Friday, March 31, 2017

Crayons, Hamburgers-- Who Cares!

Crayola is discontinuing a color. McDonald's is using unfrozen hamburger meats in some of it's burgers.

I've suffered through numerous social media reports along with TV constantly reporting on this nonsense for days.

Recently an expert giving testimony to the senate investigative committee explained how robotic software can fake stories into the top ten in popularity. As a result major media then reports on these hyped stories thinking they are at the top of the list. That's how the news business works today. As for me...



Should You?


What Constitutes An Allentown Nuisance?

"The ordinance would create a point system based on various infractions, from crimes such as corrupt organizations, human trafficking, child endangerment to violations of the Clean Water Act, animal cruelty law and noise control ordinances. Points can be assessed against a property owner or a tenant."




Sounds like a good plan to me. What say you?

Complete Analysis Of White House Russian Connection

Unless someone just crawled out from under a rock everyone realizes there's a huge stink going on. * Were the 2016 campaigns influenced by Russians?
* What role in the past or current actives do the staffers in this administration play regarding questions over Russian interference?
TV news cable channels have devoted hundreds of hours with dozens of experts in an attempt to enlighten the public. I, not being satisfied with their long winded unclear bloviations have exhausted all my resources to come up with an expert. It was a exhausting search but--as you will see--the rewards for my efforts were well worth it.

LVCI Exclusive
Now, for the first time anywhere, I'm proud to present a clear and concise account of everything we know up to this point in it's entirety.



Thursday, March 30, 2017

On This Day Russia Sells Us Alaska

Had they only known I bet they'd love to have it back.
"In 1866 the Russian government offered to sell the territory of Alaska to the United States. Secretary of State William H. Seward, enthusiastic about the prospect of American expansion, negotiated the deal for the Americans. Eduard de Stoekl, Russian Minister to the United States, negotiated for the Russians.

On March 30, 1867, the two parties agrees that the United States would pay Russia $7.2 million for the territory of Alaska. For less than 2 cents an acre, the United States acquired nearly 600,000 square miles.

Opponents of the Alaska Purchase persisted in calling it "Seward's Folly" or "Seward's Icebox" until 1896, when the great Klondike Gold Rush convinced even the harshest critics that Alaska was a valuable addition to the United States."

According to the Alaska Oil And Gas Association-- "Alaska’s oil and gas industry has produced more than 17 billion barrels of oil and 13 billion cubic feet of natural gas... The State of Alaska has collected $157 billion (in today's dollars) from oil since 1959.."




Now that's what I call
one hellva' deal!


Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Things Haven't Changed Much

Uncle Jay Explains: Apr. 21, 2014



Ok let's go way back to January 21st 2008


To learn more about Uncle Jay see my post from March 18, 2017:
     Where Did Uncle Jay Go?

Insane Monster Truck Trick

"Lee O'Donnell landed the first-ever front flip at the Monster Jam World Finals Sunday in front of a stunned crowd in Las Vegas. O'Donnell started the flip by driving on his two back wheels with the front of his car suspended in the air, and then the unthinkable happened"

More Details Here: Daily Mail.com


Monday, March 27, 2017

Here's What's Going On In The Swamp Today (03/27/2017)

"The Golden State legislator briefly disappeared the night before he announced that the Trump transition team had been the victim of “incidental surveillance... the White House did not know he was there, either."COMMENT: Or so we're led to believe.



"Yhe Law Department claimed 78,500 cigarette shipments — sent illegally from state Indian Reservations — cost the state and city more than $35 million in tax money"COMMENT: OMG--does this mean UPS is suppose check every online purchase they deliver someday too? So I guess this means they are suppose to act a collection agency for the government w/o compensation.



"John Podesta, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2016 national campaign chairman, may have violated federal law by failing to disclose the receipt of 75,000 shares of stock from a Kremlin-financed company when he joined the Obama White House in 2014"COMMENT: Russian roots run deep. Should have elected the only clean candidate when we had the chance--Bernie Sanders.



"A court-appointed investigator has found that the United States Attorney’s Office for Kansas is in possession of hundreds of phone and video recordings of communications between attorneys and their clients, inmates at a privately run prison facility in Leavenworth."COMMENT: Looks like a lot of cases could be tossed out. Smooth move Ex-Lax.





Simpler Times:
Remember when swamp gas could explain away any strange goings on?


