tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87973138374696148892024-02-19T07:28:34.159-08:00Dedicated_DadThe treasonous ramblings of a grouchy old cripple.
I am a proud Father, G*d-fearing Patriot, Strict Original-intent Constitutionalist, and vocal opponent of all Domestic Enemies regardless of their color or party.
I'm also completely convinced that it's long past time for us to stop beating around the bush, time for us to speak clearly about EXACTLY what is coming.
God help us - and God Save Our Republic!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-31999007005124149632012-08-14T18:37:00.000-07:002012-08-14T18:42:15.559-07:00Counter-offer: Why don't you s*** my d***!I stumbled over this story this morning and thought it likely that the sort of folks who read my scribblings might have some interesting things to say about it...<br />
<br />
I'm of mixed feelings myself - while I certainly can understand her frustration, and I'm SURE we've all been in a position at some point where we'd have *LOVED* to send such a response, I think in the long run that it will prove to be a big mistake.<br />
<br />
ESPECIALLY for her, since it went viral!<br />
<br />
OTOH, You really never know WHAT might happen when you take a risk like that!<br />
<br />
All this reminded me of something that happened to me more than half a lifetime ago, when a very similar response turned out to be the best thing I could have done...<br />
<br />
On my 21st birthday I was thousands of miles from home, in a strange place, and just a bit depressed. I went out alone. I spotted a girl who was "chair-dancing" and - after a couple of shots of liquid courage, and some prolonged eye-contact, I finally worked up the nerve to cross the room and ask her if she'd like to do her dancing on the actual dance-floor.<br />
<br />
She gave me that snooty crown-of-the-head-to-the-tip-of-the-toes-and-back-again appraisal that only a truly bitchy woman can deliver, wrinkled up her nose and (shaking her head) said "<i>Naaaaaah.</i>"<br />
<br />
Now, I'm not the best looking guy in the world, but I'm also far from the ugliest. I take good care of myself, and have always been clean and reasonably well-groomed. I was already (as I mentioned) a bit depressed, and her snotty rejection just didn't sit well at all - especially since it had been delivered in such an obvious way in front of several of her friends as well...<br />
<br />
Desperate to save a little face, I tried a line that had usually worked pretty well for me in the past - "<i>I didn't ask you to go home with me, or marry me or whatever - I just asked you to DANCE. You're doing great in the chair - why not take it to the dance floor?</i>"<br />
<br />
She gave me the same full-length appraisal again - the sort of look-over one usually sees from ranchers examining cattle at an auction - only slower and even nastier the second time... Then she wrinkled up her nose again and said <br />
<br />
"<i>Well... I'll dance with you if you buy me a drink first...</i>" - holding up and shaking her nearly-empty frozen-daquiri glass in my direction for emphasis.<br />
<br />
Like the young woman who was the subject of this little missive, I'd had enough.<br />
<br />
This biatch thinks a dance with her is worth the $5 that drink will cost me? (In 1988 $5 was... well... quite a bit more than it is now - in fact that was at least an hour's worth of pay for me!<br />
<br />
So.... I let my temper get the best of me.<br />
<br />
I said<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"OOOOooooohhh!<br />I'm sorry! <br />I didn't really understand!..."!</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>If THAT'S the way it is, why don't we just save each other some time!...</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"I'll slip you a twenty...</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And you can climb under the table here and suck my c*ck!"</i></blockquote>
<br />
Now, I realize this was not even close to the way a "Gentleman" would treat a "Lady."<br />
<br />
In my defense...<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I was no "gentleman"</li>
<li>She was SURELY no "Lady"!</li>
</ol>
Seriously -- I am not the one who put the dollar-value to her attentions - she was!<br />
<br />
Even now it seems reasonable to me - after all, if $5 is the price of a
dance, then $20 ought to be in the ball-park for that sort of "favor" --
no?<br />
<br />
In any case, I digress... and should get back to my story...<br />
<br />
I'm sure it will come as no surprise that she slapped me - to which I replied<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i>Damn! </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I'm Sorry!...</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>...What... -- ... </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>...twenty-<b>FIVE</b>?...</i>"</blockquote>
<br />
Suffice to say that it's an understatement when I say that 'da biatch went <b><i>**OFF**</i></b>!!<br />
<br />
In fact, she slapped me again, so hard that the band stopped playing, then waded into me like a wildcat, and almost instantaneously a couple of very large (<i>you know the sort - 9-foot-two, one eye in the middle of their foreheads...</i>) guys in matching tee-shirts hurried over and<br />
... well...<br />
<i>...</i>let's say "<i>gave me some significant encouragement and assistance in exiting the establishment</i>..."<br />
<br />
But that's NOT the end of my tale!<br />
<br />
Believe it or not, this one actually... well... You'll see! <br />
<br />
After finding myself back on the street, I moved away from the doorway, leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette (hey - it was the '80s - don't judge me!) when I heard a female voice say<br />
<br />
"<i>Oh, THERE you are! That was fricking AWESOME!...</i>"<br />
<br />
I looked in the direction of the voice, and... it was one of the friends of Miss Biatchy, actually the best looking gal at the table(!), who continued<br />
<br />
"<i>...She is SUCH a biatch - I can't believe you put her in her place like that - I think that was the coolest thing I've ever SEEN!</i>"<br />
<br />
Well... Long story less long, I told her the truth - it was my birthday, far from home, a bit depressed, not normally the type to talk to ladies in that way but...<br />
<br />
She explained that her (not really much of a) "friend" was a truly biatchy creature - the sort who treated pretty much every guy as she had treated me. Further, she'd only dance with the guys who were willing to buy her an expensive drink FIRST...<br />
<br />
In short, she was already pretty much a prostitute - I was just the first guy who actually had the nerve to point out the obvious!<br />
<br />
We talked for a bit, then she offered to take me down the road to a much better club - where we danced and drank until it was time to catch a cab back to her place for what turned out to be a *VERY* enjoyable weekend!<br />
<br />
And... that weekend turned into a kinda-sorta-semi-relationship that lasted over a year, and got me through a pretty tough period... I still think of her fondly, especially in times when I find myself wondering "what might have been"...<br />
<br />
(Janet - if you should by some miracle read this, I'd like you to know that I still think of you fondly - and that little "shooting star" tattoo on the back of your shoulder is STILL both (a) one of the sexiest things I've ever seen, and (b) the ONLY tattoo I've ever found really attractive on ANY woman... And... you deserved better than you got from me - I wish I'd been able to be someone different at the time...)<br />
<br />
I hadn't thought of (much less TOLD) that whole story in a long time, but...<br />
<br />
I guess my point is that occasionally, asking someone to do what this gal and I both did can actually pay off in a big way!<br />
<br />
I hope it turns out as well for her as it did for me long ago - but all-in-all I really can't recommend such a response to anyone...<br />
<br />
It's still far more likely to turn out badly than it is to turn out well...Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-66450251864330798132012-08-09T19:25:00.002-07:002012-08-09T19:27:06.255-07:00This made me smile...Yeah - I'm jaded.<br />
<br />
Twisted, even. I know I'm not supposed to rejoice at such things -- but this just warms the cockles of my black little heart.<br />
<br />
Good guys 1, dumb-ass robber 0 -- but hey -- at least the thug got to die on his feet!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9UH6pPrkvn8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-7674307877215073802012-08-02T21:02:00.000-07:002012-08-02T21:03:53.643-07:00Chinese Commu-crats (Demmunists?) To Call For Knife-Ban In 5...4...3...Ticked-off Chi-Teen kills 9 with a knife...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-teen-kills-eight-knife-attack-reports-102629246.html">Click here for TFA from Yahoo! News...</a><br />
<br />
I'm SURE they'll be calling for nationwide knife-bans any minute now...Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-12788997396725142462012-07-28T19:56:00.000-07:002012-07-28T19:56:40.739-07:00Ayoob spells it out... PERFECTLY.Mas Ayoob explains "Stand Your Ground" in a manner which any person with an IQ somewhere north of "Idiot" should be able to comprehend.<br />
<br />
If you need to help a moron understand why the treatment of Jorge Zimmerman is a pure travesty of justice, point them to this video.<br />
<br />
Intelligent comments welcome.<br />
<br />
Blind, racist buffoonery will be soundly mocked.<br />
<br />
NOTE: WATCH THE **LONG** VERSION!<br />
<br />
<br />
<object width="480" height="540" id="limelight_player_117007o" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://assets.delvenetworks.com/player/loader.swf"/><param name="wmode" value="window"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="flashvars" value="deepLink=true&channelId=9c33d4e4a2474553b2b5d045bafea004&playerForm=LVPPlayerVerticalPlaylist"/><embed src="http://assets.delvenetworks.com/player/loader.swf" name="limelight_player_117007e" wmode="window" width="480" height="540" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" flashvars="deepLink=true&channelId=9c33d4e4a2474553b2b5d045bafea004&playerForm=LVPPlayerVerticalPlaylist"></embed></object>Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-63656246917599202512012-07-16T20:02:00.001-07:002012-07-16T20:03:21.428-07:00LET'S ALL KILL THE CHILD MOLESTER!So... If you haven't heard by now, Jorge Zimmerman has now been labeled a "Child Molester".<br />
<br />
It seems he'd abused a Cousin since she was SIX YEARS OLD(!) and continued for OVER TEN YEARS!<br />
<br />
All over the 'net, the kool-aide drinkers are damn near gleeful in their condemnation of this evil, sick man.<br />
<br />
As usual, most of them are apparently incapable of mumbling through reading anything except the lurid headlines...<br />
<br />
The reality is that this supposed "abuse" is alleged by his (apparently female) cousin. She claims that he "began molesting her" when she was 6. These allegations match the "rumors."<br />
<br />
The whole thing - as usual with this case - breaks down however when you look at the FACTS.<br />
<br />
When she was six, he was SEVEN - though most online articles say something like "almost 8." The bottom line is that he's less than 2 years older than her.<br />
<br />
So what we REALLY have here is a case of a 7 year old boy playing "Doctor" with a 6 year old cousin.<br />
<br />
UNDOUBTEDLY this PROVES that he's guilty of MURDER in "the Passion of Saint Skittles" drama (pause while I roll my eyes and hope they don't get stuck that way...)<br />
<br />
Look, if playing "show me yours/I'll show you mine" - or even "You touch mine and I'll touch yours" when we were 6 or 7 makes us "MOLESTORS" then... well... I'm GUILTY! - and so are most everyone else!<br />
<br />
The woman goes on to claim that this continued at "family gatherings" until she was 16 and he was "almost 18" (there we go again) -- ie: 17. Yeah - that's beyond the "show me yours" game but... Are we REALLY supposed to believe that this girl was somehow so intimidated by this cousin that she only saw at family-gatherings once or twice a year, that she suffered in silence for over 10 years and even accepted it at age 16?<br />
<br />
I suppose those who still think Saint Skittles was a doe-eyed 12 year old and Jorge Zimmerman was a 250# bouncer might fall for that, but the rest of us have actually SEEN him. He's about as intimidating as a kitten, and actually less since he lacks their little razor-claws and needle-teeth.<br />
<br />
We're supposed to believe that she HATED the "abuse" he heaped upon her, but never took the opportunity in the 6-12 month intervals between when she saw him at the aforementioned "family gatherings" to say "<i>Mom, Dad, cousin Jorge touches my private-parts and I really don't like it.</i>"?<br />
<br />
Really? <br />
<br />
Apparently, in reality, what we have here is a woman who has some significant mental issues, and is unable to face her role in an incestuous "relationship" that went on a time or two a year for about 10 years.<br />
<br />
Kinky? Sure.<br />
<br />
Relevant? Not even close.<br />
<br />
This "testimony" will never see the light of day in a courtroom, and is ultimately nothing more than another example proving just how desperate the "persecution" has become. They have *NOTHING* to refute his claim of self-defense, *NOTHING* to refute the fact that Martin confronted and attacked Zimmerman.<br />
<br />
ALL they have is the ability to stir up the emotions of the ghetto-set, and to smear his reputation among those too biased, lazy or stupid to read past a headline and see that - once again - they're being misled.<br />
<br />
Funny how nobody wonders if - given his "altar-boy" childhood, Jorge was a victim of a REAL molester - but then that would require them to see him as human, and not the monstrous bogey-man they need to avoid facing the fact that "Saint Skittles" was a 6'3" THUG who earned for himself the box he wound up in.<br />
<br />
What's most disgusting about this is that it's patently obvious that this is a move born of desperation and malice.<br />
<br />
Zimmerman has (Rightly, IMHO) filed a motion to disqualify Lester on the basis of bias. He's pretty much guaranteed to be out of this case, and a new judge will be appointed.<br />
<br />
Among the first duties of the new judge will be to review the case, especially any recent rulings Lester made. There's no doubt in my mind that any unbiased judge would have granted the Defense motion to "quash" this "statement" as it has **ZERO** value as evidence in the case, and is nothing more than a character smear against Jorge Zimmerman.<br />
<br />
Knowing that a new judge would not allow them to release this filth to the media, the persecution hurried up and got it out there before the door closed and they were prevented from doing so.<br />
<br />
In a case that's been characterized from the beginning as a disgusting miscarriage of Justice, this is perhaps the sleaziest, most despicable thing the persecution has pulled so far -- and that distinction really means something in the context of this reprehensible travesty.<br />
<br />
Make no mistake: This "persecution" team will stop at NOTHING to ruin Jorge Zimmerman - though they know they have no legal case against him, they'll still do all they can to ruin his reputation and his life for the simple reason that he had the unmitigated audacity to defend himself against a member of an Officially-Sanctioned-Victim-Group.<br />
<br />
For the crime of "riling up the black-folks" he must be burned at the stake.<br />
<br />
That roaring sound you hear is our ancestors - all spinning in their graves... <br />
<br />
God help us - and GOD SAVE OUR REPUBLIC!!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-81100473773328672522012-07-13T20:20:00.000-07:002012-07-13T20:20:13.441-07:00The 10 Greatest Mechanical Inventions Of All Time!Got this in e-mail from a friend, and DEFINITELY had to share...<br />
<br />
Minor editing by me, minor language / adult scenario alert, basically "PG-13"...<br />
<br />
Anyhow, I wonder if you agree...<br />
<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------<br />
The 10 Greatest Mechanical Inventions Of All Time!<br />
<br />
10: Boxter Engine: allows cylinders to operate in "opposed" configuration, making engine much lower profile. Subject to torque vagaries, as anyone who's ever ridded a nineteen-sixties vintage BMW Motorcycle can attest!<br />
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<br />
<br />
9: Naval gun loading system - allows rapid fire with minimal risk of explosion, and mechanizes much of the process. The pinnacle of Naval "Projectile" warfare!<br />
(note - if this looks wrong, then click to enlarge - it's a really cool animation! <br />
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<br />
8. Oval Regulation - I'm drawing a blank on what it's used for, but you've got toadmit it's pretty damn cool! I welcome any of you Mech-Eng types who want to fill us in!<br />
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<br />
7. Malta Cross movement - this is what finally made reasonably accurate mechanical clocks a reality!<br />
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<br />
6. Sewing Machine - seems simple here, but what it did to free the average housewife is beyond discussion! Further, the mechanisms that keep it all working properly, under proper tension, are incredibly complex! This is the most basic explanation of how the sewing-machine works:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
5. Radial Aircraft Engine - the pinnacle of piston-driven aircraft propulsion!<br />
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4. Multi-speed automotive transmission: Made the "horseless carriage" revolutionize the world!<br />
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3. Rotary Engine - can rev faster and higher than a piston engine, and with fewer moving parts SHOULD be more durable. Anyone who ever had the chance to drive an old-school Mazda can tell you how much fun they are, anyone who ever had to work on one can tell you that the implementation didn't match the theory!<br />
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2. Constant-Velocity ("C-V") Joint - made front-wheel-drive cars possible and revolutionized the automotive industry! (also made it possible for most females to drive without killing themselves)!<br />
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And finally, we come to Number One!<br />
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<br />Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-70303478951931952062012-06-19T19:01:00.000-07:002012-06-19T19:03:01.018-07:00*SPECTACULAR* MEAL - AND PRETTY EASY TOO!I just made this for dinner:<br />
<br />
<b><u><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cilantro-lime-chicken-with-avocado-salsa-10000001886432/">Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa</a></u></b><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Note:Not my pic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">It didn't last long enough for the camera to turn on!</span></div>
<br />
Without hyperbole, I tell you that this was the best meal I've had in recent memory!<br />
<br />
Don't mess around - find yourself some good "Saffron Rice" to go with it as recommended! <br />
<br />
