thebradleys's Blog

Okay y'all I just had a serious ARGH! moment - the battery on my phone went kaput.

About ten minutes ago I got an automated call to get hooked up with the Florida Town Hall Meeting to discuss the energy crisis with Senator Martinez.  (I was stunned yet thrilled - this technology these days is so cool!)

I entered the call when he was discussing lowering if not altogether doing away with the tariffs on Brazilian ethanol and my phone DIED when the caller from NPR asked about solar and wind energy sources.

I was thrilled to be on when he spoke of his recommendation for all government to cut back use by 2%.

Can y'all fill me in on what I missed and AM missing please?

 

Thank you!

 

 

Russell Rhoades did a previous blog similar to this one, but we all answered it with the basics of life.  Not the things we actually do on a more personal level, that ARE basic but we tend to consider more superfluous.

 

I don't know about y'all, but budgets being what they are these days, I am finding more and more I am getting by doing less and less for myself. 

I have rediscovered that being an "easy breezy Cover Girl" can do as nicely as the makeup selection at the mall, and I am literally getting back to my roots - after 20 years I quit coloring my hair in April.  I no longer have porcelain nails.  I do my own pedicures.  I've had to learn how to cut hair.  I quit buying my favorite razors and now buy the cheap disposable ones - though I had to relearn how to shave the legs with these things.  Ouch!

Whatever budget there is for clothes, well, as a MOM I find I can make do for another season/year with what I've got so I have a little extra for my daughter.  How are we extending our own mom/wife wardrobes?  How are we updating them, if at all?  Have you cleaned out your wardrobes and swapped with friends and neighbors, an updated version of "hand-me-downs?"

Are you keeping up gym memberships or going it on your own at home?  Taking "power walks" with other women in your neighborhood?

My hubby and I have redisovered "date night" at home and where we used to spend an easy $100 on a simple evening out, we can do the same "in" for the price of a bottle of wine and some steaks on the grill. (Think romantic inexpensive recipes FOX)  Entertainment... well, I have to say that in these budgeted times, there's a lot to be said for quality alone time.  Who knows, maybe we'll see another generation of "baby boomers" soon.

For years Ann Dwyer has felt like "a girlfriend" - I know I am not alone since she has remained so very popular on Good Day.  She has "taken us" on shopping expeditions in the past.  She can speak our language, is personable, and she uses humor to in a good way.  I'm wondering if FOX would entertain the notion of having Ann do a series for women (guys too if they're interested) on the personal changes we've made to adjust to the current financial situations all around.  With Nerissa/Laura and Jen there in the morning too,  well, seems to me a lot could be brought to the table.

 

Ladies?  What would you be interested in seeing?  What changes have YOU made?  What are you willing to share to help the rest of us out? 

Guys, don't be afraid to  jump in - you all must be making some adjustments, too.  Just picture Russell or Tom on that end of the story!  (Throw in Dave and Charlie and it'll be a party!) :P

I have been so frustrated by the sheer volume of hate that is propagated about race when we have so much else going on I am actually finding myself distracted.   Which is likely exactly what the goal was in the first place, so I have fed right into it. 

Pray for your enemies we are taught.  For me, and this is just my own personal thing, an enemy can be described as any individual or group that causes fear and encourages hate.

So when it is a group, do you pray for their leaders or for the group as a whole?

I get confused about this because we are supposed to pray in specifics.

I hope this makes some iota of sense.  But I need to find some peace for myself with this sooner rather than later...

This blog is inspired by the news that there is an "underground movement" being brought to fore by "hip hop" that sends out the message "stop snitching."

I'm done trying to be understanding and PC. Hear me out before you start screaming and PLEASE tell me what I am missing... if you can handle doing so without name-calling.

I am furious. I am going to try my best to communicate my points, but will likely have to reword some things. But here goes:

"My race" has been force fed the idea that we are bad bad bad and to be condemned to eternity's hell fires because of the ALLEGED sins of our fathers. Yes I said alleged. Smarts, doesn't it? No, I am not implying slavery didn't happen, but I'd recommend your reading a post that covers slavery issues WORLDWIDE before you fire off.

