This is Week 26 of 2010, Day 180 with 185 days left. It is Day 71 of the BP Mess.
Free Rambling Thoughts
Fire Update: The firefighters are in the ‘mop up’ stage. This is a great thing. Final figures show that 15,075 acres have been destroyed—that is almost 24 square miles. There were clouds over the fire area today…the high clouds with very flat bottoms. Sadly no rain fell. Two big portable water tanks were taken by air into the most isolated area of the fire for clean up. Sure would have liked to see that. We used to be able to enter the forest on a semi-maintained trail about two blocks from my place. That access, like all other access to the forest is now barricaded. Interestingly a game and fish ranger lives right next to the trailhead. Sure hope that keeps kids and others from going a few hundred yards into the forest. I walked up that way last week, and I was hoping to see a security camera on the ranger’s property. Either it is well hidden or doesn’t exist. A few years ago I was totally against cameras like that, but after this fire, I can sure see the advantage. Back in my camping days, I was always a little freaked out when a ranger showed up at our camp, gave his lecture, and copied our vehicle license number. We always camped in approved areas, but they were usually pretty isolated into the forest. Rangers hardly would sneak up on us, as their vehicle noise gave them away. I always thought it was a bit over the top. It still may be over the top, but we might have the idiot that started the fire by now. Two big fires in Flagstaff in 30 years may seem like it isn’t a big problem. After seeing both of them, it is two too many. For all who like to go camping, be very careful, know the forest rules and conditions, and remember that fire and a dry forest never mix—even if you are careful.
For those who don’t think that our non-elected governor isn’t completely bonkers, think again. John McCain has a tough primary ahead. He is running against another conservative who is much farther to the right than McCain is. Over the weekend, ol’ John made it clear that he knows Jan is misinformed when she babbled about most illegals crossing the AZ border were working for the drug cartels. I sure hope his conservative base listens to his words and figure out he is right. John McCain has been talking about ‘building the dang fence.’ I heard today that building an 18’ fence simply means the illegals simply will have to carry a 19’ ladder. Most seem to agree that the ‘dang fence’ will simply slow down the border crossers, not stop them. Today I got an email from a Navajo lady I worked with on the rez. Basically it compared the illegals to someone breaking into your home, eating your food, living in your house, agreeing to keep the house clean, bringing their family to live with them and just having you pay for everything. Well that isn’t the problem. It seems to me that illegals were not a big concern until our economy tanked. Many who lost their homes, their jobs, and their status need someone to blame. The Feds claim that illegal numbers are down, crime is down. Fear is driving the illegals issue as the numbers of non-white population grows legally. In my Master’s degree studies I learned that the white population would not be the majority in America during my lifetime. As that time approaches, fear is a driving force. We need to realize that not being in the majority does not have to be a bad thing. The whites have not been the majority on this earth for quite a long while. We all have to learn to work side by side.
Flag was warm today. We made it to 89° today, and with 24% humidity, it felt warm. Clouds rolled in, and rolled out, then back in again. Maybe the overcast sky of this evening will bring us some much needed moisture. If not, the clouds have cooled things off and the current breeze is very nice.
Holy Mackerel: On this date in 1854 ►Gadsden Purchase (parts of Az, NM) from Mexico for $10 million
My Quote For The Day
David Frost: Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.
Somewhat Useless Food Information
In 1995, KFC sold 11 pieces of chicken for every man, woman and child in the US.
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In the United States, a pound of potato chips costs two hundred times more than a pound of potatoes.
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Laws forbidding the sale of sodas on Sunday prompted William Garwood to invent the ice cream sundae in Evanston, IL, in 1875.
Grey Matter Puzzle 1
What three letters fit into the following five combinations to form 5 words?
_ _ _ E F
F A _ _ _ C
D E _ _ _ S
H Y _ _ _ D
L U _ _ _ C A N T
Unusual News Item
Roswell UFO Festival — July 1/4, Roswell, N.M.
From promoting extraterrestrial education through expert speakers and workshops, to an alien pet costume contest and a July 4fireworks show, festival goers are sure to experience a healthy dose of paranormal activity.
A Little Laff
The aspiring psychiatrists were attending their first class on emotional extremes. "Just to establish some parameters," said the professor to the student from Arkansas, "What is the opposite of joy?"
"Sadness," said the student.
And the opposite of depression?" he asked of the young lady from Oklahoma.
"Elation," said she.