I couldn't find anything labeled "Saffron Rice" in my grocery, but they had several brands of "yellow rice" which had saffron among the spices. I used "Mahatma" brand "yellow rice" - the balance of flavors was HEAVENLY!<br />
<br />
Watch out though - my rice came out a bit gummy - any more and it would have been bad but I managed to salvage it by taking off the lid and letting it stand and dry out for a bit...<br />
<br />
I doubled the marinade and salsa recipe for me, Wifey and 2 mostly-grown daughters (18 & 21) but stuck to the 4 boneless/skinless breasts. This gave us a nice large scoop of salsa to go with each plate.<br />
<br />
We chopped our salsa ingredients MUCH finer than is shown in this picture. The onion was truly MINCED, and the tomato/avocado were maybe 1/8" cubes.<br />
<br />
In addition to the recipe ingredients, I added the juice of 1/2 a fresh lime to the salsa, squeezing it over the top before putting it in the 'fridge to chill while I cooked the chicken.<br />
<br />
I also placed a 1/8 lime-wedge (1/4 of the remaining 1/2) on each plate when I served it. Squeezing that fresh lime on the smoky grilled cilantro/lime chicken really set off the flavors perfectly!<br />
<br />
If you're like me, and raw onion is like a nuke-device in your belly, I strongly recommend using REAL vidalia sweets - they don't bother me nearly as badly for some reason... Still, I'll suffer punishment for eating this but... MAN WAS IT EVER GOOD!! Definitely worth at least one cramp per bite!<br />
<br />
My 18 year old - who suffers from a possibly terminal case of "<i>Senior-itis</i>"* and has nothing nice to say, ever - was even bubbling and raving about how good it was. That alone was worth the minimal effort required.<br />
<br />
Next time I'll likely try using a "cilantro paste" I found in the "international foods" section - mincing cilantro is a pain in the butt... That said, don't cheat on anything else - it was the FRESH ingredients that made it so spectacular!<br />
<br />
5 stars - can't recommend it strongly enough!!<br />
<br />
*"<i>Senior-itis</i>": That affliction suffered by nearly all 18 year olds. It causes them to think they know it all, to think they're "all grown up" and should be "FREE" (despite the fact that they still pay no bills at all and barely buy clothes to cover their own @$$) - and that their parents are doddering fools whose only mission in life is to embarrass and harass them. <br />
<br />
Having now lived through 4 cases of Senior-Itis, I can tell you from personal knowledge that:<br />
<br />
(1) This is why animals eat their young.<br />
(2) This is why G*d makes babies cute - so you won't kill them when they're teenagers.<br />
(3) This too shall pass. If they survive their early college years, they'll eventually figure out that you're not as dumb as they thought. If you're lucky, they'll eventually figure things out and once again pay you the respect you deserve.<br />
It's very satisfying to have your 21 year old call for advice - or better yet "just to talk."Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-88272197770391884682012-06-18T12:59:00.000-07:002012-06-18T14:07:10.900-07:00Trayvon, DeeDee and The Passion of Saint SkittlesAs is so often the case, I wrote this post in response to <a href="https://statelymcdanielmanor.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/the-trayvon-martin-case-update-11-the-dee-dee-interview-kaboom/" target="_blank">someone else's blog-post</a>. It's an EXCELLENT review - and utter SHREDDING - of the "DeeDee" interview that essentially underpins Angela Corey's (READ:BENNY-CHUMP'S) case against Jorge Zimmerman.<br />
<br />
Frankly, I think the writer is if anything much too kind to "DeeDee", Bernie Delarionda, and most especially Angie-the-Hutt!<br />
<br />
Without DeeDee, THEY HAVE NO CASE, and what's worse is that WITH her THEY HAVE EVEN LESS!<br />
<br />
Not only is she borderline-retarded and incapable of a coherent narrative, she'd been hopelessly polluted by Benny-Chump and the rest of the Scheme Team's witness-tampering as well as the media's inacurate portrayals BEFORE BLDR's hack-tastic attempt to twist her monosylables and grunts into something resembling "testimony" to support their nonexistent "case" against Jorge Zimmerman.<br />
<br />
Not only does he fail MISERABLY in his attempt, he's likely shot himself and the rest of the persecution in the head in the process.<br />
<br />
If they DARE even TRY to put her on the stand, it should be easy for the Defense to get her excluded as a corrupted,coached witness based on BLDR's "interview" alone - and this is BEFORE one even considers that despite BLDRs attempts at leading she manages to make JZ's case (that TM doubled back and attacked him) FOR HIM!<br />
<br />
Anyhow, that post and some of the comments thereto led me to write the following. It's long, but you should expect that from me!<br />
<br />
I also think it's worth the time if you care about this case, because I believe I've picked up on some things others have missed - things which resolve any remaining questions about JZs "story" and exactly what REALLY happened that night.<br />
<br />
Note for the racists and other slow-kids: The 'net is FULL of places you can preach your bigoted ignorance.<br />
<br />
I WELCOME intelligent discussion, but have neither the time nor energy to educate you. If you demonstrate the usual total lack of even the most basic REAL knowledge of the LAW, and the known evidence, I'll just delete your comment and block you.<br />
<br />
I have no time for idiots.<br />
<br />
For everyone else: PLEASE tell me if - and most importantly *HOW* - you think I've misinterpreted some bit of evidence!<br />
<br />
I have no agenda but THE TRUTH - and should some evidence surface to support the race-pimps' accusations against him I'll happily tie the noose myself!<br />
<br />
Until then, he's not only "innocent until proven guilty", but (after ENTIRELY too much time spent studying this case) I've come to believe that JZ is not only the innocent victim of a deadly assault and a malicious prosecution, but also (though imperfect as everyone else) the sort of man we all should try to be. I believe he deserves FAR better than he's gotten from We The People!<br />
<br />
As far as Saint Skittles being "unarmed" - just consider the Father in Texas who just beat his daughter's molester to death with his bare, empty hands - and notably WITHOUT the assistance of a 7"+ height advantage and a concrete curb!<br />
<br />
Nothing more need be said, IMHO!<br />
<br />
===================================================<br />
<br />
DeeDee's interview is incoherent because she's lying and BLDR is trying to sculpt it to fit the necessary narrative.<br />
<br />
Before I continue, let's be clear that these two are *NOT* in a relationship - that she has another boyfriend is plain from her Twitter history - but TM is clearly trying to get in her pants. Based on his tweets, I don't believe she's at all the type he'd want for a relationship, but he'd happily use her for sexual favors at any and every opportunity.<br />
<br />
HER history also makes clear that she was not at all enamored of him - "OTP (on the phone) w/ no_limit_nigga x-/" - the "emoticon" she used is an expression of dislike and frustration, not in any way an indication that she liked him or was enjoying the conversation!<br />
<br />
Still, I personally believe that she WAS on the phone with TM through out much of these events. Not EVERYTHING she says is a lie, but much of is - and it's <b><u>because she's attempting to hide her own culpability in the situation!</u></b> More on this to come...<br />
<br />
People are struggling to reconcile all the data we have and failing, because of some inaccurate suppositions.<br />
<br />
Granted that I have no more information than anyone else, but I believe I've picked up on some things that others have missed which I believe fill in the blanks. It will be obvious that I have ZERO doubt that Jorge Zimmerman is innocent of any malice, and guilty only of defending himself against a violent - potentially fatal - assault.<br />
<br />
What follows is my interpretation of the data - for ease of writing I'm going to skip pointing out where I make assumptions as it's all assumptions. I believe that they're accurate assumptions, but they're assumptions nonetheless...<br />
<br />
First, we must listen CAREFULLY to JZ's "911" call, and remember he's in a vehicle - thus thinking like a DRIVER and not like a "runner" - at least in the first half of the call.<br />
<br />
We must also remember that TM - despite the whole "The Passion of Saint Skittles" narrative and the doe-eyed child he may have been 5 years ago, was in February a street kid from "'Da Hood." He was a gold-toothed, tattooed, drug-dealing thug in training as is evidenced by every single bit of evidence we have. If you don't like this statement, review his twitter/FB history and his YT account, his 3 suspensions this year alone (from the "Better" school his parents had moved him to! - and based on his Twitter history it may be just since JANUARY - I'm seeking clarification of this now...) and the "<i>swung on a (transit) bus-driver</i>" bit. <br />
<br />
Personally, I expect his full tox-screen will show chronic DXM abuse - he had the odd brain and liver damage known to be caused by such use, and the behavioral changes that are well-documented in the preceding year are also a perfect match with his FB discussion of this poison last June. Further, mixing MJ with DXM - or DXM withdrawals - is known to cause just the sort of violent psychotic break that seems to have happened here.<br />
<br />
In passing, I must note that we're told TM went to 7-11 "at halftime" (of a game that didn't even START until after he was dead) to get "snacks", and that Chad had requested a bag of skittles. So he goes to 7-11 and doesn't buy any snacks...<br />
<br />
The evidence for his blunt purchase is more than adequately covered elsewhere, I only mention it because it's the obvious reason for the trip. "Chad" is just an extra, brought into the Julison production only to help keep us from making the "sizzurp" connection.<br />
<br />
Contrary to numerous claims, the THC and metabolites in his blood show that TM was a chronic smoker, and had smoked within the few hours preceding his death - it's just not possible to narrow it down any further. There are 20+ minutes missing from the timeline (~40+ mins to make a ~20-min walk) of his return trip - more than enough time to find someplace to "stuff" his blunt and smoke some portion of it. Personally I'd guess he likely smoked 1/2 or less, and was saving the rest for later.<br />
<br />
JZ OTOH is a pure beta-male with a strong ethical bent. An Altar-boy for 7+ years, he was fond of quoting Edmund Burke ("All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing") and apparently did his best to do SOMETHING about whatever evil crossed his path. IMHO the fact that he's so clearly a beta-male makes his courage (not the lack of fear but the conquering of it) all the more impressive.<br />
<br />
This is not a racist man - just the opposite. He's a registered Dem, and his devotion of his spare time to mentoring black kids and his involvement in the Ware case would prove that even if he didn't have black ancestors and hadn't been raised in a home with black kids. He didn't buy his pistol for people, but rather on the advice of a cop due to a dangerous dog in the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
The vast majority of his 46 recorded "911" calls in ~8 years were for the benefit of others - dangerous potholes, debris in the road, open doors that were out of character for neighbors, etc. <br />
<br />
Of the 12 "suspicious persons" calls he made, 7 were about whites and only 5 included blacks - and one of those also included a hispanic. It's clear that he called about ANYONE who was loitering inside his gated development who he didn't think should be there.<br />
<br />
As to the evening of 2/26 I'm going to skip past all the early TM stuff and just hit the relevant points.<br />
<br />
Boys from Martin's demographic don't run from small hispanic men - they run from COPS. In Miami Gardens, the "jump crews" of cops used to make drug busts are known to use white SUVs. Martin's fear of being busted ("<i>roped</i>") is well documented in his FB posts, and had just happened to him at school leading to his presence in Sanford. The prospect of being caught AGAIN - so close to where he'd been sent so his irresponsible Father could "<i>straighten him out</i>" would have been palpable!<br />
<br />
Anyone thinking TM was afraid of JZ as a "<i>creepy old man</i>" needs to explain many things.<br />
<br />
First, from TM's perspective, JZ was just some guy who'd driven up, parked his truck and was talking on his cell-phone. We've all done this many times! There was simply no reason for TM to "fear" JZ as he'd done nothing out of the ordinary!<br />
<br />
Then there's the question why - if "TM" was afraid - he went from the mailboxes AWAY from his destination to circle JZ's truck - it was both a challenge, and a "need" to see the back of the vehicle to see if there were antennae or other indications it was a police vehicle.<br />
<br />
We must also remember that JZ's windows would have rain droplets, and that they'd be lit from the outside - the resulting mirror-effect making it hard to see inside even non-tinted windows and altering the viewer's perception of the person inside.<br />
<br />
What Martin could see was this: a hispanic dude with a crew-cut, wearing what would have appeared to be an orange vest over his bulky clothing. This person in an obvious "undercover" plain-white SUV would fit TM's perceptions of "jump crew" cops to a T!<br />
<br />
Why else would he run?<br />
<br />
"John Galt" - apparently an Attorney - nailed this question in <a href="http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2012/06/11/update-28-george-zimmerman-will-be-acquitted-p-e-r-i-o-d/#comment-135705"><b><u>his post at The Treehouse:>/b></u></b></a><b><br />
----------------------------Quote----------------------------<br />
<i>Unprovoked flight: recognized as a reliable indicator of criminality for thousands of years.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Proverbs 28:1 <i>The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.</i><br />
<br />
Illinois v. Wardlow – 528 U.S. 119 (1999):</b><br />
<br />
<i>An individual’s presence in a “high crime area,” standing alone, is not enough to support a reasonable, particularized suspicion of criminal activity, but a location’s characteristics are relevant in determining whether the circumstances are sufficiently suspicious to warrant further investigation, Adams v. Williams, 407 U. S. 143,144,147-148. In this case, moreover, it was also Wardlow’s unprovoked flight that aroused the officers’ suspicion. Nervous, evasive behavior is another pertinent factor in determining reasonable suspicion, e. g., United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 U. S. 873, 885, and headlong flight is the consummate act of evasion.</i><br />
<br />
----------------------------End Quote----------------------------<br />
<br />
Having completed his "checking out" (ie:"circling") of JZ and the truck, TM continued walking back the way he'd come - down twin-trees - until he was far enough away that he thought he could escape - AT LEAST long enough at least "stash" his contraband before being caught.<br />
<br />
This is clear also from JZ's 911 recording - having how "check[ed] me out, from JZ's perspective TM was now going back where he'd been before - which is why he didn't comment on the new direction."<br />
<br />
We must also remember that JZ believed he was following the instructions of the 911 operator ("<b><i>Let me know if he does anything else, OK?... Which way is he running?...</i><b>") and that it was only after the "<b><i>which way...?</i></b>" question that he removed his seatbelt and exited his truck.<br />
<br />
The main misperception concerns which way TM ran. He DID NOT run across the top of the "T" - he ran down Twin Trees (JZ 911 tape: "<b><i><u>Toward the ...back entrance...</u></i></b>" - not "toward the other street!"!!) before taking one of the two "cut throughs" between the three buildings! I believe he took the SECOND one as this would have given him the shortest distance to Brandi's back porch - and thus require the shortest possible time "out of sight" to enable him to disappear and escape!<br />
<br />
Had TM gone across the top of the "T" he'd have been in the open all the way down between three buildings, having no possible way to escape observation -- it just makes no sense whatsoever for TM to have gone that way!<br />
<br />
Getting back to JZ - again - believing he was following the instructions of the 911 operator, JZ takes of his seat-belt and exits his truck to try to keep TM in view, but knows he can't possibly catch this tall, athletic man by chasing him directly - especially not while wearing "th[o]se f***ing boots" - so he takes the shortest path to a point where he might be able to observe TM - across the top of the "T".<br />
<br />
THIS is why JZs family has repeatedly said that JZ never followed TM despite JZ indicating on the 911 call that he did. Under the circumstances I don't think anyone would have answered "<i>no - I'm not really FOLLOWING him per-se, I'm really going a different way where I think I'll be able to spot him and still keep my eye on him from a distance...</i>" - thinking we were doing OUR JOB AS NEIGHBORHOOD **WATCH**, we'd just say "yeah" - as JZ did.<br />
<br />
By the time the operator says "<i>we don't need you to do that</i>", JZ has to be at or close to the Dog-Waste Station ("DWS") at the "top" of the "T". (Note: "<i>we don't need you to do that</i>" is NOT AN "<i>ORDER to stop</i>" - especially since the dispatcher's NOT a cop and has no more authority than a Mcdonald's clerk - it was a move to limit SPD <u>liability</u>!)<br />
<br />
In the background, throughout the rest of his 911 call, JZ can be heard ("<i>tink-tink-tink</i>") tapping something on something metallic. Personally I believe he was tapping his flashlight on the DWS post, trying to get it to work - others believe it was his wedding-ring, but regardless, the only object in the vicinity which could produce those sounds is the metal post, box and can of the DWS.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, TM is now hiding in the darkness somewhere down the "leg" of the "T." "His voice be low" (as DeeDee put it) because he's HIDING! He had more than enough time to reach Brandi's house, and could have been home before JZ even got out of his truck! That he chose not to is telling - he likely feared there were other police around the area and did not want to lead them to his temporary "home" - the LAST thing he needed was to be the cause for a bunch of cops to be beating down the door of his Father's girlfriend!<br />
<br />
Instead, he needed only escape view long enough to stash his contraband - after that if he WERE picked up he could be confident that a combination of "<i>I'm just coming back from going to the store!</i>" and "<i>I ran 'cuz this creepy M-F'er was staring at me!</i>" would keep him from further trouble.<br />
<br />
So hiding in the darkness, TM can now see JZ (and possibly hear him as well) as he's in the lighted area at the top of the "T". He can now see that JZ is NOT a cop, NOT wearing an orange vest over body-armor but a bulky coat, and that he's a small guy. He'd be relieved, but he'd also be EMBARRASSED!<br />
<br />
