It Is About Time That Some Nation Gets It Right...

...in the war against Islamo-Fascism.

As per the article Ethiopians take key Somali town, found on the BBC.com at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6211573.stm:

Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces have taken the strategic Somali town of Jowhar from Islamist militias.

Yes, in Ethiopia and Somalia they know that the threat is real, and they are facing it down with force as required. Once again Islamic Fascists have tried to conquer another country and place it under Islamic law, but this time they have failed so far.

Jowhar is a former stronghold of the Union of Islamic Courts, and its loss leaves the Islamists with control of little more than Somalia's coast.

Just note the name of the Islamic group that sought to take over in Somalia - The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). Can you imagine that there are left wingers in this country who support Islamists with every breathg, yet those same people constantly harangue conservatives and Republicans here at home! Isn't it clear yet, that the goal of Islamic fascists is to conquer the world, and that maybe this is the goal of islam itself? Remember we are the Infidels as per the Q'ran. We must be dealt with by conversion or the sword - that is unless of course - we fight back and kick their butts before they have a chance to win.

Kudos to those in Ethiopia who have realized this. Now if only they can get their own acts in order and do something else good for their people.

All the best,
Glenn B

He was an impeccably respectable president,...

...in fact there were no scandals in the Whitehouse of Gerald Ford that come to my mind right now.

He was a statesman and politician long before he became vice president or president.

He was the only president never to have been elected to either the position of vice president or president.

He was the president under whom the war in Vietnam ended, and he was loyal to our allies, even though that war was started and botched by others, he sensibly believed we should have seen it through:

"It has been said that the United States is overextended, that we have too many commitments far from home, that we must re-examine what our truly vital interests are and shape our strategy to conform to them..."

"I find no fault with this as a theory, but in the real world such a course must be pursued carefully. We cannot, in the meantime, abandon our friends while our adversaries support and encourage theirs.". (Do those complaints he mentioned sound familiar.)

His presidency had its controversy:

He was appointed to the vice presidency to replace Spiro Agnew who had left it in disgrace.

He took the presidential reins after the Nixon resignation.

He pardoned President Richard M. Nixon.

Very shortly thereafter, he pardoned the Vietnam war draft dodgers.

He had a very good outlook about government, later echoed by his intra-party rival Ronald Reagan:

"A government big enough to give us everything we want is a government big enough to take from us everything we have."

He helped tone down the nuclear threat.

He was a survivor.

He survived WWII in the U.S. Navy.

He survived media attacks that attempted to make him look as if he was physically bumbling and clumsy; yet all the while he was quite the adroit athlete. (Now as then, they in the mainstream media, do all in their power to distort the man at the helm when they do not agree with his policies. When they could not attack his impeccable character, they trumped up claims of his being physically clumsy, and sometimes apparently set him up to literally take a fall. )

He survived a Congress that was stacked in favor of the Democrats, and that had little regard for his views or his presidency; and he used his presidential veto 38 times while trying to do the right thing for the United States of America.

He survived two assassination attempts unharmed.

He survived a long time; he was the oldest living president, passing away at 93.

May the heavens receive him kindly.

My condolences to his family, loved ones, and to the nation; he will be sorely missed.

All the best,
Glenn B

My Own Merry Christmas To Me...

...or in other words the Christmas gifts I gave to myself.

This year I bought myself a few gifts while doing all of my othe shopping. About a week or so ago, I picked up a bottle of Glenfidich, 12 year old, single malt scotch; it came with two nice rocks glassses. I meant it as a gift for someone else at the time, then I found that person a better gift, so I kept it. Not a bad deal. The set cost the same as a bottle of it would have cost - without the glasses.

Then, a few days ago, I picked up a bottle of Jagermeister. It came in a "Pewter Shooter Pack" as per the box. Once again, a nice gift idea, but this one bought with myself in mind. The price of this one was the same as for a bottle of the stuff, without the pewter shot glass/stag's head bottle cover.
Then on Saturday, I bought myself a large Lava Lamp. If you don't know what is a Lava Lamp, well you are either too young, or old enough but not into the psychadelic scene (not that I ever was into it, I just liked the light).

Out of the three gifts, with which I exercised the liberty of self indulgence, I guess my favorite is the Pewter Shooter Pack from Jagermeister. The really neat thing about that is, I also got a bottle of Jagermeister from my sister and brother-in-law for a Christmas gift. I mean what could be better than one bottle but two.

Now allow me to enjoy the ambrosia of the hunt master.

If you have never indulged yourself during the Christmas season, or for your own birthday, or some other celebration - I suggest you give it a try. While being nice to others is nice, it is also a good thing to be nice to yourself now and then.

Merry Christmas and good night,
Glenn B

New Version of Blogger - have any of my readers, who also blog, switched to this?

I was just wondering if any of you who blog on Blogger, have switched to the new version? If so, what do you think of it? Is it better, worse, the same? Is there any real benefit to switching? What is the deal with having to have a Google account? Are you required to have advertisers under the new system?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Glenn B

Holiday Humor: Two Different Types of Season's Greetings - pick one to suit yourself

My friend Don S. sent me the following in an email, I'll bet you can figure which one of the two Season's Greetings were applicable to me.

For My Democrat Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted Calendar Year 2007, but not without due respect for the Calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee. By accepting these greetings, you are accepting the aforementioned terms as stated. This greeting is not subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself/himself/others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.