We were told to STOP segregation. INTEGRATE! Equal! One for all and all for one. Okay. Done. Not enough? Will it ever really be enough? No. It will never be enough. Ever.

As atonement we have shelled out trillions of dollars in support and special programs - NOT available to whites. The hands remain upturned and reaching out for more.

I have had to listen to YOUR vernacular infiltrate English, and now "BLEEP" and "b!tch" thanks to your hip hop has become a common description of every female. Our white husbands can no longer defend us without being accused of being racist. What a lovely contribution to the American culture. Don't it just make you proud? Is that REALLY what you want associated with yourselves? What would MLK have said?????????????? TRULY?

Every time ANY black in Pinellas is in ANY altercation with the PO-lice the Uhuru group steps in. Seems to me that by bypassing local law enforcement and handing over any "evidence" they find to the AG's office they MAY be hindering investigations...but I don't know. They tend to make up their own rules anyhow.

What I am HEARING is crime happens alot in the black community but NO ONE is guilty of crime in the black community. Maybe it's the media doing that... But it's kind of a sick conflict when you get into it.

What say we divide America. Equal but SEPARATE. Is that what you were after all along?

The blacks - like the whites - fund their own law enforcement, that way they can have law enforcement they can "trust" - whites don't have to fear for their lives by responding to calls for help in black neighborhoods (or vice versa). Let's face it, being called out to "catch the bad guy" only to find that the bad guy is black and nobody wants to snitch him out 'cause you're a white officer ain't gonna' fix nuthin'.

You can't control what these faction groups do or say? Oh, I beg to differ with you. You demanded WE get groups like the KKK and white supremicists and whatever other knuckleheads we have under control. You associate every white with these groups, (we must ALL apologize and atone) but YOU aren't aligned with the Black Panthers or Uhurus or YOUR extreme groups? Well, turnabout is FAIR play don't you think?

You can't have it both ways, and THAT is what you want isn't it? If it's not, well, it's time to get together as a group and figure out what face you really want to show to the nation and the world. Because these loud factions are getting ALL the press.

Being the poor simple mixed breed mutt that I am, I will NEVER understand the point to burning down your own homes and businesses to make a statement. I will never understand riots and violence as a means of proving your point. (What was the point anyway? Trying to prove how ANGRY you are? Quit pushing. The "other side" is starting to push back. Don't believe me? Think about how hotly defensive some can get about symbols you perceive as offensive ... Getting more visible these days... But it's just a symptom.)

I am NOT about hate. Reread my words. They are FRUSTRATION at being forcefed like a goose for pate liver. We have bigger issues than RACE to deal with now. Put your big boy boxers and your big girl panties on.

What VISION is it you have that we are supposed to be embracing? If someone could PLEASE yank logic from the jaws of chaos and explain it where my simple mind can grasp it, I would appreciate it.

I'd sign off with my assigned hip hop name but I still have some modicum of pride.

(An Open Letter to Irresponsible People)

Dear Sir / Madame,

Let me bring you up to date on the results of your decision not to spay or neuter your pet. 

I know your kitty cat loves the great outdoors, loves to play, loves to explore.  But when your precious little furrball gets old enough, the urges of nature take over and next thing you know there is a litter of kittens.

Oh, how cute they are aren't they? 

But they grow up. 

And in the back of your mind I guess you figure they can fend for themselves.

Well darlin', let me bring you up to date on the pitiful life you are indirectly but still responsible for.

My desk faces the window that looks out over our back yard, and I watched a feral white and black male cat tentatively approach the birdbath for a drink of fresh water.  Because I work with wildlife, I monitor closely what comes into our yard, as we do not want diseases, flea infestations, or any other harms done if they can be prevented.  We were fortunate to have the free-range cats next door move out this last weekend. 

But there remains this pitiful tom cat.

