This is just so very wrong.

The link to this was posted on Facebook.  I suppose Newt would tell him to clean up and get a job.  If you can read it and not tear up there is something wrong with your compassion button. 

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old (self.politics)

submitted 21 hours ago by danmaddox

Just experienced something that shook me to the core and I can't explain why but it did as I'm known to the people that know me for being a semi life hardened kind of guy . I've seen homeless people before many times in my life, but never a couple with a child. Most of the time in San Francisco it's easy to walk by as you can tell they're drug addicts or just plain scammers with signs at intersections. This time was different. Much different. Life Changing Different.

On my way to the San Bruno Post Office Just outside of San Francisco to mail off some eBay boxes I saw this couple just sitting in the corner of the lot, not begging or panhandling but just looking over their belongings as a 3-4 year old boy came running around the corner right into me falling on the floor.

The mother came over and apologized and I noticed how dirty she was and could tell she had been on the streets for at least a couple of weeks. She looked to be mid twenties. In a typical mother fashion she pulled him along telling him to watch out and be careful.

The whole time I was in line at the Post Office I really wasn't there mentally as I was trying to find any other logical explanation other than a 4 year old being a homeless kid. I just couldn't comprehend it.

On the way out I made a beeline straight to my car in a hurry looking down at the parking lot the whole way out. As I backed out I couldn't help it, I threw it back into park and walked over to them.

Found out the guy was a 27 year old former combat Marine that had served four tours and had been out 2 years. He had lost his job a few months ago working at a warehouse. He jokingly said, but was absolutely factual when he stated that "Unemployment insurance makes you a well funded homeless person in Cali". Neither one had any family that could or would help.

He's right, $700 a month really won't do a whole lot for you in California. He said he tried to re-enlist but the Marines aren't exactly hiring right now and are actually pushing people out. He wasn't a poser as any of you Vets know it's easy to spot. You can just tell.

When I tried to give them the last $10.00 in my pocket he wouldn't take it but said if I wanted to help him out I could walk with him inside the Safeway so he could get his kid some juice. Every time he goes in there the managers run him out as his family had camped out behind the store a few times. He said he guessed a homeless family was bad for business as he said he never once did anything wrong in there except use the restroom too many times he guessed.

I took them down to Safeway and went inside with him. He paid for the juice and few groceries with a Wells Fargo debit card so I know he wasn't lying about the source of a small income. Apparently he was indeed known to the crew at Safeway as the cashier told him he better hurry before he was spotted in there. I told her I was with him and she just smiled.

Getting back to the car the little boy was asleep. He woke them up and got their stroller out of the car with their back packs. He extended his hand and said thanks Sir, I appreciate the kindness and if you know of anyone looking for a hard worker let me know.

I told him I lived not far away and my wife and I wouldn't mind if they cleaned up and took a hot shower. He declined and explained if your clean on the streets you're a target as other homeless can sense when you have two cents more than them. Apparently you're target also if you appear homeless at Safeway too.

Feeling totally helpless to help them I said "What are you going to do son"

I'm not ashamed to admit my eyes teared up when he said "Improvise, Overcome and Adapt Sir, Semper Fi"

I just stood there frozen in disbelief, anger and sadness as I watched them cross the street and fade into San Bruno National Cemetery. I'll never forget this as long as I live. This definitely isn't the same United States of America I grew up in. What in the hell has happened to this country?

War on Christmas

From The Christian Left
‎(From a post shared by member Brian Meadows, a note to people who think there's a "war on Christmas":) "If you want to keep Christ in Christmas, worry about things more important than the signs and decorations at JC Penney. You think Christmas should be about Christ? Then take up your cross and follow Jesus – not into department stores, but into the prisons, the hospitals, among the poor and the outcast. You get angry when someone doesn't say 'Christmas?' Try getting angry over Christ's children dying of malnutrition or AIDS. Try getting angry over the fact that the Christmas chocolate you love so much was kept cheap on the back of the working poor. Try getting angry over the fact that Christians are keeping people out of churches with their closed minds and closed doors. You want to keep Christ in Christmas? Try putting Christ in your life first."

