justxploring's Blog

We already voted.  Over a million votes...more than several other states combined.  I knew this was all a game just like the 2000 election that the Republicans manipulated.  Charlie Crist is a strong McCain supporter and possibly will be his running mate.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080302/pl_bloomberg/a_z1b1gct_nm

The political plot keeps thickening....

I always felt safe in this sleepy bedroom town.  Taking a stroll on the beach at night to look at the stars was a peaceful way to release my anxiety and fears and talk to my Higher Power.

In the past 10 years the population has doubled, there are now tall concrete condos on the beach road, tacky touristy stores, and traffic is a nightmare. Then the criminals from the east coast began to invade our peaceful community. 

Now Bonita Springs, once a dot on a map between the celebrity mansions of Naples and the historic homes (like Edison's winter home) of Fort Myers has faced an increase in violent crime.  Tonight's news is a wake-up call.  Maybe it's time for me to buy a gun.  Still, unless we walk around wearing holsters, how can we protect ourselves from a home invasion? 

The world has gone completely mad.  Genocide in Darfur, war in Iraq and, in what used to be a quiet fishing village, home invasion.  I can just see the travel brochures of the future.  "Welcome to Bonita Springs. Take your bathing suit, your fishing rod, your suntan oil...and don't forget the Glock."

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/feb/22/police-bonita-couple-tied-while-home-ransacked/#comments

If anyone here can stomach these videos, then I guess you'll eat anything no matter how cruel and abusive the process is to get it onto your plate.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/17/national/main3841637.shtml

"The way that we treat animals measure our greatness. The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated."  Ghandi

Warning!  This video might be upsetting to some viewers, although it's an everyday practice at the slaughterhouses. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWmAJlwLnQI

Here is a video of a deputy in Florida after arresting a paraplegic for a traffic violation. 

EDIT:  I removed the YouTube video after reading the racist remarks posted.  Here is another link.  Please be patient.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23142859#23142859

After the man complained of 2 broken ribs, the X-rays taken at the jail disputed his claim.  Ya think? 

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=73747

Notice where Tampa Bay channel 10 says...

" The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office didn't know anything about the incident until we showed them their own tape " reports channel 10 Tampa Bay.

The police officer has been temporarily suspended but not terminated.  As channel 10 reports...

" While we tried to get a written report about the incident, the major who runs the Orient Road Jail told us there is no incident report, because as far as they are concerned, they didn't have a problem with, or cause a problem to, an inmate in a wheelchair. "

My smoke alarm was going off all day and driving me crazy.  I just changed the battery last week!  So I finally opened it up and there are ants crawling inside.  They must be setting it off somehow, although none of them are smoking.  They must have read my anti-smoking blog.

So, are these fire ants?   

I was going to spray the area with pesticide, but I don't want to antagonize them.  I hope after this is over, I don't need to call a carpenter. 

Although I don't believe in letting dogs run loose, and it's also prohibited by law, sometimes our little friends get away and end up in a local animal shelter.

Make sure you always check immediately for your pet at every shelter in the area.  Don't rely on calling or using the internet.  Go in person to check. They get thousands of animals every month...yes, that's right.  17,000 a year!

I hope it's not too late, but up to 35 dogs will be put down in the next few days because of an upper respiratory virus that has spread throughout the shelter.  Some of these dogs have only been at the shelter for a week.  The Lee County Animal Shelter will not adopt out these dogs, but if you can prove ownership, you can pay for treatment.  My guess is that, if this virus is treatable, the only reason for putting all of these puppies to death must be money.  It's so sad.

Please make sure your dog is secure when you leave your home.  That doesn't mean chaining him to a tree either.  If you live in the area and have lost a pet or know someone who has, please call  (239) 533-7387 or go to leelotspets.com and click on press releases for more information.

