Reely por spellers

Those cows working for Chick-Fil-A are poor spellers, or have you noticed?  They are not very talented musicians either, but that is unimportant.

This is becoming a nation of poor spellers.  In fact spelling has become so poor the language is changing.
I am particularly upset at the spelling and misuse of grammar by books posted on my Kindle.  Haven't they heard of editors or proof readers?

Islam is at war with us

You can call the Islamist's  beheading of one woman and the stabbing of another as "work place  violence" or a family fuss if you are so inclined,  but you are an idiot if you do.  We may not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with us.

This nation is in danger because the Obama administration refuses to accept facts, preferring the fable that Islam is a peaceful religion.  Many Muslims are law abiding,  peaceful citizens but some are like the one who had revealed his support of stoning women and sharia  law before carrying out his cruel crime.

Where are the moderates?

Yes, where the moderate Muslims, if there are any?  Why are the moderates not screaming loud and long against the beheadings, crucifixions and other murders by the Islamic radical extremists?

Perhaps a moderate Islamist is like the cleric President Obama praises who endorsed a fatwah against American troops.

Agriculture magazine provides interesting articles

The summer edition of Louisiana Agriculture magazine just hit my desk with featured stories Sugarcane Breeding,  Biofuel Research,  Horseflies and Oil Spill.  I have mentioned more than once that I wish the  state would save its money by removing me from its mailing list.  Nothing against the magazine; it is colorful, printed on glossy paper and  filled with information for agriculture people, which I'm not.

While I've got you  interested, I'll tell you a little about a couple of articles.

Marsh Maneuvers will celebrate 25 years.  This is the program where groups of 4-H'ers spend five days in the marshes, learning their value and what must be done to preserve those areas.  All three of my children who were active 4-H members took part, two of them two times.  They found the experience to be fun and interesting.

The blood sucking nemesis, the Greenhead Horsefly, was decimated by  the oil spill in the Gulf,  giving some the idea that the horsefly could be an indicator of marsh health.  In other words, if the marsh is healthy expect a full crop of the flies.  Other wise, if the flies are scarce, it could mean the marsh has problems.

My experience with horseflies and a mule I was plowing was not scientific, but it was notable!

Not remembering time in Japan in 1945

I took no notes or pictures of any events during my time in the navy during World War 2 and I cannot remember much if anything about things I wish I could remember.

The USS Pickens was to be among the first to land troops on Japan but when Japan surrendered we were to transport troops there to occupy the country.  While mines were cleared from Nagoya, we waited in an anchorage at the small town of Wakanoura Wan.  Instead of being there a few days, we were at this small town almost a month.  It was there we gave out of food.

I remember we had a drawing or some means of choosing a small group to be the first to visit the town. My only memory is that I was in that group and that the town was a dirty little place with nothing to offer.  I do not remember anything else. Maybe it's best that way.

Daughter preaches heart-stirring sermon

Great sermon, Jessica!

I just listened by tape to a sermon given Sunday  by my daughter Jessica at Apex United Methodist Church in North Carolina.

This the first sermon I have heard in a long time that took to heart the message of Jesus, of service and love to and for others.

To Jessica -- I am sincere in telling you I would have to go back almost to my childhood to hear a comparable sermon.  Also, you have developed an outstanding speaking voice.

Unable to sleep at 3 a.m.

Here I am at 3 in the morning,  unable to sleep after I awoke at 1:20.  I need rest; I have two medical procedures today, one which  will not allow me to eat or drink until after it is completed.

I visited my old cardiologist Monday and it is he who is ordering the tests.

So here I am , unable to sleep, eat or drink so I have been reading reports on Drudge, including stories of our bombing campaign in Syria.

A call for Jeremiah

Jeremiah was imprisoned by King Hezekiah because he (Jeremiah) said God  told him that Babylon would conquer Judah and destroy Jerusalem.

Lincoln jailed some people because they wanted to negotiate peace with the South and end the war;  Wilson put newspaper editors in  jail for questioning his conduct of the war; Roosevelt incarcerated people who were Japanese.

