The Nanny State sinks to a new level....

Just when you think it can't get more intrusive; http://freebeacon.com/issues/epa-wants-to-monitor-how-long-hotel-guests-spend-in-the-shower/

In the last several years there have been stories about laptops issued by school districts that will monitor the users' actions without their knowledge, a school district in San Antonio with GPS chips in their student ID cards (mandatory for all of course), thermostats for home usage that can be remotely controlled and these are just what comes to mind as I sit here with my coffee trying to kill time while the kitchen floor gets tiled.

When the hell did we go from enjoying our individual lives and liberties into a hive existence? Because thats what it seems like, everyones' life becomes an open book for whatever intrusive cube ape working for the government wants to peer into.

Drones in the air, monitoring of Internet purchases (I WILL NOT buy that pressure cooker now!), cameras at every traffic light, intrusive searches at any major airport terminal, where does it all end?

A lot of it is done in the name of "public safety". Hey, the public will take care of itself when given half a chance. Look at how many would-be jihadists have been taken down by their fellow airplane passengers.

As for monitoring how long my shower might last when at a hotel, do ya think it stops there? I've already mentioned remotely controlled thermostats (which very thankfully were walked back after a public outcry). They started, IMHO, when the management of some hotels began limiting what a tenant could do with their room temperature.

Its the vigilance of the public that limits these things and quite often John & Joan Q. Public are asleep. Remember the last census and how it initially was criticized by Michelle Bachmann and others for being too inquisitive? Had it not been for her sounding the alarm the asshats in Foggy Bottom would know a lot more about the general public than they absolutely need to. If that doesn't seem to be an issue, look to Germany in the 1930's after Hitler took over. There was a VERY detailed census put out and all the good Germans did what they were told. Consequently when it came time to start rounding up the undesirables all the necessary data was at hand.

It's nobody's damned business if I take a long hot shower in a hotel. My kids don't need to be constantly monitored by strangers. If I want to buy a cooking utensil most people don't use these days it shouldn't be any concern of the government. End of story.

The list goes on and on, add to it as you like.

Bottom line: we're trading our freedoms for a false security. Yes, it even extends to how much water I use in the shower.

Cardinal Dolan dances to the tune of the gay pipers.

So now openly gay groups will march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC. Here's the video link from Michael Voris on the topic. Normally I take whatever Voris says with a HUGE grain of salt but he's right on the money this time.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be7ImroaKHU&list=UUX17igkZ9JhU64JoTBVSWeQ

This parade will have Cardinal Dolan as it's grand marshal, perhaps someone should inform that ecclesiastical knucklehead that the Catechism speaks of our responsibility for the mortal sins of others when we praise or approve of them (Article 1868). By his continued participation in this public event Dopey Dolan is implicitly endorsing the gay lifestyle. He should remove himself from all association with the parade while it allows openly gay groups to march.

As I mentioned on another blog, at times like this I recall that when Henry VIII broke with Rome only one bishop (later cardinal) spoke out against him. That was St. John Fisher who was martyred for his troubles. There was a double butt ton of bishops in England who were of the “go along to get along” mentality, hoping that the troubles would all blow over. Subsequent persecutions under Henry’s daughter Elizabeth and other rulers proved the opposite. For the sake of historical accuracy I'll mention that Catholics had as much blood on their own hands when they would regain control of the nation for brief periods of time. The whole thing could have turned out differently if enough clerics grew a set of balls and told Henry to take a flying leap. They didn't and for those pewsitters unfortunate enough to be under the “care” of Fisher’s contemporaries life must have sucked on toast, there was probably a fair amount of time when they didn't know whether to shit or go blind as far as following Church teaching. Nevertheless a fair number were able to adhere to the Faith even unto death. Dolan’s recent actions prove we still have the same sort of Judas goats amongst us that kept quiet under the House of Tudor.

For a much better piece on this affair go here: http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=1050

God help us all, may His will be done.

Big Brother on how to roast s'mores.

We. Are. Doomed.

Here's the link: http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/08/29/us-forest-service-asks-how-does-your-marshmallow-roast/

Laugh as you will, this is an example of our tax dollars at work. Is there nothing they can't micromanage? I'm eagerly waiting for instructions on how to wipe my butt in full compliance with the EPA.

