Shooting Yourself In the Foot

I have been known from time to time to express my opinion on certain matters without thought to consequence. This was reinforced by a conversation I had the other day with a friend of mine who is a Judge. Blatant honesty, while the most fulfilling way of expression, is sometimes a Very Bad Thing (TM) if you are in politics and want people to help you along the way. Not only do you shoot yourself in the foot, but often these things come back to bite you in the butt later down the line.

During my campaign I made a statement to a person I respected tremendously about his/her future plans once they left office. I told them that I understood why they were pushing for certain legislation because it would give them something to do once they were out of the political arena. I also expressed that I disapproved of it. In fact, I thought it was a crappy thing to do. I blew a hole clean through my foot with that one.

As a result, my former hero/heroine did not help me during my campaign, but instead hurt me. If I’ve learned anything during all of this, it’s to censor your honesty. Some people don’t want to hear or see the truth regardless. While honesty is usually the best policy, in politics it’s a grey area that you have to tread lightly in. That is what is wrong with our system and our government. Our elected officials can’t stomach honesty. They can’t hear it from someone and not take offense because they know that they have done something less than honorable that could land them into hot water and that there are people watching who have figured it out and reprimanded them for it.

When did we start putting elected officials on pedestals? They are bound by the same laws and mores that we, now considered the peasant class, are… or at least they should be. Have a fantastic weekend.

Mr. Scammer Man Part 3

This is getting too interesting for words. Really. Whoever I’m writing to hasn’t a clue about current pop culture.

Thanks for your contact details is my hope we became friends for ever.the courier
company have assign an officer to deliver the boxes to you and he as left . since he
has diplomatic Immunity, the consignment will not be subject to rigorous screening.
His Name is John Adams. I will like you to contact him through this email
(contactjohnadams@dpljohnadams.co.cc) kindly Assist him to make sure the boxes get
to your house ASAP.Please also reconfirm your contact details to him ,your Phone
contact address and id so he will know who he will met to avoid wrong identity

Note that the Officer must no know the content of the consignment as cash;in case he
ask you just let him know the boxes are your personal effect. the money is packed
in 3 boxes and sealed as highly priority consignment with diplomatic immunity with
80GTS/DHPC/705/08. I have the unlock code with me, i will send the lock code as soon
as you confirm to me that you have the boxes.I am from New Orleans ; LA 70130
attended West Jefferson High School , 2200 8th St Harvey , LA 70058
I hope that I will be relief of duty first to Third week of June 2011, my backup is
currently wounded.

God bless you as I bring you this message of hope (Oh, now he’s a psychic! Woohoo!)
My prayer for you today

You will find favor with someone you don’t
expect .
You will be too relevant to be ignored,
You will encounter GOD and will never remain
the same,
The grace for completion will come on you, you
shall be blessed till the blessed call you blessed, (Now God is involved. This must be serious.)

The hand that will received this message to others
shall not labour in vain, Amen
The mouth saying ”Amen” to this prayer shall
laugh for ever, Amen.

Very , Very , soon and I say Very , Very , Very soon, GOD is going
to do a miracle and lift you up for GOOD.
Very , Very , soon and I say Very , Very , Very soon, GOD is going
to do a miracle and lift you up for GOOD.

IN GOD WE TRUST

Mr.Scammer Man Part Deux

Got this today from Mr. Scammer Man:

Thanks foryour prompt response got your contact info from an address journal I
amseeking your kind assistance to move the sum of ( $ 8 Million U.S.Dollars ) Eight
Million United State Dollars to United States soil, asfar as I can be assured that
my share will be safe in your care until Icomplete my service here.