His embarrassment would me magnified exponentially by the fact that DeeDee was on the phone! She's no shrinking violet - this is a ghetto-girl, born and bred. She's HARD, and not the kind of girl to have any respect at all for a "momma boy." On the contrary, she wants a "Soulja" - a stereotypical ghetto "gangsta" male.<br />
<br />
To understand what happened here, we REALLY must remember her behavior preceding and following these events...<br />
<br />
"DeeDee" is a girl who seems to LIVE on Twitter - she averages literally DOZENS of tweets every day, sending one every time something resembling a thought makes it into her empty little skull.<br />
<br />
She tweets what she's doing ("watchin [show-name/movie]") and when she's not (im so BORD!!") She tweets when she eats ("...chikin...!!"), when she goes somewhere with her mom ("2 da MALL wit momz!!), what she's thinking ("getin ma hair done 2mara!" - "LUV ma blue nailz pawlish!") -- she even tweets when she goes to the bathroom ("sittin on da tawlet!!") !<br />
<br />
As a result, we have a nearly minute-by-minute chronicle of the days following 26 Feb.<br />
<br />
Remember - she supposedly was on the phone with TM while he expressed his fear of some "creepy old white man" who was supposedly stalking him. She supposedly told him repeatedly to "RUN!", and heard TM be "cornered" by his stalker.<br />
<br />
In reality, none of this seems to make sense because it just isn't TRUE! She's doing the best she can within her capacity - which is just the opposite of what really happened.<br />
<br />
TM chased JZ. JZ was the one who was afraid - hence why he "soun' like a old man" - because his voice was shaking! She even tried to make JZ the one "with the deep voice" - as if anyone who ever heard him speak thought him capable - because she'd been told of (maybe even HEARD) the screams for help and needed them to be TM and not JZ!<br />
<br />
MOST IMPORTANTLY, she heard an argument, and at least the beginnings of a physical confrontation before being disconnected. She then supposedly tried at least two times to reach TM before giving up, and.... WHAT?<br />
<br />
WHAT DID SHE DO?<br />
<br />
Did she call 911?<br />
Her Mother?<br />
<br />
No!<br />
<br />
Her Twitter history proves that she went right on with her life - tweeting her usual string of inane mundanity. There's NOTHING in there to indicate she'd given TM any further thought at all, except noting (as did the rest of TMs social-circle) that he'd died and that he'd been shot. Sadly, this wouldn't be an uncommon fate for the young men she knows, but this wasn't some kid she'd seen around town - SHE WAS ON THE PHONE WHEN THE FIGHT STARTED THAT GOT HIM KILLED!<br />
<br />
And yet, EVEN AFTER FINDING OUT HE'D BEEN SHOT, SHE STILL SAID NOTHING TO ANYONE and just went on with the usual routine of her life?<br />
<br />
If TM did not have "detailed billing" on his T-Mobile line, NOBODY WOULD EVER HAVE KNOWN SHE EXISTED!! - It was only after Pa Skittles (father-of-the-year Tracy Martin) noticed her calls on TMs bill and she was tracked down by Benny Chump & Co. that she acknowledged any of it!<br />
<br />
THESE ARE NOT THE ACTIONS OF A GIRL WHO CARES **AT ALL** FOR A BOY! - THEY'RE THE ACTIONS OF A GIRL WITH A GIGANTIC SECRET! - A GIRL WITH SOMETHING TO HIDE!<br />
<br />
So what was she hiding?<br />
<br />
I'd bet my HOUSE that she egged TM on - that he attacked JZ at *HER* direction - and that had she not been on the phone with him TM would still be alive!<br />
<br />
THIS is why her story seems so incoherent - because she must try to craft a story that fits the narrative but does not give away her part in the drama!<br />
<br />
When TM saw JZ at the top of the "T" and realized he was NOT a cop, "DeeDee" first laughed at him, then began mocking him. "I can't believe you ran like a bi**h from some (to quote TMs own tweets!) 'puss-ass cracka'! You betta go beat his @$$ or imma tell eeeybody dat you ran from some lil ol cracka!"<br />
<br />
THIS is why TM took off his headset and "button" and put them in his pocket -preparing for a fight.<br />
THIS is why TM doubled back over 100 yards to attack JZ.<br />
THIS is why TM kept his call to DeeDee connected - so she could listen in.<br />
THIS is why he laid the phone in the grass before beginning his assault.<br />
THIS is why DD did her best to hide.<br />
THIS is why DD is so incoherent.<br />
THIS is why DD is so emphatic that she was NOT yelling at TM.<br />
<br />
MOST importantly, THIS is why DD has so much GUILT - and why she keeps repeating "<b><i>he wasn't a fighter...he would never have fought...</i></b><br />
<br />
Because he wouldn't have, had she not demanded he do so, and if not for her he'd still be ALIVE!</b></b></b>Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-11368990194605409252012-06-12T19:05:00.004-07:002012-06-12T19:05:57.426-07:00URGENT: IF YOU CARE ABOUT JUSTICE...THEN <b><u><a href="http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2012/06/12/money-bomb-for-shellie-and-george-next-24-hours/" target="_blank">PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK</a></u></b> AND READ, THEN CLICK ON THROUGH AND CONTRIBUTE TO GEORGE AND SHELLIE ZIMMERMAN'S DEFENSE FUND!<br />
<br />
The transcripts show Shellie Zimmerman DID NOT LIE - she told them she didn't know the current account balance - that her brother-in-law did - and she offered to get him on the phone for them!<br />
<br />
They failed to follow through!<br />
<br />
Not only was Shellie falsely arrested in order to pressure Jorge to take a plea-deal, but they released her front and profile mug-shots AND THE TOWN WHERE SHE'D BEEN HIDING OUT UP TO NOW!<br />
<br />
This is BEYOND reprehensible!<br />
<br />
If you care about justice for a good man being lynched by our system, then PLEASE help as much as you can!<br />
<br />
Their lives may literally depend on it at this point!!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-38059543761224233492012-06-05T20:49:00.001-07:002012-06-05T20:49:54.219-07:00THIS JUST IN -- LIVE FROM WISCONSIN!!I just received this TOP-SECRET, HIDDEN-CAMERA VIDEO of Wisconsin Governor Walker meeting with his opponents after tonight's absolute BLOWOUT "recall"...<br />
<br />
I know we all wish the Retardlicans would grow a pair and REALLY tell The Enemy about themselves, but...<br />
<br />
It's always best to take the high-road, and I think Walker showed remarkable restraint under the circumstances...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AsUW8JcnzZs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Yup -- REMARKABLE restraint...Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-1732394387739401892012-05-01T21:52:00.000-07:002012-05-01T21:52:43.117-07:00"No Child Left Behind...... REALLY means <u><i><b>"No Child GETS AHEAD!"</b></i></u><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fredoneverything.net/Enstupidation.shtml" target="_blank"><u><b>Fred Reed has a good rant this week</b></u></a> on our "<i><b>Department of Education</b></i>" - which is a euphemism just about as stupid as the "<b><i>Department of Justice</i></b>." (<a href="http://freenorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2012/05/taste-of-realism-yuck.html" target="_blank"><u><b>H-T Brock at Free North Carolina!</b></u></a>)<br />
<br />
Go. Read.<br />
<br />
I'll wait...<br />
<br />
All done?<br />
<br />
OK... Well, Reading Fred's bit prompted me to share this TRUE story...<br />
<br />
===========================================<br />
I knew a kid who was reading (the newspaper, aloud) BEFORE his 4th birthday. Forced into Kindergarten with kids who weren't POTTY-TRAINED, he nearly lost his mind until they decided to give him a Library pass & let him go.<br /><br />On to a different place/town/school for first grade, they endeavored to teach him to read - using some idiotic crap called the "<b><i>Initial Teaching Alphabet</i></b>" (aka "ITA"). <br /><br />He refused to write in "ITA" when he knew how to write in ENGLISH - and his inner-city-Sistah-Teacher vowed to "<i><b>put 'dat lil' smart-ass cracka in his PLACE!</b></i><i><b></b></i>" -- so he nearly flunked out of first grade until his parents intervened with the school-board.<br /><br />On to ANOTHER place for 2nd Grade, luckily into the care of a man who understood...<br /><br />In 7th Grade he was selected for a Johns-Hopkins study, and took the SAT along with all the College-bound HS seniors. He had no prep - walked in cold - and scored higher than 68% of the College-bound Seniors who took the test.<br /><br />That would be closer to the 90th Percentile today - now that EVERYONE takes the SAT...<br /><br />They told his parents to let him get a GED and go to college - at age 13. They refused, but put him in a new, private, "<i>Accelerated Christian Education</i>" school - he wiped out their entire curriculum (equivalent to a 2-year "Liberal Arts" Degree) by the end of 9th Grade.<br /><br />His parents split that summer, and Mom was given custody. She took him to the local public school system who told her flat-out "<i><b>We have NOTHING for him - you should let him get a GED and go to college!</b></i>" <br /><br />Mom needed him SUPERVISED so she could work, and couldn't be driving him to classes - so she refused.<br />
<br />
The geniuses at the "Board of Ed" put him in the 10th grade, with all the other 10th-graders...<br /><br />...Doing work he'd actually done in Elementary-school.<br />
<br />
Sure - That's GUARANTEED to work - right? <br /><br />Bored and angry, he rebelled - started smoking weed (and worse) and getting in trouble. He slept through class or read a book (about something that interested HIM), never did a single homework-assignment, aced every single test they ever gave and passed every class with a D-minus.<br /><br />The room-temp-IQ teachers HATED him - and his senior year ONE of them vowed to "<i><b>put 'dat lil' smart-ass cracka in his PLACE!</b></i>" She found a loophole in the rulebook and kicked him out of her class 3 days before graduation, keeping him from taking the final exam and thus causing him to fail the class.<br /><br />Despite his being the *ONLY* kid in the 335 "graduating class" to earn a passing score on the state's new trial-test of graduate knowledge. He'd actually scored a perfect 100% - but they still refused to give him his diploma.<br /><br />I won't repeat what he told them... <br /><br />So he took off, getting high, playing music, and raising hell. Doing mostly manual labor, he signed up for library-cards at local Universities, sat in on classes that interested him when he could and generally educated himself.<br /><br />When his first kid was born, he decided he needed to better himself - so he went to the local "community-college" - where he was forced to take a "diagnostic entrance exam" to ensure he was educated enough to take CC classes.<br /><br />He scored the only perfect score in the history of the CC - a record which AFAIK stands to this day.<br /><br />He had his hands full - working 2 jobs and studying computer programming in Night-school, he had a mentally-ill wife and was raising 3 kids, only one of them "his."<br /><br />When it came time to graduate from CC, they wouldn't let him graduate because he didn't have the HS diploma. He went to take the GED test, where he ran into another sub-moronic "work-fare" case who insisted he take their "pre-test" before taking the GED.<br /><br />He scored another 100% - PERFECT - score on the pre-test, which pissed off Sistah-Johnson to no end! She vowed to "<i><b>put 'dat lil' smart-ass cracka in his PLACE!</b></i>" and told him that he'd need to take at least 20 hours of "prep classes" before she'd schedule him for the actual GED class.<br /><br />I won't repeat what he told HER, either...<br /><br />He eventually became one of the top IT/Enterprise Consultants in the country, handling some of the largest and most complex IT projects ever conceived.<br /><br />To this day, he STILL doesn't have a HS diploma, nor *ANY* respect for "educators" who would deliberately punish a child for being more intelligent than they were.<br /><br />He made damn sure that *HIS* kids didn't suffer the same sort of BS... The schools THEY attended hired "enrichment" teachers for the "gifted" kids which included his... More importantly, he was able to do what HIS parents weren't: relate to their "gifted" kids and help them deal with an "education system" where most of the "instructors" weren't fit to shine their shoes.<br /><br />He also taught them to "play the game" at school then invest their time self-educating on the things that interested THEM!<br /><br />Both are now classic overachievers, well on their way to finishing their University degrees... <br /><br />The younger will be Valedictorian in a few weeks because she learned the "game" lessons just a little bit better than her elder sister, but elder is head-RA in the "Honors" dorm at her University, and an incredibly impressive young woman in her own right...Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-84318983910917977662012-04-27T23:18:00.001-07:002012-04-27T23:18:20.518-07:00How I became a conservative...<a href="http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2012/04/27/awakenings/" target="_blank"><u><b>A post called "Awakenings" over at "The Conservative Treehouse"</b></u></a> (pops - WELL worth the read, as is most of what's there!) asked readers to tell "their story."<br />
<br />
Here's mine...<br />
<br />
I can't believe I'm going to admit this...<br /><br />I was blessed to be raised mostly in a rural area, with a GOOD school system which actually taught me about the history of our Republic, and the design of our Constitution and system of Government.<br />
<br />
I turned 18 in 1983, and was COMPLETELY apolitical. All that politics-stuff was for old-folks - I just wanted to get high, make my music, and be left alone.<br /><br />
As went about my freewheeling life, it seemed as if I was being jacked by "pigs" about every other day - and ~90% of the time it was "<i>out of the car... assume the position - hands on the hood...</i>"<br /><br />
I still roll my eyes when I hear certain folks whining about "<i>driving while black</i>" as I've experienced "<i>driving while long-haired</i>" too many times to count. Eventually I realized that it wasn't just the long hair, it was a number of other things that - <i>COMBINED with the long hair</i> - screamed "<u><i><b>I'M A </b></i><i><b>POTHEAD - PLEASE SCREW WITH ME!!</b></i></u>" to every cop that got close enough to lay eyes on me. Likewise, the majority of "<i><b>DWB</b></i><b><i></i></b>" cases are really "<i>driving while looking/acting like a dealer/'gangsta'/thug/etc...</i>" but I digress...<br /><br />
At the time, I was the EPITOME of the young, stupid leftard. Ronnie Raygun was a doddering old fool, and perhaps the worst thing to happen to this country since Joe McCarthy. One sweet little gal (of whom I was VERY enamored) collected old books, and I can't express how disgusted I was by reading "<u><i>The Report of the House Subcommittee on Un-American Activities</i></u>" which named known and suspected communists...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i>They RUINED those people's lives and careers!</i>" I thought - and to my young, stupid self that seemed like the EPITOME of injustice! After all, "<i>from each according to his ability, to each according to his need</i>" seems like the way things SHOULD be!</blockquote>
<br />
G*D I was STUPID!-But I still didn't care enough to pay attention to politics.... <br />
<br />
When Slick Willie ran for POTUS, I caught the "<i>...but I didn't INHALE</i>!" line. I was suddenly VERY enamored - and when I saw him on Arsenio Hall with his hat & shades, blowing a sax & rocking some blues, I thought he was the coolest politician alive! OF COURSE I knew he was lying - after all, it's not much good if you don't inhale - but... I could forgive that "little white lie!"<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i>THAT'S **EXACTLY** what this country needs - a POTUS who knows how to rock & roll, and who's actually done some bong-hits! He's JUST LIKE ME!</i>"</blockquote>
G*D I was STUPID!<br /><br />
By the time he was up for reelection I'd grown up/wised up a good bit - Fatherhood will do that to you - but that wasn't the MAIN reason...<br /><br />
I met this woman in a bar, and my daughter was born exactly 10 months and 2 days later. She already had two kids, and their father was apparently a real psycho. He threatened our lives - very plainly and explicitly:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"One of these nights, you're going to wake up and find me standing at the foot of your bed. Don't worry - I'll make sure you get to hear me say goodbye and look me in the eye when I blow your f***ing brains out!"</i></blockquote>
<br />
For the first time in my life, I felt like I needed a handgun, so - full of my high-school notions of "<i>LAND OF THE FREE!</i>" and "...<i>SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED</i>!" - I went to buy one.<br /><br />
The nice man at the gun store informed me that my state had a mandatory 10-day waiting-period, but it was taking the cops more like 4-6 weeks to process the paperwork.<br />
<br />
He'd be HAPPY to sell me a gun, but I needed to understand that it might be a month or month-and-a-half before I could take it home!<br />
<br />
I truly thought he was lying to me, so I went down the road to a pawn-shop that also sold guns, and got the same story there.<br /><br />
I was DUMBFOUNDED - but not nearly so much as I would be!<br /><br />
As I was leaving the pawn-shop, a young man followed me out of the store, and quietly informed me that if I really needed a handgun he had one he'd sell me!<br /><br />
This might be a good time to paraphrase our _resident and point out that <i>"If I had a gang-banger/illegal gun-dealer, he'd look like Trayvon Martin"</i> - but I digress...<br /><br />
This nice young gentleman guided me to his car, satisfied himself that I wasn't a cop, then opened the trunk and showed me a selection of a half-dozen or so handguns. I was enamored of a .44-mag revolver, and though his price was a bit high I would at least be able to SLEEP AT NIGHT knowing I wasn't completely defenseless!<br />
<br />
Then it hit me...<br /><br />
See, I wasn't planning on robbing a liquor store, pulling a drive-by, or "<i>bustin' a cap in a muh-fugguh's @$$</i>" then throwing it in the river -- I was facing a strong likelihood of being forced to defend myself IN MY OWN HOME.<br /><br />
I had a brief, literal vision of myself trying to explain to the cops how it was that this gun I'd just used to help this sicko assume room-temperature and ruin my carpet, just happened to be a ballistic-match to a gun that had been used in a half-dozen murders!<br /><br />
"<i>So</i>..." I asked naively - "<i>Will you give me a receipt</i>?"<br /><br />
"<i>F**k NO, MAN!</i>" young Trayvon said, before he slammed the trunk, hopped in his car and drove away!<br /><br />
THAT'S when it hit me:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><i><b>CRIMINALS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY GUN-CONTROL LAWS - THEY ONLY SERVE TO DISARM THE LAW-ABIDING!</b></i></u></blockquote>
I wish I could say "<i>In that moment, I became a conservative</i>" - but that would be a lie. It took a bit more experience for me to get there... <br /><br />
I was working like a dog - two jobs to support my family and pay for night-school while others rode the welfare gravy-train - and that was part of it.<br />
<br />