Sunday, March 26, 2017

Polarized America

Photo: File illustration by Paul Lachine




Good Job CBS !


Brian Dickerson, Detroit Free Press Columnist -- "When Americans talk politics, we tend to talk past one another far more often than we talk to one another, even when both sides join the argument with the best of intentions... Why do some people grow up to be conservatives, while others become liberals?"

Saturday, March 25, 2017

New World Waking 2014 (Music Videos)

A few years ago my distant blogger buddy NYC singer/songwriter Steve Schalchlin posted his public performance of "New World Waking 2014".

I thought given all the conflicts still going on in the world his show is as appropriate now as it was then.

What follows are four clips from this performance among his many on YouTube.


"Holy Dirt"



"War By Default"



"I Enter This Battle Gravely"



"Epilogue"



I'd like to add a few more.
This one goes back to May 8, 2007 in Olympia, Washington.


Steve didn't end it there. "San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus meet with mothers Gabi Clayton and Carolyn Wagner before the 30th anniversary show which features songs written about the two women's experience with hate crimes perpetrated upon their gay sons.".
December 1, 2008


I consider Steve Schalchlin a amazing man. He suffers and still survives from a severe HIV infection decades beyond what doctors said would be possible. Perhaps God allowed him to live for a purpose. And for that miracle Steve hasn't disappointed even though he requires multiple medications to get him through the day.



So on this day--given what the world is going through over divisions between one another and strangers from foreign lands--I feel the time couldn't be more appropriate for this post.

I'm asking has anyone watched these videos?
This is important to me. Let me know.


Time To Get Rid Of Baseball Umpires?

"A French inventor has created £149 ($200) device that can detect whether balls are out - and he expects to sell it this summer. The device sits on the net and maps the ball's flight - using artificial intelligence (AI) to measure flight, pace and spin."


It appears this device could also be used in baseball to end arguments with the umps.

We've all seen broadcasts which show the speed of the ball as well as the batting zone in real time.

I'm certain baseball purists would be against this but wouldn't this be the ultimate in fairness?



Same would go with base runners. Computers are capable of seeing down into microseconds. Far more then any human would be capable of when it comes to being tagged out. Even slow motion camera replays are limited. Course then fans wouldn't have the same enjoyment watching players clearing the benches to slug it out and bitching about umpires' calls.


Question is which would fans prefer?


Friday, March 24, 2017

Allentown School District Does This Make Sense?

ASD Approves $12M Building 21 Deal
Stephen Althouse | WFMZ (03/24/2017)
"The Allentown School District, yet again facing a significant financial shortfall, purchased Building 21 from developer Abraham Atiyeh during Thursday night's board of directors' meeting. The vote was 9-0.

In return for 11.55 acres of land and the building, located at 265 Lehigh St., the district will part with $12 million. The deal, between Basin Property Development LP and ASD requires a $200,000 down payment, followed by the remaining $11.8 million due at closing. The district had been leasing the building since 2015."




My Comments
Let me the first to say I'm not the brightest bulb on the marquee. Maybe someone can explain to me why this makes sense.

I did a search of Lehigh County Property Records. Here's what I came we up with...






Back in January 2017 WFMZ reported--"With the help of local lawmakers, including Pa. Sen. Pat Browne, Pa. Rep. Peter Schweyer, and Pa. Rep. Michael Schlossberg, the state's third largest urban district secured a $1 million state grant...

The cash will be used to renovate the high school building, Building 21, opened two years ago as an alternative learning center."


I'm not a financial genius but if I were looking to buy property I'd be reluctant to pay nearly 3x's more then it might be worth. Perhaps there's a logical reason I'm not aware of. Absent such a explanation it appears being a developer in Allentown really pays off!

Not only would taxpayers fix up my building while I collected rent--they'd turn around a give me nearly 6x's what I paid initially less then three years later.



Apparently I'm dumb as dirt not knowing all the facts OR something seems out of whack.

Can someone enlighten me why this makes sense--what am I missing?

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Whole World Is FOS

What I learned over the last few years. The whole world is FOS.

Past History
Roosevelt loved Stalin. Thought he'd be a great partner as long as he agreed to attack the Japanese after the defeat of Germany. He also agreed in 1945 how'd Russia, we and Britain would divvy up countries after the war at the Yalta conference in Crimea. Roosevelt even laughed at and played Churchill as a fool in order to win over Stalin to the cause. Eventually all three turned out to be FOS.


