Late March 2k12 Rant

I swear I’m going to try to do this more often. Just some observations this late March, 2012

The previous winter will be known as the winter that never was here in SC. Of course, I believe we'll have at least another freeeze- posisbly in April. JUST enough to make the peaach farmers freak out and increase peach prices. WOW- I'm writing about "Big Peach" instead of 'big oil'...

Where Tim Tebow is going to go has become a spinoff of the Peyton Manning soap opera. Some stories state he wants to play in Florida. His destination will probably be known before you even read this. Jets possibly? There's no telling where he'll end up - like one of his passes. (Thanks Mr. Leno!!)

Hines Ward has officially retired and he did so as a Steeler. Hines may not have many Lynn Swann-esque catches, but his contribution to the Steelers is just as important in my opinion. Definitely a future hall o’ famer.

How’s your NCAA Basketball Tournament bracket going? I’ve lost 2 or my predicted Final Four. Wanna see my bracket?? Click HERE.

President Obama’s 13 year old daughter is spring breaking in Mexico. Something like 25 secret service agents are accompanying her down there. Complete with private plane, funds, agents, etc… The White House says the leak of the story is an invasion of privacy for the 1^st family. Look out, this COULD be a future Disney move...

The Mitt Romney, Republican candidate for President is closer to becoming mathematically official. Is it me, or has this whole exercise in debates and caucuses and primaries and such just that; an exercise? I mean, Mitt’s been the nominee whether we the majority like it or not. A common story I’m sick of reading or hearing about is that the electorate doesn’t like ANY of the candidates running against and including Mitt.

Bristol Palin says she feels either she or her mom deserves a phone call from the President because of all of the names she and her mom were called that was much worse than the term Rush Limbaugh used referencing Sandra Fluke. Tongue in cheek, of course..

Datsun automobiles are coming back, but not in the USA. Nissan will be manufacturing.  Click HERE

What’s up with the drone spy planes in 2015? Many conspiracy minded people believe this is an obvious intrusion into our privacy.  Click HERE.

Yet, another KISS summer tour has been announced. Motley Crue is touring with them. I may wanna go see this.

Looks like the movie “The Hunger Games” will be the latest book series to drive all the kids mad and crazy with box office records and such. I am more interested in seeing this than the stupid ‘Twilight’ movies.

In a kind of related story, Anne Rice has released a new novel - post religious epiphany.  The Wolf Gift tackles werewolves.  I’ve always wanted her to approach werewolves.

Epic movie John Carter has now been officially considered a FLOP.  Disney released a “forward looking” financial statement yesterday warning its shareholders/investors to expect a 1^st quarter 2012 loss due to the film’s bust.  It mentions forward looking hope in the upcoming “The Avengers” movie. Click HERE to see it.

I really liked the season ender of “The Walking Dead”. Season 2 was lackluster in my opinion, but the last 5 minutes REALLY set Season 3 up to possibly be the best season yet.  Can’t wait for “Game of Thrones to begin.

"The Riches" alum Eddie Izzard will be a producer and play Grandpa on "Mockingbird Lane," NBC's drama revamp of "The Munsters. Sigh…

Looking forward to your comments- email- johncthomasii@yahoo.com

John

Show Me Da Money!!!

While everyone is complaining about the billions; and sometimes trillions of dollars 'big oil' companies are pocketing after expeditures every ninety days, no one is batting an eye at the millions of dollars being generated by our incumbent President and the Republicans during the past 3 months.

Rick Perry = $18 million -- Mit Romney = (est) between $13-$18 million, Ron Paul (my boy) raised (est) $8 million, and my President raised $55 million - ALL DURING THE LAST 90 DAYS!!!! And these numbers are around the same as the PREVIOUS 3 month period. Of course the grand total in the coffers are much, much more than this. Now this is for a job, a job in power and prestige in which you can't really put a price tag on mind you, but a position that earns a $400,000 annual salary, along with a $50,000 annual expense account, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account and $19,000 for entertainment. (Wikipedia)

This is another example of the OBVIOUS irregularities being overlooked and "shell games" continuing politically all around us. Before last year's elections, the Democrats had a super majority AND the Presidency - basically able to do what they wanted when they wanted to- and yet, didn't do a thing. All the while appearing on TV and radio calling the Republican Party the "party of no" when the Republicans were impotent to do anything but filibuster. Same thing with the Republicans when "W" came to power. People just dismiss these things as "it's always been, it always will be - nothing we can do" and the like. They get together on talk radio or TV preaching and agreeing with each other to decry the way things are - yet nothing ever changes.Know-it-all talk show hosts say they don't want to take the pay cut or that they can do more where they're at speaking to thousands or millions. What if a few of our founding fathers thought this way? What if Ben Franklin or James Madison decided "Aw, to heck with creating and signing the constitution, I'm going to serve my country by hekping locally or teaching at a university instead of forging a new republic."

