Thursday, November 30, 2017

About These Sexual Allegations

al•le•ga•tion
noun
A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof
Yep that's all it takes. I'm not saying most aren't true, but let us keep in mind these are unproven accusations. Most are a matter of what he said--she said versus what might have actually happened. Talk abut a battle of the sexes and this has become just that. Heaven help if someone should assert some of these are based on ulterior motives. Especially if that were the explanation coming from a man.

Based on my experience women are no saints. They know all they have to do is flash a little boob or leg and men will fall for it every time hook, line and sinker. Let's not kid ourselves men have and always will be the weaker sex when it comes to falling for a woman's physical charms. Otherwise men would be wearing dresses and the women pants. Still that's no excuse for men to behave badly.

However There Are Two Sides
Ask any man which is more likely to end up with the house, paying support or custody in a divorce by the courts, Ask any man who tried to tell a court she seduced me into doing something I shouldn't have. Or how some woman physically abused them. Who's story you think a jury would be more likely believe?

Where We're Headed
For many years I complained why I or any man should want to go to the malls. All they have is woman's dresses. Woman's shoes. Women's jewelry, perfume, home furnishings, etc. etc. Gone are the stuff I was interested in cameras, electronics, hunting gear, men's clothes and so forth. In other words the malls womanzied themselves then wonder why they are failing. The same will go shortly with TV after sticking it to all the males.

About all I see any more on TV are programs geared towards women throughout the day. Woman anchors, sport commentators, meteorologists and traffic reporters. You know there's nothing wrong with calling out bad behavior but how far do ya wanna go? When does a pat on the behind become a sexual assault and career ender?

Look, I'm all for equal rights and women not having to put up with this kind of crap, but it seems everyone in the world right now is looking for their gotcha moment to the expense of another in the most public way possible. Sooooooo much of this should have been settled face to face behind closed doors with a hard slap in the face or kick in the groin. If women want to be strong start acting like it instead of crying on TV and hiding behind lawyers. I for one am sick of hearing about your boy/girl problems. If women want to be equal with men start acting like it.

I'll give ya a few examples. A friend of mine pissed off one of the girls we were hanging out with when I was young. She hit him over the head with a soda bottle. Yeah he got the message real quick. Another screamed in front of everybody we were with when he tried to smooch her w/o permission. Another slapped the guy in front of me in the middle of a high school class. A female coworker slapped the shit out of our supervisor in front of 48 of my co workers on the production floor. Another one of our supervisors in the cafeteria in front of 70 or so coworkers. I don't know who these women are accusing celebrities these days but I can tell you one thing--most of the girls/women I knew didn't wait twenty years to let me or my friends have it. I learned respect from them early on.

Some may see them as victims--rather I see them as hateful jealous people despite their tears. I can honestly say I never met a woman in my life who hesitated to let me know when I was out of line. Thus why I harbor so much doubt and suspicions of their stories towards these men late into their careers. As far as I'm concerned any of these women going public now deserve questioning of the their motives for doing so. Yeah sometimes the men may be guilty of wrongdoing, but convicted in the court of public opinion and fired ending their careers simply based on a woman's word doesn't cut it for me. How would they like it if it were the other way around?

Women are not whores--neither may be these men now being accused.


Friday, November 24, 2017

Some Of My Favorite André Rieu Videos

It's very hard for me to name any one which would be my favorite musical performers. If I were to name any of my top five without a doubt André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu would be one of them. Not only does he present the most talented people in the world, he also is the most inspiring as well as displaying his sense of humor from time to time.

Unfortunately none of upcoming tour dates throughout the world will include a visit to the United States in 2018.

















André Rieu's home and business grounds in
Maastricht, Netherlands (Kasteel De Torentjes)



Not to shabby, eh :-)

Is Anyone Good Enough for an H1-B Visa?

The New York Times
By Frida Yu (11/23/2017)
Is Anyone Good Enough for an H1-B Visa?
"Six months ago I won the lottery — the H-1B visa processing lottery for skilled foreign workers... on Oct. 11, half a year after my celebration, I learned I had been denied a visa.