Source Of Money:

Some money in various currencies was discovered in barrels at afarmhouse near one of
Saddam’s old palaces in Tikrit-Iraq during arescue operation, IT WAS AGREED TO KEEP
SOME AMOUNT ASIDE BY FELLOWSOLDIER,SGT KENNETH BUFF, WILSON HOGGE AND I THAT SOME
PART OF THISMONEY BE SHARED AMONG US BEFORE INFORMING ANYBODY ABOUT IT, SINCE
THREEOF US SAW THE MONEY FIRST WE SHARE THE MONEY AND DECIDED THAT WILLTRANSPORT THE
MONEY OUT ON INDIVIDUAL RISK This money has been keptsomewhere outside Baghdad for
some time but with the proposed troop inincrease by president Barrack Obama, to end
the suicide bombing andmake peace with Iraq militant and terrorist before month end,
we areafraid that the money may be discovered. SO WITH THE HELP OF A
BRITISHJOURNALIST I WAS ENABLED TO MOVE THE TRUCK BOXES TO A PRIVATEDIPLOMATIC
COURIER SERVICES NAMED Elite Express International CourierDIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICE
HERE. WITH SOME. DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY TO MOVEWITH DIPLOMATIC CONSIGNMENTS BACK HOME.

MORE SO NOTE THAT THE OFFICE DID NOT KNOW THE REAL CONTENT

OF THE CONSIGNMENTS WITH THE BELIEVES THAT THE CONSIGNMENTS ARE MEREBELONGINGS TO A
DEAD SOLDIER WHO DIED IN A RAID HERE IN IRAQ, ANDBEFORE GIVING UP, HE ENTRUSTED ME
WITH THE FAMILY INFORMATION TO HANDOVER HIS BELONGINGS TO IF ANY THING HAPPEN TO HIM
HERE AND OTHERSOLDIER BELIEVE SO TOO THAT THE PACKAGE BELONG TO MY FRIEND. SO YOU
ARETO RECEIVE PACKAGE AS HIS RELATIONSHIP IN UNITED STATES..BELIEVE ME, IFYOU WERE
IN MY BOOTS AND YOU CAME ACROSS SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY, U’D DOTHE SAME SHIT.YOU WILL
FIND THE STORY OF THIS MONEY ON THE WEB ADDRESSBELOW:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

No Compensation can make up for the risk we have taken with our livesin this hell
hole. I have to let you know that everything on earth is arisk. I pledged when I was
joining the military to defend the UnitedStates of America and her territories even
if i have to die which isexactly what we here in Iraq are doing. Please note that
thistransaction is 100% real.

All I require is your honest; cooperation and Sincerity to enable ussee this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under alegitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the lawas it is a 100% risk free venture. Kindly
indicate your interest inassisting a fellow American . I will like you to send to me
your fullcontact details,

Your full names——————
Address, —————–
Contact telephone———-

For my record so that I can know how to position myself to make surethis deal is
brought to a logical conclusion without any hitch Onepassionate appeal I will make
to you is not to discuss this matter withanybody, should you have reasons to reject
this offer, please andplease destroy this message as any leakage of this information
will betoo bad for us soldier here in Iraq. I do not know how long we willremain
here, and I have been shot, wounded and survived two suicidebomb attacks by the
special grace of God, this and other reasons I willmention later has prompted me to
reach out for help,

I need you to confirm to me your percentage or how much you will takefor your
assistance and for the charity in your next mail to me, whichshould be as soon as
you get this mail. I will settle for 20% – 10% forcharity I’m not greedy.

Sgt George Lucas

Here’s what I’m sending back:

I will help you any way I can. My name is Bathilda Bagshot. I live at 4763 Godricks Hollow Flint Michigan. I don’t have a telephone. The internet is my only means of communication. I lost telephone privileges a few months ago. Contact me through this email please.

Bathilda

Let’s see if the scammer notices. And yes, I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 this weekend with the girls.

Happy Turkey Day Mr. Scammer Man

I hate scammers. With a passion. I hate being bombarded with emails from “Sister Vicki” or my “Friend in the Jesus Christ”. The emails are usually full of misspelled words and phrases that just aren’t right. It’s bad when they use religion as an “in” to scam a person, but when they start involving the US Military and Thanksgiving I get plumb pissed off.

I received an email today from George Lucas. No, not that George Lucas… SSgt George Lucas of the United States Army. Here’s a copy of the email:

Subject: Happy thanksgiving
From: “Sgt George Lucas”
Date: Wed, November 24, 2010 2:24 pm
Priority: Normal
Options: View Full Header | View Printable Version | Download this as a file | View Message details

Hope all is well?