I understand I'm beginning to sound like one of those conspiracy-at-every-corner nut jobs. Truly, I want ot believe that even though we (America),  seemingly at our lowest, are better than this. History doesn't bear me out on this. We're doing the same old things; making the same old mistakes. Am I wrong? In the future when we sit back and tell each other "See, I TOLD ya. I PREDICITED this would happen!", what then? What good is it to always be the one who predicts things to come, yet does nothing to affect the outcome or change?



BTW RIP Steve Jobs - regardless of what he became, he is an example of what can be done forming beginning a business in his parent's garage with little or no money

Barry Soetorro Emails

Just as when Bill Clinton and George Bush were President, I get emails from well intentioned people wanting to make me aware of "the secrets and lies" of President Barrack Obama.

I think there are a lot of well-intentioned people who love the USA and see how things are going, don’t like it. These people often unite and will write, say, or do ANYTHING to fight back or try to get others to see or identify with their misery or pain in an effort to “right the wrong”. In an overwhelmingly majority of these cases, they take truths, half- truths, plausible facts, and even lies and misinformation for whatever reason to suite themselves or their cause.

All this is done, passed around, etc. instead of affecting REAL change or really DOING anything about what is “wrong”. People feel so helpless and will take on these truthful sounding theories, warnings, etc. These people don’t understand that if they use HALFthe effort they use to obsess over something or get together to discuss and perpetuate these types of well-intended misinformation, then perhaps they themselves would be a little happier and their satisfaction or happiness would come from THATthan smearing whoever’s president at the time.

As to the Barry Soetorro emails, well Barry Soetorro definitely is/was/’temporarily aint’ his real name. Most anti Barrack email’s facts twists the truths differently than other Obama hate emails. Some are better written than others, actually. See (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_citizenship_conspiracy_theories). But like all good fairy tales and campfire stories, they are based on truths and facts.

My question is, so what? ‘You can’t get the horse shit back into the horse’. Where do we go from here?

If Barry held a press conference and stated, “Yep, I ain’t ‘merican. Good bye!” and left, where would we be?

It would take YEARS to legally undo everything he has so far in his short presidency signed into legislation or law. Joe Biden would take over and simply re-sign the legislation after it was re-passed (passed again? LOL!) by the same folks who passed it (the House and Senate).

Most importantly, what is the alternative to what we now have? Are the current Republicans vying for the oval office really any different than what we have now?

But never mind the reality of things. Let’s just all keep on complaining about gas, food, healthcare, our government, etc while not really doing anything about it. Waking up when the house is on fire is not a good time to decide to fire-proof the house.

--John

A Quick Hit Of What I Found Interesting In Today's News

I am so happy-  Van Halen is working on an album with David Lee Roth.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/van-halen-working-on-new-album-with-david-lee-roth-20110124

in other REGULAR news...
 
Russian media are blaming a video game for the recent, deadly 'Big Bang" at one of their airports.....

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107258-Russian-Media-Suggests-Modern-Warfare-2-Trained-Terrorists

So you still like your "technically and legally" beef taco from Taco Bell? 35% meat, 65% "extenders" and "fillers" huh? http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2011/01/25/lawsuit-claims-taco-bell-using-real-beef/

 An Arizona restaurant has decided to scrap plans to offer African lion meat in its tacos... http://news.discovery.com/animals/lion-tacos-off-the-menu-at-arizona-restaurant.html

According to a new US/British study, being warm during cold weather can possibly result in you getting fatter.
http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/keeping-warm-and-cozy-during-winter-may-expand-your-waistline-4692.html

In Chicago, carpetbagger Rahm Emanuel's back on the ballot for the upcoming mayoral race.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/01/rahm-emanuel-back-on-the-ballot-pending-possible-court-hearing/1

Our President will again call for a 5 year freeze on non-security discretionary spending tonight during the "state of the union" address.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-0126-address-main-web-20110125,0,4722948.story

The black n white ribbons you'll see (or HAVE seen) during the state of the union speech was stolen (or borrowed, depending of which political jersey you wear) from Carcinoid Cancer awareness- a type of stomach cancer.  http://www.carcinoidawareness.org/

 Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse "The Body" Ventura is suing TSA and Homeland Secirity over those airport "pat downs" and such. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110125/ap_on_re_us/us_ventura_airport_security

In non sense comic book news, Johnny Storm is dead. It was revealed that The Human Torch was killed in battle reducing Marvel Comic's 'Fantastic Four' down to 3.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-0126-address-main-web-20110125,0,4722948.story