I heard this story on the evening news, but never thought of posting it here until I saw this on Craig's List tonight. 

http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/pet/572725797.html

I wish I had seen the numbers below before "turning" in a stray cat that was sick last April.  She never committed any crimes.  She just wanted a good home.  I never realized that it was a sure death sentence, but look at this report from Lee County.

By the numbers

Lee County Animals Services for 2006

Animals taken in annually: 16,240

Returned to owner: 1,339

Adopted: 3,417

Euthanized: 10,961

Cost of food: $40,000

Cost of vet care and medicine: $275,000

Source: Lee County Animal Services

Please read this article that appeared in the news today.  This is what I've been saying all along.  The Florida legislature is run by Republicans and the Governor of Florida (formerly the Attorney General under Jeb Bush) is a conservative Republican.  They voted to push back the primary to January 29th knowing that the DNC would punish the voters.  I am trying to understand why WE lost our voice.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3SsrXUFz9F4qVCx3zz9hMP0qKOwD8UP54N81

I want to ask a question and hope to get an honest answer.  How many people here have been influenced by a "campaign" in their state?  Has anyone here ever met a Presidential candidate in person?  Have you gone to a rally where a candidate spoke?  The voters in FL made their choice already and the Republicans took it away from us.  Obama called Florida "a beauty contest" which is an insult to all Floridians who wanted to be heard and went to the polls. That's why there was a record turnout.  Now if there are caucuses held in Florida and Michigan, I'm sure he'll be changing his tune.  The primary represented the majority of the people, a caucus will not.

Just a side note:  Keep in mind that many of the people who voted for Sen Clinton won't be in Florida by the summer.  The media keeps saying she attracts the "older voters" and many retirees go up north for a few months after May.  In some areas as many as half of the regestered voters live here for 6 months.

When I was thinking of a title to this blog, I realized that it would be almost impossible for the media to reach a new low.  After all, Don Imus called someone's daughter a "nasty hoe" so why would it surprise me when a news anchor suggested that the Clintons were "pimping out their daughter?" 

If I recall, the Bush twins had a blast when George W. campaigned.  It's common for family members to promote the candidates. 

To me, Chelsea is one of the strongest women in the spotlight.  Although reporters say she's been sheltered, I doubt if that's true or even possible. After all, she is an educated young woman. She must get that tough quality from her mother. 

When Bill Clinton was President, I heard such disgusting jokes about their young daughter.  Do you remember in 1998 when Senator McCain said that 18 year old Chelsea was ugly?  Yet he is probably going to be the Republican nominee.  I can't imagine why anyone would vote for a man who would lower himself to that level.  His exact words were:

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."

I never thought Chelsea was ugly.  She was a just teenager who was going through that awkward period.  But I guess even a man who calls himself a war hero doesn't feel ashamed to insult someone's little girl when she is simply trying to deal with all the problems and insecurities that most kids have during adolescence.

It's totally amazing to me that when Bill Clinton called something Senator Obama said a "fairy tale" the MSNBC anchormen called him a racist.  Yet calling Hillary a *B* all the time, and now insulting her daughter must be different.  I guess sexist remarks aren't considered to be objectionable.

Bloggers all over the internet and people calling into radio talk shows are defending MSNBC anchorman David Shuster.  What does that tell you about the mentality of our voters and the morals of our society?  We have now begun to accept that obscenities are "cool."  One person who criticized the Clintons for overreacting asked, "What will happen when a foreign power makes an insulting remark of a similar nature?"  Well, I'm no expert on foreign affairs, but my reaction to this question would be that it will never happen.  I'm saddened that a country that prides itself on a good educational system and strong family values has been reduced to applauding reporters who use street slang on the evening news.  Have we lost our dignity as a people?

In January this same news network insulted Senator Clinton when Chris Matthews said "the reason she's a U.S. senator, the reason she's a candidate for president, the reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around."  Now you can say that on this board if you want and so can I.  We still have Free Speech in this country (well, some of the time) but it's not appropriate journalism and is totally sexist and unfounded.  After all what he basically said is that millions of people in New York, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts and Florida (a state that doesn't seem to matter) voted for her because of her husband's infidelity?  Of course, we already know Mr. Matthews doesn't like women in politics.  He made sexist remarks against Nancy Pelosi too.

