- I re-qualified on properly balancing cargo loads on aircraft over the past few days. I am now qualified to tell you that tipping an airplane back on its tail is a bad thing.
- It is exceedingly hard to eat in a healthy manner when the group you’re in class with goes out to a pizza buffet for lunch.
- I’d like to say I made up for it by having a light dinner, but Irish Woman and I went out to dinner tonight, and spicy chicken with peanut sauce was calling to me.
- We’re such a swinging couple. Our date for the month consisted of going out for Chinese food and shopping for school supplies.
- Irish Woman is such a patient wife. How many women would put up with their husband come home, make plans with her for a date night, then lay down “for just a couple of minutes”, which evolved into a two hour nap?
- There comes a point that you realize that you just can’t reach some people, and it’s not worth the energy to keep trying.
Thoughts on the Day
Posted by daddybear71 on August 9, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/08/09/thoughts-on-the-day-157/
News Roundup
- From the “Damn Shame” Department – The Navy has announced that they will scrap the U.S.S. Miami rather than pay to repair the submarine. You’ll recall that the boat was heavily damaged by fire in 2012 when a worker decided it was better to commit arson than work through his shift. Rather than tie up a large amount of money in repairing one ship, which would have had to be taken from the budgets of other maintenance projects, the Navy will have the submarine destroyed. I hope the jerk who lit the fire feels a bit of guilt over this, because his attempt to have an afternoon off is costing the country a lot in both money and military readiness.
- From the “Peace In Our Time” Department – Political dissidents in Iran are urging President Obama to unilaterally halt U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic and meet one on one with the countries new president. If President Barack OChamberlain indeed does this, then we’ll know just how serious he is about stopping the Iranians from developing nuclear weapons. Here’s my deal for the Iranians – You all unilaterally halt nuclear research, open up to United States inspectors, and deliver over to us the unharmed persons who violated our embassy and held our people in 1979 to 1980, and we’ll let humanitarian aid through. Other than that, I care if the entire country dries up and blows away.
- From the “Faith in Humanity” Department – An organization that helps out victims of sexual assault was recently burglarized, but got a surprise a couple of hours later. It seems the miscreants who took their computers, children’s books, and candy figured out who they’d robbed, and returned the loot. This doesn’t excuse the inevitable damage and anxiety that the break-in caused, but this goes a long way with me toward saying “OK, you don’t get thrown into prison for a long time.”.
- From the “Playing With Fire” Department – Scientists are working with a flu virus to try to figure out what would have to change about it to make it more deadly and more infectious to humans. If you’ve ever read “The Stand”, then you know why I look at this with a jaundiced eye. The rational part of me knows that the controls at labs are very tight and effective, and that scientists need to study how a virus evolves in order to develop ways to prevent and treat disease outbreaks. But the irrational part of me wonders if this just might be a really bad idea. Also, can someone please remind me to get the flu shot this year? Laying on my back dreaming about snakes and fire for three days was no fun whatsoever.
- From the “Vector” Department – In related news, scientists in London are investigating a possible connection between a new flu strain and camels. It appears that antibodies to MERS have been found in all of the blood samples from camels, which suggests that the animals have gotten over the disease at one point or another. If this flu takes hold and becomes prevalent, I can see an interesting nickname for it. “Anyone seen Joey?” “Not lately. Joey’s home sick with The Hump”.
- From the “Window Dressing” Department – The city of Los Angeles has decided to do something other than something useful again. This time, they’re putting together ordnances that would require BB guns to be brightly colored so that police officers can tell the difference between them and a real firearm. Apparently the city fathers have never heard of spray paint and electrical tape. Rather than try to make cosmetic changes to toys, why doesn’t the council urge the cities of Los Angeles to not point guns of any kind at police officers?
Posted by daddybear71 on August 8, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/08/08/news-roundup-200/
News Roundup
- From the “Lord of the Flies” Department – A school in Florida is rethinking a few things after a “Hunger Games” styled summer camp seems to be bringing out the bloody-minded side of ‘tweens. Apparently a “capture the flag” game is being used by the children as an excuse to plan the horrible death of campmates. Cue the requisite amount of indrawn breath, reaching for smelling salts, and clutching at pearls as adults realize that the veneer of civilization is quite thin on children. Apparently these people never played cowboys and indians as a kid, nor have they ever watched a group of children left to their own devices. Also, see the “Thanksgiving Play” scene in “Addams Family Values“.
- From the “Dumbass” Department – A ‘playwright’ in New York is feeling a tad sheepish after a prop suicide vest he built in his apartment caused a police and bomb squad lockdown. It appears that Mr. Capote was working on the next “Oklahoma!” and thought that throwing his prop out in the garbage was a good idea. I think his punishment should be to stand on his street corner wearing another vest, this one emblazoned with “I’m a jerk!” on the front and back. In unrelated news, a couple in Florida has been arrested after they broke into a high school for an illicit tryst. Apparently after their ‘special time’, they decided to also break into vending machines for something to quench the “beer munchies”. Remember, kids, alcohol only enhances your personality. If you are a dumbass when you’re stone cold sober, you’re going to be a raging dumbass after a few beers.