Words warning of troubles ahead are unpopluar and can get the person uttering them in trouble. Iran can speak openly the opinion of many -- air power is great if used properly but it alone will not defeat ISIS. Iran has even made fun of the United States and called our bravery into question for taking the use of soldiers out of consideration.












 

"Life in a putty knife factory"

With the economy getting worse and the national scene more dangerous, we are in need of some humor, like that of H. Allen Smith.  Even titles of his books make one laugh. Among his 30 books are "Low Man on the Totem Pole" and "Life in a putty knife factory."

In my early years one could buy a paper back book -- called a "Pocket Book" -- for 25 cents.I  bought  a lot of them but most cannot be found.  I especially enjoyed "Rhubarb," which followed the exploits of a cat who inherited a baseball team.

A smart cat like Rhubarb  could do a better job of running the country.

Where are the coalition troops?

Two years in the navy in World War II does not qualify me as a military expert.  However, after living through several wars, I am convinced that if you  get in a war, you should go all our to win and win as soon as possible.

Congress has agreed to Obama's plan  to fund  5.000 Syrian "moderates" and train them to fight ISIS.  I get the feeling that many congressmen went along with this plan although far from enthusiastic that it will be successful; they want to to do something even if it s wrong.

The claim that the coalition members will provide sufficient foot soldiers to defeat ISIS has nothing to show for it.  Australia has promised 600 soldiers. So far, no Arab nation has committed any.

"Let's him and you fight"

President Obama's strategy for defeating ISIS is no strategy at all.  He would provide air support and  depend upon coalition partners to provide the ground troops to go into the cities and battle the terrorists.

Practically all military experts agree ground troops will be absolutely necessary to win the war.  Obama has said the coalition will supply those troops, but none of the so-called coalition has  offered to provide   troops while the United States refuses to gets its pretty boots dirty.

Why will Obama not stop crying "no boots on the ground" when that is the only way we can eliminate or at least weaken ISIS?

50 years of failure

One half a century ago Lyndon Johnson began  his war on poverty and after 22 trillion was spent, poverty is greater than before.

Why is that surprising.   The so-called war consisted of throwing money into programs that had no chance of succeeding.  Money  flowed into the pockets of many and flowed out again.  I still remember some of the ways the government found to waste money, even paying rioters.  Why does our government insist on throwing money at programs that cannot work?

Even Franklin Roosevelt's lettered organizations like the PWA and WPA left us with some streets, dams and outdoor toilets.

Why cannot our so-called leaders understand that production and real jobs come from agriculture, mining and manufacturing ?  The government, through the EPA, adopts regulations that handicap those three industries.  For example, Obama wants to regulate and fine coal mining until it can not exist.

What difference does it make?


I do not like thee, Miss Hillary C;

Why I detest thee  I cannot say;

But this I know night and day,

I do not like thee Hillary C.

School lunch on Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day was observed Friday at my grandson Kyle"s school.  It didn't involve much more than accompanying the students to lunch.

Lunch consisted of something called a steak finger, a serving of  mashed potatoes, some broccoli and carrots cooked together, plus a small roll, milk and an orange.

My grandson tried the steak finger, only to give up  because "it was like  trying to eat  a rock."  He  wound up eating the mashed potatoes and an orange.

The garbage cans got most of all the lunches.

My ride with a crazy taxi driver

I was in the Cincinnati area calling on companies and this particular morning I was in a taxi traveling on I-75 looking for an exit to my 8 a.m. appointment.

Traffic was bumper to bumper but the taxi driver wasn't bothered as he talked constantly.  He said "Oscar Robertson ( a great basketball player) sat just where you are sitting many times."  Suddenly, I said, "Was not that the exit were supposed to take?"   He agreed and stopped the cab, beginning to back up against three lanes of traffic.

I suggested we go to the next exit, take it and come back to the street we had passed.  Before we were smashed by one of the many trucks on the highway, he agreed and we did and got to my destination safely but a nervous wreck.

Obama offers little in his address

The more I examine Obama's speech of Wednesday night the less real substance I find.  Basically, the president committed to continue using air power while hoping someone would contribute troops to fight ISIS on the ground.

