I Smell Justice

And so it finally looks like international spoiled brat, Joran van der Sloot, may be headed for justice after all. With the arrival and passing of the of the fifth anniversary of the disappearance of Natalie Holloway in Aruba, comes another revelation of this kid's not so innocent behavior. Halloway has never been found, and although van der Sloot has reportedly both confessed and denied killing her, his credibility has been full of holes at best.

Yesterday van der Sloot was named as a murder suspect in the death of a Peruvian woman, after he was last seen on surveillance tapes entering a hotel in the company of the victim. He would again be spotted on tape leaving the hotel alone the next morning, not long before the woman was found dead in the hotel room.

Because he is believed to have left the country, authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for van der Sloot, who had been in Peru for a poker tournament. Unlike the Natalie Holloway case, the surveillance cameras may be the key to Joran van der Sloot being brought to justice. It's just too bad that this all comes at the expense of another victim. 

Now It's Personal

After a hard day's work, the last thing I needed to do is come home and discover on the computer that Tony Kornheiser is at it again. Fresh off his suspension for trashing Hannah Storm's wardrobe on the air, he now has a whole new pile of crap to deal with.

In a weak attempt to be funny, yet again, he has put his foot in his mouth, and this time it may not blow over so easily. It seems that he made another controversial comment on the air; one that ripped bicyclists and their 'stupid hats and shiny shorts',  suggesting that motorists "run them down".

Lance Armstrong, the 7 time Tour de France Champion,  did not waste any time in chiding Mr. Kornheiser for his comments. Armstrong described them as 'disgusting, ignorant, and foolish'.  He ended with a firm  'What a complete f---ing idiot.' (notice I had the good taste of not typing the word fucking?)

As a cyclist myself and having been honked  and yelled at many times, I can relate to this piece of stupidity that seems to have become Mr Kornheiser's new identity. Well, I don't now or ever have thought it was funny. The fact that there are idiots out there who would probably love to run down cyclists if they had the chance is dangerous enough. We don't need anyone with such a high profile encouraging them.

I used to like Tony Kornheiser, but this whole incident which I consider a personal threat to my safety on the road, has changed my views of him. There is funny and there is stupid. Didn't God give us all a mind to make wise decisions?  Apparently, some high profile individuals have yet to learn how to use them.

I'll Take Two Shots!

OK, in Starbucks that usually means 2 shots of flavored syrup in your coffee, but wait, could it be interpreted as something more?  Maybe, considering the controversy which had been brewing in the Bay area between the coffee giant and gun activists.

Starbucks has recently rendered a policy decision that will allow gun owners to openly carry unloaded weapons while in their stores. Forty three states allow people to openly carry weapons in public. So what does this whole thing mean?

I for one say that there is no need in a public place of business for people to be packing unless they have an ulterior motive. Nothing against gun owners, but considering the presence of innocent people usually in these establishments, they should exercise some common decency and leave their "toys" locked up in the car.

And what about Starbucks? Are they going to station someone at the door to inspect every weapon as it passes thru in order to assure its' being empty? Maybe the answer is security guards (really,.....in a coffee shop?)

C'mon folks, a little common sense here would go a long way.

Good For The Smithsonian!

In an article today on the internet, I read where the Smithsonian turned down the suit that OJ Simpson was wearing in 1997 on the day of his acquittal on the charges of killing his wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. In what has been a 13 year legal battle between Ron Goldman's father and Simpson's agent, an agreement was reached by the two parties on the donation. As it turns out, the Smithsonian has turned down other questionable item including the Monica Lewinski famous blue dress.

To the Smithsonian I say 'good for them!' I realize the morbid and curiosity factors would draw some to want to see these items, but why should we be constantly reminded of the things these items are associated with. In a strange sort of way, justice prevailed in this case.

How The Canadiens See Obama

The following is a copy of an e-mail I received today that I am urging everyone to read. It truly speaks for itself and no further commenting on my part is necessary.

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Ever wonder why we have to depend on the foreign press to find out what's "really" going on in our own country. It's a good thing that Obama and the democrats don't own the Canadian press.. Here is what Howard Galganov predicts for Barack Hussein Obama - PLEASE READ:

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Barack Hussein Obama:
I Told You So – Yes I Did


By Howard Galganov


Montreal, Quebec, Canada




When Obama won the Presidency with the help of the LEFTIST Media, Hollywood And Entertainment Liberals, Ethnic Socialists (ACORN), Stupid Non-Business Professionals and Bush Haters, I wrote: It won't take six months until the People figure this guy out and realize how horrible a mistake they've made. And when they come to that realization, the damage to the United States of America will be so great it will take a generation or more to repair - IF EVER.