- From the “Horses Head” Department – The sidewalk outside a bar in Nantucket was decorated recently with the carcass of a shark. The bar owner professes to have no idea who did it, and local officials are writing it off as a prank and sending the fish to be made into compost. I guess this is a good indicator of how laid back people in Nantucket are. If this kind of thing had happened in California or New York, it would probably have been investigated as terrorism or a hate crime. This incident also gets my mind working on a saucy limerick, but since I want to keep the site PG, I’ll let you all finish out the one that starts with “There once was a shark in Nantucket….”.
- From the “That’s My Jam!” Department – A man in Canada is reported to have developed synesthesia, a condition where the senses get jumbled, after suffering a stroke. It seems the gentleman can see colors when he hears certain sounds, and the James Bond theme gives him a feeling of extreme joy. I can relate. When I hear some of the ‘music’ that people listen to, I see red and feel nausea.
- From the “Solo and the Wookie!” Department – Sewer authorities in London recently found and removed a 15 ton lump of fat and wet wipes that was clogging up a sewer drain. Wow, that’s a lot of bacon grease and baby butts. It appears that the city will be putting in a stent, I mean patch, to fix damage caused by the glob. Apparently a campaign telling people to not flush baby wipes is in the offing.
- From the “Good For Them” Department – Japan has christened its newest warship, a destroyer that apparently can also be used as a landing platform for helicopters. Japan, along with Vietnam and the Philippines, is in a pissing match with China over several islands and mineral rights in some stretches of ocean. This ship is designated for maritime patrol and relief during natural disasters. There are those who shudder at a re-arming Japan, but I’d rather they had a little skin in the game when China and the rest of the world start sparring.
Posted by daddybear71 on August 6, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/08/06/news-roundup-199/
Thoughts on the Day
- Thunderclaps and lightning strikes mean no loading the airplane.
- Of course I left my rain gear at the hotel. Why would I bring it with me to the airfield? That would be silly.
- UFC fighting just isn’t my thing. If I want to watch people taking shots at each other, rolling around trying to get the other guy to tap out, and getting covered in blood for money, I’ll watch C-SPAN.
- It has been a long time since I’ve had seafood for breakfast. It was rather nice.
- Definition of politeness – The young lady behind me on one of my flights today got airsick just after a rather soft landing. She’d been holding it down so that no-one else got sick.
- Yet again, the TSA at Norfolk International Airport can go jump in a vat of acid, and I mean that in the kindest way imaginable.
- Here’s a hint: If you can’t describe why the real airport police (Not the TSA, but the real carry-a-badge-and-a-gun police) got called because of your behavior without launching into another loud, profane tirade on the telephone, then maybe you’re part of the problem.
- Yes, I’m sure the black ticket agent called the black police officers over because you’re black.
- Your race card is looking a bit tattered lately.
- Southwest Airlines cut it a little close with my connection today, but it was rather nice to walk off one jetway, turn left, walk 30 feet, turn left again, then walk down another jetway and onto my flight home.
- Got home to a grilled steak and a cold beer. I guess Irish Woman is happy to see me.
- It is hard to type when dog has his head on your shoulder and won’t leave you alone because you might disappear again.
Posted by daddybear71 on August 4, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/08/04/thoughts-on-the-day-156/
Today’s Earworm
I’ve had enough time around airplanes for a while. It’s good to have a good home-cooked meal and see Irish Woman and the kids.
Posted by daddybear71 on August 4, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/08/04/todays-earworm-397/
Thoughts on the Day
– I have decided that the part of traveling that disagrees with me is the portion between when I leave my driveway and when I pull back in.
– There was a gaggle of small children on my flight today. They were kind enough to not cry all at once. Instead, they took turns screaming, kind of like a choral of shrieking.
– I am officially too old to go out to a ‘restaurant’ that features loud music and too many people.
– I apologize to my tidewater friends, but Maryland wins hands down in the crab cake competition.
– I got to explain what Retreat and To The Colors are for to someone tonight. Hadn’t done that for a long time.
Posted by daddybear71 on August 2, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/08/02/thoughts-on-the-day-155/
Thought for the Day
Scout Oath (or Promise)
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean, and reverent.
I thought these would be appropriate, considering today is the anniversary of the beginning of the Scouts.
Posted by daddybear71 on August 1, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/08/01/thought-for-the-day-199/
Rule 1 – Don’t Be Stupid
Recently, a man in Michigan was arrested after he flashed a card identifying him as a CIA employee. Apparently Mr. Flint isn’t really with the CIA, and he showed the card to allay any concerns brought on by him carrying a pistol, ammunition, and body armor at a movie theater. Now, instead of enjoying popcorn and a beverage while being entertained, he’s going to be introduced to the guys over at Club Fed for a while.