Shortly after the conference Churchill somewhat undercover visited China in the hopes of winning over the Chinese government to find favor with the British Empire over U.S. interests. Churchill (a heavy drinker) once stated Anglo-Saxons were meant to be the superior race Thus justification for the continued British colonies rule over India, Africa and elsewhere.

As Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt canoodled millions continued to die fighting Japan and Hitler's troops. While at the same time the FOS madman (who never honored a treaty in his life) barked out orders safely tucked away in his mountain retreat.

Prior to this in 1944 the Democratic party destroyed heir apparent Henry Wallace's chances at becoming vice president They played every trick possible to make far less deserving Harry Truman their candidate. This eventually led to Truman becoming President despite the extreme support of delegates for Wallace at the convention. Much like they did screwing over Bernie Sanders enabling Hillary in 2016.

Moving Ahead A Few Years
The Vietnamese were portrayed as our enemies. We spread napalm, agent orange, land mines and destroyed villages like there was no tomorrow. No one yet seems to have an explanation how they'd been a threat to the United States to this day. A few decades later we invaded Afghanistan and Iraq even though all evidence pointed towards Saudi Arabia for the attacks on 9/11.

Today
Republicans along with Trump promise cheaper and better healthcare for all. A greater America for each and everyone great or small.

Democrats--who manipulated the convention in 2016 to oust Bernie Sanders are as guilty as conservatives who redistricted voting areas. Our individually perceived enemies in each and every case are FOS as all the others throughout history just as they are now.

For these reasons and many more since the biblical days I've concluded the whole world always was FOS. Whether it comes down to ethnicity, religion, whatever government is in power or anything that divides us provoking mankind to kill one another or screw over one another financially for whatever cause is nothing but more then BS.

I agree there will always be bad actors needing to be caged--other then them--ethnicity, religion nor nationality makes us not any different from one another. We're all FOS one way or another, but this killing millions of each other is beyond stupid. Imagine someone far superior looking down at this planet. There are few innocents to be found here. We not only look like fools, but who'd want to associate with the likes of us?

Surely The Gods Must Laughing At Our Foolishness




Anyone wanting an eye opening experience of history should check out Oliver Stone's "Untold History Of The United States".

It's available on DVD and also for streaming on 'Netflix'.

This is what inspired me to write this piece.


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

End Near For Allentown FBI Probe?


Sure sounds like it.

WFMZ is reporting today (03/22/2017)--"According to court paperwork, [former city managing director] Francis Dougherty pleaded guilty to one count to commit mail/wire fraud. The indictment came down on March 13 and was unsealed Wednesday. As part of his plea deal, Dougherty agreed to testify as a witness before any grand jury, hearing or trial when the government asks him to."


From what I understand the present grand jury's work will be done by the end of this month. Assuming they would hand down a further indictment to include the mayor the only thing remaining is to turn over their findings to prosecutors who'll decide whether to proceed with charges.

If prosecutors decide to enact charges it could take many months. Long after the local elections. However it's not looking good for the mayor.

There's nothing to stop the mayor from running. Hell he could even win the upcoming city election. If that should happen it would be up to council to unseat him through the city charter.

I'd never place a bet on how things will turn out with voters in Allentown given their history. Ought to be interesting how this will play out.

The main takeaway is---things are coming to a head most likely in the next few weeks.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Americans Sleep Easier-Brady Crime Solved

Tom Brady's two stolen Super Bowl jerseys recovered in MEXICO
CHRIS SPARGO FOR DAILYMAIL.COM (03/20/2017)
"The FBI has recovered the jersey worn by Tom Brady in the Super Bowl six weeks after it was stolen from his locker... thanks to the joint efforts of NFL security, New England Patriots security, law enforcement authorities and the FBI.

FBI agents also located the jersey Brady wore during the Patriots 2015 Super Bowl win, which had never before been reported as stolen. "





Whew--this takes a load off my mind


Sunday, March 19, 2017

My Favorite Music Videos (Updated 03/18/2017)

I've updated my favorite YouTube music videos. Currently there's over 1,650 videos in my various playlists. I've been accumulating these since June 2007. Most are amateur musical performers. It's my hope you'll enjoy them as I do. Out of all I do on the internet this is one of my favorite things to do.


