The Jena 6, and Crys of racism...

...have gotten me to the point where I must ask something, but first let me make a few observations:

6 black youths allegedly beat a white youth.

The white youth allegedly is beaten unconscious, and from what I understand the beating allegedly continues, after the white youth is unconscious, with stomping on his head with, I believe, a shod foot, by at least one of the black youths if not more.

The white youth is hospitalized with badly bruised and swollen face. He remains unconscious for three hours or more. Yes unconscious due to the beating for over 3 hours!

That night, partially recovered, he attends some sort of festive affair.

The black youths are charged as adults with attempted murder or other crimes of violence.

One black youth was convicted, but charges were overturned by the state's highest court in his case because he was tried as an adult and was 16 (I believe) at the time of his arrest. (I firmly believe a kid is a kid and should never be tried as an adult, bit I do not agree that a child should only be forced to remain in jail until the young 20's, so I understand this decision, but now what?)

On CNN yesterday, two black commentators talk about this. One says, in essence, how can this be attempted murder if it was only a fight? He also says that how can a court in Louisiana charge them with attempted murder, when a court in Virginia (a completely different state with different state laws) did not charge a group of whites with attempted murder of a black woman when they allegedly poured boiling water on her. It was another state, after all, with different laws, but could he see that? He also says it was unfair for the 6 in Jena to be charged as adults, and to be charged with attempted murder, apparently because it was all based on white against black racism. The other commentator seemingly agrees. The one doing all the accusing of the BIG R as they called it (N word meet the BIG R) also asks, isn't there any outrage in the white community, isn't at least one white person outraged that this has happened.

I will answer his last question. There are at least 2 outraged whites, one being Hillary Clinton, but as I see it for all the wrong reasons. She is on the BIG R (racism by whites against blacks) as a seemingly politically rallying cry to get the black vote. As for the other person, he is not running, and is unlikely to ever run, for political office. Yes, I am that other person, and I am outraged but not for the same reasons as Hillary Rodham (middle initial BIG R) Clinton.

I am enraged because yesterday I heard that trash talk on CNN. I am enraged because today thousand marched to support the so called Jena 6, the alleged criminals who allegedly beat a white youth into unconsciousness then reportedly kept beating him. I am enraged because today, a secretary or aid in my office, a black woman, had a telephone conservation with someone, and she kept lowering her big mouthed voice (but not low enough not to be overheard) whenever she in essence said things like: 'It is about time THEY (yes the big T) started to get it back at them', 'They cannot bring us down with racism, THEY are racist, but We (the big W had to appear) are now united against them and have to get back at them", Those poor boys are innocent, and only charged because of white against black racism, and WE need to support them'. As she was near the end of her conversation, or at least just before she ended it maybe rather abruptly, I said in a loud and clear voice, 'It sounds like you are the real racist here' or something very like that. I guess he got the point, there was even lower muffled taking for a moment then a hang up. Nothing followed except the noise of the steam shooting out of my ears, and the curtain of blood rushing to obscure my sight (all figurative of course).

I also asked a question, clearly, and out loud, and proud just as the telephone conversation was seemingly ending: Do you think there was even a hint of racism in the fact that 6 blacks allegedly beat a white? Could that have been racist on the part of the blacks? Is there even one black person in America who thinks just that? Is there any black person who thinks these 6 so called black youths are evil mother fuckers who did harm to a white person because they are violent anti-white racists themselves? I sure think there is a darned rooting tootin good chance that such is exactly the case. So to all the charlatans like Al NotToSharpton, Sharpton, to and Jesse Jackassson Jackson, and to Hilary BIG R Rodham Clinton, and to the CNN mudslingers commentators who did not understand that attempted murder charges means just that they attempted murder, not that they were successful, or not that they were even good at trying to commit murder, and to all the race baiting ass wipes good intentioned but not to brainy people who marched in Jena thinking that racism is one sided only - do you guys even have the ability for once in your lifetimes to admit that racism works both ways. If not then remember this, it was the court of the same state who overturned the one black guy's conviction based upon a technicality, not upon the facts of the case as to whether or not he beat the whiter guy into unconsciousness for over 3 hours. Hmm, whom is that court racist against? I wonder if maybe that shows the state was not racist in this case! Was that racism, or was it just an injustice against a victim, the white guy, with no regard for the fact he was white and the alleged bad guys were black? By the way, to all of you black folks who are screaming racism, do you have even the least thought about the outcome for the beaten white youth, do you have sympathy for him at all, do you think that justice should be served and served harshly against anyone who is convicted of having beaten him into over a 3 hour period of unconsciousness, can even one among you realize that someone was brutalized, that someone did the brutalizing, that it was very possibly the 6 accused who did so? Can you, and if not, does that make you guilty of the BIG R (racism) yourselves?