After earning law degrees in China and at Oxford, after having worked in Hong Kong as a lawyer at a top international firm, after coming to United States three years ago for an M.B.A. and graduating and joining a start-up, I was given just 60 days to leave the country. I have 17 days left...

I can’t make sense of why an administration that claims to want this country to be strong would be so eager to get rid of us... As I make plans to go back to China, I find myself wondering: If I am not qualified to stay in the United States, then who is?"

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Latest Star Accused Of Harassment

Video Evidence..

He's not alone to lose their careers on TV...

Elmer Fudd for making fun of speech impairments..


Others include...
Wile E Coyote who has been declared a terrorist. Yosemite Sam charged with carrying firearms without a license. Speedy Gonzales who was sent back to Mexico because of his immigration status. Tweety bird charged with cruelty to animals. The Tasmanian Devil who has admitted himself to rehab for anger management issues. Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale who are currently serving time at Gitmo.

In addition the Three Stooges are awaiting sentencing in absentia on charges for bullying. Peter Pan for kidnapping and corruption of minors. Cinderella for impersonation and false ID. Goldilocks for trespassing. Travis Coates for shooting Old Yeller. Not to mention Amos and Andy or Al Jolson ever appearing again on TV due to their insensitivities regarding black issues.

Satire
The take away here is we should never find humor in anything. What should be most important to each of us is to take everything serious as possible. Let's always focus on the negative implications of everything we see and hear. Cancel everything on TV that might offend us even in the slightest.
OR
Admit it--there's nothing any human does that someone can't find something that offends them.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Country Music Sunday Videos

Some of my old time favorites.



























To be frank I decided to post these videos which mean so much to me instead of focusing on all the other crap going on These were recorded back in the days before entertainment artists spouted off their political views at every venue. When news on TV did actual reporting about events instead of featuring a bunch of chattering monkeys trying to outdo each other Before the internet which allowed every idiot in the world try and make themselves feel important. When people actually listened with appreciation instead of trying to make everything about themselves.

Sorry if I seem a bit cranky, but I'm sorta burned out right now with a world in which everyone seems consumed with themselves Kinda think I'll focus (at least in the short term) on retreating to my happy place. At a time which at least it appeared song writers, movies and entertainers inspired more then those we're seeing today. The movies, entertainers and song writers in the wartime era of the 40's were far more positive then anything being produced today.

I really truly wish the world and it's people were as I believed they were in my younger days. If not--I will always have these videos to believe it were so.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Sure Do Miss The Old TNN

We were regular viewers of 'The Nashville Network'. Since it changed ownership and formats it will never become as popular as it once was. You know what they say--you can never go home again. No truer words spoken when it comes to the kind of homespun down to earth entertainment it once provided. Nor how well we got to know the entertainers who had spoken genuinely of themselves and others. Not to mention the amazing talent.

World's Most Famous Unknown Band (03/1990)

How many did you recognize?
Chet Atkins introduced Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed, Steve Wariner, Roy Clark, Ray Stevens, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, Steve Gatlin, Barbara Mandrell, and Irlene Mandrell.



Here are a few more great TNN memories...
1990






All-Star Salute To Ralph Emery In 1990

March 10, 2017 Ralph turned 84 years old

Ye Gads how I miss this bunch of wonderfully sincere people, There never ever again will be another era like that seen on TNN some 14 years ago. As far as I'm concerned when TNN shut down on August 11, 2003 is when genuine country music died.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Sexual Harassment Claims Are Out Of Control

AP
RADIO ANCHOR SAYS FRANKEN FORCIBLY KISSED HER AMID USO TOUR
"ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota Sen. Al Franken apologized Thursday after a Los Angeles radio anchor accused him of forcibly kissing her during a 2006 USO tour and of posing for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept. Leeann Tweeden posted the allegations on the website of KABC, a Los Angeles radio station where she now works as a news anchor."


