FIST OF JESUS www.fistofjesus.com

Marilyn Manson - The End

Astérion, the minotaur, walks through the streets of Toulouse

Panic by Harold Schechter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Was there an epidemic of child predators in America. Men driven to horrible desires by listening to swing music. As usual in these situations politicians, the media and others seeking a platform try to.find someone or something to blame for events that are often hard to explain.

One of the more disturbing books in this
series of historical crimes. The author focused on a brutal number of child murders that caused a panic until the more enormous issued taking place around the world in the lead up to WWII drove the issue from the headlines.


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The Death of Truth: Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump by Michiko Kakutani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book by Pulitzer prize winning critic Michiko Kakutani could, in a way, be seen as a companion piece to Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen. While Anderson's book looked at a history of America and our countries susceptibility to showman and con artists, from our very beginnings, this book centers on the later part of the Twentieth Century and the early decades of this one that have brought us to where we are. The books subtitle, Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump, sums up where the author is coming from and she does it quite well.

Kakutani looks back, as does Anderson, on how critical thought and the bending of "reality" began during the cultural and social turmoil of the Sixties. How did many Americans begin the split into two very separate cultures, both unaccepting of what the other felt were legitimate concerns. Social critics as far back as Orwell and Huxley predicted some of the very things that we are seeing taking place. The anti-establishment rhetoric of the Sixties radicals was taken up by the Right and used to turn even more citizens against the institutions that were meant to protect us.

The author examines the writings of folks on both the Right and Left, plus a close look at the individuals Russia who developed the techniques there that were used successfully here in 2016, and continue.

This book probably won't change minds, but it is fascinating in allowing the reader to see how we have gotten here. What we can do about it, and if we can regain the civility and unity we once had, remains to be seen.


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The Pirate by Harold Schechter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harold Schechter is one of my favorite True Crime writers. His focus is mainly American serial killers of the 19th & 20th century. This is the first of a series of shorter works that focus on little known murders that were major events at the time, but have been forgotten.

This deals with the event leading to the conviction and execution of Albert W. Hicks, who was charged with "piracy on the high seas", despite the murders taking place in the waters off New York on an oyster boat. Hired as a mate, Hicks killed the other three members of the crew, for what amounted to less than two hundred dollars, a pocket watch and several items of clothing. As the bodies were never recovered the prosecutor went with the piracy charge.

P.T. Barnum even makes an appearance here as he paid to be allowed to make a 'life mask' of Hicks and purchased from him the clothes he wore while imprisoned. These Barnum put on exhibit in his NY hall for public display. I found it also interesting that in earlier years Hicks moved to my hometown of Norwich, CT where he was arrested and confined for a series of robberies.

Shechter also spends time discussing not only the rise of the oyster industry in NY, but the social and political tone of the era, which helped to make what Hicks did into a huge event. His execution being witnessed by thousands along the shore of what would one day be the island where the Statue of Liberty now stands.


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Leon Redbone - "Walking Stick" Live at the 1973 Buffalo Folk Festival

Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History by Kurt Andersen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anderson presents a history of the United States, looking at just what it is about us that makes us different from so many other industrialized nations. We were indeed created and populated by people willing to accept fallacies and ideas that were often rejected by contemporaries across the ocean. The Disneyfication of America began before Walt created his first theme park, as is evident in how showman like Barnum and Buffalo Bill were able to make believers our of generally skeptical folks.

The books looks at how Evangelical religion and ultra-conservative politics merged to become a force that shaped the political and social framework of the nation over the past century.

I found the book fascinating, but am sure that folks to the Right of me politically and more accepting of mainstream religion might have a problem with some of Anderson's positions. If nothing else it makes clear what it is about the "American" way that can lead to our current situation and the rise of "reality TV" stars to the highest office in the land.


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Cardi B Speaks On The Government Shutdown

Liberal Redneck - The God Damn Wall

Trump's Favorite Things! - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody

Voting this November

I just received my ballot yesterday, since I'm signed up for mail-in ballots.  Donna and I always had a hard time trying to coordinate our schedules so we could go to the polls at the same time. We figured this would make things easier for us.

