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."

IT'S TIME FOR AN OLIO POST

I have often wondered why we allow ourselves to be led around like so many herd animals. There's got to be a reason other than our instinct for survival. After all, Docs approve of smoking. ^

Don't forget to click on the header.

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Gillian Gibbons, 54, was given 15 days in jail late Thursday after she was convicted of insulting religion.

This was in Sudan. Or maybe Darfur, since the government of Sudan is responsible for the ethnic cleansing going on there.

Gillian Gibbons, an apparently dedicated teacher who gave up a comfortable, safe life in England was arrested and jailed. For a charge we have never heard of: "Insulting Religion"?

I wonder how the rabid atheists here feel about that?

What are facts of her crime? Simple. Non-arguable. Direct. She allowed her class to name a stuffed Teddy Bear "Mohammed". By Jiminy (I'd say Holy Mackerel but that might get me in trouble) that's definitely insulting. A soft, cuddly loving teddy bear just has to be insultingly named after a religious figure.

Now there are "thousands of club wielding and knife waving" people in the streets of the Khartoum.

Here's a suggestion to end this inanity: The American, Canadian and English governments will inform Sudan that if the teacher and her child are not on a plane to England by midnight tonight, all aid to Sudan and Darfur will cut off at that time. No ships will be allowed to dock in their ports, no aircraft will land at their airports, no overland trucks will be permitted to enter their country.

I don't have any myself, but if did have pet pigs, guess what I might name them?

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Since this an olio post here's something else:

A person (who shall remain nameless) asked me "Why should the American people change their life style to accommodate people who are here illegally?"

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Massachusetts considering outlawing spanking 11-28-2007In 1999, the highest court in the state of Massachusetts ruled that parents could spank their children as long as it didn't cause serious bodily harm.

Today, they are considering a bill that would make corporal punishment illegal. With corporal punishment defined as "the willful infliction of physical pain or injurious or humiliating treatment," legislator Jay Kaufman says, "We need to have a serious public conversation, not about spanking - that's not what this is about - but where people cross the line and abuse their children." And while some lawmakers and parents feel it is not the place of the state to tell them how to raise their children, psychologist Teresa Whitehurst agrees that this is a conversation worth having. "The state has always had rights in this area" such as "child safety seats in cars," she says. "We're not saying parents can't make choices. We're just saying let's move toward nonviolent methods."I personally do not believe spanking is an appropriate form of discipline. To me, hitting is always wrong and not something I want to teach my child. But passing laws that are ultimately open to interpretation makes me a bit nervous. And it seems backwards to ban corporal punishment for the purpose of opening up a dialog. Can't we have that conversation without lawmakers getting involved?

"...passing laws that are ultimately open to interpretation makes me a bit nervous." That's a scary statement. Ms. Whitehurst needs to get a grip on reality. If our laws were not open to interpretation, we'd have no use for our court systems, nor the Supreme Court. I don't even want think about that situation. sound like Darfur to me.

If you remember, I am against Zero Tolerance anywhere it rears its ridiculous head.

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I like this quote: "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Well, at least we beat Arizona in one ranking:

No. 2 -- New Mexico New Mexico's coiffed tourist image of open desert spaces, Earth-conscious living and colorful hot-air balloons belie a serious crime problem in this border state.Rankings in Crime

Murder: 6

Rape: 2 Robbery: 25

Assault: 2

Burglary: 2

Motor Vehicle Theft: 14

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No. 1 - Nevada...

. No. 3 -- Arizona Another border state tops the list of Most Dangerous States; there's more to fear here than black widow spiders and scorpions.

Rankings in Crime

Murder: 5 Rape: 24

Robbery: 15

Assault: 16

Burglary: 11

Motor Vehicle Theft: 2

Just remember that Bill Richardson told us that he's made New Mexico safer for everybody.

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I hearken to Ezra Pound:

"Winter is icumin in.

Lude sing 'goddamn!'

Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us,

And how the wind doth ram.

Sing goddamn, damn, lude sing goddamn!"

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The madam opened the brothel door to see a rather dignified, well-dressed good-looking man in his 50s or maybe early 60s.

"May I help you?" she asked.

"I want to see Valerie," the man replied.

"Sir, Valerie is one of our most expensive ladies. Perhaps you would prefer someone else," said the madam.

