Cappy's Corner

CORONA VIRIUS VS POLITICS AND THE ECONOMY

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HORRORS ARE NOT JUST FOR HALLOWEEN

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MASS SHOOTINGS

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POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

I am so sick of hearing about who's feelings are going to get hurt, by banning or even talking about a certain group of individuals. Lets start with your civil rights, if you are not an American then these rights don't apply to you, you simply have no rights in this country. End of story!

 When I was a young girl growing up in South Florida, I was discriminated against. The fact that I had an amazing chocolate tan from spending all my time outdoors, led me to the back of the bus each time my grandmother wanted to take us shopping. As a child in the 60's it didn't dawn on me that I was being grouped as a black person, because it just didn't matter to me. I didn't care nor did my grandmother, because the seats at the back of the bus weren't any different than the ones at the front, nor were the people. Plus, I just didn't know of prejudice, I wasn't taught such things.

Why is it every time a person speaks they have to consider the feelings of the masses, are you kidding, seriously no comment can make every person happy. That would be absurd to think what any one person says has so much impact on me. I am an American and my family background is that of Italian. As soon as I mention to anyone that I have Italian heritage, you should see their faces, as if they were standing in front of the "God Father" himself. Like any group of people there is a stigma, do I take this seriously, no, because it has nothing to do with me. I think of it as a group of people who's most important attributes are familia, (family).  I happily quote, " I maka you an offer you can nota refuse".

 All of our backgrounds came from somewhere else, when my great grandparents came to this country, legally, they were so happy, because their goal was to become American. I remember them very clearly, studying English, and smiling each time they would communicate with someone successfully. They traveled all those miles because being here and being an American and having all the rights this country afforded was worth all their sacrifices. They were no longer part of Italy, they were Americans, their heritage strong in culture and pride only made them better Americans.

When a person chooses to come to this country there are rules and processes that everyone should go through. It should be thorough and these people should be future contributors for this country. I have traveled all over the world and sometimes it was not easy to simply visit. I have had to prove financial responsibilities for my stay and return tickets to leave. Why don't we follow some of these simple rules. I can go on for hours and it all comes down to common sense.

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CAROL WILLIAMSON DAY

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BECOMING A VICTIM FROM YOUR PROTECTORS

It was a normal Friday, went to work in Coral Gables to clean. Chatted with the landscapers who needed some questions from the homeowner, so I texted and gave her the information, anyway that was that. She said that she was in a meeting and had no time. I went back inside and went on with my routine, laundry, cleaning, you know the stuff that no one wants to do. I left around 3ish.

The next Monday I was scheduled to clean again at the same location, upon my arrival I read a note that was left for me, which stated that they had been burglarized over the weekend. As I looked around I didn't notice anything disturbed, so I went on the gather the laundry and clean the bathroom. Shortly after I began the homeowner arrived with a whole bunch of detectives and lab people. In order not to be under foot I went to another part of the house and started the laundry. I have learned to stay out of the way when people are in the house. Laundry started I now head to the kitchen to clean, a detective asked if he could ask me some questions to establish a timeline. He signaled for me to come and sit down, I told him that if he doesn't mind I need to continue my work, he leaned over the counter and asked some questions. When did you arrive? When did you leave? Some miscellaneous questions, in the background, I hear other detectives talking about gathering DNA samples from everyone. I ignored them and continued my work. I hear a lab tech tell the homeowner, "see that was nothing", as she took a DNA sample from her. I have no idea how long they were there at the house or how many detectives were there. It seemed like a police station with them coming and going. Before all the detectives had departed the one who questioned me earlier made an effort to have me go to the police department for more questions. I made the appointment just to get him to go away. I had no intention on attending. I know how those things go!

I made some phone calls and spent some time thinking about the whole situation. I wanted to see if it was my imagination that I was considered a suspect, but after a couple of calls, it seemed to me that I was not the only one who had those thoughts. Why would I possibly clean toilets for months so I could rob someone who is friends with another of my customers that I have had for 12 years? My final advice was not to attend this meeting, so I put it out of my head.

