CRAWFORDS CRIER

Tiny things matter

2011-02-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my daughter came by to say hello and show me something special-so she said. She had stopped by a house to look at poodle pups and met a man and his wife-she was a deputy somewhere else and he's wheelchair bound. As they visited and talked he recognized my name and went and got a special picture he had- and showed it to her. In high school- he had a lot of problems and the school counselor gave him this picture and he cherished it, had it laminated, and kept it on the wall of each house he lived in. It was a picture of spiderman on a 3 foot square of butcher paper- signed and dated by------- me. In 10th grade I had drawn it, signed and dated it-while I was sitting in the principles office-lol. I was in the office for drawing in class and not paying attention-go figure. Spiderman was a hero to this man and that picture inspired him all these years. He got married 12 years to the day-of the date on the poster.
Kind of makes you stop and think sometimes about how tiny things can make such a huge difference in later years in other peoples lives.

Air conditioning

2010-07-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

I saw a small article on coasttocoastam, and it got me to thinking. We live in our little air conditioned spaces at home and at work. Air conditioners are the worst energy consumers and emit terrible amounts of heat. Remember back in the "ole "days of no AC's, people had windows open and ate supper on the porch. Kids played outside and everyone found excuses to be outside in the cooler air. There were trees for shade and activities were planned under them and around them. Short sleeves and shorts were the normal attire, houses had fans going everywhere, high ceiling homes were the coolest, they had plenty of air flow thru them. The electric bills were dramatically lower and people got to see each other more and say hello.
Oh well-just me ranting in my air conditioned home.

no cost insurance

2010-06-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

Dhimmitude is the Muslim system of controlling non-muslim populations conquered through jihad. Specifically, it is the TAXING of non-muslims in exchange for tolerating their presence AND as a coercive means of converting conquered remnants to islam.

The ObamaCare bill is the establishment of Dhimmitude and Sharia muslim diktat in the United States . Muslims are specifically exempted from the government mandate to purchase insurance, and also from the penalty tax for being uninsured. Islam considers insurance to be “gambling”, “risk-taking” and “usury” and is thus banned. Muslims are specifically granted exemption based on this. How convenient. Meanwhile, Louis Farrakhan will have no such penalty and will have 100% of his health needs paid for by the de facto government insurance. Non-muslims will be paying a tax to subsidize muslims. Period. This is Dhimmitude.

Dhimmitude serves two purposes: it enriches the muslim masters AND serves to drive conversions to islam. In this case, the incentive to convert to islam will be taken up by those in the inner-cities as well as the godless Generation X, Y and Z types who have no moral anchor. If you don’t believe in Christ to begin with, it is no problem whatsoever to sell Him for 30 pieces of silver.

privacy on facebook

2010-05-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON — The head of the House Judiciary Committee is asking Google Inc. and Facebook to cooperate with government inquiries into privacy practices at both companies.

Michigan Democrat John Conyers sent letters to Google and Facebook on Friday amid mounting concern that the two online companies are not adequately protecting personal privacy on the Internet.

Facebook has come under fire for sharing user information with a handful of other online services as part of its "instant personalization" program, which is intended to let Facebook members share their interests in everything from music to restaurants with others in their social network.

Facebook simplified its privacy controls in response to the backlash among users.

Several privacy watchdog groups have filed a complaint against Facebook with the Federal Trade Commission, whichis reviewing social networks' privacy policies.

A Facebook spokesman said the company looks forward to meeting with Conyers' staff to explain its privacy practices and policies.

Conyers stopped short of saying his committee will begin its own investigations into Facebook and Google.

Google recently admitted that it had sucked up fragments of e-mails, Web surfing behavior and other activities over public Wi-Fi networks while it was photographing neighborhoods for its "Street View" mapping feature.

At least two House members have asked the FTC to look into the matter and are seeking more information from Google about the incident.

Google has hired a security consulting firm to make an encrypted copy of all the U.S. data collected by Street View, according to records in a federal lawsuit filed against the company in Portland, Ore. The judge overseeing that case has ordered Google to retain the data.

Global Domination

2010-05-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

Veteran Bilderberg researcher and bestselling author Daniel Estulin has once again acquired a copy of the agenda for the annual meeting of the world's power elite. In an exclusive interview with The Corbett Report earlier today, Estulin revealed what the Bilderbergers will be discussing at this year's confab in Sitges, Spain on June 3-6, 2010.
According to the documents—which Estulin obtained from his sources inside the secretive group—issues to be discussed in this year's formal deliberations are:
1. Will the Euro Survive? 2. Development in Europe: Europe's Exit Strategy...On Hold? 3. Do We Have Institutions to Deal With the World Economy? 4. Greece: Lessons and Forward-looking Strategies 5. NATO and Afghanistan: The Practical Agenda for the Alliance 6. Iran and Russia: Economic and Financial Threats to the Alliance 7. The Consequences of War Against Terrorism 8. The Influence of Domestic Issues on American Foreign Policy 9.The Outlook for Japan's Economy 10. The Future of the U.S. Dollar: Alternative Scenarios
That the Bilderbergers—essentially a talking shop for European and North American power players—are interested in discussing the current meltdown of the European economy should come as no surprise, especially as the group's attendee list includes many of the key financiers and string pullers who helped steer Europe into the crisis in the first place. Past attendees of the meeting include current EU President Herman Van Rompuy who got the job as the first non-elected head of the undemocratic European Union after a special wine and dine session with Bilderberg steering committee members. Last year he praised the increased role of G20 in dealing with the global financial crisis. Other key Bilderbergers include Jean-Claude Trichet, who, as head of the European Central Bank, was instrumental in helping to craft the current European bailout which itself is designed to incentivize the bankruptcy of Europe. Trichet, too, also recently called for global government to regulate the world economic meltdown that his fellow Bilderbergers helped to create.
Those familiar with the Bilderberg group's long-cherished dream of achieving global government through the creation of an international financial framework will be unsurprised to see that a debate on the question "Do We Have Institutions to Deal With the World Economy?" is the third order of business at this year's meeting. Nor will it be a surprise when the question is inevitably answered with the standard globalist line that international institutions like the IMF and the World Bank need to be "strengthened" and even given as a result of the crisis they have brought about, exactly as Bilderberg observers have been predicting for years. Indeed, as Estulin himself notes in his latest book, Shadow Masters , former U.S. Undersecretary of State George Ball expressed the ambition of the globalists in an address to the 1968 Bilderberg meeting in Mont Tremblant when he stated that they were interested in developing a "world company" to take over the "archaic political structure of nation states"

History

2010-05-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

In school - history was boring and I felt it was a waste of my valuable time. I graduated high school 30 years ago and now have discovered with time that history is fantastic and amazing. With the ease of info on the internet, I have studied so many new facts and places and have decided that maybe what you learn in school is very important-hahaha. I have seen and watched and read and enjoyed all I have learned very much. It is a shame kids cannot enjoy and learn more at a young age about history. History must be presented in an enjoyable fun manner and made more exciting in school so kids can sink their teeth into it better- I hope. History must also be presented in an open and honest fashion-with no bias of any kind so kids can form and honest opinion.

little things

2010-05-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing how much little things can affect you in big ways! A smile from someone you love, a light touch or a brush up against someone you care for can light up your day. The look in a babies eyes as they are enjoying the stupid faces you are making at them, or the look of pride as they do something you showed them-always makes my heart swell with happiness. The pure happiness my dog shows just for me extending a finger and touching his nose as I pass, the pleasure a coworker feels when I say " You did a good job " -just goes to show how much little things ca affect each of us all the time. So smile and make someones day special.

No time

2010-04-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

As the title emplies-there never is enough time to do the things I desire. My life has become fun and so full of love but sadly also full of work too. Each second out of work is spent with family, enjoying the fortunate times and tresures I have been blessed with. One of these days I will set down and start my real writing-journals and books-but blogging occasionly suffices for now.

My Internet Love

2009-11-01T09:19:00.001-08:00

This is a shot of us at the Bufadora in Ensenada-Baja California.

Life is so unpredictable

2009-11-01T09:06:00.000-08:00

Hello to one and all. It is a shame that this is the first post of this year-lol!! One year ago in October- I met on the internet one of the most amazing young ladies I have ever encountered, by accident. We both became friends and things developed into possibly much more. So I took vacation and went to Baja California for New Years. I spent a blissful week at Ensenada with the most wonderful woman in the world. I saw the Bufadora, wineries, took harbor cruise, ate way too much food, walked the beautiful streets at night. I never shopped so much in my life. I was in a paradise. But reality always catches up with you, and I had to come home. But that 11 days were so fantastic. That was an adventure I will always treasure and remember.
After returning home, I decided that it really sucked not having Selene with me here- so we started chatting about her coming here. In February on the 14th, she arrived in Kansas at her kinfolks and I went and picked her up. She now lives here with me and we will marry soon. She is 2 months pregnant and we are so happy. I found true love-and on the internet.

strange people-especially me

2008-11-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Isn't it strange how you can run across the strangest people on the Internet and at the same time-meet some of the nicest. Sure is hard to distinguish between the two at first. Unless you are neighbors- HI MARY ANN- its good to hear from you. I chat on instant messenger with a few ladies and have run across money scams, dirty cams and accidentally met some wonderful people. One lady in Holland is fantastic to talk to-no baloney, straight to the point hilarious nut like me. Another lady finally deleted her profile because of her job- but she opened my eyes to many things and I sure enjoyed our chats. I sure miss her allot. And yet another one has captured my heart-but my brain refuses to believe it yet-hahaha-oh well-someday I might learn to live and follow my brain instead of my heart. Till then- I follow my heart. I have one friend in Brazil who is an orthodontist. She is a hand full. Another in China-a dainty little traditional lady who loves this loco Texas slang I guess. A few ladies are from the Philippines. The point is- we exchange daily little comments and brighten up each others world allot. For little or no effort or time-a difference in someones life can be achieved-once in a while or daily. What if everyone tried this at the same time in the US alone. THAT would be something amazing to witness.

life in the fastlane

2008-03-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

OOOOOO - Happy Easter to one and all. I have been so busy with work and kids and friends.... but I haven't forgot about my love of boring you all to death. Things have really been hectic and topsy-turvy here. Hope everyones year is fantastic so far. I'll write more later.

peach blossums

2008-02-26T17:49:00.000-08:00

Between work and kids and school activities, not much day is left open for my getting to play on my pc. I enjoyed this weekends weather so much. It felt like late spring and felt too good to stay indoors. Even the grass invited me to crank up the mower and give it a trim. All the trees have buds all over them and the peach tree is in full bloom. It was so invigorating to spend all that time outside after being cooped up in the house during all the cold weather. Face it folks----SPRING is really a very great time of the year-a fantastic season of blooms and fresh life in old dead looking things. It is hard not to have a fresh "spring" in your step and outlook this time of year. Now I guess I'll go and close the windows and turn on the heaters-supposed to be 36 tonight---boo hoo.

Later gators

Texas weather

2008-02-04T20:30:00.000-08:00

Nothing beats living in Texas- nowhere else feels like home to me. Wide open spaces, and plenty of friendly faces, greet you every where you look. WELL-some are friendly and some honestly are quite scary, but you know what I mean. Texas has it all-including the most confusing weather you could imagine. Freezing cold one day and shorts weather the next day. On any given day-as I travel around the area as I work- I encounter nature at its finest. From delightful deer to crazy wild hogs, I never know what to expect. This morning I arrived at work all bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for another Monday to unfold, feeling rather good. As I unlocked the garage at 630 AM, a little bird flew out and whacked me in the head. Which in turn made me dump my whole cup of hot coffee all over my front side!! I then backed up abruptly and bumped into a coworker who dumped his coffee cup all over my backside!!
Needless to say-I had all the coffee I could possibly want, and the day continued to be a typical Monday. Oh well-guess it could have been worse.
Later gators

meaningless rambling

2008-01-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

A daylight shot of my car-love it so much.

