THE BEAGLE MAY BE SINKING

I meant to get this picture of a Canadian hammer up before Father's Day, but somehow I think it is still appropriate. . Don't forget to click the header. Something really different this time. . There have been many things going at the old homestead. Some of them you wouldn't want to hear about, others I want to tell you about. . Old nosy here has been been reading and trying to add two and two. It ain't as easy as you might think. Shucks, I might have gotten 6 and 7/8ths for an answer. That's a hat size? Drat. Not too many men wear hats anymore. (Nor do the ladies, bless 'em.) . First, a story about some neighbors who came to America from Iraq. Legally. Green cards and all. I haven't asked, but I believe they were refugees from Sadam's rule. The names I use are fictional. Not even close to their real names. The young lady, call her Salome, knocked on our door one evening asking for help. (I'll call this brother Hakim. See Oklahoma! for source.) I'm not used to dealing with young women wearing a scarf over their heads in our hot climate. So I needed some assistance. . Now, Wild Thing has a heart bigger than anything you have ever seen. She invited Salome in, immediately found out what the young lady was suffering from and got out various generic OTC meds, heating pad, ice pack container, blankets and various and sundry other things designed to repair the evils that afflict human's bodies. And instructions on how to use all of them. In fact, she began the treatments in our home and took the the young lady back to her apartment and did some more of her magic. Wild Thing is a Caregiver. Of majestic and thorough proportions. When she got back home, she had forgotten other things that Salome might need so went back with them. WT raised four children and somehow managed to repair and mend and fix them good enough so that they are all successful even in this crappy economy. Anyway, the next evening, there was this faint knock on the door and there was Salome with a plate of Mid East food for both of us. She told us that she was feeling much better and had made dinner for her brother and herself and had enough to share with us. WT had also located a couple of other things to help Salome weather the illness. Oh, the food? We're not sure what it was (chicken, some veggies we weren't familiar with and yellowish rice all mixed together). We didn't tell her that Wild Thing's idea of spicy food is Kentucky Fried Chicken Original. I had to sacrifice myself and eat it all (over three days) by myself alone. (The food was different, a little interesting and much too hot for my Darling.) . Over the next few days, Salome improved and regained her usual strength and well being. And she began visiting us regularly. Wild Thing had made another conquest. (People love her immediately. The same people who are afraid of me. And I'm the pussy cat.) . We listened to her tell us about how a man in Iraq had been phoning and texting her for a while and she thought she should marry him. And how her father didn't trust the man. And did not want her to marry him. Her dad thought the guy just wanted a free ride to America. They had some arguments and apparently it is not a good idea to argue with a male when one is a female in the Islamic religion. (That aside, I silently agreed with her father.) . Salome, a nubile, 22 year old, had convinced herself she was in love with this guy. Even though he claimed that sending photographs of himself was too expensive. Ding, ding, ding went the alarm bells in my head. The pics he sent on the cell phone were of such low quality they were useless in seeing what he looked like. . Meanwhile, Salome had had to subdue a prisoner brought into the hospital where she was working when the two guards failed to handcuff him to the bed and then they both left the room. The prisoner grabbed up a knife he had secreted and held her from behind with the knife near her throat. The half witted guards didn't see this. Salome, reacting, could reach behind herself and ever so firmly, grabbed and squeezed "real hard" the man's testicles. The guards heard his screams, and came back into the room in time to pick him up and put him in restraints. . Yep, she was a heroine. One of the guards (the one who worked for the prison, the other was an in house security person) took a shine to her and over a couple of weeks of effort he managed to convince her to go out to lunch with him. So this was something she was not used to. She had not dated during high school, nor after. Arabian Islam, it seems, does not permit dating. We got the story as it was happening. . In the midst of this, her Daddy ordered her not to talk to the guy in Iraq. She was full of hormones. Stuff happens. Now, to us it's an old story, to the Iraqis it is not. She kept on calling and receiving calls from the Iraqi. Apparently the brother she lived with (Hakim) had had a talk with his other brothers and his Dad and they were of a mind that she needed to be straightened out. So he beat her for defying Dad's orders. Dad stuck a knife into the wall of one of her tires. One of the other brothers said she was no longer his sister. . She was hurt both physically and mentally. She had been thinking American. Her family had been thinking Islamic. Wild Thing nursed both her mental and physical pains. I wanted to call the cops, but got to thinking that she might not be able to afford living on her own. Yes, I suggested that Salome call it in, but she did not want to. . So, what's this got to do with Darwin and his theory? That'll be the next installment. (If Lin can serialize, why not me?)