The day of my scheduled meeting came and went, now Friday is here and I am working at an unrelated location. The detective called and asked why I did not attend our scheduled meeting. I told him that my attorney, now let me get it right  I said: "Hell No Don't Go". Of course, the detective began his conditioned response with words like, "spirit of cooperation", "you are not a suspect", "just want to establish the time". My reply to all that was, "My attorney told me you would say that too". He was relentless with his comments, "You can have your attorney with you at the station", yeah, I got the money to have an attorney at my beckon call. My reply was that I would be happy to meet him somewhere for a cup of coffee or I would be happy to talk with him on the phone. He went on to tell me, "I will be calling you!". I told him that it would be fine, call me anytime, I then proceeded to block his number.

I am not even a witness, I can't think of any reason that he would possibly need my attendance at the Coral Gables police department. The only reasons I can think of is that I am a suspect or the detective are just lazy and want me to solve the crime. I see that this is a form of harassment, what do they expect me to tell them? I was miles away and didn't even think about that house after I drove away.

I do recall when my house was burglarized, I hardly got anyone to come out and take finger prints. I was lucky that the crooks were so stupid they got caught. I really don't think that it was about finger printing and DNA samples. I guess I don't live in the right neighborhood for a real investigation.

Tell me if you have ever heard of such a thing, without being a suspect? Don't be intimidated by anything that the police may say, they are trained to lie and are professional manipulators. Remember if their lips are moving they are lying.

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WAR...THE END?

With all the talk about the end of the war, I couldn't help thinking about what would happen to all the men and women who returned from the war. I am a product of the 60's and 70's where we always protested war. I have always seen war as a useless way to resolve conflict. Not to mention the drain on the countries resources. If we ran our homes the same as the country, there would be families and communities killed because we didn't like the way they raised their kids.

 Granted people who do wrong should indeed be found and punished. How do we justify the killing of people who had nothing to do with the initial problem. Then we turn around and tell them how their country should be run. All people should start by taking care of themselves, those who can not should be helped, not with arrogance and war. Our country should not think that they are the shinning example to the world, because it is not. Freedom is not having someone else tell you what to do!

I can't help thinking about what we call the "Civilized World". As I wander back in time to the Neanderthals, are earliest man. Have we really progressed more than them? Besides standing on two feet and wearing clothing we still haven't moved forward enough to just be at peace with each other. Technology has advanced to amazing heights, the human intelligence is vast and always expanding. So why is that compassion and understanding have not reached this amazing level? This should be our goal, not murder. On a small scale we do it, the family unit for example, small communities manage to live a peaceful existence. Why can't we expand this to the world. When a catastrophe occurs, we all step up as a group from all over the world, we put together volunteers and money and take care of the needs of the victims. How about the tsunami in Asia, the worst in history, the world was there to lend a hand along with the earthquake in Haiti. Millions were donated and people were there to help. We did these things as people not governments, united by the need  to help and to just do the right thing.

I continue to think about the rise of unemployment and homelessness as our troops return. Thinking about where they would be had there been no conflict, and had all the trillions of dollars spent on this war remained home. I began doing research into this very thing and have found what you will read next:

Brown University Watson Institute for International Studies
© 2011 Watson Institute
Has this military spending created more jobs than other kinds of spending? Usually not. In fact, public funds would have created more jobs in the past decade if they had been invested in such industries or sectors as home weatherization, construction, healthcare, or education.


A million dollars of spending would create 15.5 jobs in public education, 14.3 jobs in healthcare, 12 jobs in home weatherization, or about the same number of jobs in various renewable energy technologies. A million dollars spent on construction (residential and non-residential structures) creates 11.1 direct and indirect jobs.


Investments in renewable energy such as solar, wind, or biomass, would create just as many jobs as military spending. Efficiency programs such as weatherization of homes and public buildings would create about 1.5 times as many jobs, and federal support for healthcare and education would create twice as many as the same level of military spending.


Alternatively, the federal government could have increased its support for energy efficiency programs such as weatherization of homes and public buildings, or increasing the infrastructure and operations for mass transit. $130 billion per year in these efficiency programs would have created a net increase of about 500,000 jobs each year. Spending in renewable energy programs would have created approximately the same number of jobs as the military, but would have contributed to combating climate change and building a more sustainable energy infrastructure.

Well, I think that says it all, doesn't it? These results are just this country, other countries would benefit the same and perhaps we wouldn't be in debt with a Communist country. I see that when we need something other political and social groups are willing to help, without conflict.

I have rambled enough for now, I really get worked up when I think about what is happening around me, even if I don't see it with my own eyes, how the world is effected. So many ways to resolve problems without war, lets see if our goal one day can indeed be "World Peace".

