify a police officer of a traffic accident. That's after he left the vehicle at the site of the mishap. He was fined $188.

Frank told Moscow Police Department officers that he was driving the vehicle near downtown early Saturday while a man and woman were having sex in the rear of the vehicle.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Frank told authorities that the actions of the pair in the back caused the Blazer, which "was top heavy anyway," to become "tippy" and lose control.

Frank left the accident scene with a minor head wound and returned to his trailer.

The other two occupants of the vehicle were treated for injuries, according to the affidavit, though further information on their condition wasn't available.

OK, now stay with me on this one.

Here's what I want you to do. I want you to visualize the following:

Two in the back, driver in the front cruising down the road, things in the back seat progress and before you know it the Blazer starts to slowly rock back and forth and up and down, and the driver starts to get excited and gradually pushes a little harder on the gas pedal.

The pair in the back seat increase their speed which causes the Blazer to rapidly rock back and forth and up and down which in turn causes the driver increased excitement and he again pushes harder on the gas pedal increasing the Blazer's speed.

The pair in the back seat are going wide open now which in turn causes the driver to get so excited he pushes the gas pedal all the way to the floor and the Blazer is going wide open as well.

Even though they are on a road in Idaho, the girl in the back seat arrives at Ohio and screams out loud.

This causes the driver to turn his body to look at the back seat which in doing so causes him to turn the steering wheel thus making the already "tippy" Blazer swerve and hit a pole.

Now that, my friends, is a great story with an additional comment from the police interview: When interviewed by the police regarding the Blazer hitting the pole, the lady stated, "It was a real climax to a wonderful drive down the highway."


Who put the bomp in the bomp-a-bomp-a-bomp?

Who put the ram in the ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong?

Who put the bop in the bop sh-bop sh-bop?

Who put the dip in the dip da-dip da-dip?

Who was that man? I'd like to shake his hand,

He made my baby fall in love with me.


Have a laughter-filled weekend and join me again on Monday for some more of nothing much!!!

All the News You Can Use

Dateline Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas Crime O.J. Update

Additional charges may be filed against O. J. After a thorough inspection of the Palace Station hotel room by security staff, it has been determined that a white robe, a towel and an ash tray are missing.

If need be, we will break in during commercials so you don't miss a thing. So stay tuned for further updates.




Ripped from today's headlines:

Their Last Words? Languages Dying Out

WASHINGTON - Languages that embody the history and traditions of people are dying, researchers said Tuesday.

Losing languages means losing knowledge, says K. David Harrison, an assistant professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College.

"When we lose a language, we lose centuries of human thinking about time, seasons, sea creatures, reindeer, edible flowers, mathematics, landscapes, myths, music, the unknown and the everyday."

Hey are any of you politicians out there listening? With the immigration reform you want to enact it will be English next!!!!



Speaking of politicians, here is the intelligence of some of our voters:

After a recent election the newspaper received a call in which the caller asked, "Just what did we just vote on? I'd like to see if I voted the way I wanted to!!"

Scary, very scary!!!



How about Seattle and welcoming a new slut to town:

New Seattle Trolley Line Has Acronym SLUT

SEATTLE - Officially it's the South Lake Union Streetcar. Within the old Cascade neighborhood, part of the area to be served by the new line, it's popularly known as the South Lake Union Trolley - or SLUT. At Kapow! Coffee, 100 T-shirts bearing the words "Ride the SLUT" sold out in days and another 100 are on order. "We're welcoming the SLUT into the neighborhood," said Jerry Johnson, 29, a part-time barista.

I gotta get one of those T-shirts!! X-large if any of my readers are in Seattle!!




OK, now I have to relate a personal story of something that happened to me yesterday. Those of you that know me know how I am about reading, but for those of you that don't know me I'll explain.

I grew up just a poor kid who lived on the west side of the railroad tracks in a little dusty town in Nevada.

Reading did not become me with the exception of funny books (comics) so when I go to the library to check out a book I always need help.

You see, now that I have this interesting blog with faithful readers it requires endless hours of research to keep you entertained.