For My Republican Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh well, whatever. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND GOOD NIGHT

All the best,
Glenn B

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Before I hit the hay, let me say: Merry Christmas

I just finished wrappng the last of the presents, a few little ones and one pretty hefty one. I can tell you that lugging the weight bench in from the garage to the cellar, where I planned to assemble it, was almost hernia producing as it slipped when I tried to take it down the stairs. Once down there, I opened the box to assemble the bench, but when I read the directions I saw it requires some wrenches in sizes I do not have. So back up the stairs it went to lie in its box next to the Christmas tree where I draped a piece of wrapping paper over it (why waste the paper trying to wrap a box that big)! I would have had my son help me with it earlier, except of course since it is for him. That was it; so then I boomed out a hearty Ho-Ho-Ho (as I do each Christmas in the early AM, yes it is Christmas here already).

All done, I decided to pour myself a nightcap in the form of a dollop of Glenlivet on the rock (one big ice cube, so no not on the rocks). I am enjoying that between keystrokes right now. I needed it, and I do not usually say I needed a drink. It was a long but pretty nice day with the wife's mom and brothers over; and we also had three family friends over too, plus my daughter's boyfriend. Great food, lots of holiday cheerfulness, and a little holiday tension, but nothing major.

Today was the first Christmas Eve on which I did not go shopping in memory for many years. I cannot remember not shopping on Christmas Eve ever since I was about 8 or 9 years old or so. Oh well, I will resume the tradition next year.

I guess that is it for now, except to say again:

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL, whoever you are, I hope you enjoy a merry day today.

All the best,
Glenn B

A Sad Christmas Season Story, SFPD Officer Killed

At 0001 hours (12:01 AM), one minute into Christmas Eve, life support was removed from San Franciso Police Department Officer Bryan Tuvera. He was just 28 years old, and was a four year veteran of the SFPD.

He was shot, apparently on December 23rd, while trying to arrest Marlon Ruff. Ruff was a fugitive who had escaped, two years ago, from a minimum security facility, reportedly after having been convicted of robbery, and after having been convicted, previous to the robbery, on firearms charges. At the time of the robbery years ago, Ruff reportedly already was out on probation for the firearms crime. Yet, despite his becoming a repeat offender, despite a robbery conviction after a previous firearms conviction, he was in a minimum security prison camp. Amazing how criminals are allowed to walk, or are placed into minimum security facilities with multiple convictions on their records. I think it is time to get tough on criminals, especially on repeat felony offenders, and violent felons, and treat them like the dirtbags I beleive them to be. Let them do hard time for a long time. Letting them out on the street, or trying to rehabilitate them, or incarecerate them them in minimum security work camps just seem not to work, and all too often can lead to tragedies like this one.

Now though, Ruff will walk no more, nor will he ever escape again. This is thanks to Tuvera's partner who returned fire, and hit Ruff several times. Ruff died at the scene. As regards to Ruff, if the article reported it correctly, I can only say: good riddance; and good shooting to Officer Tuvera's partner.

More info can be found in this article: OFFICER WAS SLAIN BY ESCAPEE 2 YEARS ON THE RUN: Prison-camp fugitive died in S.F. garage after killing policeman. Read the article here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/12/24/MNGFHN5GCR1.DTL.

My hearfelt condolences go to the family, loved ones, and fellow officers of Officer Tuvera.
He was, and remains, our brother behind the shield.


With heavy heart,
Glenn B

A Different Type of Christmas Story...

...has unfolded due to the men and women of the United States Postal Service. As you all are probably aware, Colorado and Wyoming were socked with a blizzard that dumped feet of snow on them over the past few days. Because of the snowstorm, lots of things got backed up, like the airlines who cancelled all flights in the areas, the roads that were buried under feet of snow, the stores that just did not open, and so on. It was a bad blizzard. One of the other things that got badly backed up was the mail. There was just no way to make deliveries of packages that had not even arrived in the area yet due to no air service, and local deliveries were hampered also.

So what to do in a situation like that? Well the post office asked for volunteers, to deliver mail on a Sunday. Sunday deliveries are a very unusual thing indeed, at least nowadays. What made it even more unusual, of course, is that the particular Sunday for those deliveries is today - Christmas Eve 2006. So what do you think happened? Did they get a few volunteers to deliver the 300,000 packages that arrived in Colorado and Wyoming on this Saturday? No they did not!

I guess I could not blame anyone for not volunteering to work on Sunday, no matter what your religion, if only because it is usually a day off. Furthermore, I could not blame anyone who did not want to work on Christmas Eve either. I mean, how could I, or you, find fault with anyone for wanting to have this day off. So instead of getting a few volunteers to deliver the backed up, and soon to be late for Christmas mail, what did the post office get? They got 1,500 postal employee volunteers to deliver the mail, that is what they got. Whether they are getting overtime or not, can you imagine that!

Fifteen hundred postal service employees volunteered to in essence play Santa's helpers to get the delayed holiday mail delivered on time. According to the article 1,500 Mail Carriers Work on Christmas Eve to Deliver Blizzard-Delayed Packages in Colorado and Wyoming , found at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,238680,00.html, one of the mail carriers, Robin Smith, even delivered a big package addressed to GRANDMA.

"Smith said one elderly woman was overwhelmed when she knocked on her door and handed her a package.

"She looked very lonely and her car was buried" in snow, Smith said. "She was like, 'I didn't know I would see this.' I gave her a great big one. It was to 'Grandma.""

That is not all either. Tomorrow, 500 postal employees will continue to deliver mail in the blizzard struck area. That will be on Christmas day!