Feel free to visit ALL MY PLAYLISTS at anytime for my latest additions.
https://www.youtube.com/user/KabulaIsTrying/playlists

Previously I provided links to each list. Trouble was every time I added a video or changed the order of play the link would break & I needed to recode it. Instead it is much easier for me to ask anyone who's interested to simply click on the link above because I add videos to the lists every few days. Thanks.


Here's a sample of one of the latest I've just added.

Shawn Mendes Mash Up (Smule)


Saturday, March 18, 2017

Philadelphia Carnaval' Canceled

"The decision to cancel El Carnaval, Organizer Edgar Ramirez said in an interview Friday, was “sad but responsible” in light of the immigration crackdown by federal authorities... “The annual parade through South Philadelphia has taken place in late April or early May for the last decade and is the city’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebration. Organizer Edgar Ramirez said as many as 15,000 gather from as far as New England and Chicago.... We don’t want anything to happen to them”

Pathetic
What kind of nation have we become. These are not terrorists.

Trump Don't Need No EPA

Trump’s budget takes a sledgehammer to the EPA
Brady Dennis and Juliet Eilperin | Washington Post (03/16/2017)
"Thursday’s proposal by the White House would slash the EPA’s budget by 31 percent..."
Ah the good old days...

Remember breathing in those lead filled smoky exhaust pipes from the car in front?






Air pollution from the making of coke for Bethlehem Steel, circa 1993.




"You can’t drain the swamp and leave all the people in it. So, I guess the first place that comes to mind will be the Environmental Protection Agency,” Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.."

Sure about That?


Where Did Uncle Jay Go?

Two of the most popular posts I've done was concerning "Uncle Jay Explains The News". I did one on May 21, 2013. Another on December 23, 2013. Between the two I've received several thousands of hits from those wanting to know where he went?

Here's One Of His Last Videos (Posted 02/03/14)

One Of Many Dozens Spanning 7+ Years

To learn more about Uncle Jay in his own words click on HIS WEBSITE. His full radio name was Jay Gilbert. "Uncle Jay" Gilbert worked at WEBN-FM 102.7 in Cincinnati, Ohio for 25 years up until he got fired on Thursday, December 6th, 2012. In a previous article (which since disappeared) he explained how he got axed like so many others on radios stations across the country as each turned towards automation and satellite feeds in efforts to avoid paying local live talent. In-so-much as he was a victim of it to that end he turned to YouTube. Now he's even disappeared from there. So I set out on a mission to see if I could find out where he's gone.

I started my quest with a search of 'Google'. I came up with his Twitter account. Alas the last post he made was on December 1, 2013. No answers there. Next I found his Facebook page. No luck either. His last post was April 27, 2014. Then I came across this blog posted in June 2010. It contained a link to 'Wikipedia'. Another dead end. Apparently Wikipedia since then removed it.

Finally I did find him on FOX FM 92.5's Facebook page. However the last post there was on April 21, 2016. Apparently at that time he hosted a program from 3-7pm in Cincinnati. Going forward clicking on the link to FOX 92.5 itself brings up Uncle Jay as now hosting a classic rock radio program from 4pm-7pm Monday through Friday.

I haven't had chance to check out his program because both my browsers refuse to play the feed. If I can get either one to work I will update accordingly. Otherwise if there's someone living in the Cincinnati area--who can verify this-- a response would be most appreciated. Not just for myself but by many others who visit this blog looking for an answer to where Uncle Jay has gone.

I'll leave you with one more "Uncle jay Explains.." classic

2013 Singing Year In Review


Oh Uncle Jay....
We soooo miss your videos!

Strange Behavior Of Electrons

"Electrons can teleport between atomic energy layers using quantum motion. They can pass from the top layer to the bottom without existing in the middle. This could help researchers develop new materials in future, including super efficient electronics and solar panels."

My Comments

This is some real Nikola Tesla stuff. Nikola spent his life trying to find a way of distributing electricity without wires. While this may not solve that problem on a large scale it certainly demonstrates it's possible at a micro level.


See the thing about electricity is no one fully understands what it is to this day. Sure we can move electrons from one place to another, but we still don't understand exactly what electromagnetic force is. We know it's effects and have used it for all the electronics in use today. Things like our appliances and so forth.

