Author Archives: bfrhodes99

3 Hr Futile Attempt to Replace Turn Signal Light

Posted in Auto Quality Control, CEO Princeple, Customer complaints by

What sort of sane engineer makes things intentionally so difficult? I am normally a reasonable man. I can tolerate quite a bit, but the guy that designed 2008 HHR rear turn signal really has some serious explaining to do.

Why do highly educated people do things like that, anyway? It makes me wonder if they enjoy the thought of causing common folks like us frequent frustration. I wonder what psychologists call folks such as that. I’m sure they have a neat name for them.

Then, on the other hand, maybe it’s those in management. Maybe they don’t like the untrained performing even the simplest maintenance. I can’t say. Your guess is probably better than mine.

I still want to talk to that engineer. He should still know better.

Unbelievable News Story of the Day

Posted in Cancel Culture, Christian values, Crime, Mistakes, Religion, Respect by

Just heard an update to a shooting that occurred a couple days ago in Memphis (Whitehaven area). According to the news story, a customer “pistol whipped” a Popeye’s employee and the employee responded by shooting the customer.

Here is the unbelievable part. According to the report, it all started over condiments. Tell me that makes sense. Is this the way two people should treat each other? Are condiments in such shortage that we need to attack employees over them?

They didn’t give any details beyond that but let me use a little imagination. It doesn’t take much. I have seen customers helping themselves to packets of ketchup by the handful. I suspect over half of it went home to enhance the customer’s pantry. That does not take a stretch of imagination.

Regardless, the employee is the representative of the owner. As such, he is the authority. If he says don’t do that then don’t do it. You don’t get to assault him or her. Not only is it wrong, it is against the law. But in this case, it is also stupid.

As an aside, as a former employee of a restaurant, I am somewhat knowledgeable about them. In general, the restaurant profit margins are some of the smallest. Moreover, those ketchup packages are expensive. When one customer walks away with an abundance, the restaurant must raise their prices. Hence the rest of us pay for the thievery. Incidentally, robbery, no matter how petty, is still wrong.

It has become a fact of recent society to take whats possible and if an employee stands in the way…. As I have said many times, it’s time to teach respect in our homes and schools. This means respect for humanity, for law enforcement and, yes for those that work hard to provide our meals for us. It’s time we stop taking their hard work for granted.

I don’t know how bad the assault by the customer was, but it is possible that lethal force was justified, especially if there is any evidence that the assault would continue. I am not totally saying he or she was right in retaliation. However, to some degree, I do understand it.

But really? Over a handful or two, maybe three? What has our society come to? What matter of hate must fill the hearts of people that they consider the life of another so little?

One more small point. If the customer disliked the restaurant so much, he should have just left. Far better for everyone.

Three Strikes?

Posted in Abortions, Abuse of Power, Christian values, Religion by

Maybe the comparison is a little over used, you know, “Three strikes and you’re out.”  Maybe it is because baseball has become so popular that we like to use it to say a lot without saying a lot.  On the other hand, it might just be that it is so, well apropos.  Whatever, whichever, or for what purpose, I’d like to barrow the little phrase another time.  More accurately, I might suggest it one more time.  As the reader, it is up to you to determine if it fits.  I only suggest three historic facts along with a few other considerations.

Before I state my 3 point case, let me make this short qualifying statement.  It would seem, for whatever reasons, the Catholic Church has become synonymous with Christian Church.  Hence, any time anyone says something contrary about the Catholic Church, it is assumed he is saying something bad about Christians in general.  Nothing can be farther from the truth.

First, my statements are historic.  You make your own decision(s).  I am neither going to try to persuade you one way or the other.  The Catholic Church needs to stand or fall on its own accomplishments, good or bad.  Regardless, all should have access to the info so he or she can make an informed decision.

First, the Catholic Church went after and killed thousands of Jews at or about the third or fourth century.  Their logic was that the Jews killed Jesus.  Hard as this is to believe, it’s fact.  Look it up as I did.