I tell you it chokes me up while I write about it. I think it will be a while before I complain about the U.S. Postal Service again! My hat, and my heart felt wishes for a wonderful holiday season, go out to the men and women of the U.S. Postal Service, today they certainly lived up to their image as seen in The Miracle On 34th Street when they delivered the mail into the courtroom and helped prove Kris Kringle was Santa Claus. Sure that was only a movie, but who would have ever thought the Postal Service doing such a nice thing, as what they did today, would happen in real life. Just wonderful, that’s what it is, just wonderful!

Merry Christmas to each and every U.S. Postal Service employee; no matter if you celebrate Christmas or not, I just truly hope each of you has a merry day tomorrow, especially all of you who volunteered to do this really nice thing.

Merry Christmas,
Glenn B

It's Christmas Eve...

...last chance for shopping for Christmas presents for this year anyhow. If you have not gotten her (or him, or them) the right gift yet, then get yee to a mall real soon. The stores around here have been opening their doors anywhere from 0600 (6AM) through about 0900 (9AM), and staying open late, though they probably will close early tonight. That should still give you plenty of time, if they open that early near you.

All my must do shopping is done, first time ever before Christmas Eve. I usually go out for quite a few things on Christmas Eve, but this year I'll only be looking for a few extras today, so to speak.

We have family (the wife's side) coming over later, and a couple or few friends too. Should be a nice afternoon and evening. As for me, it is about 0045 hours, time to hit the hay, so I will hopefully get up early enough to bake in the morning (since I slouched on that to/last night).

Enjoy the day.

All the best,
Glenn B

Was There An Inspiration For The Christmas Mouse?

By The Christmas Mouse, I am referring to the poem I wrote, it is a few posts, or so, down from this one. Sure there was an inspiration, real live ones at that. Yes, more than one, since I now have about 50 mice in my mouse breeding colonies. I also have a cat and 3 dogs, just like in the poem. In fact I was enjoying my second glass of red wine, when the thought hit me to pen a comical poem; but no - none of the mice got loose, and then got chased by my cat and dogs, and I really have never seen a mouse dressed in a Santa suit, I swear I have not!

I have seen some pretty neat looking mice though not in Santa suits, but rather in lots of color variations, and with variations of certain other characteristics such as short hair, long hair, curly hair, and nude (hairless). I've seen all of these because I have been breeding mice, on and off, for abut 20 years now. You already know that I keep snakes and other reptiles, as well as some amphibians too. Well, most of the snakes I have kept are rodent eaters, and one of the most convenient rodents to feed snakes is Mus musculus, the good old common House Mouse. While I breed some of them for food items for my snakes, I learned long ago that breeding and keeping mice is an interesting pursuit all its own. I now have quite a few that are never meant to wind up as snake food, but instead will lead good and long mouse lives, as far as mouse lives can be called long.

A few of the color varieties I currently have are pictured here. The top one above is an Agouti (at least I think it is). The next one down is a Dove (pink eyed, light dove gray color). The next one is a Fawn, with pink eyes (they can also have black eyes). Finally the last one shown, is a fawn with black eyes.


These guys make great and interesting pets for folks with limited space, who do not have the time to give to a pet like a dog. They are also good pets for children, from about age 8 on up, with adult supervision at least until the child is in the mid teens and well familiar with caring for them. They rarely bite, but of course they can bite. They can be a bit smelly, usually if you have a male in a group or even alone. Males have smelly urine, while females urine has little noticeable odor. If you want to keep a pet mouse, or pet mice, and don't want that male urine smell, then just keep females. They get along fine with one another. Domestic house mice are easy to care for. Keep em clean by cleaning their enclosure at least once per week (twice at most), feed em once daily, supply fresh drinking water in a gravity bottle, keep them in a secure cage or tank, and they make great inexpensive pets that will live about 1 to 1 1/2 years. Keep a male and female together, and you can develop your own seemingly endless supply of pet mice. Give em an exercise wheel and watch em go, go, go... Let em escape (accidentaly of course, never on purpose) and really watch em go - forever gone - especially if you also have a cat and three dogs. Yes, some of mine have escaped before, so I know!

All the best,
Glenn B

The Transformation of Glenn

Yes it is still me as can be evidenced by the same fat neck and crow's feet around the corners of my eyes. Still though, I have to admit that the barber did a pretty good job handling his shears, and chopping away at my mane - so husbands beware - your turn may be next if your wives see these photos. My wife was pretty happy with the results. Now if only I would lose a few pounds, like 40 or so, she would be a lot happier, and so would I.

Oh well, all things in moderation, so a little improvement at a time, I guess. This particular improvement will make for all that better Christmas get togethers with our families because Linda will be happy that I shaped up a bit.

Besides going to the barber shop today, I got virtually all of my shopping finished. Of course, for me it isn't Christmas unless I shop on Christmas Eve, so I will be out again tomorrow getting some little odds and ends, for extra special (but not necessarily extra expensive) presents, that happen to catch my eye. You know, maybe a nice piece of lingerie for my wife, a good book for my daughter Celina, and a gadget of some sort (like the hunting or shooting sort) for my son Brendan.

Speaking of Brendan, since I was out so long shopping, he decided to fire up the barbecue, and he cooked the bear meat I had in the fridge. It was ever so delicious - both the marinated piece and the plain piece he saved for me. A great meal to which to come home, I assure you; MMMMM - mmmm GOOOOOOOOOD!

If I am up to it tonight, I just may bake an apple strudel. If not that ambitious after all other have hit the hay in our house, I may make an apple pie and a loaf of bread for tomorrow's breakfast. Got to stay in that holiday spirit and get something like that done. Hopefully my lack of a good night's sleep last night will not have me crashing before I bake at least one delectable.