Looks like the recently pronounced "dead" Wonder Woman TV series has new life thanks to NBC..
http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2011/01/21/nbc-orders-wonder-woman-pilot/

The Oscar nominations are out. I predict the boring (to me, anyway) "Kings Speech" will win.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2011/01/25/2011-01-25_oscar_nominations_2011_academy_award_nominees_reactions_to_nods.html?r=entertainment

Do you go to Yankee Candle or Bed, Bath, and Beyond to get your fix?
http://dailyplanetdispatch.com/bath-salts-drug-fake-cocain-meth/854418/

Those who own an Apple MAC book, iPad, or iPhones are really SCREWED
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1349144/Apple-fits-iPhone-4-fixings-impossible-remove.html#ixzz1BtWEHHZT

Do you think MTV's American version of the hit British TV show 'Skins" is akin to child porn?
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20029498-10391698.html

Can we see two suns in 2012?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/two-suns-twin-stars_n_811864.html

and FINALLY, is this REALLY bad?
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20028760-504083.html

WHAT SAY YOU?

Rainy Day In GreenVegas, SC - 10/25/10

Not your happy, info filled blog today- maybe later. Been busy day here at work. A tornado watch until 1pm ET makes this day a little more interesting. These same storms wreaked havoc in the Dallas, Texas area.

In football, my Tarheels lost to hated Miami over the weekend. My Steelers won. Thanks for a controversial call going OUR way for a change.

Just a quick work rant. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and I'm not better than anyone, I'm more imperfect than anyone I work with. However some of the people I work with are so incredibly stupid, naive it's more pathetic than it usually is in any workplace. Though many of you know what I do and where I work, I have never officially stated what I do or WHERE or whom I work. Some of these people don't read simple instructions that even I can comprehend. And when someone not as smart as these people, people who've been doing this job a hell of a lot longer than I have, when they can't see how utterly stupid their actions are and how already answered their questions already are, then perhaps it's time for me personally to make another change. I must be the faulty cog in the wheel of this organization. After all, this organization has always existed FINE and will exist and operate FINE long after I'm gone.

Ok, enough of the work rant. I really really miss the old me. Where is the life that I recognize?
(insert the Geico commercial with the drill sergeant calling the psych patient a "jackwagon" and suggesting a visit to "namby pamby" land).

WIkileaks released another 40 MILLION (OK, not that much, but a lot) documents concerning the wars overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq. While the numbers and specifics not released or downplayed by the US during these wars is indicative of any nation in any war historically, I wonder what makes the US government any more evil NOW than it (or any nation conducting war in the past) it was in previous wars? The media coverage between all wars pre WW2 and post WW2 is amazing and a stark contrast. Personally, I don't think these contrasts or differences make those who consider or call the US evil or bad for conducting these wars and less patriotic. The very serious "game" of war is conducted like any other game; as in NOT revealing your strategy or your casualty numbers for either side or anything negative. When someone or someone like WIkileaks release this information, it cannot be helped that the information hinders one of the players in some way. You don't reveal everything and every result from playing the game. This whole 'wikileaks' situation reminds me of someone tattle telling in class. If you like that type of thing, then it's OK I suppose. Historically, every great general or those who are/were "good" at their job repeats the fact that wars should never be fought and they should be avoided at any and all costs. I agree with this thinking. I also believe that if you conduct war, there needs to be quick, strong, decisive actions to minimize unnecessary death/injury. To me, just ONE death during a "war" is one too many and that's the precise reason why war shouldn't be conducted in my opinion. But it is also my opinion that if war is to be conducted or fault, while regrettable, civilian casualty is an unfortunate byproduct of war and military "actions". So arguing about whether one or ten or ten thousand people die or have died is kind of inane. One death, whether civillian, military or otherwise is obscene.

What say you?

So This Is Thursday....

The world's longest cat Stewie - 4 ft long

Happy Thursday - or Friday or whenever you're reading this. Not much going on today. Still too freaking warm outside - near 80 degrees approaching Halloween- sheesh! Though it DID get down to around 30 degrees about 94 miles away from here this morning. As of Thursday afternoon, me and the missus have no “big” plans for my bi-weekly Friday/Saturday/Sunday off.


On Yahoo! News this afternoon, one of the afternoon's headlines reads "Obama says elections could set nation's future". NAH, REALLY? How Bush-esque...

What do you think of the "racy" photos at GQ of the cast of TV's "Glee"? I think the pedophilia concerns are kinda muddled because, as with most shows, you have early/mid 20 year olds playing high school teens.

