Sheriff Scott Israel

 

Fourteen children and three adults dead. Four of his deputies stood by hiding while a 19-year-old kid did the mass shooting. Yet he believes that he should not resign because of his "excellent leadership". The sheriff’s theory of leadership apparently doesn’t extend down to the people working for him. “I gave him a gun,” he said of the deputy in another interview. “I gave him a badge. I gave him the training. If he didn’t have the heart to go in, that’s not my responsibility.” The buck doesn’t stop with the sheriff, in other words; it stops with whomever he happens to give a badge and a gun. The guy says that he has 39 years in law enforcement. However, he does not understand that as the 'leader' this tragedy does reflect on his 'leadership' abilities. 

Let's turn this around. Does this mean that if the outcome had been that the deputy(s) had charged in and killed the shooter BEFORE he killed anyone that he, the sheriff, would not have any responsibility for that outcome as well? Or would his tune be different? Such as, they followed my leadership by doing the right thing. The thing that reflects his leadership. 

 

Sheriff, you can't have it both ways. In the real world, you don't get to pick and choose when you should be responsible for your leadership and when you aren't!!  

 

For a guy that is 61 years old, he sure hasn't taken the time to teach himself through experience that you either are a leader through your actions and not just through your ego. 

 

This must be his underlying motto

ONLY, DAMNIT!!! 

 

This is not a post about the gun control controversy or the or the abortion controversy or illegal immigrants or corrupt politicians or any other of the myriad of controversies. No this is about one of my pet peeves. What I affectionately call brain burps. 

 

When someone is talking and they constantly pepper their colloquy with 'you know' or 'like'. Example: Glad you ask that question. Like I think that like people should you know like not try to you know berate people that you know can't think in full thoughts so they interject like other useless words so you know they sound smarter. 

 

First of all when did like become a word to be tossed in at leisure where it fits as well as a paid woman of pleasure fits into leading a traditional tent revival meeting. 

 

Also. if I knew then I would not have to ask the question, would I? You know. 

 

When conversing why can't you just convey your thought, opinion, or position without trying to insult me by saying I know or that I should like it. Like, you know what I mean? 

                                                            BRAIN BURPS

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Billy Graham

November 7, 1918 - February 21, 2018 

 

When I was a child my grandparents had a tremendous influence on me. Probably because I lived with them a lot. My grandfather, Paw Paw, was devoutly religious and made sure I was there when the church doors opened or the revival tent was pitched. 

 

Billy Graham was next to a saint. Or at least you would think so the way that my grandparents talked about him. On the rare occasion that he was on a broadcast the TV was blaring and like the Christmas story, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.  Paw Paw was a chain smoker but I noticed that when he was engaged in Pastor Graham's sermon even the cigarettes were extinguished for that brief time and his eyes were glued to the image emanating from the small black and white screen. 

 

Later in life, I too took up the nasty habit of smoking. Never to the extent of chain-smoking but none the less puffing away with the little burns in clothing and other places that smokers are known for. But I digress. 

 

Billy Graham has now moved into his place there in heaven and will always be one of the greatest preachers of all time. I just hope that Paw Paw doesn't let his cigarette ashes burn Pastor Graham's robes.  

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Graham

 Rest in everlasting peace

Pastor Graham 

 

Over the course of his career, the Rev. Billy Graham capitalized on modern communication technologies — from television to satellite to the internet — to give his ministry a global reach.

https://nyti.ms/2BEitN7 

 

 

  

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones 

 Read the article here. 

 

I learned a long time ago that there is always more than one way to skin a cat. Using this old time saying many times when I was dealing with departments and companies that were in need of big changes in their paradigms that were simply not working anymore.

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

It means there is more than one way of achieving an aim. 

 

The biggest challenge then as well as now is the "that's the way we have always done it" comment, with the unsaid ".......and we're not going to change it". To that the reply is always, are you stocked up on life preservers or anchors? The ship is sinking and I don't see a bailing bucket in your hands! 

 

There are a number of ways that the school shootings can be addressed to reduce or maybe have them become a thing of the past. In my last post I addressed one, here is another. See article referenced above. 

 

The school bully is an example. He/she is allowed to run amuck and mentally and physically abuse those around him/her. Their ego is fed and bolstered by the inaction of the many that simply are afraid. Why? Could it be because no one has the gumption to pick up the nearest item and bash it into the bullies body? Oh, there is nothing around to grab. You knew that the bully was around and that you could be his/her next target. So, alas you find yourself exposed and eventually in the crosshairs. But what about your friends? What about the teachers? Oh yeah, they can't be around all the time. If only you could put one of them in your pocket or carry a baseball bat around. Not possible or practical. 