All the best,
Glenn B

The Wife Told Me To Get A Haircut

Yes that is me, a photo I just took a few minutes ago. Scary isn't it; or would repulsive be a better word?

So my wife told me I need to get a haircut and clean myself up for Christmas Eve and Christmas. I can't imagine why she would think so, I think I look just - well how should I say it - I look just like me. It may not be the best I have looked in a while, but then again I guess 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night can help do that to a person.

Oh well, Linda does not want to hear about me missing sleep, or any other excuses from me, she wants me to get myself a haircut, and probably expects me to trim my mustache, and shave the rest of my mug.

I guess, that in the Christmas spirit, I should do just that. So I am about to be off to the barber for a trim. Hopefully he will not be the Sweeney Todd type! I'll post an after picture later on today, once I have had my 'makeover' to please my wife. I tell ya, the things a husband will do for she who must be obeyed. Oh well, off to the barber for me, later for you.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
Glenn B

Not A Whole Lot of Blogging Today...

...as I have to get my Christmas shopping done today and tomorrow. I just have to shop right up through Christmas Eve or it isn't Christmas for me. I also have to barbecue some Black Bear back-straps for my son and me. The wife and daughter don't want to eat any more of it, something about Smoky The Bear, or maybe Yogi and Boo-Boo; and that is fine by Brendan and me - more for us. Half of them are marinating in the fridge right now, the other half will be barbecued plain. Mmmm, goooooooooooooood!

If I get the chance though, I'll blog some tonight, but I maybe busy baking an apple strudel, so who can tell. For now just enjoy that silly poem I just wrote, and maybe some of my older stuff (yeah I know its not all that old, only been at it since August).

All the best,
Glenn B

The Christams Eve Mouse

THE CHRISTMAS EVE MOUSE

by Glenn Bartley, 12/23/2006

The Christmas Eve mouse, crept through my house, searching for a treat,
The family cat, slept soundly on its mat, dreaming of a mouse to eat.
The three family dogs, all slept like logs, in bed with mama.
I still awake, some wine did take, and sat alone in my pajama.

Was that a squeak, or just a leak, of steam that started all?
It mattered not, no matter what, it had commenced the brawl.
The cat awoke, as if at the last stroke, of the midnight knell.
It clamored straight, with bounds great, hoping a mouse to fell.

This of course, created a great source, of clamor and of clatter.
No command spoke, but the dogs awoke, to see what was the matter.
Down the stairs, as if chasing hares, they ran away at full speed.
Along the hall, as if heeding a call, to answer a primal need.

Startling the cat, who had been nosing a hat, that had fallen from hook on door.
Who sought the source, the mouse of course, who scurried under hat on floor.
Then the cat loudly meowed, and the mouse was wowed, and it ran fast away.
The dogs gave chase, toppling a vase, bought as a present for Christmas day.

Then the cat it sprang, as if with a bang, and pounced underneath the tree.
The mouse was there, the cat missed by a hair, and the mouse ran up to me.
On my face was a frown, but soon a smile as I looked down, and I saw so cute,
The beast was all dressed, as by now you may have guessed, in a Santa suit.

For a measly crumb, the beggar had come, with an empty bag o’er his back.
I scooped him up, and gave him to a crumb to sup’, and another for his sack.
Back on the floor, he stayed a moment more, then made some sort of sign.
Then on that strange night, I saw such a sight, a sight so very fine.

A family of mice, all looking so nice, all adorned in Christmas clothes,
Came out into the light, it was a wonderful sight, I saw before my nose.
Each wriggled its tail, and without fail, each bade me a Christmas Merry.
I felt fine, as I drank more wine, wondering if was made of a magic berry.

Then away they crept, and soon I slept, the rest of the eve through.
Was I dreaming a dream, that to me did seem, just too much of a real lu-lu.
Well when I awoke, not a word dare I spoke, about what me had befallen
If my wife dear, heard this as I have told here, the nut house she’d be callin.

An Essay On Internet Begging

Internet Begging is a subject that I really do not fully comprehend. Its not the fact that people use the Internet as a way to try to gain money through begging or otherwise asking for it, without selling a service or a product that confuses me; it is more the fact that people readily part with their money when scoundrels at worst, and people who really don't need the money at best, ask/beg us for ours. I have been guilty of this myself - no not begging for it in some underhanded way - but rather giving it to those who apparently have done just that!

Now don't get me wrong. If someone is truly in need of the money, and I do mean IN NEED OF, then I find nothing wrong with their asking for it. If they offer us something in return for the money we give them, then it is all the better to their credit as having some scruples in the matter. For example, if a blogger, who blogs for us every day, or close to daily, amuses or gives us interesting writings that we feel are worthy of recompense when that person needs the money - then fine - I see nothing wrong with it.

Heck, I do not even see it as all that bad if someone asks for money who just wants more of it to buy things that are luxuries, that is so long as the person asking for it makes it quite clear to potential benefactors that this is why they are asking, and that the beggar gives us something worthwhile in return such as a great blog. At least that type of beggar is being honest. While I might not give to someone who has money and asks for more just to buy more toys, so to speak, I don't necessarily consider that type of person to be a scoundrel just because they asked/begged for the money.

The thing is though that there are evidently many on the Internet who ask or beg we give money to them, and ask we donate by way of things like Pay Pal links on their sites or blogs, or by sending checks or money orders through the mail, who obviously either REALLY DO NOT NEED the money, or who do not use the money toward the end for which they claimed it would go - YET THEY CLAIM THEY ARE POOR, OR THAT THEY ARE IN DIRE NEED OF FUNDS.

