Breaking News from OOIDA

B E E C R I S I S!!
Yes, that "association" we love to hate - the one with the ACORN membership numbers - remember, we said we're sure Mickey Mouse is a member - the deceased Walt Disney as well - is now in a "Special Series" - reporting:
Editor’s note: Staff Writer Clarissa Kell-Holland searches for answers from OOIDA member David Hackenberg of Lewisburg, PA, who is credited with discovering colony collapse disorder or CCD, a mystery that is decimating bee hives worldwide."

Holy *Apis mellifera Linnaeus!

Are these OOIDA people insane? Hey, I love bees and honey - especially on my fried chicken - the honey not the bees - but take this "report" somewhere else. OOIDA apparently doesn't have enough time on its hands. Next they're going to have Dave Sweeney do an interview with a honey bee. It would certainly be a lot more interesting than anything else he's done recently. Let's get a few bees on with that boring Evan Lockridge show. Forget about the real issues, let's report on the plight of the freak'n bees.

You know what OOIDA is? It's a sham. Four days from one of the most important elections of our time and they're doing a story on bees? The two lead items on their web site are about "speed limiters" in Canada. WHO CARES? Next item a "quickie" on "trucking" failures and then in bold - the SPECIAL SERIES - BEE CRISIS.

Don't be shocked the next time a bee flies in your cab and it has a little black OOIDA jacket on. How many honey bees are there in the world - billions? Trillions? Well, watch that ACORN OOIDA membership number go up to reflect their new "buzzing" members.

* scientific name for the honey bee - go to http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg341.html for more information - that's also where I got the photo

Stupid people...get the Hummer out?

So gas is cheaper. Some guy on the radio said he's going to take his Hummer out of the garage and replace it with his other smaller more fuel efficient car. The one he's been driving since the price of gas shot up. 

Herein lies the problem with "our" energy problem. I liked it when gas was $4. It should have gone to $5. There were fewer cars on the road. Demand for fuel went down. Supply went up. The price dropped. OPEC was getting pissed. 

But, because Americans use gasoline like it was the addictive drug cocaine, out come the Hummers. So here we go again. Why the hell can't you people leave the damn fuel inefficient cars in the garage. Better yet get rid of them, and never buy another one again. 

Have you listened to the "typical" car commercial lately. They're not selling cars - they're selling $40,000 Bluetooths. They don't mention fuel efficiency or how long the engine will last or whether or not the paint job will remain shiny as long as you own the car. They don't promise that their dealerships will not screw the public with loan shark financing or shady deals. They don't offer better "after-the-sale" service where your car will be quickly repaired as good as new without having to wait for some obscure part for a week. No, its the pretty model in high heels and a slinky dress demonstrating the built in GPS to find a restaurant. 

No President can solve the problem of stupid people - people who think this is some kind of game. I personally would love to NEVER hear anything about the Middle East again - ever. I don't care if Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Syria all murder each other. They can choke on their oil If we were smart, we would have weened ourselves off OPEC's oil nipple long ago. But we can't do it if the stupid people are going to get the Hummer out!

The photo by V. Grumpy at the Love's Oklahoma City, OK.  

Disgusting...

I'm headed back out to Oklahoma City for delivery tomorrow morning of the roofing material I have on board. My check this Friday is actually going to be pretty good, certainly better than anything recently and higher than a typical last week of October as compared to previous years.

As I've mentioned before, most of what I'm transporting is commercial roofing supplies. If I can get a good run over the weekend that means another decent paycheck next week. Be nice to catch up with bills before Christmas. And just for the record diesel is $2.89 a gallon here in Oklahoma.

Ok, Howard Stern. Shock jock. $500 million dollars worth of satellite radio "talent." Well, I'm a pretty "liberal" guy. But "his" show today was - and I never thought I'd say this - absolutely disgusting. And I turned it off. And for those of you who like such filth, then I'm sure you enjoyed all four or more hours of it. But I didn't. 

What really bothers me about Howard Stern is that he is really talented. He can also be extremely entertaining. But then, he is also, strangely, annoying and vile. And, as evidenced by today's performance, he can be really disgusting. And I truly feel, there is no need for it, whatsoever.

He doesn't need to go so over the top "dirty" to be great. He can just sit there and talk for hours on end - without any guests or anyone else around - and he would be just awesome. Add in his long time right hand - Robin - and it would be more entertaining. Another one of his "side kicks" - Artie Lang - I used to enjoy. But he is an admitted alcoholic, heroine addict, compulsive gambler and liar. And I no longer find him entertaining in the least. He, we can do without. 

Again BUT - this is a man - Howard Stern - who despite all his wealth and success - despite just marrying the beautiful Beth O. - needs to be in therapy 3-4 times a week. And it seems he just can't help himself - he has to go over to the dark side and be vile and disgusting. And as with Mr. Lange, I no longer find it entertaining, on any level.

I'm not even going to dignify what happened on the show today. It "centered" around the display and weighing of human waste. Enough said. He did have one guest - Tracy Morgan - who was equally disgusting. I've now used the word disgusting many times in this short post. I just can't come up with any other emotion that describes how "disgusting" I felt the show was. I literally became ill after a few minutes. 