I was very proud of additions I made to the car Saturday-so I washed it early Sunday morning in the cold and took this photo. Guess it makes me feel young at heart. All the young pups at work call me the OLD MAN!! Go figure- I am only 44. And I have to wear reading glasses to see fine print. I am not old yet. Just on my way real good. I always have advice for the other boys and they all say {ok DAD}-we hear ya! The boss man scolded me for spinning the tires on one of the trucks and said with a smile-you are supposed to set an example, not be the example. Then we both laughed-never thought I'd be looked upon as the responsible elder others look at for guidance and mentorship. Guess I am growing up a little. Still can't get any of the boys to race me and my car yet, tho. They are afraid this old man would kick their butt. HAHAHA Life is only as much fun as you let it be.

I am having a ball!!!

Later gators.

Wonderful Saturdays

2008-01-26T21:04:00.000-08:00

I work half a day Sunday evenings instead of Saturdays- so I had the day off. I managed to put brakes on all the way around my car, get the oil changed, replaced the batteries, hoses and belt, checked all fluids, washed and vacuumed it, drove to Sequin and ordered a part for my oven, then drove to San Antonio and bought and installed a set of Koenig wheels on the car, installed a set of Ricaro pilot seats in front of it, installed fender vents on front fenders and red led washer nozzles on hood. All in all- I need to go to work to rest. These days off are tiring. Forgot to go grocery shopping tho. Had to take a pic in the dark.

Later gators

I believe in...

2008-01-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

I believe in ...? That could be a trick question or a start to a fight or a long debate or many different things. So many of the people I see on a daily basis at work or in town, don't seem to believe in a whole lot. ME- I believe in a lot of things. I believe in miracles, my kids, love, being alive, UFOs, reading, listening to good music, Mom and Dads, schools.... the list could go on forever.
I believe in you too! I believe in being kind to others and polite and being on time to work. I guess I believe in a way of life that used to be the norm. So I try to fuse the then and now and make it good. So far it is working.

I believe I have no clue what this post is about- my pain meds are REALLY working good. Love you all.
Later gators.

Thank goodness for DENTIST's

2008-01-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

Good god man-I had a toothache and sinus headache all weekend. Made my weekend REALLY long. Started calling dentists this morning trying to find one open on a holiday. Thank goodness -I found one. She asked me after looking at my terrible teeth-would I like to pull it now or schedule another time. DUH-for me to break down and go see a doctor or dentist- it's gotta be bad.
I told her I'm not leaving this chair till that tooth is out-period. So she pulled out 3 teeth!! Two of them surgically. Guess she believed me.
So I then spent the rest of the day with a half deadened face and swole up cheek. At least I didn't drool all afternoon.
All in all- I still thank all the doctors and dentists out there. Everyone hates to see you-but feel better after the visit-sort of.
Later gators-my pain meds are working real good.

Howdy neighbors

2008-01-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

After a little break-I'm back ready to bore you to death. Kids asked me the other day what my New Years resolution was-I told em "keep breathing" and so far that's a good one to keep. Told the boss man the other day I sure couldn't wait for the other two kids to grow up and he asked why. Was I going to be glad to get rid of them? NO-just maybe my zoo will stop expanding!
The school sent home a little cabbage plant with my 8 year old for him to grow for an experiment. He was all excited and gave me the papers that they sent. It said to give the cabbage plant 4 square FOOT of growing space.
Its January, freezing cold, and he wants a 4 foot square pot for the living room for his cabbage plant! Have they lost their minds? Think I ought to go fill the teachers pickup bed with soil and plant it in there.
Oh well-life goes on!
Later gators.

Styling and Profiling

2007-11-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

The weather is finally starting to actually cool down here a bit so I dusted off the leather jacket and bought a new pair of CONVERSE and went to the final game of the football season Friday night. Many friends and the kids friends thought I looked pretty cool-for an old hick from the sticks.
And to think I would almost cry in junior high when mom made me wear stuff like this. I thought it was so dorky and dumb. Not sure if the times have changed that much or my fashion sense is finally in style! Go figure. Yall have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Birthday daddy.

I am an addict-{of Flikr}

2007-11-08T18:46:00.000-08:00

Haven't blogged in a while-had to let my brain cells re energize and enjoy a vacation from work too. I have become addicted to playing and posting my pictures I take. I snap anything and everything. It's so much fun. Everyone watches me when I go somewhere to make sure if I have the camera-they know they gotta be careful or I'll get em. lol It is a lot of fun though and much harder than you think to take really good pictures. I got a long ways to go. I have enjoyed having the oldest one home on leave and we have done everything together. Even bought the boys a Xbox 360 so they could play Halo 3. Like the PlayStation 2 wasn't good enough-or the 90 games no fun anymore.
Later gators

devildogs

2007-10-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

just a pic and a note from Kevin-my little Marine at boot camp-sounds a little homesick about now.

Success

2007-10-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red Lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, you will make it to a place called Success.

Almost sounded smart there for a second-haha. Later gators

Mother nature

2007-10-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday as I sat on the porch watching Billy playing outside-I also kept an eye on Mother Nature. The clouds were so beautiful and thunderheads kept building up and blowing away, I was able to really enjoy how awesome it was without getting wet or leaving the porch. The afternoon was cool and then warm and then cool. It was a typical Texas afternoon in the fall. But it made a beautiful backdrop for my son to be playing outside in. He laid on the trampoline calling out shapes he would see-I'd hollar he needed glasses...all in all though, a wonderful day.

AAAHHHHH----Sunday

2007-10-07T14:41:00.001-07:00

Twas a glorious Sunday afternoon, feet kicked up watching nature and humanity fly by in their quest for fun. HAHA-I had fun and it didn't cost anything.

Hope your weekend was a good one too.

New Car

2007-10-06T16:28:00.001-07:00

Kind of been busy getting everything took care of each day after work and now MY NEW CAR!!
I love it.
Got to go test it out now. HAHA

Looks are deceiving

2007-10-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

When I drove up after work today-Billy{8 yo}- was sitting on the porch steps with a fresh, cool, sweating, beautiful bottle of coke from the fridge. He was grinning and waved and hollared- Hi Daddy. I felt so proud as he sauntered over and handed me the coke.
Then he burst my bubble and told me to hurry up and open it for him. AAAAAHHHHHH-parenthood.

Come on Friday

2007-10-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

This is kind of silly to put in a blog-but I'm excited. My ex-father-in-law showed up yesterday and said he wanted to ask me a question. He said his kids had talked him into buying a new car and now he was in a pinch-guess he was gonna have to let the new car go back. He wanted to know if I would pick him up Saturday at the car dealer. I told him to hold on-let me think for a second. This man is 89 years old and his kids{33, 48, 51} are not much help to him. But while I was married to his daughter and afterwards-he always treated me nicely. So I told him lets go to the car dealer and see if they would transfer the note to me and I'd let him have my 87 Blazer, which is paid for. So everything worked out and Friday evening I go get my new Pontiac G6. Ain't never had a new car, but it's time for one. I'm excited now and he's happy to not have that payment no more, and something for them to drive him around in. Isn't it strange how things work out!!

My DAD

2007-10-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Boy-this picture sure brought back memories. I was a little tyke at this picture taking. For many years I loved him and wanted to be just like him but always thought he had no backbone and was half nuts and didn't have the respect for him I should have.
But then I grew up and had kids of my own and guess what------I now see how strong and loving and dedicated he really was. And I followed right along in his footsteps too. In 2000 I was elected assistant Fire Chief , and fireman of the year too-just like he was all those years ago.
Hey DAD- I'm writing this to tell you I love you and respect you while your still alive-I don't want to wait till you've passed on to say these things. You live a long way away from here-but your in my heart and my actions every day of my life. I love you and thank you for being you.
Your son-Robert

3 musketeers

2007-09-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

Chivalry, Honor, Bravery, Faith, Loyalty---these are things seldom heard or taught anymore as we grow up. As my little boy and I watched the three musketeers in the movie, Man behind the Iron Mask, he remarked at the end, with watery eyes, I want to be just like them. They are good men. So I explained again what they believed in and stood for and told him that all people could and should live their lives in that manner.
For a 8 year old that was a lot to absorb-but it made him feel good and made me think about what I do teach him. I have become lazy in teachings like most parents do by the third child. That is something I must remedy. But it is such a powerful cluster of 5 words. If a person is taught these 5 words and their meanings and taught how to live them in his every day life - how can that person possibly go wrong.
One for all-all for one!!

Be careful what you ask for-

2007-09-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Lately I have kind of been in a inspirational slump - if you know what I mean. Saturday I saw the young nightwatchman at work riding his bicycle by work with his 3 year old son on his arm-both of them laughing and sweating, but glad to be together. The dad is a young man raising his son by himself-much like I have been. He is financially strapped but does the best he can. I thought about that scene of them riding by all weekend. I am so fortunate and have been so blessed over the years and have much of what I would like to have. I know winter is coming and I hated to think of them riding the bike in the winter. SOOO-I got to feeling guilty and humble and gave him a car for free. I have bought 3 extra cars for parts for a racer I'm building- and I gave him the keys to the good one and said tell your boy that kindness and good people do exist in this messed up world. Thought he was gonna cry. No one had ever given him anything like that before. But I hated to tell him how good it made me feel too. I really rested good and was really at peace because I had helped out someone for no reason. I am not bragging about it-just wanted to remind you all what life is really all about. Respect, kindness, mercy, humbleness...
And to be careful what you wish for-sometimes it comes true. I really was inspired again.

cheap solar panels?

2007-09-23T19:46:00.001-07:00

A method developed at Colorado State University for crafting solar panels has been developed to the point where they are nearly ready for mass production. Professor W.S. Sampath's technique has resulted in a low-cost, high-efficiency process for creating the panels, which will soon be fabricated by a commercial interest. 'Produced at less than $1 per watt, the panels will dramatically reduce the cost of generating solar electricity and could power homes and businesses around the globe with clean energy for roughly the same cost as traditionally generated electricity. Sampath has developed a continuous, automated manufacturing process for solar panels using glass coating with a cadmium telluride thin film instead of the standard high-cost crystalline silicon. Because the process produces high efficiency devices (ranging from 11% to 13%) at a very high rate and yield, it can be done much more cheaply than with existing technologies.'"

Homeland Security isn't telling everything

2007-09-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Travelers concerned about being labeled a terrorist or drug runner by secret Homeland Security algorithms may want to be careful what books they read on the plane. Newly revealed records show the government is storing such information for years.
Privacy advocates obtained database records showing that the government routinely records the race of people pulled aside for extra screening as they enter the country, along with cursory answers given to U.S. border inspectors about their purpose in traveling. In one case, the records note Electronic Frontier Foundation co-founder John Gilmore's choice of reading material, and worry over the number of small flashlights he'd packed for the trip.
The breadth of the information obtained by the Gilmore-funded Identity Project (using a Privacy Act request) shows the government's screening program at the border is actually a "surveillance dragnet," according to the group's spokesman Bill Scannell.
"There is so much sensitive information in the documents that it is clear that Homeland Security is not playing straight with the American people," Scannell said.
The documents show a tiny slice of the massive airline-record collection stored by the government, as well as the screening records mined for the controversial Department of Homeland Security passenger-rating system that assigns terrorist scores to travelers entering and leaving the country, including U.S. citizens.
The so-called Automated Targeting System scrutinizes every airline passenger entering or leaving the country using classified rules that tell agents which passengers to give extra screening to and which to deny entry or exit from the country.
The system relies on data ranging from the government's 700,000-name terrorism watchlist to data included in airline-travel database entries, known as Passenger Name Records, which airlines are required to submit to the government.
According to government descriptions, ATS mines data from intelligence, law enforcement and regulatory databases, looking for linkages in order to identify "high-risk" targets who may not already be on terrorist watchlists.
ATS was started in the late 1990s, but was little known until the government issued a notice about the system last fall. The government has subsequently modified the proposed rules for the system, shortening the length of time data is collected and allowing individuals to request some information used by the scoring system.
The government stores the PNRs for years and typically includes destinations, phone and e-mail contact information, meal requests, special health requests, payment information and frequent-flier numbers.
The Identity Project filed Privacy Act requests for five individuals to see the data stored on them by the government.
The requests revealed that the PNRs also included information on one requester's race, the phone numbers of overseas family members given to the airlines as emergency contact information, and a record of a purely European flight that had been booked overseas separately from an international itinerary, according to snippets of the documents shown to Wired News.
The request also revealed the screening system includes inspection notes from earlier border inspections.
One report about Gilmore notes: "PAX (passenger) has many small flashlights with pot leaves on them. He had a book entitled 'Drugs and Your Rights.'" Gilmore is an advocate for marijuana legalization.
Another inspection entry noted that Gilmore had "attended computer conference in Berlin and then traveled around Europe and Asia to visit friends. 100% baggage exam negative.... PAX is self employed 'Entrepreneur' in computer software business."
"They are noting people's race and they are writing down what people read," Scannell said.
It doesn't matter that Gilmore was reading a book about drugs, rather than Catcher in the Rye, according to Scannell. "A book is a book," Scannell said. "This is just plain wrong."
The documents have also turned Scannell against the Department of Homeland Security's proposal for screening airline passengers inside the United States.
That project, known as Secure Flight, will take watchlist screening out of the hands of airlines, by having the airlines send PNR data to the government ahead of each flight. While earlier versions included plans to rate passenger's threat level using data purchased from private companies, DHS now proposes only to compare data in the PNR against names on the watchlist, which largely disarmed civil libertarians' opposition to the program.
That's changed for Scannell now, who sees Secure Flight as just another version of ATS.
"They want people to get permission to travel," Scannell said. "They already instituted it for leaving and entering the country and now they want to do it to visit your Aunt Patty in Cleveland."
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.