There were times when there wasn't enough FOOD to go around so I'd cook dinner then go upstairs while THEY ate... I eventually got tired of being hungry and gave in - which is when I learned that my kids' Mom was (aside from being rather seriously "disturbed") a full-time, professional welfare-queen who (despite my objections) milked "the system" and just about everyone else she came across.<br />
<br />
There just isn't enough space on this blog for me to tell you all the scams this woman ran... Suffice to say that the few years I spent watching her make a full-time-job out of being a freeloader REALLY helped in my conversion to "conservative" as well!<br /><br />
Spending all my spare time on studying and homework - trying to better myself so I could make a better life for my kids - combined with the ongoing contact with my community-college "classmates" -- a bunch of ungrateful mooches who couldn't be bothered to study then accused the instructors of "racism" because "<i>the white boy's gettin' As while you give US Ds!</i>" - and the flat-out ABUSE they heaped on me for "blowing the curve" was an even larger part.<br /><br />
A REALLY HUGE factor was when several years of hard work - still spending all my spare time on self-education - finally paid off and I first doubled my income then doubled it again, only to see most of the increase disappear to increased taxation.<br />
<br />
That hurt.<br />
<br />
A LOT!<br />
<br />
When I considered how many millions of people out there were just like my Ex - perfectly able-bodied but preferred to make a full-time-job out of freeloading - I was PISSED!<br />
<br />
The straw that finally broke the camel's back was my eventual - INEVITABLE - divorce.<br />
<br />
Anyone who's ever seen a good man get abused by a vindictive woman and the F_m_l_ court system (supposed to be "F<u><i><b>a</b></i></u>m<u><b><i>i</i></b></u>l<i><u><b>y</b></u></i>" but really "F<i><u><b>E</b></u></i>M<u><i><b>A</b></i></u>L<b><i><u>E</u></i></b>"!) knows my story - false claims of abuse, false arrests, false restraining orders... even eventually (when she realized she was losing) false accusations of molesting my kids...<br />
<br />
It was during that whole, horrid experience that I first remember asking<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"WHAT F***ING COUNTRY *<b><u>IS</u></b>* THIS!??!!" </i></blockquote>
As I searched for answers to what was happening to me, I began to understand the importance of Fatherhood to a child's life. I knew INSTINCTIVELY - which is why I fought so hard to be allowed to uphold my responsibilities to my kids - but I never knew <u><i>INTELLECTUALLY</i></u>. As I became involved with the so-called "Fathers' Rights Movement" (which is really about a KID'S rights, IMHO!) and learned all the statistics, I was HORRIFIED!<br />
<br />
Here, we KNOW that father-absent homes are to blame for damn near every ill that befalls our kids - even when controlling for every other possible factor such as race, poverty, etc - yet we have a "F_m_l_-Court System" that seems to exist solely to turn Fathers into every-other-weekend VISITORS and turns them into broke slaves in the process, rewarding vindictive women for robbing their children of the one thing most likely to protect them from drugs/dropouts/pregnancy/prison/and-on-and-on-and-on?!<br />
<br />
It seemed as if every day I found myself a new reason to scream out <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"<b>WHAT F***ING COUNTRY *<u>IS</u>* THIS!??!!</b>" </i></blockquote>
I was eventually awarded sole legal custody of my kids, and settled in to FINALLY being allowed to fulfill my proper role in their lives - but found myself now doing battle with schools which seemed designed to produce good little idiots (with LOTS of un-earned self-esteem!) but did NOTHING to really educate. I saw the horrors of "<i>No Child Left Behind</i>" - which (as the Father of two highly-intelligent girls) I can assure you REALLY means "<i><b>NO CHILD </b></i><u><i><b>GETS AHEAD!</b></i></u>"<br />
<br />
I tried to go into business for myself, and applied for a loan from the "Small Business Administration." Being told I had to submit a "business plan" I again set about educating myself, and eventually turned in what the local "<i>Director</i>" told me was "<i>The best business plan [he'd] seen in twenty years on this job.</i>" Unfortunately, he also had to inform me that there was no money for me.<br />
<br />
Something about the way he said "...<i>for <u>you</u></i>..." stuck in my ear, and I pressed him. He (VERY reluctantly) was eventually forced to admit that the only funds his "Small Business Administration" had available was designated "minority grant money."<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"So... you're telling me that if I was 'a minority' I'd get this loan?"</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Well... No... - Actually, if you were 'a minority' you'd be able to get a <u><b>GRANT</b></u>."</i></blockquote>
For those who may not get the distinction, "<i>loans</i>" must be repaid - with interest - but "<i>GRANTS</i>" are essentially <i><u><b>GIFTS</b></u></i>, and need never be repaid!<br />
<br />
What ever happened to "<i>equal protection under the law</i>"?<br />
<br />
What happened to "...<i>judged by the content of their character - and not the color of their skin!</i>" <br />
<br />
Every time a "quota" is enforced, SOME qualified person didn't get a job/loan/grant/admission/promotion/etc BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN.<br />
<br />
I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO GET *<u><i><b>AWAY</b></i></u>* FROM!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"<b>WHAT F***ING COUNTRY *<u>IS</u>* THIS!??!!</b>" </i></blockquote>
<br />
I've had many other experiences and situations over the years which further solidified my "conservative" position, but more and more every day it seems I find myself asking that same stupid question - and I've never yet managed to come up with a POSITIVE answer - only a "negative" one:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>"</i></b><u><i><b>It sure as HELL ain't Our Founders' Republic!</b></i></u><b><i>"</i></b></blockquote>
So... Here I am.<br />
<br />
At this point, I'd say I'm best described by a slightly-modified phrase stolen from Andrew Wilkow:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Individual Patriot first, (BIG-C) Constitutionalist second, and (small-c-small-l-small-r) conservative/libertarian/republican-slash-minarchist third..."</i></blockquote>
I've seen enough to know that "<i>The government which governs BEST is that which governs LEAST</i>."<br />
<br />
I've come to believe that Our Founders were Divinely inspired when they hammered out this system, and that those who have corrupted it deserve eternal torment. I say that because I've also come to understand that THIS REPUBLIC has done more to bring LIBERTY to the WHOLE WORLD than EVERYthing which came before - and it caused a true REVOLUTION in science and industry which bettered the lives of everyone on this PLANET!<br />
<br />
I've come to know that there are truly EVIL people in the world who manipulate the lazy and ignorant to support their plan to DESTROY this Republic, because at this point it is the only thing standing in the way of their plans to dominate, rule and ENSLAVE the entire WORLD.<br />
<br />
And we're just about there...Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-35170025469963791172012-04-20T12:31:00.000-07:002012-04-20T12:31:35.860-07:00An Open Letter to Newt GingrichDear Newt:<br />
<br />
I'm going to be blunt.<br />
<br />
When I stood in the booth in 2008 and
entered my vote for McCain, I made a vow to myself that this would be
the *LAST* time I voted "lesser of two evils" as I had for my entire
adult life.<br />
<br />
Though I didn't start as a supporter, seeing how the
media and the RNC has abused Ron Paul caused me to research him and
become a RP supporter.<br />
<br />
It's painfully obvious now that he'll never
be allowed to win, so (as much as it pains me to say it) I decided a
while back that I was going to vote for Obama.<br />
<br />
Why? <br />
<ol>
<li>I no longer believe we're going to be able to vote our way out of this mess.</li>
<li>I could not in good conscience vote for anyone left on the "R"
ticket - LEAST of all mitt-for-brains robamaney, who TPTB have
apparently decided to ram down our throats whether we want him or not.</li>
<li>A "RINO" win would
lull the sheeple back to sleep ("<i>We WON! What a RELIEF!</i>") but do nothing
to roll back all of the abuses of recent decades - we'd be better off
with Obama because NOBODY would be able to sleep through what we know he
will do!</li>
<li>Since a total economic and governmental collapse seems inevitable, we might as well just get it over with!</li>
</ol>
Remember: I said I'd be blunt... !<br />
<br />
Frankly Newt, I
have a LOT of problems with your history. You have in the past been
little better than any other RINO, and frankly I know when a politician
is lying because HIS LIPS ARE MOVING, ergo I don't place ANY faith in
campaign promises -- I've seen entirely too much.<br />
<br />
I don't care what you
say - I care what you DO, and HAVE DONE - and ALL of the Retardlicans, INCLUDING you, have done much
that frankly makes me SICK!<br />
<br />
So why am I here, writing this?<br />
<br />
I just finished watching your "NRA" speech, and the things you said therein have convinced me that I *MAY* be wrong about you.<br />
<br />
This was no small feat - and for those who haven't seen it, here's the speech to which I refer:<br />
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<br />
*IF*
you really are who you now claim to be, then you may be the only candidate (with a
realistic possibility of getting the nomination) who can prevent what
appears to otherwise be inevitable.<br />
<br />
*IF* you are serious about your
support for the Constitution - ESPECIALLY the 2nd Amendment, then there
are two things you need to do.<br />
<br />
*IF* you do these things, I will
not only vote for you, but I'll become a near-full-time proponent, and
work to convince others to vote for you as well.<br />
<br />
Further, I can
pretty much guarantee that *IF* you do these things, you can guarantee a
win in November by mobilizing MILLIONS like me who otherwise would have
either just stayed home or cast a "let's get this crap over with" vote
for The Enemy.<br />
<br />
What are these two things?<br />
<ol>
<li>For those who
may not know, Federal law allows private ownership of full-auto
firearms, and always has, PROVIDED the buyer passes a full, extensive
FBI fingerprint and background check and pays a transfer tax. In 1986
however, in an illegal and illegitimate manner, an amendment was stuck
on to other legislation which LIMITED private ownership of any full-auto
firearms made BEFORE (IIRC) May of 1986.<br /><br />The CSPAN video clearly
shows that this was not properly done and thus should be moot and void,
however it has become accepted law. All this has accomplished is to
drive the cost of such arms through the roof by limiting ownership to a
fixed and dwindling (as they wear out) supply.<br /><br />And (of course) the
NRA has done NOTHING to undo this travesty, despite their vociferous
promises at the time (speaking of "RINOs"...)...<br /><br />Further, if you are serious about your support for our Constitution and our 2nd Amendment,
then you KNOW that the intent of the 2A was to ensure that We The
People could possess the same arms used by our military - hence the
"well regulated (ie: well trained and equipped) militia" statement which
applies to ALL CITIZENS as we are still by law ALL part of the
"unorganized militia."<br /><br />Both the FBI and ATF Directors have in the
past gone on record saying that repealing this "post-86 ban" would have
no effect on crime - only TWO lawfully-owned FA-arms have been used in
crimes in the past ~80 years, and one of those was a cop who had access
to departmental arms!<br /><br />Ergo, there is NOTHING to be lost by
repealing this ban - and I GUARANTEE that a *GENUINE* promise to do so would earn you the votes of MILLIONS of firearms enthusiasts like myself!<br /><br />The second one is much easier to explain.<br /></li>
<li>*IF* you are serious about your support for our Constitution, then you should have no problems in promising to veto any legislation not
accompanied by a clear statement referencing which part of the
Constitution (and **NOT** the ridiculous "commerce" or "general-welfare"
nonsense!) authorizes CONgress to take that action and pass that law.</li>
</ol>
THAT'S IT!<br />
<br />
To
recap, you can GUARANTEE yourself my full-time work on your behalf,
along with MILLIONS of other votes, by promising to (1) repeal the
unlawful "post-86 full-auto ban" and (2) only sign legislation with a
Constitutional basis!<br />
<br />
So... You're running out of time - and WE'RE WAITING!<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Dedicated_Dad <br />
<br />
==================================================================<br />
<br />
I don't know how to get this to him, or to
get his attention, but if anyone should happen to read this who DOES
know how to get it to him, I would welcome your assistance!<br />
<br />
Should you need more info, or wish to engage in RATIONAL discussion, I can be reached at my user-name (dedicated_dad) at yahoo!<br />
<br />
Thanks for taking the time to read - please pass this along!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-23146346028203230372012-04-16T09:19:00.001-07:002012-04-16T09:19:28.898-07:00Flash Mobs...I decided to post another "light" post...<br />
<br />
Saw this a few days ago - thanks to FreeNorthCarolina:<br />
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<br />
So... That got me thinking of something I'd seen a few days ago, about some OTHER Flash-mobs...<br />
<br />
This one in NYFC:<br />
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<br />
Of course, not all NYFC Flash-Mobs are violent - this one was really cool! Worth the time to watch it all!<br />
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<br />
And... There's THIS - if you haven't seen it, it's WELL worth the 10 minutes!!<br />
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<br />
So... We move on to St. Paul, Minnesota:<br />
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<br />
Is this just an "inner-city" thing?<br />
<br />
<br />
Well... Here's Picadilly Circus, in London:<br />
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<br />
Imagine - all those folks showed up to help a stranger propose?<br />
<br />
Of course, not all London "mobs" are so peaceful, or so generous...<br />
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<br />
Nor is France immune to similar problems with "certain demographics":<br />
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<br />
By now, even my dead Grandmother is beginning to notice a pattern to this stuff!<br />
<br />
More from Paris:<br />
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<br />
So... Why is it that when some folks get together, it ends up like this:<br />
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<br />
And THIS:<br />
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<br />
While in the very same city, others get together to do stuff like THIS:<br />
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<br />Do they have these problems in Israel...<br />
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<br />
...as they do in Wisconsin?<br />
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<br />
Can South Korea...<br />
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<br />
...ever turn into Iowa?<br />
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<br />
Or Singapore...<br />
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<br />
...into Philadelphia?<br />
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<br />
What is it that separates Brazil...<br />
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<br />
...from Upper Dary, PA?<br />
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<br />
How is Dubai so completely different...<br />
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<br />
From Detroit?<br />
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<br />
Or Lison...<br />
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<br />
...from Milwaukee?<br />
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<br />
Are kids in Italy REALLY so much more civilized...<br />
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<br />
...than kids in Miami?<br />
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<br />
<br />
Are Nederlanders somehow more equipped to channel their aggression in a positive direction...<br />
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<br />
...than folks of a similar age in Dallas?<br />
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<br />
Why is it that when SOME folks get together, EVEN IN THE US, the result is so utterly BEAUTIFUL that it brings tears to your eyes...<br />
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<br />
...or folks in Belgium put a smile to your lips from a whole continent away!<br />
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<br />
I thought perhaps it was environmental, except... When ONE group "mobs up" at Mall of America, it looks like this...<br />
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<br />
...while another group MEETS IN THE SAME PLACE to do THIS:<br />
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<br />
What am I missing?<br />
<br />
Why does one group of people seem to consistently do things like this...<br />
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<br />
...while another seems to consistently do things like THIS?<br />
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<br />
Whether it's Denver...<br />
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<br />
<br />
...or Las Vegas...<br />
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<br />
...Madrid...<br />
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...Australia...<br />
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<br />
...or South Africa, the pattern of violence and lawlessness from one group...<br />
<br />
(WARNING: DISTURBING! - for more evidence, click through to YT and check out "related") <br />
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<br />
...and cultured, artistic fun from another...<br />
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<br />
...seems to hold up around the world!<br />
<br />
Now, before you jump off calling me "racist" or other idiotic names - the refuge of the intellectually bankrupt when they've got no argument - anyone who's been paying attention MUST have noticed that there were "black people" in most of the "positive" videos, and whites in most (or, at least MANY) of the more horrid ones.<br />
<br />
Still, the pattern is undeniable!<br />
<br />
Although the simple fact that there are differences in the races is undeniable, I remain convinced that these differences are due to CULTURE. It should be obvious that the black man who sang the opera-tenor solo wasn't raised in "'da Hood"on a mental-diet of 50-cent or NWA. The couple in Handel's Messiah clearly wasn't influenced by peer-pressure to "stop actin' WHITE."<br />
<br />
Like I said: CULTURE!<br />
<br />
When the predominate culture of the group is one seeking to bring beauty, beauty gets brought.<br />