So just what in Hades are you making complaints about? You all are only trying to stir the pot of racial unrest or so it seems to me, so long as only your own race is the victim (or so that it benefits you in some way like politically); and you seemingly are doing the only thing you know how to do - making trouble where there should be none, or at least you are only making trouble for the wrong people. The criminals are most likely the Jena 6 as I see it. They are probably, in my estimation, guilty of not only the BIG R, but of attempted murder, or at least attempted manslaughter, or at the very least of a brutal beating. Just because they did not do a good enough job of it to kill the white youth, does not mean they did not attempt to do so. They are charged with attempted murder, not with murder! Get with it, get with the facts, get with the truth of racism - anyone can exercise the BIG R, and in this case it is clear to me just who has done so. Yes at least one white person is outraged other than Hillary, and I am outraged that not all 6 of them are in jail for the next 25 years or so!

One last thing. What about those accused of killing the white couple several months ago, was that a racist act. They mutilated the white guy and killed him, and left his body lying about,. Then they tortured, brutally tortured the white woman, then had forced sex of all sorts with her, or so the allegations go. It is even alleged that they poured cleaning fluid down her throat as they raped her. Guess what, guess why you do not hear about it all over CNN, and on the television news and in the papers, and from Al Sharpton, and from Jesse Jackson, and from Hillary (Big R) Clinton - BECAUSE THE ALLEGED KILLERS WERE ALL BLACK, and these people whom I just mentioned by name will never call a black person a racist against whites. Why not, because racists usually cannot ever bad mouth there own, and political hacks like Hillary - would probably do anything for a vote.

Outraged, heck outraged is way to calm a word for what I am feeling, but I think you figured that out already. Racism is an ugly thing indeed, especially when the racists can not grasp the truth, not even for a moment, that they are being the perpetrators and are not the victims; and that racism works in all directions within all races, and even some of the members of the black race can be and are racists - especially in this particular case.

All the best,
Glenn B

Up and At Em...

...early in the morning is not my bag man! Yet I find myself up even before the crickets today, at least that is I don't hear them singing right now so either they are still asleep or it froze out last night. I don't think it got quite that cold yet, not here anyhow. It is going to be a long day at work if only because I am up this early to fulfill my duties as the alternate duty agent in my office today. Tomorrow I have the duty itself, but I only have to be in by 10Am for that. Man I hate being up this early with no chance of any further napping (YAWWWWWWWNNNNNNN). Oh well, off to the salt mines for me, and later for all of you.

All the best,
Glenn B

Today In History - The Following Letter Appeared...

...in several U.S. newspapers in September 1796. It had actually been written a few years earlier, then rewritten and polished up somewhat in September 1796. It was finished on September 17, 1796. It actually appeared in print, for the people of the United States to read, on September 19, 1796. It is truly powerful stuff, I recommend reading it all. The words below truly debunk many of the more progressive thoughts more liberal people have today about what our Founding Fathers believed America should be and become. Of course, Washington's words also support some of the current ideas, but instead of new so called progressive ideas, his words convey support ideals that were born within our Constitution and within the founding days of our great nation. Therefore, only if you are a patriot do his words, for the most part, support your ideals; and you and others before you have helped conserve these ideals throughout our history:

FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:

1 The period for a new election of a citizen, to administer the executive government of the United States, being not far distant, and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed designating the person, who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.


2 I beg you at the same time to do me the justice to be assured that this resolution has not been taken without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his country; and that in withdrawing the tender of service, which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness, but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.


3 The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped, that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives, which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement, from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence impelled me to abandon the idea.

4 I rejoice, that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty, or propriety; and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that, in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determination to retire.


5 The impressions, with which I first undertook the arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have, with good intentions, contributed towards the organization and administration of the government the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious, in the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied, that, if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

6 In looking forward to the moment, which is intended to terminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude, which I owe to my beloved country for the many honors it has conferred upon me; still more for the steadfast confidence with which it has supported me; and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remembered to your praise, and as an instructive example in our annals, that under circumstances in which the passions, agitated in every direction, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging, in situations in which not unfrequently want of success has countenanced the spirit of criticism, the constancy of your support was the essential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; than, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete, by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing, as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation, which is yet a stranger to it.


7 Here, perhaps I ought to stop. But a solicitude for your welfare which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension of danger, natural to that solicitude, urge me, on an occasion like the present, to offer to your solemn contemplation, and to recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments which are the result of much reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, and which appear to me all-important to the permanency of your felicity as a people. These will be offered to you with the more freedom, as you can only see in them the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who can possibly have no personal motive to bias his counsel. Nor can I forget, as an encouragement to it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments on a former and not dissimilar occasion.

8 Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.


9 The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee, that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion, that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.

10 For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of american, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.


11 But these considerations, however powerfully they address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those, which apply more immediately to your interest. Here every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the Union of the whole.