Being a huge supporter of free speech, I support Stern's right to be disgusting. And I'm just going to shut up about it and listen to something else. 

Great Letter to the Editor...

I saw this in the Thursday 10/21/08 edition of The Wall St. Journal - it is a letter to the editor written by a Vern Mastel of Bismark, ND. 

"Let's get this right. In exchange for their experience and skills, Wall St. CEOs and managers are paid millions, tens of millions, and in several cases, hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation ("Lower Salaries Could Cost Wall Street," Money & Investing, Oct. 15). What leadership? What expertise? How could lower-priced leadership be any worse for Wall Street?"

"Under their leadership the stock prices prices of the major Wall St. firms have fallen by 40% to 80% in the past several years; they paid top dollar for truckloads of worthless debt paper; their companies created obtuse, impenetrable financial instruments called Structured Investment Vehicles and Collateralized Debt Obligations that they cannot explain to each other, much less the financial world at large; and they eagerly loaned massive amounts of money to anyone with a pulse."

"These guys aren't leaders, they aren't qualified to be CEO's and they haven't earned the money they've received. I submit that, if required to do so, these guys couldn't lead a Boy Scout troop out of a brightly lit, unlocked room."

The "mini" copy of the front page of the Journal is from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal

Listen Joe, just answer the questions...

Now Syria?

I'm parked tonight at the T/A in Matthews, MO - right off I55, where the few women that work here have absolutely NO personality. 

The female clerk in the "store" was coughing up "loogies" and when I asked her if she was ok, gave me the "evil" eye and said nothing. I guess it's been years since she had any sex. At least the damn steak in the restaurant was good. But $15.99 for Delo? Couldn't wait for Wal-Mart. 

Ok, Syria. Nobody seems to have all the details yet. This is one of those stories that could disappear real quick with the election, that pretty blond news reporter being murdered in Little Rock and the Jennifer Hudson killings and alleged kidnapping,all leading the hourly news.  

It would seem "our guys" were "working" far North on the Iraqi - Syria border. CNN says one thing, FOX something else, The New York Times - I don't really understand what they were saying - and Yahoo News, I don't trust. It sounds like we were "patching" up a "hole" in the border used by terrorists. Something like the "hole" between Mexico and Texas, Arizona, etc. You get the idea.

The Syrian state news agency - SANA - gave some "details", but whatever they say is most likely lying twisted propaganda. Whatever is going on, as usual, I say ooh-rah to our armed forces up there and wish them well. Let's never forget - the only good terrorist is a dead terrorist. 

And just for your information - over in Pakistan - where that government refuses to let our military conduct ground operations against terrorists - the CIA has launched 18 unmanned Predator strikes against Al Qaeda. 

We have to agree on this for sure - Either President Obama or McCain must come up with a clear and aggressive strategy to deal with terrorists in Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Bush seems - all of a sudden - to now be listening to these "governments" whining about our military conducing "defensive" operations against the terrorists that their providing a safe haven to. 

This is b.s. If you - Syria, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan - provide any type of "home" for terrorists - we will go after them by whatever means necessary - air, sea and land. Do not stand in our way. 

I'll have to get back to you on the photo credit - "they" are members of our elite Special Forces Command - but it was not taken in the Middle East. 

PS/I've driven close to 1850 miles since Friday morning. My butt is kill'n me. This will be my fourth week OTR. I'm not scheduled to be back in FL until about the 18th of November. I've seen so many Law and Order shows, I'd love to take a break from truck'n and "work" that Little Rock murder case. 

It's so bad, it's just bad...

Lovely Rawlings, WY. 7000 feet up off I-80. I can't stand the altitude. My head feels like a balloon and my eyes burn from no humidity. Why the hell would anybody want to live here? 

The "crowd" inside the Flying J here are locals - middle class oil field working families mostly dressed in camo from Cabela's. Looks like they're all holding on to their guns and God for dear life. Nobody seems especially happy. I know I'm not cause the freak'n altitude is kill'n me. If I wasn't so damn tired, I would drive down closer (lower) to sea level. 

I'm under a load, by the way, from Salt Lake City, UT to Senatobia, MS. And with my morning joe, I'm listening to Neil Cavuto on Fox. 

So, let's talk about this Cavuto guy. In my opinion, of course, Fox tends to hire and promote folks with little or no talent - actually that's not true - whatever talent is these days - the ability to read a TelePrompter and smile in front of a television audience I guess is talent - then these "Fox" guys and gals possess it. The Fox gals have the added value of looking good in short skirts. 

But this "talent" does not make them good or for that matter "journalists." And Cavuto is no exception. Why he is where he is, is a mystery to me. I would think there are a thousand other guys who could and would do a better job. But, Fox management seems to like the "stars" of the "B" team. I think it would be better said that he is "safe." By constantly interrupting his guests with "probing" questions, he passes as "somewhat" intelligent. He is annoying like Brian Kilmeade of Fox and Friends, but not over the top. Again, safe. Combine that with a starched blue shirt, red tie and nice blue suit with a clean shaven school boy fat face and glasses, and poof - you have the "perfect" Fox anchor. 

