Perhaps Dean Podesta summed it up the best:
"If you're ever sad, just remember the world is 4.543 billion years old and you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie."
It was the first bit of news I read this morning, and it made me profoundly sad. Bowie's music and theatrical genius has woven throughout my life like a thread through tapestry. I (as many others did), in turn, exposed my children to his work and they love him as well. Although the Star-Man is gone...he will live forever through his music.
Speaking of my children, the eldest turned 29 on Friday. Celebrating the last year of his twenties this year.
Complete with Aiden "helping" Dad blow out the candles!
Actually a parlor-trick...because the baby has learned that if you say anything is hot...he will blow on it to cool it off.
He had a wonderful birthday...and I found the vinyl Ursa Major Album he has been wanting!
And how the hell do I have an almost 30 year old son, anyway? I did extract a promise that he will slow down a bit and take better care of himself...how "Mom" is that?
So Dayne and Donna have discovered
They are hosting a huge Cards Against Humanity Party later this month. I am invited and pretty sure I am going. My friend from Ohio, Betsy, will be up...I may have to drag her off to it as well!
The mind boggles.
Something else that boggles my mind:
Now everywhere from Hong Kong to New York has been making great internet memes of them. Thick with ridicule and some of them actually pretty funny.
And my Personal Favorite
"I just don't know how to QUIT you, Ammon."
One member took money that had been donated for their cause and went to town...checked into a motel and went to a bar which caused some internal dissidence. A black eye. A busted nose.
After hearing Bundy sent a list of items (including snacks) he needed to HIS MOTHER the other day...yeah...it is hard for me to take him real seriously.
"Dear Mom...send clean underwear and snacks, love your son"
Where does he think he is...summer camp?
Then two days ago the "security force" composed of The Pacific Patriots Network showed up...some in full camo...all heavily armed.
So...Mr. Bundy...government officials and local law enforcement...do you see what a slippery slope you have created, and how easily the situation could all turn to shit.
To his credit, even Bundy realized it has gotten out of hand, and asked the PPN to leave.
The local authorities did finally shut off the power. I am expecting that to have at least some effect.
I don't know why it wasn't done on day one.
In April, at the Bundy Ranch they (the Bundy's) pointed firearms at local law enforcement and US Military...and you know what the repercussions of that stand off was? Nothing.
Not a damned thing.
So yeah...we sort of built this.
Emboldened they have stormed a Closed Federal Refuge and Bird Sanctuary in the middle of Bumfuck, Nowhere and occupied it with weapons.
Now, I don't believe for a minute these guys are ready to die for their cause or go out in a burst of glory...not this little group of wanna be revolutionaries. Not a Che Guevara amidst them. They are grown men playing Cowboys. A Boyscout Jamboree. Summer Camp in the middle of winter.
Send Snacks, Mom.
Face it...even the Indians have told them to get the hell out.
What bothers me is how other groups out there view how we are handling this. Or more aptly, NOT handling this. What happens when they are emboldened by our non-action and take their weapons into somewhere much less remote. Other groups who are not playing Boyscouts.
Bottom line. They have broke and entered a Federal Building. They have occupied that building by force and brandish weapons. They have been asked to leave repeatedly.
Did Sheriff David Ward show up with back-up and handcuffs?
No.
He "asked them to leave" and did the good old boy handshake and pat on the back.
To which he has been told that they "Aren't ready to leave".
WTH?
So now leaving is a choice.
An OPTION?
I am glad it hasn't devolved into a Waco or Ruby Ridge, but we are sending an equally deadly message to other militia groups out there by our inability to take control of the situation...jail these individuals and prosecute them.
An open invitation to mayhem.
I am sorry they feel, as ranchers, they are getting a bum deal by the BLM. And maybe they really are...but this isn't (shouldn't be) the way to accomplish anything.
Just my two cents.
Also more Car Porn, tonight. Look what Chevrolet has dreamed up.
Exhibited in Shanghi as a new Concept Car.
OMG!
That is what I am talking about!
I may need a smoke.
Nicole turned me onto a Pioneer Woman Black Bean Burger Recipe that I modified using steak seasonings.
The burger itself only 114 calories. Absolutely meatless and you would never know. Adding bread only boosts it another 120 or so calories. So the entire sandwich is still well under 300 calories.And delicious.
The texture and taste is exactly like good beef.
Check it out for yourself!
More anon...
Going to explore The Prado in Madrid tomorrow!
The Unfinished Snowman (completed) I figure everyone does the top hat and scarf snowmen with the coal eyes...this one is just the start of a snowman in the forest. And yes "Idgy"...I believe those ARE Happy Trees...lol!