Quote of the Day

He added that after the park closed "a First Amendment area will remain open on the Spring Street City Hall steps."   - The Mayor of Los Angeles on clearing out the Occupiers.

Funny I thought the Constitution applied to everyone in the entire country. Particularly on public lands...First Amendment AREA????? just wonderin'

On the treatment of elephants.

(AP)  

VIENNA, Virginia - The owner of the Ringling Bros. circus has agreed to pay a $270,000 fine to settle allegations that it violated federal animal-welfare laws in its handling of elephants, tigers, zebras and other exotic animals. More here.

Wikipedia reports in their article on elephants that "
There is growing resistance against the capture, confinement, and use of wild elephants. Animal rights advocates allege elephants in zoos and circuses "suffer a life of chronic physical ailments, social deprivation, emotional starvation, and premature death". Zoos argue that standards for treatment of elephants are extremely high and minimum requirements for such things as minimum space requirements, enclosure design, nutrition, reproduction, enrichment and veterinary care are set to ensure the well-being of elephants in captivity. However, elephants in zoos have a reduced life-span and reproduction compared to working elephants in timber camps[and in a survey of elephants in the UK, 54% of the elephants showed stereotypical behaviour.[ Circuses continue to have a mixed record. Recently, the city of Los Angeles closed an elephant act with Circus Vazquez due to numerous instances of abuse and neglect (April 2008), and according to PETA, 27 elephants owned by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus have died since 1992.
Elephants have traditionally been a major part of circuses around the world, being intelligent enough to be trained in a variety of acts (see for example P.T. Barnum's Jumbo and John L. Sullivan, the famous "Boxing Elephant"). However, conditions for circus elephants are unnatural (confinement in small pens or cages, restraints on their feet, lack of companionship of other elephants)."
I used to belong to the Shrine.  One of the things I did not like about the Shrine was the Circus with the elephants. I enjoyed seeing the elephants and am always in awe of them but once I had been made aware of the treatment of their animals I really did not want to be associated with the Shrine Circus.  You can read some of the facts about the Shrine Circus in a fact sheet here.  I am not going to put the Shrine down.  They do much good.  However in some cases they need to wake up to the facts.  Is it fair to raise money by mistreating the majestic animals who are intelligent, social and caring?  One of the elephants in the Elephant Sanctuary (Link below) had a dog for a friend.  Tarra and Bella were inseparable.  When Bella was killed (probably by coyotes) Tarra carried her up to where she would be found and then mourned her much as humans mourn for their dead loves.  You can see their story on the Web Site.
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is home to rescued elephants.  You can see them here.

I am glad that the Circus had to pay a fine.  I wish that there was a law prohibiting the display of these animals. In the meantime I am glad that there are people who dedicate their lives to helping these endangered animals.

Robert Reich: "The REAL Public Nuisance"

"Teddy Bear," the porcupine, doesn't like to share...

Teddy is making the rounds.  My sister had him on Facebook and I have seen him in several places.  He is adorable.  

Monday was a busy day.  I had to go down to Altoona for a meeting.  While I was there I filled up with gas which was 15 cents a gallon cheaper than the gas in Ames. I came home after the meeting and had a yoghurt and then worked on a form letter to send some checks out that the Lodge had voted to spend to help with Charity projects.  I set up an Excell spreadsheet to fill in the names, addresses, amounts and then wrote the letter using a mail merge function and when I printed them each was individual for the recipient.  I then could write the checks, generate labels for the envelopes and mail the checks. I don't know that it was efficient as I had to do some learning to do it but once I got things set up it was really slick.  Worked like magic.

