Cat, Car and a Crabby Old Man

Ok, first of all I want to assure everyone that all is well between me and the cat I share my home with.   You need not worry that his hide is nailed up to the side of my shed.  In fact, he spent a good part of this afternoon on my lap, getting his ears scratched and his belly rubbed.  (He actually likes having his belly rubbed...  but touch his feet and you have crossed the line.)

This morning was one of those days when it was barely worth the effort to chew through the straps and get out of bed.   Right off the bat my car died.   It seemed to have power, but growled like my ex-wife when I tried to get it started.    I had my brother come over and we tired jumping it, to no avail.  I finally had to have the ambulance come and haul it off to the witch doctor.

After a couple of hours of dancing around the car, shaking rattles and chanting incantations designed as much to bring him money as to heal my car.  He appears to have been successful on both counts.   The car is back purring along (as is the cat), and he is considerably richer.

All told, it wasn't as bad as I had expected; (as I told my brother, it won't be cheap because they won't even look under the hood for less than $300.00.) 

On a somewhat brighter note; my youngest daughter, who graduated from college last month, has found a job, and will now be able to start paying off school loans.   She has to go out of town for a week of training the end of the month... but at least both kids are going to have jobs now.... It is looking much better for my plans to retire and have them support me. 

Well, Jachin (the cat) is again ready for some of his favorite treats, so I best go tend to that before he attacks my desk and starts walking across the keyboard.

Cheers!

Ranting about the Cat of the House

The cat I share my house with is a fat, furry pig, and I have been telling him so.

Today, in an attempt to please him, I brought home a new cat food, and put it down for his dining pleasure.  The fuzzy little oinker proceeded to scarf up nearly the whole dish full in about two gulps.

This in itself would have been tolerable.  But, then his porky little constitution suddenly realized that his eyes were bigger than his belly, and he nonchalantly waddled over to the rug and promptly barfed up the whole meal.

I discovered this little indiscretion just in time to avoid having the whole slimy wad squishing up between my toes.  I complained loudly to him about his disgusting lack of domestication. This fell entirely upon the ears of a totally unrepentant little beast.   And, just to show me that he didn't give a hoot about my concern for the rug (let alone my toes), he went over to his treat dish and gazed alternately into the empty bowl  and then at me, and then back.   Completely oblivious to my rantings.

Of course he knows that it is only a matter of time until I cave in and puts some of his favorite treats into the bowl.  Even though he has left the mess for me to clean up.

The big turd has my number.

BP Oil Spill and W. R. Grace Asbestos contamination: Examples of Enviromental Irresponsibiltiy

OK, so it appears I am not going to be able to resist blogging about environmental disasters, and corporate greed without any concern for the planet or the people on it.   I keep hearing how the environmental disaster caused by BP's lack of safety concerns is the worst in this country's history.  And, it is no doubt right up there. 

But really, it doesn't compare with Union Carbide gassing and killing 2,500 to 15,000 (depending on which estimate you use) people and injuring thousands more in Bhopal India.

And there are other Corporation caused disasters in the U.S. that rival or exceed BP's spewing hole.   There was the Tennessee Valley Authority’s a massive coal waste spill in 2008 that sent over billion gallons of potentially toxic sludge into the Clinch River and surrounding land in Kingston, Tennessee. That spill was about 50 times larger than the 1989 Exxon-Valdez spill in Alaska.

I doubt many remember the Love Canal Toxic Dump fiasco that was indentified back in the late 70's.  In 1952 Hooker Chemical was given permission to dump 21,000 tons of industrial chemicals at the site, covering it up with dirt and vegetation.  Then sold the land to the local school board for one dollar -  The toxins were unknown for years and caused high rates of asthma, miscarriages, mental retardation and other health problems among the children of the community.   Love Canal Homeowners Association found that 56% of the children born from 1974-1978 had a birth defect.

 And, my personal favorite, because it affects me and my family directly:   The Asbestos Contamination of Libby, Montana, and its residents over about 50 years from the 1940's to the 1970's By W. R. Grace & Co.   In a town with an average population of something like 3,200, over 200 hundred death are directly attributed to the contamination, and another 2,000 to 3,000 have been diagnosed with asbestosis - a progressive lung disease... leaving affected with something like a 70% increased risk of cancer.