12 The North, in an unrestrained intercourse with the South, protected by the equal laws of a common government, finds, in the productions of the latter, great additional resources of maritime and commercial enterprise and precious materials of manufacturing industry. The South, in the same intercourse, benefiting by the agency of the North, sees its agriculture grow and its commerce expand. Turning partly into its own channels the seamen of the North, it finds its particular navigation invigorated; and, while it contributes, in different ways, to nourish and increase the general mass of the national navigation, it looks forward to the protection of a maritime strength, to which itself is unequally adapted. The East, in a like intercourse with the West, already finds, and in the progressive improvement of interior communications by land and water, will more and more find, a valuable vent for the commodities which it brings from abroad, or manufactures at home. The West derives from the East supplies requisite to its growth and comfort, and, what is perhaps of still greater consequence, it must of necessity owe the secure enjoyment of indispensable outlets for its own productions to the weight, influence, and the future maritime strength of the Atlantic side of the Union, directed by an indissoluble community of interest as one nation. Any other tenure by which the West can hold this essential advantage, whether derived from its own separate strength, or from an apostate and unnatural connexion with any foreign power, must be intrinsically precarious.


13 While, then, every part of our country thus feels an immediate and particular interest in Union, all the parts combined cannot fail to find in the united mass of means and efforts greater strength, greater resource, proportionably greater security from external danger, a less frequent interruption of their peace by foreign nations; and, what is of inestimable value, they must derive from Union an exemption from those broils and wars between themselves, which so frequently afflict neighbouring countries not tied together by the same governments, which their own rivalships alone would be sufficient to produce, but which opposite foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues would stimulate and embitter. Hence, likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty. In this sense it is, that your Union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other.

14 These considerations speak a persuasive language to every reflecting and virtuous mind, and exhibit the continuance of the union as a primary object of Patriotic desire. Is there a doubt, whether a common government can embrace so large a sphere? Let experience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in such a case were criminal. We are authorized to hope, that a proper organization of the whole, with the auxiliary agency of governments for the respective subdivisions, will afford a happy issue to the experiment. It is well worth a fair and full experiment. With such powerful and obvious motives to Union, affecting all parts of our country, while experience shall not have demonstrated its impracticability, there will always be reason to distrust the patriotism of those, who in any quarter may endeavour to weaken its bands.


15 In contemplating the causes, which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by Geographical discriminations, Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Western; whence designing men may endeavour to excite a belief, that there is a real difference of local interests and views. One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart-burnings, which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those, who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection. The inhabitants of our western country have lately had a useful lesson on this head; they have seen, in the negotiation by the Executive, and in the unanimous ratification by the Senate, of the treaty with Spain, and in the universal satisfaction at that event, throughout the United States, a decisive proof how unfounded were the suspicions propagated among them of a policy in the General Government and in the Atlantic States unfriendly to their interests in regard to the mississippi; they have been witnesses to the formation of two treaties, that with Great Britain, and that with Spain, which secure to them every thing they could desire, in respect to our foreign relations, towards confirming their prosperity. Will it not be their wisdom to rely for the preservation of these advantages on the union by which they were procured? Will they not henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if such there are, who would sever them from their brethren, and connect them with aliens?

16 To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a Government for the whole is indispensable. No alliances, however strict, between the parts can be an adequate substitute; they must inevitably experience the infractions and interruptions, which all alliances in all times have experienced. Sensible of this momentous truth, you have improved upon your first essay, by the adoption of a Constitution of Government better calculated than your former for an intimate Union, and for the efficacious management of your common concerns. This Government, the offspring of our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and your support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true Liberty. The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government. But the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish Government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government.


17 All obstructions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests.

18 However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion.


19 Towards the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the constitution, alterations, which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments, as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard, by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that, for the efficient management of our common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.

20 I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.


21 This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

22 The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.


23 Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

24 It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.


25 There is an opinion, that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the Government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.

26 It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution, in those intrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position. The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, and constituting each the Guardian of the Public Weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern; some of them in our country and under our own eyes. To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute them. If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way, which the constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for, though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit, which the use can at any time yield.


27 Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

28 It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric ?


29 Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.

30 As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is, to use it as sparingly as possible; avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts, which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen, which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is necessary that public opinion should cooperate. To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind, that towards the payment of debts there must be Revenue; that to have Revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised, which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic embarrassment, inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties), ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time dictate.


31 Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages, which might be lost by a steady adherence to it ? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its Virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices ?

32 In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential, than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular Nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests. The Nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the Government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The Government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of Nations has been the victim.


33 So likewise, a passionate attachment of one Nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite Nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest, in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the favorite Nation of privileges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the Nation making the concessions; by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained; and by exciting jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld. And it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens, (who devote themselves to the favorite nation,) facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country, without odium, sometimes even with popularity; gilding, with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation.

34 As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent Patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practise the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the Public Councils! Such an attachment of a small or weak, towards a great and powerful nation, dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter.