I have to say that most librarians are very helpful with the exception of the one yesterday.

Do you know how humiliating it is to be standing at the counter and have the Librarian hysterically laughing so loud that everyone in the library stopped what they were doing and stared directly at me.

I was taught you are supposed to be quiet and never raise your voice above a whisper in a library. Well she was just flat out loud.

I never did find out what was so funny about my question and I had to leave empty handed.

Maybe one of you can help shed some light on what was so funny about my request.

All I did was ask her if she had the two books I wanted to check out.

First, I asked her for the play Romeo and Juliet, the edition with Leonardo DiCaprio, then I asked for a book on Cleopatra, specifically the one with photos and that's when she got all hysterical on me.

I have decided to find a new library!!!


OK all you great people out there it's Thursday which means we are on the downhill slide for the weekend.

What Did You Say?

Today let's delve into a serious problem facing millions of baby boomers!!!


You know the one thing I see with growing old is the fact younger people don't understand how it works.

I'm sure I didn't when I was younger, although I can't seem to remember if I did or not.

The biggest complaint I have is how little regard people have for my lack of hearing them well.

All the aches and pains (which for some reason I don't forget) that come with age are caused mainly because we are from the can-do era which we did do with no regard to the effects it would later have on our bodies.

Ear protection when working around machinery in my day was unheard of.

Not to mention the untold damage cause by AM radios, yes AM radios, you know the ones prior to AM/FM Stereo/ 6 cd changers with 8 speaker surround sound.

With an AM radio you had it loud because the static was so bad you could barely hear the music.

Also cars didn't have air conditioning so when you drove 100 mph with the windows down the noise level of the air was at a high decibel level.

It seems to me people think that rather than enunciating their words, instead of mumbling or at the very least raising their voice a little to accommodate me, they think I should get a hearing aid.

I guess today's young people, instead of being a CAN-DO generation like we were, want to be a ME generation.

They don't think they should raise their voice so I can hear them rather they only think they need to raise their voice when they want something.

With some people I have to try to read their lips because no matter how many times I say I'm sorry I didn't hear you, say again, I can't hear you or I say what did you say, invariably they repeat what they said at the same volume they originally spoke.

Does anyone out there HEAR me when I say it is really frustrating when I can't hear you?

I hate to tell them but their time of having the same complaint as I do will come soon enough, so it would be nice if younger people tried a little harder to make my life a little easier.

I mean is that asking too much?

And ladies, I'm sorry to say you can be the worst, you know with that little soft spoken voice you use.

Unless we are alone sitting by candle light and you are whispering sweet nothings in my ear, SPEAK UP!!

Well that's my rant but remember this, if you talk to me and I don't respond, don't get mad just get LOUDER.



If the shoe fits.....

My wife informed me she has made a doctor's appointment and the doctor is not in our insurance's preferred network.

When I questioned her why she was going out of network she also informed me the Doctor was not only out of network but also out of the country.

When I gave her a puzzled look she informed me she was on her way to see Imelda Marcos's doctor.



Imelda Marcos Told to Wear Special Shoes

MANILA, Philippines- Former first lady Imelda Marcos - known for her extensive shoe collection - left a hospital Monday after being treated for knee pain and was ecstatic when doctors advised her to get some orthopedic footwear.


"Now I have the justification to have more shoes," a beaming Marcos told reporters.

"The prescription of the orthopedic doctors was to have more shoes," according to Marcos. "And I said, 'Sure."'

Well, that's all Vicki needed to hear! At last a Doctor that understands women need shoes, lots of shoes.

"Now I will have the justification to have more shoes too" Vicki told me as she was leaving for the airport!!

OK. That's all I got for today. What can I say, it was a long night and this was the best I could do on short time.

Breaking News

Stop the presses! We interrupt regularly scheduled programing - you are about to receive a news flash out of Las Vegas, Nevada.


O.J. has asked for a change of venue to Los Angeles where he is sure he will get a fair trial.