It's hard, at this point, to remember that I used to vote Republican in some local and state-wide elections. I've always been pretty liberal, but back in Connecticut there was a moderate/liberal wing to the GOP that brought us folks like Lowell Weicker.  Sadly, the party has moved so far to the Right that I don't know if Weicker can recognize it today.  Hell, I think Barry Goldwater would be out of step now and even Reagan would be considered a moderate with little hope of getting elected.

I haven't even opened the ballot, but already know that it's probably going to be close to if not a straight Democratic list for me. Although there are a few incumbents I'm not crazy about I suppose I'll bite the bullet as I did in 2016 and go Blue Wave. I wish I still had faith that the Green Party was more than a joke every four years.  Since we Democratic Socialists remain in the main party that waters down much of what we wish to do.  I've given up hope for a true Progressive party to make any inroads in my lifetime.

In case, anyone wonders things are going pretty well with me. My health is pretty good, but all my doctors agree that it's time I take weight loss seriously.  I know why I gave up caring, but now I have an important reason to start taking better care of myself.  I would like to be around for a few more years.

I know I always make this promise, but it probably is time to start posting here more frequently, not not just sharing videos.  If anybody is still out there, remind me that I still have two blogs.

Peace out!

Geese in Lake Forest, CA

IF YOU EVER GOT IMPEACHED - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody

NRA Going BANKRUPT

Josh Olson on THE TRIUMPH OF THE SWILL (You'll want this to be true)

Bitch Grandpa Whine Man

Violent brawl breaks out on Carnival cruise ship

Gateway to Sedona DEBUNK

The Public (Emilio Estevez Movie) - Official Trailer

A situation we should take a moment to think about. This film may be controversial and will no doubt promote debate. 

I've been a Librarian for over thirty years and admit to being conflicted.

Donald Trump Garners Support From “Fake” People

One Day at a Time: Trying to move forward

For those of you who might not know, my wife and best friend, Donna, passed away on Aug. 13th of this year.  To say it was a tragedy doesn't even come close to capturing how this has effected me and the rest of her family. To those who knew her, Donna was a force to be reckoned with.  Until the very end she was as active as her health would allow and was making plans for the future after I retired this coming December.  We had some adventures planned and I'm sure they would have been amazing.

People, who I know mean well, keep asking me how I'm doing.  There are two answers to that question.  There's the one I always give, which is the one they want to hear.  Basically what you see in the title of the post. "I'm getting by one day at a time."  It makes them feel good I believe and that usually ends the conversation.  The other is one I keep to myself and is the real answer. I'm in a very dark place, one darker and deeper than the one that Donna rescued me from all those years ago.  If not for Kristina and Sarah, I'm not sure I'd really want to 'move on' as I see nothing out there.

Maybe, if I had faith or belief it would be different.  I could pin my hope on some future date when there is some grand reunion in the sky.  I call bullshit on all that and at this point don't care who knows it.

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The Worst Hard Times by Timothy Egan - a review

the worst hard times by Timothy Eagan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We hear a lot about the Great Depression, but the event that truly caused so much hardship for the American people, was not the crash of Wall Street and the banks, but the fact that millions of acres of farmland becoming unusual for years.

Author Timothy Egan utilized interviews with survivors, the diaries and journals of others, plus articles from the newspapers and magazines of the era. Also, going through the reports and papers published by the U.S. government and universities he tells a remarkable tale. Once teeming with millions of buffalo and the home of Native Americans, the U.S. government decided to turn the grasslands of the Great Plains into the farm belt of America.

Egan tells the stories of hundreds (perhaps thousands) of small farms that were urged to plow up the grasslands and turn into the wheat fields that would feed the U.S. Through subsidies and agricultural advice, that turned out to be wrong and even deceitful government and self-interested business people aided in the destruction of an eco-system that had been built over thousands of years. Within half a generation the plains became a desert where the land itself turned deadly.