I went out to run the cat off but my heart was absolutely sickened when I realized how ill this animal is - his blue eyes looked up at mine, and I recognized what might once have been, and I also recognized the pain this animal has.... His face is half without fur and a raw pink.  He limps.  He has obvious sores and cysts on his body.

He will be dead soon.  Sooner I hope than later... he is in pain.  A quick death would likely be the greatest kindness this animal has ever known.

Unless the animal is rabid, our county has little interest in capturing these animals.  The "pound" is already flooded.  And while euthanizing this cat would be a kindness to him, capturing would involve too many risks, including to human health.

I had to chase him off to protect the animals I am licensed to care for.

But you, you think you love animals.  You do not.  People like you who do not spay or neuter but then let your animal free to roam do not really love animals.  You do not care what kind of life you are setting their unknown offspring up for.  Not your problem.

But you are cold, wicked, and selfish.  And I feel much better for having told you so.

May you one day be reincarnated as a stray.

Sincerely,

Someone who has dedicated her life to animal care

 

I am going to update this blog on the progress of this poor animal.  If anyone has any suggestions what I can do without jeopardizing our own animals, PLEASE let me know.  I sincerely appreciate it.  I have never yet had to deal with this particular situation, and cannot tell you how disappointed I am in the County's response.

 

Okay, everyone outta' the pool for a second. (Thank you.)

Whether they are splashed up from the sewage in the gutter or flung down from a lofty perch like monkey poo, personal attacks have no place in a forum established to share information and express opinions.

Just because you see others do it does not mean it is okay.

Just because someone dares to express an opinion contrary to yours does NOT give you license to start making personal disparaging remarks.

Personal attackers generally hide behind a monitor - they would - as a rule - never dare to speak that way to your face. This is pure cowardice disguised as arrogance, and there is nothing manly or womanly (i.e., adult) about it.

If they would act that way to your face, shame on them, but at least you know to cut them out of your life then.

Ah for the days of basic good manners.

Rest in Peace Emily Post.

New Port Richey needs rain.

It's been weeks now.  Everything is in bloom.  Dust clogs the air.  None of us can breathe.   Wash the car and an hour later it's got crud all over it. 

And yesterday we were veritably TAUNTED by the rolling thunder East of us.  Storms sprang up to the North East.  Storms sprang up to the South East.

But we had another (beautiful) sunny day.

Described by the scientific community in So Long and Thanks for All the Fish (Douglas Adams) as a "Quasi Supernormal Incremental Precipitation Inducer," Rob McKenna is an ordinary lorry driver who can never get away from rain and he has a log-book showing that it has rained on him every day, anywhere that he has ever been to prove it. Arthur suggests that he could show the diary to someone, which Rob does, making the media deem him a 'Rain God' (something which he actually is) for the clouds want to be near him, to love him, to cherish him and to water him. This windfall gives him a lucrative career of not travelling to places for money.

I charge you gentlemen in our mighty Fox Weather Department with finding, and funding, a Rain God.  Give him money to travel around the Bay Area as a new career! 

Truthfully, I know you guys in the Weather Department cannot MAKE the rain happen, but just in case one of you HAPPENS to be a Rain God (I cannot fail to observe that it DOES rain in Tampa far more than here! LOL) or knows one, PLEASE help!

Ah, for wishful thinking....

Well, this seems as good a place as any to find some answers to some long standing questions I have.

In the second grade I received a Bible as a birthday gift from a fellow student.   That Bible served me well through my school's sponsoring church and during my confirmation studies at our other church.  That same said Bible, by now highlighted, dogearred, and with notes scribbled in it, went with me to yet a new church when I was in college and taught Sunday School.

AND YET that same Bible was NOT acceptable at the church I last became a member of.  I needed to use "their" denomination-specific Bible.

Now, there are hundreds (?) of versions of the Bible.  One would THINK though that while the verbage may differ, the chapters and verses would numerically align; HOWEVER, some verses mysteriously disappear in some versions.

We all know the verbage changes; for example, King James did not appreciate female priests so had them changed to male priests... the list goes on.

