So-Called Religious Group is Dictating USN SEAL Training...

June 30, 2012
Please note, all text with quotation marks is taken from Kate Wiltrout's article in the Virginian-Pilot.

"The Navy will not use a target depicting a Muslim woman holding a gun at a new training range for SEALs in Virginia Beach.
The announcement came hours after the Council on American-Islamic Relations asked the Pentagon to remove the target. A picture of the cardboard target, which shows a woman in a headscarf holding a pistol, was published in The Virginian-Pilot on Tuesday. The image shows verses of the Quran hanging on the wall behind the woman, which also generated criticism from the group.
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based council, said in the letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta dated Friday that the target "is offensive and sends a negative and counterproductive message to trainees and to the Muslim-majority nations to which they may be deployed."

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we the tax payers just spent millions of dollars to open a new training center for our special forces. Obviously, we would all want it to be as realistic as possible. But, that is not going to be.

"Naval Special Warfare Group Two, which oversees SEAL teams 2, 4, 8 and 10 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, has not yet put the $11.5 million facility to use.
The 26,500-square-foot building contains 52 interconnected spaces, including mock-ups of markets, a hospital, schools, a bank, a bus depot and two mosques. It will allow small groups of SEALs to practice enemy engagement at close range.
Many of the details were taken from actual raids over the past decade, Capt. Tim Szymanski, the commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group 2, said during a tour of the facility Monday."

Religions of all stripes are continuing to push their tentacles into our government. They are ongoingly trying to change our laws and policies based on their so-called religious tenets. What the hell has happened to our society? I don't guess there's much else to say.

I Quit! No More News! No More CAM!