 

Now if the teacher was properly trained in the use of a handgun and had it close at hand when that bully/shooter came into the school the odds would be even. But more than likely the bully would think again before even putting themselves in that lose/lose situation. Just like if you had that baseball bat in your hand or friend/teacher in your pocket. Wait you say. Just ban guns, that will solve the problem. Ah, you have been drinking that kool-aid again, haven't you? It's like changing the emission levels allowed for cars. It can happen but it will take a number of years to take effect and there will ALWAYS be those that ignore the law and/or find a way around it. 

Progressive improvement beats delayed perfection. 

-- Mark Twain

Yes, there is a growing problem with school shootings and there is more than one way to skin a cat. Including the quick way, train and arm, and pass common sense laws about kids and kooks gaining access to firearms. 

 

But then there are those like some of the college kids that protest and want law enforcement off their campuses. So have them sign an agreement that law enforcement is not to be on the grounds at any time. Including when a kook comes around killing them with knives or baseball bats or running them down with a car or raping them. 

 

There is another old saying, 

"You can't have your cake and eat it too"!! 

It means you can't continue to possess the cake once you've eaten it.

 

 

Teachers flock to concealed carry permit class

By Mike Huckabee

We’re seeing a number of protests involving school children demanding more gun control laws to prevent school shootings. I don’t blame them because they’re young and naïve and don’t realize how they’ve been misled into thinking that the solution to all problems is more government and less freedom. But at least some of their teachers seem to understand enough about reality that they do not want to become statistics in the next attack on a “gun-free zone” school.
For proof, consider that an Ohio sheriff offered a gun safety class for teachers who want to qualify for a concealed carry permit. The initial class had room for 50 teachers. It filled up in 20 minutes.
I would ask even those parents who are most repulsed at the idea of armed guards at school to think hard and answer this question with brutal honesty: If your child was in a school that came under attack, would you really prefer that he or she be in a class run by a teacher who circulated a gun control petition or a teacher who has a concealed carry permit?

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

   

                    Gun violence: Cause and effect 

 

The recent tragedy in Parkland, Fla. leads one to wonder how did we get here? Many pundits all across the country have their opinion and they are sticking to it. As is being touted, it's the lack of gun control, the lack of proper identification of those that need mental help, the lack of proper follow up by officials that have been forewarned of the possibility of deranged individuals etc. etc. In other words much finger pointing at everything as long as it is not in their direction.

 

I do not propose or even kid myself that I have an answer. However, I do have some meandering contemplations. Maybe they are along the line of what came first the chicken or the egg. How does God exist if I can't see and touch Him/Her? (Her to not offend the growing PC gurus). Do other intelligent beings exist? Blah, blah, blah.   

I do believe that an eighteen-year-old SHOULD NOT be able to buy an assault rifle. That leads me to wonder if anyone should have access to such a weapon. Ah, the police have them so the thinking goes that to defend against them you and I should have the choice to also have one to defend ourselves against them should the day come that martial law is imposed. If you believe the Resistance group that thrives amongst us that day could well be tomorrow. Many also shout that we need tougher gun laws period! Hey, the ones we have on the books now ARE NOT properly inforced. But that is another item for another day to debate with gnashing teeth on both sides. 

 

There was a day that parents bought little Jimmy, or in this case little Nikolas, a cap gun or BB rifle when he turned of an age that they believed he was responsible enough to have one. The difference was that he was monitored and taught gun safety and if he didn't listen then the toy was taken away until he showed the proper responsibility to respect the rules and teachings of the parents. If little Jimmy, Nikolas, threw a temper tantrum than he was dealt with for that action. Not given the toy back to shut him up or not damage his physiological happy place. If he needed one of those he could go to his room and contemplate his actions until he could find his reason and understanding of how to respect his parents and what they were teaching him. 

 

Today the parents all too often are the very ones that buy little J/N a video game that is full of avatars killing in mass the other avatars and watching with glee as the faux blood is spilled and running all over the screen like water runs over the rocks in a small brook. The screen being in the room that also has his computer and cellphone that he uses to contact his social media group that he can find solace in as they agree that his parents need to be eliminated just like those avatars in the video game! But alas, he knows he needs them for shelter and food until he's 35 so he must find other targets for his anger. He has not been taught morality so turning his anger into his reality he goes to the place he is familiar with. School, a restaurant, a theater or anyplace where his oppressors, parents, are not and fulfills his. 

 

But wait you say, Nikolas had been expelled from school and that was probably his motivation, or at least apart of it. Question? What teachings were being passed on to him by the adults that were in his life? Maybe they were doing their best, after all, he was 18. An adult. So he exhibited signs of a mental imbalance. Can't get the authorities involved, right. That may cause a destruction of his safe place. Better to just bury your head and go to your safe place and pretend that all will be OK. 

