Idiots in the News - You Won't Believe These People Exist

It's amazing how many idiots are around us, and how many make our laws (this is non-partisan, btw). Here's the latest installment of "Idiots in the news." 

1)   DOJ To Charge New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez With Corruption
2) Missouri state Republican Sen. Ed Emery introduced legislation to make it a crime for any public employee to issue a same-sex marriage license 
3)   Don Young Suggests Wolves Could Help Get Rid Of Homeless People 
4)   A California lawyer proposed a ballot measure that would make sodomy a capital offense - with "a bullet to the head of gay men." 
4) Alabama State Supreme Court Defies U.S. Supreme Court and Halts Same-sex marriage licenses



1)   DOJ To Charge Bob Menendez With Corruption: Report
WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - U.S. federal authorities are set to bring criminal charges against New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, CNN reported on Friday.  Menendez allegedly used his Senate office to push the business interests of a Democratic donor and friend in exchange for gifts, CNN said.

The Face of hateful man: Sen. Ed Emery

STORY: http://www.huffingtonpost.com

2) WOW- THIS IS JUST HATEFUL!!!
Missouri state Sen. Ed Emery, a Republican, introduced legislation last week that would make it a crime for any public employee to issue a marriage license to same-sex couples. "SB 555 is a shameful and desperate attempt to halt the undeniable momentum behind marriage equality in Missouri. No Missourian should face the threat of being fired for supporting same-sex marriage," said Pamela Merritt of Progress Missouri. The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee. SOURCE: http://themissouritimes.com/1

3)   Don Young Suggests Wolves Could Help Get Rid Of Homeless People
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) suggested Thursday that the solution to homelessness is wolves.
Young made the comment during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing during an exchange with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. He was arguing that gray wolves should be taken off the endangered species list, criticizing the National Park Service and his congressional colleagues who seek to protect the animals. “We've got 79 congressmen sending you a letter, they haven’t got a damn wolf in their whole district,” Young added. “I’d like to introduce them in your district. If I introduced them in your district, you wouldn’t have a homeless problem anymore.”

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com  

4)   A California lawyer proposed a ballot measure that would make sodomy a capital offense - with a Bullet to the head of gay men.
 This idiot lawyer in California proposed this ballot measure that  would make homosexuality a capital crime PUNISHABLE BY A "BULLET TO THE HEAD OF A GAY PERSON." . (although not all gay people do this, btw).  Here's the info on that ridiculous ballot measure:

On 24 February 2015, attorney Matthew McLaughlin filed a proposed ballot measure titled "The Sodomite Suppression Act" with the California Attorney General's office. The initiative would make any homosexual sex a crime punishable by death:  The People of California wisely command, in the fear of God, that any person who willingly touches another person of the same gender for purposes of sexual gratification be put to death by bullets to the head or by any other convenient method.   

ARTICLE: http://www.calnewsroom.com/2015/03/03/california-ballot-initiative-proposes-bullets-to-the-head-for-gays-lesbians/

 5) The Alabama Supreme Court on March 4 ordered probate judges across the state to halt the distribution of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, defying federal court rulings in January overturning the state's marriage equality ban. "The Alabama Supreme Court has done a disservice to itself, not to mention a massive injustice to the people of Alabama, in allowing itself to be used to temporarily obstruct the freedom to marry," said Evan Wolfson, president of the LGBT group Freedom to Marry. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (3/4), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (3/3), BuzzFeed (3/4), Metro Weekly (Washington, D.C.) (3/3

Take the Test: True or False? 8 Rumors on Email

Every month, we like to run through the latest email rumors and accusations and find out if they're true or false. Most of them are false, but there are some that are surprisingly true. Take the test below and see how you do.

