IF IT AIN'T BROKEN, DON'T FIX IT

I am amazed about the shenanigans elected officials can get up to in the performance of their official duties. The anti red light runners/speeders cameras have been put under the gun by our wise City Councillors. Well, at least by some of them. Seems four of the nine Councilors refused to attend this meeting. They were angry about the "negotiations" that led to Brad Winter becoming the president of the Council. The four accused him of reneging on his word to back other people seeking that job. Winter denied that charge. The vote on whether the city can still fine scofflaws was 3 to 2 against this action. (I wonder if those 3 have gotten any tickets?) I remember that, long ago, I had the delicate job of stopping children's bickering. Had to be careful not to hurt any of the little tyke's feelings. (I wonder what reminded me of that?) I'm not going to mention names, but the objections of a couple of Councilors strike me about as valid as those children's excuses were. Happily, the bill must go to Mayor Marty before taking effect. Marty Chavez should veto it, since he's the person who had them installed in the first place. Whew, what luck. I fired off an email to all of the Councilors this morning. Haven't gotten any replies yet, but this is what I wrote: I find it very interesting that the City Council is implying that Albuquerque's Mayor and the Chief of Police are lying. To explain that statement, both of these officials have stated that the speeding and red light cameras, at dangerous intersections, have substantially reduced accidents and injuries. The Council, in deliberation, has questioned whether or not this is actual fact. One of my questions is: doesn't the Council have access to records that would show, or not show, whether this is true? Another question: Do any of the Council members, their families or friends have convictions re the speeding and/or red light running? . One more thing. I got this in an email from a friend in another city: "It never ceases to amaze me to what length politicians go to, to avoid stop sign cameras, that would pay for themselves in a day or two, and wuld(sic) save a lot of lives. Last Wednesday my dad got run over right in the middle of a crosswalk by some cell phone using bimbo who blew right through a stop sign and then took off in a hurry. A camera would have helped to put an end to THAT bad habit. "Dad is OK but was limping badly for a few days, and regretting that he had just soft bread in his shoping(sic) bag instead of canned or frozen goods. He would have dented that drivers car considerably more than he did." . Don't forget to click the header.

DECEMBER 7, 1941

The following is the speech given to the members of Congress and the American people on Monday, December 7, 1941. You can almost hear Franklin D. Roosevelt's pain and anguish as you read the words. At least I can. Click the header for more pictures. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. Franklin D. Roosevelt - December 8, 1941 . That war, was not predicated on false reports and guess work. It was a vicious, unforgiveable sneak attack on a nation unprepared for such a conflict. Apologists try to say that America forced Japan to attack us. And I note, in response, that Iraq "forced" us to attack them. I get mighty sick of the lies that swirl about the falsity mill that Washington has become. . Japan attacked us in order to expand its Empire. They did it without caring about the civilians who would be killed and maimed. But they had the gall to denigrate our denigrate our way of ending the war with the least loss of American life. Tough stuff, Japan. You got what was deserved.

HOW ABOUT A QUICKIE?

Just time for a quickie. Post, that is. And please do not hump the bridge.

OK, that's all the warning you get. Proceed at your own risk. And don't forget to click on the header.

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A British mobile technology firm has developed a satellite system to help cell phone users locate the nearest toilet.

SatLav -- named after driving satellite system SatNav -- uses technology similar to the global positioning system to direct users who text the word "toilet" to 80097 to the nearest restroom, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The system is currently only available across 8.5 miles of London's Westminister area but could be spread to other regions if it is successful.

Robert Thurner, commercial director of SatLav developer Incentivated, said the technology is aimed at "making residents' lives easier."

"From today onwards nobody should get caught short again, and we understand how important that is, be it for a young mum with children in tow, older people or friends on a shopping trip or a night out," said Westminster councilor Alan Bradley. And Wild Thing wants to move to London, now.

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How come when you mix water and flour together you get glue...and then you add eggs and sugar and you get cake? Where does the glue go? Well?

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Why is it that our memory is good enough to retain the least triviality that happens to us, and yet not good enough to recollect how often we have told it to the same person?--

Francois de La Rochefoucauld. See? The French can get things right.

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A kindergarten pupil told his teacher he'd found a cat.

She asked if it was dead or alive.

"Dead," she was informed.

"How do you know?", she asked.

"Because I pissed in his ear and it didn't move," said the child innocently.

"You did WHAT?!?", the teacher squealed in surprise.

"You know," explained the boy, "I leaned over and said 'pssst' and he didn't move." No comment.

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Our young daughter had adopted a stray cat. To my distress, he began to use the back of our new sofa as a scratching post.

"Don't worry," my husband reassured me. "I'll have himtrained in no time."

I watched for several days as my husband patiently "trained"our new pet. Whenever the cat scratched, my husband deposited him outdoors to teach him a lesson.

The cat learned quickly.

For the next 16 years, whenever hewanted to go outside, he scratched the back of the sofa. Be careful what you ask for.

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People who hate cats, will come back as mice in their next life." See there?

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Little Johnny was eating breakfast one morning and started thinking about things.

"Mommy, why does daddy have so few hairs on his head?" he asked his mother.

"He thinks a lot," replied his mother, pleased with herself for coming up with a good answer to her husband's baldness.

Johnny thought for a second and asked,"So why do you have so much hair?" Think fast, lady.

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I decided to stop worrying about my Wild Thing's driving and take advantage of it.

I got one of those bumperstickers that say, "How's my driving?" and put a 900 number on it.

At 50 cents a call, I've been making $38 a week. Shhh. Don't tell her.

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Children Are A Wonder ! Love this site.

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She was in the kitchen preparing to boil eggs for breakfast.He walked in, she turned and said,"You've got to make love to me this very moment."

His eyes lit up and he thought "This is my lucky day!"

Not wanting to lose the moment, he embraced her and then gave it his all, right there on the kitchen table. Afterwards she said, "Thanks" and returned to the stove. More than a little puzzled, he asked, "What was that all about?"

She explained "The egg timer is broken." Please note: No names are used.

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Can't beat this new bumpersticker sentiment;

"I WISH HILLARY HAD MARRIED O.J." Hmmmm.

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In a cafeteria : "Shoes are required to eat in the cafeteria."

(hand-written underneath) ~"Socks can eat any place they want."