And this morning, with my cup of joe, hot Flying J breakfast sandwich and my head and eyes suffering in the 7000 foot altitude, Cavuto had on "Joe" the plumber. And Cavuto says to "Joe" (I don't give a shit what his real name is) the plumber - "When things ain't good, they're going to get badder." Badder? Bad-der? Bad-er? Did he (Cavuto) mean "worse" or "better?" Who the hell knows. 

Cavuto goes on to ask "Joe" - "Joe, what's the market say to you?" Joe blabbers something about something saying something about "q-pons." Did he mean "coupons?" Who the hell knows. "Joe" went on to say that he is "pondering" (my word, not "Joe's") running for Congress. He denies any "influence" by any Republicans. "Joe" the plumber needs to take a long walk on a very short pier. He should take Cavuto with him. 

After (or before, I don't really remember) "Joe", Cavuto was "talking" to one of Fox's, "foxy" reporterettes - Dagan McDowell - her "specialty" is business news and armed with an art history degree from Wake Forest and no executive management experience she's certainly an "expert" in business and the economy.

Seems she's in Times Square. Not far, I'm sure, from where she's going afterwards to get her hair and nails done. And she says: "What better place to gauge the [something?] of America." She concludes after talking to some folks: "There's light at the end of the tunnel Neil." 

What the hell is she talking about? Times Square is the last place I would send a "reporterette" to get the "pulse" of the American public. A far better place would be the Flying J right herea where I am in "lovely" Rawlings, WY - 7000 feet up in the freak'n sky where, as far as I can tell, nobody sees any damn light at the end of the tunnel!

Another Fox "reporterette" - first name - Chevon - I didn't catch the last name - said that in response to a question about what's "next" for the economy "there's a more iky-ness to go." Do I really need to add anything here? 

This whole Cavuto nonsense is a waste of time for anyone with any intelligence whatsoever. It has no value. It's so bad, it's just bad.

PS/I was kind to Cavuto by posting a decent photo of him - go to the Fox Business News web site - he looks like a moron there. That's http://www.foxbusiness.com/our-team/personalities/index.html 

Republicans are all morons...

It's bad enough I have to put with Nancy Pilosi, Barney Frank and other Democrats. But, I have watched the Republicans very closely ever since this election "process" began. And I have never heard such whiny, scared, shallow, finger-pointing lying idiots. I am so fed up with all of them, I need a shower to try and cleanse myself of their evil stench. 

Every day another Republican clown, whether it be a Governor, Mayor, Representative, Senator or whatever - actor or the latest "spokesperson" - pops out of the wood work to spew the "party-line" stupidity in front of the camera. It only just takes a few seconds before I  say to myself: "What a moron - are these people kidding?"

And with the election now less than two weeks away they're everywhere. And the equally idiotic media that supports them - millionaires Shawn Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingram, Bill O'Reilly and others are just tripping all over themselves to give "them" air time. OMG. How can any sane person listen to this drivel and go into a voting booth or fill out an absentee ballot and vote for a Republican. How can anyone possibly associate themselves with these dinosaur brain people who go to church on Sunday and then screw you on Monday? 

These Republicans don't give a crap about you. They don't care about your "small" business. They don't care about your health insurance. Are you stupid? Since when have Republicans cared about anything else other than big business? NEVER. If it's convenient they'll raise your taxes faster than a NY minute, while letting corporations run wild - unregulated - screwing you - "Joe" and "Jane" the whatever - in the process.  

You have to be a blithering idiot to think that Obama is a Muslim, a socialist, doesn't believe in supporting small business, will raise taxes without good reason or do anything else that the insane scared racist Republican Conservatives say he will. I don't give a rats ass about Bill Ayers, Reverend whatever or Acorn. All irrelevant. Smoke and mirrors. And, "these" desperate Republicans want us all to conveniently forget the last eight years and George Bush. I won't.

Sen. McCain was one of the good guy's before he sold his soul to the (devil) Republican Conservative far right wing loons. Let's leave Gov. Palin out of this. She is just a innocent victim caught up in the tidal wave of instant fame and popularity. And "Joe" the plumber? Poor idiot. A dumb sucker who got snagged by the hook, line and sinker of the RNC to be used and abused for a few days because poor Sen. McCain was out of material. Apparently they're done with "Joe" now and he can slither back into obscurity. I despise what Sen. McCain did to him. But in selling his soul, Sen. McCain takes orders, he doesn't give them. And, he morphed from a maverick into a pawn who doesn't seem to know his right from his left. 

How can anyone vote for a candidate who can't even run his own damn campaign? And this is the person you expect to be Commander-in-Chief? Give me a break. This is absurd. Scum like Dennis Miller, a nobody, who also sold his soul to the devil for air time, voted for the Senator because he was a former POW. What? This is just the type of lunacy I've had to listen to. I have to seriously question this persons agenda? What's his contract with the devil say he'll get? 

Again, the Democrats are bad enough, but Republicans - holy smokes. From what I've seen during this campaign - along with what "they" did the last eight years  - "they" don't deserve anything but my contempt, anger and complete rejection. 

