Tuesday, April 30, 2013

How Principals Handled Bomb Threats in the Past

Bomb threats are nothing new. Hell, we had them when I was in high school. Most the threats I had in school were called in during band, and our band director was Charles Smith. He never let us leave the bandhall. We practiced right through the threat. He knew they were a hoax. ( I don't think he really cared if we were blown up or not...)

Today is another story. People today are well, nuts.

The best handling of a bomb threat was done by Jerry McEarchern, that's right, Coach Mac.

We had a threat on a Monday morning and he put the entire high school in the far North stands, facing the sun. Coach Mac wondered if the threat was called in because I had a test that day? ( There wasn't.)

We sat there for about 3 1/2 hours.

This was in the day before everyone had a cell phone to call Mommy to come and get them because they might sit in the sun and get some Vitamin D and cure their Rickets.

It got hot. It got uncomfortable. We got cranky. We were late to lunch..........We didn't have another bomb threat for a few years....

I don't know if they can do it that way now, but I would give it a try....

Monday, April 29, 2013

Threat Photo BHS attempt #2


Another Threat Against Buna Schools

There has been another threat made against a Buna school. This time the Junior High. ( The automatic system  has reported that threats were made at both the HS and JH.)


There is to be additional security at all 3 schools.

I hope the person or persons who are making the threat are caught and punished. It may be time for the parents of the kids to be held responsible for the financial loss. My understanding is the kids missing school from the last time cost the Buna ISD around $30,000 in state funds.

Gay NBA Player

You knew that it was going to happen sooner rather than later in pro sports. An "active" NBA player has come out as gay.

The question I have is this? Why did he wait until now? At 34, a free agent, and a vet of 12 years in the NBA, you wonder if this is a ploy to be signed in order to play just one more year in the league?

Gay players are really nothing new. I remember the old Houston Oilers had a wide receiver who was homosexual. After the game interviews, the post-meetings, he would meet his boyfriend in the hallway with the rest of the player's wives and girlfriends. The WR played a number of years with teams other than Houston. No one "outed" him and as far as I know, he could play football and that's all anyone cared....


Selling Guns

I didn't mention before, but I have been selling some of my guns. Basically trading one model for another.....including, my 1911 .45. I am shocked I sold the 1911, and then again, maybe not....Who knows, the Bear Gun ( Ruger 454 Casull Alaskan ) might be next....I've been shocked at what they are going for now.

For some reason I am in a "wheel-gun" mode. I don't know, I have always been a revolver fan. ( Then again, I wear hats and sometimes clothes like guys in the old days. ) I found a Charter Arms .44 special  Bulldog  Pug I couldn't pass up at the Houston Gun Show and I had to have it.( The round coming out of one is the size of a '57 Oldsmobile.)....Put some 246 grain shells in it and there is nothing better than having your wrist come out of socket after firing it.....One of these days I'll explain why I now carry a .44 instead of a .38.....





D##n Infomercials

So, yesterday afternoon, I was looking for something to watch on the satellite dish. Anything, something.....I started to run the guide on the screen and while I know there are numerous stations that do nothing but sell crap, I notice there is one infomercial being played on numerous stations.

It's that " Get Better Sex? " or "Want Better Sex?"  or some variance of "Sex"

It is a doctor who I assume is doing it for a big check, and a couple of other people who we're suppose to know, but we don't, pushing some sort of herbal remedy  to cure all of your sexual problems. I look and this crap is on 8 stations have ....8.....that's right 8.....They are pushing this product by saying, "if you order this from us, you don't have to be embarrassed by speaking to your doctor."

So, we're talking about some sort of Cialis, Viagra type product.

Does this really need to be sold at all hours of the day on TV? Rather than at 1 pm, shouldn't this be sold at 1 am?

I don't know why, but it reminds me of my first couple of years at Buna. We had a Supt. of Schools who had teachers involved in a catalog fund raiser. ( I've never been involved in since....and wasn't before.)

The superintendent apparently didn't really read the catalog, because in the back pages were "female stress relief massage products" and what we called in the old days, " hard-on pills."


Friday, April 26, 2013

Non-Citizens on a Jury?

