lllegal but Effective

Over 100 thousand lives have been lost to fentenyl each year since Old Joe occupied the Oval Office.

May I suggest a way to stop this. If we catch someone smuggling any of it across the border, we shoot him on the spot. I know. It’s not legal. most will say it’s not right.

However, after about a week, the flow of fentenyl flowing over the border would stop. After the death of 6 or 7 smugglers, effectively, known killers, the murders would stop.

So, here’s the tradeoff. 6 or 7 murderers killed to save 100 thousand young people people.

Is there a better way? Yes. is there a legal way? T stopped it legally. But it appears Old Joe doesn’t want to use either way, my way or Trump’s.

Wrenches, Wrenches and More Wrenches

There was a time a few decades ago, we used to use the wrenches based on inches. Then, someone came up with the brilliant idea of going to the metric system. It was supposed to make things simpler.

No one told me as much, but I think it was those who make wrenches and sockets. The instant we started the conversion, I needed twice the wrenches and twice the sockets. That had to make someone a dollar or three.

I mean, just because someone up there in that ivory tower decides to go metric, doesn’t mean all previous things built are metric. Besides, there are still some manufacturers using the old hardware.

So I pick up a wrench and try to use it, only to realize it’s too small. I pick up a larger one only to realize it’s too big.

It is then I realize that, though I have countless wrenches, they are all just two sizes…too big and too small.

I take closer look. I must first determine if I am in search of a metric wrench or an English one. I then search my numerous wrenches and realize the one I need is missing.

I am sure every professional mechanic will tell you, the size of their toolbox has about doubled as soon as went into this so-called transition period. However, no one seems to know just how long this transition will take.

I am certain I will not see the end of it. Actually, I am not sure my grandchildren will.

Meanwhile, all those making wrenches, sockets and hardware will continue turning out a profit on all of it. Whenever we go to the hardware store, that area holding the nuts and bolts and such, will remain twice the size into the foreseeable future. Possibly just a little longer.

Meanwhile, has anyone seen my 9 mm wrench?

No Surprise

As an “official” observer of the way things are being run by the Memphis government, it does not at all surprise me that the mayor is asking for a rise in taxation. To be sure, it is what dems do. It is something of a prerequisite to being a dem, especially those holding office.

Understand, I’m not even suggesting how they run their city. Actually, I like them increasing their taxes. The more the better. As I have said many times before, every time they make a stupid decision, it increases the value of my home.

When I moved in here, I paid 25K. Now, homes like mine are selling for 110k. I even had a few offers for 100K. If they do increase the taxes enough, I might decide to close at 120.

I’ll just need to find somewhere else to park my car.

Smart Idea!

Again, let me say, as a Mississippi resident, I really have no business telling Tennesseans how to run their state. However, as an observer, I must admit they seem to have passed a good law. With a law requiring law enforcement officers to notify ICE of illegal aliens, the illegal aliens just might want to go somewhere else to hide.

That of course decreases the cost of having illegal aliens in the state: education, welfare, imprisonment, and law enforcement. Some would say this is not fair for the illegal aliens. The fact is, they are illegal just simply by bypassing our rules, laws and regulations. It is also unfair for them to be here while others wait their turn and follow the rules, laws and regulations.

As a side note, they have no loyalty or feelings of allegiance to the US, to the state or the city in which they decide to take up residence. If they move here for the dollar, the dollar and their own country is where their heart is.

You don’t believe me. I ask you. Do they wave the American flag or their own? Are they proud of America or their own country? Do they stand for the Star Spangled Banner or more likely for some other. Maybe they stand proud when an enemy flag is raised and the tune of their country is played.

Really?

A short time ago, I listened to a former Navy admiral who just tried to convince me and the world the money given to Iran is only used for such things as food, medicine and such.

Now, let me see. Wasn’t Jimmy Carter a Naval officer?