An amazing story of both courage and enormous stupidity. Also a reminder that the short-term profits that can be made might not be good in the long run. Definitely something that we should be reminded of as things around us seem to be changing and not for the better.


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Bernie Sanders DESTROYS Donald Trump's Speech To Congress

Fallen Navy Seal's Father Wants Trump's "Stupid Mission" Investigated

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Now What? - (This is all political stuff, so you are welcome to ignore it.)

 

Well, it can and it has, hasn't it?  I'm not the only one who thought America had more sense, but was proven wrong once again.  I truly don't know what to say about the results of the election a few weeks ago, although that hasn't stopped me from posting stuff on various social media platforms.  In that way, if no other, I'm like the President-elect.

Demographically I should have been part of those who supported Trump from early on.  I'm a white, Baby Boomer who was raised in a small, town that was 90% or more white while I was growing up.  It wasn't until I was in seventh grade and began attending a larger, middle school in the nearest large city that I had any Black classmates.  I didn't personally know of any Jewish students until I was in high school, although I suppose there had to have been some in middle-school, but not among my friends.

I'm also a veteran and a one-time gun owner, so there should have been something about the Trump agenda to have appealed to me.  The scary part, is that so many of the people I currently know (mostly neighbors in our senior community) were indeed voting for The Donald. Even while saying they scorned or objected to some of the things he said, it was their dislike and distrust of Hillary that seemed to be the main reason for their decision.  That and how much they appeared to dislike, if not outright hate, Obama.

Maybe it was the non-judgmental, pro-Union, Roman Catholic upbringing, most from my mom, but also my father (from whom I get my non-believer genes).  I never heard either ever say anything derogatory about another race or religion. Well, okay, my father did love Polish jokes.

Another thing that I can't understand is how those in my age group, who also lived through the Sixties, ended up going so far to the Right on so many things.  Geez, we were the Peace & Love generation who wanted 'No More War' and mourned the death of Martin Luther King as much as that of Robert Kennedy. What the hell happened to all that?

It's going to be an ugly four years and unless what's left of the Left an the Progressive movements can get much of America off their asses in two years to make some changes, it will be interesting to see what this country I fought for will look like by 2020.  I hope I'm around to find out, but I'm not sure I'll be very happy about it.

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Now what should we do?

Been ages since I've done anything here but re-post YouTube videos on some political topic or other.  Figured I would briefly jump in with my own thoughts on a few things.

On a personal note, Donna and I are battling some health issues, but pulling through.  Been almost exactly a year since my first heart attack and my cardiologist tells me I'm doing fine and don't have to see him until early next year.  Donna is working on several issues and we hope to get things under control for some visits we have planned by family and friends from back east.  Also, we do have plans for later in the year for our anniversary.  Damn, can it really be seventeen years already?  

 Anyone reading this knows my political views already, so no surprise that I'm having trouble convincing myself that Hillary Clinton really deserves or needs my vote.  Yeah, everybody keeps reminding me of my voting for Ralph Nader way back when, but I think the Supreme Court decision on Bush v Gore had more to do with that debacle than my decision.  Right now I'm likely to vote for a 'progressive' Third Party candidate for President and Democrat for the down ticket state & local races.  I can flip a coin on whether to vote for Kamala Harris or Loretta Sanchez to replace Senator Barbara Boxer.  Although, I've actually met Rep. Sanchez in person and she was very, nice. That might be enough to swing my vote.

Going to steer clear of any discussion on the mass shootings, police shootings and the tragedy in Dallas.  Needless to say that these are sad situations and it is horrible that the news each night seems to lead off with at least a couple of shootings somewhere in Southern California, let alone around the country.  No matter what your stand on gun ownership and laws I think we can all agree that it appears the whole country is loosing its mind.

Stay safe and stay healthy!  I'll try to post again in a few weeks, or you can see what I'm up to over at Shot's Shack.  I'm sure I'll have plenty to say about San Diego Comic-Con International, as I'll be there once again next week.

