All in the Family featured the curmudgeonly Archie Bunker. Archie was television’s most famous grouch, blunt, blustering, straightforward and untouched by the PC crowd. He was the archetype of the conservative male. Michael desprately tried to reeducate him, but he persisted in his breviloquence.



Looking back at the last 40 years, we realize: ARCHIE WAS RIGHT!

8/07/2015

GFF--Athletic Excellence

Last Friday (actually today but thanks to the miracle of Bloggers feature that lets you schedule your posts in a queue, it is last week now) I came across a story that didn't fit the theme.

I like stories about athletes.  An athlete is someone who by definition does their absolute best only to risk being beaten.  I guess that's why I like stories about them.  Everything is on the line and losing is at least a 50% chance, if not more.

Maybe that's why I cheer.  Who didn't like Rocky?  He lost in the first film but we cheered him anyway.  We have stories like Disney's Cool Running's, a move based on the real life events surrounding the Jamaican Bobsled Team in the Olympics.  They wrecked and then carried their sled across the finish line.  Then there is Eric Liddell.  He put his faith ahead of personal glory, and apparently sacrificed his shot at Olympic gold.  Then by Devine decree he obtained a more perfect crown.

I cheer for those kinds of stories.  I shouted yes at a movie screen for Rocky.  I remember clapping in my easy chair for a bunch of crazy Jamaicans.  Eric Liddell is an inspiration.  There is this little guy:

Watch Boy With Cerebral Palsy Cast Aside Walking Aid And Finish A Triathlon Like The Champ He Is
Bailey Matthews, an 8-year-old who has cerebral palsy, completed a triathlon in England last weekend, discarding his walking aid before crossing the finish line to a roaring crowd, the Yorkshire Post reported.
“That was his way of finishing in style and showing everyone what he could do,” Bailey’s mother, Julie Hardcastle, told the news outlet. “It was the response from the crowd that pushed him to do that.”
The young athlete from Nottinghamshire, England, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 18 months old. Though the condition affects  Bailey’s motor skills, making certain tasks and movements difficult, his father, Jonathan Matthews, adapted a walking frame so his son could participate in physical activities -- including last weekend’s triathlon. 
Bailey’s self-determination led him to complete the Castle Howard Triathlon in North Yorkshire on Saturday, which, for the children’s race, included a 100-meter swim, 4,000-meter bike ride and 1,300-meter run, according to the event’s website. The events take place on the castle’s grounds, with one parent allowed to help young competitors with the race. 
Hundreds of spectators waited at the end of the course and cheered on Bailey’s incredible achievement. He used his custom walking frame during the race, but cast it aside for the final stretch, crossing the finish line with pride and glory. 

YEAH!!!!

I'm cheering!  I hope they can hear it in England.

8/06/2015

Jury Service

When I turned 18 there were some civic responsibilities I was aware of, and even looked forward to doing.  I registered for the draft.  I registered to vote.  I knew I became eligible to serve on a Jury.   I have never been drafted (they didn't even let me enlist).  I've voted several times (for all the good its done).  I never served on a Jury.

In 25 years my name has only ever came up for jury duty 1 time.  That time I was excused from serving because, wait for it, child care.  As weird as it may seem, I've always considered serving on a jury as something I should do.  I've even looked forward to doing it.  I've never been able to do it.

I guess back when I was learning about such things, I learned about jury nullification.  I don't ever remember specifically learning about it.  The concept seems to be one of those things that has been rattling around in my head for so long that its almost like its always been there.

Which is why this story caught my attention:

Man Arrested, Charged With Multiple Felonies
Denver, CO — Last week, a Denver man was arrested and charged with multiple felonies, but not for stealing, committing fraud, or engaging in violent crime. He was targeted for attempting to educate jurors about their rights in the courtroom.
Mark Ianicelli, 56, set up a table outside of Lindsay-Flanigan Courthouse in Denver in order to educate jurors about jury nullification. Jury nullification is the process by which members of juries can nullify unjust laws by finding defendants charged with them not guilty.
Ianicelli is charged with tampering with a jury, a felony in Colorado that carries a minimum bond of $5,000. He was charged by the Denver District Attorney for seven counts of tampering, and has since bailed out of jail. Ianicelli was in the second day of a planned three-day outreach to educate jurors entering the courtroom about the power of jury nullification. He was handing out fliers when he was arrested. His goal was to inform potential jurors about a vital, centuries-old function of juries.
I'm not really sure how they're going to convict him for jury tampering when he didn't try to actually change the out come of a specific trial.  No doubt their going to have a go at it anyway.  I read the DA's press release and the indictment charges.  Mr. Ianicelli handed out pamphlets of a general educational nature to anyone who wanted one.  Seven of the people he handed pamphlets to happened to be selected for the jury pool.  BTW being in the pool doesn't mean they are actually serving on a jury, it just means they are eligible to be called to serve on case should the court require them to do so.