"And you sir," he said to the young man from Texas, "how about the opposite of woe?"
The Texan replied, "Sir, I believe that would be giddy-up."
Grey Matter Puzzle 2
You can have me but cannot hold me; gain me and quickly lose me.
If treated with care I can be great, and if betrayed I will break.
What am I?
My You Tube Site of the Day
A different view of Afghanistan: Click Here!
Grey Matter Picture--This is a close up of what common object?
Grey Matter Picture--This is a close up of what common object?
This thing can really grind.
Some Calendar Info
► Weekly Observances ◄
28 -7/5: Fish Are Friends, Not Food! Week AND National Prevention of Eye Injuries Awareness
► Today’s Observances ◄
Camera Day
Library Advocacy Day
Netherlands: Veterans Day
Haro, La Rioja, Spain: Haro Wine Festival
► Hit Songs on this date ◄
The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down Russ Morgan in 1937
Chi-Baba Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep) Perry Como in 1947
Love Letters in the Sand Pat Boone in 1957
Windy The Association in 1967
Gonna Fly Now (Theme from 'Rocky') Bill Conti in 1977
► Born today ◄
…The Arts
John Toland, 1912, Pulitzer Prize-winning author: The Rising Sun [1970] , born in Ardagh on the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal, Ire
+++
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, 1933, actor (Keystone Comedies, Mabel & Fatty) , born in Smith Center, KS
‘Little’ Eva Boyd, 1943, singer: The Loco-motion, born in Brooklyn, NY
Gary Busey, 66, actor (Under Siege, The Buddy Holly Story), musician, born Goose Creek, TX
Nelson Eddy, 1901, actor/baritone (Great Duets with Jeanette MacDonald) , born in Providence, RI
Slim Pickens(Louis Bert Lindley Jr.), 1919, rodeo athlete, actor (Dr Strangelove, Blazing Saddles) , born in Kingsburg, CA
…Athletics
Harmon Clayton Killebrew, 74, Hall of Fame baseball (Senators, Twins, Royas), born Payette, ID
…Business & Education
Samantha Smith, 1972, American student who wrote letter to USSR, born in Manchester, ME
…Politics
Kwame Toure (Stokley Carmichael), 1941, civil rights leader, born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
…Science / Religion
George Washington Goethals, 1858, engineer (built Panama Canal) , born in Brooklyn, NY
William James Mayo, 1861, surgeon/co-founder Mayo clinic, born in Le Sueur, MN
► Obituaries today ◄
Henry Clay, the great compromiser, @ 75 in 1852
Bob Crane, actor (Hogan's Heroes), murdered in Phx @ 59 in 1978
Jayne Mansfield, actress, car crash @ 34 in 1967
Irving Wallace, author (Book of Lists, Peoples Almanac), @ 74 1990
► Events ◄
…The Arts
1613 ►Shakespeare's Globe Theater burns down
1987 ►Vincent Van Gogh’s Le Pont de Trinquetaille brought in $20.6 million at an auction in London, England.
…Athletics
1897 ►The Chicago Cubs scored 36 runs in a ball game against Louisville, setting a record for runs scored by a team in a single game
…Business & Education
1937 ►Joseph-Armand Bombardier of Canada receives patent for sprocket and track traction system used in snow vehicles.
…Politics (US)
1704 ►The same force of 50 South Carolinians and 1,000 CREEKs which attacked the Mission of San Pedro y San Pable in Patale on June 23rd, attack the Spanish San Damian de Cupahica Mission, near modern day Tallahassee, Florida, today. The mission will be destroyed. Many of the local Indians will be taken as slaves.
1767 ►British passes Townshend Revenue Act levying taxes on America
1972 ►Supreme Court-death penalty usually was "cruel & unusual punishment"
…Politics (outside US)
1949 ►South Africa begins implementing apartheid; no mixed marriages
1974 ►President Isabela Peron often called affectionately ( Evita ), Juan Peron's third wife, was the Western Hemisphere's first female head of government after becoming President when her husband died.
…Science / Religion
1850 ►Autocephaly officially granted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to the Church of Greece.
1954 ►Atomic Energy Comm voted against reinstating Dr J Robert Oppenheimer
Grey Matter Answers
…1
BRI. BRIEF FABRIC DEBRIS HYBRID LUBRICANT
…2
Trust
Grey Matter Photo
Circular Sander
Today’s Photo Shot
Now What?
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