35 Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens,) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove, that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government. But that jealousy, to be useful, must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defence against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation, and excessive dislike of another, cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious; while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.

36 The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connexion as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.


37 Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

38 Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people, under an efficient government, the period is not far off, when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality, we may at any time resolve upon, to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel.


39 Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice?

40 It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.


41 Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, on a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies.

42 Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. But even our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand; neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences; consulting the natural course of things; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing; establishing, with powers so disposed, in order to give trade a stable course, to define the rights of our merchants, and to enable the government to support them, conventional rules of intercourse, the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, and liable to be from time to time abandoned or varied, as experience and circumstances shall dictate; constantly keeping in view, that it is folly in one nation to look for disinterested favors from another; that it must pay with a portion of its independence for whatever it may accept under that character; that, by such acceptance, it may place itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favors, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion, which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.


[43-50 omitted from some newspaper printings.]

43 In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish; that they will control the usual current of the passions, or prevent our nation from running the course, which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But, if I may even flatter myself, that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been dictated.


44 How far in the discharge of my official duties, I have been guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them.

45 In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my Proclamation of the 22d of April 1793, is the index to my Plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice, and by that of your Representatives in both Houses of Congress, the spirit of that measure has continually governed me, uninfluenced by any attempts to deter or divert me from it.


46 After deliberate examination, with the aid of the best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the case, had a right to take, and was bound in duty and interest to take, a neutral position. Having taken it, I determined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain it, with moderation, perseverance, and firmness.

47 The considerations, which respect the right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail. I will only observe, that, according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of the Belligerent Powers, has been virtually admitted by all.


48 The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace and amity towards other nations.

49 The inducements of interest for observing that conduct will best be referred to your own reflections and experience. With me, a predominant motive has been to endeavour to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress without interruption to that degree of strength and consistency, which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes.

50 Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope, that my Country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.


51 Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man, who views it in the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations; I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.

George Washington
United States - September 17, 1796

My source for this was Wikidepia, but I am assured it can be found elsewhere. It is an amazing piece, written by a true American Patriot, indeed one of the first of that breed. If a politicain was to run for the presidency today, and run on the issues discussed in this letter, and throw his or her support to the great majority of the points made therein, do you think you would vote for such a candidate? Do you think the majority of citizens of the United States of America would vote for such a candidate? I know where my vote would be cast, right to the person running with these ideals, principles and concerns.

It sure would be nice if each and every candidate running for the presidency this time around, were to meet in a deabte, the topic of which would be the exact principals expressed in this letter, and the meat of the discussion would be whether or not they support such. Maybe better yet, instead of a debate, would be if each candidate were required to prepare a written statement addressing each poiunt of Washington's farewell, wit indication as to how they felt about it professionally, politically, and from a standpoint of morality. My bet is that most of them would look like little more than pompous fools. Yet if but one or two came out well in their expressions of agreement or disagreement with these ideals and issues, they would at least present themselves as decent considerations, for the people, upon which to base the selection of the next man for the most important job in our nation.

All the best,
Glenn B

O.J. Simpson Has Me... (foul language alert for this post)

....ROTFLMAO. His escapades are apparently often of a criminal nature, and those usually are of a serious criminal nature at that, and are otherwise apparently often of a controversial nature, but I just cannot help laughing when I hear about them. I guess I laugh if only because of the shit he, in my opinion, apparently gets away with at the expense of a society that has become a magnet for his type. What is his type? I think he is of the type of village idiot sort of a criminal who thinks along the lines of "Do I look like I give a flying fuck about anyone else, or for that matter about myself and my lack of common sense". Think about it folks, why did he not just do the right thing and go to the police with his suspicions about his alleged property being in the hands of someone else illegally! Because maybe he truly is the village idiot, and maybe he is truly a criminal at that. Time and the courts will tell, I suppose.

For now though, all of the networks, all of the cable television news shows, all of the paid yentas, will be having a blast with his latest arrest for an alleged criminal act in which he possibly threatened or conspired to threaten someone by way of life threatening physical force, in order to reclaim (or was it out and out steal) items he said belonged to himself. I would rather not have to be subjected to all of this media feeding frenzy again about the antics and escapades of O.J. Simpson has been football star, who seems to me to now be turned into a wanna be notorious bumbling gangsta. Nor do I want to hear O.J.'s blabbering about 'If I really had done it, this is how I would have done it' bullshit explanation of his side of the story. Nor do I need to hear from the so called 'police matters expert' Mark Furman again on anything to do about criminal acts because as far as I can tell he too is a laughing stock. I especially do not need to hear from him about OJ when he testilied testified about never having said the word "nigger" evil 'N' word. I mean how ridiculous an answer was that while under oath in a courtroom, when others could easily prove him to be almost as big a liar as apparently (to me anyhow) was/is OJ. When I hear about this latest alleged OJ caper, or about the book OJ wrote on the subject of the last caper, on the news, I want to puke on my television. When I hear Furman talking about what he would have done as a police officer, or saying what police officers should have done, in this or any other criminal case, I want to give him a proverbial kick in the pants. When I realize that it is Fox News using him as a consultant, I almost want to stop watching Fox News and instead switch to CNN (yech) or the BBC, or maybe just never watch the so called news again. Fox almost makes CNN or the BBC seem like fine upstanding Meccas of truth, in the area of news reporting, when it lowers itself into the gutter by using Furman as a consultant.

