Get a Job!, To Protect and Serve, -and- To Protect and Serve 2

Get a Job! - California may do away with welfare
To Protect and Serve - veteran LA polivr detective charged with murder
To Protect and Serve 2 - women cops fired for "boyfriend hunting"

On this day in history: June 9, 1930 - Jake Lingle, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, is shot dead gangland-style at the Illinois Central train station underpass, during rush hour. Dozens of people witness the murder, and the Leo Vincent Brothers are caught four months later after an intensive manhunt. Lingle was allegedly killed over a $100,000 gambling debt owed to Al Capone.

Born on this day in history: June 9, 1963 - Johnny Depp (1963-) Born in Owensboro, KY, and raised in FL, actor and director Johnny Depp left school at 17 to play in garage bands. He gained teen idol status on TV's "21 Jump Street" and today has carved a niche for himself as a serious, somewhat dark, idiosyncratic performer, consistently selecting roles that surprise critics and audiences alike.

Scripture of the Day: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

Video of the Day: The 2012 Pelosi GTxi SS/RT Sport Edition - submitted by Jeffrey

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this sign on the local Burger King while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

[While I slept]

I received a telephone call from an old girlfriend I had not seen in approximately ten years. She said she was a patient in a mental hospital near here and was having an uncontrollable craving for a cheeseburger. She begged me to purchase her a cheeseburger at Burger King and bring it to her. I did so. When she had finished eating the cheeseburger, she thanked me. I wished her well and walked toward the nearest exit. I was passing through the exit door, when I was grasped by two interns and told that I should not foolishly attempt to escape. I told them there was a mistake and that I was a visitor—not a patient. The interns looked at each other, smiled, and one of them remarked, "That's what about half the people in here say." They both laughed. I assured them I was merely visiting someone, but they refused to listen. They took me to a room that had only a small windowhigh, hear the ceiling. It was far too small to serve as an escape route.

One of the interns gave me a shot. I saw the label on the bottle: Thorazine. They left me alone in the room and locked the door as they left.

As I sat and contemplated what I could do to be freed from my confinement, I sat upon the bed, placed my elbows on my knees, rested my head in my hands, and was considering various methodologies of escape when I felt the weight of my iPhone in my shirt pocket. Obviously, hey had not realized I had this device! I spent nearly two hours sending emails and making telephone calls—trying to contact someone who could help get me freed. No-one answered the phone calls. I left messages when this was an option. I sent emails to everyone I thought would be able to help and tried to relax while waiting for replies.

After several hours, I had received no return phone calls nor any email replies. One of the interns entered my room and brought me a tray containing my evening meal. The food was surprisingly good.

I devised a plan to charge my iPhone without its presence being discovered. Suddenly, I awakened and realized that it was late: Darkness filled the tiny window. Without realizing what I was doing, I started a blog. I named it "Somebody Save Me!" and published it on Wordpress.

As the days passed, I added my thoughts and experiences to my blog. I entered several posts each day.

After a dozen or so days, I received a comment from someone who called himself "Bill O'Reilly." I smiled at what I considered an obvious alias and replied to the comment saying, "What a pleasure it is to have you visit my blog, Mr. O'Reilly. I am an enthusiastic viewer of your program. That is, I was prior to my confinement here." I slept.

"Bill O'Reilly" began commenting on my blog posts daily. Soon, he was commenting several times a day.

Suddenly, one day an email message arrived. The authorcalling himself "Bill O'Reilly"— said a special segment would air on his television program that evening. The segment would focus upon me and my blog. He said that the story would bring national focus on my plight and would help effectuate my release.

At 5 PM that day, I sat in the common room, positioned in front of the television. Several of the patients were there. I realized I had not seen my friend since the day I brought her a cheeseburger.

When the segment about me began, images of me flashed on the screen. Patients, interns, nurses, and doctors all gasped as they recognized me as the subject of those images.

Suddenly, a video crew burst into the room. Bright lights, microphones, and video cameras were everywhere. Megyn Kelly walked up to me and said, "Relax, David, we're here to get you out of this place!" Bill O'Reilly led a group of people through the room. They confronted doctors—demanding an explanation for my forced residency there. Megyn said she enjoyed my blog greatly and hoped I would continue with it once I was out of the asylum. I assured her I would.

I awakened, turned onto my left side, snatched my iPhone from the nightstand, and checked my email. There were no messages from Bill O'Reilly. I was not surprised there there were none, but I had to be certain.

Fighting Back, Fighting Back 2, -and- Bad Sport

Fighting Back - 84-year-old man stops carjackers with groin kick
Fighting Back 2 - cruise ship fends off pirate attack with gunfire
Bad Sport - Rangers coach nails fan with water bottle

On this day in history: April 27, 1986 - During a live TV special, journalist Geraldo Rivera opens Al Capone's vault beneath the Lexington Hotel in Chicago. He finds nothing inside, apart from a few empty bottles.

Born on this day in history: April 27, 1927 - Coretta Scott King (1927-2006) Born in Marion, AL, civil rights activist Coretta Scott King may be best known as widow of slain leader Martin Luther King, Jr., yet she had a distinguished career in activism in her own right. Her memoir, "My Life with Martin Luther King, Jr.," was published in 1969. After her husband's 1968 assassination, King worked at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, and was a TV commentator on CNN.