The type I am speaking about often complain about not having jobs, about being down and out financially, about having sudden financial hardships, and so on. You know what I mean - don't you. For example someone may say that they are between jobs and their vehicle just got smashed up in an accident by an uninsured driver, and they themselves did not have collision insurance. So they ask/beg us to help them out. This of course could be on the up and up; but all too often it seems like a low down trick the get us to donate. All too often the guy has been between jobs for years; yet all to often the guy is spending money like it was dust in the wind.

Yes the persons vehicle may have gotten whacked and destroyed, yes the person maybe between jobs, but if you read their other postings you come to learn that they have recently and repeatedly done extravagant things that must have cost lots of money, and they are soon planning to purchase a luxury item that will also cost a lot of money. That is ballsy, but some are even more brazen that that. In fact some of them routinely boast about the extravagant life styles they lead by way of showing pictures of luxury purchases, or by way of trip logs of their vacations, or by way of showing pictures of their beautiful homes, and so on and also boast about the great paying jobs they have! Can you imagine that, being so brazen as to boast about how much money you earn, and then still begging for money - but some do it - all the while telling us how badly they are in need of it, the it being our money.

It is pretty disgusting when you stop to think about it. You really have to, or should, wonder - where in Hades are they getting the money for these luxuries. You should also be wondering why in Hades are they not using the money they would need to spend on extravagant items on the badly needed vehicle instead – that is at least the vehicle they claim they need so badly, and for which they claim there is a shortage of funds. Why are they not using their own money more wisely? Well because they are, in my opinion, scoundrels - dirty rotten scoundrels at that. They seemingly live by the credo of a man who was quite possibly one of the most reprehensible connivers of all time- P.T. Barnum, who was reputed to have said: "There's a sucker born every minute". Or maybe they live by this one, a sentiment expressed by W.C. Fields, in one of his many acting roles, when he said: "If we should ever separate, my little plum, I want to give you just one bit of fatherly advice: Never give a sucker an even break". Well, guess who is that sucker my friend – the you and I who give dishonest scoundrels our money – that’s who!

There is also another saying: "A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted". Sure, it is nice to be charitable, but charity should be given to those who truly are in need of it. After all, need is part of the basis for charity. It is also said: "It is Better To Give Than To Receive", and that may be so, but I would rather give to someone who deserves receiving rather than to someone who is trying to connive me or swindle me out of my money. I don't need to play the fool for a scalawag. I don’t know about you and your money, but my money has been honestly earned, and I have lots of bills of my own, as well as a few desires that cost money to fulfill. I spend my money on my wants though usually only when my needs have been fulfilled. I spend my money on other people’s needs usually when I can spare some of mine, often interfering with me obtaining things I desire. I even sometimes give to others when sparing my own money means doing without some of my needs, but then only so long as I believe the other person is in dire need of assistance.

I have in the past, made the mistake of giving to those who really did not need it though they begged for it as if they did, yet they spent money on unnecessary items with reckless abandon. I played the fool for them, I was the sucker of the moment. From now on though, I will be a little more careful about how I give my money to those who beg for it by way of the Internet blogs. My money was hard and honestly earned, and while it is not hard to spend it, I intend it to go toward honest ends either when I spend it, or donate it to those in need.

All the best,
Glenn B

Winter Solstice...

...is upon us, or should I say happened yesterday. That means the sun was furthest from the equatorial plane. What does that mean to us, not much except that now, in the Northern Hemisphere, the daylight hours begin to grow longer. Some people find that hard to beleive, that is there is actually more daylight each day, but it is true even if only by seconds on some days, or a minute or so on others. It takes a while before it becomes readily apparent that indeed the sun is shining upon us longer each day; yet even the ancients knew this to be true - at least those who had nothing better to do than pay attention to such things insteasd of doing an honest day's work.

I for one kind of like to remember this is what is happening each time the Winter Solstice rolls by here in the northern half of our world if only because it is a bit uplifting for me. It hints of Spring being on the way, even though it also means that official Winter has just begun. Stay warm, and here is wishing for a white Christmas.

All the best,
Glenn B

Let's Hope The Brits Have Got It Wrong...

...and that they have gotten it wrong because they have done a great job of rounding up terrorists.

What I am hopeful they have wrong is this:

"It will be a miracle if there isn't a terror attack over the holidays in London,"

Let's hope that miracles really do happen.

The quote came from an article that I found through a link at www.MichaelSavage.com, the artcile being:

London Braces for Attack; 'Miracle' If There Isn't One

The article itself, is located at ABCNews.com @ http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/12/london_braces_f.html, and accroding to it the British have been feverishly working an investigation of terrorist activities, involving six "active plots", that to date of the article (December 21) has aparently resulted in some arrests. Yet, they are, or were, still seeking 18 suspected terrorists, all working together, and all believed to be potential suicide bombers. They believe the attack being planned, is planned to be much larger than the attacks on the British subway system last year, and they think it will come before January 1. Yes folks, I got that right, as per the article, they think it will happen. Not very promising for the Brits.

Hopefully they have got that last part wrong. Hopefully they will have arrested, all those involved before any of them get to pull it off.

If it is going to happen, my guess would be it will either happen today, or on New Year's Eve. Today is a big shopping day (at least here in the US and I imagine also so in the UK), and the last day for working blokes to be at work before the holiday. That means the city streets and subways, and buses will be full of decent ordinary folks, and they would all be prime targets for dirtbag, Islamo Fascist, terrorist suicide bombers. It is imperative that the British citizen keep alert, and ready to take some action in the face of danger should it take place. Hopefully some of them have, in some way, prepared themselves and will have an action plan should bombings take place. Even more hopefully, the British authorities have done a bang up investigation, and have already eliminated the immediate threat. Then, beyond almost all hope, the British will have awakened to the fact that Islam is, at the very least, the tool of the enemy, and at the very most is the enemy, and they will deal with it accordingly.