Prior to O.J.'s arrest the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police were very careful to measure the hotel door to make sure O.J. could fit, so the jury would not have to acquit.

O. J. had better keep his Screen Actors Guild card current as he is going to have to put on another acting performance for a new jury.

O.J. has also vowed when he is set free he will spend however long it takes to find the real person that strong-armed their way into the Palace Station hotel room.

When arrested, O.J. was not wearing Bruno Magli shoes.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police recorded O.J.'s one phone call and have said the call was to Al Cowlings telling him to warm up the white Bronco as it was time to take it for another drive.

The Mayor and former mob lawyer takes a little something to O.J. to make sure his visit in Las Vegas is comfortable.



Everyone is setting up camp at the Las Vegas Courthouse waiting to see what happens.



Even Elvis came out of hiding for the circus event.



Las Vegas has become so overrun with media that parking is at a premium and all parking is now valet only.



While in jail O.J. has started his next book titled "If I Had Broken In To That Las Vegas Hotel Room."

And there you have it, a firsthand and up-to-date report on the scene here in Las Vegas, Nevada where O.J. hopes "What Happens in Vegas Does Not Stay in Vegas."

You surely didn't think being the reporter I am I would pass up this opportunity, did you? Las Vegas is my beat.

And that's the way it is this 18th day of September 2007 in the County of Clark, City of Las Vegas, Nevada.

You keep in touch so we can keep in touch!!!!

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Dateline Las Vegas, Nevada - where real people actually live.

Another great dog story!!

You meet all kinds of people in this world, and 99% of the time you find that if they love dogs, they are good people.

Almost every night, rain or shine, we take our dog to the park. For about 2 hours we meet up with several other good people known as dog lovers.

We have become what some refer to as a club, some a group. We simply call ourselves the dog people.

Our group of dog people has expanded as time has gone on with the fee to join being simply having a dog and not caring about the weather because the dog doesn't.

I could write stories about anyone in the group, but today I am writing about a lady and her dog that have recently joined us at the park and are now part of the dog people.

I have chosen to write about them because I had an interesting experience Saturday which I thought I would share with you.

The lady is Patty Martin with therapy dog extraordinaire, Cody.


Patty invited us to an assisted-living home to see a dog fashion show that Cody was going to be in, along with about 19 other dogs, for the people living at the home.

I have met and seen several therapy dogs but have never really had an opportunity to watch one in action.

So today I got to see first-hand how much joy these dogs give to people.

When we walked in the assisted-living home, there were the residents gathered around the runway either in chairs, wheel chairs or standing with the aid of walkers, some with oxygen, but all with eager anticipation of the show that was yet to come. It was obvious this was a big event for their day.

You could feel the excitement in the air as the announcer was testing his sound levels. One gentleman impatiently shouted, "Start the show."

It was amazing to see how excited the audience was with anticipation and how contagious it got as I found myself almost shouting, "Let's go, let's go."

The announcer now had his sound adjusted and announces the first dog as it enters from stage left and the oohs and ahhs mixed in with giggles and sighs from the crowd begins.

I was totally amazed the joy these dogs spread as one by one they paraded in their fashion attire across the makeshift runway.



















As the show was progressing, from time to time my wife Vicki and I would look at each other and smile as to how cute the dogs were but also as an acknowledgment as to the enjoyment we saw the people were getting from the show.

When the show ended there was a distinct murmur among the people as if to say, "Darn, it's over," but then the dogs mingled with the crowd which you could tell the people thoroughly enjoyed.

By day Patty and Cody visit hospitals four days a week bringing people a little sunshine into their otherwise dreary day.


By night Cody takes off his uniform and he and Patty are simply one of the dog people.

I realized those of us lucky enough to have a dog in reality have therapy dogs as ours bring happiness into our lives as well.

For those not so fortunate, Patty and Cody are on the job.

Friday Goes to the Dogs

Friday Baby Friday!!

We have read a lot of bad stories about an athlete and dogs lately.

Today I would like to share a good story about an athlete and a dog in case you missed it.