The IDIOTS who not only voted for the Messiah, but also worked [hard] to promote his Lordship, are now left holding the bag.


Here are two things they will NEVER do: They will NEVER admit to making a Blunder out of all proportion by electing a snake-oil salesman with no Positive social history or management experience of any kind. They will NEVER take responsibility for the curse they've imposed upon the immediate and long-term future of their country.


In essence, the people responsible for putting this horror show in power are themselves responsible for every cataclysmic decision he makes and the Consequences thereof.


In just six months, the Messiah's polls are showing the following: On Healthcare Reform - He's going under for the third time with polling well Under 50 percent, even within his own Party. Even though he might be able to Muscle a Healthcare Reform Bill by using Chicago BULLY tactics against his Fellow Democrats, it will just make things worse. On Cap and Trade (Cap and Tax) - The Fat-Lady is already singing. On the Stimulus Package (Tax and Spend) - His popularity is in FREE-FALL. On the TARP package he took and ran With from President Bush - It's all but Good-Night Irene. On the closing of GITMO and "HIS" war on what he no longer wants called the War On Terrorism - He's standing in quicksand with his head just about to go under. On a Comparison between himself and George W Bush at the same six months into Their respective first term Presidencies - Bush is ahead of him in the Polls On a comparison between He Who Walks On Water and the 12 preceding Presidents between WW II and now - Obama ranks 10th. On a Poll just Conducted, that asks who would you vote for today between Obama and Mitt Romney - It's a dead heat. Between Obama and Palin - Obama's ONLY ahead by 8 Points and she hasn't even begun to campaign. It seems to me that Obama Wants to be everywhere where he shouldn't be.


He's personally invested in 'totally insulting' America 's ONLY REAL Middle Eastern ally ( Israel ) in favor of Palestinian Despots and Murderers. He's traveling the world apologizing for the USA while lecturing others on how to do it right, when in fact and truth he has no experience at doing anything other than getting elected.


He went to the Moslem world in Egypt to declare that America IS NOT A CHRISTIAN NATION while he heaped praises on Islam, where he compared the "plight" of the Palestinians to the Holocaust.


The Russians think he's a putz, The French think he's rude.


The Germans want him to stop spending.


The Indians want him to mix his nose out of their environmental business.


The North Koreans think he's a joke, The Iranians won't acknowledge his calls.


And the British can't even come up with a comprehensive opinion of him.


As for the Chinese, he's too frightened to even glance their way. [After All, China now owns a large portion of the United States .]


Maybe if America's first Emperor would stay home more, travel less, and work a little bit instead of being on television just about everyday or stop running to "papered" Town Hall Meetings, perhaps he would have a little bit of time to do the work of the nation.


In all fairness, it wasn't HARD to be RIGHT in my prediction concerning Obama's presidency, even in its first six months, so I'm going to make yet another prediction:


OBAMA WILL PROBABLY NOT FINISH HIS 4-YEAR TERM, at least not in a Conventional way.


He is such a political HORROR SHOW, and so detrimental to the USA and his Own Democratic Party, that the Democrats themselves will either FORCE him to Resign or figure out a way to have him thrown out.


Who knows, maybe he really isn't a BORN US Citizen and that's a way the Democrats will be able to get rid of him. [He is a citizen, but not a naturalized citizen with both mother and father being US citizens.]


Or - MORE LIKELY THAN NOT, the Democrats will make Obama THEIR OWN LAME DUCK PRESIDENT.


I don't believe the Democrats have nearly as much love for their country as they do for their own political fortunes. And with Obama, their fortunes are rapidly becoming toast.

The Oh Lympics!

Oh as right! Once again, the National Hockey League shuts down in the middle of its' season in order that key players can play for their home countries in the winter Olympics. I do NOT agree with this at all. Why?, some of you may ask; the reason is very simple. Possible season ending injuries. Should an NHL team that is experiencing a good season, and have a favorable standing which could lead them into the Stanley Cup playoffs, lose a key player to injury in the Olympics? Everyone knows my opinion. I'm willing to wager that there are a boatload of hockey fans who aren't too crazy about it as well.

They Ripped My Heart Out.......

and then they put it back in. So much for my method of escaping shoveling snow! As many of you probably know, I was recently in the hospital to undergo open heart surgery. Showed up at 6 am Friday for the operation, got prepped and before I knew it it was Saturday night, I had no idea how to dial my phone, I couldn't figure out the television remote, and there was a couple of feet of snow on the ground. My family didn't make it into the hospital to visit me because of the snow, but the silver lining came Monday, when Lord behold, my wife appeared. That was her surprise, mine was that I was being discharged.

Now I Know!