Here is hoping they, the good British Citizens and other good folks in the UK, stay safe from terrorism, now and always.

All the best,
Glenn B

The Preservation Of Man and Drinking Over The Holidays

I do not know who wrote the words below, but I can say they are words with a certain amount of wisdom to them.

The Preservation Of Man

author: anonymous

The horse and the mule live thirty years,

And nothing know of wines and beers.

The goat and sheep at twenty die,

With never a taste of scotch or rye.

The cow drinks water by the ton,

And at eighteen is mostly done.

The dog at sixteen cashes in,

Without the aid of rum or gin.

The cat in milk and water soaks,

And then in twelve short years it croaks.

The modest, sober, bone dry hen,

Lays eggs for nogs, then dies at ten.

All God’s creatures are strictly dry,

They sinless live, and swiftly die.

But sinful, ginful, rum-soaked men,

Survive for three score years and ten.

And some of us, the mighty few,
Stay pickled until we’re ninety two.

While the above is funny, and has some truth to it, we should not forget what alcohol to excess can do to us. Remember if you drink this holiday season, do so responsibly. I know all we drinkers who also are drivers may sometimes drink too much and then drive, but make an effort to avoid such since it can at best be embarrassing if you get caught, and deadly if you mess up. Best of all make sure if you drink, and need to get somewhere by car, that you have a designated driver to keep you and others safe this holiday season.

As for me, I have a case of beer, a teenaged bottle of Glenlivet Scotch with two nice rocks glasses, a bottle of Jagermeister, a bottle of Irish Cream liqueur, and a few bottles of wine. What more could I need? Oh yeah, maybe I could use a bottle of Vodka or Gin. Will I be getting sloshed? No sir or ma'am, not me. I may get a bit loose, but certainly not at all if I am driving. So I quite happily can say, I will be home on Christmas Eve with not an inch to drive. Instead of a drive, I may have a rocks glass of Scotch, and a beer or two, for my enjoyment before me. As for my Christmas Eve guests, they will be allowed limited intake of alcohol if they are driving - very strictly limited unless they have a designated driver.

As for Christmas Day, that will be another story. I'll be driving to my sister's house. So, I'll limit myself, none before I get there, and once I get there to one or two drinks, both finished off at least a few hours before I have to drive back home. That is unless of course my wife or daughter want to be my designated driver; then I may have three, but no more. No need to ruin a good party, or the whole holiday season, by getting sloshed and stupid; and definitely no need to wind up running someone down and ruining many lives just because you felt like getting sloshed. Those my friends are words of good advice, and I intend to heed them - so should you.

Stay safe over the holidays, and do your part to help along the preservation of man by not killing anyone because you were driving while drunk.

All the best,
Glenn B

Is Santa Claus an Illegal Alien???

Santa Claus is an illegal alien who exploits child labor, therefore he should be subject to new laws in Hazelton, PA that seek to keep illegal aliens out of that community.

This was in essence what Mr. Colmes, of Hannity and Colmes fame on FoxNews.com, had to say about it. If you want to see exactly what he said in his attempt to lambaste the mayor of Hazelton, PA, and to discredit the new anti-illegal alien law in Hazelton, then please go to FoxNews.com's video page @ http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html and look for the video: Is Santa Claus an Undocumented Worker.

I was truly disgusted by Mr. Colmes' exploitation of Santa Claus, and his attack on those who would rid our country of illegal aliens, and I let FoxNews know about it by sending FoxNews Feedback, Mr. Colmes, Mr. Hannity and Mr. Bill O'Reilly an email telling them about my outrage. If you feel the same way as do I, why not send them some feedback too. If enough of us do so, I am prety certain Fox will take some action on this.

Here is a copy of the letter that I sent to them:

Dear Fox News,

I honestly have to ask, has Mr. Colmes lost his mind? I ask because I just saw the video clip of him questioning the mayor of Hazelton, PA about the town's stance against illegal aliens. Mr. Colmes, with straight face and apparent leftist zeal, asked the mayor if he thought Santa Claus should be banned because Santa is an illegal alien and because he uses child labor in the form of elves. First of all, are you telling me that Mr. Colmes, anti everything on the right, truly believes in Santa Claus? Secondly, even if only meant as satire, Mr. Colmes' cold hearted attack Santa Claus, and his attack of the mayor of Hazelton by exploiting Santa Claus to his own ends was disgusting. Even though it was obviously satirical, it was of such poor taste even as satire, that I am considering ceasing to watch Hannity and Colmes, a segment of Fox news that I have enjoyed for years. Mr. Colmes should be ashamed of himself, and he owes the children of America, the Mayor of Hazelton, legal resident aliens, and Santa Claus an apology, and quickly at that.

Sincerely
and with best wishes for the Christmas Season,
Glenn Bartley

Feel free to use a copy of that if you decide to voice your outrage over Mr. Colmes lamentable exploitation of Santa Claus to attack the mayor of Hazelton over the mayor's local efforts to rid our nation of the scourge of illegal aliens.

All the best, and happy hoildays,
Glenn B

What movies will you watch over the holidays?