<br />
Ugly unfortunately seems to predominate in those who SHOULD have the most to be thankful for! - after all, no matter what might have happened to their ancestors, THEY have never been forced to work a day in their lives! Those living upon the generosity of other people are most likely to target those same people to despise and abuse at every opportunity.<br />
<br />
What created this culture?<br />
<br />
More importantly, how do we change it, and FAST?!<br />
<br />
How do we stop the current regime, its race-pimping sycophants and the Propaganda bureau (AKA "Mainstream Media") from continuing to pour fuel on the fire?!<br />
<br />
The pressure-cooker is rattling in a way it has not in 150 years.<br />
<br />
How do we stop it before it blows?!<br />
<br />
If these "teens" keep on, someone is going to kill a bunch of them in perfectly-legitimate act of self-defense! By the time the LSM gets done with it, said victim will be made out to be an even bigger bogeyman than Jorge Zimmerman, and "those poor dead babies" will be choir-boys who were just minding their own business, trying to get some skittles and tea!<br />
<br />
If the "race war" they're all pushing for ever actually COMES, I fear literal MILLIONS could die - and that's the LAST thing we need! <br />
<br />
God help us... and God Save Our Republic!!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-73568393334415745172012-04-13T23:38:00.001-07:002012-04-13T23:38:14.232-07:00SHAMELESSLY...... stolen from commenter "Ignatz" at "<b><u><a href="http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2012/04/zimmerman-trial-evidence-ex-machina-or-not.html" target="_blank">JustOneMinute</a></u></b>" (pops)<br />
<br />
""Hmm, a Dem wants to string up a non white apparently defending himself in the South.<br />
<br />
Stop me if you've heard this one."<br />
<br />
I LLOLed...<br />
<br />
DDDedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-48308259680843391592012-04-12T18:43:00.000-07:002012-04-12T18:50:51.185-07:00Damn DUST!I've got a few posts percolating, but to be honest at this point I just don't feel like writing them.<br />
<br />
I've spent the last couple of years focused on this gigantic locomotive that's screaming down the tracks, this immense Leviathan coming to destroy everything that matters to me.<br />
<br />
Tonight I sat down to look for something I needed to support one of the aformentioned posts, when I stumbled over what follows... I misspelled my search term - something that rarely gets past me - otherwise I'd never have seen it.<br />
<br />
This is probably the coolest thing I've seen in years!<br />
<br />
Now, damnit, it would appear there's something in my EYE!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NKDXuCE7LeQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Why *YES*, Father!<br />
<br />
I hear You LOUD AND CLEAR!<br />
<br />
THANK YOU! - most especially for Henry!<br />
<br />
=========================================================== <br />
<br />
I'm going to go put on my own headphones and crank up the volume. While I'm at it, I'm going to enjoy a fine cigar, and probably crack that bottle of single-malt that's been gathering dust in my cupboard for MUCH TOO long a time.<br />
<br />
The Republic will still be going to hell in a handbasket when I'm done, our race-baiter-in-chief will still be polluting the office he's not fit to hold, and the rest of his evil cohort will still be busily working their evil...<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that I need a recharge a hell of a lot more than anyone needs to read my ravings, so...<br />
<br />
I'll see you when I see you - probably not until my new LT-keyboard arrives so I don't have to "Ctrl+V" every time I need to type a letter "b"......Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-69478960944651222092012-04-10T20:23:00.003-07:002012-04-10T20:28:36.395-07:00Zimmerman's "47 calls to 911 about black people in the last month"We've all heard about Zimmerman's calls to 911 - more of the race-pimp/media narrative designed to make him seem like a racist lunatic.<br />
<br />
No surprise - a simple analysis of easily available info (the 911 reports published by the Sanford PD) - shows that this is BS too.<br />
<br />
By my count, he made 45 calls - not in "the last month" but since 2004 -- in EIGHT YEARS.<br />
<br />
But... Weren't they all about black people?<br />
<br />
NOPE!<br />
<br />
NOT EVEN *CLOSE*!<br />
<br />
The calls that were about "suspicious" people - 12 of them - included 7 about WHITES (one of which also included a hispanic) and only FIVE were about blacks!<br />
<br />
But... Didn't he call about a little KID!<br />
Why, actually - yes! Yes he did! - but *NOT* as we've all been told!<br />
<br />
His call was to ask for a "welfare check". No - not THAT kind of "check" you idiot - he called because he saw a little kid alone on a busy road with no adult supervision.<br />
<br />
HE CALLED BECAUSE HE WAS WORRIED THAT THE CHILD MIGHT GET HURT.<br />
<br />
The BLACK child.<br />
<br />
What an evil racist, huh?! (rolleyes)<br />
<br />
The rest of his calls were various "good citizen" calls. A couple about dangerous potholes, a couple about people breaking into the complex pool and "clubhouse", a few asking them to check on his neighbors' property when they left doors open and such-like.<br />
<br />
In ONE of them, he called the cops on his black NEIGHBOR!!<br />
<br />
well, actually to report that someone was breaking into his black neighbor's HOUSE.<br />
<br />
The police actually caught the miscreant (a young, black male, just for the record...) in the act as a result - the only "solved" burglary among the rash of them to happen in the area recently...<br />
<br />
Oh - and this black neighbor has gone on record to SUPPORT Zimmerman!!<br />
<br />
Bottom line: Just like everything else about this case, the TRUTH paints a VERY different picture than the BS we're all being sold by those who are SUPPOSED to be keeping us "informed"!<br />
<br />
Face it: If *I* can do this, so can the media!<br />
<br />
So why do they CONTINUE to get this SO TERRIBLY WRONG??!!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-50244792285254682852012-03-27T22:41:00.000-07:002012-03-27T22:41:26.190-07:00UPDATE re: Trayvon Martin<br />
UPDATE:<br />
<br />
For those claiming the "gangsta" pics aren't the same Trayvon, I'm sorry to have to be the one to break it to you, but...<br />
<br />
You've been lied to -- again.<br />
<br />
And YOU FELL FOR IT, -- AGAIN!<br />
<br />
We know Trayvon was known as "Slimm" -- a bit more sleuthing turns up a "twitpic" account "no_limit_nigga" for someone calling himself ...<br />
<br />
Wait for it...<br />
<br />
"Slimm..."<br />
<br />
And guess what image "Slimm" chose for his "profile" pic?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i44.tinypic.com/w7iiwn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://i44.tinypic.com/w7iiwn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You just can't make this stuff up!<br />
<br />
And just to save us all the inevitable "some white ray-cist made that page just to make poor Trayvon look bad", well ... Look closely. The oldest image was posted 145 days ago. I'm also willing to bet that the young lady bears a striking resemblance to young Trayvon's girlfriend...<br />
<br />
So, in short we have two possibilities:<br />
(1) 145+ days ago, someone decided that young Trayvon would become famous and wanted to make sure some young wannabe-gangster's pictures were wrongly associated with him...<br />
or<br />
(2) You've been lied to once again in the ongoing attempt to "white-wash" the young man's reputation.<br />
<br />
Pro-tip: The smart-money's on "(2)"...<br />
<br />
PS: For more evidence, we note that someone calling himself "Skee Dollas Nickuhs" ("@MrMonopolSKEE" - who has since set his Twitter to "private/protected") had the following to say:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i41.tinypic.com/2vl1uhd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://i41.tinypic.com/2vl1uhd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Ergo, unless this (nonexistent) "Other Trayvon" has also succumbed to some fatal mishap.....<br />
<br />
I'd say that pretty much wraps it up...<br />
<br />
/Update<br />Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-56514619013195414432012-03-25T00:10:00.001-07:002012-04-10T20:31:52.558-07:00SOME truth about Trayvon...UPDATE:<br />
<b><u><a href="http://dumbolddad.blogspot.com/2012/03/update-re-trayvon-martin.html" target="_blank">See update on pictures here!</a></u></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>And </b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://dumbolddad.blogspot.com/2012/04/zimmermans-47-calls-to-911-about-black.html" target="_blank">The TRUTH about "all those calls to 911" here...</a></b><br />
/:UPDATE<br />
===========================================================<br />
Since our entire country is about to tear itself apart over a hispanic/black/jew killing a black boy, I decided to sit down tonight and do a little digging.<br />
<br />
What I found didn't really surprise me -- I'm about the world's biggest cynic -- but it IS pretty staggering in a sick sort of way...<br />
<br />
First the "concensus narrative":<br />
<br />
Poor little Trayvon - choir-boy extraordinaire, and candidate for sainthood - was chased down and murdered by a racist white man for the "crime" of walking to the store to buy a bag of skittles for his beloved little brother.<br />
<br />
The police TOLD the racist murderer not to follow Trayvon, but he continued, and wasn't satisfied until he'd MURDERED this innocent little child.<br />
<br />
Naturally, they also trot out heart-melting pictures of the innocent child, to be sure nobody misses the fact that he was someone SPECIAL whose life was cut tragically short by the twin horrors of racism and guns.<br />
<br />
What's worse, the evil, racist redneck cops in the Florida town where this tragedy happened chose to let the murderer walk free - after all, he was white and the dead "child" was black!<br />
<br />
At this point, 99% of the black community is screaming for "Zimmerman"'s head on a platter, thanks in large part to media pandering and the usual bevy of race-hustlers and pimps. Even King Hussein The First, has chosen to fan the flames by claiming "If (he) had a son, he'd look like Trayvon".<br />
<br />
You'd THINK that black folks ESPECIALLY - given the long history of "their people" being lynched without benefit of due process - would be against the whole meme - but obviously you'd be WRONG.<br />
<br />
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've heard all that so many times that it's become TRUE - though it's nearly all a pack of sickening LIES!<br />
<br />
Here's what I've learned...<br />
<br />
First of all, Trayvon was in this "strange neighborhood" because he'd been sent there by his Momma -- sent to stay with his DADDY for a bit so Daddy could "straighten him out" during a week-long suspension from school.<br />
<br />
Though nobody will say what he did to get himself suspended, one thing is sure: It was relatively SERIOUS if it earned him a weeklong suspension... For Mom to call on DAD to "straighten him out" - thus admitting SHE COULDN"T HANDLE THE KID - is also telling!<br />
<br />
Then there's Trayvon himself...Here's the kid we've all been told was so brutally murdered:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshcWjWtSt7tXQiJs-6_pSZbv3ftFXNEAr0uh501wwXfFKfJ0ixoIuCpouYxBVcr0JKc739dvFJMLVgk7rAyCsngWKkNR71oR8wQNumEiBm45fcNJcY6J1wCc466X2sNfJzJSoIIvbbz8q/s1600/1-ap_trayvon_martin_ll_120322_wg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshcWjWtSt7tXQiJs-6_pSZbv3ftFXNEAr0uh501wwXfFKfJ0ixoIuCpouYxBVcr0JKc739dvFJMLVgk7rAyCsngWKkNR71oR8wQNumEiBm45fcNJcY6J1wCc466X2sNfJzJSoIIvbbz8q/s320/1-ap_trayvon_martin_ll_120322_wg.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As it turns out, <a href="http://sarahmaidofalbion.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-difference-four-years-make.html" target="_blank">that picture is about 5 years old!</a><br />
In reality, THIS is the "Trayvon 'SLIMM' Martin" who was shot on that fateful night:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1MvZcvsijERo6C1IjRmnoFK0vln2pjO3kbNSBarNzIAQK6Nc3DPiWss5EVGxROhR_gNuQ9zbVMmfwoe4n8T1MeCBPXWeN-mGcFXv5Jn8ksX5ZQd-B0jy_6A37xzWKsrV8RI3xVkaclbK/s1600/2-Trayvon2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1MvZcvsijERo6C1IjRmnoFK0vln2pjO3kbNSBarNzIAQK6Nc3DPiWss5EVGxROhR_gNuQ9zbVMmfwoe4n8T1MeCBPXWeN-mGcFXv5Jn8ksX5ZQd-B0jy_6A37xzWKsrV8RI3xVkaclbK/s320/2-Trayvon2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Gosh! Gold "grille", "saggin' pants", obscene gestures... Not quite the choir-boy we've all been crying over, huh?<br />
<br />
UPDATE:<br />
<b><u><a href="http://dumbolddad.blogspot.com/2012/03/update-re-trayvon-martin.html" target="_blank">SEE MORE ON PICTURES HERE!</a></u></b><br />
/:UPDATE<br />
<br />
Then there's the fact that - in another image from his Facebook page - young Trayvon apparently <a href="http://astuteblogger.blogspot.com/2012/03/apparently-trayvon-martin-self.html" target="_blank">self-identified as a "MADE NIGGA"</a> - meaning he'd been officially accepted into a "gang."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDuRvMHiSsMT4Zulgm5CyRoiL0M5_gbH7k3My9IEO-LowTafAzuK9wXa-b6Of8zVZEf6pZGo9T4q7UXVI4qeypRmcsFsXVFRfsiG1V9nkI0BMerlmEuVbQ4XHzk4LFH8ZOekmzUkw09EB/s1600/3-Trayvon_Martin_gangsta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDuRvMHiSsMT4Zulgm5CyRoiL0M5_gbH7k3My9IEO-LowTafAzuK9wXa-b6Of8zVZEf6pZGo9T4q7UXVI4qeypRmcsFsXVFRfsiG1V9nkI0BMerlmEuVbQ4XHzk4LFH8ZOekmzUkw09EB/s1600/3-Trayvon_Martin_gangsta.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Which gang? I'm not sure, but clearly it has a "Waters Avenue" "set" - and "Slimm" made a claim to be in it!<br />
<br />
Lest you fall for the claims of "That's a DIFFERENT Trayvon Martin" - note that even the pic his family chose for his "funeral handout" had a similar "tough guy" vibe - also delivered in a red font.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4YDUJHflxWM6O2o-iPO3Vdf_RZvC3FUBKAeLVgSrRdUuUnEgafn4-P6gbmZV0DuhBm478OKznqfZoAAd5wTzaR6hoV2PWHbVU8cZGk9wwLTmox_NJbkUSujwHF_ghlkJGevONnMYgyfc/s1600/4-trayvon-martin-shooting-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4YDUJHflxWM6O2o-iPO3Vdf_RZvC3FUBKAeLVgSrRdUuUnEgafn4-P6gbmZV0DuhBm478OKznqfZoAAd5wTzaR6hoV2PWHbVU8cZGk9wwLTmox_NJbkUSujwHF_ghlkJGevONnMYgyfc/s320/4-trayvon-martin-shooting-7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Even further, I'd bet a paycheck that the "skull and crossbones" came from the same "graffiti" font-set he used for his "Made..." announcement above! - but I digress...<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">EDIT: 4/9/12: It now appears there are significant reasons to doubt the "white-hat" pics are THIS Trayvon.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">It appears I was likely fooled - if so, Mea Culpa.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">In any case, there's no question WHATSOEVER about who THIS is, so...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn2.dailycaller.com/2012/03/Photo_on_2010-06-17_at_16.05__2_DC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: yellow; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://cdn2.dailycaller.com/2012/03/Photo_on_2010-06-17_at_16.05__2_DC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">The point stands.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">/EDIT</span><br />
<br />
Do <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=&quot;trayvon+martin&quot;&tbm=isch&oi=mode_link&ct=mode" target="_blank">a simple Google Image Search</a> for "Trayvon Martin" and look at what pops up. Scroll on down and look -- you'll find all sorts of *OLD* pictures of him (the bastards even go so far as to break out <a href="http://gossiponthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/trayvon-martin-shooting-6.jpg" target="_blank">the photo from his "Kindergarten Graduation"</a>) -- but you'll find the only sites showing the pics I found above are places like "StormFront"...<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: yellow;">EDIT: 4/9/12: FOR THE SLOW KIDS - I found "stormfront" through a Google search. My point in naming them was the fact that THOSE WHO WE TRUST TO TELL US THE TRUTH ARE HIDING IT. That bigots like the SF bunch are telling the truth doesn't negate the value of said truth - even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while! I'd be more than happy to point out HuffPo if THEY ever decided to tell the truth - for now, we're all stuck with the SF bunch. /EDIT</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2012/03/why-was-trayvon-martin-photo-altered.html" target="_blank">EVEN THE "POSTER BOY" SHOT HAS BEEN ALTERED TO MAKE HIM LOOK MORE INNOCENT!!</a><br />
<br />
Lastly, note that <a href="http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Twin%20Lakes%20Shooting%20Initial%20Report.pdf" target="_blank">the Police Report from the night of the shooting</a> - which took its info from his two-year-old ID - listed him as 6-0, but the Trayvon who was shot was was in fact a six-foot-two and 180+ pounds football player - not the innocent little boy being plastered all over!<br />
<br />
Zimmerman OTOH is 5-9, and obviously obese. Further, he was - when police arrived at the scene - bleeding from his nose and from the BACK of his head. He also had grass all over the wet-back of his shirt, which corroborates<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/charleston-conservative-in-charleston-sc/zimmerman-was-on-the-ground-being-punched-when-he-shot-trayvon-martin" target="_blank">the eyewitness' statement that he'd been on the ground on his back being beaten by the poor choir-boy Trayvon prior to his firing his weapon.</a><br />
<br />
Ok ....So maybe Trayvon wasn't the choir-boy we've been led to believe - but that doesn't give Zimmerman the right to kill him!After all - Zimmerman continued chasing Trayvon after the police told him to stop!<br />
<br />
As it turns out, THAT is a lie too!<br />
If you listen to the whole 911 call, you'll find two things:<br />
(1) The dispatcher didn't tell Zimmerman "Don't do that" (follow Martin) - he said "We don't NEED YOU TO DO THAT"... The former is an order, the latter a simple attempt to limit liability!<br />
(2) Even more importantly - contrary to the ongoing "concensus narrative" - ZIMMERMAN - upon being told he didn't NEED to follow Martin - STOPPED FOLLOWING HIM!!<br />
<br />
You can tell this because he stopped wheezing when he was no longer hurrying trying to keep up with a running Martin - but also because he told the dispatcher that Martin had "disappeared", and that he (Zimmerman) was going to return to his truck!!<br />
<br />
Listen for yourself:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KgR7gCxXQYg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Now...<br />
<br />
I believe we've pretty well established that Trayvon wasn't who we've been told he was.<br />
It's undeniable that they've gone WAAaaay 'round the bend to make poor little Trayvon look like a little boy instead of the LARGE, ATHLETIC *MAN* he really was.<br />
I believe it's undeniable that the "narrative" of the whole thing is also twisted, through selective "editing" of the 911 tape.<br />
<br />
What about those racist cops? They STILL should have arrested Zimmerman, right?<br />
<br />