The photo credit is -  http://www.paralada.org/Estonia_self/Estonia_htm/SWgeekhtm/TheDevilGA/DevilGA03.html 

My mind drifts away... (Oakley, KS)

to some other place when I listen to what previously had been some of my favorite radio shows - like Bill O'Reilly and Lou Dobbs. In fact, I can't listen to anything on Fox, CNN or NPR anymore. My mind has shut down to anything related to politics. 

I turn a satellite channel on and start to listen. But after about a minute or two I've gone somewhere else. I try to refocus on what their saying, but can't. I can only listen to music. I've also returned to shows that I used to listen to such as Derek & Romaine on Out Q Sirius 109 and Whatever on Martha Stewart channel 112. Anytime anything related to the election is brought up, I have to go switch to something else. 

Next Presidential election, Mrs. Grumpy and I are going to leave the country. We've become much too involved and are kind of burnt out. We wanted to vote for our candidates weeks ago. Anything that either party brings up now goes in one ear and out the other. 

I suspect there are a lot of folks who feel the same way.  There's lot of good radio out there and this is great time to (re) discover it. I skipped all the "evening" news talking heads the other night, dusted off my DVD player and put in Iron Man. Loved it, although I fell asleep 1/2 way through. I replayed it the next day and saw the whole thing. Tonight it's Rambo. 

PS/Right now I'm in Oakley, KS at the "Mittens" T/A off I70. I'm back out West. I'm sitting here in the front seat and there's a rain/hail storm going on outside. The temperature is dropping - it's about 46 degrees right, now according to the truck thermometer. I think with the wind blowing it's probably colder. It is thundering and lightning and small sized hail stones are bouncing off the windshield and the body of the truck. There are actual tumbleweeds blowing (don't see them back East) across the parking lot. I'm headed in the morning to Casper, WY for delivery of the pipe I have on the trailer Thursday morning 8am. I have no idea if I'll have to sit all weekend there until another load is available. I haven't seen weather like this in a long time. I've certainly never seen lightning like this. At least it makes the evening interesting. I might pass on that Rambo DVD and just look out the bunk window until I fall asleep. 

No not him...

George Bush I mean. He's got about 3 months more to go until he's on his horse and goes back to Crawford, TX. In that time, he and his remaining "cronies" can still do a lot of damage when we're all not watching. Just like "tricky" Dick Nixon. We've all got to keep an "eye" on 'ole Georgie. 

For example, those "last minute" Presidential pardons. Remember back before Clinton left - "Pardon gate?" He pardoned Marc Rich (tax evasion), Linda Sue Evans and Susan Rosenberg (Weather Underground) and Roger Clinton, his brother of drug charges. More information about the 140 folks he pardoned, follow this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_pardons_controversy 

Will Bush pardon Lewis "Scooter" Libby? How about Roger Clemens? No, he doesn't have to be charged with anything to receive a "Presidential" pardon. What about Marion Jones? How about US Customs agents Ramos and Compean? We do not know yet.

There is a good article on Bush's last 100 days here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27135448/

Sirius/XM Update....

Remember all the hub-bub about the merger between XM and Sirius? Well, unless you've been out of the country out of touch, you know that this merger did go through. And recently the new entity -  Sirius/XM - so clever! -  announced their new "combo" - the "best of" packages.  It is also know as "a la carte" programming.

If you're a Sirius subscriber and want to upgrade your service to include the "best-of" XM it will cost you $16.99 a month. For a mere $4.04 more a month you will be able to listen to Oprah and her buddies, I mean "friends", the NBA, Opie & Anthony, the NHL hockey), the PGA (golf), Bob Edwards - XM pubic radio and "college sports." 

If you're an XM subscriber you can also upgrade your service for $16.99 (also $4.04 more a month) to get the "best-of" Sirius. You will now be able to hear both of the Howard Stern channels - 100 and 102 - which includes "Bubba-the-love-Sponge" and wild-man Ferrell (sports), NASCAR, Martha Stewart and the Playboy Channel. 

Honestly it is the XM subscribers who are getting the best of the deal. Who cares about Oprah? I've never listened to Opie & Anthony and don't care to. How can anyone listen to golf on the radio? It's boring enough on television. And I personally don't need another NPR type station - Sirius already has two. 

As far as new equipment is concerned, TSS Radio is offering the Starmate 5 ST5TK1 for $129.99. It supports all this new Sirius/XM "a la carte" programming that I just described. I still use an old Sirius Streamer GT that I bought with my T/A points for $49.99. I have no plans to replace it. And I am NOT "upgrading" my service to get the XM "stuff." If you need a new radio to listen to Sirius/XM you're on your own. Here are some links you can go to for more information:

http://www.tss-radio.com/

http://www.xmradio.com/

http://www.sirius.com/

** the photo is of who else? Oprah and her "close" friend Gale King. 

Identifying "pissers" one truck at a time...