Scripture of the Day: The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. - Psalm 121:8

Video of the Day: Miniatur Wunderland - largest model railroad in the world - submitted by Jay

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Broken Toes! I was walking through our living room Saturday, when Zeus darted between my feet—as he often does. I adjusted my step in mid-stride and managed to strike the coffee table with my left foot, crumbling and breaking the four small toes of that foot. The balance of the weekend, walking was painful. The pain continues today. Zeus was unharmed.

We erected a Kittywalk for Zeus and Thor. We set it up in the house on Saturday and allowed the cats to acclimate to it. We then moved it outside and let them explore it without the doors in place.

Sunday, I affixed the unit firmly to the ground, and Laur affixed the doors. Zeus quickly took to cavorting in the Kittywalk, but Thor contented himself to lounge nearby and watch Zeus.

The Cruise

While searching the net for vacation spots, I found a Somali cruise package that departs from Sawakin (in the Sudan) and docks at Bagamoya (in Tanzania).

The cost is a bit high @ $800 US per person double occupancy but I didn't find that too offensive. What I found enticing is that the cruise company is encouraging people to bring their 'High powered weapons' along on the cruise. If you don't have weapons you can rent them right there on the boat.

They claim to have a master gunsmith on board and will have reloading parties every afternoon. The cruise lasts from 4-8 days and nights and costs a maximum of $3200 per person double occupancy (4 days). All the boat does is sail up and down the coast of Somalia waiting to get hijacked by pirates.

Here are some of the costs and claims associated with the package.

Quote:
$800.00 US/per day double occupancy (4 day max billing)

M-16 full auto rental $ 25.00/day ammo at 100 rounds of 5.56 armor piercing ammo at 15.95

Ak-47 rifle @ No charge. ammo at 100 rounds of 7.62 com block ball ammo at 14.95

Barretta M-107 .50 cal sniper rifle rental 55.00/day ammo at 25 rounds 50 cal armor piercing at 9.95

Crew members can double as spotters for 30.00 per hour (spotting scope included).

We even offer RPG's at 75 bucks and 200 dollars for 3 standard loads

"Everyone gets use of free complimentary night vision equipment and coffee and snacks on the top deck from 7pm-6am."

Meals are not included but are reasonable.

Most cruises offer a mini-bar... We also offer......... get this.....

"MOUNTED MINIGUN AVAILABLE @ 450.00 per 30 seconds of sustained fire"

Group rates and corporate discounts......"FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY"

Partial money back if not satisfied....

"We guarantee that you will experience at least two hijacking attempts by pirates or we will refund back half your money including gun rental charges and any unused ammo (mini gun charges not included).. How can we guarantee you will experience a hijacking? We operate at 5 knots within 12 miles of the coast of Somalia. If an attempted Hijacking does not occur we will turn the boat around and cruise by at 4 knots. We will repeat this for up to 8 days making three passes a day along the entire length of Somalia. At night the boat is fully lit and bottle rockets are shot off at intervals and loud disco music beamed shore side to attract attention. Cabin space is limited so respond quickly. Reserve your package before Feb 29 and get 100 rounds of free tracer ammo in the caliber of your choice."

As if all that isn't enough to whet your appetite, here are a few testimonials.....

"I got three confirmed kills on my last trip. I'LL never hunt big game in Africa again. I felt like the Komandant in Schindlers list!"---- Lars, Hamburg Germany

"Six attacks in 4 days was more than I expected. I bagged three pirates and my 12 yr old son sank two rowboats with the minigun. PIRATES 0 -PASSENGERS-32! Well worth the trip. Just make sure your spotter speaks English"
----Ned, Salt Lake city, Utah USA

"I haven't had this much fun since flying choppers in NAM. Don't worry about getting shot by pirates as they never even got close to the ship with those weapons they use and their shitty aim--reminds me of a drunken 'juicer' door gunner we picked up from the motor pool back in Nam"
----"chopper' Dan, Toledo USA.

"Like ducks in a barrel. They turned the ship around and we saw them bleed and cry in the water like little girls. Saw one wounded pirate eaten by sharks--what a laugh riot!! This is a must do.
---Zeke-Minnahaw Springs Kentucky USA

Trapped, Heat of the Moment, -and- Homeland Insecurity

Trapped! - 89-year-old woman uses axe to get back inside
Heat of the Moment - Harvard astrophysicist says global warming caused by sun
Homeland Insecurity - NYPD warns of chlorine terror risk

On this day in history: February 14, 1929 - The Capone gang kills six members of the "Bugs" Moran gang and one other person at the S.M.C. Cartage company in Chicago, in an event known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Bogus police officers were used so that it appeared to be a routine police bust. Except for all the bodies.

Born on this day in history: February 14, 1942 - Michael Bloomberg (1942-) Businessman, politician. Born Michael Rubens Bloomberg on February 14, 1942 in Medford, Massachusetts. In 2002, Bloomberg entered the political arena when he became the 108th mayor of New York.

Scripture of the Day: For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. - Habakkuk 2:14

Video of the Day: My Valentine - Martina McBride

Yikes! Certainly no caption is necessary! Click to enlarge.

The History of Valentine's Day

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day—and its patron saint—is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men—his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl—who may have been his jailer's daughter—who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It is no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.