So California is going to pass a law that will allow non-citizens to be on a jury.... Really? Really? Is this what we have come to in this nation?

Have we gotten to this point in America?

This means if you are tried by 12 there can be the following non-citizens 3 from Mexico, 2 from Haiti, 2 from El Salvador, 2 from Canada, 1 from St Kitts, 1 from Scotland and 1 from Chile sitting the jury box....

Are these really your peers?

Thursday, April 25, 2013

New $100 Bill

So in an attempt to foil counterfeiters, the US Treasury has come out with a new $100 bill.



You know I hate to say this, but I sort of like the big gold 100 on the back of the bill....All old $100 bills are still good, as I received one of the old school $50s in payment the other day. The credit union teller said that you would be surprised at how many old bills are still in circulation....

I am glad they didn't change the picture of Franklin like they did Andrew Jackson on the $20 Sorry, but they made Jackson look like an old lesbian.



I wonder how long before the counterfeiters can copy the new $100? A week? 

More Baptist Jokes

A little lighter fair this morning...I needed a break from the heavy stuff....

You might be a Baptist if.....

God's presence is better on the last 3 pews.

You actually think John the Baptist formed the Southern Baptist Convention

It bothers you  when the minister of music/preacher/ deacon says  " We've never done it this way before."

Sermons are judged by the amount of sweat worked up by the preacher.

The word "Fellowship" always has something to do with food.

You wonder if Lottie Moon and Ann Armstrong will ever get paid off?

You have wondered if Paul actually spoke in King James English?

You thought that Jesus actually used Welch's Grape Juice at the Last Supper.

The music in church is either too loud or too soft..... depending on your age...

Preachers who wear robes are communists.....( I have a relative who thinks this.)

You judge a service by the length of time the preacher, preached.

You interpreted a craving for fried chicken, or banana pudding as  a call to preach.






Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Reflections on Boston

Over the last week and a half, I have been so bombarded with thoughts, ideas, images from Boston, I am really having a hard time trying to decide what I believe in the entire situation.

I have yet seen a film or picture of the brothers actually putting their backpacks down at the site.

I have yet seen a cc tape from the second bomb site.

I still have a hard time thinking that they acted alone. I am afraid that they had help from someone. Who? I have thoughts there and will probably write about it later.

I was upset when Boston PD ordered innocent people at gunpoint to leave their homes. Sorry, I still believe in the 4th Amend to the Constitution....I would have been dead either from the two brothers( if they had tried to come in my house.)  or the BPD killing me trying to come in without a warrant.

I am still upset that we had a discussion about giving Miranda to the younger brother after he was arrested. We start to give up Constitutional Rights, in the name of safety, it is all over in this nation.  You could be next on something as simple as a traffic ticket. It's a slippery slope.




Tuesday, April 23, 2013

25%

I was surprised, and at the same time not shocked that it was 25% of the students out of Buna yesterday.

This may not get any better. I can see little lemonheads trying this on a regular basis if they don't catch the original idiot involved in the action from Thursday.

My worry is if the lemonhead is caught, the ramification will amount to a slap on the wrist.

Okay Buna, I was nice yesterday, won't be today.....I wonder if the person has a "name" if they will get a "sweetheart" of a deal in this?  In the real world, when a knothead who pulls a stunt like this is sent to jail....or if they are at work, fired.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Going to School?

I have not been really positive or friendly to the Buna ISD since I retired. I really have not. You know it, and I know it....that said, I am pretty confident that the situation they find themselves in today, they have under control.

Someone was asking on Facebook earlier this week if they were sending their kids to class this week and there was some hesitation by a couple of folks.....The answer I have to the question is this...I would go to school this week and and I would send my child. ( What you do is your decision however. You have to look into your heart and make the call.)

My only suggestion is when they catch the person, that person is punished and doesn't just receive a slap on the wrist, as often happens.....




Saturday, April 20, 2013

Houston Gun Show

I went to the "big" gun show at the Reliant Center today. I was disappointed. There was so much stuff there that I would consider as crap....and there was the ancillary non-gun stuff that sort of goes with guns, well not really...Jerky, WWII  memorabilia, more jerky, heirloom seeds, anti-Obama tables, black folks against Obama, some sort of Asian support group.....Hell, there was even shoe shine people at the front and back on the center. I wish I would have worn some dress shoes.