Kids!!!

2007-09-18T18:45:00.001-07:00

Who said nap time can't be fun. Billys cousin was asleep like this on the couch when I got home. What in the world was he doing when he went to sleep? I make them keep their feet off the couch-maybe that was a way to do it and not take his shoes off. Anyway-couldn't resist the photo-sure he won't appreciate later in life.

Bloggeroonies

2007-09-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Here lately I have been very busy and have skipped a few days of blogging. But here I am again in the blogoshere whacking away at the keybard and not really saying a whole lot. Sometimes I get afraid I rely on the computer to hide behind, instead of facing the world head on. It is a fine line to walk. Blogging has been and will always be a wonderful research tool, up-to-date-current events, a political battlefield, a fantastic group of well informed and worldly aware brain stormers. I have personally used the blog as a vent for frustrations and a what you think forum, as well as a place to just ramble. Isn't it amazing how today the technology has allowed us to communicate instantly-anywhere in the world. Isn't it amazing how much blogging has influenced the worlds methods of news broadcasting. I am not a pulitzer prize winner-but I do enjoy this daily rant. I enjoy all the different blogs I read daily.
Keep on blogging bloggeroonies
Later gators

Perils of parents on internet

2007-09-14T21:32:00.001-07:00

I posted about kids having free reign on internet-what about parents on dating sites and such. Or long distance penpals becoming something more. Is that possible or is it just more internet caused problems. I know a lot of people who had internet {love affairs} and most of them learned the brutal truth before too long. But I know 3 people right here in town who married and are very happy with the love they found on the internet. Hmmmmm. Isn't it amazing what kind of new problems in life the internet has brought about. And yet, isn't it amazing how easy it is to talk and look and browse anywhere in the world at a few keystrokes. Maybe it is like everything around us. There is danger in everything, but as long as we are aware of it and take precautions, we can get the good out of it. Like blogging-it is good and it has some of the best informed and opinionated people in the world. I love it.
later gators

Perils of kids having free reign on internet

2007-09-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

oh me- This has been one heck of a week. I was faced on the 7th with the difficult task of verifying whether or not my oldest sons girlfriend{on the internet} had commited suicide. Her myspace page was changed to a memorial type page and I couldn't find out anything at all. I've searched google death certificates in Miami where I thought she lived but to no avail. Then today I was given her moms email address by a friend of my sons, after he had a email chat with the mom. Seems this girl was only 13, and had been writing all this time under another name and age. The mom had intercepted one or more of my sons letters and cut off phone and internet. So the girl and her friends apparently made this memorial page to cover up her not being on internet. So today I wrote him a letter explaining the whole thing. I am so glad no one is deceased, but there has got to be more ways to protect ones self or kids from this sort of thing happening. The girl didn't even live in Miami-or Florida at all. What if my son had found out or thought she was dead, he would have gone crazy being held up in boot camp. I think maybe this will help huim understand about why I constantly preached about using the internet like he did. Which didn't help anyway. But shouldn't sites of this nature have some sort of age verification-or something to make sure your imputting correct information about yourself?
All I can say for sure is-Parents-be more aware and bug the tar out of your kids using the internet-you can't be too careful.

map services do it again

2007-09-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

A man looking for a new home on an online mapping service has stumbled across an aerial image of a US nuclear-powered submarine in dry dock showing its secret propeller design.
The image - which appears on Microsoft's Virtual Earth mapping service - is of the seven-bladed propeller used on an Ohio class ballistic missile submarine.
The vessel was being worked on at a dry dock at the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington State, in the north-west of the United States.
The base is part of Bangor's Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific which houses the largest nuclear weapons arsenal.
Propeller designs have been closely guarded secrets since the days of the Cold War.
It is still common for them to be draped with tarps or removed and covered when a submarine is out of the water.
The propeller design is an integral part of a submarine's ability to remain undetected during operations, ensuring that it can patrol the seas in stealth without giving its position away to surface ships.
The find has triggered a debate over whether online mapping services offered by the likes of Google and Microsoft should be allowed to snap and publish images of sensitive US military installations.
Reporting the discovery, the Navy Times newspaper quoted military analyst Nathan Hughes as saying that exposing the propeller was a major blunder that had compromised "sensitive naval technology".
The paper quotes a Pentagon public affairs officer as saying that the Defence Department does not have a policy - or the legal authority - to demand the removal or blurring of commerical aerial or satellite photography.
The discovery was made by Dan Twohig, a deck officer on a ferry service in Washington State. He made the discovery in early July when he was looking at real estate near Seattle using Virtual Earth, a mapping service similar to Google Maps and Earth.
Twohig lives in North Bend in Washington State. Situated about 50km east of Seattle, it was the setting for David Lynch's landmark TV series Twin Peaks in the early 1990s. Twohig was looking for a place closer to his work.
He subsequently posted the find on his blog, MonsterMaritime, and the story found its way into mainstream media late last month.
"You can also use the zoom in and out keys and move around the Bangor Sub Base taking a close up look at the bunkers and magazines where they keep the nuclear weapons," he wrote in his blog.
"You would think the US government would keep better tabs on this stuff."
Twohig's discovery was made around about the same time that Hans Kristensen, a nuclear weapons analyst for the Federation of American Scientists, spotted an aerial image of China's new Jin-class nuclear-powered submarine on Google Earth.
The Chinese sub, which is capable of firing intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the US mainland, was snapped at the Xiaopingdao Submarine Base south of the city of Dalian - a facility named in honour of the late paramount Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping who died 10 years ago.
An article written by Paul Forsythe Johnston, Curator of Maritime History at the National Museum of American History, and posted on the museum's website, explains the significance of submarine propeller design and the "tip vortex flowfields" the propeller creates.
"Once [the propellers] reach a certain speed, the blades begin to create a partial vacuum, which results in air bubbles," he writes.
"This is a state known as cavitation. Bubbles are noisy, and submarine propellers are designed and shaped to reduce cavitation and exploit other relevant laws of physics as much as possible and still maintain useful speeds."

to chip or not to chip

2007-09-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved implanting microchips in humans, the manufacturer said it would save lives, letting doctors scan the tiny transponders to access patients' medical records almost instantly. The FDA found "reasonable assurance" the device was safe, and a sub-agency even called it one of 2005's top "innovative technologies."
But neither the company nor the regulators publicly mentioned this: A series of veterinary and toxicology studies, dating to the mid-1990s, stated that chip implants had "induced" malignant tumors in some lab mice and rats.
"The transponders were the cause of the tumors," said Keith Johnson, a retired toxicologic pathologist, explaining in a phone interview the findings of a 1996 study he led at the Dow Chemical Co. in Midland, Mich.
Leading cancer specialists reviewed the research for The Associated Press and, while cautioning that animal test results do not necessarily apply to humans, said the findings troubled them. Some said they would not allow family members to receive implants, and all urged further research before the glass-encased transponders are widely implanted in people.
To date, about 2,000 of the so-called radio frequency identification, or RFID, devices have been implanted in humans worldwide, according to VeriChip Corp. The company, which sees a target market of 45 million Americans for its medical monitoring chips, insists the devices are safe, as does its parent company, Applied Digital Solutions, of Delray Beach, Fla.
"We stand by our implantable products which have been approved by the FDA and/or other U.S. regulatory authorities," Scott Silverman, VeriChip Corp. chairman and chief executive officer, said in a written response to AP questions.
The company was "not aware of any studies that have resulted in malignant tumors in laboratory rats, mice and certainly not dogs or cats," but he added that millions of domestic pets have been implanted with microchips, without reports of significant problems.
"In fact, for more than 15 years we have used our encapsulated glass transponders with FDA approved anti-migration caps and received no complaints regarding malignant tumors caused by our product."
The FDA also stands by its approval of the technology.
Did the agency know of the tumor findings before approving the chip implants? The FDA declined repeated AP requests to specify what studies it reviewed.
The FDA is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, which, at the time of VeriChip's approval, was headed by Tommy Thompson. Two weeks after the device's approval took effect on Jan. 10, 2005, Thompson left his Cabinet post, and within five months was a board member of VeriChip Corp. and Applied Digital Solutions. He was compensated in cash and stock options.
Thompson, until recently a candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, says he had no personal relationship with the company as the VeriChip was being evaluated, nor did he play any role in FDA's approval process of the RFID tag.
"I didn't even know VeriChip before I stepped down from the Department of Health and Human Services," he said in a telephone interview.
Also making no mention of the findings on animal tumors was a June report by the ethics committee of the American Medical Association, which touted the benefits of implantable RFID devices.
Had committee members reviewed the literature on cancer in chipped animals?
No, said Dr. Steven Stack, an AMA board member with knowledge of the committee's review.
Was the AMA aware of the studies?
No, he said.
___
Published in veterinary and toxicology journals between 1996 and 2006, the studies found that lab mice and rats injected with microchips sometimes developed subcutaneous "sarcomas" — malignant tumors, most of them encasing the implants.
• A 1998 study in Ridgefield, Conn., of 177 mice reported cancer incidence to be slightly higher than 10 percent — a result the researchers described as "surprising."
• A 2006 study in France detected tumors in 4.1 percent of 1,260 microchipped mice. This was one of six studies in which the scientists did not set out to find microchip-induced cancer but noticed the growths incidentally. They were testing compounds on behalf of chemical and pharmaceutical companies; but they ruled out the compounds as the tumors' cause. Because researchers only noted the most obvious tumors, the French study said, "These incidences may therefore slightly underestimate the true occurrence" of cancer.
• In 1997, a study in Germany found cancers in 1 percent of 4,279 chipped mice. The tumors "are clearly due to the implanted microchips," the authors wrote.
Caveats accompanied the findings. "Blind leaps from the detection of tumors to the prediction of human health risk should be avoided," one study cautioned. Also, because none of the studies had a control group of animals that did not get chips, the normal rate of tumors cannot be determined and compared to the rate with chips implanted.
Still, after reviewing the research, specialists at some pre-eminent cancer institutions said the findings raised red flags.
"There's no way in the world, having read this information, that I would have one of those chips implanted in my skin, or in one of my family members," said Dr. Robert Benezra, head of the Cancer Biology Genetics Program at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Before microchips are implanted on a large scale in humans, he said, testing should be done on larger animals, such as dogs or monkeys. "I mean, these are bad diseases. They are life-threatening. And given the preliminary animal data, it looks to me that there's definitely cause for concern."
Dr. George Demetri, director of the Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, agreed. Even though the tumor incidences were "reasonably small," in his view, the research underscored "certainly real risks" in RFID implants.
In humans, sarcomas, which strike connective tissues, can range from the highly curable to "tumors that are incredibly aggressive and can kill people in three to six months," he said.
At the Jackson Laboratory in Maine, a leader in mouse genetics research and the initiation of cancer, Dr. Oded Foreman, a forensic pathologist, also reviewed the studies at the AP's request.
At first he was skeptical, suggesting that chemicals administered in some of the studies could have caused the cancers and skewed the results. But he took a different view after seeing that control mice, which received no chemicals, also developed the cancers. "That might be a little hint that something real is happening here," he said. He, too, recommended further study, using mice, dogs or non-human primates.
Dr. Cheryl London, a veterinarian oncologist at Ohio State University, noted: "It's much easier to cause cancer in mice than it is in people. So it may be that what you're seeing in mice represents an exaggerated phenomenon of what may occur in people."
Tens of thousands of dogs have been chipped, she said, and veterinary pathologists haven't reported outbreaks of related sarcomas in the area of the neck, where canine implants are often done. (Published reports detailing malignant tumors in two chipped dogs turned up in AP's four-month examination of research on chips and health. In one dog, the researchers said cancer appeared linked to the presence of the embedded chip; in the other, the cancer's cause was uncertain.)
Nonetheless, London saw a need for a 20-year study of chipped canines "to see if you have a biological effect." Dr. Chand Khanna, a veterinary oncologist at the National Cancer Institute, also backed such a study, saying current evidence "does suggest some reason to be concerned about tumor formations."
Meanwhile, the animal study findings should be disclosed to anyone considering a chip implant, the cancer specialists agreed.
To date, however, that hasn't happened.
___
The product that VeriChip Corp. won approval for use in humans is an electronic capsule the size of two grains of rice. Generally, it is implanted with a syringe into an anesthetized portion of the upper arm.
When prompted by an electromagnetic scanner, the chip transmits a unique code. With the code, hospital staff can go on the Internet and access a patient's medical profile that is maintained in a database by VeriChip Corp. for an annual fee.
VeriChip Corp., whose parent company has been marketing radio tags for animals for more than a decade, sees an initial market of diabetics and people with heart conditions or Alzheimer's disease, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
The company is spending millions to assemble a national network of hospitals equipped to scan chipped patients.
But in its SEC filings, product labels and press releases, VeriChip Corp. has not mentioned the existence of research linking embedded transponders to tumors in test animals.
When the FDA approved the device, it noted some Verichip risks: The capsules could migrate around the body, making them difficult to extract; they might interfere with defibrillators, or be incompatible with MRI scans, causing burns. While also warning that the chips could cause "adverse tissue reaction," FDA made no reference to malignant growths in animal studies.
Did the agency review literature on microchip implants and animal cancer?
Dr. Katherine Albrecht, a privacy advocate and RFID expert, asked shortly after VeriChip's approval what evidence the agency had reviewed. When FDA declined to provide information, she filed a Freedom of Information Act request. More than a year later, she received a letter stating there were no documents matching her request.
"The public relies on the FDA to evaluate all the data and make sure the devices it approves are safe," she says, "but if they're not doing that, who's covering our backs?"
Late last year, Albrecht unearthed at the Harvard medical library three studies noting cancerous tumors in some chipped mice and rats, plus a reference in another study to a chipped dog with a tumor. She forwarded them to the AP, which subsequently found three additional mice studies with similar findings, plus another report of a chipped dog with a tumor.
Asked if it had taken these studies into account, the FDA said VeriChip documents were being kept confidential to protect trade secrets. After AP filed a FOIA request, the FDA made available for a phone interview Anthony Watson, who was in charge of the VeriChip approval process.
"At the time we reviewed this, I don't remember seeing anything like that," he said of animal studies linking microchips to cancer. A literature search "didn't turn up anything that would be of concern."
In general, Watson said, companies are expected to provide safety-and-effectiveness data during the approval process, "even if it's adverse information."
Watson added: "The few articles from the literature that did discuss adverse tissue reactions similar to those in the articles you provided, describe the responses as foreign body reactions that are typical of other implantable devices. The balance of the data provided in the submission supported approval of the device."
Another implantable device could be a pacemaker, and indeed, tumors have in some cases attached to foreign bodies inside humans. But Dr. Neil Lipman, director of the Research Animal Resource Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, said it's not the same. The microchip isn't like a pacemaker that's vital to keeping someone alive, he added, "so at this stage, the payoff doesn't justify the risks."