Well, as it turns out, that's wrong too!<br />
<br />
See, Florida law PROHIBITS police from arresting someone who appears to have been acting in self-defense!<br />
<br />
Further, it was *NOT* the cops, but the DISTRICT ATTORNEY who made the decision not to charge Zimmerman -- a decision he made *AFTER* reviewing all the evidence and the testimony of all the witnesses -- which just happens to match what Zimmerman has claimed from the beginning!<br />
<br />
Zimmerman says he was returning to his truck when Martin ATTACKED *HIM*!<br />
He says he began screaming for help, and when he was on the ground being beaten to death he finally drew his weapon and fired in self-defense!<br />
<br />
This statement matches the story from multiple eyewitnesses, and even a SEPARATE 911 tape where Zimmerman can be heard screaming for help in the background!<br />
<br />
But... Wasn't that Trayvon screaming for help?!<br />
<br />
NOT ACCORDING TO MARTIN'S OWN FATHER - who told cops (after listening to the tape) "That's not my son." !!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/video/orlandowesh-16122564/sanford-police-speak-out-in-trayvon-martin-case-28640523.html" target="_blank">FURTHER, ALL THIS HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR AT LEAST A WEEK!</a><br />
<br />
[url=http://www.sanfordfl.gov/investigation/docs/Zimmerman_Martin_shooting.pdf][b][u]Here's a letter from the "City Manager" to the public, trying to calm things down"[/u][/b][/url] - it also has some interesting facts...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/state/links-background-on-trayvon-martin-case-03232012" target="_blank">Lastly, here's a page with links to several relevant documents and videos...</a><br />
<br />
In short, EVERYTHING you've been told about this case is a lie.<br />
<br />
Every "fact" has been twisted, pictures deliberately altered, and the whole thing deliberately manipulated in order to foment and fan the flames of racial tensions.<br />
<br />
The race-pimps and hustlers have done THEIR sickening best to wind up as many as possible, and they've been aided by everyone from the media to the White-House.<br />
<br />
The ONE QUESTION WE MOST NEED TO BE ASKING AT THIS POINT IS WHY??!!<br />
<br />
The answer to *THAT* question may just tell us what we REALLY need to know!!<br />
<br />
There *IS* one more thing to consider, here:<br />
<a href="http://astuteblogger.blogspot.com/2012/03/obama-trayvon-david-hickman-and-black.html" target="_blank">Where is O'Blamer's concern for the 10 black kids killed/49 wounded JUST IN CHICAGO, AND JUST THIS WEEK? WHAT ABOUT THE 1500 black babies murdered by their mother EVERY DAY?!</a><br />
<br />
THEY don't matter - because THEY don't serve the AGENDA!!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-3194116597054697002012-02-04T08:43:00.000-08:002012-02-04T08:44:22.840-08:00We're DONE. Time to get busy!<br />
Well...<br />
<br />
Once again, my reaction to <a href="http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/2012/02/sipsey-street-exclusive-meet-silent.html" target="_blank"><b>someone's blog post</b></a> (pops) wouldn't fit in the comment form, so ...<br />
<br />
Between this, and <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/for-paul-and-romney-a-strategic-alliance-between-outsider-and-establishment/2012/01/20/gIQAf8foiQ_story_1.html" target="_blank"><b>the obvious fact that Ron Paul is being forced into accepting a position immediately behind and 3-feet lower than mitt-for-brains</b></a> (pops), I'm now at long last forced to accept a rather harsh reality: We're DONE.<br />
<br />
At this point, America exists only in history books, and in the hearts and minds of a few - we happy few, we Band of Brothers.<br />
<br />
At this point there may be <b><u><a href="http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-is-three-percenter.html" target="_blank">Three Percent</a> (pops)</u></b> who REALLY understand and appreciate the genius that was Our Founders' (PBUT) Republic. If we're lucky, there may be another 7-10% who know it was infinitely preferable to what we have now.<br />
<br />
My first thought: "We're FOOKED."<br />
My second: "wait a minute..."<br />
<br />
It's taken me a LOT of sleepless nights to come to this realization, and I almost missed it: We're in the same place Our Founders (PBUT) were in.<br />
<br />
Let's examine that a bit...<br />
<br />
"Three Percent?" -- Check!<br />
"Ten Percent?" -- Check!<br />
"90+% who really just don't want anybody rocking the boat?" -- Check!<br />
"Tyrannical Government?" -- Check!<br />
"World's most capable .mil under the control of the tyrant(s)?" -- <b><u><a href="http://oathkeepers.org/oath/" target="_blank">Check-MINUS!</a></u></b><br />
"<u><b><a href="http://www.academi.com/" target="_blank">Backup bunch of Hessians</a> (pops)</b></u> who are <u><b><a href="http://blackwaterwatch.net/" target="_blank">much more evil foes</a> (pops)</b></u> than the aforementioned .mil?" -- <u><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academi" target="_blank">Check!</a> (pops)</b></u><br />
<br />
Yup -- We're pretty damn close to EXACTLY where Our Founders (PBUT) "Found" themselves!<br />
<br />
*THEY* however managed to **FOUND** ***AMERICA***!!<br />
<br />
WE ARE NO MORE (and granted - no LESS) F***ED THAN **THEY** WERE!<br />
<br />
From where I sit, we have several distinct advantages that they never had -- not the least of which is that THEY were trying to build something that had never existed, except in their imaginations.<br />
<br />
THEY had no template to follow, and were pretty much making it up as they went along.<br />
<br />
*WE* OTOH not only know how this is SUPPOSED to work, but we have the benefit of 230-odd years of history. We KNOW where we went wrong, and what we got right. We're in a better position than they were to create something that worked...<br />
<br />
Yeah.... I haven't forgotten that there's a whole lot of ugly between here and Restoration... THEY survived it, and I'm pretty confident we can too...<br />
<br />
No - the Redcoats didn't have Predators and Reapers, but then again I'm pretty confident that when things kick off here we're going to have some of EVERYTHING they have, or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof.<br />
<br />
They also didn't have MREs or MSS at Valley Forge, or a population of 300-million-plus to hide in!<br />
<br />
They didn't have Sub-MOA rifles, BDC optics or suppressors - which combine to make it possible for one "gray man" to take out damn near any tyrant he chooses... <br />
<br />
Let's be honest: The only reason Boner's still wasting oxygen is because nobody REALLY wants him dead.<br />
<br />
There are literally MILLIONS of people here in This Place Where America Used To Be who could take him out from 600 yards if they so chose.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u><i>Note for the Fibbies and other slow-kids: I'm not threatening him or anyone else, I'm not calling for anyone to hurt him or anyone else</i></u> -- </b>I'm just saying what you know to be true but don't dare speak aloud: When the $#!+ FINALLY breaks off, it's going to be @$$-ugly for anyone not living deep underground in a very real fortress!</span></blockquote>
Granted - with all the technology at their disposal, The Enemy will likely make short work of the Patriot who decides to go for someone like Boner.<br />
<br />
Whoever decides to go for one of Them isn't likely to make it home after - but every time a Boner becomes pink mist, another Patriot will become emboldened, and every time The Enemy overreacts, ten or a hundred more Patriots will find their BALLS!<br />
<br />
We're in a world of hurt. We've got some truly horrible times ahead of us.<br />
<br />
Personally, right at this moment I feel better than I have in a long, long time.<br />
<br />
Have you ever had to face a major, painful surgery? I have - and I need another one.<br />
<br />
There's a period when you first find out what's needed when you really DREAD it. You try to put it off, try every other alternative.... Almost ANYTHING other than just buckle down and get it over with.<br />
<br />
As the alternatives are exhausted, there's this sense of creeping despair that goes along with it...<br />
<br />
Then the day finally comes when you realize the unpleasant reality that you're not going to be able to avoid it. You're going to have to go through the pain and struggle, but you ALSO know that thousands of other people have been through it before you, THEY survived and their lives are much better as a result.<br />
<br />
When all the avoidance is done, when you finally realize that you have no real option but to face it and get THROUGH it, there's this odd sense of RELIEF...<br />
<br />
THAT is what I feel right now.<br />
<br />
Granted - NOBODY in their right mind would WANT to go through what we're going to have to face, but we CAN handle it, and we'll be much better off on the other side.<br />
<br />
If we have no choice, if G*d will not "let this cup pass" from us, then we're just going to have to suck it up and say "let's get this $#!+ over with!<br />
<br />
No need to be in a hurry - we've still got work to do and time to do it - but make no mistake about where we're headed: If Our Founders could do it, SO CAN WE!<br />
<br />
God help us - and God Save Our Republic!!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-82888713757089786702012-01-25T17:18:00.000-08:002012-02-04T08:22:13.218-08:00UPDATE: More On Our Third-World Election System!Note: Original embed broken, I found another and inserted...<br />
=========================================<br />
<br />
In an update to <b><u><a href="http://dumbolddad.blogspot.com/2012/01/free-and-fair-elections-not-here.html" target="_blank">my previous post on our ridiculously insecure elections</a></u></b>, I submit the following:<br />
<br />
I found <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GGeQ7pWr1M" target="_blank"><u><b>a documentary entitled "Hacking Democracy"</b></u></a> which should be required viewing for all citizens!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rVTXbARGXso?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Yes, it's long - but trust me when I say there's VERY little that you might have to do that's MORE important than *THIS*!<br />
<br />
Make the time.<br />
<br />
Watch the vid.<br />
<br />
Then GET MAD!<br />
<br />
It's time we took our Republic back!<br />
<br />
Long _PAST time, actually....Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-61090312409638149862012-01-07T14:27:00.000-08:002012-01-07T14:27:29.603-08:00"FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS? NOT HERE!!<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>"You know, comrades," says Stalin, </b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>"...I consider it completely unimportant </b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>who in the party will vote, or how; </b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>but what is extraordinarily important is this — </b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>who will count the votes, and how!"</b></i></span></u></span></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
In a few months, we'll all go to the polls to select our next President, ALL of our House of Representatives, and 1/3 of the Senate. <br />
<br />
I think few would dispute that this is one of the most important elections in the history of our Republic - and that its literal future will be decided by this election!<br />
<br />
Many of us are intensely worried about the slate of candidates, but that should be the LEAST of our worries!<br />
<br />
Electronic voting machines are used all over our country. <u><i><b>Every single one of them is a black-hole for your vote. </b></i></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i43.tinypic.com/aoq0r7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i43.tinypic.com/aoq0r7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sure - it SAYS it recorded what you voted, but HOW DO WE KNOW IT REALLY RECORDED THE VOTES WE CAST?<br />
<br />
The fact is <u><i><b>WE DON'T KNOW!</b></i></u><br />
<br />
We <u><i><b>CAN'T</b></i></u> know! <br />
<br />
<br />
Further, it has been demonstrated over and over that these electronic voting machines are easily manipulated!<br />
<br />
Take <a href="http://www.salon.com/2011/09/27/votinghack/" style="color: #660000;" target="_blank"><u><b>this article for example</b></u></a> (pops) - which shows that an eighth-grader, with no real special knowledge, could take over all the votes in a machine - with $26 worth of parts - and thereafter control it via remote-control from outside the building in the parking-lot!<br />
<br />
But... You're probably thinking what I did -- that the odds of someone being able to open up the machines and insert hardware is not very likely -- surely they keep them in a secure area, right?<br />
<br />
<u><i><b>WRONG!</b></i></u><br />
<br />
In many places, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jkgwp5atC4" style="color: #660000;" target="_blank"><u><b>poll workers take the machines home for a "slumber party" for several days before an election!</b></u></a> (pops)<br />
<br />
A single worker could potentially steal enough votes to turn a district, which with only a surprisingly small number of districts would be enough to turn the nation!<br />
<br />
But it gets even worse! Even in states where the machines are kept "under lock and key" the people who hold the keys -- the ones responsible for ensuring the machines aren't tampered with -- <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/27/watchdog-warns-seiu-contract-nevada-voting-machines-poses-fraud-concern/" style="color: #660000;" target="_blank"><u><b>are members of the infamous "SEIU" ("State Employees) union!</b></u></a> (pops)<br />
<br />
You know -- the same SEIU Union who supported ACORN, and <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/10/30/seius-stern-tops-white-house-visitor-list/" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>whose boss is one of the most frequent visitors to Obama's white-house?!</b></u></a> (pops)<br />
<br />
TALK ABOUT "LETTING THE FOX GUARD THE HEN-HOUSE!!!"<br />
<br />
But let's even ignore all of THAT - because the sad reality is that even if every poll-worker, every technician, even every SEIU member were 100% honest, it is trivially simple for anyone to tamper with the machine right in the polling place, in the time it takes for an average person to cast their vote! <br />
<br />
All it takes is to unlock the simple little lock on the side of the machine, insert a memory-card with a virus on it, then restore the original card back into the machine!<br />
<br />
How do you unlock it? With keys that are readily available in every hardware store in the country!<br />
<br />
You can actually unlock our voting machines - the basis of our REPUBLIC! - <a href="http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3489" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>with the key from your hotel minibar or jewelry box</b></u></a>! (pops)<br />
<br />
For a while, Diebold even had <a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/blog/jhalderm/diebold-shows-how-make-your-own-voting-machine-key" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>the picture of the key</b></u></a> (pops) on their website -- so some smart guy could hand-file a key to match -- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfGvSJA20-Y" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>and some smart guy DID</b></u></a>! (pops)<br />
<br />
The picture is still available on the 'net for those who might have missed it on Diebold's site -- or then there's this guy (for one example) who makes sure it remains available... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joebeone/292557593/in/set-72157594366866036/" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>here's all you need</b></u></a> ! (pops)<br />
<br />
Or, just pick the lock in under 10 seconds - search you tube for "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22how+to+pick+a+lock%22&oq=%22how+to+pick+a+lock%22&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=46l3662l0l3887l16l9l0l0l0l0l997l2181l2.4.2.6-1l9l0" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>how to pick a lock</b></u></a>" (pops) for thousands of tutorials! With even a little practice, ANYONE could pick those cheezy little locks in under 10 seconds with tools made themselves from the aforementioned YT videos!<br />
<br />
Another "Gem" from the Princeton report: the "Secret pin" for these machines is "1111" -- can you believe it?!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JESZiLpBLE" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>Once the Virus is installed, it can easily throw ANY election and be undetectable!</b></u></a> (pops)<br />
<br />
But don't the workers test the machines before the election? Yes - but <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwWP-N1HqT0" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>the virus can easily step around this</b></u></a>! (pops)<br />
<br />
What about after-testing? Don't they check the machines? Not usually - but even if they did, as noted in the video the virus will erase all its tracks!<br />
<br />
How does machine get infected? Well, it could even be done by a voter! <br />
<br />
Let's say you wanted to steal the election in your district. You just show up early to "vote", "fix" the machine while you're in the "booth" and you'll steal votes all day! <br />
<br />
If you and (say) 10 friends all go in at the same time you can easily do every machine in the place - especially if you have a couple of "stupid" people (ie: accomplices pretending to need help) with you to distract the poll-workers by pretending to need help while the rest of you "voters" are "fixing" all the machines!<br />
<br />
Or, simply sign up as a poll-worker and you get to have a slumber-party with the machines -- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jkgwp5atC4" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>AT YOUR HOUSE</b></u></a>!<br />
<br />
Our Government KNOWS ALL OF THIS -- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBqGzgxcfAk" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>here's a professor testifying and demonstrating this for CONgress, OVER FIVE YEARS AGO</b></u></a>!<br />
<u><i><b><br /></b></i></u><br />
<u><i><b>IN SUM, THEY KNOW ALL OF THESE VULNERABILITIES EXIST, AND EVEN AFTER HALF A DECADE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE!</b></i></u><br />
<br />
Now here's my question:<br />
<br />
Why - since each machine has a printer built in - can't it print out a copy of each vote so the voter can verify, then place the paper in a locked/sealed box so that it could be used for a random recount/verification later? This would only require a simple code-change which any competent programmer could write in less than one day!<br />
<br />
In this scenario, when you finish voting, the printer prints a "receipt" which you look at to verify your vote(s). Assuming it's right, you then put the paper in a sealed, locked box attached to the side of the voting machine. Heck, steel ammo-boxes with a slit cut in the top would be perfect for this, and cost next to nothing if obtained from the military as surplus!<br />
<br />