Well, folks I've had it. For the past no-telling-how-many years I've lived on the Internet. I've spent my time on CNN, MSNBC, NYT, local paper, and so on. Also, Randi.org, Scienceblog, and am subscribed to several newsletters about bogus and scam medicine. Wow, and where has it gotten me? Nowhere, actually.
I have over 300 videos on YouTube ranting about it all..... The only thing I've accomplished is to piss off a bunch of folks who stumbled by my site. And, that's about it. Well, OK, there've been a couple who may no longer go to chiropractors after seeing my videos. Other than that few...that's been about it.
So, what was the catalyst, if you will, that put me over the edge, what made me vow to try to stay away from the news and such?
Today I read about a Canadian who is about to be executed by Iran. And, what did he do? As I best understand it, he was visiting relatives in Iran and they charged him with designing a program that ended-up being used to load pornography on the Internet. According to CNN he didn't have anything to do with anything, other than he had written the program.
In Nepal, a young lady was burned alive, with her family helping, because two shaman said she was a witch.
Rick Santorum, for the past couple of days has been going on and on about he's the real Christian, not President Obama and that, yes, the President is waging a war on religion (wow, I wish he was). Most of this of course is because of President Obama's stance that insurance companies should provide for women to have birth control pills, if that's what they want.
And, the Catholics just won't stop. Yep, another twenty-one cardinals, just what the world needs. More Catholic cardinals!
I'll tell you, I'll start believing in your God if he will guarantee me he'll send them all to hell....
So, that's the story, such as it is. It is just too fucking depressing to be mired in it all...to read the same religious bullshit day after day...to read of all of the dreadful things happening around the world...our global citizens being murdered by religious zealots. What the fuck have we all come to? This is 2012, we've made no progress.
When it comes to religion, we turn our brains off. When it comes to so-called complimentary and alternative medicine we turn our brains off. Yes, I have a basic understanding how it works, how we shut off all reasoning, but hey, that doesn’t alter the outcome of our actions and beliefs.
Yes, we pray to this bearded guy in the sky. You know the one, the one who is all powerful and loves everyone. Yep, the one who will send you to hell and burn you forever if you don't believe in him and do what he tells you. Yeah, he's all powerful. Look at the world folks.... What kind of person would allow this world to be the way it is if they were all powerful and could do anything they wanted. And, this is who you pray to!
Yeah, I know, he works in mysterious ways...
I know no one is reading this, and that’s fine. However, if one of you religious folks stumbled in here and are still here...here's something to think about.
Yes, you Christian folks are praying to the one true god...right? Your so-called religion is dictated by geography, period. If you had been born in the Middle East, you'd be a Muslim. Yes, it's that simple and you'd now be tracking down and killing Christians or what-have-you...or strapping on a vest with explosives so you could be a martyr and get your 72 virgins. No, I don't want 72 virgins but that sounds a hell of a lot better than being in heaven around your god and fucking praying all day.
OK, another one. Show me just one example of a prayer being answered. No bullshit, a little evidence please. Just one!
Now, if you do come up with one, which you can't...well, for every one you come up with I'll come up with a million where your god either ignored your request or said, Fuck you.
OK. One more. Evidence folks. Just one speck of evidence that your god exists. Just one. Please don't tell me about the complexity of the eye and where the grass came from and beautiful sunsets and all the rest of it. Anyone ever seen this guy?
If you went to your Honda dealer and you were told a certain model got 100 mpg, you'd ask for evidence. Yes, actual evidence. If not proved you'd most likely go home and check Car and Driver, Road and Track, and Consumer Reports. However, if your pastor tells you there's a god floating around in the sky who loves you is all powerful and answers prayers but the world is all fucked up an he ain't doing anything about it, that's evidently fine with you.
If I told you Santa Claus is my god, you'd laugh at me and possibly even ask for evidence. Yes, you a believer of all people asking for evidence. And, I of course show you the same amount of evidence that Santa Claus exists as my god, as you can show me evidence that your god's the real deal.
Hey, another one I like are you folks out there who have a Personal Relationship With God. Yep, you know who you are. Folks, people who talk to people who aren't there are called mentally ill. And, no I'm surely not making fun of the mentally ill, as after all there is a reason that they hear voices and talk to people who aren't there. Actually, where do you cross the line from being religious to being mentally ill. Yes, have said belief in a god is like a virus of some kind. Hmmmm.
I guess I could say that I'll have the last laugh...but, I won't and even if I did it would be a truly hollow victory. What am I talking about? Well folks, you may well live as a so-called Christian but, fortunate for you, you're going to die the death of an atheist. Yep, folks you ain't going nowhere. You're going to be just like me. Yes, we die and we are dead and that's that...and, nope, you'll never know that you pissed your life away believing in your so-called god. Folks, it's going to be just like having an operation that you don't wake up from. Yes, and you ain't gonna know it. Feel fortunate that that's the way it is.
I know if I was god and someone like me was writing this kind of stuff, I'd sure show myself.
Well, do I feel any better? No, of course not. Actually, in some ways, I envy you guys. Yep, no matter what happens you have an answer. Yes, it's god's will. Yes, god has a plan. Yes, god works in mysterious ways. Yes, we don't question god. You'll never have to see things the way they are, and that folks may well be a blessing.


Sorry for the bad words, Mom. I'm just really ticked off....