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EVERYBODY NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT

I have been writing letters lately to two people that I love very much. Unfortunately they are incarcerated. I have been sending them encouragement and hopes. The both of them are there in the “Big House” for hurting no one, but themselves. I can’t help thinking about how the punishment should fit the crime. I look at the news and see how people are walking the streets after rape, attempted murder, assault, child molestation & murder.


I just don’t get it, my two loves are on government vacation for growing some herbs and the other for who knows what, none of it makes sense to me. All I know is that we the taxpayer are spending money for their food, housing and education. What they were convicted of didn’t hurt anyone. Does this government really have the brains to do the right thing?

I am sick of watching people who don’t belong on the planet walking the streets right next to me and the people who have a non-violent crime locked up behind bars. What is wrong with this picture? I say if you know someone who is like these two, drop them a line and give them some words of encouragement. For certain tell them that it is a great opportunity to read those books, get their GED, or start their college or vocational education. Tell them if they are stuck there, then by all means use the government to get what you need to be a success when you leave the confines of that God forsaken place.

These people could be your family or friends, let them know what is going on and keep them part of your life as if they were there. Before you know it, they will be home and I imagine more violent than when they were put there. For these people incarceration does them more harm than good. A letter from you could mean a few minutes with a smile on their face and perhaps a feeling that they have something to look forward to.

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DEDICATED TO YOU

Have you ever driven down the street and seen someones name on a street sign. Well, of course you have, I never really thought about it until today. A friend asked me to help her because she was hosting an event at her home, because a sign was being dedicated to her father.
The morning started with the plans for getting the refreshments and decorations on the tables. Across the street from a distance I watched as my friends along with community leaders gathered for the unveiling of the new sign. Lots of people joined in the celebration of Clyde Binson.
At the event I asked some of the guests questions about the dedication and found that the community had to go through application processes and city council meetings. Not everyone was approved for this honor, but Clyde was a community leader in his time and he is loved to this day.
I could only think of how much pride his family and friends felt to look up at the new sign, dedicated to a man who silently made a difference in his community. For years to come people will look up and wonder for generations to come and perhaps his legacy will never end. I know that each time I pass that street sign and see his name above the street I will remember what he meant to the community. Even though I never had the honor of meeting him, I do value my friendship with his daughter and if he was half as wonderful as she is then the honor is all mine.

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HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER

Well, Casey Anthony walks away. I completely understand how, if the glove doesn't fit you must acquit!
 First lets start with the investigation. As always they focus on just one person, granted they did try to find leads to people who didn't exist. The nanny, babysitter and such, which of course, lead them right back to Casey. The obvious way to get away with murder is to leave reasonable doubt. The investigators tried for more than they could achieve, instead of charges that could actually be proved, how about man slaughter, they were thinking far too big and had no evidence to convict on such charges.
Just a reminder that our legal system is so ridiculous it isn't even funny. I know people who were convicted of small charges and no victim was involved and they got 10 years. Does that seem right to you. People who get caught with pot spend more time in jail, a victimless crime. There is a beautiful little girl that will never see her next birthday and I can only blame the whole family. The report of her missing a month late, sounds like they had plenty of time to make certain there was no evidence to find. Isn't the grandfather in law enforcement? You bet, he had the information and knowledge to make this all go away.
So the simple thing to do is get someone else to look as if they could have done it, thus you have reasonable doubt. Don't report the crime for as long as you can and all the evidence will be washed away by then. Our law enforcement and criminal system in Florida is so corrupt, it is easy to pull the proverbial wool over their eyes. Our legal system makes it simple to get away with murder.
 If you think for one minute that Casey Anthony will not pay the price eventually, you are wrong, because I believe what comes around goes around. Look at O.J., his life went to shit, and remains there. People who get away with murder, make mistakes and eventually get caught doing it. Casey Anthony's daughter will get her justice and public will be there to see it.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT- RE-VISITED AGAIN

I finally got a letter back from Waste Management, my guestions answered from my original letter. If you read the letter they talk about money as if it were mere pennies. I am going to forward a suggestion to them that they charge for each individual dumping and just take it off our tax bill completely. When I figured out the math, it costs a lot of money per visit. Why not charge $3 for residents, $5 for non and perhaps $7 for landscapers, etc... I think this way they will never have to turn away anyone, I think when they turn people away we find the trash in canals, vacant lots, and various other places. Then we have to end up picking that stuff up too. I also noticed in the letter that says how we have already reduced the cost of collections with the automated pick-up. You know what, I havn't noticed a reduction of any kind on my tax bill. They are always claiming that they are going to do things to reduce our costs, yet we never, ever see the reduction on our tax bills. If you are a home-owner you may want to click on the email address below and make some of your own suggestions. We have to stand up to government spending, even if it is, as they claim 50 cents a household. Don't believe it for a minute. They will use that extra money and still increase our taxes. Just wait and see.