Surfer Saves Dog Swept Off Pier by Wave

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. - A surfer rode a wave on his stomach to reach and rescue a struggling dog that had been swept off a Lake Michigan pier by a big wave.

Matt Smolenski, 25, of Grand Haven said he grabbed the pooch's collar just as the exhausted, black-and-brown mixed breed stopped dog-paddling on Tuesday afternoon.

"He put the dog up on his surfboard, and the dog rode the surfboard in to shore," Royce Rodgers, an off-duty Muskegon Heights police officer who witnessed the rescue, told The Muskegon Chronicle for a story published Wednesday.

As the dog hung 20, Smolenski held onto the board from the water, fighting large waves and a strong current all the way to shore.

Rodgers, who had started walking his own dog on the pier but turned around after seeing the size of the waves, said he'd often seen the other dog and its owner there.

"I've watched the dog about a million times," Smolenski said. "He barks at the waves and then jumps back when they wash up on the pier."

The dog was not on a leash when it was washed into the lake. The same wave also knocked the animal's disabled owner off his feet, Rodgers said.

"The dog was trying to swim, but the waves were very large. It was struggling," Rodgers said. "The owner was screaming for the dog."

The owner quickly thanked Smolenski and gave him a high five. He then "left so fast, I couldn't get his name," Rodgers said.


Does that make you feel good or what?

Kudos to the surfer dudes. May their boards be smooth and may their waves be A-Frames.



Surfers everywhere are rejoicing.



Police Look for Nude Man Walking Dogs

LITCHFIELD, Conn. - Police say they are on the lookout for a nude man who was spotted taking a stroll with two dogs on Monday. Police say the man was seen by a female jogger in the woods of the White Memorial Foundation.

Mary Stolle, athletic director at nearby Wamogo Regional High School, said the school's cross country teams were diverted from the woods where they had been training into White Memorial's museum as a precaution.

The suspect is a tall white man with thin hair who is believed to be in his 50s.

The dogs were described as having long hair and very red faces.

Thursday's post was long. Today's is shorter so we can start the party!!

Have a good weekend!!!

Give Me a Break

I have been staying away from getting too political on my blog, but this I just couldn't pass on.

Depending on which poll I read, most are showing Hillary as a front runner for President. My faith in the American people's intelligence is starting to waver.

American politicians at their best.



Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., to give to charity $23,000 she received from Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu.

Clinton campaign aides had said earlier that the candidate had no plans to return money donated by Hsu, but the campaign reversed itself after The Times’ disclosure. “In light of the new information regarding Mr. Hsu’s outstanding warrant in California, we will be giving his contributions to charity,” Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said.

You know Norman Hsu, a major fundraiser over the last three years for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and he is the guy engaged in an illegal investment scheme. He was regarded as a top Democratic party fundraiser until recent reports surfaced that he was wanted on a warrant in California in connection with a 1991 grand theft charge.


Sen. Hillary thought it would create good will with the voters if she gave $23,000 she received from Norman to charity. That's right - to charity - not the people that donated it in the first place.



Well guess what folks, someone told her that one of the news media or one of the other candidates, more than likely a Republican, was going to ask a few more questions regarding her generous donation to charity and if that was all the money raised for her by Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu, who allegedly violated election laws.

In less than a week, Hillary, being the upstanding politician she is, has looked a little closer and look what she found:

Clinton to Return $850,000 From Donor

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign said Monday it will return $850,000 in donations raised by Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu, who is under federal investigation for allegedly violating election laws.



"We have decided out of an abundance of caution to return the money he raised for our campaign," Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said in a statement Monday night. "An estimated 260 donors this week will receive refunds totaling approximately $850,000 from the campaign."

Let's see, from $23,000.00 to $850,000.00 one has to wonder how she would handle our national debt as in my book $827,000.00 is a very big difference to overlook.

Pay close attention to the fact this money is being returned to the donors and not to charity. Wow what happened to great press coverage by donating to charity?

Gee I wonder if that is so they can donate it back to her?

