FRIEND/FOE

A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. (O.M.G.!!!) A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death. (Creepy. I'm still not over the pig.) The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male's head off. (Honey, I'm home . What the...?) The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field. (30 minutes. Lucky pig! Can you imagine?) The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds. (What could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond?) Some lions mate over 50 times a day. (I still can't believe that pig ...quality over quantity.) Butterflies taste with their feet. (Something I always wanted to know.) Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump. (Okay, so that would be a good thing.) A cat's urine glows under a black light. (I wonder how much the government paid to figure that out.) An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. (I know some people like that.) Starfish have no brains. (I know some people like that, too.) Polar bears are left-handed. (Talk about a southpaw.) Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure. (What about that pig? Do the dolphins know about the pig?) Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread these crazy facts. (and God love that pig!)

My Wife dropped by my office today to bring me a coffee and the new issue of MaximumPC. While she was here we got into a discussion regarding some of the newest idiocy from the "obamacare" debacle and the latest Rassmussen poll data.
53% of people polled DO NOT want the obamacare tripe, and yet Obama continues to to do everything but use a pole to ram it down out throats, thereby blatantly ignoring the will of the People (It's still "We the People", right ?!* {thanks Dave}).

Now I'll admit that I chased a rabbit here but that got me to thinking about our political system and how it really works as opposed to how it's perceived to work. Here is how it's perceived to work: And with respect to Glenn Beck..... it's not a sliding scale. This is the reality of our political system:
To prevent either side from moving to socialism and fascism requires the citizenry to remain involved with the system and to continually remind those we elect into office that they are not there to do as they please but to do as we please and that anything else is unacceptable.
Sadly things have not gone as they should and too many have made political office a career instead of the temporary position it was always meant to be, causing a gradual slide towards big government. We now find ourselves in a situation in which our government refuses to listen to the people who put them in office (Us, their bosses), acting in a manner which indicates a wholesale power grab at the cost of our liberty and freedom.
Fact is there isn't any real difference between socialism, communism, and fascism. The only notable "differences" are that socialism and communism attempt to sugar coat what fascism is open and blunt about. Unfortunately it seems that all socialist and communist states rapidly convert to fascism once the power hungry get their way.
The progressive left would have people believe that socialists, and by extension communists, are benign and Utopian in scope, and that Conservatives are fascist and promote a police state.
Ok.....then let me remind these "harmless and benign" progressives of something they forgot:

Soviet Russia
North Korea
Cuba
Viet Nam
Venezuela
...........Shall I continue ? didn't think so.

"The term police state describes a state in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic and political life of the population. A police state typically exhibits elements of totalitarianism and social control, and there is usually little or no distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive.
The inhabitants of a police state experience restrictions on their mobility, and on their freedom to express or communicate political or other views, which are subject to police monitoring or enforcement. Political control may be exerted by means of a secret police force which operates outside the boundaries normally imposed by a constitutional state."**


The sad fact is, there is little to blur the line between fascism and socialism (communism), and that while these progressives would have people believe they have a better plan and the US is a police state in which they are not free to protest, express their views and affect change. Yet they make all this noise while walking down a street and protesting, calling those people who disagree with them "fascist" and pissing on the heads of the LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers) who are there to protect them.... from themselves.
Acting, You know, generally exactly like those they vilify, LMAO.

They need to remember that while speech is free in this country, there are consequences to stepping out and causing trouble. You can't yell "FIRE!" in the middle of a crowded theater and expect things to turn out ok when, in fact, there is no fire at all. Just as you cannot start a protest, let it turn aggro and not expect to get arrested for fighting with the Cops, destroying property and looting, but in fact think it's acceptable. Only the young, the very immature, the very spoiled, adult adolescents and the hollywood banal elite think this way.
I do not.
While they have the right to their freedoms, so do I.
I also have the right to not be bombarded with their vitriol and hate.
I have the right to express an opposing view and not be treated like shit and insulted for it.
I have the right to simply ignore what I find distasteful and idiotic and not decide that if I don't like it, it should be eliminated... regardless of those who do like it.
I have the right to remind the government that they work for ME! not the other way 'round.
I have the right to live my life as I see fit and not as some random stranger in political office tells me I should.
I have the right to choose to have health insurance just as hospitals have the right to expect payment for services rendered.



Meanwhile the progressives continue to think and act otherwise and continue try to force everyone to conform to what they want, never mind the fact that the majority of the voters are saying no.
Which is why Obama is pretty much a shoe-in as a one term pres. Talking about borking the system.

---

*Dave Mustain was rather prophetic when he wrote this song, Peace Sells (but who's buying) - Megadeth **A Dictionary of World History, Market House Books, Oxford University Press, 2000.