USA Truck #8362. The T/A at Beto Junction, KS. A beautiful fall day - 78 degrees, windy, a few wispy clouds. This USA Truck is to my right. We're both about 25 yards from Wendy's - about 35 yards from main building. I've been inside both several times the last 36 hours. There just happens to be an actual rest room in Wendy's and a large men's room (actually two) inside the T/A. But, the driver of this truck, who is not handicapped, just can't seem to make his way to those restrooms. He got out, stood in between his tractor and trailer, took out his "pecker" and relieved himself in broad daylight. About 10 yards away, there are civilians, buses, RV's and women and children passing by. I want to thank him and USA Truck for advancing the image of the American trucker to the traveling public. Oh, something else, this"pig"- aka - the driver - is a chain smoker extraordinaire - and when he's done the butts are continuously dropped to the pavement. And no, I did not ask his permission to photograph him and his truck - screw 'em

** Photo by V. Grumpy using a Pentax K100 SLR digital camera using a 55mm telephoto lens. 

To Mrs.Grumpy...

"You're 1500 miles away.

In the land of sun and palms.

And at least a thousand times

I’ve thought of you

But the reason why I’m broken

 - the reason why I cry

Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home’s where my heart is then

 I’m out of place

Lord won’t you give me strength

 to make it through somehow

I‘ve never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord because I don’t understand Your ways

The reason why I wonder if I’ll ever know

But even if You showed me the hurt would be the same

Because I’m still here so far away from home."

Based on the Lyrics/Song "Homesick" by MercyMe http://mercyme.org/main/lyrics

Eloquent...Gen. Powell endorses Sen. Obama

OOIDA. I just don't get it....

So I told you recently I let my OOIDA membership expire, since I didn't want to pay $45 to renew it. I used the money instead - actually $12.50 - to join up with AARP. 

OOIDA must use the same techniques as ACORN vis a vis it's membership. I'm probably still counted as a member of OOIDA, even though I'm not. I have NEVER been once contacted by OOIDA asking me why I didn't renew or offering a special "deep recession" discount on their $45 membership fee to sign up again. I've always wondered how "valid" their actual membership numbers are. How many of its "members" are not driving any more or even better, dead. Could Mickey Mouse be an OOIDA member?

So I pulled into this "truck" only rest area on I70 around MM (that's mile marker for you civilians) 30. There were about 5 cars parked there - so much for trucks only. The place is filled with huge potholes. It's looks more like a T/A truck stop. And then I saw this OOIDA sign. That's it in the picture. 

Read it. I'll wait. ------ Ok thanks. Did you notice - small thing - responsible is spelled incorrectly? - reponsible. I wonder how many OOIDA management and staff looked at this sign before it was posted? I don't know how long it was been up. I wonder why OOIDA hasn't correct it? Whatever, it just makes them look stupid. I wonder if Dave Sweetman ever stopped by there and noticed the misspelling? Maybe he can do a Land Line column about it - NOT!

But more to my point - I guess without my $45 OOIDA can't manage to fix this dreadful mess up. Go down to Lowe's and Home Depot - get some asphalt - and fill those potholes. And someone has to empty those garbage cans overflowing all over the place. 

This "eyesore" has nothing to do with messy truckers throwing piss bottles in the grass - it has everything to do with OOIDA not taking care of business - just like not contacting me to re-up. What does the membership department do there other than send out OOIDA decals? By the way, my carrier has issued a policy not permitting any decals - OOIDA included - on its trucks. 

OOIDA is just not, I guess, reponsible - enough.

I don't think so...

I spent $65.98 at Wal-Mart the other day. I probably spend well over $5,000 a year there, at locations all across the US. And for that, I've been harassed more there, than at any weigh station, shipper or receiver or rest area.

The Wal-Mart I shopped at was located in Schererville IN, about 35 miles south of Chicago. It wasn't one of those huge "super-centers." The parking lot was 1/2 full. It was cold and windy. Rain was in the air. But, no, I was not harassed by any Wal-Mart security personnel or local cops - this time. And it was nice. I parked away from everybody else, went in, got what I needed and left. That's the way it should be.

But it is not. Now I have other problems with Wal-Mart. They did away with lay-away, which I used quite frequently. Rather than lower prices, they put in fake wooden flooring to compete with Target. They spent a lot of money to come up with a new logo.And for some mysterious reason, they don't sell my favorite short pants, and don't respond to e-mails asking why not. Don't waste time writing a check, because it will be treated as a "debit" transaction and the money will electronically and immediately be withdrawn from your account. And, of course, the "biggie" - much of what they sell comes from overseas, particularly China.

So, what's the answer. They're isn't any really. It always boils down to "truckers have to say something" bla, bla, bla. And that's never going to happen. And until someone comes up with a better alternative, and it's not Target, then I'm pretty much stuck with Wal-Mart. But I'd sure like a little more respect for my $5000. Too bad Sam Walton isn't around anymore.

I took the photo at the Wal-Mart in Schererville, IN.

The Congress is not a retirement home...

or it? Ted Stevens of Alaska. He took office in 1968. He is 84 years old. Before the photo to your left was taken, the Senator was propped up by a stick so he didn't tip over. Just kidding. 

Why is he still in office? McCain is 72. I'm sure when the election is over and if he does not win - he will deflate. The election is what is keeping him "young." And when the election is over, it would sure be nice if he gave somebody else a chance to be a "maverick."

