Author Archives: bfrhodes99

Complaints

Posted in Christian values, Customer complaints, Petty theft, Rude Reporters, Social Media by

I guess I do my share of complaining, maybe a little more than I should. Sometimes I am a little ashamed of myself, especially when I find out how wrong I am in my complaint. However, I do try to reserve my complaints for those who deserve it.

More than that, I like to think my complaints just might help others. For instance, when I complained about the two Wendy’s employees that were busy shooting the breeze with each other when they saw me and others waiting at the counter. Right in front of them I counted loudly to five and said, “Okay. You don’t want my money. I’ll go somewhere else.” And I did. I have not been back.

On the other hand, there are those who will complain at the drop of the hat. I saw them in high school and I saw them in the corps. In the Marines, I heard it said that you can tell a happy marine by how he complains. I have to admit there is some truth in that.

Certainly, I noticed that civilians like to complain too. Moreover, the complains often precede the crime. The man that complains about having nothing is likely to go out and try to steal what he can’t buy. In some cases, he takes what he shouldn’t have. In still other cases, a person might kill the person he was complaining about just a short time earlier.

I have been told to avoid the complainer, the one who complains just because he likes to complain. Today’s complaints turn into tomorrow’s feeling of being treated wrong. Then of course, he feels like he deserves that which he doesn’t. Or maybe he does deserve that thing he lost. Either way, when he thinks he deserves what he doesn’t have, when he feels he has been wronged, he is likely to eventually do more than complain. Then, he gets in trouble and, if you are around him, you might get in trouble too.

If you have read your Bible much, you will have likely read about complaining. In many cases, God dealt with the complaining. He did have punishments for them, as well as those who were with the complainers. Those who kept their mouths closed and just put up with the trials were punished with those who grumbled. Never could totally figure that out, but it is the way God did it. Perhaps there is a lesson in that. Sometimes it’s just not enough to not complain. Sometimes we should open our mouths in praise and in thanks when those around us are grumbling. I don’t know. Just a personal observance.

Nonetheless, I’ve got to admit, sometimes I just like to complain, even when I know I shouldn’t. When I catch myself doing that, I try to ask for forgiveness and to thank God for the abundance which I have. I think it helps. Maybe it helps others too.

Still, those Wendy’s employees. I hope they got the message. Somehow, I don’t think so. Sometimes, no matter what, the complaining just doesn’t do anyone any good. It just gives Satan a toe hold. And we all know Satan knows what to do with a toe hold.

Second Thoughts

Posted in Abuse of Power, Deceit, FOC, gun control, Gun Safety, law enforcement, Lawyers and Representation by

A few years ago, I posted a true story about a man who came in my house with a handgun. I called to my wife to call the police. Fortunately, the man ran off without firing a shot.

Since the occurrence, I have mauled it over in my mind a few times. Well, actually many times. At any rate, today, the idea came to mind that what I should have called out to my wife was, “Bring out the 12 gauge and make sure it’s loaded.” I told my wife the idea and she laughed. That means it is funny because, these days, she hardly ever laughs unless it is at me.

At any rate, I said all that to introduce my main thought. My guess is that most people who use a gun in the commission of a crime use it simply to scare the victim. Usually it works. In my case, I did throw the man a little bit of a curve. First, I told my wife to call the police and second, I soon had two sixty + pound dogs next to me. The police arrived in less than 3 minutes and they couldn’t find the guy. He pulled a disappearing act. He didn’t want to stick around and play twenty questions with the officers. Oh, and by the way, he was fortunate, I didn’t have a 12 gauge shotgun. At that range, they can do a lot of damage to a person.

So, (as with my previous post) I have come up with a really good idea on how to reduce the use of guns. Make sure that any time a person uses a gun in the commission of a crime, he gets 5 years tacked on in the federal pen, whether he means to us it or not, whether the gun is loaded or not, whether the gun is real or not…something that looks like one will do, even if it is carved out of soap and and doused with shoe polish. The extra five years will make a person think more about using the gun. Conceivably, it just might make the person think a second time about the robbery. On the other hand, he just might use a rubber knife. Those things can be scary too.

To be sure, there is another way to decrease gun violence. Decrease drug abuse. Oddly, it would seem they don’t want to do that. I mean, drug abuse is a non-violent crime. The druggy is not hurting anyone but himself, right. Well, that is until he runs out of drugs, until he runs out of money to buy drugs. Then guess what. He will resort to burglary, robbery, and even murder to get that ten spot you carry around with you. I suggest that close to half of all crime is drug related. I have talked to many in law enforcement that agree with me. It’s not just a number I pulled out of my hat.