What do these all have in common,  The fact that none of the companies have ever had to own up and pay up for all of the damages, through extended law suits (drawn out for years by companies with really deep pockets), Bankruptcies, Transferring of assets to other companies and all kinds of legal hocus pocus to keep from having to pay out any more than a few cents on the dollar in reparations for damages to people and property, these companies have avoided ever truly being held liable for the damages they caused.

Yes, BP's spill is doing a number on the country, but this isn't the first time and it won't be the last time corporations put profits ahead of safety, human life or the environment.  Because "Corporations are good for the economy, they create jobs, and we need jobs".... (The Kiddy Porn Industry creates jobs, too - if you want to extend that argument out.)  And, as long as corporations have the right to influence elections and buy, er um... support politicians we are going to see them get away with murder, quite literally.

Enough of the gloom and doom.   I will try to go lighter next time.

Cheers!

Changing Times

First of all, thanks to those who visited and left (mostly kind) comments, and suggestions.   In light of some of the constructive criticisms I have changed the logo and title of my blog, apparently my first choices were too obscure in origin - and apparently intimidated some. 

I am still trying to decide whether or not I am going to tackle some controversial subjects here, or try and just muse on lighter subjects.   I'm leaning on doing both, hoping that everyone will find something of interest.   I am also thinking of posing questions about life's mysteries, in the hope that someone out there has the answers.  (One at the top of my list is why a local bank has a drive up ATM machine, with a Braille keypad.)  

I hope you will choose to follow my blog, at least semi-regularly,  you will leave me some feed back, so I know when I am on the right track and when I have drifted into the murkier areas of my reality.

Speaking of murky areas.  Is anyone else sick and tired of the 24 hour priority coverage of the BP oil spill?   I know it is a tragedy, and I do feel for those whose lives are being ruined by it.   But come on, after a month of goofing around this is getting old.   I also, by the way think that there is plenty of blame to go around on this one.   The federal government's lack of oversight is almost as appalling as the spill.   I understand that the Canadian government required that safety relief wells be drilled at the same time deep-water wells are being drilled, but the US agreed with the oil companies that simultaneous drilling of relief wells was too costly and not necessary.   As a professional armchair quarterback, I have to ask - "You guys didn't see this coming?"   And, the people (at least many of them) and the governments of those gulf states are demanding that offshore drilling not be stopped.... they need the money.  These guys need to start playing the lottery!  (By the way, I didn't win a damned thing in yesterday's!  And I need the money, too.)

I guess I have decided to start talking about controversial subjects.   I just did.

Cheers

Shopping for food and playing the Lottary

I went to the store today and picked of a few groceries. (Isn't it frightening how much a "few groceries cost? )  I could have put most of the items off until later in the week, but a chance to waste a Saturday morning was just too inviting.

Speaking of being too inviting;  They now have a vending machine for lotto tickets (National "live" type games, and scratch games) in the store, right on the way out.   It is sort of like those arcade games at the carnival; you know the cork shooting pop guns, the out of balance soft balls you throw at milk bottles, and the like.   You know you are going to loose your dollar, but what the heck, it is only a buck, so you part with your money at take a shot at it.  

Now, if you are spending the rent or grocery money, or your kids will go without - you might think twice (but probably not).   So it is exploiting the innate weaknesses of us mere mortals.   And one of the most basic of human foibles is greed.    I am sure that they have spent millions doing studies to determine that he average schmuck on the street is more likely to part with his hard earned dollar for the chance to win $20 million than for say $200 thousand.  I am pretty sure that while winning 200 million would be wonderful, winning 200K would certainly make my day. 


But even realizing all that, and the statistical long shot at even winning a few dollars, I did it...  I put my money in the machine and bought some tickets.   I am such a bad person!

Well, rest assured, IF I am a multi-millionaire tomorrow, I'm not going to tell you!   You greedy guys will all want a cut!  

On the other hand, I don't feel confident enough that I am going to be surfing the net, looking for Rolex watches and investment properties for the time being.    (Actually, I am going to do the vacuuming I have been putting off!)

Cheers!

Well, I guess it is time for me to try bloging!

So this is my inaugural blog. It isn't an auspicious start, but it is a start. I am not sure where I will be going with this blog, or what subjects will be covered, but since I have opinions, and am willing to share them. And (in most cases), I am willing to listen to intelligent arguments - and would like to think I can have my mind and opinions changed by a sound logical presentation of facts. So, now and then, whenever the mood or the muse strikes I will be here opining and soliciting information on the subject, or subjects on mind. Now, the cat I share my home with is adamant that he should be fed. So I will be back later.