How insecure about their abilities as prosecutors are Denver DA's?

Hopefully Mr. Ianicelli will get a jury of 12 people who had a chance to read his pamphlet.  Even if they didn't, how is a prosecutor going to try the case without the pamphlet becoming evidence and the jury getting to read it?

8/05/2015

I Hate Sturgis

It is that time of year again.  The annual Sturgis SD Harley happening is in full swing.  Which means that no place within 500 miles of the rally that happens to be on a road leading to SD is safe from bikers.

Nothing I say and no amount of complaining about it is going to change the infernal nuisance of this two week period of the year.  Hopefully we get the 3 days of thunderstorms that are predicted.

This has been my 2015 annual anti Harley/Sturgis rant.

BJW Q&A Part 2

Q: What do you call the new girl at the bank?
A: The Nutella!

Q: What did the judge say when the skunk walked in the court room?
A: Odor in the court.

Q: What did the fish say when he swam into the wall?
A: Dam!

Q: Why don't skeletons fight each other?
A: They don't have the guts.

Q: What do you call cheese that is not yours?
A: Nacho Cheese

Q: What streets do ghosts haunt?
A: Dead ends!

Q: Did you hear about the astronaut who stepped on chewing gum?
A: He got stuck in Orbit.

Q: What did the penny say to the other penny?
A: We make perfect cents.

Q: Why did the man with one hand cross the road?
A: To get to the second hand shop.

Q: Why did the boy sprinkle sugar on his pillow before he went to sleep?
A: So he could have sweet dreams.

Q: What do you call a nervous javelin thrower?
A: Shakespeare.

Q: Did you hear about the painter who was hospitalized?
A: Reports say it was due to too many strokes.

Q: Why did the robber take a bath?
A: Because he wanted to make a clean getaway.

Q: What happens if life gives you melons?
A: Your dyslexic

Q: What did the judge say to the dentist?
A: Do you swear to pull the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth.

Q: Why did the boy tiptoe past the medicine cabinet?
A: He didn't want to wake the sleeping pills!

Q: What do you call a funny mountain?
A: hill-arious

Q: What goes up when the rain comes down?
A: An umbrella.

Q: Why did the belt go to jail?
A: Because it held up a pair of pants!

Q: Did you hear about the calendar thief?
A: He got 12 months; they say his days are numbered

Q: What happens if life gives you melons?
A: Your dyslexic

Q: What did one raindrop say to the other?
A: Two's company, three's a cloud

Q: Why did the balloon burst?
A: Because is saw a lolly pop

Q: Did you hear about the sick juggler?
A: They say he couldnt stop throwing up!

Q: What kind of driver never get a parking ticket?
A: A screw driver

Q: What did the stamp say to the envelope?
A: Stick with me and we will go places!

Q: Who can shave 10 times a day and still have a beard?
A: A barber.

Q: What do you call a horse that can't lose a race?
A: Sherbet

Q: What do you call a dentist in the army?
A: A drill sergeant

Q: What did the triangle say to the circle?
A: Your pointless!

Q: Did you hear about the new Johnny Depp movie?
A: It's the one rated Arrrr!

Q: Why does a milking stool have only 3 legs?
A: Because the cow has the utter.

Q: What's easy to get into but hard to get out of?
A: Trouble

Q: Did you hear about the guy who died when an axe fell on him?
A: The police are calling it an axe-i-dent.

Q: Why did the dinosaur cross the road?
A: Because the chicken joke wasn't invented yet.

Q: What kind of lights did Noah use on the Ark?
A: Flood lights!

Q: Did you hear about the monster with five legs?
A: His trousers fit him like a glove.