For a long-run solution, all that would be needed would be a receipt-printer (<a href="http://www.alwayslowest.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shop.dspSpecs&part=3279164" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><b>cost: less than $200 - no doubt less in quantity</b></u></a>) (pops) attached to each machine.<br />
<br />
These printers are used in most stores today, and use a 2-part tape. The "top copy" is torn off and given to the customer - in this case the voter - to verify his vote. <br />
<br />
The second copy is rolled up inside the machine, thus providing a "paper backup" of every vote cast!<br />
<br />
This could be used to enable a random audit or even a full recount should circumstances require!<br />
<br />
By doing this, and a random audit of (perhaps) 10% of all machines (comparing the "saved" tape to the final count from said machine) we could ensure that our elections are actually real and fair, and not being manipulated.<br />
<br />
This is how this would work: At the close of polling, one machine in ten is randomly selected for audit. The poll-watchers count the votes on the paper-tape and compare them to the total "spit out" by the machine. If the electronic count matches the paper-count, all is well and the election can be assumed "fair." <br />
<br />
If it does NOT match, it is counted again to be sure, then (assuming it fails again) *ALL* machines would need to be assumed to be compromised and all votes tallied by using the paper tapes.<br />
<br />
THIS WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEAL AN ELECTION!<br />
<br />
So why hasn't it been done?<br />
<br />
To me, the answer is simple:<br />
<br />
Stalin said it over 70 years ago: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>"You know, comrades," says Stalin, </b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>"...I consider it completely unimportant </b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>who in the party will vote, or how; </b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>but what is extraordinarily important is this — </b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>who will count the votes, and how!"</b></i></span></u></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
They've got us arguing over "Voter-IDs" - but very few are talking about THIS!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwCVB5CKkak&" target="_blank"><u style="color: #660000;"><i><b>Oh - and it's not just Diebold, either!</b></i></u></a><br />
(pops)<br />
<br />
If you're paying attention, you might have noticed that when we run elections in other countries, we take simple steps to ensure there's no fraud...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i44.tinypic.com/5nrqd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i44.tinypic.com/5nrqd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/2010/0307/0307-iraqelec3/7522135-1-eng-US/0307-IraqElec3_full_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
Why do you suppose we don't do something similar HERE?<br />
<br />
For those still hankering for more, see <a href="http://www.blackboxvoting.org/BBVtsxstudy.pdf" style="color: #660000;"><u><b>http://www.blackboxvoting.org/BBVtsxstudy.pdf</b></u></a> (pops) for a report from PA, or the full Princeton report here: <b style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://jhalderm.com/pub/papers/ts-evt07-init.pdf" target="_blank">https://jhalderm.com/pub/papers/ts-evt07-init.pdf</a></b> (pops)<br />
<br />
Those who read either will note that they were issued *FIVE YEARS AGO*.<br />
FIVE.FULL.YEARS - and nothing has been done!<br />
<br />
God help us -- and GOD SAVE OUR REPUBLIC!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-84213281674489182182011-12-16T06:27:00.000-08:002011-12-16T08:39:03.507-08:00I guess we should have known...I've heard grown-ups say we should have known - when they passed the law - what would happen, but we ALWAYS think "<i>it can't happen <u>HERE</u></i>..." right? Besides - they ASSURED us that it would only be used against THEM - you know, the ENEMY!<br />
<br />
It was what Dad used to call "Oh-Dark-Thirty" - the wee hours of the morning when people are most deeply asleep. We heard a loud CRASH, and then a bunch of shouting!<br />
<br />
I stumbled out of bed and into the hallway, struggling to focus my eyes, and was slammed to the floor by a large man who was screaming "GET ON THE GROUND! GET ON THE GROUND!<br />
<br />
I caught a glimpse of a HUGE guy dressed like a soldier - but all in black - before my face hit the floor... Then all I saw was stars.<br />
<br />
It seems as if it was over as quickly as it had begun. Suddenly there was silence - all I could hear was my Mother and sister, quietly sobbing. I laid there for what seemed like a very long time - afraid to move - as I didn't want to get shot!<br />
<br />
When I finally ginned up the courage to roll over and look around, I saw Mother and Sis curled up on their sides, still quietly crying. I crawled to them to be sure they were OK, then I began calling for Papa.<br />
<br />
"<i>They TOOK HIM!</i>" Mama said.<br />
<br />
Nobody knows why.<br />
<br />
At least, nobody who will tell US!<br />
<br />
We went downstairs and found our little dog Spot lying in the entry-hall. He had been shot. Why would those scary people shoot a little dog? I also found Sister's kitten in our front yard - they'd stomped on his head and killed him too! Sometimes it's hard - lying to her - but I'm glad she didn't see him that way...<br />
<br />
We tried and tried - for MONTHS - to find out where they'd taken Papa, why -- heck, even WHO had taken him! At first they wouldn't even acknowledge that they knew who he WAS, then the answer became "Security of the Homeland!"<br />
<br />
I've grown to HATE that phrase, as it's always delivered with a sneer, and a wave of the hand to tell you to "move along" before they yell "NEXT!"<br />
<br />
"Security of the Homeland" - What does that even MEAN? <br />
<br />
We felt secure in OUR home - until they broke down our door in the middle of the night and took Papa away. Now we have no "security" at all!<br />
<br />
We went to talk to some people who Momma said might be able to help, but so far nothing. The man in the fancy offices with all the books said he would LIKE to help, then something about there being no "haybees corpse" but I don't know what that means either. Our name isn't "haybee" and ... well... I don't even like thinking about a "corpse" when I think about Papa.<br />
<br />
The man from TV was actually rude to Mama. He told her to get out, that he wasn't interested in talking about terrorists! In a way I can't blame him - I still have nightmares about those terrorists who broke into our home and took Papa away! What if they come back for Mama?! What would happen to my sister and me?!<br />
<br />
The think I MOST don't understand is the way all the other grown-ups are acting. My sister and I have no friends any more - nobody will play with us. My best friend told me that he wasn't allowed to any more - but he doesn't understand why any more than I do.<br />
<br />
I think they're afraid that maybe some of the bad-luck will rub off on them, and make the terrorists come back and kidnap THEIR Papa....<br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
SO, dear reader....<br />
<br />
Tell me: In which country is this story set?<br />
<br />
Is it Russia in the '50s?<br />
<br />
1940s Germany?<br />
<br />
ONE thing is SURE: It DAMN sure ain't Our Founders' (PBUT) Republic!<br />
<br />
But it will likely be Amerika in 2012!<br />
<br />
Remember: Government NEVER shrinks, and powers granted are NEVER relinquished!<br />
<br />
They needed access to bank account data to catch "deadbeat dads." Next it was "war on drugs" and now "terrorism" isn't even needed as an excuse - we all just accept that they look at our data.<br />
<br />
Then there's the "drones." "We're only going to use them on the border." Now they're being used all over the country, for internal/civilian "law enforcement."<br />
<br />
These Gestapo tactics are currently (supposedly) reserved for "Al Qaeda and its affiliates."<br />
<br />
IF That's actually true, I give it about a week before they pick up the first "lone-wolf right-wing terrorist" (read:person who just wants to be left alone).<br />
<br />
Someday we'll have had enough and do what needs to be done to take back our Republic.<br />
<br />
Just saying so probably just earned ME a trip to Guantanamo - maybe I'll see you there...<br />
<br />
On the bright side, I hear the weather is WONDERFUL!Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-43449658749489029142011-07-22T20:50:00.000-07:002011-07-22T20:57:22.881-07:00Ancient History -- How I Stood Up To A Gang of Inbred Morons...<a href="http://straightforwardinacrookedworld.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-defense-is-self-defense-absolute.html"><u><b>THIS POST</b></u></a> at "<a href="http://straightforwardinacrookedworld.blogspot.com/"><u><b>Straight Forward...</b></u></a>" made me think about something that happened ~15+ years ago....<br />
<br />
But for the Grace of G*d, I could be in prison like the poor man the post is about... <br />
<br />
You might find something useful here - at least it's a semi-interesting story...<br />
<br />
I once wound up on the wrong side of some local thugs. It was a pretty "backward" sort of area -- one of those semi-rural places where time seems to get a bit warped - in many ways it was 40+ years behind the times though also suffering the scourge of meth and other late-90's problems...<br />
<br />
The inbreeds in question were three brothers ranging from ~35-45-ish, 2 of them were married, and all lived in the same house... Needless to say, their gene-pool was more than a little shallow... They were all known collectively as "The Smith Boys*" - and the biggest troublemaker in the bunch was the youngest/smallest one who was called "Little Will*" (*Not real names - no point inviting more trouble in case they ever meet someone who can both read AND use the 'net...)<br />
<br />
Over the years they'd ganged up on so many people in the area that neither dared leave home without the other 2 - afraid of being caught-out alone and having karma come home to roost -- so they all worked together as well...<br />
<br />
A man who previously had an altercation with them similar to mine, and pressed charges, was later found beaten nearly to death. He's been in a "head-injury institution" ever since -- he'll spend the rest of his "life" drooling on himself, being spoon-fed and wearing diapers.<br />
<br />
Everyone in the area KNOWS who did it - there's no doubt whatsoever - but there's no indisputable evidence to tie them to the crime and the "victim" is unfortunately incapable of testifying... Ergo these morons are still running around loose...<br />
<br />
For the record, I didn't know ANY of this until it was too late for it to matter, really...<br />
<br />
Also, just to help you "see" the story, I'm a pretty small guy all-in-all -- about 5'9/170... In my younger days I LOVED to fight, and sought out side-jobs at night/weekends as a bartender or bouncer in some pretty rough bars... While never really was a true "bad-@$$", I can truthfully say nobody's ever wanted to fight me twice (except one poor fool - but that's another story)...<br />
<br />
As I got older and matured, I studied some conflict-avoidance stuff, body-language and etc - and learned to defuse situations and talk people down so the fights I used to enjoy never needed to happen. I was pretty good at it too -- this was the only time it didn't work -- but I digress...<br />
<br />
In short, one of them attacked me without provocation one night on my side-job as a bartender. The woman who owned the bar had ordered them to leave and they'd refused - she went to her office to call police.<br />
<br />
We'd been successful in turning this place around, from a bar where the cops were needed every night to the point that it had been MONTHS before this night since they'd needed to be called... This was VERY good for business, and the owner rewarded me appropriately -- so I didn't want to blow my record!<br />
<br />
I -- VERY meekly, hands in pockets, non-confrontational body-language etc. (as always) tried to "keep the peace" and convince them to go before police arrived. After they threatened me too, I turned to walk away and got "sucker-punched" by the "little one" (ain't it <i>ALWAYS</i> the "little one"? - but I digress)...<br />
<br />
I saw the punch coming, and rolled with it - thus taking most of the impact out... Even so, he'd rocked me pretty good -- this guy was obviously well-practiced at the "sucker-punch knockout", a fact which I was later to learn was much more true than I thought... But again I digress...<br />
<br />
Having absorbed his punch, I turned around and looked the punk in the eye, smiled, and said<br />
<br />
"<b><i>See... <u>NOW</u> you done f***ed up!</i></b>"<br />
<br />
His two GIGANTIC brothers then stood up behind him - I took a step back and bumped into someone - and realized that literally every other man in the bar was standing behind ME...<br />
<br />
I did what I could to defuse the situation -- and the inbreds decided that leaving would be smart though they continued to run their mouths as they headed for the door just as the cops arrived. All three went out in handcuffs...<br />
<br />
In hindsight I SHOULD have attacked, and let nature take its course -- as the result would have been these three getting a well-deserved and OH-SO-LONG-OVERDUE beating -- but I didn't know any of the "history" of these morons at the time...<br />
<br />
After stewing for a bit, finding out who they were, and DETERMINED to have what revenge I could get -- I pressed charges against the one who hit me. They - all 3 plus 2 "cousins" who weren't even present - filed "counter" charges claiming I assaulted *them* -- all 5 of them! <br />
<br />
When the court-date arrived, I went pro-se, simply cross-examining each by asking him to stand and state his height and weight, and repeat his accusation against me. On "direct" with their Attorney, all five of their parroted story was laughable - I even noticed Hizzonner rolling his eyes...<br />
<br />
My only witness was the Lady who owned the bar who recounted the events of the evening and stressed my non-violent nature and my long-demonstrated ability to defuse situations and "talk down" even the most incorrigible characters. I made sure we really PUSHED the point that since I'd gone to work for her the nightly fights had ended, and the police hadn't been called there in MONTHS!<br />
<br />
She also told the story of seeing me trying to talk them down, pointed out /described my "tricks" of body-language and etc and how I'd taught her other staff to do the same sort of things... I'd done a good job of "rehearsing" with her to be sure she'd get the points out that I needed to make -- though it was all probably unnecessary... Everyone (including Hizzonner and all the court-staff) knew the bar and how much better things had gotten -- they also knew my inbred-opponents -- at least by reputation... <br />
<br />
Prosecutor agreed to just let me "make a statement" in leiu of "testimony" -- I was sworn, but I just reiterated what THEY had said, pointed out the sum-total of these boys' height and weight, and the fact that their claim that I'd just randomly attacked all 19-feet-plus/780#-plus of THREE of them for no apparent reason was simply LUDICROUS. I didn't even bother telling my own version of events...<br />
<br />
The Prosecutor elected not to cross-examine me, and noted for Hizzonner the "commissioner's" notes that I had obvious facial-injuries consistent with my "version of events" when I came in to swear out my warrant -- it was pretty clear what HE thought of their counter-charges...<br />
<br />
Hizzonner found the "little one" guilty of aggravated assault and battery against me, charged all 5 with Perjury/false-swearing, etc -- he really nailed it to 'em... <br />
<br />
All got reasonably substantial fines, the "little guy" got 180 days, but since it was his first conviction (yes, really!) 90 suspended pending successful completion of probation... <br />
<br />
He also asked for and got "weekend jail", which meant he spent almost 2 years of weekends in the County-lockup, and this extended HIS probation to 7+ years...<br />
<br />
He also had to pay a considerable fine, plus compensate me for lost-wages, expenses and etc...<br />
<br />
In sum, that "sucker-punch" cost the "little one" over $10k, 2 years of weekends in jail and 5 years of probation AFTER that... IIRC the rest of them paid $2500 each for perjury and the 2 brothers another $5k for "false swearing" on the police report and the "warrant" they swore out on me -- plus probation as well...<br />
<br />
Hizzonner also told them all point-blank that he henceforth considered THEM to be responsible for my personal-safety -- if ANYTHING happened to me, he'd see them in prison no matter WHO did it.<br />
<br />
He also ordered them to stay away from me, away from the bar and etc.<br />
<br />
The entire Court-staff was BEAMING - I even heard the Bailiff mocking their lawyer, saying "<i>it's a damn shame when your clients' victim is a better attorney than YOU...</i>"<br />
<br />
Within days people began coming to me telling how these guys were offering $5000 to anyone who would beat me badly enough to put me in the hospital, and $10k if it was "permanent." The 3 started coming in the restaurant (attached) -- always sitting where they could look into the bar and make sure I saw them staring me down...<br />
<br />
The police were called, came, and served them "notice of trespass" -- and the cops advised me to move away before *I* ended up in the "drool-cup palace" like their previous victim... I refused to be intimidated - I wasn't going anywhere... <br />
<br />
As an aside, word also spread QUICLY about how I'd "taken his best sucker-punch and turned around and smiled at him" -- some of the more abrasive types suddenly became REAL POLITE in their dealings with me at the bar...<br />
<br />
ONE drunk who'd apparently NOT heard got a bit pushy with me one night -- one of the local rednecks said "<i>Duude -- I know he don't look like much, but I SAW this man take Little-Joe Smith's best sucker punch -- he turned around and SMILED at them! You really don't want to f*** with this dude!</i>"<br />
<br />
Still, I KNEW the inbreds weren't done with me -- so I started (illegally - no way to get a permit in my state) carrying a pistol in my pocket...<br />
<br />
A few weeks later I went to put trash in the dumpster out back and found myself cornered in the chain-link dumpster-enclosure by these three. There was NO WAY anyone would hear me - I was as good as dead.<br />
<br />
For reasons I really can't explain, in this area white-trash folks like this just didn't carry guns. It was a pretty "throwback" area -- knives, sticks, fists, boots etc. but no pistols for some reason... When I pulled out my pistol, their eyes got big as dinner-plates -- apparently they'd never considered the possibility that they might get SHOT!<br />
<br />
Again - in hindsight - I really SHOULD have shot all three of them right there. No way in hell ANY Jury in that county would have found me guilty -- these three were that well-known and feared by almost everyone, mostly due to the aforementioned "vegetable"...<br />
<br />
As it was, I merely put "the fear of G*D into them at pistol-point, and told them point-blank basically what I just said above -- that if I *EVER* saw either of them near me again I'd kill them without a second thought, and that no jury in the county would consider it ANYTHING BUT self-defense.<br />