Boy are we screwed.

UPDATE: Looks like the information is already out there and only needing governmental approval. http://www.howtowipeyourbutt.com/

Things I obsess about at oh dark thirty

So first out of the box comes a story about some kid getting busted for writing how he killed a dinosaur. What, is Fred Flintstone his principal? Here's the link: http://www.nbc12.com/story/26319685/cops-summerville-high-school-student-arrested-after-writing-threatening-message-on-assignment#.U_Sna8ZblaU.facebook

Please note this happened in South Carolina, not exactly known as a hotbed for liberal thinking.

There must be something in the water, lowering the national intelligence in all states. I'd like to say this story is an anomaly but we all know different. For example, theres another story about a kid in North Carolina getting in trouble for saying, "Bless You" when a classmate sneezed. Another story out of Tennessee about a middle school teacher having her class reenact the shooting in Ferguson, MO.

I see kids are no longer able to sell snacks at school since they don't meet the federal guidelines for healthy foods, hell in some schools they can't even bring them in to celebrate a birthday! This was brought about by legislation pushed by our dear First Lady. Who the hell elected her for anything anyway?

But the kids are getting well taught in how to place condoms on bananas. Life is all about priorities I guess.

I also see how an archbishop in Oklahoma is suing to stop a Black Mass using a consecrated Host. Lotsa luck your Excellency; I don't think it'll work. As has been noted by quite a few folks (many of them Protestants) discrimination against Catholics can count as the last allowed prejudice in our time.

Speaking of which, a couple who rent out their farm in New York for weddings and other events were successfully sued by a lesbian couple for not taking their business. Same old story, in this case we have a Catholic couple not wanting to seemingly endorse gay marriage. Funny thing, my copy of the Catechism bears them out. It doesn't matter though, they've got to pony up about 130 K plus attend diversity training/brainwashing/reeducation camp and pay for their employees to do the same. Right now they're weighing their options regarding appealing this crap. Thought crime will be stamped out no matter what and damn that pesky First Amendment!

Dear Leader has sent the nation's top cop to Ferguson. Upon arrival he immediately root smooched the black community, saying he basically felt their pain. I wonder if this nitwit knows he's a servant of ALL the people, not just those he chooses to suck up to prior to all the facts being known about an incident? Never mind, previous actions answer that question (dropping any action against the New Black Panthers for voter intimidation in Pennsylvania comes to mind).

As for the international front, Dear Leader is busily addressing all problems (ISIS, Iraq, Syria, Russia & Ukraine, Central American children swarming our borders, etc.) from the front seat of a golf cart. Maybe we should count our blessings, if he went back to D.C. he might actually try doing something and then we'd REALLY have problems. He spends so much time on the links I have to wonder if his old lady isn't cheating on him. Seen it happen before, a cat don't stray if it's fed at home and just how often are those two together?

As far as him sneaking under the sheets with some honey, I really can't see it. Not that he wouldn't, he's just too stupid to pull off any deception.

That leads to my closing thought; we don't have a Manchurian Candidate in the Oval Office, he isn't a closet Muslim setting us up for the next caliphate, nor intentionally trying to foment racial strife nor actively work in accordance with ANY hidden agenda. Dear Leader is just a dumbass. Period. I don't think he could pour piss out of a boot without instructions on his teleprompter.

But if you want to see real "stupid", remember that a majority of voters placed him in office twice. THATS where the real stupidity kicks in.

Maybe there is something in the water, I wonder how it got there. Now it's getting really late and I'm ready for beddy-bye. Hopefully the world is still here when I wake up.

Stupidity is a truly bottomless pit.

Right now our nation is freefalling in it: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/08/this-dad-was-baffled-after-being-told-his-fourth-grader-brought-a-weapon-to-school-then-they-told-him-what-it-was/

Thoughtcrime in the heartland.

Here's the story, found via Moonbattery:

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — An outstanding athlete and student at Marshalltown High School has been suspended from playing three football games in the fall because his parents say the school misinterpreted a symbol of school pride — as a symbol of white pride.