Chelsea Manning Attempts Suicide In Prison

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Last Week Tonight With John Oliver - NRA part 2

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver - NRA part 2

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver - NRA part 1

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver - NRA part 1

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Anonymous Declares Total War on Donald Trump *NEW 2016*

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Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Encryption (HBO)

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What the Hell is going on? A few comments on politics.

It's usually pretty easy to ignore the primaries for both major parties, but beginning with the announcement by Donald Trump that he would run for the GOP nomination it became impossible.  What started out as comedy, for who among us thought he would actually get as far as the debates before growing bored, became anything but as The Donald actually began to be taken seriously by a large part of the Republican base.  We're not laughing anymore.

To me the most frightening part is that people whom I like and consider friends, are actually saying that they might vote for Trump.   They agree that he is over the top on much that he says, but they are rightly angered at politics as usual as we are seeing it performed in Washington and around the country.  If Trump were running on some minor Third party ticket we could still find his quest somewhat amusing, but the fact that the U.S. is for the most part a two-party country he might very well be the Republican nominee.  By the way, if you sit down and read the Constitution you won't find Political Parties mentioned in there, this might come as a surprise to a great many people who just accept the Democrats and Republicans as a natural part of our system.  I don't believe I realized this until I was in high school and one of my history teachers spoke about just that.

Anybody who knows me can pretty well guess where I stand on the political scale.  The fact that I support Bernie Sanders, certainly shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.  Sadly, I expect that by the time the primaries get around to California the choice will pretty much have been made, which seems to be the case and frankly makes no sense.  Why do two very important and populace states like New York and California get in rather late, with NY voting in April and California sitting it out until June?  In the case of this election both major parties might already be made in a choice terms of delegates.  How do places like Iowa, South Carolina and the rest get to make the decisions?  Call it bias, I guess, having lived in both of the states I mentioned.

It's still early, but the GOP seems to be in the midst of self-destructing and many Democrats appear to be happy with things remaining status quo.  This old Progressive/Liberal may be about to bail finally. Voting the lesser of two evils really doesn't seem to me what democracy is all about.

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I had to share this!!

THE 10 WORST MOVIES OF 2015!

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens Finn TV Spot (Official)

Can't begin to tell you how excited I am for this movie.  Yeah, I know I'm not the only one, but I remember being at the San Diego Comic Con back in '76 when the first film was being promoted.  Who knew back then how it was going to impact the world?

Anyway, I already have my tickets for opening night and have even taken the day off from work so that I'll have plenty of time to geek out before going to the theater with family.  I've already been told that I'm not allowed to wear my Star Trek t-shirt, even as a joke. Ah, well!

Semi-bi-annual Checking In Post

Things have been pretty crazy the past few months. Both Donna and I had some health issues which are improving.  Work continues to be a bit crazy with my immediate supervisor retiring and the Library Director soon following her out the door.  It will be interesting to see who replaces who either permanently or on a temporary basis.

Harder to believe is that in a few weeks Donna and I will be celebrating another anniversary.  Then in December I'm actually going to be turning 65.  Holy crap! I honestly have to say that there have been some periods, earlier in my life and certainly just a few months ago, when I didn't think I was going to make it.  It certainly has been hard to ignore, since a week hasn't gone by the past few months where I didn't get at least one letter or phone call reminding me that I'll soon be eligible for Medicare. Damn!  Now I know I'm getting old.

The holidays will be here before you know it and I don't know that we're going to be doing much, if anything to decorate the place.  Probably get a few gifts for each other, just so we have something to exchange, but I think we're both too frazzled from everything else going on to really think much about that.

Although this is the spot where I'd get political, I'm pretty tired of the Presidential race already, and we have close to a year before we really have to make a serious decision.