The center was about 3/4th full of vendors. There were huge open spots in the place.

There was no ammunition. There was, but it was so expensive you could not afford it. Like a guy was selling S, Korean PMC .223 for $1.03 a round. There was some cheaper, but it was all too expensive. There was even a guy selling Danish 5.56x45 military surplus ammo. I've never seen surplus ammo from Denmark and I've been around. ( He wanted too much or I would have bought a box.)

The guns that were new there were the following. Glocks, Sigs, and Taurus. Tons of them...There were so many Glock pistols I was sick of looking at Glocks. There was even a gunsmith who specialized in fixing Glock pistols there. I stopped and watched him fix a Model 22.

One of the most interesting discussions I had was with two alternative lifestyle guys selling concealed carry purses. The purses were too well, Western for any female ( one) in my life to carry, and they both admitted I was right, and were thinking about purses with a little more girly-girl in mind.( I say this while my girly-girl is on the tractor in the backyard. )

I did find the gun I was looking for at a decent price. I was shocked, it was the only one in the place.

On the way home, wound up coming back on Hwy 225 to Baytown. I was amazed at the lack of traffic on a Saturday on a 6 lane highway. I am sure during the week it is busy, but during the weekend, it was clear sailing.

Another note, I was amazed at the number of Chrysler stretch limos on the road. I saw 4 including one traveling East on I-10 that said Coushatta Tribe. I am sure it was carrying a "High-Roller" to the casino to throw dice in Louisiana.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Another Run on Ammunition

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse in finding ammo, it has.....Story from Miami...and Wisconsin...

The Boston Marathon bombing mess, the anger displayed by Mr Obama after the universal background check failed in the US Senate, threats of new executive orders, everyone is just plan jumpy in the gun community.

I may need to go to the gun show in Houston tomorrow just to see what it is like "on the ground."


Chechen Torture

These Chechens sort of spooked me.

I have done a little research on the war that Chechnya is having with Russia and I came across a number of photos and videos in which the Chechens are torturing Russian soldiers, many of the soldiers were very young guys. ( Now the Russian are as bad in their methods of torture....but I think they do it in retaliation to the rebels in Chechnya.)

I started to publish a number of these videos and photos on this site, but some of the sites main advertisers were pornographic sites, and I just couldn't bring myself to subjecting my readers to gynecological photos.

The videos can be found with a little research on both Google and my personal favorite, Yahoo....( I know, I know, I use Google Chrome, but my homepage is still Yahoo...old habits die hard.)

The videos will help you understand where the two brothers come from and even though they have lived in the U.S. for a number of years, their roots to the homeland are evident here.

If you really want link to the videos, I will send them to you PM. As I did yesterday, I will censor who I send the PM to. Some of you, in my mind, I want to keep you innocent.....I know, I am naive...sorry

Chechen Bombers

I do not know enough about the bombers to make a an educated attempt to explain why they did what they did....I wonder, I honestly wonder....and sad part is, we may never know what really happened.

Do I blame Muslims? Yes and No.

Yes, there are extremists of all groups. They see us as followers of Christ in many cases as the enemy.

No, I lived next door to an man and his family from Iran. We fought and argued over religion and at first I thought he hated me, but one day he grabbed me by my shoulders, gave me a huge hug and said..." Kerry, I so love our talks about religion."  This is a man, I helped dig out his sewer, and later he helped me paint my house....( He loved Taco Bell. Thought it was the greatest invention to mankind.....4 soft tacos and a Pepsi and he would smile all afternoon. )

Folks, I do not know what to tell you, I am on a wait and see like the rest of you....

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Gun Owners....Watch Out!

I knew this was coming when I saw Mr Obama come into the Rose Garden at the White House and chew out the US Senate and the gun community for not doing what he wanted.

So this comes out from the man who scares me if he is president, the Vice President, Joe Biden...." The President is planning additional executive orders on guns." 