 

However, with the news that the authorities had been warned about him and did nothing, what CAN YOU DO? 

 

Pray like there is no tomorrow and realize that you and the parental ilk of your kind needs to pass tighter laws on poor parenting that includes being locked in that room with J/N and deal with it!!!        

 

“Our culture is crumbling from within, and the cost of it is high. “All of you, we’ve got to step up. We’re the adults — let’s act like it. Let’s step forward. Let’s start a conversation.”

 Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin

 

  As for the unthinkable damage that the entertainment and to some degree the sports industry is doing.........

DON'T GET ME STARTED!!

An Iranian medium-range missile Zelzal passes by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during the annual military parade

Iran unveiled a series of new homemade nuclear-capable ballistic missiles during military parades held over the weekend, a move that experts view as a bid to bolster the hardline ruling regime as dissidents continue efforts to stir protest.

The nuclear-capable missile can strike Israel even when fired from Iranian territory, raising concerns about an impending conflict between Tehran and the Jewish state that could further inflame the region. 

Iranian military leaders bragged the ballistic missile "can be launched from mobile platforms or silos in different positions and can escape missile defense shields due to their radar-evading capability," according to reports in Iran's state-controlled media.

Read the full article here. 

 

The POTUS wants a military parade. Are you kidding me?! This is NOT the time for saber rattling. The world knows, at least the one I live in, that we are a formidable force, if not the strongest, military force of the day, nay, ever! 

 

I realize that president Trump is an egotistical person that has a definite lack of the spit and polish of a pc person. That is one of the reasons that he was elected to serve. The lack of political correctness, not the ego part. However, there is nothing to be gained by us spending millions of our hard earned money to put this strength on parade when it could be put to much more needed ways.

 

Soap boxes are for the campaign. The food boxes idea recently tossed out to replace food stamps is the type of boxes that would go far to cut down on the abuse being showered on a program that started out as a much needed hand up. It's hard to trade a banana and a can of beans for 10-20 cents on the dollar to use for a bottle of booze or a small bag of dope. The upside is the kids win when they have that banana or can of beans to eat AND the parent will just have to suck it up and seek help with their demons. The kids have suffered enough!!   

But that's just 

  

 

“One of my greatest priorities is to reduce the price of prescription drugs. In many other countries, these drugs cost far less than what we pay in the United States. That is why I have directed my administration to make fixing the injustice of high drug prices one of our top priorities. Prices will come down,” president Trump has said.

 

 

Now, this is something that everyone can benefit from and sink their teeth into. Or if you are one of those teeth challenged seniors, your gums.  All too often we hear of the people that have to choose between paying for rent, food, heating/cooling bills or prescribed medications. This should never be forced on anyone as a life or death decision.   

My parents found this to be the reality as they tried to be comfortable in their sunset years. I recall my mother spending a lot of her time on the phone and the internet trying to find the lowest prices on the medications, and there was a plethora of them, that she and Pops took daily instead of relaxing from the many years they spent raising seven children.

 

The 20 medicines, which together accounted for 15% of global pharmaceuticals spending in 2014, are a major source of profits for companies including AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer, and Roche. Ben Hirschler, Scientific America. 

 

I personally do not feel this particular pain since I live in Costa Rica as a permanent resident. My wife and I are both retired now so we are in the Securo Social so 95% of all our drugs are issued to us at no cost. Most cancer and new drugs we must buy at one of the pharmacias. But all other medical expenses are paid by the government. Thus leaving us more money to enjoy our sunset years.  If a third world country can afford us this benefit why not the first world country of the United States of America or as it is called here Estados Unidos. 

So Mr. President, tear down those ludicrous prices!! Let your people relax in their sunset years!!

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

An emotional support hamster has met her watery end at the Baltimore/Washington International airport. She was tossed down the toilet to save her owner the discomfort of a couple days on a bus ride home from college. What a dilemma! Do I sacrifice a couple days discomfort or do I throw my EMOTIONAL SUPPORT down the toilet? Wait!! I know. I'll just murder my EMOTIONAL SUPPORT and then sue the airline and take the money and soothe myself laying on the beach in Costa Rica. They don't have an extradition treaty with the US, do they? Or maybe I can go to one of their many volcanos and throw an emotional support howler monkey in and sue the government there for smoke inhalation from the volcano and move to Canada. There she can acquire an emotional support Mounted Police person, must be PC correct, to mount her emotions at her beckoning. 

 

This poor 21-year-old may be on a path to becoming a sue the bastards serial killer. Who among us can possibly blame her? Afterall, a representative from the airline had told her that it was OK to have the animal, rodent, on the plane. Then at the airport, they said no to the rodent. Who among us can take finding out that someone made a mistake! God forbid!! It's obvious that she did not have her coloring books and crayons with her and please, this ranked up there close to Hillary being cheated out of the election. DON'T YOU THINK????  