Then again, I guess there is one more way to deal with that hoodlum with the gun. When he breaks into our house, we can use the 12 gauge on him. He won’t be causing anyone any problems. The hitch there is that when we use the 12 gauge on him, the district attorney just might come around asking questions. He might even decide to put you in prison. I mean, “Did you really need to use a shotgun on him.”, “You should have called the police.” I suspect he has two or three other suggestions.

The truth of the matter is, as long as the bad guys can use guns and get away with it, they will, regardless of the law. Bottom line, let’s just get the criminals off the street. That is the only sure way to stop gun crime.

Then again, that is not the goal of the dems. Their real goal is to disarm the populace. It is always the way the person who wants to rule the world thinks. In the old days they would not let the surfs have swords or such. That way, they don’t need to imprison the criminal element. They will have us all imprisoned. They will have us all under their control.

So

Posted in Uncategorized by
Daily writing prompt
What is a word you feel that too many people use?
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So, I already wrote a post on this one. I guess folks have slacked off a little, but it got to the point that people were using it to start every other sentence. So.. it was driving me nuts. I can’t remember how far back it was I wrote it. So, if you want to read the original post you’ll need to just look for it.

I can’t complain to much. I am sure people have noticed words I use too frequently. Still, it did get to the point that I wondered if someone made a new rule to the English language. I guess I wrote enough about that little word. So, I won’t write on it anymore.

Let’s Remember What is Really Important

Posted in Christian values, Crime, Important things by
  1. Man cannot live without air. It’s a fact. The air must be of the proper mixture. Too much or too little of any one gas in the mixture can be deadly within minutes. God knows that so, when He made earth, He provided us with air in abundance. You don’t have to go out and buy it, though it is possible. All we need do is breathe. I think it goes without saying that air is the most important earthly thing for us. As we humans are apt to do, we take it for granted.
  2. Water. Two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Chemists have found it an oddity in many ways. For instance, it is one of the few compounds that expands when it goes from a liquid to solid. If you don’t believe me, try putting a soda in the freezer for a couple of days. No, no. Don’t do that. It will make a mess and you’ll blame me. Nonetheless, it is why ice floats. and… if ice did not float, it would cause more problems than I can put in one post. Incidentally, water is important too. It is the second most valuable substance to man. A man can go just about 3 days without water. After that, he will fail to breathe. That is to say, he will no longer be able to take advantage of the most important substance, air.
  3. Food. Unlike air, food must be sought, raised or hunted. In some cases, it does grow on trees, but even then, nowadays, farmers grow it. As a side note, to get food, we must have air and water. I guess that makes the air and water doubly important. The time a person can survive without food varies. However, I think we can safely say most people will not survive without some food for more than a month. Fortunately, God has provided us with food too. It just is that sometimes we have more difficulty getting it. Oddly, most of us enjoy eating. That is, unlike water and air. We drink water and we breathe air. However, we don’t normally so much sit down around a table and talk about the days events as we breathe and drink water.
  4. Salt. Nowadays the docs try to caution us against eating too much salt but it is necessary. God knew that and he provided us with a lot of that too, though sometimes it does need to be found where it is. If nothing else, we could drink seawater, just make sure we don’t overdo it. As the doctors say, we do need to watch our intake. It is especially needed for those who work hard out in the sun.
  5. By the way, while speaking of the sun, we must not overlook that. It provides us with light, heat, energy (even in fossil fuel and wind mills) As somewhat of a minor function, it does tell us what time of the day it is and what part of the year. Also, without the sun, it just might be a little difficult finding water, that is, even ignoring the warmth thing. Every day Mr. Sun evaporates tons of water, which is dropped on various land masses. This provides streams, rivers and lakes. Just think how much water the sun needs to continuously evaporate just to keep the great lakes full. Yeah, the sun’s pretty important too.

I’m sure you know I can go on and on about the important things, sort of like a reminder. It is good to remember them and give thanks for them every now and then.

The point is, have you ever thought about how important gold is. I mean, if gold was really all that important to us, don’t you think God would have made it more abundant. To me, the value of gold is in the minds of man. Really, we could live without uncovering another ounce of gold for the next century or so, wouldn’t you think.

It does have real practical uses, but mostly it just sits around in formed in shiny bars, under peoples mattresses and hanging around the necks of folks like Mr. T. It’s nice to look at, but it is simply not that important. Yet, every day, people are on TV telling me I must go out and buy gold, in case of a financial disaster.

I guess, if it is held within reason, it is okay. However, the way I look at it, it just gives the other guy a reason to shoot me. I don’t need the gold. He doesn’t need the gold. Why should either of us get shot over it?

I really think it would be a good idea for all of us to remember what is really important. I will take that one step farther and suggest we remember WHO is important. You know. Family, friends and the really nice guy that was good enough to give you a job so you can buy those potatoes, tomatoes and the occasional steak.

On the other hand, those dems sure think they know what is important, control and they will do anything, lie, steal and kill to get it. Don’t try to tell me they won’t. They have.