This is for any New England Patriots fans out there. After last night's horrible performance by the New England defense against the New Orleans Saints, one thing was getting a little more obvious as the game progressed. It further justified Bill Belichick's going for it on 4th and 2 in Indianapolis!

'For thou art with me;....'

........except when it comes to my views on abortion! And that, my friends pretty much sums up the position of the Roman Catholic church in this matter. This morning, the Providence Journal reported on their website that Representative Patrick Kennedy has been barred from receiving communion by Bishop Thomas Tobin because of his views on abortion. What ever happened to the church, and by the church I mean ANY church, being there for everyone who are children of God? They serve communion to incarcerated murderers, rapists, embezzlers, and just about every criminal out there, but God forbid an individual have different views about issues! And then there is the separation of church and state; remember that one Bishop......or did you really flunk history? The Roman Catholic church should stop trying to be something that they cannot be......perfect!

4th and 2

Was it arrogance or confidence; you be the judge. For what it's worth, here's my thoughts. I have come to the conclusion that Belichick did not want the ball back in Peyton Manning's hands after he had gone the distance of the field on his previous possession and scored a touchdown, all in less than two minutes. By picking up the two yards, the Patriots win the game. I'm quite certain that he along with everyone else felt that Tom Brady was more than capable of picking up two yards. The problem is they failed, and the inevitable happened, giving Indy the win. In conclusion, I personally would have punted the ball to at least put the Colts back on the other end of the field. Oh, by the way, any other coach in the league would probably have been dismissed on Monday morning if they had made that call!!!

Number 27

They won their first World Series title when the old Yankee Stadium opened, and not to be outdone, this year's team matched the feat. Congratulations to the New York Yankees on winning their 27th World Series. After game 1, I actually felt that the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies could win it all, but it was not to be.

Just Get Over It!

And so with the flip of a calendar page, football is back, and so are they. Many people absolutely hate them. Despise their ways. Jealousy abounds their success. Superior confidence on their part is mistaken for arrogance. Their secrecy is longed for by other teams. They've been called cheaters, the favored team, the commissioner's pet team, cocky, unsportsmanlike, just to name a few. But all of this and much more not even worthy of mention cannot take away from the cold, hard, unmistakable fact that the New England Patriots are back. Whether they have a successful season or not will be determined on the field. Experts say they are the favored team, but getting past all that, they have to play the games. All the talk in the world won't change this, and like any of you reading this who may have your deserved allegiances to YOUR team, I still maintain MINE for Tom Brady and company.

"You Lie"

And with those two words, President Obama's speech the other evening was interrupted rudely by South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson. The President, while taken by surprise, continued on as he should have. Of course, this is not anything new, as previous Presidents were also subjected to this kind of rudeness. Now, while I may not be an Obama supporter, and disagree with his methods of rule, he is still my President and the office itself should command respect. I hope these incidents serve as lessons to Obama supporters, many of whom probably were on the giving end towards previous administrations. Joe Wilson issued an apology for his rudeness, and while being caught up in the emotion of the moment, Mr. Wilson should never forget that it's about the office, not the individual.

An Unforgetable Day

Today begins as it customarily does for me with a 9 am wake up in order that I may take the first of five pills in the morning. A half hour later, I make my way down to the kitchen for breakfast, after which the remainder of my medication is popped. Today I manage to find myself off from work, so I can adjust my gears into the relaxation mode. With rain infesting our part of the country, the mode will remain lazy throughout the day. But all of this seems minuscule when compared to how many people in the rest of the country will be spending their day.

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, The Pentagon in Washington, and that peaceful field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It will be a day of remembering for many; of how some of them suffered on that beautiful September day with the loss of a loved one, or the loss of innocence when it comes to our children. Maybe it's the reminder to all of us of what the true meaning of life really is, and how precious our short time on this earth can be.

For whatever reason we chose to remember 911, we should do so by taking a few moments to refocus our views on how more than a thousand people were condemned to death on that day for simply going to work and living their lives. Along with time, memories can fade, and the 911 attacks should never become part of that equation.

Remembering 911

On September 11, 2006, the fifth anniversary of the 911 attacks, the Tear Drop Memorial pictured here was dedicated in Bayonne, New Jersey just across the Hudson River from the New York skyline. Donated by Russian artist Zurab Tesesetei and the Russian people, the memorial serves as a reminder of the struggle against world terrorism. Today we observe the eighth anniversary of the attacks, and I have chosen to feature this memorial as the focal point of my posting. I personally have found that its' design helps promote both healing and peace. In addition to the teardrop being aligned with the Statue of Liberty, the base wall is adorned with the names of the victims who lost their lives on that tragic day.