Author Archives: bfrhodes99

Something a Little Different, Please?

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As the evening radio crackled with another traffic report, I caught the familiar refrain of a roadway collision: “Accident on Goodman Road and Interstate-55.” The precise location blurred in my mind—was it at the intersection or along the highway? Such announcements have become so routine that they barely register as noteworthy anymore, a sobering reflection on road safety and daily commuter risks.

I rarely comment on local issues, but the situation at this interchange has become unbearable. The frequency of daily accidents is alarming, with collisions occurring with such regularity that it seems this might be the most dangerous intersection in Mississippi. The consistent pattern of crashes demands immediate attention and intervention from local transportation authorities.

At Interstate 55’s junction near Goodman Road, the highway configuration is notable. Southbound traffic flows through three lanes, with three lanes concluding at or adjacent to the Goodman Road overpass. The northbound direction features six expansive lanes, providing substantial capacity for travelers moving in that direction.

The Goodman Road bridge spans seven lanes, with one dedicated to eastbound left-turning vehicles, somewhat facilitating smooth traffic flow and efficient transportation. Much of the traffic turns north towards the hospital or the Lowes store. To help, the one lane splits into two.

The intersection’s complexity stems from its proximity to multiple major destinations. Surrounding the junction are two shopping centers to the north and another sizeable retail complex to the southeast, with a large hospital positioned to the northeast. These locations generate significant traffic congestion. Drivers navigate multiple turning patterns: some aim to head south on Highway 55, others seek to access Walmart via Goodman Road eastbound. Conversely, northbound travelers on 55 may need to transition to Goodman Road’s eastern route, while those bound for the hospital must strategically cross multiple lanes to make a timely left turn.

The interchange’s intricate design forces drivers to navigate multiple lane crossings, often catching unfamiliar motorists off guard. Many travelers may not anticipate the complexity of the roadway ahead, potentially leading to confusion and increased risk of traffic disruptions.

The complexity of daily travel is heightened by the necessity of crossing the interstate, a challenge that impacts numerous motorists. My personal experience illustrates this inconvenience: my medical provider is located on the opposite side of the highway, and nearly every destination requires navigating this infrastructural barrier. I am sure I am far from the only one with this problem.

The daily commute transforms into a nightmare as rush hour descends. What begins as a manageable journey quickly deteriorates into a traffic standstill. By late afternoon, Interstate 55’s three southbound exit lanes funneling onto Goodman Road become a sea of motionless vehicles. Most evenings, the interchange resembles a parking lot, trapping drivers in an endless, frustrating gridlock. Vehicles on the bridge remain stranded, unable to exit due to massive backups extending in both directions. By 5 PM, the southbound exit lanes stretch into a serpentine line of brake lights, extending one to two miles, testing even the most patient drivers’ resolve.

A persistent issue has been unfolding before my eyes, and I find myself questioning whether others recognize its significance. The extent of apparent indifference is startling, leading me to suspect this neglect might be deliberate. As the familiar saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind” seems to be the prevailing attitude. Despite the problem’s escalating nature, there appears to be a troubling absence of proposed solutions or meaningful discourse addressing its underlying complexities.

My words might seem futile, but if shared, they could gradually propel our solution forward, much like the slow crawl of rush-hour traffic inching toward its destination.

Yup

Posted in experience, Fear, Food, Mistakes, Uncategorized by

We have seven cats. No, they aren’t wild animals. They are too tame. If I sit down for ten minutes, three or four find places on me to make themselves comfortable. The thing is, I wanted them to get used to staying outside more. So, I started feeding them out on the front porch. One day, I checked on them after putting their dinner out. Amongst them was an adult raccoon. The surprise was that all of them seemed to get along. No one, even the raccoon, seemed to mind sharing. I never figured a raccoon would do that.

Needless to say, the cats now are back to eating indoors. As for the racoon, he’s found somewhere else to eat. Hopefully, he’ll not return.

Just What it Means?

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Persistent telemarketing calls about Medicare have become a daily nuisance, bombarding me with about three unsolicited pitches each day. Unlike other product advertisements, these Medicare-related calls seem to dominate my phone’s incoming traffic, completely overshadowing potential solicitations for vehicles or miscellaneous products.

The unsolicited calls from potential home buyers have ceased, leaving me with an uncanny ability to anticipate the caller’s intent before the phone even rings.

Just now, I got another one of those calls. It made me ask myself, “What does that mean?” Someone, somewhere must be planning to make money from the call. Logic says, even if they succeed one out of a hundred calls, someone must be making some real money making those calls. Just how? I mean, to hear their spiel, they are only calling to help me. You and I know that’s a lie. They are making money, and that is their design. If they provide help, it is purely accidental.