There are lots of movies out there to choose from which one can enjoy over the holidays whether you chose to watch one for the holiday spirits of it or otherwise. Over the years, some of my favorites have been: It's A Wonderful Life (although I have not seen it in years if only because it played about 20 times within a week one year a few years back), Bell, Book and Candle with James Stewart and Kim Novak (I have not seen this one in years either but would gladly watch it if it plays), The Miracle On 34th Street (the old version), The Bishop's Wife (yes the one with Cary Grant and David Niven); and there is my all time favorite Christmas Season movie: The March of the Wooden Soldiers with Laurel and Hardy. Those were movies I grew up with around the holidays, and most were old already when I was young.

There are more modern ones that are pretty good too. A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart was pretty good, and The Santa Clause was very amusing, then there also was the now classic Home Alone - one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. All of these, and many more, can be great to watch over the holidays. Yet this year I think I will have nothing to do with any of them, unless that is I get to see Bell, Book and Candle. Other than that one movie, I have a plan to watch something different this holiday season.

I am pretty sick of the current crop of the holiday film offerings old and new - but especially the newer ones. Many of the newer ones are remakes of classics, that just don't have what the originals had going for them - classic original plots and good acting. For example the remake of The Bishop's Wife, called The Preachers Wife - was absolutely terrible with its piss poor acting (yes I know Denzel can act, but not in this one); and it trashed the memory of the original as far as I am concerned. Some remakes can be better than the originals, or at least as good, but not many reach that milestone. As for others that are good movies, heck some of them get played over and over and over and over again, until I cannot stand watching them anymore.

So, I have decided to do something a bit different for movie entertainment this year. For starters, I think I am going to sit back, probably Saturday night, and watch 'The Thing From Another World' (more commonly referred to as The Thing). Yes, I am talking about the original, not the crappy remake. This is one of the all time classic science fiction movies of my youth; and a pretty good movie at that. No it does not have the greatest actors in it, but the ones in it do a darned good job anyhow. Nor does it have all the glitz, or fantastic special effects of a movie of today, but the acting those actors did back then makes up for not having all the modern explosive special effects. I think that is one reason actors do not, for the most part, act as well today as they did years ago - the actors today have all those special effects to make up for their poor acting skills; or maybe if decent actors, then not to make up for a lack of skills, but rather that interfere with their acting skills. I appreciate movies with good plots, and with good acting; if they have glitz or special effects thrown in - okay; but please don't make me watch a movie where the special effects are better than the plot or the acting.

Well, that is the number one movie on my list this Christmas weekend. After I watch that, I think I may change gears a bit and watch The Paleface with Bob Hope. It is one of the funniest movies ever, and a western at that. I have a few more on my list of possibles, such as: Casablanca or Key Largo both with Humphrey Bogart, Topper with Cary Grant, Zulu with Michael Caine, and one of my other all time favorite comedies Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant. There is just something about all of these movies that moves me, and it is great acting and great plots. If I get an urge for something more modern, maybe I'll throw a copy of The Usual Suspects with Kevin Spacey, or The Fifth Element with Bruce Willis, into the DVD player.

Whatever I watch, it will not likely be a Christmas movie, that is unless one of the stations runs: Bell, Book and Candle, or maybe with some great luck for me they will show: The March of the Wooden Soldiers. If so, I hope I realize they are on, and that I get to see ether or both all the way through.

What are you going to watch, why not leave your choices in the comments section. Thanks

All the best,
Glenn B

Republican Men Are Generally Heterosexual...

...have you ever wondered why? Have you ever wondered why it is the ultra liberal left that seems to attract gays to its side.I never really gave it much of a thought except that one side was more conservative and therefore went toward a straighter sexual stance, the other was more liberal and leaned more to the left and therefore more toward things not as conservative.

The reason that I bring this all up now though is because there maybe another reason that Republican men tend to be heterosexual. The discovery of this reason came to me quite by accident when I was checking out a website relative to firearms; and I certainly never would have expected that a site with the name Geeks With Guns, found at: http://www.geekswithguns.com/ would hold such a revelation for me.

Well no need to keep you all in suspence any longer, here it is, and I hope no one minds my borrowing the picture. (I did not see any copy right for it, though I imagine that such a piece of work is probably copyrighted, and if anyone with those rights complains, I will remove it post haste, though hopefully they will allow me to display it here.) Here it is, the reason so many red blooded American men are heterosexuals:

I think if you click on the poster, you can see it in a larger size. if not, then go to the above web site and page down until you find it.

Now that should give you a good laugh whichever side of the fence it is that you call home, unless of course you just have no sense of humor at all.

I know it could well work both ways, but I guess it was a Republican who thought it up first, and my hat goes off to whomever it was for bringing me near to tears with laughter.


All the best,
Glenn B

Remember all that hokey about Ilegal Aliens...

...supposedly being good for the economy of the USA, because according to some folks illegal aliens supposedly take jobs that legal Americans would not take. Well I had to wonder about that claim back when it was being made over the past couple of years by most of the left, and by our pretty far left leaning president George W. Bush too for that matter. Time and time again, the advocates of illegal aliens have claimed that illegals take jobs that good old American Citizens, and that legal resident aliens would not take. I thought it was a pure bullshit claim then, as I know many citizens and legal resident who had taken piss poor jobs over the years just to have job. Now though, after reading this article: Unions: Swift & Co. Hiring More Whites @ http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Dec19/0,4670,ImmigrationRaidHiring,00.html I am more convinced than ever that said claim was so much whitewash being applied to the terrible problem of illegal aliens in our country, just to make them seem more acceptable.