Yes, Whitney Houston Died

February 15, 2012

Yes, Whitney Houston Died

When I learned that Whitney Houston died I thought about writing an essay. Anyway, I put it off; however, after the governor of New Jersey decided to fly the flags at half-staff, I decided I needed to have my say.
First off, as anyone reading this will know, I know absolutely nothing about Ms. Houston other than what I've read recently; and, frankly, I haven't read that much.
Is her death sad? Sure. Most deaths are sad. Well, you know what I mean. Unless the person is truly evil, I think we all feel a little...sadness, maybe? And, even when an evil person dies we may well think, Gosh, too bad that person was evil and ended up like this. Well, maybe a few of us think that way.
And, I'm surely not suggesting that Houston's fans shouldn't mourn her death. Hey, do whatever you want. This is America and we still have some liberties, though some folks seem to being trying to erode them....
So, what has Houston given to us? Cure for cancer? A new life saving medication? Established a home for wayward children?
OK, OK, yes, I know that she had a bunch of albums. Yep, she had a nice voice. Do I own any of those albums? No. However, I'm sure I've heard some of her songs and enjoyed listening to her. Well, pretty sure.
As I best understand it, the governor of New Jersey has never lowered the flags when one of his citizens has been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Though the autopsy results have not yet been released; however, from some of the stuff the press has been writing about, it would seem that there is the possibility that Houston had a problem with alcohol and drugs. Would that make it OK for her to die? No, of course not.
So, where does this bring the essay? I guess I could say that Houston had a ton of money, had the ability to have a great successful career singing. And, what did she do? It would seem she made some really poor choices in her relationships and made poor choices in using alcohol and drugs. Of course, I don't know this to be true, but from the press it would seem that this is the case. Yes, poor choices. And, the governor of New Jersey lowers the flags because of her death, but doesn't lower the flags for his citizens who are killed in a war started by a liar. If you are going to lower the flags governor, wouldn't it seem that you should do it for the young men and women, many of whom, were decent people, who went to war for our country and tried to do the right thing.
Governor Christie, you are a shithead! You pander to the lowest common denominator. Like Houston, you made a really poor decision. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Anyone for President other than Newt!

Friday, January 27, 2012

OK, I'm sure this may sound tacky, but that's the way it is. Yes, watched the Republican debate last night. Actually, pretty good one...
Sooo, you know how all of the Republicans are saying anyone but Obama... Well, I'm somewhat in agreement; however, I'm saying anyone other than Newt. Dang, can't even imagine him as president.
One of the questions last night was about religion. Yep, you going to call on the Lord or some such thing. And, good old Newt, devout Catholic, family man, and so on, responded by saying that yes, he'd call on the Almighty. Yes, this is paraphrased.
Let's think about this. The president of one of the greatest countries around, the president of one of the most powerful countries around, and yep....he's going to get on his knees and pray to his god....seeking answers and guidance. Dang!
OK. Wouldn't it be safe to assume that if someone gets on their knees to pray, that they are expecting an answer or response to their prayers? Now, how does that work. God, I'm on the verge of declaring war against fill-in-the-blank, what should I do?
Sadly, seriously mentally ill people routinely hear voices. And, sadly, many seriously mentally ill people claim god talks to them.
Now, does old Newt have a direct line to God.
“Hey, God, it's Newt.”
“Newt, my man, how they hangin'.”
Or does God respond by giving a sign of some sort. Maybe he sends the answer in the form of a grilled cheese with a message. Or, maybe Newt looks to the heavens searching for an answer in the cloud formations.
OK. Yes, it'd be nice if no one in the world believed in gods. It truly would be nice if that were the case. However, I think there is a difference between some type of passive religion. You know, yes, there is a god and my judgment day will come and so on. This seems fairly benign, well, you know what I mean. However, to have our president waiting for answers from his so-called god....well, folks.
Anyway, yes, I am now, an Anyone for President other than Newt person.
As an aside, I've decided Newt reminds me of a pool hustler or a card cheat... Sure can't trust him.

Does the Math Make Sense? Processing Folks for Heaven or Hell... Wow, Sounds Exhausting to Me...