Unless something unforeseen happen it's going to be Hillary on the Democratic side, although I'm going to be voting for Bernie Sanders come the primary out here in California.  I've got months before I really have to decide if I'm voting for Hillary or going to go Third Party.  As of now I will probably vote other than Democrat for the top of the ticket.  Mrs. Clinton doesn't even give me the glimmer of hope I had when I voted for Obama.

Far wiser folks area discussing what happened in Paris and any possible response to that, so it doesn't pay for me to throw my two cents into the matter.  My heart goes out to the families and friends of those killed and wounded during the attacks.  I can only hope that the authorities are able to stop any further events like the ones we witnessed last week.

I think I'm going to call it quits for now.  Take care!

Troll Tricks Clueless HLN Anchor

My Heart and Me - Part Two

This took me much longer to get to than I had planned.  Vacation and a number of work projects put this on the back burner.  I also think that much of this is old news to folks who read my Facebook posts, so there was no need to go into all that detail over again.

This is going to be a real quick report on what happened to me during my four hospital visits and what has occurred since.

My first hospital visit, following what was indeed a heart attack, ended with me being released following an angiogram.  That had been through my groin and I was out for the entire thing. Doctors felt that medication would take care of any problem and it was safe for me to go home.  This was on Monday afternoon.

Tuesday morning found me back in an ambulance and being rushed back to the hospital following a repeat of the symptoms I had had on Saturday morning.  Not a happy camper.

This time another cardiologist told me that after reviewing my films and test results he felt that I did, in fact, need at least one stint.  Another angiogram was performed, this time going through my right wrist and I was awake through the entire thing. To be honest, until they entered my heart I didn't feel a thing. When they got to the blockage it felt exactly as it had when I had my heart attack.  Pretty scary for a few seconds, but once the stint was in place I was fine. I spent the night and was released the next day.

I was told to stay out of work for a couple of weeks and that I should limit my activity to short works twice a day.  This lasted a couple of weeks and then i was told I could begin cardio rehab.  This is basically a gym workout on various pieces of equipment, while being attached to a heart monitor and having your blood pressure check before, during and after you exercise.  The first two times were fine and I had no problems.  Unfortunately, the night after the second session I once more began having pains in the evening and had my third trip to the ER.  I spent another night hooked up to various machines and having my vitals and blood work taken every six hours. While the day shift doctor assigned to my case felt I should stay a second night, my cardiologist and the doctor who initially admitted me felt my tests were not indicating a problem with my heart so I was released again.

About a week later I was finally able to get back to work and couldn't be happier.  I went to my regular cardio rehab session in the morning and then drove to work for the evening shift.  I was fine and went home where I had dinner.  Of course, about an hour later I was once more having pains, taking nitro and waiting for the EMS folks (who by now were calling me by my first name) to swing by for a familiar ride.

A night and most of the day spent having multiple tests proved only that it was not my heart time out, but a gastro problem, brought on possibly by my acid reflux (something I have been on medication for for several years) or possible gall stones.

We now are at the point where I am awaiting more tests for my gastro problems, continuing my cardio rehab and working my old schedule at work.  I've lost over eighteen pounds so far and actually feel pretty good after I finish my exercise routine.  I'm about half way through the program and will have to continue on my own in a couple of months.  Fortunately, our complex has a really nice gym and has almost the identical equipment that I use already.  Just a matter of having Donna check my blood pressure and keeping away from all the tasty stuff that is no longer allowed.

That does it for now.  I'll try to keep you all updated and hope that things continue on the plus side.

My Heart and Me

I've gone over the story of my heart attack and recovery a number of times, but never written much about it.  Also, this blog has pretty much been sitting unused for months and this sort of thing fits better here than over on Shot's Shack anyway.  I'm not naming any of the doctors or nurses that treated me, only the hospitals.  In general I can't say anything really bad about the nurses and attendants at either place.

I'm going to be honest and say that having a heart attack was both a surprise and not a complete shock. Nobody sits around waiting for one to happen, but considering my 'lifestyle' it was only a matter of time, I suppose.  I've always been overweight, except for the years I was in the service and a few years after graduating from college. The same goes for any type of exercise, which I pretty much vowed never to do again once my enlistment was up.