Using Single Passwords

Posted in Abuse of Power, Border wall, Bribes, Christian values, Credit Card Fraud, FOC by

If I have heard it once, I have heard it a thousand times, “Don’t use the same password for all your accounts.” Sound advice. Unfortunately, by law, we effectively must use one password issued by the Social Security Administration. That is right. I have a Social Security Number and so do most people. And, as the sound advice above suggests, if someone has my SSN, it is very easy for them to steal my identity.

Now let’s see. My hospital has the number. My bank has the number. Many of those who dealt with me when I was in the Marines conceivably have my number, as my SSN was also my service number. At one time, I was actually required to put my SSN on my mail, on the envelope, on the outside, for everyone to see. I’m surprised that no one stole a bunch of IDs when that first came about.

I don’t know how we solve the problem. I’m not sure the Feds want it solved. After all, it isn’t their problem. Besides, I think those in power like controlling everyone with one number from infancy till death. They likely find it far easier, same as us using one number for all our accounts. They use but one number to keep track of us all.

However, there is one possibility, maybe two. I heard a suggestion for passwords that just might work for SSNs; Use the same number as now, but with the addition of 3, maybe 4 letters. The letters would be easy to remember. Only the feds and the person would know these four letters. If a situation arises where someone is using a questionable number, the rightful person could simply identify himself with the letters. The imposter could go to jail.

The second would be similar but the different. The person with the number would suggest a phrase, maybe as many as 10 or 15 words. The words would be easy to remember, easier than the numbers in the previous idea. The phrase would be used similarly.

Actually, there is another way, simpler. Shoot anyone steeling someone else’s ID. I guarantee that would work.

Okay. I agree. That is extreme. Let’s not go that far. Nonetheless, we need to make sure these thieves pay the price. It needs to be divided into 3 groups. There are those who make the theft possible, for instance those producing false IDs, credit cards, or the like. There are those who use the counterfeit products and then there are those who use the products for their personal gain.

Each, when caught, should be punished severely. I would suggest 10 to 20 years. It is far worse than the theft of money. If people are caught and punished as such, the ID thievery would greatly decrease.

Is it going to happen? I doubt it. It seems those who have the power to manage such things aren’t interested. It doesn’t benefit the lawyers and, at this point, it has not gotten enough noise. As they say, the squeaky gear gets the oil. So, until something is done, may I suggest you be very careful with your SSN, well as much as you can.

Oddly a Heart Attack

Posted in Christian values by
Daily writing prompt
What brings you peace?
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I have always had this fear of dying, maybe a little more than others. Then a few days before my 50th birthday I went into the hospital with a little pain near my left shoulder blade. After some tests, they decided to do a cath test of my heart. It revealed a 90% blockage of a main artery. I mean I was a walking talking heart attack waiting to happen. However, up this this point, all I had was a little pain.

The doctor decided to put a stint in to help the blood flow. As he was working on it, I started feeling two spots of burning pain, one on each side of my breast bone. Then I started feeling nausea and dizzy. I figured this was it. The death I feared was very near. I felt panic and fear. I also felt pain.

Finally, I just gave up. In my mind, I said, “Well, I guess this is it. In just a while, I’ll see Jesus face to face.” Suddenly, the fear and panic were gone. Just a short time later, the pain went away too. There on that table during that procedure, I felt the presents of Jesus.

As I said many times before, I was saved at 13. However, there on that table, during that procedure, I felt a peace that most will never understand. I knew that if I had died then and there, Jesus was right there to take care of me.

He didn’t take me that day, but it changed my life, my outlook. I still fear death. However, I do feel a peace about it. I know that when my time comes, Jesus will be right there. He will help me through it and He will take me home.

That day at that time, I never felt so much peace before or since, odd as that might seem in the midst of a heart attack.

Incidentally, what caused the pain was a small piece of plaque that broke loose and floated downstream blocking a smaller artery. It did kill a small part of my heart. It’s still not something I ever want to go through again, but if and when it happens, I know Jesus will be there to take care of me.

I can’t imagine anyone wanting to go through something like that without Jesus. I strongly suggest you accept Jesus as your savior. I am sure that if you don’t and something like that happens to you, you will not be feeling peace. You do not want to face Jesus without accepting Him as your savior. It would be far better for you to feel the same peace I did. Now, at 73, I am more sure of that then ever.

Cold & Flu

Posted in CEO Princeple, Customer complaints, experience by

I really like Alka-Seltzer Plus. It works. Usually I by the little green or red pills. They are easy to swallow and I don’t need to mix them with water. Made a mistake a few days ago. I bought the powder. My wife was feeling bad and her nose was stuffy.