So tell me, while the WORDS are inspired by God, did God ALSO inspire which books (written by whom) were to be included in the actual Bible?  Has not MAN influenced what it is we are reading?  And why?

As a nation we are sitting back, diddling our thumbs, and bemoaning the rather unpleasant shifts in our society.  We moan about things just great; but what are we individuals actually DOING about it?

Well,  I for one have had quite enough thank you.

Today's rant is on Telephone Etiquette

RING RING

"Hello?"

"Hi, I am John Smith of XYZ  Company calling for Mr. Jones.  Is he available?"

This CLASSIC opening allows for intelligent exchange.

 

YESTERDAY'S SCENARIO

RING RING

"Hello?"

"Who's this!"

(My standard response as the callee at this point is to explain to the caller that since it is they who called me perhaps it would behoove them to identify themselves before demanding information about me.  Yep, a frosty superior-than-thou Southern accent comes out - if you are that arrogant, I can match you bit for bit.)

------------------

As a CALLER, you set the tone. 

Would you DARE walk up to a stranger on  the street and demand to know who they are, just out of the blue?  No introductions from yourself forthcoming?  No hand held out to shake?

Folks hide behind their phones, figuring if they cannot be seen they can pretty much say whatever they damn well please.

This ain't peek-a-boo and you ain't coming up behind someone and putting your hands over their eyes saying "Guess who?"  It ain't cute.

We live in a  world that has a lot of folks with ex-spouses and other potentially vengeful sorts.  Ever hear of restraining orders?  We are taught to be self aware and protect our identities.  When you call my home, you are INVADING my space.  Have some respect when you do so. 

We teach our young, and were taught ourselves, DO NOT TALK TO STRANGERS. 

YOU are the stranger when you do not identify yourself.

Use common sense:  IF you would not behave a certain way FACE TO FACE IN PERSON, don't do it if you are connected electronically.

When one is laid up and resting as per doctor orders (and for once I had to comply - Holy Cow!) one is presented with The Supreme Challenge. Finding good television.

Consequently, the range of local, state and national events brought to my attention by my beloved FOX newscasters has presented a stunning array of stories just begging for comment.

We come again to the fact I could not sit at the computer comfortably. No means of spouting off.

Well.

I am healing, and have now managed to prop myself up and spew comment on a few doozies that have caught my eye. It's my way of saying I am alive, and I am here, and I have missed you.

Let me lead off with an easy one, 'k? I'm kind of out of practice...

------------------

Nick Hogan: Oh for heaven's sake. Pretty Boy needed a year and a day. The flagrant disregard for law enforcement and the firm belief that the streets of Pinellas were paved as his own private speedway shows him for the arrogant self-centered little brat he is.

And am I the only one that recalls Hulk Hogan receiving the 2007 Father of the Year award? This just begs comment, but I need to hold back.

------------------

Obama: Can this possibly get any worse?

Reverend Jeremiah Wright. How can you have the SAME spiritual advisor for 20 years and (a) know nothing of his views and (b) suddenly feel a need to sincerely seperate alliance? How can you trust anyone who has such sudden alliance shifts???? (Okay, well, where did Oprah go in all this?)

Has anyone not noticed how suspiciously QUIET others (Jessie? Al? Louis?) have been? They usually weigh in by now, year after election year. I am reminded of how quiet a snake can be, lying coiled under the brush....

-------------------

We are a country that occasionally celebrates wins with riots and destruction. We are a country that occasionally punishes perceived injustice with riots.

We are a country sitting on an election year.

We are a country sitting on top of more stress right now that it knows what to do, and I cannot help but wonder....

--------------------

I nominate one Brian Crowder, arsonist - ooops, sorry SUSPECTED arsonist - for the Cr@pweasel Award. The fawn that was born Saturday or Sunday (umbilical cord still a black nub on its belly) was rescued and is being cared for by one of my rehabber friends. Its mother's whereabouts are unknown.