Q: Why don't you see giraffes in elementary school?
A: Because they're all in High School!

Q: Which is the longest word in the dictionary?
A: "Smiles", because there is a mile between each "s"!

Q: What happened to the wooden car with wooden wheels and wooden engine?
A: it wooden go!

Q: Which month do soldiers hate most?
A: The month of March!

Q: What did the painter say to the wall?
A: One more crack like that and I'll plaster you!

Q: What do you call a Bee who is having a bad hair day?
A: A Frisbee.

Q: What did the M&M go to college?
A: Because he wanted to be a Smarty.

Q: What stays on the ground but never gets dirty?
A: Shadow.

Q: What kind of shorts do clouds wear?
A: Thunderwear

Q: Why do golfers wear two pairs of pants?
A: In case they get a hole in one!

Q: What do you call a magician on a plane?
A: A flying sorcerer!

Q: Why did the toilet paper roll down the hill?
A: He wanted to get to the bottom.

Q: Who cleans the bottom of the ocean?
A: A Mer-Maid

Q: Whens the best time to go to the dentist?
A: Tooth-hurty

Q: What did one aspiring wig say to the other aspiring wig?
A: I wanna get a head!

Q: Did you hear about the paddle sale at the boat store?
A: It was quite an oar deal.

Q: Why did Goofy put a clock under his desk?
A: Because he wanted to work over-time!

Q: Do you know why diarrhea is hereditary?
A: Because it runs through your jeans.

What would you do if I stole a kiss?
Call the Police

Q: What do you call a South American girl who is always in a hurry?
A: Urgent Tina

Q: Why did Johnny throw the clock out of the window?
A: Because he wanted to see time fly!

Q: When do you stop at green and go at red?
A: When you're eating a watermelon!

Q: What did the tailor think of her new job?
A: It was sew sew.

Q: How did the farmer mend his pants?
A: With cabbage patches!

Q: Why did the man lose his job at the orange juice factory?
A: He couldn't concentrate!

Q: How do you repair a broken tomato?
A: Tomato Paste!

Q: Why did the baby strawberry cry?
A: Because his parents were in a jam!

Q: What did the hamburger name his daughter?
A: Patty!

Q: What kind of egg did the bad chicken lay?
A: A deviled egg!

Q: What kind of key opens the door on Thanksgiving?
A: A turkey!

Q: Why did the cookie go to the hospital?
A: He felt crummy!

Q: Why were the teacher's eyes crossed?
A: She couldn't control her pupils!

Q: What do you call a guy who never farts in public?
A: A private tutor.

Q: What do you call a bear with no socks on?
A: Bare-foot.

Q: What can you serve but never eat?
A: A volleyball.

Q: What kind of shoes do all spies wear?
A: Sneakers.

Q: Why did the soccer player bring string to the game?
A: So he could tie the score.

Q: Why is a baseball team similar to a muffin?
A: They both depend on the batter.

Q: What did the alien say to the garden?
A: Take me to your weeder.

Q: What do you call two fat people having a chat?
A: A heavy discussion.

Q: Did you hear about the two bed bugs who met in the mattress?
A: They got married in the spring.

Q: Why do watermelons have fancy weddings?
A: Because they cantaloupe.

Q: Have you heard the joke about the butter?
A: I better not tell you, it might spread.

Q: How do baseball players stay cool?
A: They sit next to their fans.

Q: Why was the math book sad?
A: Because it had too many problems.

Q: What runs but doesn't get anywhere?
A: A refrigerator.

Q: What is an astronaut's favorite place on a computer?
A: The Space bar!

Q: Why was the robot mad?
A: People kept pushing its buttons.

Q: What exam do young witches have to pass?
A: A spell-ing test!

Q: What do you call a sheep with no head and no legs?
A: A cloud!

Q: Why did the boy eat his homework?
A: Because his teacher said it was a piece of cake!

Q: Why is Basketball such a messy sport?
A: Because you dribble on the floor!

Q: How do you communicate with a fish?
A: Drop him a line!

Q: Where do sheep go to get haircuts?
A: To the Baa Baa shop!

Q: What does a shark like to eat with peanut butter?
A: Jellyfish!

Q: What do cats eat for breakfast?
A: Mice Crispies!