On July 31st (a Friday evening), I developed a headache and a short time later pains in my chest.  It wasn't the sharp pain you'd probably recognize, but rather a heaviness. Like a band was across the upper part of my chest making it difficult to breath.  I didn't connect the two and thought the tightness was just indigestion from our earlier take-out dinner.  I took some Tylenol and some Pepto Bismol before going to bed.  I had a difficult night, waking up a few times soaked in sweat.  I just changed my t-shirt and went back to bed.  I got up early on Saturday morning, as I was scheduled to go to work.

I still had the headache and "indigestion" so took some more Pepto.  I told Donna I wasn't feeling good and explained the symptoms.  She took my blood pressure, which wasn't really that high, but she suggested I stay home.  We went back and forth, but I finally agreed to call in.  I said I'd go to a 'walk-in' clinic later.  While I was getting dressed to drive there, Donna called 911 and before you know it there was a fire engine and ambulance pulling up in front.  We are pretty much right between two fire houses, so the response time is generally good.  Of course, being in a 'senior community' as we are the 1st Responders are pretty familiar with the neighborhood.

When the EMS folks got there they took my vitals and were pretty sure that I was having a heart attack.  I was given a spray of nitroglycerin and some 'baby' aspirin, then I walked myself downstairs and got on the stretcher, since I did feel a little better. We have been to Mission Hospital before in the ER and know some doctors and nurses who work there.  It isn't far, even without the ambulance using lights or siren. I was immediately brought into a room in the ER and hooked up to even more monitors.  The IV the EMS guys had given me was removed and another placed, plus I was immediately put on oxygen for the first of several times.

One of the cardiologists came in later and spoke to Donna and I.  He told me that they would be performing an angiogram on me the following day.  By this point, to my surprise, Kristina and Sarah showed up.  I felt bad that they had driven up from San Diego, but can't deny it made me feel good to have all my girls with me.  Donna told me later that the cardiologist had pulled her and Kristina aside and told them that they might be scheduling me for open heart surgery.  Just as well I was kept in the dark about that.  I was scared enough.

I'll have more about this in the next day or so.  I promise that this won't be as long as my San Diego Comic-con report. :-)

Still here, I guess

If I checked my dashboard I would know the last time I updated this thing, but I'm sure it's been months.  I always feel bad, since when I started out this blog was a nice opportunity to get things online.  Now it's one of those things I don't recall until I get a message from someone asking me if I still do it.

It really has been a very busy year, what with Kristina's marriage, some illnesses and just life in general.  After the wedding the death of our beloved cat, Babie, is the event that we'll remember about 2014.  Still hard to believe that the furry little girl that shared our home for almost fifteen years won't be with us as we get through the holidays.  We're not sure if we want to go through the emotions of getting another housemate right now.  Donna and I go back and forth on the issue, so I'll probably let you know when we make the decision.

We're going to spend some of the holidays with the ladies and some on a short cruise.  Got a deal that was hard to refuse, so we didn't even try.  As the Orange Public Library will be closing from Christmas Eve until January 5th, we will probably get in a few games of Bingo.  Maybe even a trip to one of the casinos, but there are enough places nearby that have the game so taking a few hours to travel to one of the Indian casinos really isn't necessary.

Hard to believe that I'm actually sixty-four now and that next year I'll be officially old!  Let me tell you, there sure have been a few times along the way when I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it this far, let alone to the age when all the places around here will give you the Senior Discount.  When you live this close to what was once Leisure World (now Laguna Hills), one of the largest 'senior communities' in Orange County hitting 55 or even 60 doesn't get you that special menu at Denny's.

I always promise to write these more often, but I'm not going to do that this time around.  Most of you folks are keeping tabs on me with Facebook, Twitter or Google +, so we're not going to be strangers.

Donna and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year and a very Happy Festivus, for the rest of us!