--------------------

It is so refreshing to see how the women are finally showing up to play on Team Pedophile! And here I was thinking the men had sewn this one up on their own! Bad girl - I profiled! I hate it when I do dat!

I have never in my life wanted to slap the smile right off someone's face before, but this piece of work called Stephanie Ragusa seems to be riding high right now.

She and Nick would have made a perfect couple from the looks on their faces.

--------------------

The Rays NEED a new stadium? Exactly how old is their current stadium again? And exactly how many wins and titles have they provided our humble state with? Now I can go along with a nice uniform change - look what it did for the Bucs - but come on.....

---------------------

Finally, to the mother of one of the eight young ladies (oh, how I use THAT term loosely!) who beat the snot out of a classmate: How DARE you go on television and complain about how unfair it is you get phone calls at home threatening your precious little darling.... You hypocrite. Where were you when YOUR DAUGHTER was doing the same thing to the victim?

Karma bites honey. And yes, to all those who are aware of my Christian beliefs, I ALSO believe in Karma...

---------------------

Thank you all. I feel better for having let a little steam off.

Floyd - I'm getting there. Thank you.
Michelle - Hoping truly all the best for you.
Yellowdog - I hope your Southern Gentleman self is behaving!
Jumpy - Had to check fast and saw baby picture - Congratulations and how lovely! Please respond here and let me know how you and baby are? (I am still limited how long I can be up... this way I can peek right here!)

I am going to go lie down again and ponder life.

All right. I will not attempt to delve into global economics, international business or world trade, as I can admit readily I am not knowledgeable at all in that respect (and there are likely others like me), BUT....

It would SEEM to me that with the COST of all the recalls etc. involved with these issues, perhaps we need to rethink farming out so much of our business to China, and, if it MUST be sent overseas, select another country hungry to do business with us.

Weren't the pet food recalls China-based?

What about the Mattel toy recall for lead paint?

Now Heparin. (Though the FDA isn't "sure" yet...)

I would sincerely appreciate some of the heavy-weights (brains!) weighing in on this an sincerely explaining to me WHY we continue to do business if there are starting to be these kinds of issues.

Thank you. :-)

I have received another one of those inflammatory statistic-driven emails. It got me to thinking.  (In the morning on the first cup of coffee, I admit this to be a dangerous thing...)   I did not author this email -  - I adore my own doctors - but it does give pause for thought; I've seen enough to know they ARE out there...(Always the bad ones in anything to get the press)

The number of physicians in the U.S. is 800,000.

Accidental deaths caused by physicians per year are 120,000.

Accidental deaths per physician -- .0171.*

Now think about this:  Guns

The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.  (Yes, that's 80 million)

The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.

The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188.

So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

Remember, "Guns don't kill people, doctors do."

I did a quick check online of the “facts” (the sources cited in the email – the FBI and US Department of Health & Human Services) but had no real luck on the FBI site, however, the NRA and Brady Campaign numbers DO appear to support the gun fact assertions.  Couldn’t locate squat on the USDHHS site, but on USA Today’s site the number of doctor’s is validated.  http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-03-02-doctor
-shortage_x.htm

Either way, it’s an amusing read.

Let’s face it:  Out of EVERY graduating class of doctors, only 10% were at the top 10% of their class!  And 50% were at the bottom half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Of course, the same holds true for every other professions too!

Half the people you meet were at the bottom half of THEIR class!  (And that's based on those who did NOT drop out!)  Explains EVERYTHING when you think about it!

Couldn't resist!

I reference Baldwin, Florida Town Council, Ordinance 2007-17.

...the Town Council of the Town of Baldwin has found that the welfare of the residents of the Town of Baldwin is hampered and imposed upon by persons intentionally wearing their pants below their waist for the purposes of  exposing themselves and their undergarments...

Remember the days of yore when jeans and pants went to the waist and even the renegades wore their jeans up and t-shirts merely untucked?

