A little humor…

To start the week!

By today’s standards, none of us were supposed to ever make it. 

HIGH SCHOOL —  1957  vs  2026

Scenario 1: 

Jack goes duck hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck’s gun rack.

1957 –  Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack’s shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2026 –  School goes into lock down, FBI called,  Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again.  Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2: 

Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1957 –  Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2026 –  Police called and SWAT team arrives — they arrest both Johnny and Mark.   They are both charged with assault and both expelled – even though Johnny started it .

Scenario 3: 

Jeffrey will not be in class, he disrupts other students.

1957 –  Jeffrey sent to the Principal’s office and given a good paddling by the Principal.  He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2026 –  Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin.  He becomes a zombie.  He is then tested for ADD.  The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4: 

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor’s car and his Dad gives him a whipping.

1957 –  Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and  becomes a successful businessman.

2026 –  Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang.  The state psychologist is told by Billy’s sister that she remembers being spanked herself and their dad goes to prison.  Billy’s mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5: 

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1957 –  Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock .

2026 –  The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations.  His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6: 

Pedro fails high school English.

1957 –  Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.

2026 –  Pedro’s cause is taken up by a radical group.   Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement forgraduation is racist.  ACLU files a class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro’s English teacher.  English is then banned from the basic curriculum.  Pedro is given his diploma anyway, but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario 7: 

Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed..

1957 –  Ants die.

2026 –  ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called.  Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism.   The FBI investigates his parents – and all siblings are removed from their home. All computers are confiscated.  Johnny’s dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8: 

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee ..   He is found crying by his teacher, Mary.  Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957   – In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2026  – Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job.  She faces 3 years in State Prison.  Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Sadly, I guess this one really isn’t humor… dammit…

April 19, 1775…

The shot heard round the world…

0500 Lexington Green-

The British light infantry halted at Vine Brook, about a half mile from Lexington Green, in order to load their muskets. They then continued their advance. When they approached the Green they discovered Captain Parker’s company, about 77 men, formed up and in the open. Someone somewhere fired a shot. The light infantry then rushed onto the green with bayonets, and fired upon the retreating militia. Eight militiamen died on the town common in Lexington. Ten others were wounded. Captain Parker then worked to collect what was left of his company and take them back into the fight later that afternoon.

0700 Concord-

The British entered Concord. Thaddeus Blood, a Private in Captain Nathan Barrett’s Company was among an advanced party that marched about mile east from the center of town along a high ridge that runs along the north side of the road. There they saw the column of British soldiers, 700 strong in a column stretching about a quarter mile, marching toward them. Blood described the scene a follows:

“…we were then formed, the minute (men) on the right, & Capt. Barrett’s (militia company) on the left, & marched in order to the end of Meriam’s hill then so called & saw the British troops a coming down Brooks Hill. The sun was arising & shined on their arms & they made a noble appearance in their red coats & glistening arms…”

0930 Battle of the North Bridge-

When the British first deployed at the North Bridge, they were positioned on the west side of the river. This is the side where the Minute Man Statue now stands.

Hopelessly outnumbered by the advancing militia, the British soldiers pulled back to the east side of the bridge, where the 1836 Obelisk now stands, and hastily organized for defense.

As the colonial column advanced to within about 80 yards of the British position, a succession of three shots rang out from the British side and landed in the river on the right of the advancing minute men. Luther Blanchard, a fifer from Acton cried out that he was wounded. Major John Buttrick of Concord then gave the fatefull order “Fire! For God’s sake, fire!” This was the first time colonial militiamen were ordered to fire on British soldiers.

In all, twelve British soldiers were hit, three of them fatally. Four out of eight officers present were wounded. The rest of the British soldiers broke and fell back in disorder towards Concord. On the colonial side, Captain Isaac Davis and Private Abner Hosmer were killed. Four other militiamen were wounded.

By the time the British staggered back into Boston at 1930, the British casualties were 73 killed, 174 wounded, 26 missing. The Colonial casualties were 49 killed, 41 wounded, 5 missing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson memorialized that day in the poem Concord Hymn-

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept;
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set today a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare,
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Snort…

Among us Z-list authors we’ve talked about how you could ‘buy’ your way onto the NYT Best Seller’s list…

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s political action committee spent more than $1.5 million buying thousands of copies of his new memoir — accounting for about two-thirds of all copies sold nationwide — according to campaign finance filings. 