Recently, unless I'm mistaken, I read that the world's population is approaching 9,000,000,000. Wow, that's a large number. Where am I going here? Yes, I know your God (OK, I'll use a capital...) is all powerful and performs miracles and so on. But, let's look at the figures. From Wikipedia it seems that the death rate is expressed in number of deaths per 1,000 per year. “Mortality rate is typically expressed in units of deaths per 1000 individuals per year; thus, a mortality rate of 9.5 in a population of 100,000 would mean 950 deaths per year in that entire population, or 0.95% out of the total.” Also, “The crude death rate, the total number of deaths per year per 1000 people. As of July 2009 the crude death rate for the whole world is about 8.37 per 1000 per year according to the current CIA World Factbook.” OK, I'm going to be conservative. For my example, I'm going to use a world population of 8,000,000,000 and a death rate of 8 people per thousand per year. With me, so far? Now, how many would God have to process in a day? You know, as he sits there and decides whether they go up or down: Heaven or Hell.Follow my math, I surely could be making a mistake somewhere here. OK, 8,000,000,000 X .8 = 640,000,000 deaths per year. Wow, could my math be correct? Dang. Let me check that again...I was wrong. 64,000,000 people die per year.OK. Now, 64.000,000/365=175,342 people that God has to process a day. Wow. How many minutes in a day? 24 *60= 1440 minutes a day or 86,400 seconds a day. Now, let's see. 175,342/86,400=2.03... Now, unless I've made another mistake here, that means that every second of every day, for an eternity, if you will, God has to process 2.03 people. Yes, every second...you up, you down. You Heaven, you Hell. Folks, does that make sense to you? Hey, plus God has all of his other chores. You know, miracles, hurricanes, diseases, well....you know, all of his other Godly duties in ruling the universe. Oh, yeah. That football player, Tebow, hey, God has to look in on him from time to time...and of course he has to talk to several of the Republicans who are running for president. Dang, I'm exhausted just thinking about it. But, of course, He's God. I'm sure he can handle it.
Well, I told my brother about this post. He said that God would have to be checking them in, also. Yes, he said that he'd have to be checking in all of the new births. Wow, I just can't imagine it all. Mercy. I guess old God has a lot of servers for his computers......................

Yes, I am Now a Reverend...

It says so right here....

So, how did a seemingly avowed atheist become a reverend? Reasonable question. Though this explanation may be an oversimplification, it's most likely pretty accurate. 

Sadly, someone who I knew became consumed, if you will, with just about every bogus so-called alternative and complimentary medicine, in addition to astrology, channeling, reflexology, aromatherapy, numerology, and so on. There was just no getting through to her. No way. Even though she could not provide any, and I mean any, documented proof that those things worked and even though the Internet is full of information that would lead rational people to understand that they don't, she persisted in seeking treatment from these people.
It seemed that at times she would attempt to justify this by pointing out the training these quacks and charlatans allegedly had. Yep, so-and-so has a master’s degree in such and such. Yep, that sure convinces me!!! When I would point out to her that most of the so-called certifications and degrees...you know the ones...the ones that let us put letters after our names....CFT, NPD, DN, CLC, and on and on......really meant nothing as most of them were awarded simply because you paid a fee. You bought your certification just like you'd buy a hot dog or gas for your car.
Anyway, there was just no way to get through to her. She was completely consumed with just about everything bogus out there. I would imagine what she has not tried was on her list.
The latest is going to a life coach. Yes, you heard right, a life coach. I think the one who she sees also mixes in a little crystal stuff and aromatherapy. Boy, I'd sure rush to them to let them fix my life. I pointed out that I found a place that gives you life coach certification in one week for $165. Hey, how about that. Yes, this is surely the person I want to turn my life over too. Yep, this is the one. The crystals and aromatherapy only add to the allure of it all. Hmmmm.
Anyway, in an attempt to show her that there's little out there in the bogus world she's involved in that has any kind of creditability, I became ordained. Yes, see the certificate. It took me less than a minute to fill out the required information and print my certificate. And, folks it didn't cost anything. Yes, absolutely free....and, supposedly I can marry people and do all the regular stuff ministers do. Why my church, The Universal Life Church, offers the free ordination I do not know. Their heart could be in the right place. Who knows? The following is taken from one of their web sites. 

The Universal Life Church has no traditional doctrine. We as an organization believe in that which is right. Each individual has the privilege and responsibility to determine what is right for themselves, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. We do not stand between you and your God. We are active advocates of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. WE ARE ADVOCATES OF THE GOOD LIFE! We want to be competent, to be proficient, to be cooperative, to love our fellow man, to appreciate, to be humble, to be honest, to be moral, to live positively, to be what we profess.