Then it happened.  (Was it Mariah?) A popular singer went to a photo shoot, was displeased with the small "roll" that appeared over her tight jeans, and she cut off the waist; thus, the birth of the low-rise jean for girls.  (Not sure if this, too, gave birth to the low low rise for boys.)

I was riding in the car on 19 with my hubby, and we were extremely amused by the young man hopping down the side of the highway.  His jeans were slung down to just above his knees!  This is "cool"???????????????  He was about to trip and fall! Other people were noticing and laughing at him, too. 

When I take my daughter jeans/pants shopping, I make her sit on the floor so I can check the view from behind and see if there is any butt-cleavage going on.  If there is, the selection stays at the store.(NOTE: For me there IS a difference between strolling around all day with butt cleavage swaying back and forth and a good old-fashioned 2-second mooning out a car window, but that's just my opinion.)

I once saw on ebay an ingenious and humorous item for sale called "butt spackle."  You can imagine the usage suggested!

I don't think I will ever understand the coolness of showing off boxers, and I surely am not going to let my daughter suggestively moon the world (this is one of those arguments I do choose to have with her).

But I must say I applaud the efforts of yet another small town to RECTify a small, but annoying trend.

I am writing this particular blog in attempt to anticipate the long term effects the passing of this bill would have, so regardless of WHICH side of the debate you fall into, and I think we can agree no camps will ever be fully satisfied with any outcomes of this permanent issue, we could ALL be affected by the outcomes of this legislation. 

It is proposed that an ultrasound be performed on women who elect to have an abortion.  They may sign a waiver that says “No thank you I prefer not see the images.” 

I can clearly see what the goal on the surface is with this bill, but the underlying intent is what concerns me.  Exactly where will the additional cost of this ultrasound be laid? 

Surely not on the taxpayers… but on the pregnant women and/or the daddies, therefore putting abortion out of the grasps of the majority of folks seeking them.

Ultrasounds are rather expensive.

Arguments aside about birth control and responsibility; again, this is not the intent here.  Though I would be interested in finding out actual numbers of folks who protest abortions and how many of them actually are willing to open their homes to adoption or foster care.

With the advent and passage of this bill, there will be an increase in unwanted pregnancies, ergo, unwanted children.

This COULD and likely WILL affect an already beleaguered child welfare system in many ways. 

Reality is, you cannot force people to be GOOD parents when they resent the child and being “forced” by the government to have it.  (Low incomers, for example, will feel forced as they simply won’t have the funds available…)

What problems can you foresee with the passage of this proposed bill?

Made ya' look. ;-)

 However, they soon could be coming to a neighborhood near you - if they aren't there already! We are seeing in the news again folks in an uproar over predators/offenders moving into their neighborhoods.

 Prevention of crimes against children is at the top of everyone's list right now.

 Communities are actually passing regulations preventing these criminals from residing within x-amount of distance from schools, etc.

We are experiencing radical budget cuts, with more heading down the pike, in almost every field of law enforcement. Change in the way things are handled costs money. A lot of it.

If we jail them all, we would have to build hundreds more prisons, staff them, and be prepared to spend about $35K per prisoner per year (thereabouts).

I also heard somewhere along the line that for every 1 we know about, there can be as many as 3 (or so) we do not.

These people cannot be rehabilitated. Ergo, can they be productive members of society? Would they be allowed to be even if they could, or shunned?

In the back of my mind, that sheriff out in the desert west who has constructed a tent city prison is starting to look brilliant. 

You see where this is going?

As we discover them, throw them all into their own little city with a nice big wall around it. I dunno. As a group we complain and whine and appear united in what NEEDS to be done (prevention) but when it gets down to it, there's more dithering around than action.

We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located among the millions and millions of cows in America , but we haven't got a clue as to where thousands of sex offenders and predators are located. Maybe we should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of it!

(The preceding is not intended to "make light" but to "point out" a disparity in tracking!)

I predict, with all the dithering and lack of decisive approach, an abundance of Lunsford-type lawsuits with nothing really changing as that would ultimately require higher taxes.

What do YOU propose as a national fix-all for this growing situation?