Now, the principal is accusing the student, Blair Van Staalduine, of being a racist. “We were appalled,” Blair’s mother, Cathy Van Staalduine, said, “We were appalled and so was he. Absolutely. Because the furthest thing from Blair is being racist”

Cathy Van Staalduine says her son was suspended after a picture of him was posted on social media making the letter “W” with his hands. The school apparently thought that was a racist symbol. But Mrs. Van Staalduine says the picture was taken during school spirit week when different grades had to wear different colors.

“The actual school chose the colors that each grade would be wearing. Juniors wore white. So Blair of course being active in the school dressed from head to toe in white,” she explains, “Somebody took a picture of him with his white doing a ‘W’ sign because they were wearing white. Blair says if they were wearing orange they would have done an ‘O’”.

Mrs. Van Staalduine says she tried to talk to the principal and he said she was racist too. No one from the school district would comment citing student confidentiality. The Van Staalduines say they want the suspension reversed and an apology, or they plan to sue the district.

So let me get this one straight, the kid was on a social website during his own time and not involved in any school sanctioned activity. He was just being a kid but that gets him busted for racism? By the way even if he was guilty of that, when did preference for one's own ethnic group become an offense meriting punishment by school authorities?

That school principal needs a change of career. I hear Burger King is hiring.

Booster seats for kids.

Disclaimer: I grew up without booster seats, child restraints or seat belts being used to keep me in the car. I also rode my bike without a helmet on public highways. Maybe that qualifies me as some sort of daredevil.

So what comes next, mandatory bubblewrap? http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/11/07/safety-institute-suggests-booster-seats-until-kids-reach-12/

I'm all for protecting the children, in a previous post I disclosed how the wife and I never let our kids out the front door without supervision. As far as that goes, there are several relatives on both sides that we'd never let supervise our children.

But c'mon, 12 years old and still in a booster seat? I remember back in high school we had varsity wrestlers in the 98 lb. weight class, right now my 10 year old exceeds that. Picture telling some high schooler he had to be in a booster seat while in your car, then stand by for some rather salty language.

This world gets stranger by the hour.

Insult Dear Leader and you'll be reeducated...

Some people just can't take a joke: http://www.fox17.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/obama-costume-at-kentucky-medical-center-event-spurs-debate-diversity-training-17286.shtml#.UnFJKRbHKgy

Honestly, how soon will it be that all of our PC bullarkey drives us to complete thought control?

Disclaimer: I think Halloween is living proof we're more likely to worship Mammon than God. C'mon, it's an entirely artificial "holiday". Even Kwanzaa has more validity (don't get me started on that one!). So getting your panties in a twist over a costume like this is pretty pathetic.

So you're pro life or a devout Christian? You terrorist!!

Here's the link : http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/10/23/does-army-consider-christians-tea-party-terror-threat/

At first while reading the story I thought it must be an accidental rehash of an incident that occurred earlier this year. No such luck, that particular even was referenced near the end of the article.

So I spent 22 years in this nation's military just to be libeled in this fashion?

I've said it before I'll say it again, the United States of America is now irrevocably dead and gone. Hang onto your seats folks, life is gonna get really interesting real soon.

Obama as King Canute?

You can't make this stuff up: http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/10/05/Feds-Try-to-Close-the-OCEAN-Because-of-Shutdown

Well he DID say that if he was elected the planet would heal and oceans recede. Maybe this is a part of that.

Just how stupid can the government get?

Apparently there is no discernible limit: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/29/hare-brained-usda-reportedly-orders-childrens-magician-to-produce-disaster-plan-for-his-rabbit/

I recall reading somewhere that we have now reached a point where EVERYBODY is breaking the law in some manner unknown to them. This applies particularly to our IRS code.

Since ignorance of the law has never been an acceptable excuse in this nation, we can see how the ongoing persecution of the usual suspects is shaping up. I could cite several cases such as Sackett vs. EPA but is it necessary?

The idiocy of the government can be comical or it can be tragic. Either way, John & Joan Q. Public are footing the bill. Our tax dollars at work.

Just how bad can it get?

That seems to be the underlying thought a lot of folks have when excusing the actions of the NSA. It seems that belief in common sense and it's pervasive influence over the dingbats of our nation never dies. "It can't happen here" is the unspoken refrain.

Then I read stuff like this and I'm not too sure: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accoustic_kitty

This is what happens when stupid people are given the money of other folks. If they'll try off the wall crap like wiring cats for sound, what won't they try with technology that actually works?