That sounds pretty good.
I do know that they offer advanced-degrees in just about anything you can pick...you name it and they'll give you an immediate degree based on life experience. I think the only types of degrees they don't offer (yet) are medical and law degrees. They seem to have almost everything else covered. Here are some examples of their degrees and certifications:

REGISTERED TAROT ADVISOR CERTIFICATE 55.00
REGISTERED PSYCHIC CERTIFICATE 55.00
REGISTERED MYSTIC CERTIFICATE 55.00
REGISTERED ASTROLOGER CERTIFICATE 55.00
REGISTERED CLAIRVOYANT CERTIFICATE 55.00
REGISTERED NUMEROLOGIST CERTIFICATE 55.00
REGISTERED MEDIUM CERTIFICATE 55.00
Ph.D. IN AROMATHERAPY (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $500 Now Only $250
Ph.D. IN FENG SHUI (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $500 Now Only $250 DOCTOR OF SPIRITUAL HEALING (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $500 Now Only $250
Ph.D. IN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $645 Now Only $258
Ph.D. IN MOTIVATION (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $645 Now Only $258
Ph.D. IN ASTRAL PROJECTION (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $645 Now Only $258
SPIRITUAL PRACTITIONER (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $310 Now Only $155
HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $310 Now Only $155
HEALING PRACTITIONER (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $310 Now Only $155 View Diploma
ALTERNATIVE PRACTITIONER (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $310 Now Only $155
NEW AGE PRACTITIONER (Awarded for life experience.) No Course! Regularly $310 Now Only $155

So, you folks out there who are impressed by letters after people’s names....hey, be a little skeptical. Yep, just a little. In the world of New Age, things are never what they say or seem. Let the buyer beware.

Stripper Factories and Beer Volcanoes in Heaven?

In 2005, Bobby Henderson, a college student majoring in physics, approached the Kansas School Board and lobbied to have The Flying Spaghetti Monster taught in school. At the time it was before the school board to teach Intelligent Design along side evolution.
The followers, believers, adherents to The Flying Spaghetti Monster believe that when you go to heaven it is filled with stripper factories and beer volcanoes. Hey, guys, how does that sound?

My God Isn't as Weird as Your God!

Yes, I know this is a possibly an over-simplified look at what's going on in Iowa. It seems the Christian so-called fundamentalists are coming out in droves. Though I am surely not politically astute, and frankly just know the bare bones about politics, it seems as though when Romney is mentioned among the fundamentalists, it almost a battle of whose god is the weirdest...or, maybe the least weird, depending on where you're standing.Yep, Romney ain't no real Christian...he's one of them cult members. Yeah, he's one of them Mormons.
This would be funny if these folks weren't helping to determine who will soon be running for president. The separation of church and state isn't working, at least in this part of the political process.

A Simple Philosophy on How to Live: No New Regrets

I was pondering, if you will, my life and all of the mistakes I've made. I wondered if I could come up with a simple, easy to understand philosophy of how to live. Something that would be brief and to the point. Something that anyone could understand, including me. Something that would have great utility value.

Something that could pulled out and used for almost any event that confronted or any decision I'd have to make.
I think I found it. At least for me, I have. Yes, No New Regrets. Though it most likely doesn’t need an explanation, I want to be able to look back from here on out and say, I did nothing that I regret, and I don't regret not doing anything.
Yes, No New Regrets.

What's the Harm? Possibly Death!