Incidentally, it is this reason that the Jews are so suspicious of all Christians, Catholic or not.  It has made explaining the plan of salvation to Jews far more difficult, this, ironically in spite of the fact that Christianity started with the Jews.  There is far more to be said on this subject but I am trying to stay with three points.

During the time historians call the dark ages, (please don’t ask me to give the dates) the Catholic Church taught that the common man was not to study the Bible.

The Bible was almost totally copied in Latin and only the Catholic clergy had the proper training to read and interpret the word.  I can speak volumes on this alone, but I am going to stay to the facts.

This is totally in opposition to the bible, itself.  (2nd Tim. 2:15)  Hence, I do believe that I can say, contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church, the church did teach things absolute opposite to scripture.  I would really like to go into many more examples, but I promised to stick to history.

The third historic point is the teaching of purgatory.  It is one of the results of the previous point.  The Catholics used the above logic to convince the common people of a place called purgatory, a place for souls to remain until their descendants pay to have them moved on up into heaven.

Today, most of us consider the idea ridiculous, but it went on for, I guess, a couple of hundred years.  Incidentally, the Catholic Church did profit immensely and I don’t believe there is one Catholic clergyman that will stand and deny it.  It was during this time that the huge cathedrals were built while the common man went hungry to make sure grandpa or grandma could go to heaven.

It is a historic fact.  The Catholics dare not outright deny it, but I assure you, they don’t brag about it.  They outright lied to the congregation for purely self-serving purposes.

As an aside.  I would be completely amiss to ignore the fact that, for years, the Catholic Church was the only major church that spoke out against abortion.  It is likely one of the reasons they managed to get Rowe past on The Supreme Court.  Had a few of the major faiths spoke out as much against abortion, there just might not have been the mass slaughter of innocent babies.  I am sorry to say, I was slow getting on that wagon too.  The blood of some of those little ones belongs on my hands, too.  It is something I will not be able to explain when I face Jesus, face to face.

Also, I would like to say this to one and all that The Catholic Church is not the Church.  Perhaps, after you read this, you will agree with me that it is a church instead of the Christian Church.  Just maybe, they have made three mighty swings at the ball and didn’t even come close.  Do we really want to search out a religion that intentionally lies and deceives to their congregation?

More important, is this really the type of religion God wants for us?

Please give it a little thought.

Oh, pardon me.  I just have to say three more things.  It was a Roman cross where Jesus died under the supervision of Roman soldiers.  If Jesus had not died, none of us would have any hope of salvation.  Even the Catholics must admit that.  Finally, it was God’s plan that Jesus die.  It was all laid out before the foundation of the earth was laid.  Let’s try to keep a little of the truth in there, okay?  We all have our part in nailing Jesus to that cross.  Yet, He went willingly, because of His love and because of His mercy for us individually as well as collectively.  They really ought not to try to pin their own sins on the shoulder’s other men, as the Catholic Church attempted.

Nothing Is Ever Lost

Posted in Awkward Situation, Growing Old by

As I get older, I misplace things more frequently. However, I’ve learned that nothing is ever truly lost. It’s still in the same place as I left it. I just don’t remember where that is.

Then, some day in the future, while looking for something else, i find the other thing I misplaced. Then, I have a whole new problem…remembering why I wanted it.

Oh, well. I am always careful to place it somewhere where I’ll easily find it, even if I never again need it.

Kremlin Fake

Posted in Controllers by

Just saw the video of the so-called attack on the Kremlin. Not only is it fake; it’s a very poor fake. I can’t imagine anyone risking life and limb to fire something slightly greater than a Roman candle.

Moreover, it seemed to be just about dead center in the video. Now isn’t that convenient.

The only time you can believe Putin or his cronies is during their silence. Even then, I’d be suspicious.

My suspension is that the falsehood is likely an indication of Putin’s frustration.

What is Your Diploma Worth?

Posted in Education by

So, how much is a sheepskin worth these days?  I don’t know.  I don’t have one.  I have looked around a time or two, though, and I wonder.  For years and years, I heard the term classical education, but had no idea what it meant.  Shows how much I know.