What to do?

2007-09-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Wellll-it's been a long week. The weather has settled down at last and my wireless is back to normal-thank God. I have a dilema and am not sure what to do so tell me your opinion please. My oldest son is in his 3rd week of Marine bootcamp and I just found out his girlfriend commited suicide. Everyone wants me to tell him but I hate to mess up his head right now. But I know I would want to know and would be mad if no one told me. His DI is supposed to call me and discuss it tomorrow. As a parent-this is a hard choice to make.
What do you all think?

wild weather and crappy internet

2007-09-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

the weather here has been so wild lately and the internet has been off and on sporadically. Im posting this before it goes off again. Hopefully they will figure why this happening.

pay to drive?

2007-09-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Some powerful elected officials say they strongly oppose a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) effort included in the agency's federal lobbying plan. The effort asks Congress to allow the state of Texas to buy segments of the Interstate system and turn them into toll roads. The Texas Department of Transportation says the agency included this idea in it's Congressional lobbying plan in January as an option for replacing federal highway dollars, which are declining. Experts at the legislature say behind the scenes opposition to the issue erupted publicly following several news reports. Now U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison says she opposes the concept because it would force Texans who financed road construction with tax dollars to pay again with tolls if they want to drive on the same highways. Texas Senator John Carona calls the recommendation dreadful and predicts state legislators will take action. Chris Lippincott is a spokesman for the Texas Department of Transportation. He says if Congress approves the idea local governments will still have the final say. Sound:19Oucue: or here at homeBut legislative staffers say it is unclear whether current state statutes would guarantee local governments the power to prevent existing interstates from becoming toll roads.

Everythings bigger in Texas

2007-08-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

A monstrous network of sheet-like webs covering several acres has been spun over trees in this state park 50 miles (80 kms) east of Dallas, baffling scientists who say it is an almost-unheard-of occurrence in the region.
"The dominant spiders here seem to be long-jawed spiders but this is unusual. Social spiders build communal nests in the tropics but the longjaws are not social," said Mike Quinn, a Texas state insect biologist.
"We still don't have a clear answer for what is going on here," he said as he stood beneath the ghostly canopy of webbing which shrouded a patch of oak and juniper trees.
The eerie scene evoked a B-grade horror movie. Thunder rumbled in the distance as spiders skittered across Quinn's wide-brimmed hat.
He was collecting samples by using a metal rod to thrash branches over a "beat sheet" -- a sheet nailed to criss-crossed pieces off wood into which bugs would fall.
A startling number of creepy-crawlers fell from a single branch which Quinn thrashed, including several long-jawed spiders, also known as orb weavers.
"You would not want to be the prey item on the end of that," Quinn said as he held up one of the aptly named long jaws, a spindly but sinister looking thing with fangs jutting out at the end of its raptor-like jaws.
There are 10 species of longjaw in Texas and Quinn said he needed to take the specimens to other experts to determine precisely which ones they were.
There were several other species of spider in the webs, including large garden spiders.
"I've never seen anything like this before," said Ray Owings, who had come from Tyler 50 miles to the east just to look at the webbing.
Other scientists agreed it was an odd affair.
"You see this more often in tropical rain forests. Longjaws typically make the classic kind of orb web and not a sheet web," Roy Vogtsberger, an assistant professor with the biology department at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

FBI wiretapping system

2007-08-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

"Building off the design mandates of CALEA, the FBI has constructed a 'point-and-click surveillance system' that creates instant wiretaps on almost any communications device. A thousand pages of restricted documents released under the Freedom of Information Act were required to determine the veracity of this clandestine project, Wired News reports. Called the Digital Collection System Network, it connects FBI wiretapping rooms to switches controlled by traditional land-line operators, internet-telephony providers and cellular companies. It is intricately woven into the nation's telecom infrastructure. From the article: 'FBI wiretapping rooms in field offices and undercover locations around the country are connected through a private, encrypted backbone that is separated from the internet. Sprint runs it on the government's behalf. The network allows an FBI agent in New York, for example, to remotely set up a wiretap on a cell phone based in Sacramento, California, and immediately learn the phone's location, then begin receiving conversations, text messages and voicemail pass codes in New York. With a few keystrokes, the agent can route the recordings to language specialists for translation.'"

100 percent

2007-08-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

This is a strictly mathematical viewpoint... it goes like this: What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life? Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:
If: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then: H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98% and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96% But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100% And,
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T 2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103% AND,
look how far ass kissing will take you.
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G 1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%
So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bullshit and Ass kissing that will put you over the top. "REMEMBER SOME PEOPLE ARE ALIVE SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL TO SHOOT THEM."

Whats really important

2007-08-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

I ran into a stranger as he passed by, "Oh excuse me please" was my reply. He said, "Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you." We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said goodbye. But at home a different story is told, How we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later that day, cooking the evening meal, My son stood beside me very still. When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. "Move out of the way," I said with a frown. He walked away, his little heart broken. I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken. While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse. Go and look on the kitchen floor, You'll find some flowers there by the door. Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue. He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes." By this time, I felt very small, And now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by his bed; "Wake up, little one, wake up," I said. "Are these the flowers you picked for me?" He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree. I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue." I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way." He said, "Oh, Dad, that's okay. I love you anyway." I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue." FAMILY Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?

little known boy facts for all parents

2007-08-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

1.A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. House 4 inches deep.
2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.
3. A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.
5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.
6. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet flush and the wouds "uh oh", you know, that it's already too late.
8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9. A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 44-year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.
10. Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4- year old Boy.
11. Play dough and microwave ovens should not be used in the same sentence
12. Super glue is forever.
13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
15. VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.
16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
18. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.
19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.
20. The fire department in Nixon, TX has a 5- minute response time.
21. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
22. 80% of women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.
23. 80% of Men who read this, then will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid, just to see if it will make smoke.

Chinese bloggers beware

2007-08-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

Reporters Without Borders criticized the Chinese government for what the press advocacy group considers a move to end anonymous blogging in the communist country.
The government, through the Internet Society of China, recently drafted a pact that was signed by at least 20 major blog service providers in the country, including Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp., the Paris-based watchdog group said Thursday.
"The pact stops short of the previous project of making it obligatory for bloggers to register, but it can be used to force service providers to censor content and identify bloggers," the group said in a statement. The pact, unveiled Wednesday, signals an "imminent" new wave of censorship and repression, the group said.
Blogging services, which make it easy and simple for people to publish writings, photos and videos on the Web, have become popular among individuals wanting to anonymously disseminate information that governments would rather keep confidential.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. A Yahoo spokeswoman referred a request for comment to Alibaba.com Corp., which manages Yahoo's China operations, but that company had not replied .
Microsoft, in an e-mail statement on Friday, acknowledged that on Aug. 21, MSN China, a joint venture with Shanghai Alliance Investment Ltd., signed the document, which it says is "in line" with similar agreements adopted by other countries and organizations.
"Such self-regulatory codes are an effective means of helping to protect our customers from cybercrimes and other threats to online security and privacy, and to promoting a safe, friendly environment in which to enjoy our services," the statement reads.
Although it signed the document, Microsoft doesn't agree with some of its recommendations, such as requiring people to register with their real names for the company's Windows Live Spaces blog hosting and publishing service.
"It should be emphasized that these are indeed recommendations only, and we retain discretion to determine how to best achieve the overarching goals of the agreement," Microsoft said.
The pact "encourages" blog service providers to require that people provide their real names and contact information in order to let them post blogs, and then store the individuals' information, the press advocacy group said.
The pact also says blog service providers should "monitor and manage comments" as well as delete "illegal and bad information," according to Reporters Without Borders.
In its statement, the group quotes Internet Society of China Secretary General Huang Chengqing as saying: "Blog service providers who allow the use of pseudonyms may be more attractive to bloggers, but they will be punished by the government if they fail to screen illegal information."
China's Internet policies, such as the censorship of search engine results, have become a frequent target of criticism by organizations that advocate for human rights and press freedom.
These organizations, like Amnesty International, have also criticized Internet companies including Yahoo, Microsoft and Google Inc. for going along with Chinese government requirements that these groups charge violate human rights and press freedom.
The companies' defense is that they must comply with the local laws of the countries in which they operate.
Yahoo in particular has been blasted often in recent years for cooperating with the Chinese government and providing information that has led to the arrest of dissidents and journalists.
In April, the wife of an imprisoned Chinese dissident sued Yahoo in the U.S. for divulging information about her husband's Internet activity, which allegedly led to his arrest and torture. The suit was filed by the World Organization for Human Rights USA on behalf of Yu Ling, the wife of Wang Xiaoning, arrested in September 2002 on charges including "incitement to subvert state power."
This month, a U.S. congressional committee said it plans to investigate whether or not a Yahoo representative lied during testimony over the company's role in a human rights case in China that sent journalist Shi Tao to jail for 10 years.