Now excuse me, I've got to go figure out how to avoid my two cats when I'm blogging. They're listening you know, they're really listening

Government intimidation of pregnancy centers?

Here's the link: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/05/29/why-does-the-fbis-domestic-terrorism-task-force-want-to-talk-to-director-of-pro-life-pregnancy-center/

I'm reminded of the DHS memo of a few years back, this one: http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/rightwing.pdf

Yep, you can't trust someone who leads an organization dedicated to pregnant mothers in need. Can't trust 'em at all. Because we all know unwanted babies are better dead and ground up in a garbage disposal than cared for and (hopefully) adopted by a couple who loves children.

Prove you're the daddy, buster!

Oh this is rich: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/22286875/va-father-says-he-was-suspected-of-kidnapping-his-kids-by-walmart-security-due-to-his-children-being-mixed#axzz2UVMArIED

I get interested in stories like this because, being an older father who looks more like my kids' grandfather, I identify with some of the crap that occasionally goes down for heterosexual couples "outside the norm". It was really a lot of fun when my wife and I were dating, more than once a waiter would start flirting with the wife in my presence. Pulling her close and delivering a big smooch always put a halt to things.

Since the birth of my kids it's almost routine to have sales clerks mention how cute it is to see a man with his grandkids. Noted. Haven't been stopped by any cops or security (yet). But you can't take anything for granted and every time one of my special needs darlings has a four star public meltdown I brace myself, expecting some dogooding buttinski to jump in and demand to know just who I am and what is my exact relation to the screaming angelic urchin in my grasp.

So I feel this guy's pain. Big time.

News reporting at it's finest?

We have ongoing scandals involving Benghazi, the IRS, Kermit Gosnell and the DOJ improperly monitoring the Associated Press.

 

So when I open my paper this morning what story is at the center top of page 1A?

Angelina Jolie's decision to have elective surgery, thats what.

While adolescent males of all ages throughout the free world are now hopelessly traumatized by that news, there really ARE more important things that demand the attention of responsible citizens.

There is no intelligent life left in our nation.

This is insane: http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/students-who-refuse-to-affirm-transgender-classmates-face-punishment.html

If God doesn't dish out a butt whipping of Biblical proportions to our nation soon then Sodom & Gomorrah are owed an apology.

There are no days...

...where this would happen to my child and I wouldn't be getting in someone's face:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/09/unacceptable-teacher-suspended-after-allegedly-pouring-pencil-shavings-into-students-mouth/

My oldest son (9 yrs.) has a habit of slouching in a chair with his head tilted back and mouth open. It's  a part of his autistic behavior and yeah, that can become a handy crutch to excuse anything. Trust me, with my background and track record it isn't just a way to get out of dealing with misbehavior.

If something like this happened to my boy, I think before it would all be over the cops would have to escort me off school property. That would just be the start, by the time the wife and I were done you can bet everyone would know our names. Thats not a threat, it's a statement of future fact.

Don't even think about super soakers....

"Put down the teddy bear, move away from the juice box and keep your hands where we can see them. YOU'RE BUSTED!! UP AGAINST THE WALL, YOU KNOW THE DRILL!"

http://educationviews.org/turning-our-schools-into-totalitarian-enclaves/

A role model for fathers?

The National Father's Day Committee has named Bill Clinton its "Father of the Year."

Everything that comes to mind in the way of commentary is too vulgar or blasphemous to print.

SBD's will get you in trouble.

Here's the story: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/coworkers-attacked-by-gas-645132

Seriously, is this a valid use of our tax money? IMHO, it stinks.

Instead of farting around and trying to get this guy to put a cork in things, the bosses at this office should tell "Stinky" to get a high velocity fan. Yep, as noted in the report it may temporarily cause the smell to travel further. But speaking from experience I can state it'll dissipate much sooner. As to how I would know of these things, let's just say my favorite meal used to be chili and beer with pickled eggs for dessert. I always knew who my true friends were. I had none.

No wonder our government is so pathetic. Put the guy's desk in the hall and let him figure out what to do. Sheesh! The way things stand, any time someone does the "one cheek sneak" this clown will get the blame. I'd say someone should burn incense but there might be an explosion hazard involved here.

What a waste of taxpayer money.