Greetings from the caves of war. My name is Sgt George LucasI am an American
soldier, serving in the military with the army’s 3rd infantry division based in
Iraq/ Baghdad. With a very desperate need for assistance, please contact me as soon
as possible with my private email address which is my only way of communication
email:(sgtgeorgelcs@aol.com)
Thanks and God bless us all.
Sgt George Lucas
(sgtgeorgelcs@aol.com)

Wow! Gosh, I don’t know what to say. One of our boys needs my help and I must immediately jump to action completely oblivious to the fact that this makes absolutely no sense. It left me with many unanswered questions like, “What can I do to help?” and “Where exactly are the caves of war?” and “Do toilets flush backward in Baghdad?”. Then it dawned on me… scammer.

Who does this? Who would impersonate a soldier and beg for assistance? Some mindless, greedy piece of crap. That’s who. So, in the spirit of the holiday I am encouraging my readers to send “SSgt Lucas” (sgtgeorgelcs@aol.com) an email wishing him a Happy Thanksgiving.

That’s a total lie. I hope you bombard the faker with nasty emails telling him that he will burn in hell for being such a jackwagon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Who Forgot the Green Bean Casserole?

While this is a change from my usual political charged posts, it’s sure to be a refreshing and entertaining one. I thought about posting an article I wrote for a magazine about Thanksgiving, but decided readers needed new material. Here it is, folks, my plan for Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving, for the “Rayfield Girls” usually begins the day before with baking and other such nonsense. Someone always makes a potato dish, Summer makes deviled eggs and the green bean casserole, Amy makes one hell of a salad, Mom makes the turkey and chicken and dumplings and I make something weird. Without fail, I make and bring the strangest items. There was the candy apple salad a few years back… the farthest thing from being an actual salad with all the whipped cream and cut up Snickers bars leftover from Halloween. It was a big hit with the kids. This year I’m making a baked brie with a mango and ginger chutney. I’m baking an artisan loaf of sour dough bread to schmeer it on. I’m sure no one else will be brave enough to give it a shot, so it will be all mine.

Back to the day… me and the kids will go to mass at 9:00am. Then we head to the land of the banjo music. My parents live about an hour south of us in a small town called Ellington. There is barely a cell signal and the only radio stations you get preach hellfire and brimstone 24/7. We should get to my parents house at noon, just in time to say the prayer and eat.

What happens after that is predictable and not newsworthy to anyone but the members of my family… we draw names for Christmas, talk about gifts and who’s bringing what to the next gathering. We criticize the person who forgot the green bean casserole and chastise the ones who made the strangest or grossest dish this time around.

Happy Thanksgiving Ya’ll!

Visit http://www.uprinting.com for your holiday printing needs.
(This is an entry into “Plan it, Blog it! 2010 Thanksgiving Blog Writing Contest”)

What is the Angle of Rangel’s Dangle?

I find it odd that a seasoned politician like Charlie Rangel would make a silly Freshman mistake like grossly misusing his campaign funds. Even first timers get information and advice from their respective Campaign Committees regarding campaign finance and acceptable uses of campaign dollars. It makes me wonder what was the angle of Rangel’s dangle? He has a plethora of advisors, the House has a campaign committee that does oversight for their candidates and elected officials. Why was he allowed to do this? Simple… he’s been in Congress for too long.

As the first black chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rangel rose to power and influence. With this came a sense of entitlement that disconnected him from the little, common folks. He became a victim of his own greed. At 80 years of age, Charlie is politically finished. He will not get re-elected even by his Harlem faithful.

The latest trend in politics seems to be out with the old and in with the new. Locally, we have seen a “popular” Presiding Commissioner go from being at the top of the heap to the gum on the shoe of the guy at the bottom of the heap. He’s not handling it well.

When allegations of unethical conduct or misappropriation of funds comes to light, it’s often the person in charge who suffers the repercussions. Sometimes, the person actually responsible will be held accountable, but it’s rare. Someone has to mind the till and be responsible for it if it comes up short.

Who was watching Rangel’s till?

Today is Monday. Enough Said.