If you own a gun that has to take foreign made ammunition, or if the gun you wants is made in Belgium or Austria or Germany, you better beg and or borrow enough money to get what you need....I can see a stoppage on the importation of stuff from overseas....other orders, I cringe to see...


Oh Man....

Once again, I am trying to stop cussin' in the blog....I'm trying to stop cussin' so much in general....I apologize...Sometimes I just get wound up and I can't help myself....I will probably take the blog down from earlier today. The content I stand behind....The swearing once again, if I've offended, I apologize...


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Jaded / And I am Going to Go There

Is it just me, but I have killed so much stuff in my life, seen so many gore movies, played so many bloody games, the unedited photos of Boston didn't make me turn away like I expected.

Have I become jaded? Are we all now jaded?

Secondly, with the theory being turned to a " lone wolf," I wonder if they are now looking at a Iraqi/ Afghan  vet who may have lost a leg in the war?

The symbolism of Patriot's Day, Tax Day, and a group of runners makes me wonder??? You know the Feebs are looking at this angle. ( I have another blog I am working on about how the government is turning against vets in the pipeline....)


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Okay, I'm Going to Go There....

Fox News, CNN, MSNBC are wall to wall coverage of the Boston bombing. It is a terrible event....and should be covered.

Question is this...if this would have happened in Beaumont or Pt Arthur, or Lafayette, or Tallahassee, would the news media be giving us the same coverage?

Would they be giving the same if it were ANY city in the South? San Francisco, LA, Las Vegas...yes....

Oklahoma City did, but 168 people were killed including 19 children and it was a Federal building...

I just have to wonder....




Boston

You knew this was going to happen again here in America. I am surprised it took this long. Since 9/11 we have been waiting for this to happen. I am shocked to read this morning that 25-30 people have lost a limb. 

The question now turns to who?

I have so many questions now and I wonder if we'll ever get all of the answers. Say what you want, and I hate to go there....do you really trust the US Government in the investigation?

Then there are the 3 major news cable stations.....Last night as I watched, CNN, and MSNBC were pushing the idea of a home-grown " Right-wing" domestic terrorist........Fox News was pushing for foreign terrorists.

The street that the explosion took place has a huge amount of private cc cameras. If either the FBI or Boston PD doesn't find something from these cameras, there is something wrong....For me, that's the key in the investigation.

At this point, we all need to keep in our prayers all of the victims and their families.


Monday, April 15, 2013

Gold

So, the bubble seems to have burst this morning in the gold market. I have wondered about this for quite a while.

Traditionally gold has always been a hedge against inflation. Trouble is, gold has no real industrial usage. ( Silver does)

If you are interested in buying gold or silver I would hang on a bit. I think the bear run will continue.....

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Fat Boy Missing????

So the the Dictator, of N. Korea, Kim Jung Un, known on here as "Fat Boy" has not been seen in public in the last two weeks. All of this leads to the question, has he been kicked out of power? Is he dead? Is he in hiding for some political reason? ( Assassination attempts?)

If something happens, tomorrow, April 15th, might be the day. It is Kim-Il-Sung, the founder of N. Korea's birthday....we'll see if his grandson shows up tomorrow for the celebration...They could very well do a nuclear test, or a rocket launch tomorrow...

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Tonight

This will be the last time I ever write a post on the prom. The last few people I have taught ( That little group of Sophomores I had in the 4th period W. History class.) graduate next month....

Seniors, tonight is the last big party at the high school.  Enjoy it. The real world starts in about two months.

My concern is after the prom. There are choices to make.

Some of you will drink, some of you may indulge in narcotics. If you do, please, please.....please, stay in one spot. Don't drive.....and don't get into a car with someone who has been drinking...

There is nothing worse for a teacher to attend a funeral or a visitation of a student who has lost their life. You are this close to graduation....make sure you walk across that stage.

Young ladies, you will look fantastic tonight. You will look amazing. Just because you look, and feel good, don't make the wrong choice with Mr. Wrong. ( I know some of you are dating a boy for the first time this evening.)

Remember ladies, it is your choice.

Have a good time this evening.....I hope you get to go to a fantastic restaurant. ( We went to Patrizi's and I had the grilled flounder.) and I hope you don't want the evening to ever end.....

