Looters are flippen idiots!

I heard one Alabama law enforcement official say: "I'd like to just shoot 'em and tag 'em "looter" and just leave 'em lay."

I think looters are criminals and flipping idiots!

BOHICA

Bend over, here it comes again! Americans will again be subjected to inflated prices at the gas pumps and I'm mad as a hornet about the situation!

Every time the folks on Wall Street hear any kind of oil-related report, BAM . . . up go the oil futures and, BAM . . . up go the prices at the pumps. I swear this is true . . . you could publish a report explaining the arrival of the first pubic hair on the son or daugther of some Saudi oil baron and the oil speculators would find a way to turn the report into yet another reason to raise prices! It's obscene!

Over the past 2 weeks, I've watched gas prices rise and fall - a fluctuating up and down and then settling down to $2.48 a gallon for regular until today. Reports of hurricane damage, looting, etc., today seemed to spur the price hike trend back into full gear again! It was $2.48 when I left for work this morning and $2.79 on the way home tonight. Now, I seriously doubt that every gas station sold out completely and all had their storage tanks refilled during the 9 hours I was at work. What really pisses me off is the fact that gas stations jump on the band wagon and hike the prices immediately. If the station had to pay more for a new load of fuel, I understand their passing the price increase on to consumers . . . but we're talking about fuel in their tanks already invoiced and paid for at a lower price . . . and we're getting screwed as a result of greed.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that we really don't have a oil supply problem but rather a refining and distribution problem. 40 different "blends" of fuel to meet EPA/wacko tree hugger environmental mandates helps drive up price, as does the fact that we haven't built any new refineries in years. I was happy to hear President Bush announce the EPA blend regulations have been suspended for the time being. That seems like a step in the right direction. While we rebuild the infrastructure along the Gulf Coast, why not throw in a dozen new refineries or so . . . that couldn't hurt either! Yes, I know this is all a band aid approach, but right now I'll settle for gas prices back under $2.50 a gallon until we find a way to end our dependance on fossil fuels. Until then, BOHICA - $3.00 by next week, wanna bet?

Been there, done that . . .

Colonoscopy Chatter:

A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their colonoscopies:

1. "Take it easy Doc, you're boldly going where no man has gone before!"

2. "Find Amelia Earhart yet?"

3. "Can you hear me NOW?"

4. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

5. "You know in Arkansas we're now legally married." (my personal favorite)

6. "Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?"

7. "You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...

"8. "Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"

9. "If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!"

10. "Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."

11. "You used to be an executive at Enron didn't you?" And the best one of them all...1

2. "Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is in fact not up there.

But, MJ has moved to the Middle East

Let's hope the kids in Iraq are still safe! The Saudi's are in for a real treat with MJ taking up residence there.

Note to self . . .

Another magnificent day . . .

Count down to kick off - 4 days!

Go Lions!

Bumper stickers you see around here

South Central Pennyslvania is a sportsman's paradise . . . "huntin' season" is just around the corner and it's easy to spot "locals" sporting bumper stickers like these. It's all part of the culture of the "other Pennsylvania" so many of us know and love!

Marriage . . .

George was going to be married to Karen, so his father sat him down for a little chat.

He said, "George, let me tell you something. On my wedding night in our honeymoon suite I took off my pants, handed them to your mother, and said, 'Here - try these on.'

She did and said, 'These are too big I can't wear them.'

I replied, 'Exactly. I wear the pants in this family and I always will.'

Ever since that night we have never had any problems."

"Hmmm," said George. He thought that might be a good thing to try. On his honeymoon, George took off his pants and said to Karen: "Here- try these on."

She tried them on and said: "These are too large. They don't fit me."

George said, "Exactly. I wear the pants in this family and I always will. I don't want you to ever forget that."

Then Karen took off her pants and handed them to George.

She said, "Here- you try on mine."

He did and said, "I can't get into your pants."

Karen said: "Exactly. And if you don't change your smart ass attitude, you never will."

Note to self . . .

Last night and today were magnificent.

Not all kooks are in Crawford . . .

SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) - Members of a church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq.

The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They chased the church members cars' down a highway, waving flags and screaming "God bless America."

"My husband is over there, so I'm here to show my support," 41-year-old Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears came to her eyes. "To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no matter what your beliefs are."

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps' children, grandchildren and in-laws.

The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God hates fags" and "God hates you."

About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland City. Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the nation.

The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of the Tennessee National Guard.
Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro Baptist members brought.

So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that police, sheriff's deputies and state troopers were brought in to control traffic and protect the protesters.
The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time expired on the protest permits.

"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them," Danny Cotton, 56, said amid cries of "get out of our town" and "get out of our country."

"But for them to come during the worst time for this family - it's just wrong."