The PAC spending helped propel Newsom’s memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” onto the New York Times bestseller list and is raising new scrutiny as his national profile builds ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run.

In November, the Campaign for Democracy Committee launched a book campaign asking donors to contribute any amount to the PAC to receive the memoir when it was released on Feb. 24. Newsom spokesperson Nathan Click told the New York Times that the PAC bought about 67,000 copies—representing a substantial portion of the 97,400 total sold.

Full article HERE from Fox News.

Looks like Newsom did just that… Must be nice!

Of course, as soon as this came out, the crawfishing started…

Newsom didn’t make a penny off them, a ‘vendor’ distributed them to 67,000 people who ‘paid’ for them, yada, yada, yada. Funny, that. Considering the original funds came from his PAC. That doesn’t sound like individual ‘people’ to me.

Of course, as usual the rules are only for us peons, not for the ‘elites’ who know better than us… spit…

I’m glad I have real friends, and will be getting together with them this evening for supper. That is the kind of stuff that money can’t buy, and I can look myself in the mirror without a problem!!!

YGTBSM!!!

Well, isn’t THIS just speshul!!!

Four Democrat-led states that rejected President Donald Trump’s policy of no taxes on tips and overtime pay are getting called out by Republicans for going against efforts to increase affordability.

The governors of the three largest Democrat-run states, California, New York and Illinois, are continuing to tax tips and overtime against Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while Colorado will require taxpayers to report how much is deducted federally so it can be added back for state taxes in future years.

“Gov. Hochul and Albany Democrats believe your money is their money: They are picking the pockets of waitresses, bartenders, and first responders who work overtime just to make ends meet in a state that already has the highest tax burden in the country,” Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital.

Full article, HERE from Fox News.

Soooo, the four states that are hard up for money, and chasing out their richest people are doing exactly what we’ve been warned about…

They are coming for the middle class, the little people, and anywhere they think they can get money.

Do you need any other reason to leave California, New York, Illinois, or Colorado???

Or are you waiting until they pass the ‘exit tax’ laws so they can squeeze you on the way out???

Just asking…

 

TBT…

Sigh… The things one ‘finds’ when you move…

Anybody remember these?

Back in the day

Aluminium travel cups that somehow migrated into the house and became the ‘kids’ cups…

And how many of us old farts had one of these?

Back in the day transistor radio

It’s a Sony no less! And I seem to remember it cost something like $4 bucks… AM only…

Or had one of these? I bought one in the 90s and was still using it in 2014…

And one more…

Hand cranked ice cream in the summer… Kids ARE good for something if they know they get to lick the beaters… LOL

back in the day hand cranked ice cream

Posted in TBT

It’s on now…

The US Navy (by itself) is blockading Iran…

No ship entered or exited Iranian ports during the first 24 hours of a sweeping U.S. maritime blockade, in an operation involving more than 10,000 troops and over a dozen warships, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday.

The move places U.S. forces at the center of a key global shipping route after President Donald Trump on Sunday said the U.S. Navy would blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime corridor through which much of the world’s oil shipments flow.

Full article, HERE from Military Times.

And the Saudis have the East/West pipeline from  Abqaiq oil field to Yanbu up and pumping 7 million barrels a day across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea. Now the question is, what will the Houthis do???

One other thing to note is that the Iranians ‘revised’ path through the Straits of Hormuz was basically through Iranian standoff (and shallower water) after they said they mined the straits.

As of yesterday 14 Apr, there was no indication of any actual mines in the straits, and the US had pushed two DDGs through without a problem. Yes, there are mine warfare vessels on the way, but they are NOT fast…

The Chinese did push one ship (type unknown) out of the straits, but I don’t know what the actual response has been after it was turned back the first time. More info HERE from USNI.

Now we have to wait and see what happens next. The question is, who will blink first???

Two down…

How many more to go? And I have to ask, are their egos really that big that they think they are untouchable???

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, abruptly announced his decision to resign from Congress Monday evening amid calls for him to step aside after admitting to sexual misconduct with a staffer earlier this year.

The embattled lawmaker was facing an anticipated expulsion vote that could have occurred as early as this week. 

His announcement came just an hour after Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said he planned to resign from the lower chamber amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct and rape.

Full article, HERE from Fox News.

With Swalwell and Gonzales resigning from Congress, is it time for Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Cory Mills (R-FL) to follow suit?