Stand up for your rights, use your voice, send and email or make a call.

The Department of Solid Waste Management is currently testing a new Access Management System at our 13 Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers (TRCs). The system is being tested for future implementation and is designed to help ensure that only those residents who pay the annual waste collection fee are provided access to the TRCs. I am attaching a PDF version of the flyer currently being distributed. It provides details on how the system is designed to work and what information is being gathered during the test period.


When a resident visits the TRC, they are asked to provide the attendant with their State of Florida driver's license or identification (ID) card, as they have always been required to do. With the new system, the attendant scans the driver's license or ID to determine if the property address embedded in the bar code of the license or ID is a match against an eligible property address in our customer database. The TRC Access Management system will record the date and time of your TRC visit, the name and address on the license/ID and the type of material being delivered. No other personal information will be recorded. On-site personnel do not have access to the information recorded by the hand-held device. There are no plans to use this information to limit access to the TRCs for customers who pay the annual waste fee. The data gathered through the system will be used to enhance our ability to keep out ineligible users and improve operations at the TRCs.
During the test period, residents will not be turned away if the information in their driver's license does not match an address of an eligible property address in our database. However, if an ineligible resident (e.g. a resident who lives in an apartment, a non-service area municipality or an unpermitted landscaper) tries to use the Center, they will be denied access just as they have been in the past. While the system is being tested, you will not be turned away if you do not agree to have your license scanned. However, once the system is fully implemented, you will be required to have your license scanned to gain access to the facility.
When the system is permanently implemented, it will enable us to control operational costs by ensuring that the Centers are being used only by customers like you that pay the annual $439 waste fee. The total annual operating cost for the TRC system is approximately $25 million or $77 per household. The cost for the TRC access control equipment (hardware and software) was $161,000, or about one-half of one percent of the annual TRC system cost, which translates to about fifty-cents ($0.50) per household. The public information costs for this program have been kept very low; less than $2,000 has been spent on handouts and signage posted at the TRCs. And no additional personnel have been hired to implement this program. We conservatively estimate that implementation of the TRC access management system will generate an annual cost reduction of approximately $3 million or $9 per household. We are continuously looking for ways to reduce costs and serve you better, particularly through the use of new technologies like automated garbage collection and single stream recycling.
I hope that this information provides clarification of the TRC Access System. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at 305-514-6789 or via email at pzp@miamidade.gov.


Pamela Payne
Assistant Director
Collection Operations

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WASTE MANAGEMENT- RE-VISITED

I finally got some replies to my letter to Waste Management, the governor of the state, Rick Scott, and the Mayor of my little town, which I didn't even write to, but the Governor forwarded it my local representative. With all this correspondence I still didn't get a letter from Waste Management, figures doesn't it!
I thought I would share with you the letter that my local Mayor sent, which makes me believe there is some hope in government, not much, but some. I am going to re-send my letter to Waste Management, over and over until I get a reply. I can't be ignored forever. If there is something in your government you don't like, write, write and re-write the officials. Never give up, and pursue them until you get a reply. We are the people of this Nation, lets start acting like it. Below is the letter I received from my local Mayor.

Dear Mary,


I have been forwarded your email and although there is not much the Mayor from Cutler Bay can do about a trash dump in Palmetto Bay ( assume it is on SW`184St) and run by the county. But, be sure, we are like minded. I believe that our great Nation is made up of many small governments that will give leadership to our national direction. Small Towns and cities will let larger counties and states know the mood of the people. I believe the mood is: enough! Enough waste, enough spending, enough invasion of our civil liberties.


I can only be the guardian of the small Town of Cutler Bay. I see it as our Nation. That is how we must view the world around us. As they say, one bite at a time.


I thank you for your email. I would recommend you contact the Village manager or mayor of Palmetto Bay and advise them of your concern. As stated, the local trash collection is not in Cutler Bay. Coming from the Village where it is located has greater weight.