Around for a while but still funny!

I always liked this cartoon . . .

I live for this stuff . . .

Only 6 days remain until the first game of what could be the Lions best season in several years. After watching the dramatic finish of the 1969 Orange Bowl, I've been hooked on Penn State football ever since. The Lions have faced some hard times in recent years and speculation continues about the effectiveness of long-time coach and college football icon, Joe Paterno. I'll never forget a statement made by Beano Cooke (sports prognosticator and commentator): "In close games, Joe Paterno's expertise is worth 3 points." Beano was talking about a point spread. Some folks will argue that Joe's lost his "edge" and should retire.

I think the team is going to turn things around and have a winning season this year. I don't know if Beano's 3 point theory works anymore or not, but I do believe Joe's expertise is as viable as ever! Coach Paterno knows how to prepare teams for winning campaigns. PSU looks to have some easy games in early September and the "first showdown" game against Northwestern on 24 SEP. It's way too early to talk bowl games but I think PSU will go to one this year. Who knows, if the Lions excel by mid-season and knock off a few ranked teams, it could be a major bowl. I think Joe wants to "retire with dignity" and PSU winning a major bowl would provide the impetus. Joe's earned the right to retire on a major victory and on his own terms.

State's defense should be excellent again this year, especially the secondary. The offense will need those early games to gel. Joe's gotta consider playing some of the talented Frosh on the team. Most pre-season polls show PSU ranked between 25th and 30th. Several pre-season pubs predict PSU to have a winning year and go to a minor bowl game.

Winning season or not, college football season is finally here! I live for this stuff . . . Go Lions!

Interesting patterns . . .

Just love it . . .

A Testmonial ........I just got my new Lexus RX400h, and returned to the dealer the next day, complaining that I couldn't figure out how the radio worked.

The salesman explained that the radio was voice activated.Watch this! he said.."Nelson!" The radio replied, "Ricky or Willie?""Willie!" he continued....and On The Road Again came from the speakers.I drove away happy, and for the next few days, every time I'd say, "Beethoven!" I'd get beautiful classical music, and if I said, "Beatles!" I'd get one of their awesome songs.

One day, a couple ran a red light and nearly creamed my new car, but I swerved in time to avoid them.

"ASS-HOLES!" I yelled.....The French National Anthem began to play, sung by Jane Fonda and Michael Moore, backed up by John Kerry on guitar, Al Gore on drums and Bill Clinton on sax....I LOVE this car !!!!!!!!!

Novel idea . . .

Coincidence . . .

A matter of perspective . . .

Niagara Falls . . .

Eye of a storm . . .

Build this . . .

Yep . . .

I thought this was funny . . .

Everyone knows someone like this!

Locals . . . unique holiday decorations

You can't buy these at Walmart or Target . . . and I won't recommend stealing them off anyone's lawns around here!

Some locals . . .

Some of the boys getting a better view of racing at a nearby dirt track . . . while expressing their sentiments to the local constable.

One of the locals . . .

(DD Disclaimer) Just so I don't really piss someone off . . . I kid around quite a bit about my adopted hometown (and surrounding residents) . . . all of the "Locals" photos are spoofs and any resemblance to actual inhabitants is strictly a coincidence. I love it here! Actually, you have to travel a few miles outside of my neighborhood to encounter some of these "characters" - unless of course they've come to town to "do their buyin". The photos in the "Locals" thread are representative of some of the attitudes, values, life styles, and unique personalities I've encountered during my brief but interesting stay in the area.

I had to think about for a minute too . . .

Where can I get one of these?

Naah . . . it ain't political . . . my ass!

The camp at Crawford is full of Cindy Sheehan supporters, people from all walks of life, but off to the side are a small group of professionals skilled in politics and public relations who are marketing Cindy Sheehan's message.

Cindy Sheehan kneels before a cross with her son's name on it, touches his picture, wipes her tears. It's an outpouring of emotion that is part of a scheduled news event organized daily for the television, radio and print reporters who crowd in to capture a mother's grief.

Cindy Sheehan: "I'm never going to see him again, I'm never going to hold him again, I'm never going to hear his voice again."

Sheehan's message hasn't changed since she got here, but the support staff interested in getting that message out to the world has grown considerably.

Organizers are set up in a house trailer. Their meetings closed to reporters.
Leading the group is Fenton Communications employee, Michele Mulkey, based in San Francisco. Fenton specializes in public relations for liberal non-profits.

Their bills are being paid for by True Majority, a non-profit set up by Ben Cohen -- of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream fame.

Ben Cohen, True Majority: "People are willing to listen to her and we want to do as much as we can to make her voice heard."

Cohen's group has teamed up with Berkeley based MoveOn.org, an anti-Bush group co-founded by Joan Blades.