Another "I forgot it is here" installment

I'm afraid to even look back to see how long it's been since I last posted here.  I see that in Shot's Shack it was shortly after the last San Diego Comic Con. I normally do both blogs one after the other or within a day or so, this probably means the last PARTING SHOTS around the same time.  Lots of has happened since then, but in a way things remain pretty much the same.

I'm still working at the City of Orange Public Library, here in Orange, CA.  Donna and I are still living in Lake Forest and we're happy knowing that Kristina is happy living in San Diego with Sarah.

At this point I don't know that I have anything to add to the political conversations going on in the country.  I'm disappointed in some of the things that President Obama has done, and disgusted by what the GOP (the political party my father identified with, but never registered with) has become.  It is now home to the most vile folks not hiding under white robes.  Anti-gay/choice/education/science/regulations but pro-gun, so that makes them pretty popular with a certain segment of the population. They are also believers in that gun-toting, friend of the rich, Jesus Christ, so right is on their side.

Once again, just a reminder that if you really want to keep up with me you can find me on Twitter and Facebook.  If I'm not busy with Farmville or #FollowFriday, I might even respond to something you post.

Take care and see you in a few months.

Quickie comments on recent events (Delayed from original posting date.)

Mixed opinions from the Supreme Court this week on a couple of major issues. 

Thumbs down for their decision on the Voting Rights Act, which will provide cover to the Republican legislatures in some states to further block the rights of those who may not vote they way they like (i.e. Democratic/Progressive).  Texas jumped right into it within a few hours and we can expect other states to do the same.  Have to protect their 'majorities', after all.

Much better news for the equal rights of gays & lesbians. Prop 8 is done for and it seems, from polls, that something like that will never be able to get passed here again.  I would not be surprised if some GOP legislators try to get something before the California House, but it wouldn't get far.  Sadly, states will still be able to individually ban gay marriage and not recognize those performed in other states, but the tide is turning
on this issue.

                                 

I admit to mixed feelings regarding the Edwin Snowden affair.  I think most of us knew the government was watching over us, but were a bit surprised by how much they were.  For that we should be grateful that it has become public and perhaps something can be done to curb the practice.  On the other hand, I'm certainly not going to call him a 'hero' as he basically took it on the lamb after spilling the beans.  The places he first went to indicate to me he is going to hand over information to folks not known for their own interest in civil liberties and freedom of speech.

That's it for me for today.

Just some misc. stuff

I hope to finally get around to doing my San Diego Comic-Con report over on Shot's Shack, but just had some non-comics stuff to say.

I have sympathy for my friends & family in Norwich, CT.  I just saw on the news this morning that they have had heavy rains and flooding the past couple of days.  My family had to leave our Bolduc Lane house three times, while I was growing up, due to the Shetucket River overflowing its banks.  I was too young to recall the first time, but old enough the other two times to help my mom pack some stuff.  Once we actually had to be rescued by firemen in a rowboat, since we had hoped to wait for my father to get home from where he had been working. That time my parents had to replace just about eveything due to water damage in our first floor apartment.  Fortunately, I have heard from my nephew Teddy's wife, Autumn, that they are all fine and suffered no damage.

Not so much sympathy, but I also feel bad for my friends in NYC who had been supporters of Carlos Danger...er, I mean Anthony Weiner. Wow! The guy has really doomed himself, at least politically.  He was actually leading in the polls by double digits, but this latest revelation has dropped him by more than that.  I think for his own good and for his family, he should pack it in (no pun) and leave the Mayoral race to other candidates.  Why split the Dem vote when we know the GOP will be shoveling millions into the up-coming campaign?

Yeah, that's what I did on Thursday night of Comic-Con!  Having a few beers before and after certainly didn't hurt.  Silly, perhaps but something I have wanted to do for years.  Donna, Kristina & Sarah convinced me it was time to do it or shut up about it.

Later, folks!!

STACKRIDGE Stackridge 09 Slark

 A song I fell in love with back in the early '70s.  You don't have to be in an altered state to enjoy it either. :-)