The House Ethics committee have already done an investigation on Cherfilus-McCormick supposedly guilty of 25 infractions of House rules. Mills also has some sexual issues apparently…

Congressional approval remains at roughly 15-16%, so maybe it’s time they actually DID some house cleaning. They definitely need it, IMHO!

The other thing Swalwell has done is drop out of the California gubernatorial race, which will help the Dems out there, as right now, the two leaders in the ‘jungle primary’ are both Republicans. Since only the top two go to the November election, there is a very real possibility that NO Dem would be on the ballot for governor…snerk…

Talk about hoist on their own petard!!!

A little humor…

Since taxes are due this week…

Ambition in America is still rewarded . . . with high taxes.

America is the land of opportunity. Everybody can become a taxpayer.

If my business gets much worse, I won’t have to lie on my next tax return.

Congress has the job of getting the people to pay taxes they can’t afford for services they don’t need.

Golf is a lot like taxes. You drive hard to get to the green and then wind up in the hole.

The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf.

I must admit I lied on my income-tax return. I listed myself as head of the household!

A harp is a piano after taxes.

You really can’t beat the system. If you earn anything, it’s minus taxes. If you buy anything it’s plus taxes.

Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents?
+++++++++++++

TAXPAYER’S LAMENT

Tax his cow, Tax his goat;
Tax his pants, Tax his coat;
Tax his crop, Tax his work;
Tax his ties, Tax his shirt;

Tax his chew, Tax his smoke;
Teach him taxing is no joke.
Tax his tractor, Tax his mule;
Tell him, Taxing is the rule.

Tax his oil, Tax his gas;
Tax his notes, Tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know,
That after taxes, he has no dough.

If he hollers, Tax him more;
Tax him till he’s good and sore.
Tax his coffin, Tax his grave,
Tax his sod in which he’s laid.

Put these words upon his tomb,
“Taxes drove him to his doom.”
After he’s gone, we won’t relax,
We’ll still collect inheritance tax.
++++++++++

A couple of weeks after hearing a sermon on Psalms 51:2-4 and Psalms 52:3-4 (lies and deceit), a man wrote the following letter to the IRS:

I have been unable to sleep, knowing that I have cheated on my income tax. I understated my taxable income, and have enclosed a check for $150.00.

Sincerely,
A Guilty Taxpayer

P. S. If I still can’t sleep, I will send the rest.

Dang it…

Sigh, R&D doesn’t always go perfectly…

NASA’s X-59 experimental aircraft, part of the “Quesst” (Quiet Supersonic Technology) mission, conducted its second flight on the morning of Friday, March 20. The flight was scheduled to spend roughly one hour in the air, but was abruptly canceled after a cockpit warning. It returned to the ground at 11:03 a.m. PST, roughly 10 minutes after takeoff.

In spite of the flight’s short duration, NASA engineers praised it, claiming that they had been able to collect valuable data that would help in subsequent flights.

The X-59 aircraft, designed to test supersonic flight without a sonic boom, is intended to pioneer an aviation breakthrough that would lift sound-related restrictions on supersonic travel.

Full article, HERE from the National Interest Organization blog.

It is definitely an ‘odd’ looking test article, but…

Even more interesting is that the pilot has zero forward visibility! He is dependant on cameras to be able to see foward. Shades of Charles Lindbergh!!!

A lot of the design work and math behind it are focused on ‘softening’ the crack of the sonic boom as it moves across the ground. If you’ve ever heard them, they are rather distinctive, and an oddity of the space shuttle was that it actually created two sonic booms from different parts of the airframe.

The long nose is supposed to ‘break up’ the boom, and the design of the tail is supposed to focus the noise ‘upward’, rather than down at the surface. Of course, the ‘seating’ would be a tad cramped, assuming there was a second seat, which there is not…

But if the math works, there are folks who would be very interested in upscaling the tech to a full sized aircraft capable of carrying passengers. The Concorde was the last true supersonic passenger transport, and even as big as it was, the ‘tube’ was extremely small, with only 100 seats total, in a 2×2 arrangement and very small overhead storage. And they were approximately $6000 one way from New York to London or vice versa but that was a three hour trip! Thank you

Heritage Concorde com helicopter

Who knows what it will cost when/if this new tech proves out? Or when it will be flying?

I know I probably will NOT be able to afford a ticket, nor do I really see a need to visit London…

I guess what I’m saying is that R&D isn’t quick, nor easy, nor does it always work out. So if, big if, they can make it work, so much the better. If not, well, lessons will be learned…