If you think I sound like a feminist, then think again.  I love it when a man opens the door for me and I certainly don't mind being complimented on a new hairdo or getting flowers.  However, requiring journalists to report the news and to keep bigotry, racism, sexism (or whatever other distasteful, personal qualities he or she possesses) out of it, isn't feminism, it's humanism.

Let's see if you can outsmart your foot. Okay?

I realize that the election process in our country has never been perfect, but this year it is a mockery of our very Democracy, our right to vote.  In the end, stripping 210 delegates in one of the largest swing states is the same as punishing voters because of a dispute between the DNC and the Florida Legislature. Yes, I know in the end the Party will select its candidate, but as a registered Florida voter, I believe I have been ignored and disenfranchised.  I am angry!  OMG - It's 2000 all over again. 

What about all these delegate counts?  Let us look at the caucuses for a minute.  I really never quite understood them, so I read how people get together at a planned time and argue about who should be the next presidential candidate.  This is why they are unfair and IMHO also unconstitutional.

They do not represent the majority. Am I the only person who is outraged that the Nevada caucus date completely disregarded Orthodox Jews who explained they cannot vote or even ride in a car on Saturday?  What about the Seventh Day Adventists whose Sabbath is also on Saturday? 

Another reason they're unfair is that most people can't take time off from work to join a caucus. What about all the casino workers in Nevada? Here is one Nevada resident who didn't get a chance to vote. I mean, shouldn't each person get a chance to cast his vote instead of a select few who have an extra 5 or 6 hours to kill?

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7759004

In Iowa only a small portion of the state's population was represented. Some people have very busy schedules or have young children, others work evening shifts, and some just don't have several hours to debate with their neighbors about politics.  The voting process is supposed to be private and each citizen's right to decide.  It should be swift too.  When I was working 10 hour days, I had to get up extra early on Tuesday and rush to the polls to vote, but I was able to do it. I never would have been able to participate in a caucus.  Maybe many people aren't physically capable of participating in a caucus.

I remember the first time I voted.  I was very excited to be part of this wonderful Democracy and went behind that secret curtain to cast my vote.  Maybe a lot of people don't want to sit around and talk to strangers or neighbors about their personal political views. 

In Iowa there are no absentee ballots allowed.  A police officer or fire fighter on duty cannot vote.  If you drive an ambulance, can you leave your shift to join a caucus?  Here is what one blogger said:

http://coldfusion-guy.blogspot.com/2008/01/whats-unfair-about-iowa-caucuses.html

So even the brave men & women abroad can't participate in the primary if you live in a state that doesn't allow absentee ballots.  If you are bedridden you can't vote either.  So, in other words, you don't matter in the primary. 

I live in a state where there are no caucuses, and I felt good about that.  We were allowed to vote as early as 2 weeks before the January 2 primary in Florida.  So I drove to the polls and it took less than 2 minutes since I already had my sample ballot completed.  

The Democratic National Committee says no delegates will be seated.  That's what they told the people in Michigan too.  Their votes don't count either.  Are they really saying "We don't care what you think.  We will make that decision for you."  I signed a petition asking for another primary in Florida.  I know it won't happen, but I also wrote a letter to express my frustration.  Maybe it was a waste of time, but I believe in uniformity in voting procedures.  I believe all citizens, regardless of age, race, social or financial status, Democrat or Republican, deserve equal assurance that their votes are cast in the same way and will be tabulated with equal accuracy.  In other words, we want to be counted.

My Dad voted in every election before he died at 93. The Department of Veteran Affairs gave me an American flag at his grave to honor his service to our country in WWII.  I was raised to honor that flag which stood for freedom, liberty and justice for all. It used to bring tears to my eyes.  Now it is a reminder of the freedoms we've lost. 