TPM
McConnell: Ethics Panel Should Probe Franken Sexual Misconduct Allegations
"Less than an hour after news broke that a woman had accused Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) of sexually harassing and assaulting her in 2006, before he ran for federal office, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called for an official investigation into the allegations."


Wikipedia
Leeann Tweeden
"In 1992, while working as a hostess at a Hooters restaurant (she was in their 1994 calendar) in Colorado Springs, Colorado... In 1996, Tweeden appeared non-nude in a fitness model pictorial for Playboy magazine. Fifteen years later, at 38 years old, she appeared again in the December, 2011 issue of Playboy, this time posing in a nude pictorial....

She has also appeared on the political discussion series Hannity, as a member of the "Great American Panel" and occasionally appeared on the panel of Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld"


Posted by Russell Smith with his comments in 2011



Look I'm not getting into the hoopla over these dozens of accusations now coming everyday toward everybody and everyone. What I'm trying to point out not all these accusations should be taken as the gospel truth 100%. Nor am I trying to say what Leeann said happened with Al didn't. However in this case there just might be more politics involved then we may have been first be led to believe.

When these many hundreds of women start accusing men I see a few downsides. This harms other women's chances looking for employment, Whether it be in entertainment or outside of it I'd be quite certain employers will become reluctant to hire not wanting such accusations to rock their business. This also brings into women distrust of men themselves questioning everything a male says or does might have ulterior motives. Thus men becoming more reluctant to even speak to women one on one. Is that really what single women want?

Going way back to my courting days I can honesty say some women I dated didn't want this kind of physical attention. There were times some did and wondered what took me so long to make a move. I swear that's true. Not all women I went out with wanted someone who would take them to a meal, movie and send them off with a goodnight handshake. If I became rich or famous I can't imagine some of the things they could twist and use against me years later if I had quit dating them and they got pissed off. Yeah like they hadn't done that sometimes to me either. There's nothing worse then a pissed off lover--male or female.

Pardon me if I'm a bit skeptical but there is a difference between a man or woman physically teasing someone and an actual sexual assault. I've had my ass pinched (really hard) several times by a woman a work. She thought it was funny. Another who sat on my lap in the work cafeteria who thought it was funny as hell to make her friends laugh. Some who printed out sexy cartoons. Another few who flashed me a boob at work. I never considered these rising to the level of sexual harassment. Just girls being girls. It's a sad day when we take everything someone does to us as sexual assault.

I realize this may not always be the case. Sometimes it's more serious, but women do these kind of things as much as men thinking it's funny. Everybody needs to take chill pill. Not everything is dramatic as I think many of these charges are making them out to be. I'd be willing to bet in most of these cases there's a certain amount of ulterior motives involved.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Morning Call & Others Need To Get Act Together

How the Morning Call site loaded today on Microsoft's Internet Explorer

Notice annoying popups at the bottom?


How the Morning Call site loaded today on Google's Chrome Browser


How the Express Times loads on both


I have a few beefs with almost all sites these days. First off I won't get rid of Adblock. It's a proven fact some computers became infected by embedded code within certain ads. These ads all come from various third party sites. As far as the Morning Call-- they should quit screwing around with their webpage code. If it ain't broke don't mess with it. Their site is a total mess in Chrome today. Months ago WFMZ eliminated RSS Feeds and their videos won't play in Chrome. Still other sites require paid registration either upon the first view or after a certain number of visits.

Look I can understand why these guys need money, but if any of them want to eliminate over half their readers there's no better way then they are going about it. I will never ever click on various popups. These give browsers certain permissions to execute code to perform tasks circumventing various virus protections installed on our equipment. Sometimes I get up to three popups and an auto running video. Sometimes I spend more time refreshing, erasing cookies and trying to kill the video then it's worth. Thus saying to myself--screw it and close the page. It isn't worth it to me.

I'm not sure how these guys are suppose to make money but I can tell you one thing. It won't come by making a pain in the ass of themselves.