<br />
I kept the same (side) job for about a year - always carrying - and never did see any of them again. I eventually moved out of the area when I met a woman who later became my wife...<br />
<br />
As a funny aside, over 10 years later I was passing through and stopped at the wal-mart in the town. I turned the corner into an aisle in the automotive-section and nearly banged into the "little one." <br />
<br />
It took a minute for him to recognize me -- but when he did he put his hands up and backpedaled, saying "<i>I don't want no trouble, Man!!</i>"<br />
<br />
Heart beating a million MPH I managed to stare him straight in the eye for a minute to be sure my voice wouldn't crack before saying "<i>then <b>WALK</b>...</i>" -- he did...<br />
<br />
I've thought on this situation many times -- and this case makes me know more than anything else how LUCKY I was, really -- though I'm really surprised they were as terrified by the pistol as they turned out to be...<br />
<br />
I'm still convinced I'd have walked, but G*D knows I'm glad I didn't end up having to shoot them...<br />
<br />
I still don't think I'd change anything if I could - even if I "had it to do over again"...Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8797313837469614889.post-16291892082952139222011-07-20T21:14:00.000-07:002011-07-20T21:25:59.786-07:00How To Turn A Loyal Customer Into A MORTAL ENEMY: A Verizon Wireless Case StudyWe've all experienced the ongoing demise of "customer service." Anyone over 40 who is not enraged every time they visit a filthy McDonalds ("You've got time to lean, you've got time to CLEAN!") never worked in one as a youth.<br />
<br />
It seems like everywhere I go any more, it's increasingly difficult to find any help at all -- and IMPOSSIBLE to find COMPETENT help.<br />
<br />
During the "good economy" years this was somewhat understandable - everyone who WANTED a job had one, and those with a modicum of intelligence and any sort of work-ethic weren't working minimum-wage fast-food or retail jobs.<br />
<br />
As the manager of a Wendy's -- to whom I'd complained about an EXCEPTIONALLY bad experience -- put it to me: "<i>You want me to find people with a <b>brain</b> - I'm struggling just to find people with a <u><b>PULSE</b></u>!</i>" -- again, the evidence of a good economy.<br />
<br />
One would expect however that in our CURRENT situation - roughly 1-in-4 adults out of work (and younger-folk even WORSE off) that the opposite would apply. People with intelligence and a work-ethic should easily displace the stupid and lazy, even for the lower-paying jobs. Managers should be able to say to the "S&L" folk "<i>I have 10 people who would LOVE to have your job if you don't want to keep it.</i>"<br />
<br />
Further, they should be doing all they can to hold on to customers -- especially in a line of business where there is much robust competition -- where we customers can say "<i>I have 10 companies who would LOVE to have my money if you don't want to earn it!</i>"<br />
<br />
So why is it that neither seems to be the case?<br />
<br />
Are business owners and managers REALLY so stupid and/or inept that they cannot improve these deplorable conditions?<br />
<br />
My recent experience with Verizon Wireless is a "poster-child" study in how to kill your business! In my many years of experience - both as a customer and a provider - I cannot recall a more idiotic situation.<br />
<br />
My family were VzW customers for ~13 years - during which time our bills averaged $250 per month. This alone was enough to put us in the top-tier of what they call "High Value Customers." In addition, on numerous occasions during this period I'd made suggestions to them which helped them to cut costs and improve their customers' experience -- so much so that my account had been flagged with a "listen to this guy!" code which ensured that any suggestions I made were forwarded up through channels to the people in a position to implement them!<br />
<br />
Examples:<br />
<ul>
<li>Sending a text-message when you call 411? My suggestion.</li>
<li>Changing to a previously-used handset via the website? Mine.</li>
<li>Forwarding your calls via the website or a call in to "611"? Mine as well.</li>
</ul>
There were a number of others which I just cannot recall at the moment, but... The bottom line is that I've made a very good living as an IT Consultant/Systems Architect/Engineer/Etc... - helping businesses to use IT solutions to support and streamline their business processes, and my experiences as a customer often led me to give them the benefit of my skills and knowledge for free.<br />
<br />
Further, I'd also been a very good (yet uncompensated) salesman for them as well. My job duties put me in contact with the top-level decision-makers of businesses of all sizes - and my experience with them led me to recommend VzW to all who asked (and many who didn't). I couldn't count the number of my customers who I'd sold on VzW - much to my later chagrin...<br />
<br />
The problems began when my wife's company decided they no longer wished to provide cell-phones to any employees. They DID however expect her to keep the same number - otherwise she'd have been forced to scrap $10 worth of business-cards! (he said sarcastically...) - so we were essentially forced to "absorb" her business-phone into our "family" plan.<br />
<br />
They DID however work out some sort of deal with VzW, whereby we'd receive 20% off our bill if we kept her service with VzW -- which (given the size of our usual bill) was no small incentive. Her employer provided her with the necessary paperwork and instructions to ease this transition - and we visited a local "Company" (not third-party) store to take care of it.<br />
<br />
I probably should have listened to my instincts, and opened a separate account for her line, but the prospect of the 20% discount was just too much to pass up. I became even MORE concerned when the young man who waited on us told me that we'd have to place the account in my wife's name in order to get the discount... I asked REPEATEDLY - and was reassured every time that this would change NOTHING about our account except the first-name on the address form. My "gut" was telling me this would end up being a problem, but he managed to convince me that all would be OK. This REPEATED assurance combined with the 20% discount overcame my instincts, and we made the transition.<br />
<br />
Less than three weeks later, we took a road-trip to go visit my daughter at her College. On the way, my phone handset (which was then only a few months old) broke, and refused to charge. When I called her from Wifey's phone to tell her this, Daughter told me that hers (bought at the same time) was broken as well -- so I called Verizon to arrange their warranty-replacement.<br />
<br />
My FIRST irritation was to spend over an hour listening to elevator-music, interrupted every 30 seconds or so by the abrasive and un-grammatical voice telling me "<b><i>All operators are currently busy at this time</i></b>" -- which may have been necessary for those who didn't know what "currently" meant -- but I digress... This was the first time I could recall that my calls to "611" had not been picked up IMMEDIATELY! This long wait - combined with the inevitable dropped-call as we drove through the mountains - had me more than a little frustrated by the time I finally gave up, resolving to try again in the morning.<br />
<br />
When I called in again - this time from a stationary point and using a wired headset - I still spent over an hour on "hold" before finally getting an operator. The call went fairly well until she told me she'd need a credit-card for the $100 in charges for the replacement handsets.<br />
<br />
"<i>Excuse me? These are only ~3 months old, and they're still under warranty!</i>" To make a long story less-long, after putting me on hold several times for ENTIRELY too long, she eventually figured out that the reason her system showed a "new account" with out-of-warranty phones was because of the "transfer" we'd done. She explained to me that this had "voided" our handsets' warranties.<br />
<br />
"<i>Oh? So you're telling me that this 'transfer' - which I was repeatedly assured would change NOTHING - had actually voided all of our existing obligations to one another? GREAT! In that case, I'd like to close this account!</i>"<br />
<br />
She then explained that this would cost me $700 -- $175 for each of the (4) new handsets they'd just "given" us a few months earlier...<br />
<br />
"<i>OH! So NOW what you're saying is that all of your obligations to ME are voided (by 'the switch that would change NOTHING!') -- but all of my obligations to YOU are still in force??!!</i>"<br />
<br />
She didn't particularly like my phraseology, but allowed that was "<i>the gist of it, yes.</i>" I demanded to speak to a Supervisor, which resulted in another half-hour or so on hold before someone CLAIMING to be a Supervisor came on the line.<br />
<br />
This woman apologized profusely, repeatedly expressing her regret that I'd been misled at the store, but standing firm on the "out of warranty" status of my handsets. I then switched to a different defense...<br />
<br />
VzW offered TWO DIFFERENT "insurance" plans -- one plan ($5/month) had a $50 "deductible", the other ($6/month) had no deductible at all. Knowing my family as I do, I'd always gone for the higher-priced plan, for the simple reason that the "extra" cost would be negated by the first "claim..."<br />
<br />
So why was I being charged a deductible when I was on the "no-deductible" plan?<br />
<br />
It seems VzW had discontinued the $6 plan -- I "<i>must have been 'grandfathered' before the transfer of the account, but once the transfer happened [we] were automatically put on the '$50-deductible' plan</i>."<br />
<br />
Yet another SCREWING from this "<i>transfer that would change NOTHING??!!</i>" Needless to say, by this time I had steam shooting from my ears like a cartoon-character...<br />
<br />
I THEN requested that the "deductible" be put on my bill, as all past charges had been for years - figuring this would give me time to scream at the store-manager back home and get the charges removed - but this too was not to be...<br />
<br />
"<i>This is a NEW ACCOUNT, Sir - you haven't even received your first bill yet -- so I'm not going to be able to do that...</i>" -- THIS from the woman who had just pulled up our "old account", SEEN my 13+ years of history with her company... But she wouldn't budge. I was forced to pull out a credit-card in order to get handsets that worked, less than three months from the time I'd bought the damn things...<br />
<br />
Over the next couple of months, I'd tried on several occasions to get things "fixed" -- even requesting that they just undo the "transfer" and put the account back in my name -- but they were always DREADFULLY sorry that they were "unable to do that..."<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I found that the reason I'd never had to wait on-hold when I called "611" was due to my former "High-value customer" status -- I was now experiencing the same lousy service given to all the other sweaty, smelly hoi-polloi...<br />
<br />
I was also forced to face the fact that I'd unwittingly misled COUNTLESS people when I'd touted VzW's FANTASTIC customer-service, especially the "<i>never had to wait for an operator!!</i>" I shudder to think what (or how MANY) people must think of me when they switched and found out things were nothing like I'd described... but I digress...<br />
<br />
Basically, we were STUCK for the rest of our 1-year Contract -- the ONE thing I'd done RIGHT was to always pay a bit extra for handsets to ensure that I could get out after a year if I wasn't happy...<br />
<br />
Near the end of the year, Wifey's boss started really leaning on her to get a "smart phone." Her position is such that not having e-mail in her hand at all times (not to mention SMS/IM, Etc) was a bit of a problem... She's frankly a bit "technologically impaired" - and this was becoming an unacceptable handicap... So I took her to the VzW store to see what sort of handset she might be able to learn to use...<br />
<br />
This was JUST after the "Motorola X" had hit the street -- an oversized touch-screen, Android phone seemed like just the ticket for her. Additionally, I was due a $100 "new-every-two" credit from VzW -- so after much heartburn over previous treatment, we decided to stick with them...<br />
<br />
So I sat down to place our order online. (2) "Motorola X" handsets, (2) Car-docks, (2) Home-docks, (2) travel-chargers, (2) leather cases, Extended-batteries, and Etc... The total came to over $1500 -- quite a chunk of change for a company who'd treated us so poorly, but... I bit my tongue and made the order... <br />
<br />
<br />
Or TRIED to -- except I couldn't get the website to give me the aforementioned $100 credit that I was due -- so I (ONCE AGAIN!) called "611" and sat through the interminable hold...<br />
<br />
It's important to note that this was about the 5th of the month - and the website said (due to the HUGE demand for the "X" handset) they were on "backorder" and would not ship until the 26th -- more than three weeks away...<br />
<br />
When the flunky FINALLY came on the line, she informed me that my "new every two" credit wasn't ACTUALLY due until the 9th -- FOUR DAYS into the future. I asked her to "<i>click whatever it is you have to click</i>" to authorize my order -- and was once again told "<i>I'm not able to do that</i>..."<br />
<br />
In the past, they'd more than once given us "early credit" -- sometimes as much as THREE MONTHS early - so I KNOW this was yet another example of the "<i>NOTHING</i>" that was supposed to change when we made the transfer...<br />
<br />
Further, the phones weren't going to even SHIP until over three weeks AFTER my due-date -- so it's not as if I'd gain any benefit at all from being allowed to place my order!<br />
<br />
I managed to keep my cool, and once again asked for a Supervisor. After a full 40-minutes on hold, the same girl finally came back and told me that "<i>No supervisor is available at the moment</i>" -- but promised to have one of them call me within "<i>24 to 48 hours.</i>"<br />
<br />
Oh -- and I forgot to mention the **REAL** kick-in-the-'nads of all of this...<br />
<br />
That "20% discount" that precipitated this whole fiasco? We learned (after YET ANOTHER 40+ minutes odyssey through the hold-queue) that this ONLY applied to Wifey's line - not to the whole bill.<br />
<br />
In sum, ALL this disgusting mess "saved" us was 20% off the $9.99 base-charge for her line.<br />
<br />
ALL THIS for LESS THAN $2 per month!<br />
<br />
Yes, REALLY!<br />
<br />
Enough was enough. At the moment when the "48 hours" expired -- with no call from a Supervisor -- I was sitting in the AT&T office, discussing the logistics of transferring all our lines/accounts to AT&T.<br />
<br />
THEY were willing to bend over backwards - meet all my conditions and even throw some "freebies" at me to get my business. I ended up taking (1) smart-phone handset, with the understanding that Wifey and I would each use it for a week or so and - assuming all was well - RETURN IT within 30 days ("trial period") before transferring all our lines and numbers... They were MORE than OK with that!<br />
<br />
Before "pulling the trigger", I followed the advice of a friend and called VzW's "customer-retention" department -- in a last-ditch effort to get them to do SOMETHING to indicate that they wanted my business!! The woman I spoke to (after the usual ~40-minute hold) expressed her sorrow at our bad-experience, but claimed to be unable to do anything to "Fix THIS."<br />
<br />
When the day finally came to do the final transfer, I decided (since I was driving it past them anyway) to stop and offer THEIR manager ONE FINAL CHANCE to save my account. After the usual expressions of powerless sorrow, he DID offer to give us "500 free overage minutes" if we'd keep our business with VzW. I asked - to be sure - if this was "500 minutes EACH MONTH?" -- nope -- "<i>Just a one-time thing...</i>"<br />
<br />
Bearing in mind that AT&T was offering me 1/2 price on (2) Smart-phones and accessories, and that in spite of adding the (2) smart-phones and their necessary data-plans, and MORE "anytime" minutes per month our monthly bill was going DOWN from what it had been at VzW!<br />
<br />
*AND* AT&T accounts included "rollover minutes" - whereby I could EASILY build up THOUSANDS of "overage minutes"!<br />
<br />
GOODBYE VERIZON! AND GOOD *RIDDANCE* TOO~!!!<br />
<br />
MORONS!<br />
<br />
I guess I SHOULD have expected it, but... A few weeks after we left VzW and transferred our accounts, Verizon called me, all but BEGGING me to "<i><b>come back home to VzW.</b></i>" <br />
<br />
YES - the woman actually used that phrase!<br />
<br />
She really seemed to pull out all the stops -- there was an AMAZING list of incentives they were willing to offer me, from discounted phones to a free "microcell" device to discounted plans!<br />
<br />
I managed to conduct myself as a Gentleman while I explained to her this whole, sordid tale -- then I asked her - bluntly - what SHE would say to ME if our roles were reversed...<br />
<br />
In the ONE act of genuine integrity I'd encountered since this whole fiasco started, she said "<i>I don't think I'd be able to respond in anything other than four-letter words.</i>" She also offered what seemed a GENUINE apology and wished me a "<i>better experience with [our] new provider.</i>"<br />
<br />
I honestly believe she meant it...<br />
<br />
In any case -- in the interest of FULL disclosure -- our experience with AT&T hasn't been perfect.<br />
<br />
The smart-phones we got (Samsung "Galaxy S") have had a number of problems, and I let them string us out with promises that "a fix is coming" until it was too late to exchange the handsets for something better.<br />
<br />
I've also had a lot of problems with dropped-calls - which again APPEARS to really be a problem with the Samsung handsets as while my phone showed "no signal" my daughters' phones would both be working fine...<br />
<br />
They've also screwed up our bill on a number of occasions wherein I had to call in to get it straightened out -- but the "notoriously bad customer service" I've heard and read about from various people has yet to show its face... <br />
<br />
So far, everyone I've dealt with has been more than willing to help, whether I called "611" or visited the "company-store."<br />
<br />
In sum, though AT&T has been imperfect -- ESPECIALLY compared to my much-missed "High-value-customer" experience with VzW -- I'm still glad we made the switch and wouldn't go back to VzW if they were somehow the only provider on the PLANET.<br />
<br />
In fact, I'll continue to do my best to ensure that everyone knows the TRUTH about them -- which seems to be the LEAST I could do given how many people I've previously (though UNKNOWINGLY) misled...<br />
<br />
Should someone from Verizon Wireless read this, well... All I can say is this:<br />
<br />
(1) SCREW YOU PEOPLE.<br />
and <br />
(2) NEVER AGAIN!<br />
<br />
Actually, I COULD (and would frankly LIKE TO) say a whole lot more -- but I try to avoid using that sort of language, especially in a place where women and children could possibly read or hear it...Dedicated_Dadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06375339835638311982noreply@blogger.com4