SOME INCONVENIENT TRUTHS

Would you vote for this man? For:

1. 1. Sheriff
2. 2. Medical Examiner
3. 3. Mayor
4. 4. Governor
5. 5. State Auditor
6. 6. President
7. 7. Vice President
8. 8. President of Mexico
9. 9. President of a Banana Republic
10. Or
11. 10. None of the above.

Someone needs to get hold of Barack Obama and warn him. I can guarantee a lot of lost votes should he decide to give this governator any kind of federal job.

Mr. Obama needs to exercise a lot of thought about the man who hides behind this beard. He is definitely secreting something and it only bodes good for him, not for those around him. He is selfish, concentrates on "what's in it for me" kind of thinking and can do no good either for the Democrats nor the United States.

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The racism card has already been played once by the campaign. Playing it again, this time with those of Mexican descent could lead to a disaster. Understanding the pitfalls inherent in going into that arena should be prime to Obama's campaign. One can hope his advisers warn him properly of the nasty potential.

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What brought this on? Well, our daily mistake, er, TV news channel, informs us that what was going to be an open meeting town hall style that would be held tomorrow with veterans and their families, will now be by invitation only. Barrack's elitism seems to be showing, the governator's cowardice is evident and the people are the losers.

Barrack's wife, Michelle, will hold two fundraisers for her hubby. Both of them will be closed to the public.

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I'm not interested in giving up our country to those who only want to put gains in their pockets from its richness and promise.

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There's something from a publication called "Pajama News" (or some such name) that I found to be a reasoned article (for the most part), under the header. Click it if you're interested.

I JUST LOVE MICRO$OFT

Have you ever thought about fixing your 'puter with a hammer? I have. And very, very recently.

I lost the sound on mine. Now, this computer was built 'specially for me and my weird way of using the internet. So when the sound went out (and I mean absolutely out, gone) my phone call to my nerd builder enabled me to listen to his answering machine telling me he was on vacation "for a few weeks".

I felt the walls closing in, my heart stuttered and panic was a thin layer of glass away from me. It could shatter with a mere touch.

Ye Gods, reality might set in if that happened. What to do?

Hah. Google it. So, carefully and with exact spelling, I asked our master for help with Avance AC97 Audio. It responded. With umpteen pages of supposed data. "About" 97,000 of them.

I looked at several and then shut down and went to bed. That was day one.

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The next day, I admit I was daunted and simply did what had to be done (bank, email, game that didn't need sound to function). Took Wild Thing to good cafeteria for dinner. Went to bed.

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The next day I avoided even looking at the beast. Finally gave in and visited the first four of Google's pages. Went to a number of sites. Including Microsoft sites. (Do NOT visit Microsoft sites unless you enjoy clicking on one blue link after another and trying to remember what you read five pages ago.)

(If you like clicking on thingees visit a site by clicking on my header. And be sure to scroll down the page.)

Worn out, brain spinning, wondering if I would fall asleep at the keyboard, I shut it down. Had spent more than five hours trying to get the problem fixed. Slept like a log.

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A few more days passed with much the same results. (OK, OK, I did not keep chasing all these rainbow dreams. But I did the necessary things on my muted 'puter.)