Speaking of magic.  I don't know how they do it but my cell phone has a navigator function.  All I had to do was type in the address of the place I was going and hit the button and the phone found the Satellite and gave me step by step directions on getting to the Lodge Hall in Altoona.  I had printed out a map from "Get Directions" on Google Maps and I don't know how they work either but it is wonderful to live in an era when we have so much available to make our lives easier.

Speaking of easier - Brandon came over and fixed my recliner and the dishwasher.  I was afraid that I was going to have to purchase a new dishwasher but Brandon fixed it.  He is so good.  I really appreciate the fact that Su told me about him and he my go-to guy for everything.  He remodeled my bathroom when we moved in here and built the ramps so Ginny would be able to roll in and out after she got into the wheel chair.  He built the porch on the back where I can spend some time during Spring, Summer and Autumn.  and if anything goes wrong around the place he will take care of it.  Everybody should have a Brandon in their lives.

The recliner is back and I sat in it this evening and promptly fell asleep.  So I woke up around 10:00 and was thankful that I had DVD'ed them so I could watch them.   Miles has settled back into the routine and I am getting more exercise by getting up and down to let him in and out.  It is nice to have him here.  

Have a wonderful Tuesday.  Thanks for stopping by. ARWYA  - Hugs

Dog Love It.

Miles on Monday

 Miles is over for a week.  Jon has a lot going on with papers to write and Miles would wind up being alone a lot and ignored while Jon is writing a 25 page paper, etc.  So he brought him over here for a visit.  The first thing he did was go outside to check to see if the back yard was still there. (it was)  Then he played with Cassie - bumped Bailey and lay down at my feet for a nap.  It is good to have him here.

Week-end update

Yesterday I took Amy, Lee and Aiden to the airport and then I went to Costco.  I didn't spend much money but did get some breakfast bars so that (breakfast) is taken care of for the next couple of months.  Then I went out to Johnston to go to the movie.  I was going to go to the movie at Jordan Creek but the parking lot was rather full so I left.

Hugo is  Martin Scorsese's first 3-D movie. Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.  - It moved a little slow at times but was mostly enchanting and a delight to watch.  I don't usually care for 3-D movies but Sorsese did a masterful job with it and it was not intrusive on the story but fit right in.  


The film is an homage to Georges Méliès  It is well worth watching and by the way I found the theater experience much better than the Cinemark Theater in Ames.  Not only was it cleaner but there were plenty of people to wait on you.  I even noticed that the theater had at least two young people in wheel chairs as employees.  I am always glad to see that since I have a sister in a wheel chair and am well aware of how difficult it is for people in a wheel chair to get a job.    I recommend the film and the theater in Johnston.

My dishwasher died so I am getting a new one. I hope it is soon as I had to actually wash dishes by hand today.  My hands are clean and my glasses are also but I am still not finished.  Hopefully I will get the new one tomorrow. That plus the repair from my Lazy-boy which broke.

This morning I slept through the alarm and slept until 11:30 -  Can't do that tomorrow as I have a meeting in Altoona at 10:00.  Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Sunday Funnies

Collectainia

A collection of things found on the Internets

This 'n That - Black Friday

This morning I woke up at 4:30 am.  picked up Bailey and snuggled with him, then I dozed until 6:30 when I woke up again.  I turned the computer on.. nothing much happening.  read some of the very excellent Bishop John Shelby Spong book on Re-Claiming the Bible for a Non-Religious World.  Had some coffee and went back to sleep.

I would probably still be sleeping except I got a wrong number and that woke me up.  So I turned to the Computer again and checked Facebook and my Reader and there wasn't much happening there. That is not allowed to happen tomorrow as I am taking Amy, Lee and Aiden to the airport for them to fly back.  There is a wind advisory so I hope I don't get blown off the road on the way down.

Saw this headline -
George W. Bush Cancels Switzerland Visit Over Fears Of Arrest For War Crimes


He should be arrested here for violating the anti-torture provisions of the treaties we signed but he probably considered them the way he did the Constitution -  "Just a piece of paper."