The fact is folks they are ILLEGAL aliens. Most of them came here by illegal means, meaning that their first act on U.S. soil was a crime. Some came legally, then overstayed their visa and became illegal. After that many of both types continue to commit crimes, and as has been seen time and time again, they take away jobs from citizens and legal resident aliens. For the far left to say that illegal aliens only do jobs that citizens and legal residents would not do is ludicrous. I mean just read that article again. Who do you think comprise the white people who are taking the jobs recently vacated because the illegal aliens were rounded up by immigration and Customs Enforcement. My guess would be that they are not illegal aliens from Mexico, nor are they illegal aliens from any Central of South American country, nor are they illegal aliens from Canada (at least for the great majority), nor are they illegals from Ireland, or England, or Germany, or france, or wherever. The chances are that they are U.S. Citizens, and the Hispanics born here who took jobs are also U.S. Citizens. The others are probably legal aliens.

Of course, Swift has raised wages somewhat in at least one plant, but you will note that this was done before the raids. They did not do so in response to the raids, so those illegals who were working there before the raids were already getting paid higher wages before they got busted; yet the article tries to make it look as if the higher wages are what attracted a new group of people to apply for jobs. Heck they are the same wages the illegals were getting if the article reported it right, remember it says those raises took place over the last few weeks - not after last week's raids. Wages went up regardless of the raids.

Yet even if the ewages had gone up just to attract legal workers, it would matter little in the long run. So the wages went up a bit to attract workers, and in effect we may have to pay a bit more for higher priced Swift products; but if we keep out the illegals over time, our tax burdens will plummet. It may take a few to several years to notice the results, but taxes will go down as the population of illegal aliens falls - you can bet on it just as surely as taxes rose as the illegal alien population skyrocketed. Besides that, we will have more American citizens, and legal residents paying taxes. We will not have to worry about as many illegal aliens cheating on their taxes. THOSE THINGS WILL BE GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY.

Note also that at another Swift plant, a large number of new hires were Caucasian, many others were U.S. born Hispanics (making them U.S. citizens), and others were immigrants from Somalia or immigrants of Hispanic backgrounds. Note they said immigrants, not illegal immigrants, not undocumented workers, and not illegal aliens. My bet is they are all legal and that the company made sure of such before hiring them; I am sure they don't need or want more raids or the possibility of big fines.

Now isn't that how it should have been in the first place - you can bet it is. Jobs should go to U.S. Citizens, and to legal resident aliens, then to legal nonimmigrant aliens (those here temporarily to work, but here legally to work). Illegal aliens, those who come here to soak us dry need not apply.

Of course none of this will matter in the long run if the illegal aliens who were rounded up are not either deported or removed (legal difference between the two, but basically the same end) from our country. If they are released back onto the streets, they will only go out to take away other jobs from American Citizens and legal residents who would, as can be seen, be willing to take them in the first place. Please contact your elected officials in Congress and in the Whitehouse to demand that these illegals be removed as soon as possible. There really should be no place in this nation for people whose first act upon our soil was a crime. Save the jobs for American Citizens, and for those aliens who did it the right way and waited to come here through legal means, those who truly want to become good American Citizens.

All the best,
Glenn B

Happy Birthday...

...to my daughter Celina.

We took her out for dinner last night and she was absolutely radiant, as she should be at the age of 22.

Was This A Dry Run for a Terrorist Attack...

...or maybe even a real and successful attempt at a terrorist attack? No I am not talking about the recent Imams supposedly causing a commotion on a plane in the USA. What I am talking about is the recent strange event on a Saudi Arabian passenger airliner. Maybe my imagination is a bit too wild, but to me it sounds like the opening of a Stephen King book, or worse still, the opening of a real life story that centers around biological terrorism.

I am referring to the recent panic caused by scores of mice on a Saudi passenger plane. It has been reported that about 80 mice escaped from the baggage of a male passenger who was traveling on a domestic flight, no word if the same aircraft was to have continued foreign. If you have not seen it, read Mass mouse escape on Saudi plane @

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6183587.stm

Now I may have missed the reports on this incident in the U.S. media, but I looked twice and did not find it reported there. It is kind of funny how they blow everything else out of proportion, yet would not even report on this especially in the light that it could have been terror related. Not to make a mountain out of a molehill here, but think about the possible terror connections for a moment. These are only what ifs, but they are pretty important what ifs, and I hope someone in our anti-terror business is wondering likewise:

What if the guy was a courier for a medical laboratory; and if they were just lab mice infected with the flu?

What if the guy who had these mice with him was an al Qaeda terrorist?

What if those mice had been infected with a biological terror agent, or some deadly and highly contagious disease such as the Ebola virus, a Hanta virus, the Avian Bird Flu, or something even worse?

What if his instructions had been to bring these hypothetically 'infected' mice aboard the aircraft and then release them?

What if the hypothetically 'infected' mice had been placed into a container which was to automatically open at a certain time, such as after this fight had departed to foreign shores?

What if there had been 150 passengers on that aircraft?

What if 10% of them came down with the hypothetical contagious bio-terror agent?

What if half of that 10% who were infected traveled onto international destinations, and were frequent travelers over the next couple of months?

What if none of this were hypothetical?

What if that really happened on 100 flights around the world on the same day, with mice all really infected with a deadly and highly contagious bio-terror agent?

Of course there is another very important what if:

What if this was all just an innocent event, some guy in the pet trade or something similar?

Well then that is quite probably the end of the story. Let's hope so because if it is not the end of the story, if there is something more to it like some of those what ifs above, it could get very messy. All I can say is that the potential outcome of such an event or set of events, should it really happen with infected mice, would be very scary. One can only hope that this incident is being looked at very carefully, and that authorities around the world are paying attention, and making sure such will never be duplicated accidentally or purposefully. That way we won't have to worry about any of the what ifs.

All the best,
Glenn B