One of the greatest inventions is the MRI scanner. We know electromagnetism can move electrons. In the case of MRI imaging we are using electrons to create magnetic fields. Yet no one understands exactly what a EMF is. This discovery now further deeps the quantum mystery how EMF is able to do what it does and exactly what it is.

Being familiar with electronics I'm not quite sure what scientist find so amazing Anyone who works with electronics understands the capacitors we use build a charge on one plate. At some point (depending on frequency and charge) the other plate discharges without any electrons passing between the surfaces. Inductor coils (transformers) work the same way. Maybe I'm missing something. Is it because they've archived this using direct current since both capacitors and inductors only work in alternating currents?

They stated "electrons are caught mysteriously disappearing". Something which would not happen with inductors nor capacitors using direct current. So if scientists claim electrons can be made to appear and disappear under those conditions--this is really something.

We all understand how electrons and protons can influence magnetic forces. What remains to be discovered if neither existed would there still remain a potential magnetic force. One which could in of itself bring material into existence. If so--could it be physical existence is nothing more then an expression of intense magnetic forces condensing to form mass as we know it?

Although the word quantum has been used it seems to me this goes back to the very basic fact we know nothing of magnetic forces. We can create them and use them but still can't explain them. Quantum seems like a nice word to throw around these days whenever we can't explain these magnetic forces even though we've known about them for thousands of years. But hey--whatever floats your boat.



In the end when you cut to the chase--quantum is really a nice catchall intellectual word used by baffled scientists in avoidance to having to explain "conundrums" they may never figure out.

Makes it sound a lot more professional doesn't it :-)

Friday, March 17, 2017

What's Going On With The Secret Service?

Secret Service investigating two agents for reportedly taking photos of President Trump’s grandson

Thieves allegedly stole a laptop from a Secret Service agent's car that included Trump Tower floor plans

White House intruder was on grounds for 15 minutes before arrest: CNN




Should We Privatize The Secret Service?
At this point it makes ya wonder if 'Bubba's Bar Bouncers' could do a better job.

How Much Is Salary? Forget About Working Here

"Taylor Byrnes from Winnipeg had completed a phone interview with SkipTheDishes and had scheduled a follow-up. In an email, she asked the recruiter about the hourly pay rate and benefits. She was told that asking about that conflicted with the company culture, and they wanted employees that cared about the company, not pay"

My Comments
They way I've always figured it no company is hiring someone as an act of kindness. They need a worker there's no other reason. By them sending her this message they did her a favor. Who wants to work for a company like that.

There wasn't a job I ever bothered applying for that didn't give me a ballpark figure. As much as I didn't want to waste their time--neither did I want to waste mine. Any company unwilling to provide such information is most likely spending a lot of time and money needlessly. It makes little sense interviewing dozens of people when they only need to interview those who are agreeable to what they are willing to pay.

Any business who runs an operation not understanding this is not someone I want to work for. Either they are unorganized (which would give a clue what work conditions would be like) OR pay divisions for the same type of work would be unfair. I'd be really pissed if I found out I was getting 30% less then the next person. Neither which is good for employees morals therefor for the company itself.


The only time I got snagged was when I was told every year you'd fill out a card with how much of a raise you think your worth. I was told it could be fifty cents, seventy five cents or whatever. Turns out no one ever got more then a nickel. Some only a penny. Well at least we were all in the same kettle :-)

Despite The Snow Your Train Has Arrived

"While arriving in Rhinecliff, New York, the train drove into snow on the ground"


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

City Snow Season.. Let The Games Begin! (REPOST From 2016)

Well it won't be long now before city streets will once again look like this..

This is an annual tradition in every northern city. Inevitably someone will get punched out or shot for violating the sacred rights of a shoveler who stakes out his/her parking spot.

It's also inevitable the city will threaten removal of them and fines.

Be it far from me to suggest...
Everyone has worthless stuff laying around their house they don't want. You know, things they'd like to get rid of. Things the trash truck wouldn't ordinarily pick up. You know, things like a TV, computer, old tire, car parts, air conditioner, rusting broken down motorcycle, worthless good for nothing in-law, etc.

I almost pity those in suburbia who have driveways, garages and will never enjoy the same close neighborhood comradeship that only city living can provide this time of year. Oh well. I suppose that's their loss and they'll have to live with it.