Plastic

2007-08-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

PLASTIC
It is something which our lives would be horrible without. The kids wanted a few of the twisted wind doohickeys to hang on the porch and the trees. As I watched it twist and turn, it really was enchanting. A simple twisted 50 cent piece of plastic, and it held our attention and amused us. Either we are REALLY bored, or it was sort of fascinating to watch. Either way- it's fun. It just goes to show that SO much of what is all around us is overlooked and not thought of in our daily routines. As I look around the room as I type on the plastic keyboard, I cannot imagine what life without plastic would be!

Banana Spider

2007-08-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening was a beautiful evening-slightly breezy and a few degrees cooler. Me and Billy-my little one-played in the yard with the plants and critters and had a blast. We came in at dark and ate a good supper. Then I saw one of the garden spiders building a web right in front of the screen door. We watched as it so diligently labored with the web, almost a work of art. I took a picture of it and left the web alone because it was catching lots of flying insects from the porch light. AAHHHHHH-life is good.

That is until 6:30 this morning as I opened the screen door, spider web forgotten in my morning haze, and wound up with a face full of web and one perturbed spider. Which led to me creating a new dance step and somersaulting off the porch. I looked at my empty coffee cup and sighed. Looked like it might not be the best of days. I gotta hurry up and get the new deck built which will be only 1 foot from the ground instead of the 4 and a half foot high porch.

Another day in the life of a demented Texan.

Lator gators.

2 moons in August

2007-08-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

Planet Mars will begin to glow brighter in the night sky starting this August – brightest in 280 years!

Reportedly, it will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye.
This will culminate on Aug. 27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles of earth. Be sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am.
It will look like the earth has 2 moons.

The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.

NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it this way again.

my crackpot friends

2007-08-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitterf ailure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.
“I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”
The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side?”
“That’s because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.”
“For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.”
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it’s the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You’ve just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

me---feminine???

2007-08-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Today I was accused of being feminine. The kids said their friends told them it looked like a lady lived in the house. I guess a clean house with a little tasteful decorations is a females duty. HAH-I hate a dirty house and I like to have a flower garden and decorations so the house feels like a home and looks decent. I told the kids it's their moms fault. Since she hasn't been around much-I had to blend the best of both parents into one.
Then smarty pants daughter asked if I was gay!! I guess I'll have to wear saggy pants with butt crack showing, holes in socks, spittoons sitting everywhere full of a brown creepy crawling concoction, with big mac wrappers laying all over, and park my motorcycle in the kitchen.
I am NOT gay in case any others ask. I just happen to have a little taste and I'm color coordinated and have a green thumb with an I.Q. bigger than my age.

Dreams

2007-08-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Dreaming is an act of pure imagination, attesting in all men a creative power, which, if it were available in waking, would make every man a Dante or a Shakespeare.
All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them.
All men of action are dreamers.
Without dreams, there is no reality!
You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.

Start living now. Stop saving the good china for that special occasion. Stop withholding your love until that special person materializes. Every day you are alive is a special occasion. Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God.

To use or not to use

2007-08-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

Scientists advise us to stop buying antibacterial soap, as it's no more effective than the regular stuff. And, using it introduces a risk of mutation of bacteria. From the article: "The team looked at 27 studies conducted between 1980 and 2006, and found that soaps containing triclosan within the range of concentrations commonly used in the community setting (0.1 to 0.45 percent wt./vol.) were no more effective than plain soaps. Triclosan is used in higher concentrations in hospitals and other clinical settings, and may be more effective at reducing illness and bacteria. Triclosan works by targeting a biochemical pathway in the bacteria that allows the bacteria to keep its cell wall intact. Because of the way triclosan kills the bacteria, mutations can happen at the targeted site... a mutation could mean that the triclosan can no longer get to the target site to kill the bacteria because the bacteria and the pathway have changed form."

Me oh My

2007-08-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

No matter how you look at it-it's HOT here and very humid. After work I sat on the bench under the shade tree and just wilted. haha I also read my mail from Recruit Crawford Kevin W. MI. I finally got his first note home with his address and he said he's loving it. That made my evening much better. Me, Billy and his cousin sat and played with the critters under the shade trees and watched the first bands forming from the tropical depression at the coast. It ought to be a wet bugger tomorrow. Its ok as long as the temp will go down a little. Oh well-gotta go compose a nice fatherly uplifting letter to send to my little {LOL} Marine.

Later gators.

Seven principles of family values

2007-08-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

Individuality
I am happy to be me. I accept other people just as they are. I like to share my ideas with others, and like to learn what other people like to do.
Integrity
I can do what is right. I am responsible for my own actions and always try to do what is right, when I'm with others and when I'm alone.
Industry
I always do my best. I work hard to achieve my goals and always do my best. Others can rely on me to do my work from start to finish.
Knowledge
I like to learn new things. I can understand the truth by asking good questions and working to find the answers. I feel happy when I use my knowledge to make good choices.
Compassion
I like to help others. I listen to what others have to say and try to understand how they feel. I use my talents and energy to help others who are in need.
Family
I love my family. My family is special and unique. There are ____ people in my family: (name each family member, youngest to oldest). We do things together and help each other to be the best we can be.
Optimism
I think the world is a wonderful place. My influence may be small, but working with others I can find happiness and help make the world a better place.

Bloggers are for real

2007-08-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

ABC's Blotter blog observes that at least in the realm of US intelligence gathering, the "are bloggers real journalists" question is already decided. Despite the rap that bloggers simply bloviate and don't try to find things out, a conservative newspaper columnist Robert Novak once sniffed, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) have altered policies to indicate they're taking blogs seriously, and a growing number of public offices are actively reaching out to the blogosphere. The CIA recently updated its policies on Freedom of Information Act requests to allow bloggers to qualify for special treatment once reserved for old-school reporters. And last August, the NSA issued a directive to its employees to report leaks of classified information to the media — "including blogs," the order said."

My own little world

2007-08-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today I cut the grass in the front which means I cut the right of way on both neighbors yards too so everything looks nice. I saw the neighbor lady coming over and she said I didn't have to always be doing that-but thanks so much. Then she said"Did I know her husband had died Thursday?" That kind of floored me. NO-I did not know that. She asked if I would cut the whole yard since she was headed to his funeral services and would have a lot of company. So I did.

But that sure made me think-I've only got two neighbors on opposite sides and both have had something happen to their husbands lately. I never even knew. I was so busy "in my own little world" that I forgot what a good neighbor is. Shame on me! I talk a lot of talk-better start walking the walk-huh.

Floorless

2007-08-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

Imagine your at a friends house and need to use the bathroom. You open the door and this greets your eyes. This is only a painting on the floor-but it's awesome!

Amazing Tesla

2007-08-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

In 1905, a team of construction workers in the small village of Shoreham, New York labored to erect a truly extraordinary structure. Over a period of several years the men had managed to assemble the framework and wiring for the 187-foot-tall Wardenclyffe Tower, in spite of severe budget shortfalls and a few engineering snags. The project was overseen by its designer, the eccentric-yet-ingenious inventor Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 - 7 January 1943). Atop his tower was perched a fifty-five ton dome of conductive metals, and beneath it stretched an iron root system that penetrated more than 300 feet into the Earth's crust. "In this system that I have invented, it is necessary for the machine to get a grip of the earth," he explained, "otherwise it cannot shake the earth. It has to have a grip… so that the whole of this globe can quiver."
Though it was far from completion, it was rumored to have been tested on several occasions, with spectacular, crowd-pleasing results. The ultimate purpose of this unique structure was to change the world forever.
Tesla's inventions had already changed the world on several occasions, most notably when he developed modern alternating current technology. He had also won fame for his victory over Thomas Edison in the well-publicized "battle of currents," where he proved that his alternating current was far more practical and safe than Edison-brand direct current. Soon his technology dominated the world's developing electrical infrastructure, and by 1900 he was widely regarded as America's greatest electrical engineer. This reputation was reinforced by his other major innovations, including the Tesla coil, the radio transmitter, and fluorescent lamps.
In 1891, Nikola Tesla gave a lecture for the members of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers in New York City, where he made a striking demonstration. In each hand he held a gas discharge tube, an early version of the modern fluorescent bulb. The tubes were not connected to any wires, but nonetheless they glowed brightly during his demonstration. Tesla explained to the awestruck attendees that the electricity was being transmitted through the air by the pair of metal sheets which sandwiched the stage. He went on to speculate how one might increase the scale of this effect to transmit wireless power and information over a broad area, perhaps even the entire Earth. As was often the case, Tesla's audience was engrossed but bewildered.
Recently, a Tesla inspired levitating light bulb using wireless power transfer was successfully demonstrated. And Tesla thought of this in the late 1800's. I personally think he was one of the most ahead of his time geniuses that came along.

1-800-*-**

2007-08-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

The bumper sticker on this truck says it all. This makes for a good hot Friday post.

See Ya

It's not about the money

2007-08-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

Today at work, after a rather hectic week of everything that can break down-will breakdown, a young coworker said why didn't I come with him and go work in the oilfield. He said I could make 20 dollars an hour. I didn't mean to sound rude to this youngster-but I told him " kid-I have a degree in electronics and could be making 75 dollars an hour if I chose to." He shut up for about an hour and then he couldn't stand it no longer. HAHAHA-I was waiting for him to ask. Why are you here doing this kind of work if you could be making a lot more somewhere else, doing a lot easier work?

Wellllllll{sound like my dad-goood god} Money aint everything. Granted it helps a whole lot, can't live without it, but I've spent my career time with my family just down the street or close by if they needed me, I've taught them the value of a dollar{isn't much anymore}, I don't have no commute time, I know all adults names in town and most of the kids, kids teachers were my teachers, I've been happy and own what I want, I happen to enjoy working with my hands making things better, I couldn't ask to have been blessed with a better life than this. More money wouldn't have changed any of that for the better! To the contrary, a lot of things I have enjoyed would not have fit into my hectic schedule if I had worked at another profession. So I think I'm way ahead of the game.

That shut him up for a little while! hehe

later gators

crash course

2007-08-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

In Egyptian myth, Apophis was the ancient spirit of evil and destruction, a demon that was determined to plunge the world into eternal darkness.
A fitting name, astronomers reasoned, for a menace now hurtling towards Earth from outerspace. Scientists are monitoring the progress of a 390-metre wide asteroid discovered last year that is potentially on a collision course with the planet, and are imploring governments to decide on a strategy for dealing with it.
Nasa has estimated that an impact from Apophis, which has an outside chance of hitting the Earth in 2036, would release more than 100,000 times the energy released in the nuclear blast over Hiroshima. Thousands of square kilometres would be directly affected by the blast but the whole of the Earth would see the effects of the dust released into the atmosphere.
And, scientists insist, there is actually very little time left to decide. At a recent meeting of experts in near-Earth objects (NEOs) in London, scientists said it could take decades to design, test and build the required technology to deflect the asteroid. Monica Grady, an expert in meteorites at the Open University, said: "It's a question of when, not if, a near Earth object collides with Earth. Many of the smaller objects break up when they reach the Earth's atmosphere and have no impact. However, a NEO larger than 1km [wide] will collide with Earth every few hundred thousand years and a NEO larger than 6km, which could cause mass extinction, will collide with Earth every hundred million years. We are overdue for a big one."
Apophis had been intermittently tracked since its discovery in June last year but, in December, it started causing serious concern. Projecting the orbit of the asteroid into the future, astronomers had calculated that the odds of it hitting the Earth in 2029 were alarming. As more observations came in, the odds got higher.
Having more than 20 years warning of potential impact might seem plenty of time. But, at last week's meeting, Andrea Carusi, president of the Spaceguard Foundation, said that the time for governments to make decisions on what to do was now, to give scientists time to prepare mitigation missions. At the peak of concern, Apophis asteroid was placed at four out of 10 on the Torino scale - a measure of the threat posed by an NEO where 10 is a certain collision which could cause a global catastrophe. This was the highest of any asteroid in recorded history and it had a 1 in 37 chance of hitting the Earth. The threat of a collision in 2029 was eventually ruled out at the end of last year.
Alan Fitzsimmons, an astronomer from Queen's University Belfast, said: "When it does pass close to us on April 13 2029, the Earth will deflect it and change its orbit. There's a small possibility that if it passes through a particular point in space, the so-called keyhole, ... the Earth's gravity will change things so that when it comes back around again in 2036, it will collide with us." The chance of Apophis passing through the keyhole, a 600-metre patch of space, is 1 in 5,500 based on current information.
Uh-better call Bruce Willis and his team.