Earlier this month, MoveOn helped organize anti-war vigils in support of Cindy Sheehan.
Current Democratic National Party Chair Howard Dean's organization Democracy for America is also involved, as is the more radical anti-war group Code Pink organized by San Francisco's Medea Benjamin.

Money donated through these groups and others is helping to pay for Gold Star families whose children have been killed in Iraq to attend anti-Bush protests.

From The Broken Wings

"I saw your face through my tears and your eyes gazing at me and I remembered what you said to me once (Come, Selma, come and let us be strong towers before the tempest. Let us stand like brave soldiers before the enemy and face his weapons. If we are killed, we shall die as martyrs; and if we win, we shall live as heroes. Braving obstacles and hardships is nobler than retreat to tranquillity.)"

"These words, my beloved, you uttered when the wings of death were hovering around my father?s bed; I remembered them yesterday when the wings of despair were hovering above my head. I strengthened myself and felt, while in the darkness of my prison, some sort of precious freedom easing our difficulties and diminishing our sorrows."

"I found out that our love was as deep as the ocean and as high as the stars and as spacious as the sky. I came here to see you, and in my weak spirit there is a new strength, and this strength is the ability to sacrifice a great thing in order to obtain a greater one; it is the sacrifice of my happiness so that you may remain virtuous and honourable in the eyes of the people and be far away from their treachery and persecution."

KAHLIL GIBRAN

How to put sunshine in your day!

One of the locals . . .

What we really think when we check these signs . . .

A study in contrasts . . .

In this week's pay voucher . . .

No explanation needed . . .

The way some guys see it . . .

Learn to work the toilet seat. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us bitching about you leaving it down.

If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

We like to see your ass in tight pants.If you think you're fat, you probably are.

Don't ask us. We refuse to answer. If we tell you the truth our ass is in the dog house.

Don't cut your hair. Ever. Long hair is always more attractive than short hair. One of the big reasons guys fear getting married is that married women always cut their hair, and by then you're stuck with her. But we don?t like to look at all that shitty hair on your legs!

Birthdays, Valentines, and Anniversaries are not quests to see if we can find the perfect present yet again! You?d be better off buying your own damn gift.

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear. Like "Yes I think she looks good. She hasn?t let her ass get fat like yours."

Sometimes, we're not thinking about you. Live with it. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as navel lint, the shotgun formation, monster trucks or the big tits on that blonde across the street.

Sunday = Sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides Let it be. Find a hobby that gets your ass out of the house on Sundays.

Shopping is not a sport, and no, we're never going to think of it that way. The only sporty thing to us about shopping is sitting on a bench in the mall and watching all the young chicks walking by.

When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine. Really. No matter what you drape on your ass will look good on some other female.

You have enough clothes unless it?s all sexy under-ware.

You have too many shoes.

Bitching is irritating.

Ask for what you want. Let's be clear on this one: Subtle hints don't work. Strong hints don't work. Really obvious hints don't work. Just say it! And say it without all those damn tears!

We don't know what day it is. We never will.

Get off your ass and mark anniversaries, or other dates that are important, on the calendar.

Pissing standing up is more difficult. We're bound to miss sometimes. As long as we don?t piss on you get over it!

Most guys own three pairs of shoes. What makes you think we'd be any good at choosing which pair, out of thirty, would look good with your dress? We really don?t give a shit what shoes you wear.

Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question. It?s not our fault that when we say "yes" and you expected the answer to be "no" you get your short hairs in a wad.

Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. We know you?re too dumb to figure things out for yourself.

Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for. If you want sympathy from a man learn the art of giving a descent blowjob and learn to swallow.

A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor or learn how to turn over and get it from the rear. One way or the other we?re going to get what we need.

Foreign films are best left to foreigners. Unless it?s a porn film we?re watching during sex.

When you say your oil needs to be checked we figure you are telling us, in a polite way because there?s kids close by, you want a good reaming.

It is neither in your best interest nor ours to take the quiz together unless it?s a quiz on how many positions you can get into while our dick is ramming you. No, it doesn't matter how short a quiz. As long as we get satisfied.

Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.

All agreements become null and void after 7 days especially if it?s some- thing we said after getting a blowjob.

If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry get over it. We really don?t give a shit one way or the other.

Let us ogle. We're going to look anyway; it's genetic. We looked at your ass and you liked it!

You can either tell us to do something OR tell us how to do something but not both.

We don?t care where your "spot" is.

Say whatever you have to say during the commercials. We don?t care to listen your whining during a really good tits and ass movie.

ALL men see in only 16 colors.

Peach is a fruit, not a color.

Our favorite color is pussy pink.

If it itches, it will be scratched. If you don?t like to see us scratch ourselves learn to scratch it for us.