"No. I must see Valerie" was the man's reply. Just then, Valerie appeared and announced to the man that she charged $1,000 a visit. Without hesitation, the man pulled out ten one hundred dollar bills, gave them toValerie, and they went upstairs. After an hour, the man calmly left.

The next night, the same man appeared again, demanding to see Valerie. Valerie explained that none had ever come back two nights in a row--too expensive--and there were no discounts. The price was still $1,000.

Again the man pulled out the money, gave it to Valerie and they went upstairs. After an hour, he left. The following night the man was there again. Everyone was astounded that he had come for the third consecutive night but he paid Valerie and they went upstairs.

After their session, Valerie questioned the man. "No one has ever been with me three nights in a row. Where are you from?" she asked.

The man replied "Arkansas."

"Really?" she said. "I have family in Arkansas."

"I know," the man said. "Your father died and I am your sister's attorney. She asked me to give you your $3,000 inheritance."

The moral of the story is that THREE things in life are certain:

1. Death

2. Taxes

3. Getting screwed by a lawyer.

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We need to show more sympathy for these people.

They travel miles in the heat. They risk their lives crossing a border. They don't get paid enough wages. They do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do. They live in crowded conditions among a people who speak a different language. They rarely see their families, and they face adversity all day every day.

I'm not talking about illegal Mexicans; I'm talking about our troops! Doesn't it seem strange that many members of Congress are willing to lavish allkinds of social benefits on illegal's, but don't support our troops?

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NSW Department of Lands and Resources provides better arials than Google Earth If you are a resident of New South Wales, Australia, and you feel that Google Earth just doesn’t cut it for your top-down visuals, you now have options: the NSW Department of Lands and Resources has provided a service that displays more detailed photographs, and even pics from different eras for your viewing pleasure. At the Spacial Information Exchange website ( www.six.nsw.gov.au), and with the assistance of a browser plug-in, you can get down to the very street level of areas in NSW. However, that’s not the best part; with “SIX” you can view historical photographs to assess change in specific areas dating as far back as 60 years ago, according to IDM.net. Is Google shaking in it’s proverbial boots because a few users choose to use another imaging service than its own? Probably not. However, options are what drives progress, and hopefully other states will begin releasing dated photographs in their own iterations so users can glean more from their top-down satellite imagery than what car was parked on the corner 3 months ago on their street.

I don't know if this spies on you or not as opposed to host, which does.

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"An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought."

- Simon Cameron

WELCOME TO MEXICO, YANKEE

There is an article in the header that shows why an immigrant is against Driver's Licenses for illegals. Just click it.

I wanted to get your attention for this post. I know it succeeded in a couple of cases.

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I'm not sure which political party I'm the most disgusted with over this Driver's Licenses (DL) for illegal aliens business. .

The Democrats, in general, seem to feel that it would be ok to give them out to people who are in this country illegally. Some of the Republican candidates agree with this. .

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I have a problem with this, however. Since the States issue DL's why should they surrender this right to the Federal government?

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While watching the almost total lack of any action in any sphere by the sitting Senate and House representatives over the past year, it occurred to me that we don't really need any Federal law ordering the states to issue, or not issue, DLs to illegals. It has been stated that far too many bills (laws, acts, whatever) are approved or disapproved by our representatives without that person even reading them. It may sound cavalier on my part, but it has to be an ugly fact. If it isn't true, then why are so many of them bad and totally inadequate for the subject they concern? After all, the majority of our reps are college grads and the majority of them are lawyers. I've heard, from other sites, that the poor dears are so overworked they sometimes don't have time to read what they are voting on.

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Busy with what? Well, they have to see all the lobbyists and other people with an axe to grind to help individual businesses. And then there are the (paid for) trips to other lands, vacation spots, holiday events and tours and meetings in various locations around the U.S. and the world.

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But about issuing DLs to illegals. Is it possible that those in power don't grasp the fact that once one has a DL, it is a simple matter to register to vote? Voter registration cards are easy to get, easy to fill out and easy to return to the registrar. If you remember the application you filled out years ago, they don't even ask if you are a citizen. So I guess that means we must be quite willing to allow non-citizens to elect our law makers. Maybe we should send a few millions to China and Iran and Russia and North Korea and any other country that wants them? And let's not forget those countries that our State Department says we shouldn't visit. They'd probably love to help elect a President and Representatives for us.