Read all about this poor emotionally damaged child here. However, read the disclaimer first, I don't need the blood of some EMOTIONAL SUPPORT cockroach on my conscience. And I refuse to sacrifice my piggy bank, they have feelings too you know, just so some johnny-come-lately reader can have an all expense paid trip to some foreign land to do God knows what to some poor unsuspecting emotional support something. 

 

 

The deceased, Pebbles, and the 

                                                emotionally damaged killer

 

 Disclaimer: I take NO responsibility for any and all permanent psychological damage that may occur from the horrendous story you are about to read. To Pebbles.....RIP snake bait.   

  Election Day 2018     

Today is election day in Costa Rica. Up for grabs are the presidency and legislators. The big difference is that they have two vice-presidents that come along with the elected president. Is this like the president having his/her own little harem of VP's? I say his/her because the president from 2010-2014 was a woman, Laura Chinchilla Miranda. Her being a woman did not keep the sneers and jeers away. In fact, she was hated just as much as her predecessors. The biggest difference is that there were no rumors of her raping the cauldrons like her male counterparts did. Or at least they have not found any proof....yet. Uncertainty reigns in Costa Rica's presidential elections, where 13 candidates hope to charm a disenchanted electorate. Known as a bastion of stability, the "Switzerland of Latin America" could be headed for crisis. But then the same thing is said about the US by many so called *intellectuals.

*“An intellectual is a person who has discovered something more interesting than sex.”              ----Aldous Huxley----

There are upwards of 15 parties in this country. The primary ones are the: Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), National Integration Party (PIN), Social Christian Republican Party (PRSC) and the National Liberation Party (PLN). Each party has their own flags with a two-color scheme. These flags are seen flapping from cars and an occasional building. You don't see yard signs like those in the United States. However, they do erect huge signs near the roads and have the ubiquitous TV debates, but the TV ads are few. Thank you, God.      

 

A recent poll by the University of Costa Rica's Center for Political Research and Study indicates that evangelical activist and parliamentarian Fabricio Alvarado leads the crowded field with a projected 16.9 percent of the vote. He is followed by the social democrat Antonio Alvarez Desanti, with 12.4 percent. In third place is the government-backed candidate, Carlos Alvarado, with 10.6 percent and right behind him is the lawyer Juan Diego Castro, known to many as the "Costa Rican Trump," with 8.6 percent.

 

Many people are simply sad to be in a situation where they cannot fully back any of the candidates and that instead, they must choose the lesser evil. This sure sounds familiar. They have this in common with the majority of my fellow North Americans. They even have Juan Diego Castro, known to many as the "Costa Rican Trump." He is a lawyer that seems to have many of the same traits as the president. But to paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen, he is no Donald Trump! In addition to being a lawyer, he has a Doctor's degree in Meditation. President Trump has a degree in pissing people off and tweeting his thumps to a bloody nub. 

 

So may the best men win today. No women in this race. However, the general consensus is that there will be a runoff after today's election.

 

Now to a more pressing issue. Who will take home the Super Bowl trophy? My team, the Panthers, didn't make it so I prefer the Eagles. That is to say that I prefer that the Patriots get their arses kicked!! 

 

 

Laura Chinchilla Miranda. 

Costa Rica president (2010-2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jay Sekulow Band

That's right. This guy is on President Trump's personal legal team and what a life he has. Read about him here.  With the release of the FISA memo you will be seeing alot of him.He has a syndicated daily radio show and appears on TBN as well as a Fox News as a contributer, and this just scratches the surface of his multi-faceted life.

Here's another tune from his band. They are not musical novices!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             Mort Walker

Growing up in the 60's and 70's and dealing with and experiencing all that ensued along with the sex, drugs, and rock & roll my escape was to read the comic books of MAD and Beetle Bailey. Only the characters of Alfred E. Neuman and Beetle Bailey were there to help me maintain a modicum of sanity. Complete disclosure: I did like the cartoons in Playboy. But I only read the comics and articles......wink wink. nudge nudge.   

The creator of Beetle Bailey, Mort Walker, passed away this past Saturday at the tender young age of 94. You can read his obituary here.      

From the git-go, I fell into admiration of the Beetle persona. Who didn't? That laid-back air with a who cares attitude. The cagey and inventful ways he found to sneak his naps in the strangest places. His ability to let the Sarges anger and yelling just roll off his back like water off a duck. The lackadaisical attitude toward his girlfriend Miss Buxley.*never did see her layout in Playboy And his whimsical play with the other characters in the strip.  

  

Mort Walker was ahead of his time. He will be sorely missed. RIP Morty.