Friday, April 12, 2013

Colt Moving AR15 Plant to Texas

So it seems that at least one portion of the Connecticut based Colt Firearms Company is moving to Texas. 

The question is this....why can't we get the rest of the plants in Connecticut to move to Texas? This area would welcome Mossburg, Ruger, Marlin, Charter Arms, US Firearm, Wilson, and Colt. All are all ripe to move to a more gun friendly state.....

I am telling you folks, there are business opportunities on the horizon....If I was in a leadership position in Jasper or Orange Counties, I would be on a plane Monday morning...

Fat Boy Lookin' Like a Perv.....

So Fat Boy is up this morning running around threatening Japan this morning...The US sure as hell ain't going to let that happen. Trouble is, N. Korea say that nuclear war in unavoidable. 

Then a member of congress from Colorado has read reports that the N. Korea can put nukes on ballistic missiles.


But this morning, my question is this....what are these N. Korean women looking at...or doing for Fat Boy? He sure be smiling ain't he?


Thursday, April 11, 2013

Mayor of Jasper

Tonight on NOT ON THE PAYROLL
Jasper Mayor Mike Lout.
If you're a Jasper resident have a question you would would like me to ask, send me a PM.( Even if you're not, and have a question, send it.)

7pm. KJAS 107.3FM Jasper and KFAH 99.1 FM Pineland

Can be streamed at:
www.kjas.com

Korea Missile

Okay, I'll be serious again.....maybe...been listening to Led Zeppelin , Buckcherry and Jane's Addiction this morning, so I can't promise anything...

It seems that N. Korea is getting ready to shoot a missile into the Pacific Ocean from their NE coast. It sort of really makes you wonder at this point just what they want?

N.Korea has a 29 year old dictator, addicted to porn, starves his people, threatens the world with his nukes and has a bad haircut...see Hitler's haircut...he might be the perfect 21st C. dictator...

The question is this...What has Kim Jong Un been waiting for on the rocket?

His shipment of mentos and diet cokes to arrive.

Breasteses

So I hit a new all time low and watch the 4pm news on Fox 4 yesterday....and what are they talking about? They have a plastic surgeon on pushing his breast implants....and the reporter sits there and acts like this is serious news....and like a dumbass, I can't quit watching...

Then, this morning I find a French study that bras make breasteses more saggy......Really...how do you explain those women in the National Geographic magazine with the breasteses dragging on the ground....

That's right, I am 55 going on 13 this morning....

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Beyonce and Jay-Z

I hope I spelled both people's names correctly. They are two the the "in" people in America. Beyonce is a lovely lady, not Hallie Berry lovely in my book, but then Hallie is closer to my age.

It seems the couple gets to go to Cuba.....and the Dept of the Treasury approved the trip under some sort of educational mission. ( You can't go there unless it's educational or cultural.) The educational mission went there at the same time that as their anniversary......I'm sorry, I don't care who you are, it ain't right...and Cuba might be worse on racial relations than the US. ( Do some research.)

The problem is, someone at the Dept. of Treasury who was told to approve the trip will be the scapegoat.

Trouble is, in my opinion, the embargo has been a failure. Castro has been there. in charge. as long as I have been alive. We trade with China, Vietnam.....they're not any better than Cuba and we trade with them all day... Maybe it is time to open up Cuba to capitalism? Sugar, cigars, rum, cigars, tourism, cigars..hell, I'd go to Cuba just for fun.

So Glad I am Retired....

I am so glad I am out of the school business.....so glad, I do not think you people really understand.

Had a young man write me last week wanting to know my opinion of teaching school. He's from one of my all time favorite families in Buna and I have procrastinated writing him back.....I just want to drive to where he is and grab him by the shoulders and shake him as hard as I can and shout "NO!!!!!!"

I then see that they are wanting to change the rules on retirement for teachers in the State of Texas. ( Let me remind you that teachers pay into TRS every month.) At this point, why would anyone in their right mind teach school?

Don't get me wrong. I liked teaching school. I enjoyed the career. I liked the kids.....But I wouldn't recommend this career to anyone in college right now. I am sad to tell you, but it is going to get worse, and worse in the profession...I am too the point you would be better off being a piano player in a whorehouse than teaching school....