Beer is as exciting for us as handbags are for you. Be grateful that we even want to be near your sorry ass before we drink the beer.

If we ask what's wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you're lying. We don?t give a shit. We just want to shut you up.

Your ex-boyfriend is not an idiot. The fact that he threw your sorry ass out is proof.

Do not fake it. We would rather be ineffective than deceived. It?s not really our fault you don?t get satisfied. If you weren?t so wrapped up in in all that foreplay shit there would be plenty of time for you to get your jollies too!

Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out.

If you even think of touching it you deserve what you find.

Christopher Columbus did not need directions, and neither do we.

Who gives a shit weather we turn left instead of right just enjoy the scenery.

Women wearing Wonderbras and low-cut blouses lose their right to complain about having their boobs stared at.

If you dress like an easy woman, you should expect to be treated like one.

More women should wear Wonderbras and low-cut blouses. We like staring at boobs.

The relationship is never going to be like it was the first two months we were going out. After two months the sex isn?t new anymore and boredom sets in.

If it is OUR house, I do not understand why MY stuff gets thrown in the closet/attic/basement since you "never have anything to wear" AND your shit is only good for one evening out anyway.

We are not mind readers and we never will be. Our lack of mind-reading ability is not proof of how little we care about you but is an indication that we just don?t give a shit what you are thinking.

If we hear from an old girlfriend, we will briefly fantasize about making out with her. But do not worry; the fantasy includes you AND her, together

0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds . . .

Ykes!

From The Broken Wings

"The sorrowful spirit finds rest when united with a similar one. They join affectionately, as a stranger is cheered when he sees another stranger in a strange land. Hearts that are united through the medium of sorrow will not be separated by the glory of happiness. Love that is cleansed by tears will remain externally pure and beautiful. " Kahlil Gibran

Finally, this one makes sense . . .

Haaaah! Yep, we're still pissed . . . have you noticed that since we've taken the war "over there" we haven't had any problems "over here"?

Things are seldom what they seem . . .

In a crowded city at a crowded bus stop, a beautiful blonde was waiting for the bus.

She was decked out in a tight leather mini skirt with matching tight leather boots and jacket. As the bus rolled up and it became her turn to get on, she became aware that her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to come up to the height of the first step on the bus.

Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver she reached behind her and unzipped her skirt a little thinking that this would give her enough slack to raise her leg. Again she tried to make the step onto the bus only to discover she still couldn't!

So, a little more embarrassed she once again reached behind her and unzipped her skirt a little more and for a second time attempted the step and once again, much to her chagrin she could not raise her leg because of the tight skirt. So, with a coy little smile to the driver she again unzipped the offending skirt to give a little more slack and again was unable to make the step.

About this time the big Texan that was behind her in the line picked her up easily from the waist and placed her lightly on the step of the bus.

Well, she went ballistic and turned on the would-be hero screeching at him "How dare you touch my body!! I don't even know who you are!"

At this the Texan drawled "Well ma'am normally I would agree with you but after you unzipped my fly three times, I kinda figured that we was friends."

Technically, the US soldier above is "deployed as a dragoon". By definition, a dragoon is an infantry soldier who rides a mount (horse, mule, donkey, APC, chopper, etc.) but fights as infantry, not as a cavalry trooper. Interesting photo from the war on terror, I gotta believe it is a "spoof".

$17.00 Walmart Grill . . . smokes "em

Made by Sunbeam and available for under $20.00 at your local Walmart (next year, the shelves are bare now), the little charcoal grill is a real ass-kicker! Man, I love this grill . . . so much so, I went out and bought a second one just to be sure there was always one around for camping and Penn State tailgate parties this Fall.

It's all about the grill when it comes to the BBQ ritual. My little Sunbeam has 2 grilling surfaces/shelves (I only use the top shelf, I'm a slow cooker), front and rear draft controls, and a top smoke/heat vent. What a great little grill! Perfect temperature and cooking control is the best feature (besides the price, which is fairly attractive), easy breakdown for cleaning, and with some care it should last for several years. I invested in a 4 burner stainless steel gas grill earlier this summer and have used it 3 times all season . . . my little Sunbeam is cookin' almost daily!

Over the weekend, I experimented with low temp/indirect heat/wood chip smoking on the Sunbeam with excellent results. Both pork loin strips and NY strip steaks did great. We have a neighborhood pork and rib fest planned for October . . . I think the little Subeams will be more than up to the task.

More dog photos

OK . . . I'm a dog lover

Camping Weekend . . .

For August, it was a near perfect camping weekend! Yep, the temperatures made running the AC in the motorhome necessary at times, but overall, you couldn't have asked for better conditions. Another excellent weekend at Drummer Boy Campgrounds.