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Today, I decided I would fix it or get that hammer out. So I opened the Control Panel, clicked on "Sounds" and once again invoked the "Adjust Sound Volume". Then to the "sounds" page. Three times I invoked the fixer pages. Two times they led me to no positive result.

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Mumbling "Rackafratz" under my breath I chose to uninstall the driver and then revert it to the last good one. (I am scared to death fooling with the Registery.)

BINGO!

Merry little sounds issued from the speakers. I called up a song and listened to the wonderful sounds.

I had won. Microsoft lost. Avance lost. Two out of three ain't bad.

BILL'S HAVING REALITY PROBLEMS

Oh, wow. Bill's at it again. He must be.

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Reality and Richardson are two things that should not be used in the same sentence.

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Here's an interesting article from the way back machine (check out the date line):http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/12/newmexico/index.html?iref=newssearch

That was valid then. It is even more valid, now that the highest ranking Mexican police officer has been murdered.

War has been going on in Mexico for some years now. Drug cartels, earning more money than Bush is spending are gigantic, profitable and unafraid of police. Even American police. The borders of our country are a sieve allowing Mexicans to cross them at will. Mexican drug lords have been aware of this for a long time. New Mexico, Arizona, California, Texas all have had "border incidents". I say it's border warfare. The criminals usually withdraw from American soil before our Federales are even sent to the locale.

But make no mistake about it. When the drug lords are ready, they'll make their inroads in quick, vicious attacks and then use those Americans who feel sorry for the poor illegals to protect their invasion. They are not stupid men. They're just not good baseball players.

They'll plead they are being hunted down by the Mexican police and ask for sanctuary.

Some news while I was writing this post: Juan Antonio Roman, the No. 2 policeman in the gritty border city of Ciudad Juarez, was riddled with bullets outside his home as he stepped from his pickup truck in the early hours of the morning, a police spokesman said.

A police chief from Mexico crossed the border seeking safety and asylum in America a week or two ago.

So Bill is in Mexico now, and: "New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Wednesday that he has seen an improvement in security along the U.S.-Mexico border." And: "More than 200 people have been killed so far this year in Ciudad Juarez, a city of 1.3 million across from El Paso, Texas that is home base for the Juarez cartel." A wave of organized crime and drug-related violence has shaken Mexico in recent years, killing more than 2,500 people in 2007 alone.

So Bill is down there making syrupy talk, kissing anatomy and pretending that this violence is not going on. What a man. What a governator. What a phony.

America does not need this man in any political office.

A REASON NOT TO VOTE FOR OBAMA

Billy, we hardly knew ya.

Lemme see, thirty or so extra pounds, a cheaper suit than Barracks and a beard to hide behind.

Do you believe he's thinking something like "Boy, have I got this guy suckered in. Move over, sonny and make room for your new Secretary of State."?

Or do you think he's going to kiss the candidate. After all, he's got his arm around the man.

I thought it kind of funny the governator had a flag pin on, after all the fuss about Barracks not wearing one.

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One of the biggest reasons to oppose Sen. Obama is to make sure Bill can’t even drive near 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Let alone get inside.

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Yeah, Bill's shown his loyalty and dependability by turning his back on the Clintons (he'd be picking fruit if it weren't for Ex prez Clinton. Another reason to dislike the male Clinton.)

Is it possible to refer to Hillary as Dr. Frankenstein? Or Igor? And ask her what, now that it breathes, she intends to do with it?

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Other than my learned distrust of this man (I was NOT born despising him) what's new about his farce of pretending to be a worthy Governor?

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I'm glad you asked (He, he, he). I don't know if you've heard of the horrendous, uncontrolled fire that burned in one of our mountain chains? The Manzano mountains. They separate Albuquerque from a beautiful wilderness area. A number of people live there, doing what people in forested areas do.