I just imagine a world in which apparently moronic inept criminals alleged criminals like OJ would have been convicted based upon the facts instead of being exonerated because of, what seemed to me to be, sentiment of a racist public, ineptitude on behalf of prosecutors and investigators, and court room shenanigans of defense attorneys and the defendant. Of course, in a better world, at least in one of my imagination: I see the likes of heinous criminals like murderers (and I am not necessarily calling anyone a murderer here although I think OJ got away with murder) receiving a fair trial, and upon conviction receiving a harsh sentence. A punishment of being horse whipped in public (many times), then executed also in public the first time around (just one necessary time if it works) sounds better to me than what many receive today.

I also imagine that same world to be one in which - in my opinion - moronic lying piece of shit police officers guys like Mark Furman would be charged with and convicted of perjury (if indeed they committed perjury), then horsewhipped and incarcerated (if indeed found guilty), and then disgraced so that the only expert job they could find upon release form prison would be at a burger joint flipping burgers, or in a field picking lettuce, for the rest of their miserable lives (and such folks would be required to accept those jobs).

I also imagine a news media that fairly, and without bias, reports the facts of the news without commentary, leaving the commentary for shows other than 'the news'. Just think of how much more news they would be able to fit into a one hour show. Heck, people might actually have a clue about what was going on in the world if that was the case.

Oh well, one can dream of alternate and possibly better worlds in which to live; and now I will now shut up on the subject and go back to dreaming of greener pastures and nicer worlds, with fewer heinous or moronic criminals, in which to live.

All the best,
Glenn B

So There I sat...

... in a metal folding chair, at a table, in my driveway, for most of yesterday. My garage sale was open for business around 10:30 Am, and I shut down around 5:30 Pm. Let me get this right out of the way, the ustomers were not flocking to my humble abode to see what I had for sale. I think I brought in $148. Fifty of that went to pay for a garage sale ad I put in the newspaper, the rest was profit on things I would have otherwise given away, thrown out, or just left in my garage for years. Apparently I would have done better on Saturday had it not rained that day, Sunday turned out to be the same day that a local street fair was being held, and most people in the area who were out and about were at that, leaving me to sit on my butt alone for most of the day.

Still though I guess $98 profit is not bad for doing almost nothing. In fact I was encouraged and may try this again before the cold weather sets in. I learned a few things from customers about how to attract customers, and the first was not to use an ad in the paper. The second was to continue to use Craig's List, and the third was to make sure to post fliers all around the neighborhood on light poles, telephone poles, in supermarkets, and so forth. I will make sure to try that last one next time. Oh well, I guess I have more experience buying at them, than I do selling, but I am learning.

All the best,
Glenn B

Rain, Rain Go Away...

...and don't come back tomorrow. The best laid plans of guys like me surely have been ruined by rain before, and I guess they will be ruined by it again, but why in Hades did it have to rain today, and keep raining past when the weather morons people said it would stop! Oh well, no garage sale today, but the rain date is tomorrow and it promises to be sunny tomorrow, or at least the weather guys promise such.

I did have one guy show up at my house at about 0845 hours, when I had listed the sale to begin at 1100 hours. Only two hours and fifteen minutes early. I did not even bother answering the door once the dogs shut up. He was standing outside, and as far as I could tell he had the look of a village idiot on his face, probably wondering why we would not answer the door for him that early. He woke up my wife with his incessant pounding on our door. What an ass wipe inconsiderate person. It wound up that he was a dealer, looking for an early preview of what I had to sell - he left his name and number. Since he was early, I may have to round it out and call him late. That is after everything has sold, or been put away until the next one of these garage sales I try to run - like next year sometime.

All the best,
Glenn B

GARAGE/TAG SALE MADNESS...

...is all I can hope for tomorrow, after the madness of getting ready tonight. Just labelling everything is a pain in the butt. Of course there is an awful lot else to get ready. Tables, at the ready, chairs at the ready, lots of sale items at the ready. Now they all need to be arranged on my driveway tomorrow. Maybe the rain will end early. Yes it is raining now and expected to rain through the early to mid morning. I am starting the sale at 11:00 Am, so maybe it will be dry by then. The sun promises to come out, or should I say the weather dopes people say it will be a sunny day by late morning. I can only hope.