As Winston Churchill once coined; "Never, Never, Never, give up".


With Kind Regards,


Edward P. MacDougall


Mayor


Town of Cutler Bay Town Hall


10720 Caribbean Blvd., Suite 105


Cutler Bay, Florida 33189

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DOES THE CRIME FIT THE PUNISHMENT?

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WASTE MANAGEMENT

Doesn't really seem like a worthy topic, but it definitely got me rilled up. Let me tell you how much it angers me. It's back to what I say about this country, who slowly takes our rights away.
It was a regular day, sunny and I was working outdoors doing a little cleaning. Filled up the truck for a trip to the dump. I was just getting use to giving my identification so that I proved I indeed lived in the neighborhood and I was authorized to use the facility. I pay taxes so I understood that it was a paid service for me and the community taxpayers.

I approached the entrance where the attendant would check my identification and tell me what lane to go to. This time was different, I held out my id and the attendant took it from my hand, he began punching in my drivers license number into this machine. I literally yelled, "What are you doing?", he replied with telling me about the new procedures. He pointed at a new sign, which said in several languages that there is new procedures. I was very upset that Waste Management was now putting my information into a data base, not to mention how the costs of this new program is going to effect my taxes. Are you kidding, how many times am I going to be told that I can't be trusted. Now they are telling me that I should trust them with all my information. I sent this email:

Director of Waste Management

I can foresee the future of this country. I already pay for garbage, I went to the dump today to drop off some palm leaves as I frequently do. I didn't mind so much when I was asked for my identification. Today, my identification was taken out of my hand and my personal information was manually put into a scanner.



This indicates to me, first additional costs, such as the sign telling me, that more of my personal information will be collected and who knows where it goes. Now I find that this information is shredded afterward. After what, it is put into a data base, printed. Then does it record every time I am making a visit to the dump. Of course it does. I see that in the future I will be getting charged for individual dumping. Or will I be limited?.


It is just another chance for my information to be released into the public. If I can not be trusted, then why should I trust that my information is being handled properly?


I am sick and tired of this country tracking my every move. I pay my taxes, or should I say, my ever increasing taxes. By the way how many more people had to be hired to handle all this information. I demand to know how much this program is costing me and the tax payers of the county. Are you kidding, I have to tighten my belt, but my own community is making certain that I can never own my home or end my yearly struggle to pay taxes, which is more a month than my own mortgage. Does this seem right to you?


Tell me what will happen if I refuse to have my license scanned?


Thank you in advance for the answers to my questions.


Capt. Mary
Resident of Cutler Bay
 
Tell me what you think, do you think I will even get a reply?

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BEING NEIGHBORLY CONTINUED

I guess fighting "City Hall," is not always a loosing battle. My prior story
BEING NEIGHBORLY , will explain the topic if you didn't read this post. Instead of going over the whole thing again, the great news is "My Neighbor," won her battle and they reinstated her exemptions and her assessment is back to where it needs to be. Her bill went from $4,000. to under $900. I would say that was worth fighting for. She still has more work to do.
Being Neighborly really paid off, according to the paperwork, they processed everything the same day as the hearing. This must be a miracle of some kind, it goes to show you do catch more flies with honey. I tell you what, we poured honey all over it.
When you think about it, the people we have to work with are just like me and you, working stiffs. They pay taxes just like the rest of us. I am certain they are over-worked and under-paid like the rest of us. The last year encountered a lot of problems, they took Homestead Exemptions from 90,000 people in Miami. I imagine what they were hoping for is that people would just pay the inflated bills, but that back fired on them. Most people fought the system and it ended up costing the taxpayers in mediation and court cost to re-instate all those tax bills. The people at the top of the food chain don't give the American public enough credit, we don't sit back and take it anymore. If you find yourself in this predicament, don't hesitate to shoot me a line, I am just about an expert by now. It took 10 months to resolve this problem, but in the meanwhile my neighbor was not charged late fees or penalties while her case was pending.
So, if you ever think "City Hall," is too big, just think again, and always remember they work for us not the other way around. Always be kind to the people that are helping you, it could be your neighbor!