The CIA estimates ISIS has grown to around 31,500 fighting men. If that is accurate, it will take at least 60,000 men to defeat ISIS fighting from house to house and even room to room.  Obama is counting on others to supply the troops so he can keep his promise of "no troops on the ground."


















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Remembering Nine-Eleven

 
 Why do we commemorate our military losses? It's Remember the Alamo, Pearl Harbor, and Nine-Eleven. I am certain it is because of the heroic actions by many. Today is the thirteenth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.  We especially recognize the heroism of those who took back the plane and crashed it to avoid the planned attack on the White House.

This is also the second anniversary of the attack at Benghazi during which our ambassador and three others lost their their lives.

Memories of Japan

I have mentioned before that I have almost  no memories of the time the Pickens spent in the Philippines.  I have only a few memories of the time we spent in Japan.  I remember we gave out of food while waiting on mine sweepers to clear the mines from the harbor at Nagoya.

I remember having to get away from other ships at Japan during a bad typhoon, and I have read that we had to ride out three typhoons.  One  memory is still sharp -- observing the captain and the Japanese pilot eating a big breakfast while we had rice hulls and frost bit sweet potatoes as long as they lasted.  The captains of the troop ships, including the Pickens, stopped  a  ship carrying food and secured some food.

Waiting to be inspired

President  Obama will address the nation Wednesday, revealing his strategy for defeating ISIS.  I don't have a lot of confidence in his plans but maybe he will surprise us.  I hope he  will tell us what he believes should be our actions and not the actions he will not take, including "no boots on the ground."

Blood to spare, anyone?

I spent most of the afternoon Monday at the doctor's office, which was required to get a prescription refilled. It seems I had not been examined by my primary physician in two years.  That was okay until I reported to the lab to donate blood.  After trying to find a suitable vein, and with punctures in both arms, we gave up and will try again today.

The doctor recommended I try a different cardiologist and lab work was to be provided to the new doctor.

I'm battling a panic attack

I am fighting to calm my nerves and hold on to what sanity I have.  I have been trying to get a refill for the medicine that is supposed to ward off such attacks but all I get is a promise to give someone  a note that I need a refill.

I decided I would wait until 4:30 to remind the doctor's office to act now so that I could get the medicine  before the weekend.  The office was already closed

No one knows or understands how bad I'm suffering.

When government knows what's best for us

The second largest school district in Chicago has abandoned Michelle Obama's lunch program. Instead, the children are given healtful foods the students will eat.The  district saves money; food is not thrown away, and the children are happy.

Another example of a government  going crazy is the push by the president and other left wing nuts is the  discredited idea of global warning.  No matter how much statistical and scientific evidence disproves the bull of man made climate change, the leftists demand legislation that will cost millions their jobs.

Let's get serious about ISIS

We are real serious about ISIS, are we not?  We send  two planes over and destroy a pickup truck and think we have done something great.  Let's talk about when we were serious in war.

On the night of March 9-10, 1945, we sent 274 planes over Tokyo in  Operation Meetinghouse, dropping cluster and incendiary bombs. Some 125,000 were killed and one million were left homeless.  War is terrible; innocent people die,  but if you are in a war you try to win it.

The USS Pickens goes to Japan

Japan's emperor surrendered after we dropped the second atom bomb, but had the people  agreed?  It remained for the United States to occupy the nation.  On August 24 we departed San Francisco for Japan with 2,000 troops from a variety of units.

Somewhere the decision was made to go to the Philippines and leave the troops we were carrying there  and pick up the troops who had occupied the Philippines, taking them to occupy Japan.

We visited several places in the Philippines but I have no memory at all of that country.  I do know it was about this time I remembered I had a birthday August 21 and was now 19.



























augusdt 24 weheded toJapanwith 2,00

My driver's license is screwed up

I renewed my license on my birthday August 21 and thought I was okay for four years.  I took a look at the license today and discovered the picture on it was that of an old, ugly guy. I was expecting to see an image of a handsome, mature -- but not old -- gentleman.  What will happen if an officer stops me and refuses to accept my license?

Happy Labor Day everyone!  My dad used to say of all days we should labor,  this should be the one.