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Bunky

So, for all who wondered or give a damn, I had lunch today in Lumberton with Bunky.

He has not been in prison, he is not under indictment, he is not being tested to see if he's a babies' daddy.

He is out of work, not in school and out of a woman.....I guess it is almost like being retired....

It was a good lunch, caught up on stories, family and gossip. Saw other Buna folks in the restaurant and to our surprise, they acknowledged us being there.....

For those of you who were curious, he is still " Dippin' for Jesus' and took a softball size lump of Copenhagen snuff for dessert after lunch....



Not on The Payroll's Response to the Huffington Post.

 Response to the Huffington Post from Not on the Payroll. 

It is obvious that "national journalism" does not follow the same protocol that "us underfunded radio journalist" do. Your "source material" paints a crazy picture, but if you want to call this a FIRESTORM of a story... then it must be a slow day at the office! :)

This post is more for my benefit than yours{Bethany}

1. As is our custom with interviewees, Max Griffin and I discussed prior to interview what the show would in-tell. He was informed and ready to field questions from the local public. We had two specifically given questions that we discussed, #1 Who the HELL is Max Griffin? #2 Many people questioned his sexuality? He was informed that his sexuality would be questioned and he expressed no concerns. However, when the ON AIR light went on, Max seemed to tense up concerning his homosexuality, which caught me a little off guard. FYI- Max made a post on Facebook last year stating that he wanted to be the 1st GAY MAYOR of Jasper...so we addressed that in the interview as well.  

 2. The radio show, NOTonthePAYROLL is mine and my co-host! We make it our habit to ask questions MOST people would not, IE the name: NOTonthePAYROLL. We purchase TIME on KJAS, which is the most listened to station in our area. YES, Mike Lout is the owner of that radio station, so other than facilitating the hour our show AIRS... MIKE LOUT is NOT INVOLVED and this is solely OUR SHOW!!!
NOTonthePAYROLL is devoted to those who have not compromised the truth for money.

3. Max Griffin told me prior to the interview that HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS GETTING INTO, COMING ON OUR SHOW and also stated that HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH OUR SHOW.

4. It is obvious to both me and others that you {Bethany} never listened to the actual interview or THE HUGE FOLLOW UP SHOW that RATTLED CHRISTIANS WHO "EXPRESSED" HATRED OF MAX GRIFFIN BECAUSE HE IS GAY...

I don't expect you to get to know me, or even care to ...but if you are going to represent "Religion and Politics" to the masses....Communicate with BOTH sides of the issue and remove your LEFT WING FILTER and speak the TRUTH...not some fabricated BS!!! ohhh yeah, Nice Spin off of the whole James Byrd Dragging Death that happened in 1997.... I don't guess Jasper will ever be allowed to COMPLETELY heal due to AWARD WINNING JOURNALISM LIKE THAT. Thanks for putting a town, in which you have never visited, into CONTEXT for the Nation. 

For anyone to assume that Max Griffin's sexuality is not a concerning to the majority voting populous' in Jasper TEXAS is living in a dream world. Much like in this PSEUDO STORY of the Huffington Post, our town and region has been shown as still not having evolved into the peaceful integration of the Black & White Races. However, what NATIONAL MEDIA has done over the years with Jasper...is to paint it as Backwards, Racist and Bigoted! I heard a man say one time that "you do not see the world as it is but as YOU are." Political Agendas...and NOT the Truth, are the source motivations for Ms. Blankley's report. 

I don't know if I even thanked you for doing the FIRESTORM STORY....so Thank You! Let me know if you are ever in Jasper, TX and I will buy you lunch! 

FYI- MIKE LOUT on NOTonthePAYROLL, this THURSDAY NIGHT 7pm central!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Radio Show is Attacked by Huffington Post

So, our interview with Max Griffith has been been attacked by the left-leaning website the Huffington Post.

In the interview, they basically said we spoke too much about the fact that the candidate, Max Griffith was gay...trouble is, when we asked the community what they wanted to know about, it was his homosexuality and how it would effect his being the Mayor of Jasper. ( We actually toned it down.)