Q: Why can't a leopard hide?
A: Because he's always spotted!

Q: What do you give a dog with a fever?
A: Mustard, its the best thing for a hot dog!

Q: What do you get when you cross a cat with a lemon?
A: A sour puss!

Q: Why do birds fly south for the winter?
A: Its easier than walking!

Q: What kind of key opens a banana?
A: A monkey!

Q: Did you hear about the vampire bicycle that went round biting people's arms off?
A: It was a vicious cycle.

Q: How do you know that carrots are good for your eyesight?
A: Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?

Q: Why does a hummingbird hum?
A: It doesn't know the words!

Q: What did one plate say to the other?
A: Dinners on me

Q: Why are some fish at the bottom of the ocean?
A: Because they dropped out of school!

Q: What goes up and down but doesn't move?
A: The temperature!

Q: Which weighs more, a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks?
A: Neither, they both weigh a ton!

Q: Did you hear about the blonde who gave her cat a bath?
A: She still hasn't gotten all the hair off her tongue.

Q: What has one horn and gives milk
A: A milk truck.

Q: Where do bulls get their messages?
A: On a bull-etin board.

Q: What do bulls do when they go shopping?
A: They CHARGE!

Q: What do you call a house that likes food?
A: a Condoment!

Q: What runs but can't walk?
A: The faucet!

Q: What kind of bed does a mermaid sleep in?
A: A water bed!

Q: What kind of crackers do firemen like in their soup?
A: Firecrackers!

Q: Why did the barber win the race?
A: Because he took a short cut.

Q: Where do boats go when they get sick?
A: The dock

Q: What do you call leftover aliens?
A: Extra Terrestrials.

Q: What's taken before you get it?
A: Your picture.

Q: Whats the difference between roast beef and pea soup?
A: You can roast beef, but you cant pea soup!

Q: What concert costs 45 cents?
A: 50 Cent featuring Nickleback.

Q: Can February March?
A: No. But April May.

Did you hear about the injured vegetable?
Some say he got beet.

Q: Why did the tree go to the dentist?
A: To get a root canal.

Q: What is it called when a cat wins a dog show?
A: A CAT-HAS-TROPHY!

Q: Why was the broom late?
A: It over swept!

Q: Why is a 2016 calendar more popular than a 2015 calendar?
A: It has more dates.

Q: What caused the airline to go bankrupt?
A: Runway inflation.

Q: What do you call a snowman with a six pack?
A: An abdominal snowman.

Q: Did you hear the joke about the germ?
A: Never mind. I don't want to spread it around

Q: What do you call a person that chops up cereal.
A: a cereal killer.

Q: What do you call a crushed angle?
A: a rectangle

Q: Who do fish always know how much they weigh?
A: Because they have their own scales.

Q: Why didn't the 11 year old go to the pirate movie?
A: because it was rated arrrrr

Q: What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet?
A: SUPPLIES!

Q: What did the tie say to the hat?
A: You go on ahead and I'll hang around!

Q: Did you hear about the limo driver who went 25 years without a customer?
A: All that time and nothing to chauffeur it.

Q: Why did the scarecrow win the nobel prize?
A: Because he was outstanding in his field.

Q: What pet makes the loudest noise?
A: A trum-pet!

Q: Did you hear about the kidnapping?
A: He woke up.

Q: What the difference between you and a calendar?
A: a calendar has dates.

Q: What do you call a rabbit with fleas?
A: Bugs Bunny!

Q: What word looks the same backwards and upside down?
A: Swims

Q: Why did the manager hire the marsupial?
A: Because he was koala-fied.

Q: How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?
A: Tentacles.

Q: What do you get if you a cross a card game with a typhoon?
A: Bridge over troubled water.

Q: Did you hear about the ghost comedian?
A: He was booed off stage.

Q: What do you get when you cross the Godfather with an attorney?
A: An offer you can't understand.

Q: What kind of emotions do noses feel?
A: Nostralgia.

Why did the dog cross the road?
To get to the "barking" lot!

Q: How do spiders communicate?
A: Through the World Wide Web.

Q: Why are chefs so mean?
A: They beat eggs and whip cream.

Q: Did you hear about the guy who's whole left side was cut off?
A: He's all right now.