Well, I tell you, I knew just what to do. I got out the Alka-Seltzer and opened the box, then I realized my mistake. The powder came in an envelope. The envelope has instructions on it, mainly warnings and cautions. I got out my reading glasses. Not enough. Held the envelope under a light. Not enough. Scrounged around and found a magnifying glass and finally read the instructions.

The instructions, by the way are simple. Mix contents of envelope in eight ounces of warm water. It was panic time again. I don’t have anything in the house for measuring water in ounces. I know this for a fact because I looked about everywhere.

Finally, I went to the computer. Glad I have some access to the internet. By the way, 8 ounces is one cup. You might want to remember that. It just might come in handy one day.

At any rate, I’m glad it was just a stuffy nose and achy muscles. I’d hate to think if it were something a little more important.

Well, you will be glad to know. It worked. My wife can breathe easy again and she is sleeping well. Thank you, Alka-Seltzer. But next time, can you please mark things a little more plainly. Not everyone who takes these meds have perfect vision. A small parenthetical (8 oz) would have come in handy too.

I’m going to need to get me a bigger magnifying glass. How small is that print anyway. I don’t even think it is four points. Maybe 2. I wonder if the Chairman of the board can read that print. I wonder if he ever tried.

Why Old Joe

Posted in Biden by

From time to time, I think I need to re-explain the title. I have before but that was a long time ago. Some have forgotten why, some never knew. Not everyone goes back through all my posts to see what I said years ago. Okay. I admit it. No one does, though they really should.

The way I think of it, some people just don’t deserve to be called president. Old Joe is one of them. When he gave the command to leave Afghanistan as he did, people died. Girls who had been going to school, with out encouragement, suffered and some died. Translators, who we made deals with, were left in the lurch. Many of them died.

It is quite conceivable that in the turmoil, many of the enemy boarded our aircraft and ended up on our shores. Biden abandoned an airbase just a few miles away from the Chinese border. That was a double whammy. We abandoned supplies that those friendly to the US could have used. Instead, the enemy had them, as well as the Chinese. The only way I could figure that one was that it was intentional. After all, his son, who Joe did not know what Hunter was doing made many deals with the Chi-coms. Can we say, maybe, possibly, he just might have known what he was doing, though, over and over he tried to convince us otherwise.

Then, afterward…after it was done, Old Joe stood in front of the whole world and lied. he said that he would not abandon any US citizens left behind. Yeah. Now we all know that wasn’t just a lie but a blatant lie. How quickly it is all forgotten by most. Not by me. It is why he has no respect from me, not even for his office, which, by the way, he acquired illegally. He occupies the Oval Office, but he is by no means my president. If I were still in the corps, at the risk of being disciplined, I would not have saluted him. I suspect there are many who agree with me on that.

A president who does not respect his armed forces certainly does not deserve the respect the men in the armed forces. And of course, he drummed good men out of the armed forces for not taking a shot that was not proven, even suspect. For that reason alone the man ought to spend the rest of his days in the hoosegow. I assure you, if I could speak to him, face to face, I would tell him all this. Moreover, I know I am not alone in this.

The dems are just as guilty as he. They watched all this and still give him their support. Just what are they thinking?

I Know Nothing Defense

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden, Bribes by

Old Joe has decided to use the old “I know nothing.” defense for years now. Of course the words were made famous by John Banner in the character of Sgt Schultz on the relatively popular Hogan’s Heroes. Of course it was not always the same. Sometimes it was, “I hear nothing.” or “I see nothing.”

For quite a while now, it appeared that the method was going to work for Old Joe but here lately, it would appear that the defense is starting to fall apart. That is to say, it is developing cracks. Like, “If you knew nothing, why did you keep getting money from Hunter’s business deals.” “Why does Hunter complain that Pops keeps taking half of it.” “If you know nothing, why are you so quick to deny anything to do with what Hunter does or says.”

Actually, the defense is far older than Hogan’s Heroes. I don’t know who first used the defense but it started with the words, “Plausible deniability.” It is at least as old as Al Capone and I am sure he learned of it from some of his friends. The idea is simple. You let the thugs do all the bad stuff and you never soil your fingers with it. If your thugs get caught, they are punished and you go free. You provide a good lawyer for the thugs. If they get convicted, no big deal. They get a big payoff when they leave the big-house.

This one just might have a few twists though. I don’t think Hunter likes the idea of going to prison. Before he is locked up, we just might find out how well he sings.

There is one other aspect that is different. Old Joe just might not outlive the deal. After all he is getting old. He is losing his mind. Even if Hunter does turn state’s evidence, Old Joe just might be found incapable of assisting in his defense. You can’t convict a man like that. At best, you can confine him to a place where… hum m. Just where do you confine folks who are guilty but you can’t prove it. The old man just might get away with it yet. He just might have a big laugh from that old folks home, the one with the view and the eight-man staff just for him. That is of course, beside the secret service agents.