Anyway, fire officials say it was deliberately started by humans (who have to be at the bottom of the evolutionary scale). The fire raced through the underbrush and became a conflagration. Winds (some as high as 50 mph) pushed the inferno along. The crews were not making headway against the fire, anywhere along the line. Then a lessening of the wind and the fire fighters had it 35% contained. It was looking good. The governator looked the scene over and declared it a disaster area. He was appalled at the damage. Horrified. Aghast with disgust.

So he went to the Kentucky Derby to rub elbows with the rich (in an effort to get them to contribute to Barracks' campaign?) and drink mint juleps.

While the fire burned and destroyed the lives of those caught in the holocaust. The fire was again fanned by high winds and routed the gallant defenders. It was, apparently, a super effort by the fire fighters that they stopped the flareup from consuming everything in its path.

But that didn't stop our Bill from flying to Kentucky, sucking up to the wealthy, (he's had lots of practice at that.) and raising dough for Barracks' campaign.

Oh, yeah, something to add to his "caring about New Mexico" horsepuckies: He was so used to being away from N.M., he didn't bother to tell the lieutenant governor he would be gone. The governator's spokesman (read toady) said it was "an oversight". Oh, yeah. Sure.

Someday we'll get a real Governor here again. But it ain't Bill Richardson.

About that hairy ape look on his face? Men grow beards when they want to hide something. Wonder what he's hiding? Or maybe, wonder what he isn't hiding?

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Don't forget to click on the header.

A POTPOURRI

Clicking the header will take you to a strange land called Nano Photography. Only it isn't. Photography. See the comments to discover what it really is. (Scientists with too much time on their hands?) . I'm still on my revolutionary kick. About salt and why we're being poisoned by it and by who(m). Have a look at this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24313369/ . A world convention of brewers was held in Amsterdam. The presidents of the world's greatest breweries were on hand. As usual, a convention dinner brought them together on the first evening. When asked what they would like to drink, the CEO of Miller said, "A Miller Lite, please."The president of Anheuser Busch said, "I'll have a Michelob." Adolph Coors requested a Coors. And so it went, around the long table, each president requesting a brew from his own company. Finally, the waiter came to Arthur Guinness. "And you, sir?" he queried."I'll have a coke," was Guinness's reply. The waiter was shocked. "A COKE?!? Wouldn't you rather have a Guinness, sir?" Arthur looked at the waiter, then gestured at his companions. "If they're not drinking beer, then neither am I". . Oh, yes, been meaning to put this up: Most Dangerous States 2008 - AOL Money & Finance Be sure to view number 3. . And this one: Unhealthiest States 2008 - AOL Money & Finance Look who's number three here. . One Friday morning, a teacher came up with a novel way to motivate her class. She told them that she would read a quote and the first student to correctly identify who said it would receive the restof the day off. She started with, "This was England's finest hour." Little Suzi instantly jumped up and said, "Winston Churchill." "Congratulations!" said the teacher. "You may go home." The teacher then said, "Ask not what your country can do for you." Before she could finish this quote, another young lady belted out,"John F. Kennedy." "Very good!" exclaimed the teacher. "You may go home, too." Irritated that he had missed two golden opportunities, Little Johnny blurted out, "I wish those girls would just shut up." Upon overhearing this comment, the outraged teacher demanded to know who said it. Johnny instantly rose to his feet and said, "Bill Clinton. I'll see you Monday!" . Some rules I found hidden in one of Schotzy's beds:

• Always give generously. A small bird or rodent left on the bed tells them, I care.
• Climb your way to the top. That's why the drapes are there.
• Curiosity never killed anything except maybe a few hours.
• Find your place in the sun. Especially if it happens to be on that nice pile of warm, clean laundry.
• If you're not receiving enough attention, try knocking over several expensive antique lamps.
• Life is hard, then you nap.
• Make your mark in the world. Or at least spray in each corner.
• Never sleep alone when you can sleep on someone's face.
• Variety is the spice of life. One hour ignore people, the next hour annoy them.
• When in doubt, cop an attitude.
• Never give a human an even break

. Have a fun weekend.