Q: Did you hear about the paper boy?
A: He blew away

Q: What do you get when you cross Speedy Gonzales with a country singer?
A: Arriba McEntire.

Q: What do you get when you cross a lawyer with the Godfather?
A: An offer you can't understand.

Q: Did you hear about the circus fire?
A: Yeah, it was in'tents'.

Q: Why did the scientist go to the tanning salon?
A: Because he was a paleontologist.

Q: Where does bad light go?
A: PRISM!

Q: Why did the hot dog turn down a chance to star in a major motion picture?
A: None of the rolls (roles) were good enough.

Q: Did you hear about the new corduroy pillowcases?
A: Their making headlines...

Q. What did the pink panther say when he stepped on the ant?
A. deadant deadant deadant deadant.

Q: What kind of bird sticks to sweaters?
A: a Vel-Crow.

Music Teacher: What's your favourite musicle instrument?
Fat Kid: The lunch bell

Q: Why did the two 4's skip lunch?
A: They already 8 (ate).

Q: Why did the girl bring lipstick and eye shadow to school?
A: She had a make-up exam!

Q: Why did the insomniac man get arrested?
A: He resisted a rest

Q: Why did the computer break up with the internet?
A: There was no "Connection".

Q: What vehicle has 4 wheels and flies?
A: a garbage truck.

Q: Why did the music teacher need a ladder?
A: To reach the high notes.

Q: What music are balloons scared of?
A: Pop music

Q: What do you call a book that's about the brain?
A: A mind reader.

Q: Who goes to the bathroom in the middle of a party?
A: A party pooper.

Q. Did you hear about the party a little boy had for his sisters barbie dolls?
A. It was a Barbie-Q.

Q: How does a suit put his child into bed?
A: He tux him in

Q: What's the difference between a cat and a frog?
A: A Cat has nine lives but a Frog croaks every night!

Q: What is a tree's favorite drink?
A: Root beer!

Q: What four letters will frighten a burglar?
A: O I C U

Q: Where does bad light go?
A: To prism!

Q: What do sea monsters eat?
A: Fish and ships

Q: I can run but not walk, have a mouth but can't talk, and a bed, but I do not sleep. What am I?
A: A River.

8/04/2015

Coyote Ugly

Groom sues bride for not looking pretty without make-up
"He said she looked very beautiful and attractive before marriage, but when he woke up in the morning and found that she had washed the make-up off her face, he was frightened as he thought she was a thief.
"The groom told court that he is demanding $20,000 damages for his psychological suffering.”
I'm trying to think of something to write, but I'm laughing too hard.  How bad was the wedding night that he's trying to go this route?

I guess that the whole making a women wear a veil thing can back fire on a guy.

Makes Sense

Our immigration policy is non-existent or at least nonsense able.  My statement assumes of course that there is some concept of "doing good" or "protecting America" or at least not hurting American domestic interests, behind that policy.

IF you are:
  • A person of Hispanic descent and looking to
      •  vote
      • receive public assistance
      • work under the table
      • pay no taxes
      • free load off the tax payer
  • An illegal with a criminal history of'
      • Rape
      • murder
      • sexually assaulting children
      • narcotics trafficking
  • A Muslim
      • a confirmed member of the PLO
      • a member of Hamas
      • a member of ISIS
      • Actively involved in a terror plot
      • Or just looking to freeload like the Hispanics
The Obama Administration (and most of the Republican Presidential hopefuls) will welcome you with open arms.  The US has established what are called Sanctuary Cities.  We have a basket of government cheese and a voter registration card waiting for you.

Which makes me wonder is there anybody we won't let in, legally or illegally?

 
Well at least we have some standards of who can't come here.  Christians fleeing persecution, man you can't let people like that in.  What kind of country do you think we'd end up with if a bunch of Christians got together and started wanting religious freedom?  I mean what's next, freedom of speech or the right to bear arms?  We can't have that sort of thing.
 
To be fair these folks thought they could sneak in through Mexico (just like everybody else).  It's illegal and they should have been stopped and detained.  Their first mistake was admitting they were Christians seeking asylum.  They should have claimed to be a family of Guatemalans with a life long dream of working at 7-11 and becoming pool boys.  The boarder patrol would have given them cab fare and a welfare application if they would have asked, "just vote democrat, si"?