We need to be heard and shout from the rooftops that people died for our flag and our rights, which have been trampled upon by the war criminals who sit in Washington. Why aren't we marching in the streets?  Why are we letting a select few run our country?   

The media is also making decisions for us more than ever.  It's obvious which candidate CNN wants to win and it doesn't even pretend to hide its bias.  But that will be on another blog, since I'm tired and well...disenchanted and disenfranchised.

Sorry for the rambling. I was going to edit, but as Pumpi once wrote "A blog isn't a term paper."

BUFORD, Ga. - Two off-duty officers from different police departments wounded each other in a gun fight in the middle of a road in an Atlanta suburb, authorities said.

Both officers suffered non-life-threatening wounds, police said. Their conditions were not immediately known on Saturday.

Officer Jay Daily, a five-year veteran of the Duluth Police Department, exchanged multiple gunshots with Fulton County officer Paul Phillips on Friday afternoon, police said.

Daily was in custody Saturday, charged with aggravated assault, Cpl. Illana Spellman of the Gwinnett County police said.

"It's been confirmed that the Duluth police officer was the aggressor in this case," Spellman said.

Phillips, 37, required surgery at Gwinnett Medical Center. A hospital spokesman said Saturday he could not release information about the two officers. He referred questions to Spellman, who did not immediately have an update on their injuries.

"It's been baffling to us why this situation even occurred," said Duluth Police Chief Randy Belcher. "It's an embarrassment to this agency."

Phillips, who was wearing his uniform and in a marked police car, was driving to his home in Gwinnett County, police said. He was flagged down by someone who had seen Daily involved in a physical altercation with a woman in a sport-utility vehicle.

Daily, who lives in the area, was off duty and in civilian clothing but was wearing a bulletproof vest, police said.

Police did not know what relationship Daily had with the woman or what started the confrontation. The woman, who was not identified, later was hospitalized for minor injuries she suffered before the shooting started, police said.

Belcher described Daily as "an outstanding officer" and said he was suspended while the investigation is under way.

Did anyone watch Bill Moyers Journal on Friday evening on PBS?  I always knew the Bush administration was secretive and corrupt, and I am aware of Blackwater's mercenary army, but I still found the facts uncovered during the congressional hearings, discussed by Representive Waxman to be very disturbing. 

I'll admit that until Friday at 9:00, I never heard of Lurita Doan. Have you? As head of the General Services Administration, Doan oversees $500 billion dollars worth of federal assets. Yup, $500 billion of our tax money. She was found to be in violation of the Hatch Act, a law prohibiting federal employees from using government resources for partisan purposes. She was asked to resign. So why is Doan still the head of the GSA?  Please watch the video if you haven't seen it and tell me how we can hold people like Doan accountable? What about any employee appointed by the government to spend our tax dollars? 

Although she handles $500 billion and misued her power, she is way down on my list of cheaters in the government today.  The criminal acts of Bush, Cheney and Rice are far worse.  Secret contracts with no competitive bids awarded? A billion dollars to build an embassy in Iraq that is still not finished?  Kidnapping laborers and flying them to Baghdad using our tax dollars?  Halliburton, Blackwater, and all the other private companies stealing billions from the American people and purposely stalling progress in Iraq for profit?  

Go to Bill Moyers site and read the transcript, please. Watch the video. Listen to Kathleen Hall Jamieson when she asks "What is a protective over watch mission?"  Maybe the program will be aired again. Check your listings.   

Here's just a sample:

BILL MOYERS: Did you find fraud, waste and abuse in that process?

REP. HENRY WAXMAN: Yes. We found billions of dollars that cannot be accounted for. That cannot be justified. And it's a scandal.

BILL MOYERS: A scandal made worse, Waxman says, because the person who should be cleaning it up - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- hasn't been forthcoming with the committee. Her Republican allies on the Committee said she was too busy to testify.