That tells me there is a lot of money involved for someone. But who?

Hope & Change?

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During the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama pledged to stimulate the economy through infrastructure projects that were “shovel ready.” However, as his first term progressed, he had to admit the projects were not so “shovel ready”. I submit that he never intended to keep the promise.

The monies intended for the projects ended up in the pockets of his campaign supporters, his comrades and his cronies. Millions went into a now defunct solar battery plant. Though the plant went under, those that received the Federal funds to start it came out of it financially healthy, far more so than at the start.

After two terms as president, Obama was very financially more healthy, now living the life of a multimillionaire. He has homes, large homes in Hawaii, Martha’s Finished (or something like that) and I think he ha a third. Who paid for those things. He didn’t have the money before he was president and I don’t think he made that much as president. That money came from somewhere. Should we just ignore the obvious.

He promised we could keep our doctors and medical plan. Oops, that wasn’t true either. He had to admit to it. He didn’t admit that he lied. His admission was more of a brag than an admission of the lie.

He promised hope. The only hope we had after his final term was being provided by his successor. Again, his promises of hope were an intentional lie.

Finally, there was a promise of change. Yes, this promise he kept, and ever since, we have been living with it. Ever since, we have been endeavoring to reverse those changes.

Well, he did leave us with an important lesson. Not all change is good. It has been an expensive lesson.

Advertising Isn’t Everything

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Coca-Cola’s advertising campaigns brilliantly capture the essence of joy, connection, and shared moments, making their commercials not just advertisements, but memorable storytelling experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Still, when I have a choice, I choose Diet Pepsi because I think it tastes better. Sometimes, it is a matter of taste.

I Thought It Was a Little Mistake

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I forgot to tell the doctor that my wife was low on two of her medications. No big deal. We went back today, and he wrote the prescriptions for them. We then headed to Walgreens. As I was entering the store, I saw a well-displayed sign: their pharmacy was closed.

There ought to be a linguistic term for this peculiar incongruity—something akin to an oxymoron, but manifested through actions rather than language. Consider the irony: a pharmacy store chain store without a pharmacy seems as absurd as a McDonald’s with no burger inventory. The dissonance is palpable, a logical disconnect between expectation and reality.

I glanced down at my watch, a sudden urgency washing over me. While numerous Walgreens dotted the local landscape, only one remained open around the clock. Given her critical medication shortage, I knew I couldn’t risk waiting. The catch? This particular pharmacy was located in Memphis—a city I habitually steered clear of—yet tonight, it seemed to be our sole lifeline.

We embarked on our journey, my apprehension stemming not just from navigating Whitehaven, the Memphis neighborhood notorious for its frequent media appearances, but also from the anticipation of a prolonged wait at the sole open pharmacy—a scenario all too familiar from past experiences.

Navigating the congested highway, I felt the weight of my earlier error intensifying with each passing moment. The surrounding vehicles seemed poised to exploit my vulnerability, their drivers laser-focused on potential opportunities to alter my trajectory. In this unforgiving urban landscape, lane discipline had become a forgotten art, with each motorist operating as if turn signals and careful observation were mere suggestions rather than essential safety protocols.

My trip to the store was uneventful, a fact for which I am grateful. The wait time passed quickly, and during our browsing, one detail stood out dramatically: the heightened security measures. Compared to my usual Walgreens, this store seemed to take precautions more seriously, with numerous items securely locked away. Despite being less than 10 miles from the store I usually visit and crossing a state line, the difference in security protocols were striking, suggesting they might experience more significant theft challenges than my familiar shopping environment.

On the positive side, the folks at the store seemed friendlier and more professional than where I usually visit. Didn’t expect that.

Implications and Facts

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Understanding implications is a nuanced communication skill that many adults struggle to grasp fully. While most people comprehend the technical aspects of language, the subtle art of implying meaning without direct statement often eludes them. An implication is essentially a sophisticated form of communication where the true message is conveyed indirectly, allowing the listener to infer the underlying meaning through context, tone, and subtle linguistic cues.

Carefully choosing words can help avoid legal repercussions while still conveying a critical message. By using nuanced language and strategic implications, one can suggest potential misconduct without directly stating an accusation that could lead to a defamation lawsuit.

In a concrete scenario drawn from actual events, if Democratic leaders were to allege that President Trump issued unlawful directives, they would potentially expose themselves to legal challenges. Historical precedent suggests that such accusations could prompt swift legal action from the accused.