Anyway, it's good to be in the national media....even if they don't like us. :)

Wow....Just....Wow

I went to town earlier today and ran into a person who had heard the radio show from Thursday night on KJAS.....it seems it made them, well unhappy....and it surprised me about what.

On the show I made mention that I had eaten lunch with a friend who had converted to Islam and the folks in  the Middle Eastern restaurant were nicer than the people at the church I visited on Easter.

Now, I know I am not a politician. I am not a back-slapper or a person who acts glad to see you. It's just my personality. I attribute it to teaching school for 30+yrs. I went through a period of time in which I didn't smile. I just didn't. It was like I was on duty 24-7....that said, I still stand at church when people shake my hand. I stand if a lady speaks to me. And in a non-school setting, I won't shake a woman's hand unless she extends the hand first.....( Old school from Bill Thomas, my dad would be upset if I didn't do so.)

The person I ran into concluded their "discussion" with me by saying, that ( and I am sort of paraphrasing here.) " Maybe you just need to convert and become a Muslim."

I was somewhat stunned. This person was on staff at a church for a while. Might still be as far as I know.

I was so stunned, I didn't react.

At this point, I think I will just leave it alone. I am better as a None.


Maggie Thatcher

I remember Maggie Thatcher not as a Troy leader, or as a friend of Ronald Reagan, but as a foreign policy leader.

I remember the Falkland War as it was just like it was yesterday. I was working in adult education in the Beaumont ISD and my boss, was the late George Stark, a retired US Naval Officer.

Mr. Stark told us every day what was going to happen, what Mrs. Thatcher would do, and what the British Navy would do...He nailed it every morning..... .it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life....

She sent the British Navy around the world to reclaim rocks with sheep and about a 1000 people living on them.....makes you wonder if the US would do the same thing?

RIP Mrs Thatcher. You were one of a kind.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Your Houston Astros

I have come to the acceptance there will be no Houston Astro baseball games this year on our Dish, Directv, or cable system here in our area this year...and to be honest, it isn't that bad of a thing. I may go ahead and switch over and root for the Texas Rangers.

I am not really for sure what the new ownership wants? I really do not think he or the people who are advising him understand the business of baseball. Maybe they do, and this is part of a long term plan.

There might be a real possibility that ownership wants to move the team out of the area. I have heard the San Jose area. I have heard Portland, Oregon, Charlotte, NC, and Nashville. I have heard maybe into the Northeast. ( Perhaps the Hartford, CT or an additional MLB team in NYC?)  When you are drawing only 18,600 people on the first Saturday evening of the season, a lack of attendance would be an excuse to move, and I understand they are building for the future....but building for what? Instead of a bottom of the division club, and middle of the pack " also ran?"

I listened to the game on KOGT radio this afternoon and when the broadcasters are discussing pancake batter and the addition of vanilla to the mix, it is going to be a long year.....who knows maybe the Astros can break the 1885 Cleveland Spiders record of 134 losses in a season. As of this afternoon, they're on the pace to do so....





Swinging...Part II...and a request.

I was planning on writing on another subject, but over the last 48 hours I have been pretty amazed at the people who have sent me e-mails, texts, messages on the swinging going on in East Texas. It  is pretty amazing. I am just stunned at the number of people who are involved....and Who is involved...It sort of made me sick to my stomach.

I have a request this morning....I am just curious, the former seminarian is coming out in me. If you go to church, could you tell me the subject of this morning's sermon? ( I would prefer a private FB message. But if you want to post on the comments that's okay too.)




Friday, April 5, 2013

Friday Korea Report- April 10 Deadline

So the crazy ass North Koreans are telling the diplomatic corps they may need to leave N. Korea's capital city.

I wonder just how much the US Government is trying to kick start this war? The economy ain't so good and if we start a war, well, hell, it'll take our minds off our troubles. Problem is, do we want a war that may lead the Chinese to get involved? Trying to stop all the Chinese would be like trying to get rid of fire-ants  It'd be a never ending battle.