Then, one day I found out.  At least I think I know; for what good that is.  It seems that it is the study of history, classical literature and a little about science.  At one time, it was something that most college students strived for.  I don’t know.  I’m no expert.  They might still do.

However, I heard the other day that many people who run corporations don’t care too much for hiring college grads with classic educations any more.  It seems, before they can start pulling their weight within the company, they need to learn a few things, like how to be useful.

I suppose that, if a person has a small fortune, maybe a classic education would be really nice.  On the other hand, for those who need to pay back student loans while paying the rent, it just might be better to study business, engineering, or even simply math.

Then, there are those who seek degrees in anthropology.  I talked to a few folks who had degrees in anthropology.  I asked them where they could use it to make a living.  The truth is that there is not much need in this world for anthropologists.  To be sure, some are even now working in their field and making a good living at it.

My guess is that for every one that is practicing anthropology, there are likely ten who are doing something totally unrelated to put the meat and taters on the table.  I keep thinking of the one-frame cartoon I saw in a magazine.  The bearded man is standing next to the highway with a cardboard sign, “will do anthropology for food.”  My guess is that if real, not many would stop, except out of pity.

Today, I am looking at our college education system and I have come to the conclusion that there are three problems with it.  First, college loans should be 80% guaranteed by the collage.  If the graduate cannot get hired in the field of study, then the college should be required to pay 80% of the cost of the education.  It might not stop the teaching of unneeded courses or ridiculous classes, but it would certainly decrease the number of them.  More important, we would not have so many graduates in debt up to their necks.

Second, we need to get government out of our education, period.  As long as colleges realize they can keep raising prices they will.  Moreover, the government does seem to like such useless courses.

Third, just maybe they will start teaching students how to do things besides demonstrate.  Moreover, it might encourage those in the colleges to buckle down and learn instead of partying.

As an aside, it might not hurt to decrease the emphasis on sports.  I mean, it is about time we determine the purpose of schools.  Is their purpose to provide useful, intelligent grads for society or professional athletes to the pro leagues?  Maybe it is time the leagues start paying for the educations.  After all, the taxpayers are training the players for the pros.

Thinking over the above, the thought did occur to me.  Just what is a useful education?  What is it that college grads do?  Maybe it would be better to look at those who will not be able to work in their field of study.

Art, is a wonderful study.  It does add a lot to our society.  However, the vast majority of art majors fail to make a living at it.  Unless you’re independently, maybe it should be reserved for a minor instead of a major.  Certainly, tax payers ought not to foot the bill for the mass failure.

Some sciences.  Research is wonderful.  Have you ever seen some of the things they are researching on our dime?  I mean, really, shrimp on treadmills.

Even automobile engineers should be limited.  We only have three, maybe four major auto manufactures in the country.  Just how many engineers do they need in Detroit, anyway?  I don’t know.  However, I’d guess there are a few out of work right now.  Then, there will be more each year hoping to get on a GM, Ford or maybe Chrysler.

Certainly, we need lawyers, though I hate to admit it.  The problem is that we now have so many; they are inventing some pretty farfetched reasons to take a company or a person to court.  I suppose I should be thankful for them in one respect.  They are providing funding for the TV and radio.  Even there, they are using my money for it.  Every time they sue a store, I spend more in groceries.  Every time the car manufactures get sued, the price of cars goes up.  Certainly many suits are good and important.  However, you notice the planes some of these billionaire lawyers fly these days?  They bought the planes and limos mostly from settlements without proving guilt.  Those who pay, pay larger liability insurance.  In the end, they charge us more.  As I said, we paid for those planes.  Every one of them, and the fuel too.

In the end, the economy should determine who does and does not get loans.  It should be determined at banks, not by the federals.  The federals, I guess never learned math in school.  They keep spending money without limit.

Regardless of any of the above, do the smart thing when you go to college, loan or not.  Choose a major carefully.  You likely will not make much of a living on art appreciation.  Not much of a call for it.