If the weather folks are right, then maybe I'll have a nice crowd show up. I had an ad in the paper, and an ad on Craig's List. So far I have gotten about 25 to 30 email inquiries about the sale, so that is promising. That ad was free, but the one in the paper, and on the paper's website, cost me about $50. I have to make at least that back, plus the cost of labels, about $3, to break even. I have a lot of stuff to sell so it should not be too hard, if it does not rain too much, and if enough people with cash show up. Anything more than that is a plus. I am keeping my finger's crossed.

All the best,
Glenn B

What A Difference A Day makes...

...in that beginning yesterday and working into today, I feel as healthy as a horse (a thoroughbred at that). Go figure, sick as all get out one day, and feeling wonderful the next. Almost as if about 5 or 6 weeks of being ill never happened. I cannot figure it, but I am not going to second guess it. So I'll take it for what it is worth, which is a great feeling.

All the best,
Glenn B

The Pack Mentality...

...can lead to some funny situations if you own a few dogs or more. Take suppertime for the dogs at my house. Each and every night the dogs get all excited before they are to be fed. All three of them go to the kitchen, whenever someone walks into it, in anticipation of being fed. As their bowls are being filled they prance around anxiously, unless I am feeding them and I tell them to sit (I have to do that several times before it takes hold as they are so excited). Then they chow down with abandon, well at least the two smaller ones do. Hexi the Dachshund just about swallows everything whole. Pepe (as in Pepe Le Pew, not as as if a Mexican name) gulps as fast as he can with a few crunches heard as he quickly chews the food. Sprocket, our old lady of a dog, takes her sweet time eating. She has dog bowl manners.

While Sprocket eats, you can easily see that the other two, both long since finished with cleaning out their own bowls, are anxiously awaiting Sprocket to finish so they can go to her bowl to eat whatever little bit she leaves behind. We have had Pepe for about 2 years now and he learned quickly from Hexi that good things await them in Sprocket's bowl once she has had her fill. This lesson took awhile though, Pepe used to try to run in and grab something right from the bowl as Sprocket was chowing down only to be snapped at by Sprocket. He learned his lesson for the most part, but now that Sprocket is so old she is slower than she was with a young Hexi years ago, and sometimes Pepe still makes an attempt that is sometimes fruitful for him. Hexi used to try but also learned her lesson after being thoroughly scared by Sprockets growls and snapping jaws.

The thing is the lesson was learned and is now being forgotten. over the past several months, Sprocket has slowed down a lot. She is about 17 or 18 years old by our best estimations. We got her when she was about 4 or 5 and have had her 13 years now. She is getting really old, and with old age comes the joys of the 'golden years', or so they are called. Both Hexi and Pepe have picked up on this big recent change in Sprocket's speed; and as I said Pepe still sometimes makes a dash for Sprocket's bowl, and he grabs a morsel before she can react. Hexi has seen this and has seen Sprocket slow down, and she has become more brazen too. I guess the pictures will show it all.

In the first picture above, Pepe and Hexi wait patiently for Sprocket to finish her supper; their own bowls, both quite empty, can be seen in the background. Sprocket takes so much time chewing her food as she eats though that Pepe and Hexi are soon beyond the limits of remaining patient as can be seen in the second picture. Not too brazen yet, but certainly wanting Sprocket to hurry up, finish, and get away from her bowl. Sprocket doesn't even notice, she never did when they were that far away. She really never cared unless one of them got really close to the bowl. Then she would tell them what for, and remind them who was/is the leader of the pack.

Of course, with food at stake Hexi, the canine vacuum cleaner of all things edible, can barely withhold her urges to get some more. She is a true glutton, and if we allowed her to do so, she would turn herself into something that would rival the Goodyear blimp for girth relative to length. She is no fool though, and she know that if she tries to get right into Sprocket's bowl, Sprocket will give her a quick reprimand. Yet when she sees an opportunity, she goes for it. She is no slouch when it comes to grabbing a morsel, and if you look closely at the third picture, you will see a morsel tempting her, almost as if calling her name and saying: "eat me".

So she starts to make a move, right through Sprockets legs. I can assure you, a move like that in the past would have wound up with Sprocket giving a snarl, a snap of her jaws, and Hexi soon on the run to the safety of the living room. As it turned out tonight, yes these pics are from tonight, Hexi was able to make it all the way to the fallen crumb, and snatch it up without Sprocket doing more than looking over at her. Maybe that was because of old age, or maybe because Sprocket was just about full; she finished her supper just a moment or two later, and then took her inevitable walk to the water bowl for a long drink. Once she did that, the remaining few bits and pieces in her bowl were open for poaching by both Hexi and Pepe.

As you can see from the final picture, they both pig out in mutual glee once Sprocket's muzzle had vacated her bowl. Funny thing is though, if Hexi or Pepe were to try to steal food from the other's respective bowl there would be trouble for sure; it's just at Sprocket's bowl where they dine in mutual satisfaction without guarding the food. By the way, any of the family can go to any of the dogs' bowls, while they are eating, and take food out of them without fear of reprisal from them. The dogs know who are the bosses. The pack mentality is a wonderful thing, and as seen, quite amusing at times.