Robert Byrd, the senior Senator from West Virginia was born in 1917 - he's 91. Do you know what was going on in 1917? The US began fighting World War I. That's not World War II or Korea or Vietnam - it's World War I!. Strom Thurmond was born in 1902 and left office at 100 years old. What was going on in 1902? The first movie theatre opened and the first college football game was played in the Rose Bowl. Teddy Roosevelt was the first President to ride in an automobile!

 I don't believe that 90 is the new 80. And 100 is not the new 90. That's all absurd. Congress has about a 12% approval rating. Perhaps it would help matters if a firm retirement age of, let's say, 65, is adhered to. The Congress is not the Supreme Court, where the Justices serve lifetime terms - I was going to say sentences. 

I also support the idea of term limits - 3 would be about right. Mayor Bloomberg of NYC is trying to change the law so he can serve a third term. If he succeeds, he is likely to spend about $100 million of his "fortune" to get that 3rd time. At least he is not a lawyer, but is a Harvard graduate. You might be interested to know that back in 1981, he was fired from his job with the Wall St. firm Solomon Brothers. He was given a $10 million dollar "golden parachute." 

I agree with CNN's Lou Dobbs that we need more diversity in Congress  - we need more truckers, electricians, nurses, mechanics and yes, plumbers, service in the House and Senate. I also strongly believe we need a 5 year moratorium on letting lawyers and millionaires run for

Congress. Our founding fathers did not design our "system" to be run for decades by wealthy lawyers. We need more (Gov.) Sara Palin's. Like or dislike her politics, she is fresh and "jazzed" unlike many members of our "do-nothing" Congress.  

Conservative pride...

Have you listening to this "mouth" filling in for Bill O'Reilly on FOX? She has a radio show, but I've never found it on Sirius. I guess it's over on XM, but has not been offered as part of the merger "best of" package. 

She is a "woman" of course, but I only see and hear the "mouth." She is another poster-child for the conservative Republican right, aong with the equally evil Sean Hannity. 

So guess what? She is a lawyer. Surprised? Don't be. She went to Dartmouth and then UVA law school. And she was a speechwriter for Reagan. She worked for a big time law firm and then "magic" she was on the air - on tv then on the radio. Lucky us. Hannity, by the way, is a college drop-out. Surprised? Don't be. 

I would catagorize her as Sara Palin with a slightly larger brain. I like Sara's voice up to a point, but Laura's is almost offensive, which makes the crap she spews, even more vile.  I'm sure she subs for O'Reilly because he's a horny old Irish bastard, who'd love to get in her pants, if he hasn't already. 

Her website is http://www.lauraingraham.com/ She should run for office. If McCain wins the Presidency and then dies in office, she and Pain could be on the same ticket in 2012. Now wouldn't that be something? 

Their finest hour...

so far. This photo* taken by Damon Winter of The New York Times - is of Sen. McCain, Cardinal Egan and Sen. Obama at the Al Smith Memorial Dinner in NY the other night. 

Clips of the "comedy" by both Senators are available on YouTube. The "dinner" is actually a "roast." I strongly recommend you spend 15-20 minutes and watch them. 

You will see the "real" John McCain - the person who I would have liked to be President. Not the man you hear on the "stump" out on the campaign trail. Not the man who seems so uncomfortable during the debates. But the "real" (his old self) John McCain. Sen. Obama is good too, but then you expect him to be. It's Obama being Obama. But, that's not the story here. For me, it's all about Sen. McCain and what could have and should have been. Before Sara Palin. Before putting a "bookmark" in his campaign and going to Washington to "deal" with the economic crisis, and well before, "Joe" the plumber.

In these YouTube clips you see the Sen. McCain who, at least for the next 4 years, could have been President. And who, as the Commander-In-Chief, could have done a great job rescuing this country. It was the POW, the hero from Vietnam, the seasoned "maverick" and Senator from Arizona. What  I saw again was the man I respected. 

But his campaign has greatly diminished all that for me. And watching those YouTube clips made me feel good that the real John McCain is still there, but quite sad that he disappeared again - overnight - when he resumed his campaign the next morning. All the nonsense, fear talk, and rhetoric returned. And the handlers wound Sara Palin up again to talk about Acorn, Bill Ayers and unfortunately, "Joe" the plumber.

*I ran the photo through PhotoShop and cropped it to better fit in the post. 

Cops and marijuana, prostitution and gambling...

costs our country approximately $100 billion dollars a year. I certainly appreciate our law enforcement officers efforts to protect "us" from crime. But what cops love to do is "play" cops. And a lot of what they do bothers the hell out of me. 

For example, as the economy continues to sour, you now see cops everywhere writing ticket after ticket for minor traffic offenses. I've seen more trucks than ever pulled over on the side of the road with the "bubble gum" machine flashing. Law enforcement has got to pay for their gas somehow and we all see how many local and state government are hurting for money. So, let's get Trooper "Bob" out there and write those tickets. A single mom, late for work, after dropping her kids off at day care, now has to worry about how to pay a $225 traffic citation. 

Ok, I've set the stage here. Let's go a step further. What do you think when your local police department spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on armour, weapons and vehicles for a SWAT team? Perhaps they've received that money from Homeland Security - maybe a state grant - perhaps it was "taken" from local funds?  No matter where it's from, it's your money - it comes from the taxes your paying. 