Watched The Blues Brothers last night on TV.  What a great movie.  I have dropped HBO.  I will miss True blood and Game of Thrones but the rest of their offerings just wasn't up to par for the expensive.  Now that I have a new car and subsequent car payments being a bit more I have to adjust.  Oh well, It has always been that way.  Maybe someday I will win the lottery. Perhaps I should buy a ticket.  I think perhaps though I will be better off getting a ticket to see Hugo.  It got two thumbs up on the IPT "At The Movies."  Thanks for stopping by.  Hugs,  j

Found For Friday

The Dot l FINALLY, SOMEONE HAS CLEARED THIS UP.

For centuries, Hindu women have worn a dot on their foreheads. Most of us have naively thought this was connected with tradition or religion, but the Indian embassy in Ottawa has recently revealed the true story. When a Hindu woman gets married, she brings a dowry into the union.

On her wedding night, the husband scratches off the dot to see whether he has won a convenience store, a gas station, a donut shop, a taxi cab, or a motel in the United States . If nothing is there, he must remain in India to answer telephones and provide us with Verizon technical advice.

 The Minnesota Highway Patrol is cracking down on speeders heading into Minneapolis.

For the first offense, they give you 2 Vikings tickets. If you get stopped a second time, they make you use them.

 Q. What do you call 47 millionaires around a TV watching the Super Bowl?

A. The Minnesota Vikings

Q. What do the Vikings and Billy Graham have in common?
A. They both can make 70,000 people stand up and yell "Jesus Christ".

 Q. How do you keep a Minnesota Viking out of your yard?

A. Put up a goal post.

Q. What do you call a Minnesota Viking with a Super Bowl ring?
A. An Imposter.

 Q. What's the difference between the Minnesota Viking and a dollar bill?

A. You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill.

Q. How many Minnesota Vikings does it take to win a Super Bowl?
A. Nobody Knows

Q. What do the Vikings and a possums have in common?
A. Both play dead at home and get killed on the road!

 YOU KNOW YOU NEED A NEW LAWYER WHEN...

* You met him in prison.

* During your initial consultation he tries to sell you Amway.

* He tells you that his last good case was a Budweiser.

 * When the prosecutors see who your lawyer is, they high-five

each other.

* He picks the jury by playing "duck-duck-goose."

* He tells you that he's never told a lie.

 I would like to share an experience with all of you.

It has to do with drinking and driving.
As you know, some of us have had brushes with the
authorities over the years.

The other night, I was out for dinner with a few friends.

After consuming too much beer and knowing full well that I
was wasted, I did something I've never done before. Believe it or not,
I took a bus home. Yes a bus! I arrived home safely and without incident.

This was a really big surprise to me, since I have never driven a bus before.............

 ‎"DEVEREAUX GETS HOME LATE

Devereaux staggered home very late after another evening with his drinking buddy, Landry. He took off his shoes to avoid waking his wife, Betty Lou.

He tiptoed as quietly as he could toward the stairs leading to their upstairs bedroom, but misjudged the bottom step. As he caught himself by grabbing the banister, his body swung around and he landed heavily on his rump. A whiskey bottle in each back pocket broke and made the landing especially painful.

Managing not to yell, Devereaux sprung up, pulled down his pants, and looked in the hall mirror to see that his butt cheeks were cut and bleeding. He managed to quietly find a full box of Band-Aids and began putting a Band-Aid as best he could on each place he saw blood.

He then hid the now almost empty Band-Aid box and shuffled and stumbled his way to bed.

In the morning, Devereaux woke up with searing pain in both his head and butt and Betty Lou staring at him from across the room.

She said, 'You were drunk again last night weren't you?'

Devereaux said, 'Why you say such a mean thing?'

'Well,' Betty Lou said, 'it could be the open front door, it could be the broken glass at the bottom of the stairs, it could be the drops of blood trailing through the house, it could be your bloodshot eyes, but mostly ..... it's all those Band-Aids stuck on the hall mirror."