• 1) Rumor: An Oregon school punished a young child marked tardy by placing him behind a cardboard barrier.
• 2) Rumor: Instagram has banned the term "I am a born again follower of Jesus."
• 3) Rumor: Actor Morgan Freeman said that he finds the concept of Black History Month to be 'ridiculous.'
• 4) Rumor: Michelle Obama is set to propose a national "Hug a Muslim" day.
• 5) Rumor: Photograph depicts a sign at Target informing customers purchasing pork or alcohol to choose another lane to accommodate Muslim employees.
• 6) Rumor: Mattel launched a Burka Barbie doll for its 50th anniversary.
• THESE ARE SO RIDICULOUS THEY"RE FUNNY: 
• 7) Rumor: Thin Mints Girl Scouts cookies contain crack. 
• 8)  Rumor: Nabisco is producing Fried Chicken Oreos. 

 *****************************************************************
ANSWERS BELOW 

******************************************************************
ANSWERS: 1) TRUE 2) FALSE 3) TRUE! - That one surprised us 4) FALSE  5) FALSE  6) FALSE   7) FALSE 8) FALSE

OBSERVATION: Why is it that the falsehoods are always about liberal or democratic people? Why do some conservatives feel it necessary to make up lies to get their constituents riled up against liberal people?  I have not yet seen any falsehoods made up by liberals about conservatives, oddly, although I'm sure they're out there. 


Read more at http://www.snopes.com/politics/sexuality/sodomite.asp#kdI2pjAwKOvGzTpC.99

Disney Trip Part 5: Tobie's Wacky Adventure, Ride the Pony!

Jeff, Tobie, Tom, Rob on a Disney Ferry

This is the 5th blog about our 2 day trip to Disney World during the last week of Feb. This blog focuses on our wacky, no-shame, fun-loving old friend Tobie. 

Tobie took the reigns of the wooden pony

WHO IS TOBIE? -  Tobie has worked for Disney for many, many years, and he is a Disney-holic. In 1995 when I (Rob) lived in Orlando for a year, I was Tobie's roommate. He's easy to love, energetic like a puppy on crack, has a great sense of humor, no shame and laughs a lot and loudly. He's from southern Louisiana originally, so I've always thought of him as a "crazy cajun."   He's a lot of fun and he was on our day in the Magic Kingdom!

Tobie Whooping it up through the restaurant on the pony

RIDE THE PONY - Tobie insisted we have lunch at the Disney Wilderness Lodge, and we took a ferry there. During lunch, Tobie arranged with the waiter to bring out a wooden pony - that they ask Birthday guests (we were celebrating Jeff's 50th) to ride through the restaurant. Jeff was embarrassed and convinced Tobie himself to do it. (Remember I said Tobie has no shame).  
   Of course, all in fun, Tobie took the horse and galloped with it through the entire restaurant (during the packed lunch hour) with his arm in the air, whooping and hollering as everyone laughed. It was hysterical and so memorable!!

Jeff and Tobie strike a pose at Thunder Mountain

STRIKE A POSE FOR A LAUGH- It took about half an hour for all of us to stop laughing after the restaurant, but Tobie was just getting started. He wore a tee-shirt with a picture of a woman on the back striking a pose with her hands in the air- and he wanted to replicate that at Thunder Mountain- so he convinced Jeff to accompany him. They stood facing the ride and posed with their arms outstretched for a picture. Again, hysterical!  

Rob, Jeff, Tobie and Tom

EEEEEK! - Tobie came back to the hotel with us for an hour so he and Jeff could take a swim in the pool (it was 86F and very humid). After their swim Tobie went into a small room outside the bathroom to change while Tom was in the bathroom. Tom came out and saw Tobie in his birthday suit, and Jeff and I heard a screech from Tobie followed by a laugh. Tom was laughing, too, but now he's in therapy.

A Springtime Dog Walk/Thunder Leash!

Rob and Dolly Ready to walk

Over the weekend of March 7 and 8, temperatures FINALLY achieved normal and hit 52F and 55F, so we were able to get out and give the dogs a nice walk. 
THUNDER LEASH - "No Pulling"! 
This time, we came with a new invention that made our Weimaraner's pulling a thing of the past. It's called "Thunder Leash."  Tom found it on-line, and we bought one at Petsmart before the walk. It really helped and it works with ANY collar, including the sporty Dunkin' Donuts collar that Dolly's Aunt Whitney and Uncle Mike sent her last year. :)   (FOR INFO: http://www.thundershirt.com/thunderleash.html

Tom and kids with snow behind them!