Wanna feel smarter

2007-08-07T16:36:00.000-07:00

On September 17, 1994, Alabama's Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.) Question: If you could live forever, would you and why? Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever," --

"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." --
Mariah Carey
"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life." Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign .
"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body" -- Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky, basketball forward .
"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country" --Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, DC. "I'm not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president." -- Hillary Clinton commenting on the release of subpoenaed documents.
"That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it." --A congressional candidate in Texas .
"Half this game is ninety percent mental." --P hiladelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." --Al Gore, Vice President And "We are ready for an unforeseen event that may or may not occur." -- Al Gore, VP
"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix." -- Dan Quayle
"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need ?" --Lee Iacocca
"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A g enius is a guy like Norman Einstein." --Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback & sports analyst.
"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." --Bill Clinton, President
"Traditionally, most of Australia's imports come from overseas." --Keppel Enderbery
"Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances." --Department of Social Services, Greenville, South Carolina
"If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night. And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there'll be a record." --Mark S. Fowler, FCC Chairman

Feeling smarter yet?

Semper Fi

2007-08-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

Good day Mates. Hope everyone made it through Monday ok. Last night after I went to bed, the tele rang and the oldest son called saying he'd made it ok. Thanked me for being strong when he needed it-so he wouldn't lose it and cry in front of his friends and family. He then informed me I was a royal pain in the butt and ought to have been a drill sergeant, but that it was ok, and he loved me and to squeeze little brother for him. I was proud and excited and wide awake as he hung up. As I stood up to stretch-I forgot about the good ole ceiling fan I installed and lost all knuckle skin on both hands. I promptly informed the fan what I thought about it.

Moral of the story-keep body parts out of ceiling fans.

Later gators

Hard weekend

2007-08-05T20:25:00.001-07:00

Well- this was the big send off for my oldest son. I watched him being driven off into the wild blue yonder on his way to the airplane. He embarks on a 5 year endeavor in the Marine Corps. As a father-I am so proud of him. As a parent-I'm scared for him. As an informed Internet jockey- I'm REALLY worried about him. Oh well-he is almost grown and it's out of my hands now. That's all for now-my brains still topsy-turvy.

Later gators.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are

2007-08-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it.
One realizes the full importance of time only when there is little left of it.
Many of us spend half our time wishing for things we could have if we didn't spend half our time wishing.
Time heals what reason cannot.
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.
Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.
You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it.
It is never too late to be what you might have been.
A minute now is better than a minute later.
Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
You may delay, but time will not.
Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.

Friedman vs Shermer

2007-08-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

Stanton Friedman & Michael Shermer squared off on the topic of UFOs and ETs. Friedman characterized himself as a scientist who's been looking at the evidence for 49 years-- a 'Cosmic Watergate' has taken place, with cover-ups beginning in 1947, he declared. It's improbable that ETs are bipedal primates who just happened to find us with their craft, countered Shermer, the publisher of Skeptic Magazine. Friedman cited trace cases in which unidentified craft have left marks on the ground, as well as the sighting testimonies of trained observers. Shermer said the evidence for UFOs is largely anecdotal with unreliable witnesses, blurry photos and grainy videos. Until we have an actual craft to examine, there is no proof to connect UFO sightings with an extraterrestrial presence, he added. Some people (such as Betty & Barney Hill) have been abducted by aliens, and such claims should be evaluated on a case by case basis, Friedman stated. The claim that sleep paralysis triggers abduction reports doesn't account for cases where people are abducted from outside their bedrooms, he continued. Shermer believes abduction narratives are a modern version of the incubi/succubi reports of the Middle Ages. People are having anomalous experiences through hypnosis or sleep deprivation/paralysis and the current culture filters their interpretation of it, he explained. A Fast Blast poll conducted in the last hour found that 80% sided with Friedman, 20% with Shermer.

12 round bout

2007-08-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

Noted Physicist, as well as renowned Ufologist, “Stanton Friedman” will debate skeptic, “Dr. Michael Shermer” on “Coast To Coast Radio” with host, “George Noory” tonight. On their web site, C2C writes, that they will be “debating SETI, UFOs, ET’s and religion, making contact, myth-making and aliens, space travel, and abduction cases.”Friedman, Shermer as well as George Noory all appeared on the “Larry King Show” recently; however, the anticipated rational, balanced, intelligent dialogue that was expected never came to pass. In its place was what appeared to be a predisposition on King’s part, reflected by, his at times, mildly sardonic attitude, combined with his meek administration as moderator of his own show. The latter permitted Michael Shermer to exercise his belief that “talking louder” and or “over people” would make him right. This being the case, there is great anticipation for a “properly moderated” debate where “both sides” can make their respective cases, and given equal time to rebut. Personally, one of the things that irked me the most on LK’s show was Shermer’s relentless discourse on science, or from “his position,” “the lack thereof” in regards to Ufology. He yielded the word like a sword, but wouldn’t let anyone, particularly Stan, to respond (or at least be heard) and “enlighten” him on the “supportive scientific evidence” apropos to the subject.Another faux pas of the King show was having so many guests on at one time; this might be a “lure” for viewers to “tune in” but makes for an “impossible forum” for an hour show less the commercials. Obviously, giving a couple of hours, or more for just two speakers/guests will allow for points to be made, as well as their respective rebuttals. Tonight’s show will certainly be one “not to miss!” Your bloggerooney predicts a “first round KO” by Friedman, after “pounding sagacity

Amazing

2007-07-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

After a very hot, humid day at work, I came dragging home and cut grass for 3 hours. Then I really dragged into the house and proceeded to take an amazing remedy that makes you feel better, no matter what. I took a shower! Isn't it amazing how much better you feel after a good cool shower washes and refreshes and reinvigorates. Something so simple its almost magical. I really do appreciate having the gift of running water at my disposal. Clean, drinkable running water is a luxury many do not have in other countries, or this country in places.

Don't take for granted all the simple pleasures we all have at our disposal. Enjoy them and be grateful.

Later gator.

What we need is ACTION

2007-07-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

Fate knows where you are going, but it is up to you to drive there.

Nothing happens until I make it happen.

You can’t build a reputation on what you're going to do.

I think one's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.

Ideas without action are worthless.

I think there is something, more important than believing: Action!

The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision.

Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.

There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.

think about it

2007-07-29T15:28:00.000-07:00

Me and the little one re watched The Postman movie today and he wanted to know was that the only way to stay in touch back in the old days. He said they sure needed Internet back then. At 8 years old, he's grew up in an electronic age of convenience. Can you imagine the chaos and frustration in each household if the satellite gizmo's suddenly didn't work for awhile, or any of the new fangled gizmos we all enjoy-cell phones, internet, no land line phones, no tv, no games... That is scarier than me running for President.

Lator gators

Extinct

2007-07-28T18:37:00.001-07:00

I recently ran across a picture of something extinct- and it scared me silly. It made me think-we live in a country that has become extinct. Gone is the good ole AMERICA we grew up in and was so proud of. Gone is the safe neighborhoods for kids, gone is the moral decency of citizens, gone is the trust of governing bodies, gone is the pride that built this country. It has a become a monster landmass holding the citizens hostage.
Teach me to be looking at pictures-huh!

Wise Quotes

2007-07-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.
All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.
All human beings, by nature, desire to know.
All life is an experiment.
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.
An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere. The pessimist sees only the red light. But the truly wise person is color blind.
Be not the first by whom the new are tried, nor yet the last to lay the old aside.
Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them so.
Both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought.
Chance favors only those who court her.

P U

2007-07-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

Right at about 5 pm today, Boss said I needed to deliver the forklift, I had just repaired, back to the chicken farm 36 miles away. So I loaded it on the trailer and cranked the Kenworth up and away I went in the pouring rain. About half way there, I saw a momma skunk and 3 little ones crossing the road ahead of me. She was pushing them from behind to get their little butts in gear. They made it ok and all four gave me the salute[tails up] as I passed. When I got to the farm, there was a little low water crossing to go through and a duck was standing at the waters edge looking at the water, but not getting in. It was still there as I came out, watching the water pass by. So even during overtime on a dreary, gloomy, rainy day, I still had fun and enjoyed the little after work drive.

MORE rain

2007-07-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

RAIN RAIN GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
I guess it is not gonna stop raining any time soon. I didn't even have the PC on last night because of the lightening storms. It did have the air cooler tho and that is a plus this time of year. The rain is so clean smelling and good tasting and fun to play in---but enough is enough. I watched as the police came by going out to the bridges at end of town checking for flooding or stranded motorists. Most of the highways and byways around here flood at all the low water crossings for a little while, but quickly run off and are passable. Guess I need to google for an unrain dance!! Why does the satellite Internet work in the rain but the TV satellite quits in the rain? So me and the kids played hide and seek for a while till Billy got carried away and hid in the dryer.---not cool---time for bed then.
I'LL BE BACK----
your soggy, saturated, prunish bloggeroony

Start your week off with a smile

2007-07-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

Three men were sitting together bragging about how they had giventheir new wives duties. The first man had married a woman from Florida, andbragged that he had told his wife she was going to do all the dishes and housecleaning that needed to be done at their house. He said that it took a coupledays but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were allwashed and put away.
The second man had married a woman from Kentucky. He bragged that hehad given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes,and the cooking. He told them that the first day he didn't see any results,but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean,the dishes weredone, and he had a huge dinner on the table.
The third man had married an Louisiana girl. He boasted that he toldher that her duties were to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed,laundry washed and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the firstday he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything, but bythe third day most of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out ofhis left eye.....

The clearly defined path

2007-07-21T19:01:00.001-07:00

As I muddle my way through the daily routines of life, my path is clear. I have decided to not have a political party. I will just have to pick the best out of all the candidates-and vote for them. So I'm not a republican, democratic or independant-I'm just an American stuck in a messed up political nightmare. And I will always bug the government with every signed piece of paper I can, reminding them how unhappy I am at the state of this countries government. HA-like they care what I think. But remember-little thorns cause infections that spread all over-so every blogger that blogs one way or the other helps that infectious little thorn in our governments side. And remember to smile while doing it-makes everyone wonder what's wrong with you.

As ta la vista-baby

Schmooze Award

2007-07-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Goodness gracious-I have been tagged with the schmooze award. Thank you Sumo. AAAAAAAAAAAA-not sure what to say. My ramblings are only written examples of my demented thinking process on a daily basis. There-that almost sounded smart for a second, didn't it.
I enjoy all the sites and writings of all the bloggers out there. I am able to keep abreast of all the latest happenings in the world and all the various ideas and thoughts of the more informed world-the blogosphere. Opinions cannot be justly made on anything if you are not informed. I seriously don't think my little blog spot is deserving but I appreciate any and all who are enlightened or dismayed or smile at my efforts. Thank you. The blogosphere is all about everyones attempt at doing their part in making the world a better place, and for that everyone deserves an award.