All the best,

Glenn B

Dedicated to Milo, a good friend of Sprocket's, who is now in dog heaven eating steaks and taking it easy.

9/11/2001 - 9/11/2006...

CARPE DIEM, seize the day! Never forget this day, live by it; and always be prepared as best you can for whatever may come next; that way you will be able to make the most of any day when it comes, whatever it may bring.

They shall not be forgotten, at least in my lifetime: not they who perished, they who were wounded, they who fought so valiantly, they who responded with superhuman effort and care, not any of them. They will always remain in my thoughts, as will their families and loved ones. There is a special place in memory for them each and everyone of them even though I will never have known most of them.

As for the others, they will not be forgotten either. They are in my mind each and every day. They are the enemy, and maybe I hope beyond reasonable hope, but I hope to one day be able to do my part to bring at least one of them down. Carpe Diem.

All the best,
Glenn B

Good Eats...

...are just about all I can think about right now both because I am watching (yes as I type) Zimmern & Bourdain: New York, and because I started my daily intake with a bottle of Magnesium Citrate, followed tonight by a couple of liters of Movie-Prep (no that is not something you do before watching a movie, at least not if you want to watch it uninterrupted by your having to get up often). Off to the doc's tomorrow for some scoping from both ends - oh joy that it will be. Well yes, actually it will be a joy if they figure out what had been ailing me. It will also be a joy because I won't be drinking this ass blaster fuel anymore. Most of all though, it will be a joy because tomorrow, after the tests, I can eat again. I have not eaten since last night, and while I am not starving, watching this show has certainly fired up my appetite. I am going to buy myself one heck of a nice piece of meat tomorrow. Maybe it will be a Porterhouse Steak, maybe some ribs, maybe lamb chops, maybe roast duck - but for sure whatever it is - it will be a nice piece of cooked meat that I use to satisfy my appetite. There may be some side dishes like a salad, some clams on the half-shell, or even some octopus, along with a piece or two of good black bread, or Lithuanian Rye bread (not your packaged bread at all), or Corn Rye bread (and maybe a shot of Corn Whiskey) but the main dish, the really huge part of the meal, will be a good piece of roasted or broiled meat. A good ale to wash it all down will follow. If I get sick after that, so be it, but it will be worth it - I'd get sick just the same after anything else I would have eaten - so I may as well truly enjoy it to the max.

All the best,
Glenn B

Mexican Pipeline Blown Up - Not one word about...

...TERRORISM was mentioned in the articles I read about the sabotage of the Gas Pipelines in Mexico (see: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296239,00.html, and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6987643.stm) and I wonder why? Is it that it would look bad for politicians here in the USA who support, or at least do not oppose, the influx of illegal aliens from that country? Or is it that Mexican authorities, especially its president, fear that the borders would be more closely watched if they referred to these acts as acts of terrorism? Or maybe it is because, the great number of illegal aliens within our borders, and the racists who support them, would be OH-fen-ded should the media indicate the true nature of these attacks; and the media just does not have the chutzpah to offend anyone on the left.

If I was the boss, the borders of the USA would have been shut down, at least for several hours, while steps were implemented to assure that our government had coordinated with the Mexican government to assure that the terrorists who caused those explosions were not able to flee Mexico over our border with said country. Of course, that does not seem to have happened, most likely because it did not happen - and most likely due to the fact that our politicians, and those in charge of the border are little more than whimpering butt wipes politically correct automatons. Our borders remain open, the flow of illegals, and quite possibly of terrorists and other criminals who are fleeing Mexico, is pretty much unabated from its normal course. Maybe the next attack will take place at a refinery in the USA. Who knows, I cannot tell because I cannot predict the future with certainty. One thing though that I can say with certainty is that our borders are pretty much unprotected, and off little protection from the likes of those who blew up the pipelines. Heavens help us because it seems our politicians will not.

All the best,
Glenn B

(By the way, I read at least 4 articles on the pipeline explosions; however by the tiem I wrote this poiece tonight, those articles had seemingly disappeared from the other news agencies' home pages. I guess it was not important enough for CNN to keep this posted prominently on their home page. It might have been to OH-fen-sive to someone had they done so!)

A Beautiful Gal...

...or at least a beautiful female Corn Snake, is something that I was lucky enough to get hold of today. I spent most of the morning and afternoon at the New York metro reptile Expo in White Plains, NY today. Yes that means I am feeling somewhat better than I have been, still not 100%; and sitting there most of the day manning the Long Island Herpetological Society and giving out info about the care of reptiles and amphibians was not all that taxing on my system. Not eating while there helped me stay, shall I say, okay.