November 19, 2011, Yavapai County, Ariz., Judge Warren Darrow sentenced James Arthur Ray for the deaths of Kirby Brown, 38; James Shore, 40; and Liz Neuman, 49 who all died after participating in a sweat lodge ceremony. The sweat lodge was the closing event of a five-day seminar, or retreat, I guess you could say. Ray, who charged $10,000 to participate, billed it as a Spiritual Warrior event. Yes, and of course he talked about making spiritual breakthroughs and all of the other New Age stuff.
The jury convicted Ray of three counts of negligent homicide. The judge sentenced him to two years on each count, to be served concurrently.
Ray's rise to well-known self-help guru and motivational speaker was helped along, by, yes, good old Oprah. Also, it didn't hurt that he had a part in the movie, The Secret. You guys remember the Secret. Yes, the law of attraction. Think it and it's yours.
Folks, no I'm not saying that we shouldn't try to improve ourselves, improve our lives, but there's no quick way to anything in life, and though most of us will never achieve greatness, we all have the ability to have decent lives, and that's what we should work on; fine tuning what we have, maybe learning to be better people. There are few of us who are going to breakout of our lives, if you will, and achieve overnight wealth and success: And, for those of us who do, it's not going to be because of the Rays of the world. It's all hard work and for most of us it takes time. Though I didn't spend much time in looking into Ray's background, I'd be willing to bet that he never made any money other than the money given to him by a whole host of gullible people who attended his seminars and bought his stuff. David McCall, a Texas trucking business owner who said he spent $125,000 to attend Ray's seminars in 2008 was at Ray's sentencing hearing to ask the judge for leniency.
As I type this, his Website is still up and running selling books, CDs, DVDs, yes and all of the words are there for you: Harmonic Wealth, Science, and Spiritual this that and the other and so on.
Who are these people who go to these seminars and spend their money on most-likely worthless CDs, books, and such. I would imagine that most are bright intelligent people with a sincere desire to improve their lives.  The problem is, that they put the Rays of the world up on a pedestal and shut off all of their logical thinking. It would seem that Ray was considered god-like and no one questioned him or closely evaluated what he was selling. Several people ended-up with broken hands at another of his seminars when he told them they could break cinder blocks. The followers of the Rays of the world shut down any critical thinking that they have and seem to buy into whatever they are told. 
Ray, like others of his ilk, is nothing more than a New Age shyster. Instead of peddling snake oil, Ray peddled his DVDs. Instead of saying his potions and elixirs would cure your physical ills, Ray promised spiritual happiness and wealth. It would seem, that for most of those who bought into his scam, he delivered neither.

My Cell Phone is Only Ten Bucks a Year...

Yes, $10 a year. Today I went to T-Mobile (Military Highway across from Janaf, for you local folks) and had a pleasant visit with my phone lady. Yep, we sort of got caught up with what's been going on with us over the past year...and she got my phone set up for another year.
OK. My phone is what I call my emergency phone. I leave it in my car in case I ever need road service or what-have-you. The only cell phones I've ever bought are the ones that I think are referred to as throw away phones. You know, the ones that you buy time for.
Anyway, I always start out with good intentions but normally forget to go back until I run over a year and have to start over. I think I paid $100 the first time, which included a phone and 1,000 minutes. As I best understand it, as long as I go back within a year, and spend as little as ten bucks...hey, my phone will go on forever (whatever forever means in the phone business).
Anyway, this year, I made it in time. I think the ten bucks bought me another 100 minutes and I think I had almost a thousand. In fact, my phone lady said I only used six minutes over the last year.
Anyway folks, unshackle yourselves from your no telling how much a month cell phones. Do you really need to go around with a phone jammed to your ear for most of the day? Are you really so important that you have to be available 24 hours a day? Do you know what you look like when you're pounding out those text things?
As an aside, bet you folks don't even know what a party line is (or was). In the fifties, in fact, it may have been my family's first phone, yes, we had a party line. Several families had the same phone line. Yes, each family had a different ring. For instance, if there was two long rings it would be for my family. Two short rings, another family. And, yes, we could all listen to each others' conversations. And, you guys have to have a cell phone at the ready 24/7?
Yes, I like and use a lot of the modern-day technology, and wow, truly like the advances in medicine, but there's something to be said for the good old days.
Folks, yes, cut the tether, disconnect yourself from the cell-phone umbilical cord, free yourself. Rush into T-Mobile, and yell that you want to be free. Tell them you want George's Ten Dollar A Year Phone!

Kevin Trudeau Lost His Bid to Throw Out a $37.6 Million Fine...

(Reuters) - Infomercial pitchman Kevin Trudeau lost his bid to throw out a $37.6 million fine for violating a 2004 Federal Trade Commission settlement over his advertising and a federal appeals court said the amount might even be too low.
Trudeau has long battled federal regulators over his marketing of "cures" for such conditions as AIDS, hair loss, memory loss, obesity and financial distress.
Reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Terry Baynes in New York (November 2011)

Occasionally there is a little justice.