Poland Has A Problem

Slate.com
Tens of Thousands Join Polish White Supremacist March: “Europe Must Be White”
Fascists and white supremacists descended on Warsaw Saturday to mark Poland’s independence day by chanting Neo-Nazi slogans. Police estimated some 60,000 people took part in the demonstration that included banners that read, “White Europe, Europe must be white” and, “Pray for an Islamic Holocaust.”

What the hell is going on?
Has our galaxy gone through a time warp or wormhole of some kind?

Makes me ashamed to be part of the human race.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Rock & Roll Sunday Videos

Live from Little Darlin's Rock N Roll Palace (1988)




According to Little Darlin's Rock N Roll Palace Facebook page from 1986 to 1992 it was the world's premier oldies nite club in Kissimmee, Fla. It use to air on TNN Cable TV.

If anyone's interested CLICK HERE for dozens and dozens more.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Allentown Mayor Pawlowski Won Here's Why

He had more votes. Yes as strange as that seems to some--this is how elections work.

Pawlowski Won. It wasn't because of...
Ray O'Connell and his supporters writing him in (splitting the votes).
Overwhelming minorities support.
A backlash against Trump.
Allentown voters are a bunch of ignorant Democrats.
'The Morning Call''. The very ones pointing the finger at them were the ones said nobody reads it. So now they accuse them? Folks you can't have it both ways.

For years I hear how the Republicans get screwed over by all of the above. Could it just be because of their refusal to take responsibility for failure?

Normally there's not a Republican candidate to vote for in Allentown. The excuse is why bother they wouldn't win anyway. Wow that's a hellva lame justification. I myself voted for both Heydt (R), Burke (R) and Hershman (R) and others. Yeah sometimes they won--sometime they lost. But blaming Democrats for them not even running a candidate doesn't cut it.


Many of these same conservatives here locally have repeatedly criticized Hillary Clinton's for her constant whining blaming everyone for her loss except herself.

Yeah that doesn't cut it with me from either her or those here locally on the other end of the political spectrum.




Let me put this another way. If your team lost it wasn't because the other team sucks. The way sportsmanship works is no matter how much players dislike the other team or their backers they get back on their feet then try and win the next game. Nobody likes a team that finds all kind of excuses why everyone else is at fault for their loss. Then refuse to play their opponents again. I doubt few would support such a team.

Of course I'm not happy with the outcome. It's particularly sad that Lehigh Valley Republicans couldn't even muster enough votes to defeat someone like Pawlowski. This speaks more to they then it does Pawlowski's win. Blaming others isn't going to take the party where it needs to go.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

My Unapologetic Vote For Ray O'Connell

As I post this the election is still going on (11/07/2017). I'm not sure how things will turn out in the run for Allentown's next mayor but I voted for Ray O'Connell as a matter of conscience. He's the guy I want.

During the last presidential elections I held my nose and voted for Hillary even though I didn't want her. I wanted Bernie Sanders but resisted writing him in. I wrestled with this up until two hours before I voted. Felt guilty ever since.

Not anymore. I refuse from this point forward to cast my vote based on election strategies that tend to call mine a wasted vote. If there's guilt to be had let it be on those who voted for either of the two other candidates I feel didn't deserve to hold the office of mayor.

I feel Nat Hyman hasn't engaged in civic participation. He never spoke at council meetings nor had Allentown committee involvements. Hence we have no idea where he stood on the incinerator project, parks, the city water deal, NIZ, taxes and whole host of other hot button issues. When they occurred he was MIA. He never ran for council nor any other political office until he decided to run for mayor.

When it comes to Ed Pawlowski I think it should be more then obvious why I wouldn't give him a second of my consideration.

Ray O'Connell has been active throughout his career on school district issues and his previous commitment on city council. Without a doubt he has more experience over his lifetime in public service then either of the two other candidates.

While some may not agree with my choice let it not be said I was willing to compromise my beliefs in this election. Being in the majority doesn't always make it right.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Tax Cuts--Anyone Really Believe This?