How about when Representative Carolyn Maloney asked Secretary Rice about a $4.2 million swimming pool that has never been built?  This was her answer.

SEC. CONDOLEEZZA RICE: You can tell your constituents this is not a matter of having "lost" the money. This is a matter of invoices, as I am told by the people who are doing this. This is a matter of invoices and records that were not solid enough for us to be confident that the goods and services were being billed properly. This was a Department of State audit of its own procedures that came under new management because there were problems with the Bureau of INL. And that's very often the case with many of the things that have been mentioned here. It is the Department that finds problems and then seeks to fix them.

BILL MOYERS: When Condoleezza Rice came before your committee, she said, "That-- that's-- the money's not really missing. It's an accounting problem."

Last summer I remember when Rory Mayberry, an Emergency Medical Technician, testified that he believes that First Kuwaiti kidnapped 52 Filipino nationals to work on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.  But seeing it again and hearing about the deplorable conditions these workers had to endure...well it gave me chills up and down my spine.

Please watch this YouTube video if you never saw Mayberry's testimony: 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evRPwwyno_c

In Florida today:

CLEARWATER, Fla. - What are the odds? Leo Fiyalko, 92, a legally blind golfer with macular degeneration, scored a hole-in-one at a Clearwater Country Club.

"It's my first hole-in-one, and I never saw it," Fiyalko said. He said he was just trying to put his ball on the green.

A plaque at the Cove Cay Country Club now marks his achievement.

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/31/Northpinellas/Legally_blind_golfer_.shtml

MY NEW CAR

I bought a new Cadillac CTS but returned to the dealer the next day because I couldn't get the radio to work.

The salesman explained that the radio was voice activated.

"Nelson," the salesman said to the radio.

The Radio replied, "Ricky or Willie?"

"Willie!" he continued and "On The Road Again" came from the speakers.

Then he said, "Ray Charles!" and in an instant "Georgia On My Mind" replaced Willie Nelson.

I drove away a happy customer, and for the next few days, every time I'd say, "Beethoven," I'd get beautiful classical music.

If I said, "Beatles," I'd get one of their awesome songs.

Yesterday, a driver ran a red light and nearly creamed my new Cadillac, but I swerved

just in time to avoid him.

I yelled, "A** Hole!" and immediately "Hail-to-the-Chief"  began playing.

I LOVE this car!

This isn't a political statement.  Just some facts.  

As many of you know, France just passed a ban on smoking in public places, including restaurants.  A survey shows that 70% of its citizens approve of this ban.  This figure sounds about right to me.  When Florida citizens voted on a statewide ban, it passed by a landslide of 70%.  

Stange, but I am continually reading/hearing complaints by smokers about their rights. So I decided to look for articles on smoking bans and, to my surprise, most countries have such laws.

In 2004, Ireland became the first European country to introduce a comprehensive ban in all workplaces, including pubs and restaurants. Sweden, Italy, Norway and Malta soon followed. In Sweden, smoking was banned in restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs in 2005.  In 2006 Britain voted by a huge margin to ban smoking in pubs, restaurants, factories and other indoor public spaces.

Throughout Brazil smoking has been banned in most public areas including airports, government offices, rest rooms, banks, hospitals, supermarkets, shopping centers and malls. Chile bans smoking in schools, hospitals, government offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, pharmacies, airports, buses, subway networks and other public places. Many countries like Greece, which has the highest concentration of chain smokers in Western Europe, have strict bans, although smokers around the globe have been battling smoking bans for years. I googled Turkey, but all I got was a bunch of recipes!  lol

The list goes on and on and on.  Some countries allow smoking in designated areas in restaurants and others allow the province or state to decide on specific regulations.

So to those of you who keep complaining that this is a government conspiracy to control us, I guess it would have to be a worldwide plot.  Maybe it's because secondhand smoke has been scientifically proven to cause cancer and other diseases.  Could it also be because young children, whose lungs are still developing, are at increased risk for ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, allergies and asthma?

Ya think?