Meanwhile in N. Korea, they gave Fat Boy a gun to wave around...probably no bullets and then later he waved a baton to make him feel important.( First video)....maybe if he gets a haircut and is allowed to conduct the Dallas Symphony, he'll calm down...

Swinging

Many of you may have heard the radio show last night, so you know, I am already stirred up on this topic.

A few weeks ago, I made a comment that I was going to write a blog on swinging, but my source was well, shaky at best. In typical fashion, if you wait long enough, the source was confirmed. In a big way.

To my surprise there is a pretty big group of people who are swapping wives in Jasper County. Now, I am a pretty libertarian person in my personal life, but when you screw Friday and Saturday night someone else 's wive(s) and then get up the next morning and go to church, well, I am going to call you on it.

Come on man, do you think that going to church on Sunday is going to clean up what you did this last week, so you can do it again this coming week? And my understand is, some of these ministers out there know and are not preaching on the subject. ( Preachers don't have to name names, just call down the sin.) We are more concerned with the offering plate...sorry, but it is true...

I am still in a bit of a shock from what I learned this week....

Thursday, April 4, 2013

They can't Find Two North Korean Submarines

Just when you thought things could get any worse on the Korea front, the South Korean Navy has lost two of the North Korean submarines.....

All we need now is for those babies to pop up off the coast of Seattle or San Francisco, or Pearl Harbor, or I guess if they went a long way, Galveston.( Can't see Galveston.)

More than likely, they'll try and do something off the coast of South Korea....

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

We Live in a Time in Which Anything is Possible

Last week at this time, I thought that the N. Korea situation might just be puffery by a Fat Boy with firecrackers.

This week, I really do not know. There are now members of congress who are talking about-preemptive strikes against N. Korea. 

The U.S. has moved missile defenses to Guam, about the only U.S Territory that can be hit by N. Korean rockets.....and less than an hour ago N. Korea has approved a nuclear strike on the U.S.

We might have to go through with this thing.....As the old Chinese proverb says..." May you live in interesting times...."  We do folks, we do...

That Vast Wasteland

TV is pretty much a wasteland. I can't remember a TV show I watched on Channels 4.6.12.50......That said, next year, you are going to have to watch the FX program, Justified. ( My sole purpose for CBS, NBC, Fox is local news and NFL football in the Fall.)

Without a doubt, it is one of the most violent shows, that one minute later will have you laughing in stitches. Without a doubt it has the best writers on television...If you watch it, living in East Texas, you'll see people that you'll say.... " I know that person."



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

I Didn't Get into College....

So, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed piece this weekend from a high school young lady who didn't get into the college in which she wanted to attend.  I am assuming she wanted to go to Harvard or Yale or Princeton, or some other Ivy League or exclusive school....she was all upset that she would be going to a Big Ten school....

Boo-Hoo.....Boo-Hoo...Sorry, I don't feel sorry for you. I wanted to go to Univ. of Texas or Texas A&M when I graduated from high school. I couldn't afford it.... I, like many of you, got a job and slugged it out at the " Harvard of the Neches", old "Pecker Tech" itself Lamar University.

For years, I thought I had received a second rate education.....until I went to seminary in Ft Worth.

My first day in seminary I was surrounded by all sorts of A&M, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest grads......and about midway through the semester I looked up and decided, " These sumbitches ain't that smart." I could compete and beat these goobs grade wise all day long.

Folks, a degree from a fancy college is nice, but you know, it's what you do after the degree.....

Monday, April 1, 2013

Hold Onto Your Hats....N. Korea Just Got Interesting

This Korea business could blow up quickly....China is now mobilizing troops and aircraft on its border with N. Korea.

This while the US sends our new F-22 fighters as part of war games with the South Koreans and an anti-missile destroyer off the coast of Korea. 

The White House is saying that the N. Koreans are not on a mobilized threat against the South.....trouble is, the N. Koreans are always ready to fight the South.

Then the North is saying that the US Mainland is "Like a boiled pumpkin, ready for attack."

Optimo

It is official, Spring is here....April 1, is close enough....I have gotten out the new Optimo hat....



Problem is, I wore a white t-shirt under a black shirt...I look like an Episcopal priest....well, I can cuss like one....BTW: This is post number 600.