The argument suggests that by emphasizing soldiers’ obligation to reject unlawful directives, critics indirectly insinuate potential misconduct without explicit accusation. The underlying implication appears to be an attempt to cast doubt through suggestive language, rather than presenting concrete evidence of an illegal order. Unable to substantiate specific wrongdoing, the critique relies on rhetorical innuendo to challenge the president’s orders.

It also has the side effects of doubting lawful orders. It is the apparent purpose of the implications.

Political opponents have repeatedly attempted to challenge the president’s authority without substantiating claims of misconduct. Despite extensive scrutiny, no concrete evidence of illegal actions has emerged. In fact, the lack of specific allegations may paradoxically reinforce the administration’s perceived legitimacy and resilience against unfounded criticism.

The Amazing Undo Function

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As word processing software emerged for personal computers, developers introduced the revolutionary UNDO function, transforming how users interact with digital text. Now, with a simple keystroke, I can effortlessly correct any typing error, instantly erasing mistakes and maintaining the flow of my writing. This feature has become an indispensable tool for writers, editors, and professionals across various fields.

If only life were like that. Can you imagine if Trump could press a couple of pseudo buttons and Obama Care would go away? Another one of those sets of buttons, and the errors of Old Joe would be no more.

Even without that undo function, President Trump has made very large strides in undoing the fiasco of the open border. However, it will take decades to address many of the technical and emotional consequences. There is just no magic wand to wave that will make all the side problems generated, likely intentionally.

Of all that was done by Old Joe, the one that will be most difficult to reverse is the inflation. Think about it. If the prices all are lowered back, that would be deflationary. If through some means he managed to do it, it might even lead to a depression. In this case, the fix would be far worse than the problem.

The long-term solution is simple: provide good jobs by bringing exported jobs home, offer good, inexpensive energy sources, and stop giving jobs to those who do not belong here.

There are other tasks that need to be addressed as well. However, in every respect and at every point, the Democrats are doing all they can to obstruct progress. They are attempting to prevent low-cost fuel. They do everything possible to hinder the deportation of illegal immigrants. And, by the way, they are doing all they can to keep criminals lose on the streets. This certainly does not help the economy.

To be sure, any country that spends more than it receives in revenue will have inflation. It is the primary reason for inflation. It means somehow or some way, spending must be reduced. The best way to reduce spending, whether at home, in business, or in government, is to reduce waste. President Trump tried to do that. You remember the uproar that resulted? Yes. The Democrats didn’t like that either. Actually, there were a few Republicans who objected too. It would seem the desire for free money is bipartisan.

You want to decrease inflation, vote for decrease of waste.

Housing Shortage Solution

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Deport thirty million illegal aliens and we gain housing for 30 millions Americans.

We wouldn’t have had the problem if Old Joe and his friends hadn’t let the illegal aliens invade our country to begin with.

The problem would not have been exacerbated if the Democrats had not let millions of acres and homes burn to the ground. Just ask those who had to leave their homes in the “high rent” area north of Los Angeles.

Almost seems as if it is by design. Right?

The Logical Conclusion About Gambling & Corruption

Posted in Abuse of Power, Advertising, Christian values, Gambling, Politally Correct, responsibility & irresponsibility by

Throughout my exploration of gambling’s complex landscape, I have critically examined numerous perspectives surrounding its societal implications. While my previous writings have unequivocally demonstrated my stance against gambling, this particular analysis focuses narrowly on its profound impact on governmental structures and fiscal policies.

The pervasive nature of gambling’s influence is evident through a systematic pattern of suppression and tacit acceptance. Political figures who might challenge its prevalence either remain silent or quickly find themselves marginalized. Those rare individuals who vocally oppose gambling often experience swift political consequences, effectively neutralizing potential resistance. Even passionate private citizens who attempt to combat gambling’s spread typically abandon their efforts after encountering significant obstacles. The entrenched system seems designed to discourage meaningful opposition, creating an environment where challenging gambling’s expansion becomes increasingly difficult and personally risky.

In the wake of recent gambling scandals permeating professional sports, particularly basketball and baseball, a troubling pattern emerges. The initial public outcry and media frenzy will inevitably subside, leaving no substantive legal or regulatory reforms in their wake. As public attention wanes, the gambling industry will continue its unchecked influence, revealing a stark reality: gambling interests wield significant power over both governmental institutions and media narratives.

And they do have help, those who refuse to vote against these gambling interests. Instead, they encourage it by their participation. If everyone refused to take part in it, there would be no need for a vote. There would be no need for a law. It would simply go away.