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BEING NEIGHBORLY

My neighbors have been here since the beginning of time. I have one of my neighbors who recently left town for a time to have surgery and recovery time to N.C.. In the meantime she had her mail forwarded to her N.C. address. While home in Miami the mail arrived that had that letter about your Homestead Exemptions, you know the one, it says if these exemptions are correct do nothing. The government has this letter set up to not forward anywhere. As you might guess the letter was returned to the Exemption Board and they immediately removed her exemptions, not only did they do that but they changed her assessed value as if the home was repurchased by a new owner. The name of the deed did not change, and according to the rules, if the home is no longer your homestead they can only increase the assessed value ten percent. Lets do the math, it went from 84,000 to 172,00. My math skills may not be perfect, but that doesn't seem to add up.
In her horror, Lilly, contacted me and we began to try to fix this problem. First, we make our way to the government office to try to correct the problem. Lilly did not have enough identification to correct the problem. So, we schedule a hearing with the Adjustment Board, now that ten months has passed, the date for the hearing is here.
Time to go Downtown, I won't even get into the logistics, that's another story. At the Government Center we sit before three people, one was a magistrate, and two others with the administration of Exemption, or something like that. Before we entered the room, I had to instruct Lilly, who was in tears, to keep calm and be nice. Lilly was a wreck, trying to live on her retirement of 13,000 a year is hard enough, but to tell her that she has to pay 4,000 in taxes just sent her over the edge. I can't image what it would be like to be over 80 years old and living in her home for almost 50 years, and the government tells you "this is not your home anymore". She was devastated. Lilly started to ramble on, not realizing that the board had already restored 2 of her 3 exemptions. I got it, so we were more than half way through the process, now we had to restore the assessed value of the home back to 2008 prices. I have always believe that there are no problems without solutions. So, I had to speak up and tell the board that we don't have the identification that they require, instead of discussing why Lilly does not have it, I said lets find a solutions. The board began to brainstorm, and one of the ladies suggested a special form. We began the paperwork with the help of the board. One of ladies took us down stairs to have the forms notarized, after I filled them out, she sent us to record the documents. After hours of paperwork, I told Lilly that we are going back to the board and bringing the paperwork to the Assessment board, this completes the process. I mentioned to all who helped me and Lilly that this was "Help a Neighbor Day", the response to this was wonderful, we became know as the "Good Neighbors".
Our driver Max, and neighbor got us home, pulling up to my house Lilly turns around and says to me give me a call, I shouted "No way, its the end of Help a Neighbor Day, now Piss off a Neighbor, begins", of course I was kidding.
I was so happy to report that everyone that we encountered in our Downtown adventure was wonderful, it all started because I instructed my neighbors to be nice. The old saying you catch more flies with honey, is sooooooo true.

4 comments | Posted in » Politics  

CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION?

My ride started out innocent enough. I am doing a little renovation on my bathroom. What I want to do is go as "Green" as possible on my Reno. My bathroom has a gray toilet and sink, which doesn't really match anything. So, I was looking to replace my toilet with a white one. I located a "Home for Humanity Restore," and then called my sister to let her know what I was doing. Since my sissy lives in Key Largo, I would sneak in a visit. My sister told me that she can get me a toilet from a recent Reno, from the Lions Club. After getting off work, and watching a litter of kittens being born I head toward the Florida Keys.
Making my leisurely drive, I cross the county line and begin noticing information signs. The sign said, "Drug Enforcement Check Point Ahead." "What!" I said to myself. I continue driving and notice police everywhere, pulling drivers over randomly. "Can this be true?" Have I crossed the border into a communist country? Do people know their rights, or are they being detained unlawfully, because they don't know. Are we rolling income for the government, is there a short fall somewhere and now we just pull over and pay. Does this sound like a nation of rights and freedom?
On my way out of town I stopped at a convenient store for a coffee. The parking lot and the store was full of police. After a few minutes they cleared out of the store, I couldn't help asking the cashier what was going on. The cashier didn't reply, instead the other customers standing in line jumped in on my comment. A couple of guys had been detained and commented that the police can do anything they want! Me and another gentleman told the guys that legally they cannot search your vehicle, without probable cause or your permission. The guys didn't know they had the right to say no! The police intimidated them into submission, to allow the search. I can't believe how the government is taking advantage of travelers. These poor guys weren't even on the rode, they were at a restaurant and in the end they got a ticket for too dark tinting. That is a ruse that is commonly used. Instead of concern with our safety and freedom, the police are taking advantage of us and finding different ways to make money from travelers.
I am just sick over this, how bad is it going to get before we put out foot down. I was hoping to get pulled over and be able to exhort my rights. Enough is enough. If this pisses you off let me know.

