Now this is what I call paying attention to details. Gainesville, Florida police officers wrote seven tickets for a BMW that had been illegally parked for two weeks. A neighbor finally called police, who found a dead body in the back seat of the car.
Not long ago I was chastised severely for pointing out that Louisiana was the murder capital of the U.S.. and I was reprimanded for my article as being nonfactual and clearly off base. Turns out that Louisiana has a higher incarceration rate than any other state in the nation. One out of every 55 Louisiana residents is behind bars, and if you take into account people on parole and probation, the number drops to 1 in every 26 is under the control of the department of corrections.
Nice place to visit, but I still would not want to live there.
Three and one-half years after Katrina the last of the National Guard packed up this week and left New Orleans. One respondent on the news said, “A lot more of us will be packing pieces now for our own protection.” Now that is a sad footnote on the neighborhood in which you live isn’t it?
Big push on to move into that area of the country now.
Houston has a 6.5% unemployment rate, one of the lowest in the nation. People are flocking there in droves to find work. Houston stockbrokers are now giving away a toaster or an offshore oil rig with each new account. Better hurry, the toasters are going fast. Meanwhile back in Washington DC I hear that when congressman go to eat lunch, they are telling the serving person to “skip the food” just bring them the bill because they want to argue over it.
Here is another study I read this week. I love studies, they tell us so much about ourselves that we do not already know. A new study just released in Germany has found that 84% of Germans in their 20′s would rather do without their significant others than give up access to the Internet. The young students explained that you can always find another man or woman to love, whereas life without the web is simply unthinkable.
First it was Email and then Instant Message.
Then it was MySpace, then FaceBook, then Linkedin. Then Twitter, it is no longer just enough to consider “just do it” we have to tell everyone that we are doing it! Why we are doing it. Where we are doing it. No one writes real letters anymore, no one cares if the marriage is doing just fine, that the relationship is rock solid, no one has time for anyone other than self. No answer on my email of last week and now the neighbor lady has succumbed to sending terse, somewhat mean emails and taunting me again.
Must be tough, stuck in the grey area between losing it and virtual sure thing … single room occupancy at the home.
To that ONE PERSON who seems hell-bent to ruin my day I say that I am a personal optimist but a skeptic about just about everything else. What may sound like anger to some is really nothing more than sympathetic contempt. I view my species with a combination of wonder and pity, on some days, downright loathing. And I often root for its destruction along with those who try and irritate me. Please don’t confuse my point of view with cynicism; the real cynics are the one’s who tell you everything is going to be alright.
Do you wish to delete this message yes or no?
I see where the soil in the nation’s capitol has been tilled and we are now going to have a White House Garden. Meanwhile in the Heartland of America, we are beginning to see the handwriting on the wall …. Unemployment is Capitalism’s way of getting you to plant a garden.
Only 27% of the voters believe that the Stimulus package will actually benefit them in one way or another, a full 48% of Democrats believe it will help, 19% of independents, and bringing up the rear, 7% of the Republicans believe it will work. This might be why close to half of the population reports it is virtually impossible to get a good nights sleep anymore (48%).
Irish discount air carrier, Ryanair, the largest low-fare carrier in Europe is said to be considering charging people to use the restroom on their aircraft. “One thing we have looked at is the possibility of maybe putting in a coin slot on the toilet door.” Which sounds really stoooopid, but over here in America, would be considered end of the year bonus type thinking.
Warning
A heads up for those men who may be regular Home Depot customers. This one caught me by surprise. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don’t be naive enough to think it couldn’t happen to you or your friends.
Here’ s how the scam works : Two seriously good-looking 20- 21 year- old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping items into the trunk . They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T- shirts. It is impossible not to look.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say ‘No’ and instead ask you for a ride to McDonald’ s. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start undressing . Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen February 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th & 28th. Also March 1st, 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd,, three times last Saturday and very likely again this upcoming weekend
So tell your friends to be careful.
(P.S. Wal-Mart has wallets on sale $2.99 each)
Have a great day, and remember. Never, ever take your spouse or significant other for granted. Appreciation is something that you still have 100% control over.
OOO
“The cartoon courtesy of Center for American Progress” (online)