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I'm quoting from a comment in http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/OPINION03/711150362 "Iowa on its own, however, could issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. It's a matter of public safety. That's why the New Iowans Policy Task Force, created by former Gov. Tom Vilsack, asked the 2007 Legislature to consider doing just that. That idea went nowhere, and it's not likely to go anywhere in 2008, especially after what happened in New York. Ignoring the problem, however, will not make it go away."

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Iowa, and all our states need to recognize that we, and the illegals, are a mobile country. If I can get a license from Iowa (or any other state) it is a simple matter to then apply for a new license from any other state as a new resident.

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I seem to remember a famous American who said, unequivocally: "Beware of entangling alliances." I feel like a definite minority accepting that quote.

IS IT IN YOUR FOOD? IS THE FED IN YOUR FOOD?

If you look carefully, you'll see a little illegal alien in this picture. The lettuce is called mache in Spanish, Valerianella locusta in Latin. It's a gourmet form of lettuce. And it is sold in many food stores in the Southwest. I don't know anything other than that about it. Well, maybe the fact the animal is apparently a frog, carrying who knows what diseases. In fact the idea of consuming any of this lettuce is not being given any room in my cluttered mind. How should I put it? "There's enough s**t in my head now"? "No more p**s and vinegar, thank you"? You get the idea. . When America imports food stuffs don't we have the right to ask that it be readied for us by our standards? Well, yes. And no. Yes, we have the right to demand this from our federal and state governments. No we don't, according to the sellers and buyers of the the raw product. (Raw seemed to fit well here.) . Complaining to either of these governments (ours and theirs) can be most frustrating and lead one in circles that are like crop circles (do you suppose?) that never seem to end. If you don't believe that, here's a little test you can perform. Write down a question to ask the IRS. Call the IRS, read the question and carefully record the response with pen and paper. Hang up, call the 1-800 number again and read the same question. Write down their answer. Hang up and call the number again. Read the question. Write down their answer. The odds are all three will be different responses. Keep calling and you might get an infinite variety of answers. And the IRS cannot be held responsible if they give you the wrong answer and you wind up with a fine and late fees. That's in their rules. Federal Income Tax was first started in 1862 to pay for the Civil War and was eliminated in 1872. Then it was revived in 1894 and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court the next year. In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution made the income tax a permanent blight on our lives. The Social Security Act was signed into law in 1935 and the first payment was made into it in 1937. Under this law, only retirement benefits were paid to the primary worker. In 1939 a change in the law added survivors benefits and benefits for the retiree's spouse and children. In 1956 Disability benefits were added. The original 1935 law contained the first national unemployment compensation program, aid to the states for various health and welfare programs, and the Aid to Dependent Children program. Franklin Roosevelt, President and multimillionaire, saw that many businesses had no retirement nor pension plans and forced the bill through a Congress who did not want it enacted. They were afraid of losing the support of big business who supplied them with perks and money for re-election campaigns. The cost was low to the average wage earner. A few pennies out of their paychecks. People thought, correctly, that there would be some money coming in after the business world was through with them. Poor houses would become a thing of the past. And the people were right and the houses disappeared. And contentment reigned in the country. (The children of the retirees were happy that they wouldn't have to hold two jobs to support the parents in their old age. Parents were happy because they wouldn't have to take orders from their snot nosed kids. Everybody was happy. COLA (Cost Of Living Adjustment) were first paid in 1975. Before that, Congress played the catch me when you can game before giving them raises. However, Congress, which gives itself and the President raises when it feels like it, decided that retired people didn't need to have their COLA figured on the same basis that Federal Government employees did. Maybe they thought that retirees paid less for food, less for cars and gasoline and repairs, less for housing costs, less for clothing than gov employees. Maybe. . This coming year, retirees are being treated to a magnificent 2.3% COLA because of the way it is figured. (Bean counters another 1, citizens 0.) The message I see the government sending is: If you don't like it, stick it in your gas tank. I think that perhaps the last president we had who really cared about the average citizen was John F. Kennedy.

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Oh, clicking on the header will take you into an entirely different world.

. I confess, it was a sneaky way to get into this subject.