While We Can

Posted in Abortions, Being woke, Border wall, Communist Takover, Education by

Invariably, the first thing tyrants do as they take over a country, it to silence populace.  One of the first things to disappear from a free country is the freedom to speak or publish freely.  It is odd here in the US that we have gained some freedoms of expression while we have lost others.  While books containing drag-queen literature is becoming prevalent, the Bible and literature about it are more frequently being banned.  If a teacher should have it on his desk, it just might be grounds for dismissal.

On the other hand, in my son’s intermediate school, the teacher thought it would be a good idea for all the students in the class to plot their astrological charts.  May I say, astrology is more of a religion than Christianity?

However, my point today only brushes with the subjects.  My real concern is beyond the argument of which religion is or isn’t true.  The fact is that Christianity is currently hated more than any religion from any country, and this includes religions that openly worship the devil.  Indeed Satan worship is protected in all military services and all chaplains are required to honor it.  It seems it is completely contrary to the reason to have chaplains in the first place.

To be sure, every time someone raises a voice against the way Christianity is treated, whoa to he who speaks it.  Oddly, in some cases, it is a person right within the church that speaks ill of him who has the nerve to say that homosexuality is wrong, though God, himself speaks against it many times.  For sure, it is the primary, if not the only reason for the utter destruction of Sodom and Gomorra.  It is at least one reason that God Brought Israel into the promise land.  God, through the hand of Moses said as much, though most would like to ignore it.

Most times, it’s not a matter of knowing right from wrong.  The vast majority of us know from our youth.  The two problems are getting people to admit to the obvious and then do that which they know to be right.

Let us take a look at it.  Do you find Bibles in porn stores?  When you enter a bar, will you see reruns of Billy Gramm sermons on the TVs?  Of course not.  To the current public, there are many other things more important, not to mention, they can get embarrassing…seeing such things in such places.  It is as if we can keep God from seeing us if we leave our Bibles at home.

So now.  I guess we can’t take our Bibles to school.  Why?  Because we just might do something that the Lord will disapprove of?  I guess, when it come comes to sex ed.; we really don’t want God looking over our shoulder.  We certainly don’t want God to see the encouragement of killing the unborn.  Boy, would that get in the way.

So, our neighbors, our community, our government is doing what they can to shut us up.

So, before they do.  Before they remove from us the most important right of all, while we still can, perhaps it is time to say something.  Or we may not be able to say anything.  While we still can, maybe we should remind one and all, just cause you say it’s right, doesn’t make it so.

If we lose the first amendment, most certainly the rest of our freedoms will soon follow.  Then.  You just might think, I should have said something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Posted in Abortions, Abuse of Power, Being woke, Biden, Bribes, Christian values, Education, Elections, Lawyers and Representation, Politcal Opinion, Schools by

On the subject of Frequently Asked Questions, I have this to say.  Are they truly frequently asked?  Out of all the times I have ever consulted frequently asked questions, I never found the one for which I needed an answer.  Worse yet, I could never find a category.  They always list 4, 5 or 6 categories, then “Other.”  Then when I look under other, I can’t find my question there either.  Not a thing comes close.

I guess that either makes me weird or their questions aren’t as inclusive as they would like to imply.  Moreover, it would seem that I am mostly on my own.  Frequently, I actually figure things out, though it takes some time.  On the other hand, I just tried to install a product that should have not taken over 3 hours to install.  I gave up after 16.  I don’t need any piece of software that I can’t install after 16 hours.  Moreover, it was also difficult to de-install.  Moreover, it was difficult to use.

Taught me a lesson or two.  Next time I am going to install something, I will make sure to mark the spot so I can return to whence I came.  Even that brings me angst.  I have not yet established much trust in the ability of the software that can restore that well.

Be that as I may, the whole thing prompted a thought.  Maybe the US government could establish a frequently asked question web site.  I’m not suggesting it would help much but it would be interesting just what questions they would post and what kind of answers they would concoct, for instance, “What is a woman?”

God’s law was clear, “Though shalt not murder.”  Simple.  Requires little in the way of explanation.  On the other hand, the government at every level has pages and pages on the subject.  Can you imagine querying murder on frequently asked questions?  Did you say you have a day or two to read the reply?