A few years ago I was in Sam's browsing in their book section. A lady had just picked-up one of Trudeau's books. The conversation with her went something like this:
"Hi. I don't mean to be rude and intrude, but do you know anything about him?" pointing to her book.
"Oh, yes."
"Do you know he's been in jail for fraud?"
"Ah, yes."
"Do you know most of what he writes is not true, that his books are just a scam?"
"Well, in one of his books I learned that a little vinegar helps with an upset stomach."

Well, folks, I guess that's just the way it is. And, yes, I guess it's true that there are a lot of suckers out there just waiting for the Trudeaus of the world to steal from them.

I Saved $.20 Per Gallon on my Gas Purchase! A Plug for Kroger...

My brother and I shop at a Kroger grocery store, just down the street. He's been telling me for a couple of years that he's been getting ten cents off a gallon at a Shell station. I always figured that buying at Sam's or Wawa (what a name) would be about the same.
Things have changed... Yep, Kroger has their own gas station now and their prices are about the same as the Wawa a block away.
Anyway, I filled up today at Kroger. Scanned my key chain-size Kroger card and got $ .20 off a gallon.
Hey, it doesn't take much.
Off course, the price had just rocketed up to $3.099 from $2.959 a few days ago. Oh, well...

Come to Virginia, We'll Let You Kill Your Kid!

Yes, it seems as though the Commonwealth of Virginia will let you let your kid die if you're religious. Yep, talking about no separation of church and state.
This is part of Code of Virginia 63.2-100
“However, no child who in good faith is under treatment solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination shall for that reason alone be considered to be an abused or neglected child.”
All states have provisions to protect children from abuse and neglect. Gosh, Virginia, you have really failed. This is almost 2012 and you have something like this on the books. What does it actually mean?
I'm planning on calling Child Protective Services and the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office over the next couple of weeks and, see if they'll provide any information as to how this works in real life, so to speak.
Yes, folks, I know I have no legal training and shouldn't be so bold as to try to interpret what this means; however, to the guy on the street, yep, that’s me, this really doesn't look good if you're trying to protect children from dying when they don't have to.
It would seem, yes, my interpretation of this code, that if the child is in a household that is clean, has food, and so on, that if the child has a life-threatening disease, and the family, or those responsible for the child’s welfare, just want to pray and not seek medical help, then that is OK.
As an aside, what the hell does, “a recognized church or religious denomination mean?” Recognized by whom? Man oh man, is there any hope for us?

Another Home Allowed to Burn

For the second time this year, in Obion County Tennessee, the fire department stood by and watched a home burn to the ground. Why? Well, the folks who lived in the homes hadn't paid the annual $75 fee.

The residents of the county are required to pay the fee so that the South Fulton Fire Department is compensated for providing the service.
The following is from Yahoo news.
South Fulton Mayor David Crocker defended the fire department, saying that if firefighters responded to non-subscribers, no one would have an incentive to pay the fee. Residents in the city of South Fulton receive the service automatically, but it is not extended to those living in the greater county-wide area.
"There's no way to go to every fire and keep up the manpower, the equipment, and just the funding for the fire department," Crocker said.
Crocker, went on to say that the firefighters would have acted if anyone was in danger. I'm not sure what his definition of danger is. The article also reported, “However, Bell and her husband were forced to walk into the burning home in an attempt to retrieve their own belongings.”
It would seem that the other absurdity is that the fire department responded, in both instances, and stood by. What would the additional cost be to spray water?
Regardless how you look at this and argue it, it's just not right for this to happen. Period. There can be no excuse for this, or any reasonable or logical argument to allow a citizen's home to burn to the ground.
I guess I could make the comment, fairly or not, that we, the United States, crossed oceans and are spending billions of dollars to invade a sovereign country, blowing things up, bombing, and yes, setting things on fire; all done on the premise of there being weapons of mass destruction, which of course there weren't.
Spending billions in a foreign country to set things on fire because of a lie and, not putting out a fire here in our country because of $75.