Let’s see. Am I beginning to see a pattern? Maybe the Navy should change their training for their senior officers. We civilians are really going to start wondering. I already am. I was in the Marines when Zumwalt became CNO. There was a lot of talk among the sailors and Marines back then. We started getting suspicious even at the name.

Do you have any idea what Zumwalt did to the Navy? I got to see some of it firsthand. That former admiral at the press meeting gave me a pretty good look at his reasoning too.

I Didn’t Think of That

It seems everywhere I turn, someone is talking OJ Simpson, mostly old news. I thought when the trials were over, I’d not hear the name again. Already I heard it far too much.

Then, of all things, his name is back to the front page, so to speak, again. Again, because he decides to steal his trophies, we had to retell every aspect of the trial, as if for some reason I am going to be required to take a 50 question multiple choice test some time in the near future.

Then, of course, he dies. I heard about it and the first thing that comes to mind, OH NO! Not again. Yep. Sure enough. Obviously, all the news media in the world was all set, primed and ready. It would seem even the news of President Trump’s trial will not drive the old news of OJ from the top fold of the papers.

Then, surprise. Someone brings up something I didn’t think of. I can’t say it’s new, just that I never heard or considered it before. Maybe OJ committed the murders because of damage to his brain. He did play a lot of football, you know.

Well, I guess we will never know. The idea of examining his brain was quickly stopped. Then, to make sure it never happens, he will be cremated as quickly as possible. No sense the world of medicine learn anything from all of this. Go figure.

And I Thought I Was Being Original

I sat down with a glass of milk and some Oreo cookies. I was dunking cookies. After the 3rd or 4th, I twisted a cookie and quickly I had 2 cookies. I licked the frosting off the one side then ate the cookies.

I really thought I was the first. What a let down to find out my older siblings beat me to it, by a bunch.

Antennas

When we moved into Orange County Ca., we didn’t need much of an antenna. There were a couple of elements in front and two more in back. I am pretty sure all the stations had transmitters on Mt. Wilson. This made aiming the antennas simple. We could actually see the mountain peak from our roof. That gave us channels 2, 4, 5, 7,11, and 13, very clear. At age 7, I had no idea how well that worked out for us.

Most places in the country required large complex antennas. Some areas had no TV reception at all.

However, most populated areas had an an antenna on every house. Some were beginning to complain about them. They were considered an eyesore. Some started looking for ways to rid the skyline of them.

I guess, inadvertently, cable resolved the problem somewhat. Mostly cable sprang up in areas of poor reception at first. Later, as more cable only stations were added, the antennas started disappearing.

At the same time, other antennas started popping up, satellite antennas. They were big round and ugly. However, those who had them were able to get virtually every station in the country. I came really close to getting one but it was just outside of my reach

Almost as quickly, the big antennas disappeared. They were replaced, first by cable, and then by smaller versions, which were aimed but once. They competed with cable.

One of the problems with cable and satellite is expense. Many, such as me, said forget the high prices. At one time, I was paying over $70 a month for basic cable. No telling what it is now.

I have reverted back to the old antenna. The only thing I really miss is Fox News. As near as I can tell, take the sports stations from cable and they just might be looking for another way to take our earnings from us.

Actually, I must admit I do have 1 weakness. I have considered getting cable back, just for a few months at a year. I do really enjoy college baseball and softball.

Still, not that much. I’m waiting for a college only cable network.

Camera Purchase

I saw a used 4 by 5 format camera for a reasonable price that seemed in good condition. I was advised against it for good reasons. The film and processing is expensive.

Yet, I wish I had bought it. For an occasional photo, it would have been great, expensive or not. The large format provides a very high quality image, even when the image is greatly enlarged.

I likely would’ve regretted it, but I would have a few really nice pictures. Maybe a few of them would’ve been of family and friends. A few would have been of the Grand Canyon and the redwoods of Sequoia. I might have a few of Sandia Peak as it reflects the rays of the setting sun.

I do have photos I took with my 35 mm camera, but the 8x10s are a bit grainy.

Daily writing prompt
Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?