Ronnie once said...


'USA TODAY' published some of the proposed changes. I'll highlight a few. Adoption: The tax credit worth up to $13,750 per child would end.
Alimony would no longer be deductible by the payor.
Teachers could no longer write off the cost of supplies they buy.
Eliminate the deduction for out of pocket medical expenses.
Tax preparation fees would no longer allowed to be deducted

Here's more from 'CNN MONEY'
The student loan interest deduction would go away

'CNN MONEY (2nd link)
"Today you're allowed to claim a $4,050 personal exemption for yourself, your spouse and each of your dependents. The House bill eliminates that option."

"Eliminates tax exclusion for dependent care assistance accounts:"
"Repeals state and local tax deductions, but preserves property tax break"
"Repeals the estate tax: The estate tax today affects just 0.2% of all estates, and only those with more than $5.5 million in assets (or $11 million if you leave a spouse behind)."
Call this tax cuts, tax reform or by any other name rest assured the government wouldn't make changes unless it would benefit itself and the wealthy who help write legislation. Yes we were promised a draining of the swamp. Just didn't realize it was we--the average smuck--they were referring to. But they sure do talk pretty don't they?


If you have a little extra time on your hands CNN published the current 429 page bill.

Don't Forget Turn Clocks Ahead



Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday before bed.

That way you'll be 2 hours ahead of every one else.

Friday, November 3, 2017

Pitting One Generation Against The Other

Dividing the nation is what these modern day right wing extremist in congress seem to do best. This is about a bill providing funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at the expense of seniors.

According to 'Talking Points Memo"-- The bill’s lead author, Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), blasted Democrats Friday morning, accusing them of “voting against kids and their doctors.”... We’re fully funding CHIP for five years. We’re fulling funding Community Health Centers for two years. We’re asking the wealthiest seniors in America to pay $135 more for their Medicare,..

Funding for the program, which covers about 9 million children nationwide, ran out at the end of September, as Republicans focused their energies on taking a series of unsuccessful votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act.


In addition according to latest information the Republican tax cut proposal calls for eliminating the out of pocket deductions for medical expenses Now this bird wants to throw another $1,620 a year on top of that. Not to mention Medigap insurance costs many of us already pay.

Do any of these eggheads understand we can't simply print money nor give ourselves a raise like they can?

Just who are these wealthiest seniors he mentions. Nobody I know. And if they are it doesn't look like they will be much longer if this guy gets his way.

It appears we're left with two choices. Either seniors are thrown off the cliff or the kids. Some choice !

Bernie Sanders Got Railroaded

FOX News 11/02/2017

As the expression goes-- NO SHIT DICK TRACY
Sanders supporters like myself has been saying this for a long time. On Sunday, July 16, 2017 I posted How The DNC Helped Donald Trump Win-- Many conservatives accuse Democrats of being sore losers. In part they are right, but not because Hillary lost. Rather because Bernie Sanders didn't win. If there was any rigging going on it was done more by the DNC then the Russian government.

May 2016



The Nevada Democrats Convention Caucus in May 2016



Synopsis
What Hillary and the Democratic party did was not illegal but it most certainly undermined our democracy and the will of the people. In the end supporters for Bernie either chose not to vote at all or voted out of spite for Trump. Now look where we are. Yes indeed Russia did give it their all trying to influence the election but couldn't have done near the damage to Bernie as they were able to Hillary.

Between Donald's erratic tweets and the Clinton's past baggage few (if any) problems wouldn't be an issue today. There would be no Mueller investigation. We wouldn't be talking about Russian campaign interference in the election. Donald's so-called dossier, questionable financial dealings and property holdings. Hillary's WikiLeaks emails, erased servers, uranium deals. etc.

Instead we'd be focused on things that really matter to each of us. Medicare, Social Security, healthcare and all the other things more important then both party's badmouthing and name calling each other trying to tear each the other down.