BTW- Here in the Washington, D.C. area it's been a nasty February and first week of March with average high temperatures around 20F colder than normal.In fact, on Thursday, March 5th, we had a big snow storm (for us) and received between 5-9" of snow and highs in the 20s with wind chills near zero. Highs on the 6th were about 27F, too, so March 7 and 8 were about 25 degrees WARMER and very welcome. 

Dolly's new ThunderLeash and Dunkin' Donuts collar

So, we took the kids to an industrial park where there are no other dogs to bother us, and had a couple of nice walks this weekend.

Disney Trip Part 4: Mr. Monk's Lawn/ Tomorrowland Wackiness

Mr. Monk's Lawn in Disney's Magic Kindgom

This is our Disney Trip Part 4 and I call this blog Tomorrowland Wackiness  and Mr. Monk's Lawn.

Jeff photobombs Mr. Monk's Lawn

MR. MONK'S LAWN - One of the new green areas in Disney World's Magic Kingdom lies just after Main Street. This green area is actually made of astroturf and is finely sculpted and clean, with clean lines, and precision balanced plants. So, Tom called it "Mr. Monk's Lawn" after the OCD Television detective who has to have everything perfect.  Of course, as I was taking a second picture of it, Jeff stuck his face in the camera making us all laugh!

Space Mountain

TOMORROWLAND WACKINESS-  One of our favorite things to do in Tomorrowland, aside from Space Mountain was the very mellow "People mover" that provided a nice, slow, steady ride around that part of the park. We took a couple of pics and of course some were wacky!
  One of the buildings (I don't know what's in it) looked like the "Hall of Justice" from the old cartoon "Superfriends" that featured the Justice League with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc. 

Rob and Tom on the People Mover!

The "Hall of Justice" like building

Jeff on the People Mover

Jeff Striking a Pose on the People Mover

IN 2 DAYS: Disney Trip Part 5: Tobie's Wacky Adventure, Ride the Pony!

What do you Think? Canned or Fresh or Frozen?

Yesterday, we posted a picture of part of our cupboard where Tom neatly stacked canned goods with labels all facing the same way. That set off several friends who kept asking why all the cans. Others asked why we don't get fresh vegetables (we get some and grow some). Why canned soup, baked beans, etc.?  Well, convenience and taste (we grew up on them and like them.  Side note: We don't buy frozen stuff for the most part. Now you can discuss it!

   WHY WE LIKED CANNED STUFF- Organics spoil in a day or two and they offer nothing in our opinion. I'm sure many of you feel differently, and to each his own. Soups are wonderful from a can. Have you tried Progresso soups? Better than mine!  I've heard all the warnings about sodium. So rinse them!

  NOT EVERYTHING IS CANNED - We do buy fresh fruit (summer and fall corn, salad stuff, etc.)  and dried cranberries, raisins, etc. so there! LOL.

  HEALTHY OR NOT? -   We've been eating canned stuff all our lives, and eat everything in moderation. Moderation is the key. We don't eat a lot of anything! Little meals and know when to stop eating. Don't eat until you're full. Stop before that.
We're fit (not overweight and not obese), we're not sickly from eating them, and we like to think we look young.

 BUYING ORGANICS? - Organics "came out" over the last 5-10 years and we've bought them and they rot in a day or two. It's wasteful and it's time consuming to run to the supermarket every two days (unless you have a butler to do it, and we certainly don't).    Some people have no tolerance for any preservatives, and we get that. 