1 comments | Posted in » Politics  

SOMETIMES THINGS IN THE PAST BITE YOU IN THE ASS

Have you ever put off doing something, because it just didn't seem important? Well, twenty five years ago or so, I put off changing my name on my social security card. I did get my name legally changed and thought that was enough. My maiden name was still on the card, I just didn't use the last name that I had deleted.
I was able to pay taxes, get a voters registration, get my captain's license, and homeland security background check. Never thought that, by not changing it with the social security administration it would come back to bite me in the ass. I could do just about anything I wanted, except go to school.
I was scheduled to take a test to obtain my G.E.D. today. Yesterday, I went to the school to check the lay of the land. I wanted to find where the class room was located and confirm my testing date. Much to my surprise, I walked into the office and was told that I can not take the test, because there was a problem with my social security card. The problem was that the name didn't match and the card had an error on it. Back in the day, when I got my card, computers were well in the future and my card was hand typed. Looking closely at the card, which I never did, you could see that a number had been corrected and typed over.
Now, I had to go to the Social Security Administration to get a special print-out, so that I could go to school. Went to the S.S.A. twice and finally returned to the school with the paper-work. I had a sigh of relief, until the school rejected the paper-work. I went home again, looking for something that would make them happy. I found a document, a W-2 from the State of Florida Retirement, this seemed to satisfy the school.
That's not all, in the meantime I was removed from the testing list. I have been studying very hard and was excited about continuing my education. Finally, after an hour, we manged to make an adjustment to the schedule, and today is the day that I test. I will be taking the first section of the test at 1:45 today. I also found out that my test results won't come back for 8 to 12 weeks. I am in store for a day of testing that will last approximately 5 hours. I have confidence that I will do well, since I am only required to get a little more that half of the questions correct. In the meantime, while waiting for my test results I can begin my chosen studies. All I can say is Wish me Luck, I will need it.

No Comment | Posted in » Politics  

JURY DUTY

I have been called! Well, I have a problem with our legal system. I have only been called three times in my life and the last two I was excused. I again took the form that was mailed and wrote in my excuse.
Today I received a phone call telling me that my excuse is not acceptable. I explained to the caller that instead of wasting both our time, it would be best to let it go. I explained that I don't believe in our legal system, it is corrupt and worthless. I would not be selected to serve and what a waste of time and money. My excuse was that I don't have the funds to get to Downtown and waste my time sitting in a chair. I made it very clear to the caller that I will not be there.
The caller then told me it would be up to the judge to decide my fate. I told her she can have me arrested, at least I will get three meals a day.
I have heard that it is a privilege to serve, but I don't see it that way. I don't think I would even be living here if I wasn't born here, I reject my American citizenship, if I was an alien I would get so much more out of our government. I have no duty to anyone. Just to let my readers know, I am scheduled to report on June 8Th, so give me call and you can visit me in Jail. Don't forget to let the news know how they put a little old lady on food stamps and limited income in jail.

3 comments | Posted in » Controversy, Politics  

HOW BAD WILL IT GET

I don't know how much more we can take as Americans. Personally, I am running out of energy to get upset with all the government spending and corruption. I did my taxes recently and found some changes that were extreme. First let me start with that stimulus we got last year, some Americans are paying it back and I don't think they even realize it. One of the questions on the tax form is "How much was your stimulus check?", or course you can't lie about it, because the IRS is all knowing. But, just for kicks put a zero in the box and see if your final tax isn't a bit different. Like the exact amount of your stimulus. This my fellow Americana's is what I call Bush's last word.
Next, what about those guys who got the giant bonuses on our backs. The government can never get that money back legally. Now, how much more corruption has to happen to get the money back to the American citizen? These guys took their millions and left the country.
First it was the Banks that lead us into the horrible economy, but now the government has given more of our money to the people who put us here in the first place. Does it sound to you that we will live to see the recovery of this country. I don't think it will happen.
I have decided that I too, will now become part of the problem, I will take what is mine before there is nothing left of our once beautiful country. Our country has taught us that lies, corruption and slipping through loop holes is the American way. My fellow Americans it is time for us to become like our leaders. In fact it is time to say "I don't give a shit anymore".

1 comments | Posted in » Controversy, Politics