This is an old post of mine from an old blog, but I feel that it's as relevant now (if not more so) as it was when I first wrote it.
Gryph

A number of current affairs has me thinking about Americas current state of being.
The two most recent issues are the failed "immigrant amnesty" bill and the conviction of two Border Patrol agents for the shooting of a drug smuggler.

Let me begin with the amnesty bill.
I am -highly- relieved that this bill has, thus far, died. It's bad enough that the illegals that are here are being given the chance to draw out of social security (something they don't pay into by the way, just like the members of the Senate and House of Reps.) but now they tried to pass a bill that would legalize what is otherwise an illegal action. But what do you expect of a corrupt government that seems to care more about everyone else more than it cares about it's own citizens ?!

Next I'd like to touch on the very recent conviction of the two Border Patrol Agents.
While I will grant you they engaged in a couple of very very stupid actions in an attempt to cover up what had happened, I have to point out that had they not had their hands tied (figuratively) and been allowed to actually do what they were paid for, this entire situation would be academic.
The long and short of it is this, the two agents in question tried to stop a drug smuggler (muling 800 lbs. of pot) from crossing the border.
Subsequently, the smuggler got shot (in the butt no less, heh heh heh), when he refused to halt.
Now, here is where the stupidity comes in: it is my understanding that the job these agents are responsible for is -stopping- illegal crossings -and- to help put a halt to drug smuggling attempts, yet, they were allegedly "under orders" to -not- stop anyone crossing the border.
On top of that, the two agents were sentenced to 11 and 12 years, respectively, in a federal pen. All this after the smuggler testified against the agents after having his medical bills and other expenses covered, all because these guys were doing their DAMNED JOBS!

So I have three words for you:

WHAT
THE
FUCK!

How low have we sunk in our state of affairs when someone can commit TWO crimes and not only be given a free pass for them, but can also be PAID, after a fashion, for doing so ?! AND this scumbag isn't an American citizen!


While I have no argument about people coming to America, I do believe that they should do it the right way, and crossing the border illegally isn't it.
Do I despise or begrudge these people the chance at a better life ? no , and to be honest, what they would get here IS a better life when compared to what mexico has, or in this case what it doesn't have, to offer and they should feel welcome to obtain it here. But again, they have to do it the right and legal way.
Now I know many of you would argue that the process of obtaining legal american citizenship is both expensive and ridiculously prolonged, and I would agree. But let me point a few things out.
1) as for the "cost" perhaps you should be made aware of the fact that, on a regular basis, these immigrants pay a few thousand to smugglers and "border guides" to help get the immigrants across the border. So, having pointed this out,why should they not just use the money to go the proper route ?
2) Yes, the experience and trail to legal citizenship is long and difficult, but name something worthwhile that isn't.


Teddy Roosevelt, in one of his final speechs prior to his death said it best:
"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birthplace or origin. But this is predicated upon the man’s becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American.

"If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American.

"We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We have room for but one language here and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, and American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house; and we have room for but one soul [sic] loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."*

He is right.

If you want to come to this country, it behooves you to do everything possible to truely become part of this country.

So, before you level all sorts of obtuse and erroneous accusations and insults at me, stop and think for a moment; why should we change our country to suit other countries ?
Why should we be forced to accept a criminal act because illegal invaders feel entitled to that which they have not earned ?

The plain and painful answer is...... We shouldn't
This is OUR country, these are OUR laws, and any who would come here and be part of America has NO choice but to accept these things and do whatever possible to assimilate.

We have lost our national sense of self.




*the rest of this speech and others can be found here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/troosevelt.asp

Also, if you honestly think these immigrants have the best interests of EVERYONE in the US at heart, perhaps you should check this URL out as well: http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/hispanic.asp

Here's a link for more on the plight of the Border Patrol agents: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244441,00.html

I have a Hulu.com account.
One of the shows that I watch there is COPS.
I also have a Live Leak account and a Break.com account, and I also keep up with the police vids posted on those sites as well.
One thing I see from commenters (more so on hulu and Break than LL), is the rampant LEO bashing (LEO = Law Enforcement Officer(s)).
Now I make no secret of the fact that I work with cops as a dispatcher, nor do I also make a secret of the fact that I am an ardent fan and supporter of Law enforcement.
These folks do a tough, thankless job.
They risk their lives everyday for no other reason than they honestly want to make OUR lives safer.

I understand that there are some cops who really shouldn't be in law enforcement, period. These would be the proverbial "rotten apples".
But what upsets me is the fact that some shitheads can't see past their own stupidity and make blanket statements to the tune of "all cops are scum".

Now there was a time, when I was 15 and thought I knew everything, that I shared that sentiment.
Then one day a thought occurred to me, how can I say that and not feel like a hypocrite when I need them because someone broke into my car, stole something from me or any other conceivable reason to need a cop ?