  CONVENIENCE - I also like the ability to take a can of whatever I need to create a dinner and use it.  Obviously a lot of people also like the convenience of canned and boxed foods or no one would sell them. :)

  SIDE NOTE- If you're that concerned, are you going to grow tea leaves in your backyard and pick them yourself, grind 'em and bag 'em to make your own tea? Or coffee beans?  We do have a vegetable garden in the summer and grow what we can. As we've learned, everyone has their own take on things, and do what is right for you- Just BE HEALTHY!

Disney Trip Part 3: Fantasy Land Fun, Meeting Gods and Gargoyles

Tom and his new gargoyle  friend

Day one in Disney took us to Fantasyland. Of course, because I'm generally happy, our friend Jeff (who joined us for his 50th birthday celebration) thinks I live in "Fantasyland" every day. :)  Here, though we got to meet Gods and Gargoyles.

Jeff and his gargoyle

Be Our Guest Restaurant

GARGOYLING- Tom loved the Gargoyle sculpture found in Fantasyland. It was carved in a lamp post!  Jeff found a gargoyle to his liking, too. Jeff's Gargoyle was in the Be Our Guest Dining Room.
 

THE BE OUR GUEST DINING ROOM - Disney recreated the ballroom from "Beauty and the Beast" and made it into an incredibly beautiful dining room. We didn't get a chance to eat there, but we did take some pictures. 

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Neptune and Rob

NEPTUNE KING OF THE SEA- I love the Roman and Greek Gods, and  Neptune was a character in Disney's "Little Mermaid" movie,, so they had a statue of him there. Neptune is the god of the sea in Roman mythology, a brother of Jupiter and Pluto. He is analogous but not identical to the god Poseidon of Greek mythology. He's also the god of freshwater, earthquakes, hurricanes, and horses!  Not to mention he's a muscular guy, so that makes him more appealing. :)   - Although we both have beards, his beat mine out by a long shot!

Rob, Jeff and Tom

LITTLE MERMAID RIDE CLOSED! - We walked to where the entrance of the Little Mermaid ride was and there was a wooden wall put up, so we walked past it and found another entrance that proclaimed "Ariel's Grotto" (Ariel is the little mermaid's name). We walked in and found a woman dressed as Ariel sitting on a rock with Disney photographers telling us to get our picture taken with her. We didn't realize that the ride was closed and this was what they were offering instead, so after a brief minute of confusion we posed with her for a picture. :) 


NEXT WACKINESS IN TOMORROW LAND, MR. MONK'S LAWN

Disney Trip Part 2: Coronado, Architecture Check, "Made for Each Other"

Rob and Tom's Breakfast

 This is the second blog about our two day Disney adventure that will highlight the Coronado Resort, the Architecture Checks, and "Made for Each Other"
 
EASY TO GET AROUND - During this trip we stayed on the Disney property to make it easier, and ensure that we could get around by Disney transportation and not rent a car. That worked well, and buses come often. However, sometimes at the parks, certain buses don't go to certain resorts, but you just have to ask. 
 

The Coronado on our first foggy morning

CORONADO RESORT - This was a Mexican and Spanish themed resort and it was nice. I liked how the walls were well insulated and it was quiet at night. There was also a ceiling fan in the bedroom, which helped, since the humidity was near 100% (yes, in late February).

Tom bringing coffee and tea

BREAKFAST - I know that Disney needs to make money, and confirmed it with my (Rob) breakfast. All I eat for breakfast are pop tarts and coffee, and I got that for breakfast at the Coronado's breakfast place. At home, I pay $2.50 for a box of 8 poptarts, and at Disney it was $2.50 for a package of two.Tom had a muffin and tea every morning - yes, we're creatures of habit, and not big eaters. :)

Tom at Main Street

Jeff in a pastry shop on Main Street

 MAGIC KINGDOM MAIN STREET - We went to the Magic Kingdom on the first of two days. The rain had stopped that day, and it was just cloudy, humid and about 85F (which is hot for that time of year).  Since there's not mu

Jeff and Tom doing an Architecture Check!