Look for Jimmy McMillan of New York’s The Rent Is Too Damn High (www.rentistoodamnhigh.org/) political party to possibly make a cameo on this weekend's Saturday Night Live.


Conan O'Brien is lining up the expected "big" guest list for the initial week of his show debuting November 8th.


Katy Perry and Jack Sparrow imitator Russell Brand are getting married in India.


Why did NPR fire (terminate the contract of) analyst Juan Williams for telling Bill OReilly that one time on a plane people appearing to be Muslims dressed in religious garb frightened him?


A new study indicates that eating whole grains instead of refined grains may have benefits for your waistline. Will they ever come out with a whole grain cheesecake?

How do you feel about Collin Ferrell being in a "Total Recall" remake?


Looks like the on again/ off again production of "The Hobbit" is becoming just as long and drawn out as the movie/story will be.

Penthouse founder Bob Guccione Sr has died.


And finally, a U.S. satellite has detected increased activity at a North Korean nuclear weapons test site, suggesting it could be preparing for a third test, a South Korean government source was quoted as saying. If we went into Iraq because of alleged WMD's and the argument is being made that even though the WMD's were moved out of Iraq and it's a GOOD thing Saddam is gone, can't we make the same argument concerning Kim Jong Il/Nam/Nong?

Happy Chock-Full-O-Stuff Monday Morning!!

Happy Monday!

Well, as happy as it can be, I suppose. I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day. My wife really enjoyed the card and stuff from “the dogs”.

What beautiful weather we’ve had here in SC this weekend! Saturday, I walked around downtown Greenville and experienced some of the downtown festival/sales event that WAS “Artisphere”.

Later that night, I saw one of the best Saturday Night Live episodes ever. I expected Betty White to be funny in a couple of skits. Especially the predictable ones with sexual content and extreme age variances. Her appearance brought out seemingly every female SNL alum from the 90’s- Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon & Rachel Dratch. I’d have to say, every skit on the show was funny. Even the news segment. Jay Z was Jay Z.

On Friday I saw Iron Man 2 with a couple of GREAT friends (you KNOW who you are). I totally disagree with the few reviews I read concerning too many characters and a plodding story line (a couple compared Iron Man 2 to what doomed Spiderman 3). Though I wouldn’t suppose anyone would seek a complicated, cerebral challenging storyline in a movie such as Iron Man 2. One reviewer stated she thought the movie was too “cartoonish” at times. Really?!?!?! A comic book movie too cartoonish? In my opinion, there’s no reason not to go see Iron Man 2, if you’re into that kind of movie. I’m now of the opinion that sequels and subsequent movies mad in a series never have the charm or appeal of the original and never will (with the exception of the 1st Star Trek movie). Much like the many book-to-TV/Theatrical lost in translation scenarios, this is just something I guess we’ll have to live with. That being said, Iron Man 2 is a good movie, with a good pace. You can argue that Scarlett Johansson was wasted in this movie, but to me it’s a GOOD kind of waste, LOL! There’s a reference and a little poke at another MAJOR Marvel Character who is getting his own movie. Wait until after ALL of the credits have rolled by for an extra special tease about a certain Thunder God’s upcoming flick. It’s estimated that Iron Man 2 made around $133.6 million this weekend.

ON another note- I just learned about “smart dust” over the weekend. Conspiracy theorists unite!!!
Check this story out and let me know what you think….

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/05/03/smart.dust.sensors/index.html

According to Wikipedia, Smartdust is a (not so anymore) hypothetical wireless network of tiny microelectromechanical sensors (MEMS), robots, or devices that can detect (for example) light, temperature, or vibration. I’ve read where certain cities are using smart dust to detect open or available parking spaces. A couple of cities are utilizing smart dust to reconfigure efforts to control traffic patterns. Of course, there are the moral implications that are too Orwellian.

other stuff I saw on the ol interweb this morning…

Lena Horne has died at the age of 92.

Looks like Barrack Obama is going to nominate the sexually ambiguous Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. If confirmed, she will be the youngest person on the bench; replacing the oldest serving person.

A couple of sources are saying that gas prices may actually go DOWN in the coming weeks.

And finally, in Australia, An under-16 Australian Rules football team has come under fire for entering a sponsorship deal with a local Hooters franchise, with critics saying the move could give adolescent boys the wrong message. The Broadbeach Cats team in Australia's Gold Coast were cheered on by two skimpily-dressed staff from the Mermaid Beach franchise of the American restaurant chain during their home game against local side Labrador on the weekend.

"The message these boys are getting -- and bear in mind we're talking 15 and 16-year-old boys -- is that ... as a young footballer you have an entitlement to large-breasted women in skimpy outfits bouncing around at your games," women's advocate Melinda Tankard Reist said on an Australian morning television show.