I digress, so back to the Corn Snake. I guess most of my readers know one of my hobbies is guns and shooting. Another of my hobbies, one I am just as passionate about, is the collecting, keeping and breeding of herps (reptiles and amphibians). I have been into slimy and scaly creatures as pets since I was a young child. no dogs, cats were allowed in our apartment. An uncle who bought me a turtle got me started, then 5 years at summer camp had my interest in such critters really blossom. Now I am an addict so to speak. So when I got a free male corn snake today I was quite the happy camper. Then when one of the other LIHS members at the show asked me if I wanted to buy a female corn snake to go with my new male I said sure. It wound up I actually traded a Ball Python for the female Corn Snake, and I wound up thrilled.

Now you may not think much of Corn Snakes, and less of snakes in general, but just let me say this gal is a real looker. I know, you are probably thinking that sometimes even a grump like me would be easy to please in my own kooky sort of a way, and you would be right; but I'll let you judge for yourselves. Just take a look at this beauty, and if you are not phobic about snakes, tell me is she a looker or what! One of the nicer of all North American snakes. She is pretty much a normal colored corn snake, though I have to point out that there are many color phases of normal colored corn snakes. There are also many, many, selectively bred color phases of corn snakes that do not appear in the wild, but as I said this one is a natural phase in appearance.

I say she is a natural phase in appearance because she is the product of selective breeding. She laid 12 eggs this year, and I saw her 12 offspring today. They do not resemble her; and the group of them is made up of three different color phases. The male I got today is also normal in appearance, and I am curious to see what their offspring will look like, but I'll have to wait until late spring or early summer for that. First I have to fatten this gal up a bit. Then she will go into brumation for the winter (sort of like hibernation, but the snake does not sleep through the winter or most of it as would a mammal that hibernates, rather it becomes very inactive, but still active to a slight degree). Once out of hibernation, she will feed and put on some weight, then when the male is ready they likely will breed. After the breeding she will carry the eggs internally for some time, then lay the eggs, which will take about 2 months before they hatch. Hopefully they will produce some nice babies.

Well maybe you think me a nut, or maybe you agree and find her to be spectacular to behold as I find her to be. Mother nature sure has a way of making some things really nice to look at, even some things that most people seem to shy away from. I am kind of happy I find them as interesting as I do, and i guess I can thank my mom for putting up with my keeping them when I was younger. She never liked them, I can say that with certainty, but she loved me enough to tolerate them. I can also thank my wife likewise, as she puts up with my keeping them now. I guess that also means I can thank both of them because I share my interest and passion with my son; and that is a good thing indeed. If the ladies never let me get away with having these things in the house, my son probably would be keeping goldfish if he kept any animals at all!

All the best,

Glenn B

Like Good Friends, A Good Night's Sleep...

...is a wonderful thing, and if you have never suffered from insomnia, or from bad aches and pains when you lay down, you may just take that for granted. Don't - because it is one of the dearest things you will ever miss if you have not had it for a while. Last night I had one, and it was heavenly, especially since I have not had many of them, not even really a few of them, in quite a long time. I slept so heavily last night, for about 6 to 7 hours, that I don't even remember dreaming, nor remember for the first time in a long time tossing or turning or waking overnight even once. For me that is a good thing indeed, and with having been ill so much lately, it is a great thing. Now I am off to get some things done, not too much lest I feel lousy again and I am not 100% yet, but a few things that need doing. Thanks to all of you who have been asking how I have been feeling, and who have been sending me well wishes, I don't take you for granted either.

All the best,
Glenn B

What Have I Been Missing...

...and for that matter what have you been missing? Well, the ever expanding link list to other bloggers just keeps expanding, lest we miss too much. I did a little link looting over the past couple of weeks or so; I clicked on numerous links on other people's site, then did likewise on those new sites, and so on. In doing so I came up with several sites to which I have provided new links (looted from other sites) over on the right side of my page. The new ones, at least for me, are:

A Western Heart @ http://awesternheart.blogspot.com/

Blowing San #1 at http://agangershome.blogspot.com/

Call me Ahab at http://www.nrahab.com/

Dr. StrangeGun, or how I learned to love the odd... at http://drstrangegun.blogspot.com/

Grouchy Old Cripple In Atlanta at http://www.grouchyoldcripple.com/

Instapundit @ http://www.instapundit.com/

The Autonomist @ http://www.antiprotester.blogspot.com/

The Bitch Girls @ http://www.thebitchgirls.us/

The Dissident Frogman @ http://www.thedissidentfrogman.com/blog

The View From The Porch @ http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/

Wizbang @ http://wizbangblog.com/

I may have written up some of them before, cannot remember as I am kind of foggy about the last few weeks during my illness (and heck I am friends with Al Z. Heimer being I am 51, so please excuse me if the announcement of any of them as new links on my site is a repeat. I think though that those are all of the ones that I have added within the past few weeks. Enjoy them, I certainly will.

All the best,
Glenn B