Oh what a day

2007-07-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

KIDS-they are like a rollar coaster ride. They are scary, fun, nauseating, @#$%^&*teach you patience... My oldest son leaves in 2 weeks for boot camp in California and for the last 3 weeks he's been holy heck to live with. I finally told him to go visit his mom for his 2 remaining weeks.
Later one of his girl buddies came by looking for him and said don't be too frustrated with him, he was nervous and afraid and thought if he was mad at everyone-it would make it easier for him to leave home. That really made me feel stupid-ought to be used to it by now. Then I get a email from a 22 year old girl who wants to go out for coffee and get to know me. I sent her a note asking if her glasses needed readjusting or was she legally blind!! Then the little man [8] says DAD don't worry, he loves me and I have been doing ok. He says his bro and sis are stupid and mean and pains in the booty. After settling down and watching tv a little bit, I realize that its not all that bad. Its just kids being kids, and me being a parent who cares. Oh well-life goes on-wonder what tomorrow brings?
adios amigos

Splish, Splash, Squish

2007-07-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

Those words are what I hear as I walk across the yard to my truck. It is continuing to drench south Texas with more rainfall. I guess I'll have to see if they make a pontoon kit for my riding mower! I don't remember it being so wet in July in Nixon. All the flowers I planted are still doing fantastic because of the rain.Since I work inside a shop- the rain usually does not affect me much. I have 2 cars I've bought in other towns but have not picked up because of the weather. Thank goodness the lighting has been not very bad. I don't want another fried pc! Oh well-make someone smile for no reason-it'll do you good.

your prune toed bloggerooney

Mother Nature might not like this

2007-07-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

BEIJING - After weeks of watching the mercury soar, hardening the already cracked earth of their wilting orchards and farms, a group of farmers on the outskirts of Beijing gather in the Fragrant Hills that line the western fringe of China's capital city. Unlike their ancestors, they do not assemble to perform a rain dance or gather in a temple to pray to the Lord Buddha to bring the rain. Instead, they grab rocket launchers and a 37-millimeter anti-aircraft gun and begin shooting into the sky. What they launch are not bullets or missiles but chemical pellets. Their targets are not enemy aggressors but wisps of passing cloud that they aim to "seed" with silver-iodide particles around which moisture can then collect and become heavy enough to fall. The farmers are part of the biggest rain-making force in the world: China's Weather Modification Program. According to Wang Guanghe, director of the Weather Modification Department under the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, each of China's more than 30 provinces and province-level municipalities today boast a weather-modification base, employing more than 32,000 people, 7,100 anti-aircraft guns, 4,991 special rocket launchers and 30-odd aircraft across the country. "Ours is the largest artificial weather program in the world in terms of equipment, size and budget," Wang said, adding that the annual nationwide budget for weather modification is between US$60 million and $90 million. It is no coincidence that the world's biggest such project is in China. The country's leadership has never been cautious about harnessing nature, taking on a slew of what were once thought impossible engineering challenges, such as the Three Gorges dam, the world's biggest hydroelectric project, and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the world's longest highland railroad. For a largely agrarian country like China, the weather was thought of as far too important to be left to the whim of gods or nature. As a result, Chinese scientists began researching man-made rain as far back as 1958, using chemicals such as silver iodide or dry ice to facilitate condensation in moisture-laden clouds. In the beginning, the idea was to ease drought and improve harvests for Chinese farmers, but over the decades other functions have evolved such as firefighting, prevention of hailstorms, and replenishment of river heads and reservoirs. Artificial rain has also been used by some provinces to combat drought and sandstorms. In 2004, Shanghai decided to induce rain simply to lower the temperature during a prolonged heat wave to bring relief to an increasingly hot and sweaty urban populace. And now China's weather officials have been charged with another important task: ensuring clear skies for the Summer Olympic Games next year. Zhang Qiang, the top weather-modification bureaucrat in Beijing, said her office has been conducting experiments in cloud-busting for the past two years in preparation for the Games' opening ceremony on August 8, 2008. She said that according to past meteorological data, there is a 50% chance of drizzle on that day. To ensure blue skies, the Beijing Weather Modification Office is busy researching the effects of various chemical activators on different sizes of cloud formations at different altitudes. The aim is to catch pregnant clouds early and induce rainfall ahead of the big day so that during the opening ceremony the sky is cloud-free. Wang said similar efforts in the past have already helped to create good weather for a number of international events held in China, including the 1999 World Horti-Expo in Yunnan and the 1993 East Asian Games in Shanghai. However, Zhang warned that her cloud-fighters will only be effective in the event of the threat of a drizzle: "A heavy downpour will be impossible to combat." Her caveat goes to the heart of the primary criticism leveled against weather-modification efforts worldwide: doubts about their effectiveness. Wang himself admits that it remains notoriously difficult to establish how much real impact cloud-seeding has, since there is no foolproof way to establish how much rain might have fallen without intervention. The United States, which pioneered cloud-seeding techniques in the 1940s and 1950s, has long cooled in its enthusiasm for the science behind artificial rain. However, Israel and Russia continue to have substantial weather-modification programs and Wang said experiments conducted in these countries reveal that cloud-seeding can increase rainfall by between 6% and 20%. Zhang said reservoirs in Beijing have shown an increase of 10-13%, one directly attributable to the efforts of her rainmakers. Despite some international skepticism, the Chinese authorities remain convinced of the merits of attempting to alter weather. China's state news agency Xinhua recently reported that between 1999 and 2006, 250 billion tonnes of rain was artificially created, enough to fill the Yellow River several times over. Moreover, China's 11th Five Year Plan, which kicked off last year, calls for the creation of about 50 billion cubic meters of artificial rain annually. While declining to provide specifics, Zhang said her office's budget has seen sharp spikes in recent years and she expects it to continue to grow given northern China's extreme water shortages, which are exacerbated by the impact of climate change. Indeed, the annual per capita water supply for China is only 2,200 cubic meters, just 25% of the global average, according to the World Bank. Artificial rain, however, is not controversy-free even within China. City dwellers have raised concerns about environmental pollution, though both Wang and Zhang insist that silver iodide is used in such tiny quantities that it brings no negative health consequences. Cloud-seeding shells and rockets have also sometimes gone astray, damaging homes and injuring inhabitants. Only last year a passer-by in the municipality of Chongqing was killed by part of a rain cannon that flew off during firing in May. Wang says training programs and licenses have sharply curbed accidents in recent years, and the 135 farmers who comprise the on-call rainmaking force in Beijing go through intensive training, lasting several weeks, before they are let loose on the artillery. The farmers are paid about US$100 a month for their cannon and rocket-launching duties, which they perform about 40 times a year. The person who gives the shooters the green signal to launch their cloud attacks is none other than Zhang, China's modern-day equivalent of Zeus, Indra, or the Chinese rain god Xuantian Shangdi. However, the businesslike bureaucrat is modest when it comes to describing her role: "We try our best, but there are no guarantees of success." Could the rain gods have claimed differently?

Drowning Bloggeroos

2007-07-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

Daily, each evening, after supper, I do my daily ritual of reading the writings and thoughts of the Internet elitist-the bloggers on my favorites list. It's quite a list and I enjoy a wide spectrum of opinions. One thing I notice that concerns me is the general anger and frustration written day in and day out by wonderful people who are at their wits end and want to voice concern about how governments are running their country. I agree with most of them but hope they don't drown in all the negativity they write. Occasionally look around and find something happy or pleasant to think about so you don't drown in the current state of things. Each and every one of you bloggers out there are enjoyable and thought provoking but in order for your batteries to stay charged- you need a tiny break now and then. So be careful and don't burn yourself out- then what would I read?

Hope

2007-07-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

Throughout history,many of the greatest achievements of mankind have been accomplished by a little thing called HOPE. Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance — i.e., believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary. Beyond the basic definition, usage of the term hope follows some basic patterns which distinguish its usage from related terms:
Hope is an emotion produceing a motivation to act. For example, if one has hope a bus driver will wait for them, that person may be motivated to run towards it; but if the bus begins to pull away and the person loses hope they can catch that bus, they lose motivation and stop running. Similarly, if standing at a bus stop hopeful a bus is soon forthcoming, one may be motivated to remain at the stop. If that one loses hope that a bus will come shortly, that person might lose motivation to stay waiting and might try to hail a taxi or just walk.
Hope is often the result of faith in that while hope is an emotion, faith carries a divinely inspired and informed form of positive belief. Hope is typically contrasted with despair, but despair may also refer to a crisis of faith. Hence, when used in a religious context, hope carries a connotation being aware of spiritual truth. Hope is distinct from positive thinking, which refers to a therapeutic or systematic process used in psychology for reversing pessimism.
Many underdogs of great battles only had the feeling of hope, but that was all they needed to turn the tide.
We need to have HOPE and optmism that we will prevail and overcome the absurd directions the world has taken. We are the underdogs-but that shouldn't stop us!

drinkable sea water

2007-07-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — On a one-acre site alongside a string of docked shrimp boats and fronting the turquoise waters of the Brownsville ship channel is a $2.2 million assembly of pipes, sheds and whirring machinery — Texas' entree into making Gulf of Mexico sea water suitable to drink.
Plant operator Joel del Rio is its guardian, constantly checking the intake pumps, the pretreatment filters, the discharge pond and the long pipes of the desalination unit. In an occasional moment of truth, he opens a small spigot at the end of a fat pipe and fills a plastic glass in hopes the finished product will taste "like regular bottled water."
"Sea water," he said. "It's never going to run out."
The plant is a pilot project for the state's first, $150 million full-scale sea water desalination plant slated for 2010.
Desalting the sea water is expensive, mostly because of the energy involved in pushing water through layers and layers of filters to strain it. Current cost estimates run at about $650 per acre foot (326,000 gallons), as opposed to $200 for purifying fresh water. But a glimpse around the world shows that when water needs are crucial, governments and private investors ante up.
About two-thirds of the world's desalinated water is produced in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and North Africa, with the Persian Gulf getting some 60 percent of its drinking water through desalination. Perth, Australia, is looking to meet a third of its fresh water demand through desalination.
Israel in March showed off its plant at the Mediterranean port of Ashkelon that's able to process 87 million gallons of water a day. Singapore in 2005 opened a sea water desalination plant designed to meet at least 10 percent of the nation's water needs. General Electric Co. in May announced a $220 million contract to build a plant in South Africa.
Global output is less than 0.1 percent of all drinking water. But according to a a recent report by Global Water Intelligence, the worldwide desalination industry is expected to grow 140 percent over the next decade, entailing $25 billion in capital investment by 2010, or $56 billion by 2015.
While the United States has hundreds of plants to purify brackish ground water, sea water desalination is just getting started. Tampa Bay's $158 million sea water desalination plant opened in March after years of problems with design and a lawsuit with a contractor.