Wolfson said the Clinton campaign also will vigorously review its fundraisers, including thorough criminal background checks, in the future. "In any instances where a source of a bundler's income is in question, the campaign will take affirmative steps to verify its origin," he said.

Wow you would think as long as she has been associated with politics she would already be doing this!!

I love a diligent politician, don't you?

But wait this was the first time something like this has happened with Hillary, right?

Well not quite:

Los Angeles Times, March 3, 2007

A Pakistani immigrant who hosted fundraisers in Southern California for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is being sought by the FBI on charges that he funneled illegal contributions to Clinton’s political action committee and Sen. Barbara Boxer’s 2004 reelection campaign.



Abdul Rehman Jinnah’s profile peaked in 2004 and 2005 as he wooed members of Congress to join a caucus advancing Pakistani concerns and brought Clinton to speak to prominent Pakistani Americans, lauding their homeland’s contributions to the war on terrorism and calling relations with Pakistan beneficial to U.S. interests.

Officials from both campaigns have said they were unaware of the alleged wrongdoing and returned the contributions.

Wouldn't you think after getting in bed with Pakistan, then jumping out of bed with the Pakistani and giving back money, she would take that lesson and out of an abundance of caution vigorously review the future donations before jumping into bed with the Chinese?

Disclaimer: The phrase "jumping into bed" is meant as a figure of speech and not meant literally.

Being a true professional politician as she is, she is able to put a spin on truth as now stories are starting to emerge basically saying that because she is going to vigorously review future donations, she has raised the bar on other candidates to check where their money comes from.

From heel to heroine in one day!!!

Anyone heard of Three Card Monte or are you familiar of the term Smoke and Mirrors?

In other words she is such a good person for keeping everyone honest!!

Friends, I was raised in an area that had a lot of vermin which, as a kid, my father warned me to avoid.

I will share with you that wisdom my father shared with me.

He would tell me, "If it hisses like a snake and if it slithers like a snake, you better believe it is a snake!!!!"

My father was one of the smartest men I have ever known.

In closing I suggest you

Be afraid, be very afraid!!


Be very very afraid!!

Ponder This

Mid week, hump day, whatever you call it but we be half way there, woo hoo!!


Three Points to Ponder

1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments


COWS

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

________________________________

THE CONSTITUTION

They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.

________________________________

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this:

You cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal," "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery," and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...It creates a hostile work environment.


Now that makes one stop and think, don't ya think?




This is a sad commentary of our times:

Wow a store that is closing and short-handed as well.
How do you spell oxymoron?





Speaking of stores, be very careful when making a purchase at this next store:




Boy you talk about a deal!!! Five for the price of two - get 'um while they are in stock!!



And then there is Mayor Stranczek:


I think I know what the Mayor is saying, but I believe excetions is not an English word. So when he says learn it, I'm not sure you should.

English is our language but obviously spelling is not taught well enough in our schools.

I don't profess to be a good speller, but I do know where spell check is on my computer.

And now I will spell out the words to finish today's post....

THE END!!!!

Ben and Ron's Excellent Adventure

The travelers are back!!!

Well, our friends Ben,

Ron


and dog April


have returned from a vacation in Oregon.

How unfair they would leave Las Vegas in the middle of the summer when our temperatures are at their highest and vacation in the cooler green state of Oregon?

It seems to me true friends would suffer the heat with the rest of us and go to Oregon in the winter so as not to make us all feel bad.

Along the way to the green, green state of Oregon, Ben and Ron stopped to let April take care of her business in the Nevada rest area grass only to be told she couldn't go on the grass.


Ben, Ron and April stopped in Tonopah at the McDonalds but didn't know where to park.



Ron said even though Ben had driven the roads many times Ben for some reason was a little confused as to which way to turn on this trip.



Ron said it got so bad Ben didn't know whether to stop or go.



Ron also said Ben was so uptight with the drive he wanted a cocktail, but the state of Oregon warned him not to.




Ben figured that he better not as he was already seeing double.

Well, they are back and even though they were cool, at least we got to have their share of Pat's homemade pies, cakes and cookies.

Welcome back Ben and Ron - I think!!