If you’re going to carry a gun, your actions need to be as pure as the driven snow, or at least as close as you can get. I understand carrying a gun to somewhere in public like a restaurant or a movie theater. I do it all the time. I also recognize that some property owners don’t want legal carriage of firearms in their establishments. I recognize it, I don’t agree with it, but it’s their property. I avoid these establishments as much as I can, and I try to scan the doors of businesses to see if they have posted a sign asking that I keep myself and my firearm out.
In this case, the movie theater may have had a posted policy against bringing weapons on the premises, and this guy thought he’d ignore it. In a lot of states, that act itself isn’t illegal. As I understand the law here in Kentucky, if a property owner notices that you’re carrying and asks you to take your gun and leave, you have to go, but so long as you comply, no harm, no foul.
But flashing phony ID and claiming to be something you’re not so that you can enjoy watching “The Chipmunks VII: Theodore’s Sacrifice” is pretty much the opposite of what you should do. It only leads to more complications, as in this case, where our subject will probably be losing a few of his God-given rights because of a moment of stupidity.
To sum up: When you’re carrying, obey the law. Doing anything less puts yourself at risk legally and makes the rest of us look bad.
And for those who need to reach for smelling salts because a man was carrying 34 bullets and had 111 more in his car, that’s called having your range bag in the trunk and having two reloads in your pocket. You might as well gasp loudly when a golfer has his clubs in the back of the minivan and a couple of extra balls in his pocket.
Posted by daddybear71 on August 1, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/08/01/rule-1-dont-be-stupid/
Shoutouts
- To whoever requisitioned October weather for July in Kentucky, bless you.
- To Irish Woman, who suggested we get two bushels of canning tomatoes at the market the other day, thank you. We shall enjoy the 19 quarts of pasta sauce we made and canned.
- To the smokers of Louisville, I hope someday they hand y’all a snow shovel and a whisk broom and make you clean up the drifts of butts that have built up on some of the streets.
- To the people being absolute drama queens, whiners, and petulant children because The Old Reader organization has decided they’re overwhelmed with what is, to them, a hobby: grow up. It’s not the end of the world, it’s an inconvenience.
- To the nitwit from North Carolina who threw his spit cup out his car window in traffic today, I hope you spill the next one in your lap so the inside of your car can smell like the outside of my truck.
Posted by daddybear71 on July 30, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/07/30/shoutouts-10/
An Open Letter to the Republican National Committee
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am a life-long Republican who has decided that the party has left me and those like me behind in its journey toward becoming the other Democrat party. Now, the usual gang of idiots, whose support gave us Bob Dole, John McCain, and Mitt Romney, is lining up to support New Jersey governor Chris Christie in his quest to become the next Republican to lose to a Democrat half-wit.
I’ve walked away from the Republican party rank and file, and put myself into the “Independent” column, but I still tend to lean toward your side of the argument on most elected officials. That being said, let me make myself perfectly clear:
If you nominate Chris Christie or any of his ilk for the presidency in 2016, you will lose, and I will do everything in my power to help that along.
Now, let me be brutally honest:
I will vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton before I will vote for Chris Christie. I will vote for Nancy Pelosi before I will vote for Chris Christie. I will vote for Deval Patrick before I will vote for Chris Christie. I will vote for just about anyone else on the face of the planet before I will vote for Chris Christie.
And I will shout from the rooftops to anyone who will listen as to why and I will take as many Republican voters with me as I can.
Chris Christie is political kryptonite to me and those like me. He has cozied up to Barack Obama as often as he can. He opposes gun rights at every turn, and supported anti-rights legislation in New Jersey at the same time that a groundswell of support for pro-gun legislators in Congress was at its peak. His ilk should not be the future of the party, and if he is, you will throw away the support of that all-important “None of the above” political demographic.
Am I getting through to you?
The best case scenario for you if Governor Christie is on the Republican ticket in 2016 is that we stay home on election day. The worst case is that we decide to vote for someone other than the person y’all decided deserved a turn at losing an election.
If you want my support and the support of those like me, you need to break your habit of putting up a milquetoast, get-along-to-get-along candidate. You need to support people who want to roll back the abuses of the last two presidencies, both in the area of individual rights and in the overreach and intrusion of the federal government. Anything less will reinforce your status as the also-ran, permanent loyal opposition.
Sincerely yours,
Daddy J. Bear
Louisville, KY
(Yes, I did put this in an envelope and mailed it. No, I don’t expect they’ll respond)
Posted by daddybear71 on July 28, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/07/28/an-open-letter-to-the-republican-national-committee/
DaddyBear
DaddyBear’s Den 