legs or no legs-that is the question

2007-07-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

THROUGHOUT his ascendance from a school athletics track in Pretoria to the cusp of Olympic competition, Oscar Pistorius has gained strength from an uncomplicated maxim. "You're not disabled by the disabilities you have," he says. "You are able by abilities you have."
The 20-year-old South African has only been a competitive sprinter for three years, a fact belied by the speed of his progress, and the flippancy with which he dismisses the physical hindrances he has overcome.
Born without fibulas in his legs, Pistorious became a double amputee a month short of his first birthday. Two decades on, and a clutch of medals and titles to his name, he is known as the "world's fastest man on no legs".
Now, with brash determination, he stands before the international governing body of athletics, stating his case for the right to participate in the greatest competition of all.
The question of whether the sprinter - whose life story is to be made into a Hollywood film, reputedly by Tom Hanks - should be permitted to race against the global elite raises a wider dilemma: by allowing his entry into the Beijing Olympics - some contest that the purity of sporting competition could be irretrievably compromised.
This evening, in the rarified surroundings of Rome, the "Blade Runner" will savour his first race abroad against able-bodied athletes. Come Sunday, he will take on world and Olympic 400 metres champion Jeremy Wariner in Sheffield. Though competitive as the next man - with a personal best of 46.34, the Springbok is close to reaching the 4x400 relay team in Beijing - the focus is not on Pistorius's placing in the races, but rather the manner by which he runs them.
Such concerns stem from the £2,000 carbon fibre Cheetah Flex-Foot blades which hurtle him towards the finishing line. The Icelandic technology , a discomfited International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) fears, may not simply compensate for his physical disability, but afford him an advantage, courtesy of a longer stride.
It is an issue fraught with contradiction. The IAAF, while placing limits on devices that assist athletes, has at the same time embraced technology, allowing, for example, athletes to sleep in tent-like structures designed to improve their ability to carry oxygen.
Quite how science might determine a definitive answer in Pistorius's case is unclear. Scrutiny of the biomechanics of amputee athletes is in its infancy. In Sheffield therefore, the IAAF will employ three video cameras to analyse the movement of his J-shaped prosthetics.
Nick Davies, IAAF spokesman, is adamant no decision has been taken yet. "Only when we've done the research and we can prove - prove strongly - that [Oscar is] getting an advantage should we be talking about bans. Until then, innocent until proven guilty."
For his part, the blond, spiky-haired Pistorius - the Paralympic 200 metres gold medallist and world record holder at 100, 200 and 400m - contends that his stride is of a normal range. In fact, he reasons, the blades temper his full capabilities, given his knees cannot flex fully, and in wet conditions, he has an unsure grip.
With the IAAF having initially banned him from open competition, Pistorius is warning the organisation against taking supposition for scientific fact, and is understandably eager to seek redress this weekend, lest he be forced to take legal action.
He said: "I think that amputee sprinters and disabled people worldwide have been pretty taken aback by some of the comments the IAAF have made in the past three, four months."
Pistorious rejects being defined as disabled, eschewing, for instance, the use of special parking bays during day-to-day-life. His coach Ampie Louw supports fully his resolve to compete in full-blooded competition.
"For the spectators, it's a very inspirational thing when he runs. You can hear it when they announce the athletes. Even when he's not in front," he said. "There's nobody in the world like him, and it may stay that way for the next maybe ten to 20 years."
Phil Lane, chief executive of the British Paralympics Association, said: "As long as research shows Oscar has no unfair advantage, he should be able to compete. He's a remarkable athlete who's blowing boundaries."
Yet with the onward advance of prosthetic endowments, it is possible the dilemma surrounding Pistorius may impact on the notion of equality in other sports. That is the contention of George Dvorsky, a director at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, which seeks to further the use of technology to expand man's capabilities.

legal computers

2007-07-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

Fortune magazine has an article stressing the Chinese market's importance to Microsoft's long term strategy, and touching on Linux's involvement in the Chinese market. In the early days of Microsoft rampant piracy helped establish it as the de facto standard in PCs despite good alternatives. History may be unfolding again here, with the exception that having the Chinese government as an ally has huge additional benefits. Or perhaps Gates has met his match with the Chinese government. 'In another boost for Microsoft, the government last year required local PC manufacturers to load legal software on their computers. Lenovo, the market leader, had been shipping as few as 10% of its PCs that way, and even US PC makers in China were selling many machines "naked." Another mandate requires gradual legalization of the millions of computers in state-owned enterprises. In all, Gates says, the number of new machines shipped with legal software nationwide has risen from about 20% to more than 40% in the past 18 months.'"

caffeine in soda

2007-07-10T19:56:00.001-07:00

"The Institute of Food Technologists summarizes some recent research on food. All things considering, it should settle some arguments among geeks about the caffination of beverages. 'Caffeine is a well-known stimulant added as an ingredient to various carbonated softdrinks, but which drink contains the most, and how can consumers know? A study in the Journal of Food Science used high-performance liquid chromatography to analyze the caffeine contents of 56 national-brand and 75 private-label store brand carbonated beverages. Caffeine contents ranged from 4.9 mg/12 oz (IGA Cola) to 74 mg/12 oz (Vault Zero). Some of the more common national-brand carbonated beverages analyzed in this study were Coca-Cola (33.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Coke (46.3 mg/12 oz), Pepsi(38.9 mg/12 oz), Diet Pepsi (36.7 mg/12 oz), Dr Pepper (42.6 mg/12 oz),Diet Dr Pepper (44.1 mg/12 oz), Mountain Dew (54.8 mg/12 oz), and DietMountain Dew (55.2 mg/12 oz). The authors found that store-brand beverages generally contained less caffeine, and they also suggest that consumers would benefit from having the actual caffeine content labeled on the beverage.'"

2007-07-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

Crop Circles

2007-07-10T01:07:00.000-07:00

Locals in Payerne in the northern part of Vaud are scratching their heads after the discovery of a corn (wheat) field where the crop has been flattened in a round shape 60 metres wide. The farmer who owns the field said he does not know who did the design and he is just as puzzled as others as to how it got there.François Blanchoud, a Swiss army pilot, first spotted the crop circle, in the field near Payerne's military airport, while flying over the Broye region this week. Surprised by the appearance of the geometric figure, he asked his father Pierre, a specialist in unexplained phenomena, to accompany him on another flight to take photographs of it.
"His father claims the crop circle is 'authentic,' meaning no-one can say who made it. 'The work is huge,' he said. 'It is not humanly possible.' Pierre Blanchoud said the design is too precise to have been the result of heavy rain and 'it is not in the interest of the farmer to flatten the corn (wheat).'
"Pierre Blanchoud said about 20 percent of phenomena initially thought to be crop circles turn out to be made by humans. He claims the others are the result of 'light balls' that produce microwaves, which heat the corn and flatten the stalks. Crop circle enthusiasts, known as cereologists, have offered various paranormal and naturalistic explanations for them. However, in England two men revealed a few years ago that they created a variety of crop circles using planks, rope, hats and wire as their only tools.
"The owner of the 7.5-hectare field containing the crop circle in Payerne said he will harvest the corn (wheat) in 10 days. But the circle is expected to remain after the harvest as the flattened corn (wheat) will not be collected."

Makes you stop and think

2007-07-08T21:12:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, my little one said I didn't care about him. Typical kid reaction to not getting what they want. His cousin was here visiting for the summer. I told Billy that he better count how many toys and video games he had and be carefull what he said or he might not get any more. In about an hour he came up and said he and his cuz had figured up they money value of games was 2550.00 and toys they didn't know. Billys cuz then said that was really cool, because his Dad wouldn't spend anything on him at all since he was born. That made me feel bad for him-because he's been hinting for a year that he sure would like to live with me and the kids. With the oldest son leaving I guess I got room for another one. I told him I'd talk to his mom and he said that was the best news he'd ever had. It sure made Billy stop and think for a minute-me too. I do have it good and things always keep happening good for me, so maybe I'll be able to spread a little more happiness in this messed up world. We'll see.

Why can't they

2007-07-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

In this day and age of technology, why can't they make a biscuit container open like it is supposed to, without all the breath holding and shielded face in anticipation of the inevitable ploooop?

Why do they make the kids little juice containers out of bags that squeeze way to easy and turn a little juice treat into a multicolored water pistol that stains.

Why do they show square foot area on toilet paper labels? My butt isn't shaped in square feet.

Why do the gadgets for your desk that will organize the clutter, wind up making more clutter than you had?

Why does my brain think of such stupid stuff?

later gators.

rain, rain, go away

2007-07-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

I'm on the verge of needing one of these type of vehicles. Its rained nonstop for a while now. Every river in the state of Texas is at flood stage. Thats a lot of rain. Talk at you all later.

your prune looking bloggeroo.

Holidays

2007-07-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

I think Congress should introduce a bill that would make all holidays happen on weekends, not during the week. Hope you all had a pleasant 4th and a safe one. Lator gators.

4th of JULY prayer

2007-07-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord:

Long time no see-sir. I want to take this time to thank you for keeping me and my family safe thru another year. Despite my worrying-you managed to work miracles constantly in my life-as usual. I enjoy life, work, and my family as I have never enjoyed them in the past. Please forgive all the dodos in the world for their ignorance and deceitful ways-especially the Republicans and democrats in this country that have forgotten what a good and morally strong lifestyle is. I love the earth and the country and the state I live in and I appreciate even the little town I call home. Please be patient with mankind-we are kind of slow in learning how to do things right. Thank you for showing me how to be a spiritual person instead of a religious person. Again, thanks and talk to you later.

Robert Crawford

In the beginning-the Declaration

2007-07-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The signers of the Declaration represented the new states as follows:
New Hampshire Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark Pennsylvania Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

4th of July customs

2007-07-02T19:45:00.000-07:00

Independence Day, the only holiday that celebrates the United States, is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays. Similar to other summer-themed events, Fourth of July celebrations often take place outdoors. Independence Day is a federal holiday, so all non-essential federal institutions are closed on that day. Many polititians make it a point on this day to appear at a public event to praise the nation's heritage, society and people. Speeches and editorials may invoke American Revolutionary themes such as the founding fathers , the Constitution, the Liberty Bell, and democratic principles such as liberty, freedom, equality under the law, inalienable rights, and representative government.
Families often mark the Fourth of July with a picnic or barbecue, and take advantage of the long weekend or off-day to gather with relatives. Decorations (e.g., streamers, balloons, and clothing) generally are colored red, white, and blue due to the colors of the American flag. Because Independence Day is in the summer, bathing suits have once in a while been given the American flag design. Parades are often held in the morning, baseball games played (July 4th being nearly halfway into the baseball season), and fireworks displays in public parks in the evening. Other traditions include face painting for children and tossing of a football or frisbee.

You are what you read

2007-07-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

You are what you read. I hope that is not always correct. Every two or three days I peruse all my junk mail in case a good one is tucked away by accident in there. According to my junk mail I am a bald, overweight, pervert, gambling idiot in need of financial restructuring and my college degree, without any ink and a falling down roof. And I've won about anything you can imagine as long as I do a stupid survey!

Thomas Edison and the Bailey Electric Car

2007-06-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Thomas Edison (left) is pictured here with Mr. Bailey (right) in a Bailey Electric Car equipped with an Edison battery about 1912. While Edison made great strides in his effort to produce a battery for electric vehicles, he did not succeed at developing a battery that supplied sufficient power and range to enable electric cars to out-compete gasoline-powered ones.

Our pretend quest for an alternative fuel source has been stymied and bamboozled for a century now. The battery car has proven technically and scientifically to be the best alternative there is for moving the masses. The hydrogen fuel cell is an endeavor of futility. Our governing bodies have not let there be any improvement in gas fuel economy in 20 years. The current average gas mileage is 25 mpg per car made in USA. Import cars average 42 mpg. There has been no significant rise or improvements made since Carter was president. Isn't it about time we have a good old fashioned revolution-a scientific revolution and lets rebuild this country like it should be, and stop squashing smart and economical methods of transportation . Let the free thinkers brainstorm and give us-the people-new ideas and methods for improving our way of life. I for one am tired of being told how to live and what I like. I think I will build me a customized electric 1987 blazer for the car shows and show it on the Internet. And show the price differences between electric versus gas, from the ground up. Think I'll call it MV-my vehicle.

CRAWFORDS CRIER

Tiny things matter

Air conditioning

no cost insurance

privacy on facebook

Global Domination

History

little things

No time

My Internet Love

Life is so unpredictable

strange people-especially me

life in the fastlane

peach blossums

Texas weather

meaningless rambling

Wonderful Saturdays

I believe in...

Thank goodness for DENTIST's

Howdy neighbors

Styling and Profiling

I am an addict-{of Flikr}

devildogs

Success

Mother nature

AAAHHHHH----Sunday

New Car

Looks are deceiving

Come on Friday

My DAD

3 musketeers

Be careful what you ask for-

cheap solar panels?

Homeland Security isn't telling everything

Kids!!!

Bloggeroonies

Perils of parents on internet

Perils of kids having free reign on internet

map services do it again

to chip or not to chip

What to do?

wild weather and crappy internet

pay to drive?

Everythings bigger in Texas

FBI wiretapping system

100 percent

Whats really important

little known boy facts for all parents

Chinese bloggers beware

Plastic

Banana Spider

2 moons in August

my crackpot friends

me---feminine???

Dreams

To use or not to use

Me oh My

Seven principles of family values

Bloggers are for real

My own little world

Floorless

Amazing Tesla

1-800-***-****

It's not about the money

crash course

Wanna feel smarter

Semper Fi

Hard weekend

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are

Friedman vs Shermer

12 round bout

Amazing

What we need is ACTION

think about it

Extinct

Wise Quotes

P U

MORE rain

Start your week off with a smile

The clearly defined path

1-800-*-**