I don’t like Monday. It isn’t because Monday is the beginning of the week. It’s because Monday is the end of the weekend. Monday brings me back to the harsh reality that I don’t have a job and the one thing I put my heart and soul into for eight months is gone. Monday is the day where I regroup from the weekend and start working, once again, on my resume and the various applications I have to fill out.

This Monday was brightened a little though with news that Charlie Rangel is being investigated by the ethics committee. I like that. Seems ole Charlie used campaign funds to pay for attorney fees and various other sundries. Way to drain the swamp, Nancy. Congratulations on that. He should have done what State Senator Brian Nieves did in his time of legal need… start a legal defense fund and then beg your supporters to donate to it. Or, he could have done what the rest of us “common folk” do and PAID FOR IT HIMSELF.

Monday=Renewed Bitterness

Committing Pork Blasphemy

Today I am committing pork blasphemy. I am cooking both Canadian and traditional bacon. On the same griddle. Surely, somewhere in a book, I’m committing a heinous violation of Shar’ia law or some other nonsense. At least it will taste good while I’m blaspheming.

Speaking of blasphemy, recently in the news I read a story about a Pakistani Christian woman who was sentenced to death by hanging for blasphemy against Muhammad. According to the woman’s co-workers she stated that Muhammad was a lay-about who had worms crawling in his ears and mouth during the last year of his life. A man who married his child bride for money and booted her out on her ass. This was reported to higher authorities and as a result she was arrested and tried. This statement was released:

Police say Bibi was charged with breaking section 295-C of Pakistan’s penal code, which says: “Whoever … defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.”

Gosh, Islam really is the religion of peace… at the end of a rope, enforced with intimidation and degradation. Think about that today while you’re eating your bacon. I sure will be.

Things that make you say “WTF?”.

As I’m sure many of you, if you have eyes and watch television, are familiar with HSUS. HSUS is a radical anti-agriculture group who takes in millions of dollars every year in the name of “helping” animals, yet spends a fraction of that money to actually help or facilitate help for the animals. With over $162 million in accumulated assets and money, HSUS is the wealthiest animal rights organization in the United States and possibly the world.

HSUS President, Wayne Pacelle, has an agenda… to make you a vegan. In an interview with the Washington Post Pacelle made the following remarks:
“I think we will see a real reduction in the number of people wearing fur and the number of major retailers selling fur,” he says. “We will see the end of wild animals in circus acts and the end of horse slaughter for human food. Humane sustainable agriculture, that should happen. So should phasing out animals used in research.

“Hunting? I think you will see a steady decline in numbers, and we’ll see the elimination of particularly extreme practices like canned hunts and baiting.”

What he doesn’t know is whether it’ll take five years or 50 years. “I think we will look back on these practices in 2050 or 2075 and say, ‘I cannot believe the collective callousness we exhibited to these feeling creatures.’ ”

Pepsi is currently running a program called the “Pepsi Refresh Project”. It encourages groups to submit ideas for improving their communities, etc. HSUS has applied and is currently in the lead for a $250,000 award… ahead of multiple HUMANITARIAN groups. The key word here is HUMAN. While I feel for animals, they are in fact animals. They are not people and do not deserve the same rights as people. When our culture starts putting animals ahead of humans, we are in terrible danger. We wonder why our children have a difficult time feeling empathy towards their fellow man. Well, folks this is why. We place higher regard on the lives of animals than we do human beings.

I’m going to post the link to the Pepsi Challenge, merely because I want you to take a good look at it and see for yourself this startling trend… putting animals before people.

http://www.refresheverything.com/leaderboard

Todays Mood: Reflective

Today I can’t help but think of our veterans and active service men and women. We set aside Veterans Day to honor the brave men and women who have given the ultimate gift in exchange for the freedoms we currently have. This also gets me to thinking about the people in other countries that we have liberated over the last hundred or so years. Most of us consider Veterans Day to be singularly American, when in truth it’s Global. Think of all the wars we have been involved in all in the name of Freedom and Democracy.

My post won’t be bitter today. I would like to encourage you to attend a Veterans Day service today. I will be at the Washington County courthouse at 11:00 am for our ceremony. See you there?