Somehow people seem unable to speak of Bernie as a Independent or Democrat. Instead always insisting that the word "socialist" be used before mentioning either his name or party affiliations. So look what we have instead--two extremely rich well connected politicos to wall street. Assuming people have at least a bit of intelligence to recognize the difference between a "socialist" and a "communist"-- which of the three (Trump, Clinton, Sanders) do you think would have benefited each of us personally the most?

It disappoints me no matter how much Russia tried to influence the election--how artful a bullshitter Trump is or those people who will support Hillary come hell or high water--the American voters were so easily duped. I saw through the obvious the entire time. Why oh why couldn't others?

Last thoughts. People may argue Bernie couldn't have gotten anything done because he didn't have either party's support. Yeah how's that going?

No there won't be tax reform. No there won't be a DACA agreement. No there won't be immigration reform. No not a healthcare package either. A balanced budget--forget about that too. So how much worse could have it been if Bernie would have won? At least we wouldn't be bogged down in these investigations and tearing apart nearly everything past presidents initiated.

Some will insist it couldn't get much worse then it was. Well I'm here to tell ya--yes it can.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Latest Fake News (SATIRE)

Keep in mind none of this may be true but I heard... *** Renovations in the East Room at the Whitehouse could be completed as early as next week for use by FOX News as two new studios for hosting 'Hannity' and 'Fox And Friends'

*** Allentown mayor's attorney is asking the courts to dismiss the 54 counts filed against his client. In return promising his client will testify against the mayor's former campaign manager and his accusers. In addition promising a significant amount of money would be donated towards future campaigns for unnamed federally elected officials.

*** President Trump--after his return from Asia--is planning to host a dinner at the Whitehouse. Guests include Senators Corker, McCain. Jake Tapper (CNN). Rachael Maddow (MSNBC) and Bob Acosta (CNN) and former President Obama. Others guests not yet confirmed include Rosie O'Donnell, John Stewart and late show host Stephen Colbert. The mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulín Cruz is also expected to be in attendance. The menu includes raw fish and cold mushroom soup with side dish of raw unwashed fruits and vegetables from the Whitehouse garden personally picked by the president himself.

*** Rumors are swirling that Hillary years ago once turned down both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin for a date. This same unnamed source claims Obama whooped Donald in several rounds of golf several years ago. Donald and Vladimir each promised there would be no hard feelings but some are left wondering if either ever got over their rejections.

*** A recent survey of Allentown voters shows overwhelming support for write-in candidate Harry Clay Trexler. When shown he has been dead for years they still feel he'd do a better job running the city.

*** Current odds among professional betters the Cedar Pool will make it through the winter and be ready to open on time next year are 3 to 1 against it without some additional work.

*** Local taxpayers are thrilled millions of local and state dollars are being used to build a fish tank in Easton. Others would prefer tax dollars be used for further expansion of the NIZ projects in Allentown. However overall consensuses is the dollars would be better spent for more bike trails rather then infrastructure repairs such as bridges and updating underground utility pipelines No matter what other choices were offered deficit reduction came in at the bottom of the taxpayer survey.

*** There was a bill introduced into congressional committee the Whitehouse should be renamed and painted either red or blue depending which of either party won the election as a way of reminding people which was in charge. No word yet if a 3rd party should ever win. Some suggested in that case painting it both red and blue (all inclusive). Still other insists it should remain white. Kinda like it always was throughout history.

Today's Workers Not Keeping Up With The Dead

We've been taught if we work really hard we all can become wealthy. Anyone who ain't--mustn't be working hard enough. Take for example... AP: FORBES: MICHAEL JACKSON TOP EARNING DEAD CELEBRITY WITH $75M--Two other singers join Jackson in the top five. Elvis Presley comes in fourth with $35 million and Bob Marley ranks fifth with $23 million.Who knows--after tax reform they may even do better next year.

Now that right there must have been some really busy bees last year. What an inspiration for the rest of us still around to try and work harder.

Whoever said the taxman couldn't still collect after you're dead hasn't been paying attention.