Is your town slated for attack by terrorists? Do "they" know something we don't know. I think not. Maybe Bill Ayers is tired of being a distinguished college professor and wants to bomb your city hall. Thank goodness you paid for and have a SWAT team to come to the rescue. It's all nonsense.

Do you watch Law and Order? Yeah, I know it's "only" a tv show. The main characters who "play" detectives go in to serve a warrant or to arrest someone. Right next to them is what looks like a black ops. - heavily armed SWAT team ready to bust down the door. In the "old" days - same criminals - the cops could do it without 5 "soliders" supporting them. Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) doesn't need a Swat team to do his job. 

The cops want you to believe the bad guys of today are more dangerous than in the past. That's nonsense. Ever heard of Bonnie and Clyde, Al Capone and others?

Let's go a step further. Marijuana, prostitution and gambling. Trooper "Bob" pulls you over and finds a "dime" bag of grass under your front seat or in your pocket. Your under arrest and away to jail you go. You and a "lot lizard" (in the trucking world, a prostitute) agree for a price to have sex. Along comes Trooper "Bob" and you're both going to jail. You put down $50 on the series. You've violated the law and could go to jail. There are no "victims" here. They're crimes because the "powers that be" are not getting a piece of the action.

As I said in the beginning, an estimated $100 billion for cops to try and enforce the existing laws against marijuana, prositution and gambling. I can't count on both hands the "agencies" that we pay for that are engaged in this effort. All well equipped with the best technology available. It doesn't matter what it costs. The means justifies the end, at least in the mind of the cops. Because, again, cops love playing cop. And, no news flash here, they're failing and have been for decades to stop any of it. 

Marijuana use, prostitution and gambling should be legalized. You Republican Conservatives grab and brown baq and try to breathe normally. Think of the taxes we could recoup. The $100 billion we're spending now - a "cost" center that would soon be a "profit" center. And even more revenue could be collected, if we slash (McCain style) the money spent on all that unecessary law enforcement. SWAT is only needed (maybe) in big cities, not in every "Tom, Dick and  Harry" town in America. 

So many "things" in our country are out of control. We've seen what de-regulation has done to our economy. Although our foundation is strong, it is needs to be changed. Forget whose fault it was, let's fix it. A step in the right direction is to free cops and them do "real" police work. Get them out of the shadows. No more playing soldiers. I know good people who have had their lives ruined by zealous cops and prosecutors over victim less pseudo crimes like marijuana possession. It is disgusting. It is un-American. And I'm tired of paying for it all. 

The great photo is by http://www.gifs.net/Animation11/Jobs_and_People/Police 

Do I care about "Joe" the plumber?

Maybe and maybe not. As a group, I'm sure plumbers are a decent sort. But, in my personal experience I have never had a positive experience with any of them.

I'm reminded of the scene in the movie "Moonstruck" where plumber Cosmo Castorini, played by Vincent Gardenia, says to a couple (paraphrased) "Copper, now that's the best." "How much" asks the couple. Castorini ponders a second and says "$10,000 dollars." He, Castorini, replays the scene with the couple to his girlfriend later in the day, implying, boy, did I take them!" That same scenario is played out every day, perhaps every few minutes, across the US, by all sorts of small businesses. 

But, that's how I see plumbers. That's also how I see HVAC repairmen, mechanics, roofers, contractors and builders. I'm sure many are straight up businessmen, but not the one's I've dealt with. Those would be greedy, overcharging, slow, lazy pinheads, who you just want out of the house as soon as possible. Many have asked for cash so there is no record of the "transaction" and so "they" don't have to pay taxes.

Now Sen. McCain's "Joe" is someone I would have to question. He can't be much of a plumber if he can't buy that business. He needs a new accountant. He needs to charge more, which is what any decent plumber would do when he wants to buy something. And like many of the plumbers and contractors I deliver to across the US, he needs to get replace his higher paid white workers with cheap Mexican labor. He would be able to buy that business in no time.

The photo credit is http://distributedresearch.net/blog/2005/07

PS/Turns out "Joe" doesn't have a plumbers license or a union card. Apparantly his income is in the $40K range and he would qualify for the Obama refund plan.  

The 3rd and Final Debate...

I almost turned it off half way through. As usual, Mrs. Grumpy fell asleep. I guess this election boils down to just which guy do you like more. Who do you feel more comfortable with. The details of each parties plans are boring people. I think everyone just wants Bush to go back to Texas. I was surprised at the "negativity" of the "pundits" on FOX after the debate was over. They didn't feel "their man" Sen. McCain did as well as they would have liked. I sensed a bit of defeat on their part. I look forward to see how things are "spun" tomorrow morning. I'm ready to vote. In fact, I wish I already had. This election has gone on too long. The photo credit is http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1849800,00.html?xid=site-cnn-partner 

PS/the market shot down again today and tonight the Asian markets are all falling. I don't know how you feel, but I've always known the stock market is crazy - the wind blows in a different direction and the market goes down - the Fed says boo and the market shoots up. As I said in the last post about McCain, the foundation of the economy is sound, it's the markets and the folks that work in them that are completely retarded. 

Stand up for what you said...