ARCHITECTURE CHECK!!  - Wherever we go, Tom loves to check out the architecture and construction as well as the materials used to build structures. Tom had a field day at Disney, tapping walls, studying floors, windows, etc.

Rob and Tom plotting the day, Jeff in back

MADE FOR EACH OTHER - 

Rob and Tom wearing the same tee shirt- unplanned!

 Jeff said that Tom and I are made for each other because we have the same habits, likes and dislikes - and he's so right. Not only that, but this time we inadvertantly even dressed alike!  **We packed our bags at different times before we left, so neither of us saw what the other was packing. On the morning of day one, while Tom took a shower I put on a tee shirt in the other room. Tom dressed in the bathroom and came out wearing the SAME EXACT TEE SHIRT!  It said "Keep Calm and Hug a Weimaraner." (Our dog Dolly).
  It's even more strange because we only have a couple of tee shirts that are identical. Even funnier is that Tom doesn't usually like to wear the same shirt as me.
  We noticed that we were wearing the same shirt just before we left the room to go to The Magic Kingdom, and I told him that we were "Made for Each Other" and that was the perfect way to show it. :)

Disney Trip Part 1: Soggy Arrival

Rain pouring off our bus from the airport to the hotel

Last weekend we went to Orlando for three nights and 2 days to help our friend Jeff celebrate his 50th birthday. We thought that would be a great way for him to celebrate since he's had a very bad year. It was a nice time. Here are some pics from our arrival on a Saturday in the early evening. 

Rob and Tom on the bus

  SOGGY SATURDAY  - The arrival was a soggy one. Moderate rainfall fell, and we learned it rained the entire day. In fact, Orlando received .86 inch of rain (which is a LOT) on that day. 

Yay the bus is moving!

  

Jeff and Tom at the Grand Floridian

EXTRA TRAVEL TIME- You'd think that everything is close together, but it's not and rain makes it worse, apparently. In fact, from the airport, it took about 60 minutes to get to the resorts. We decided we'd take a bus to where our dinner reservation was located instead of checking into the resort where we were staying. Good thing we did! 

Pianist in the lobby of the hotel

 GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT CAFE- Since we've never really eaten at a lot of Disney restaurants, and I (Rob) had to blindly pick whatever was a available, I choose the Grand Floridian Cafe because it had "American food" and we are plain (and fussy) eaters. The chef came to the table to check on food allergies- and that was a nice touch. The waitress was efficient, too, but the meal was not worth the cost.  BONUS- Our friend John who has worked for Disney for 25 years met us for dinner, so we got to enjoy his company!

L to R: Jeff, Tom, Rob, John

     


NEXT: Disney Trip Part 2: Coronado, Architecture Check, "Made for Each Other"

4 instances of people mis-behaving on our flights

This past weekend, we took a 3 night, 2 day getaway to Disney in Florida to help our friend Jeff celebrate his 50th birthday. Over the course of the week, we'll post some pictures and share some laughs and adventures we had. But this short blog is about FOUR instances of people mis-behaving on the flights we had: 1) The Loud Talker, 2) We Know All Your Kids' Names, 3) Nasty Grandma, 4) Family Matters

1) THE LOUD TALKER - On the way back home, seated behind me (Rob) was a loud-mouthed man and woman who talked for the first 60 minutes of the 2 hour flight. When the plane's engine volume increased, so did his volume. I heard all about the book he was "30 pages from finishing" (that I wish he would read and shut up), his car accident when someone hit him in an intersection, his medical condition from it, the lawsuit, his trip to Madison, Wisconsin with a hote

l view that overlooked the Capital building, etc.  I was trying NOT to listen and read my book, so I had to put a finger in my left ear to tune him out. SIGH.

2) WE KNOW ALL YOUR KIDS' NAMES- Natalie, Keith and Gary. Tom knew these three kids names as well as their parents who bitched and moaned at them, and complained, citing their names over and over and over, loud enough for everyone in the vicinity of them in at the airport gate to know who they all are. We understand that kids can be very challenging to travel with sometimes. That's not the issue. The issue is to not shout at them all over and over again.