How about something on the subject of abortion.  No problem for the dems…any time, any place, by someone with an MD after his name.  No follow-up exam necessary.

Then, there is the matter of theft.  All you can get away with as long it has a value of less than a grand.  And, by the way, if someone stops you, you can sue their socks off, and get them too.

Contrary to the commandment, we are not to honor our parents.  The job of parenting has been turned over to the daycares, schools and colleges.  In short the government.  By the way, we’d better not forget it or the FBI will be after us.

Incidentally, if we ask who should be in control, it’s the dems.  We best not forget that either or we will be tossed in the hoosegow and we’ll not see the light of day for years, if ever.

I guess it would be a bad idea to look for that on the FAQ list.  They will look for you and prohibit you from publishing a book, being on TV or radio.  Your name will instantly be mud, perhaps literally.

Incidentally, lest I forget, bribes too are wrong, even the ones that are completely legal. The Bible does make that perfectly clear. You wouldn’t doubt what this had you read the entire Bible. It really is in there, plain and simple to see for all. It says something about the way bribes cloud judgement. I am sure that is indisputable, even if you do not believe what is written.

Tell Me Why

Posted in Biden, Controllers, Crazy Nuts by

Tell me why it is that we have women’s golfing.

Tell me why it is that we have Women’s basketball.

Tell me why it is that women rarely compete against men in baseball, football, and even tennis.  I’m not sure, but I think there is a separation between men and women’s table tennis.  Last time I checked, there are no men trying to get on women’s volleyball teams and not so many women trying to compete in the world men’s volleyball.  (Come to think of it, do colleges have volleyball teams?)

Then, one day a man who claims to be a woman gets on the college women’s swimming team.  Can you tell me why this is permitted?  Has the world simply lost all concepts of the obvious?

Let’s see.  I guess there are a few women that can beat a few men at arm wrestling, but, push come to shove, no woman will ever become the world champion.  It is highly unlikely too many women will even make it passed the preliminaries.  Yet, of course, many men will win in the women’s category of weight lifting.

It is stupidity on stupidity.  It is ignorance poured on ignorance.  Men and women are biologically different, regardless of what anyone might try to say to the contrary.

As a side note, isn’t it just wonderful having a Supreme Court justice who can’t provide a definition of a woman?  Is this something good for our country?

As a side, side note.  The newest justice was selected because she is a woman and black.  I guess ol’ Joe still knows the difference.  Moreover, she was selected out of a field of the “Best” women for the job and the “Best” Black woman for the job…according to Joe Biden.  If I were a black woman and was selected to be a Supreme Court justice, I would not consider that much to be pound of.  She was selected from approximately 7 or 8 percent of the population of the country.  It is not likely, but possible that 93 percent of those in the country would be a better pick.  They were never considered.

Just maybe someone might tell me why the justice has to be a black woman.  Wouldn’t it be better had she been selected from the best of the judges, regardless of gender or color.  Perhaps a black woman would have been selected and that would have meant much more.  I’m sure there are many black women judges who are highly qualified.  Some might even know the difference between a man and a woman.

A New Wonder Plane

Posted in Climate Change, experience, Fantasy, Gas vs Electric by

Just saw it on the web…an electric powered seaplane capable of a hundred miles with 19 passengers. Now let’s see. That means it can go between L.A. or San Diego and Catalina. maybe without a recharge. That means it can go from L. A. to San Diego. I suspect it would take a few stops to go from L. A. to San Francisco.

That is a somewhat limited range though there is an advantage. Should the fuel…er, the charge, start running low, as long as it is over water, it can just about sit down anywhere. No need to look for a runway. On the other hand, it could be a long swim to shore.

I kind of like the idea of seaplanes. If I were a billionaire, I just might buy one. However, I think mine would be powered by gas. Much better to fly than swim.

Okay. That is just over the edge. I shouldn’t say things like that when people are doing what they can to save our planet. However, sometimes a person has to go over the edge a little to get people to that we are a long ways from truly practical electric planes. I did see the photo of the plane, though. It looks nice. Put a couple of gas guzzling engines on it, and they just might have a product they can sell.