Fact is, I can't.
Nor can anyone else.


24 years later I'm now 39, go to the the above mentioned sites and see the tripe those halfwit fools post.
And I get righteously pissed off.
Not only do these fools make patently erroneous generalizations, they have the utter temerity to also ignore their own noise and demand help from the very people they look down on.
Yes, that's right... I said DEMAND.
The Irony here is that I would bet, safely, that a good number of these people are also ones who have had reason to be on the business end of a pair of handcuffs (if their poorly spelled posts and vehemence are any indication).

As I said before, I openly admit that there are some that really do much to give law enforcement a black eye, but the facts are, these cops are a really small minority.
Most cops are straight forward, honest men and women who have a genuine desire to provide a service and to help their communities and truly care about keeping people safe.

Another thing that should be brought up is the fact that........well....... COPS DO NOT MAKE THE DAMNED LAWS!.
Cops are tasked to do one thing and one thing only, they enforce the laws.
Period.

So if you don't like the laws that you broke, talk to the people in office who passed the bills that became law.


And if you can't be bothered to do that, then STFU, don't call for help from the people you hate, and deal with your own problems.
And be prepared to deal with any consequences that might come with your "solution".
(maybe this ?)

ONLY IN AMERICA ….MUST WE SPEND BILLIONS BECAUSE WE CAN'T LET CHRYSLER GO BANKRUPT, AND THEN, LET CHRYSLER GO BANKRUPT..
ONLY IN AMERICA ….CAN CONGRESS FORCE FANNIE AND FREDDIE TO BUY SUBPRIME LOANS, AND THEN BLAME FANNIE AND FREDDIE FOR BUYING SUBPRIME LOANS.
ONLY IN AMERICA ….YOU CAN BE LEGALLY ILLEGAL
ONLY IN AMERICA ….THE CONGRESS MAKE LAWS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW
ONLY IN AMERICA ….WHERE YOUR VICE PRESIDENT DECLARES 'JOBS' A 3 LETTER WORD.
ONLY IN AMERICA ...A MAJOR CRISIS REQUIRES SWIFT ACTION TO PASS A BILL WITHOUT READING IT, THEN VACATION FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT HAS TIME TO SIGN IT!!
ONLY IN AMERICA ...DOES THE MILITARY GET INVESTIGATED BY HOMELAND SECURITY AS POSSIBLE TERRORISTS, WHILE OUR BORDERS ARE WIDE OPEN.
ONLY IN AMERICA , CAN YOU GET A TAX REFUND ON TAXES YOU DIDN'T PAY
ONLY IN AMERICA , CAN YOU CAN BLAME OTHERS WHEN YOU DON'T PERFORM
ONLY IN AMERICA , YOU HAVE MORE RIGHTS BEING ILLEGAL, THAN YOU DO LEGAL
ONLY IN AMERICA , CAN YOU BE 13 AND HAVE AN ABORTION WITHOUT TELLING YOUR PARENTS, BUT MUST HAVE A WRITTEN NOTE FROM YOUR PARENT WHY YOU MISSED SCHOOL.
ONLY IN AMERICA , ARE YOU PUNISHED FOR GOOD PERFORMANCE AND REVERED FOR NONPERFORMANCE.
ONLY IN AMERICA ….CAN YOU CALL LARGE CORPORATIONS EVIL, WHILE 99.9% OF THE AMERICANS WORK IN COMPANIES WITH LESS THAN 500 EMPLOYEES.
ONLY IN AMERICA , CAN CHRYSLER GET 10 BILLION IN AID FOR THEIR COMPANY OF 30,000 EMPLOYEES. I GUESS IT IS DIFFICULT TO RUN A COMPANY FOR $333,333 PER EMPLOYEE.
ONLY IN AMERICA….WE CARE ABOUT 3 GUYS THAT GET WATER UP THE NOSE, WHILE OUR ENEMIES ARE BEHEADING US AND BLOWING CROWDS OF PEOPLE UP WITH SUICIDE BOMBINGS.
ONLY IN AMERICA ….YOU CAN SAY OTHER INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES WORK, BUT YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THOSE TECHNIQUES ARE.
ONLY IN AMERICA ….YOU CAN BE PRESIDENT WITHOUT A BIRTH CERTIFICATE
ONLY IN AMERICA , DO POLITICIANS CONSIDER 'WE THE PEOPLE' ASTRO-TURF
ONLY IN AMERICA , WHATEVER GOES WRONG WILL ALWAYS BE BUSH'S FAULT
LASTLY, HOWEVER, IN AMERICA , YOU CAN ONLY BE PRESIDENT WHEN THE TELEPROMPTER IS ON!!!