Family Thanksgiving at Rick and Pam's

Repost

Found for Thanksgiving -- Found last year..Click here.

THANKSGIVING DAY, 2011

November 24, 2011
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

     One of our Nation's oldest and most cherished traditions, Thanksgiving Day brings us closer to our loved ones and invites us to reflect on the blessings that enrich our lives.  The observance recalls the celebration of an autumn harvest centuries ago, when the Wampanoag tribe joined the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony to share in the fruits of a bountiful season.  The feast honored the Wampanoag for generously extending their knowledge of local game and agriculture to the Pilgrims, and today we renew our gratitude to all American Indians and Alaska Natives.  We take this time to remember the ways that the First Americans have enriched our Nation's heritage, from their generosity centuries ago to the everyday contributions they make to all facets of American life.  As we come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate, let us set aside our daily concerns and give thanks for the providence bestowed upon us.

     Though our traditions have evolved, the spirit of grace and humility at the heart of Thanksgiving has persisted through every chapter of our story.  When President George Washington proclaimed our country's first Thanksgiving, he praised a generous and knowing God for shepherding our young Republic through its uncertain beginnings.  Decades later, President Abraham Lincoln looked to the divine to protect those who had known the worst of civil war, and to restore the Nation "to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."

     In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives.  Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm's way.  And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand.

     As we gather in our communities and in our homes, around the table or near the hearth, we give thanks to each other and to God for the many kindnesses and comforts that grace our lives.  Let us pause to recount the simple gifts that sustain us, and resolve to pay them forward in the year to come.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2011, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.  I encourage the people of the United States to come together    whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors    to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Happy Thanksgiving

Click on Pumpkin Pie at the end.      TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING, BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP. I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS, I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP. THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED - THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE, BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT. TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION, THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION. SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR, AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE. GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES, PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES. I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND, 'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND. I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY, WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE. BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES.... HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE. MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP. MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP. MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS. MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE, MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!! HAPPY   THANKSGIVING   TO  ALL Click On:  PUMPKIN PIE   Thanks to Sone for forwarding this.

 

Moments of Beauty

Bob sent me the link to this video. I recommend watching it full screen to see the expressions on peoples faces. It made me smile, and tear up some as I thought about how most music is made as a group experience. This certainly was. People working together to make something harmonious and beautiful. The performers and the audience are all aware of this. One man just sat right down on the ground with his kids to listen. Do we ever just stop and sit and listen, or look.

I know that there are soloists and sometimes we prefer to be alone but no one is ever truly alone as there is a Great Friend looking over his (or her) shoulder guiding and supporting - we just have to become aware.  Were there people who walked right on by this wonderful "flash mob"  you bet.  It was their loss.  This week I think about the things I am thankful for.  I am particularly thankful for those "moment of beauty" which we can find when we look for them and for the Internets that bring us so many more.   Enjoy.

Dedicated to the Occupiers

Written for an earlier era but just as relevant today!

Hypocrisy has its own symmetry.

Hypocrisy

First Cousin Twice Removed

Aiden and his folks are here for Thanksgiving.  Staying with my Aunt Jo who does not like having her picture on FB - nor did his mother.  However his dad was asleep on the sofa and did not know I was taking his picture.  Anyway here he is.  Cutie pie.  He did not know me so he was a little stand-offish at first but he warmed up.  When I would take his picture it was Mr. Sobersides but as soon as I took it there was this glorious smile.  I tried to get it and you might be able to see a little of it.  Anyway he is one handsome lad and he did let me pick him up before I left.  He is heavy.  Probably going to be a football player like his uncle Michael.

Thought for Today

So many people believe in a god of vengeance and rage and not of peace and Love.  "God is Love." is all the religious guidance anyone should need.  If everything is viewed through the lens of Love - all will be well.     jcs

Sunday Funnies