Sen. McCain. Let's repeat it - "The fundamentals of our economy are strong." Nobody should have had any doubts about it. I never did and continue to applaud and support your statement. The fundamentals of our economy ARE very strong."  We hit a very rough spot, but because, just like you said - the fundamentals are strong - of course we will recover. It is already happening. Did you see how the market did today? The Dow gained  936 points! The largest surge in the market since the 1930's, according to The New York Times. In Paris and Frankfurt, stocks had their biggest one-day gains ever, rising more than 11 percent. Apparently, the fundamentals of Europe's economy are strong as well. Stand by what you said Sen. McCain and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

You would be happy to. The suit on the left is John Mack, CEO of Morgan Stanley and the right is Vikram Pandit, CEO of Citigroup. They just attended a meeting at the Treasury Department this morning where they learned that they would each get $25 billion dollars of our money to "bail" out their "banks." According to Reuters, Mr. Mack received an estimated $1.6 million dollars in salary in 2007, when overall profits at his firm fell 57 percent. Including about $16.5 million from stock options, his total compensation was around $18 million dollars. Mr. Vikram's pay from Citibank is reported to be in excess of $216 million dollars. The credit for the photo is Susan Etheridge for The New York Times. 

With all due respect sir, shut up...

Talk about lousy timing. This is Rep. John Lewis of the 5th District in Georgia. I went to his website and in the biography section here's what it says: "Sen. John McCain has said, "I've seen courage in action on many occasions.  I can't say I've seen anyone possess more of it, and use it for any better purpose and to any greater effect, than John Lewis."  So why is Lewis whining about McCain and Palin? Just how is Sen. McCain “sowing the seeds of hatred and division?" Compare McCain to George Wallace? Absurd. I just don't get. Ok, so Rep. Lewis gets his 5 minutes of fame. But now it's time for him to disappear back to his constituents in Atlanta. According to McCain, Obama is "measuring the drapes" so it is clear he does need any "lip" from John Lewis. If you want to learn more about Rep. Lewis go here http://johnlewis.house.gov/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

"The situation"

Former Miss America, now Fox & Friends anchor Gretchen Wilson, referred this morning to the War in Iraq as "the situation." Later in the broadcast she was scheduled to interview Gen. Odierno, the current commander of multi-national forces in Iraq. I had more important things to do and did not hear it. Although, Wilson is a honors graduate of Stanford University, she sits between two of the most stupid men in television news - weatherman Steve Doocy and sportscaster Brian Kilmeade. Unfortunately, at times, their ignorance bleeds over in both directions and affects Ms. Wilson's accuracy and fairness. The war in Iraq is still a war. It is not "the situation." Let's honor the thousands of men and women that have been killed or injured by calling the war a war. 

Oh mein Gott!

"Oh mein Gott, es war das größte Ding, das ich jemals in meinem Leben gesehen habe."

"Dites merci disent merci très beaucoup vous êtes tout à fait le MILF se souviennent maintenant que nous avons discuté la nuit dernière de la non coopération avec les américains."

Wow! That's Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany talking with Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France. You don't speak French or German? Well, here's what they said:

"Oh my God, it was the largest thing I've ever seen in my life"

"Thank you, thank you very much. You are quite the MILF. Now remember what we discussed last night about not cooperating with the Americans."

The photo credit is Eric Feferberg/Agence France Presse - Getty Images

Pennsylvania can keep this pinhead...

who represents the 9th Congressional District. He is a Conservative Republican. And a good little Conservative Republican "boy" he certainly is. He - Bill Shuster - took time out of his very busy schedule of doing nothing to appear on Fox News today. I'm sure he will be rewarded by the party leadership somewhere down the line for his stellar "performance." 

Acting as the weekend - not quite good enough for prime time - McCain-Palin brainless poster-boy - he recited today's party-line "script" of Obama is a very e-v-i-l man. Why? Because Obama knew unrepentant terrorist and bomber Bill Ayers. And "evil" Obama is, of course, "tied" in with Acorn whose sole mission is massive voter fraud in order to swing the election over to the equally "evil" Democrats. 

When asked if he had any ideas on how to solve this economic mess we're in - his response was Obama is a very e-v-i-l man. Obama knew unreprentant terrorist - bla, bla, bla. Acorn is engaged in massive voter bla, bla, bla - Jesus Christ!

The Fox reporter said "There you go again." Apparantly, even Fox is tired of this nonsense. Rep. Shuster has no idea (or does he?) that he comes off sounding like a brainless twit. And, of course, you cannot e-mail him if you're out of his district - "I'm only able to accept messages from residences of the 9th Congressional District." Screw that. 

Do you know how to look at his voting record? Where you can learn what kind of Conservative moron he really is? I think even some Republicans would scratch their heads at  some of the issues he has voted against such as NO - for regulating the sub prime mortgage industry! This guy represents everything that is wrong with our country. Shame on the people in his district that vote to keep him in office. 

Go to this link to learn more...http://www.ontheissues.org/PA/Bill_Shuster.htm

PS/ I would really prefer that folks like Shuster come clean and admit they hate Blacks, Latinos, the poor, gays, civil rights, but God Bless America, George Bush, free trade and big business. I say tar and feather 'em and run 'em out of town.