3) NASTY GRANDMA - While waiting to board in Baltimore to Orlando, there was a little girl who was about 5 years old wearing glasses, and sitting on a chair. She was playing papers, and took a bunch of them out of a bag, causing some to fall on the carpeted floor. Her grandmother (who is in her 60s) pitched a fit and yelled at the little girl. Then bitched and bitched and bitched the little girl out even though she was just sitting there looking at another book.

4) FAMILY MATTERS - Southwest airlines, like other airlines, gladly allows families to board before everyone else because it takes time to get situated with children. That's totally understandable. What's not is families that show up after EVERYONE boarded and were seated and then DEMAND that people move so their 4 little kids can sit together.  YES, that's what happened on the way home. These irresponsible parents showed up just before the door closed and demanded all the kids sit together, ousting people from their seats. THEY were late, they were disrespectful, irresponsible, and rude. SO, Southwest's folks begged people to move. The airline attendant had to bribe people and buy them drinks to move.   *I think they should've told the family to wait for the next flight, and preboard to not inconvenience everyone.- Yes, people are late sometimes, but do 6 other people need to pay for someone's rudeness?

Books I Didn't Finish - Reasons Why

I'm an avid reader. I (Rob) love mysteries and I've read a number of authors. Recently I tried out two authors, one of which is famous and has written mysteries since the 1970s. I recently read a book of hers from 1973.   Another is a writer of

mysteries with gay characters, whose book I read came out in 1994. I decided to give these two authors a try, since they've had a number of books out and appear to be successful. I stopped reading each of them around page 40. Here's why:

WHEN DO I STOP READING? - If I'm not hooked, or interested in any of the characters by page 40, I'll generally stop reading.  That was the case with BOTH of these books.

WHY NOT MENTION THE TITLES OR AUTHORS?  I won't mention the book titles or mention their names because everyone has their own preferences. These just didn't work for me. I guess I refrain from identifying them because I received one bad review on my first book (since retired) and it really, really bothered me. I think if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything about someone's art/work on-line. You can tell people you know though. We're all entitled to our opinions.

WHAT TURNED ME OFF ABOUT THEM? 1) The mystery written by the female author irritated me from the start. The main character was a female art historian, who loved herself, thought she was too good to marry, and talked about her nice figure again and again.  By page 40, there was not even a word about the mystery. 2) The mystery written by the man about 2 gay men trying to solve the mystery of a dead roomate of one of the characters seemed an interesting premise. But, when they find the dead guy in the apartment of one of them, and the murderers (apparently there are several) come back and chase them down the fire stairs and into a sewer system for 40 PAGES, I couldn't read it anymore.


NOTE ABOUT CHAPTER LENGTH - As an avid reader, one thing I like is SHORT chapters. I'm reading another mystery, which I'm really enjoying, but the chapters are quite long and can be broken into shorter chapters. I think it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I can read a short chapter and grasp something that happened quickly.

A Classic Superhero collection: Showcase Presents: Batman Vol 4

I love comics of the 1960s - 1980s, and Batman has always been one of my favorites. Recently I finished enjoying a collection of over 500 pages of Batman (and Detective) comics reprints from the 1960s in DC Showcase: Batman Volume 4.
   These stories are from the 1960s, when Batman's popularity was at an all-time high thanks to his hit liveaction TV series. This collection includes battles with The Joker, The Riddler, Catwoman and a league of assassins, and appearances by Robin and Batgirl. It's a really enjoyable collection  and nowhere near as "dark" and "brooding" as the Batman of the 1990s and 2000s.
  It's one for the collection that will be read over and over again.
  Stories in this collection highlight Batman's 300th appearance where in Detective Comics #327, editor Julius Schwartz decided to give Batman and Robin a "new look". This paperback is the fourth collection to reprint the first stories from Detective Comics and Batman with this new editorial approach in black and white, and in chronological order. This fourth collection reprints stories from June, 1968 to September, 1969.