Monday, June 27, 2016

Facebook "friends" and "like"

Look them up in the dictionary.

A "friend" is someone who you know and share an affinity with. 

"Like" is similar-- someone who, or something that, you share an affinity with.

Is someone who you haven't had contact with for 50 years, or never met at all face-to-face, your "friend"? Just because you "like" someone or something, does that mean you want to know everything about them? Not in my book.

Sometimes Facebook "friends" barely rise to the level of "acquaintance". Sometimes Facebook friends are what we used to call "perfect strangers"--"if I bumped into them on the street I wouldn't know them". When you "like" someone or something on Facebook, the barrage of posts to your Facebook from that person or thing may severely test your definition of "like".

I like the old definitions of "friend" and "like".

PS  Don't like this. Otherwise, expect a barrage of unwanted posts to your Facebook!







Thursday, June 23, 2016

WMATA

WMATA and WUSA9 form unique partnership | WUSA9.com

"... a new partnership that is focused on finding solutions to the problems facing Metro, and helping restore the system to its former status as one of America's best public transportation systems." 

sounds good--I'll believe it when I see it. 

(No thanks to the employees, managers and politicians who messed up "one of America's best public transportation systems" in less than 40 years.)





Sunday, June 12, 2016

Protect and defend

Orlando Gunman Was Twice Probed By FBI - WSJ

gunman investigated by the FBI in 2012 & 2014. last month he buys guns. "...cases were closed..." why, FBI? not enough manpower to "protect and defend"? not legal? America needs to know. If warranted, Americans can vote in the right representatives to change the laws, and the culture within the FBI. protect and defend.




Thursday, June 9, 2016

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/05/19/americas-choice-a-liar-or-egomaniac

some choice.


railroads

curious about railroads in the neighborhood--single track, etc. 
using Google maps I followed the tracks and zoomed in and recorded the latitude & longitude, mostly at RR/street intersections. 


Enter the latitude and longitude into Google maps and, in addition to a "bird's eye" view of the track, you'll get a 360 degree ground view showing the track in both directions. 

Single track with multiple operators (passenger, freight, long distance, local)--a LOT to keep straight, and safe. 

Thank God for computers. 

PS If I had access to a 48" wide roll plotter, then I could plot this baby out: 
http://www.drpt.virginia.gov/…/final_rail-map-aug2012afor_w…


Virginia isn't lacking in the RR department.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-Line_(Norfolk_Southern)

http://www.frograil.com/tours/ns/BLineTour.php




The NS B line is a freight line. One day last year they ran a passenger train from Manassas to Front Royal, right past where we're living now in Gainesville, for old times sake:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKkymrGUsmE

If they ever do it again, God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be on it.


Monday, June 6, 2016

President $$$

Brace yourself, America! 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hillary-clinton-gave-inequality-speech-in-an-armani-jacket-2016-06-06

Whoever wins has more $$$, and hubris, than dirt.

http://torontosun.com/2016/05/19/americas-choice-a-liar-or-egomaniac | PEretired | Pinterest







a decent place to live

Well past retirement age and looking for a decent place to live?
  • quiet
  • low maintenance
  • reasonably priced rent
  • convenient to stores, medical, church, etc.
  • friendly, considerate neighbors
  • manageable traffic
  • relatively low crime
  • a public place to enjoy nature within walking distance
  • nonexclusive (as opposed to private communities)

Good luck!




Sunday, June 5, 2016

Crimes against God and humanity

Pope issues plan for removing bishops who fail to act on sex abuse – CRUX

"Since these are cases of negligence but not crimes..."

Herein lies the problem.

Negligence involving the abuse of children IS a crime, according to God's laws.

The church and its people answer to a higher Authority than man's law--the church and its people answer to God's law.

The church fails to treat abuse of children as the serious crime against God's law that it is when the church pays damages to victims, but fails to expel negligent bishops who knew of the abuse but covered it up by assigning and reassigning abuser priests to other parishes. By failing to expel the priest abusers and negligent bishops, then God's people perceive the church to be weak in following God's laws.

Hypocrisy is a violation of God's laws.







Saturday, June 4, 2016

the Greatest

The Outsized Life of Muhammad Ali - The New Yorker

"...Ali became arguably the most famous person on the planet, known as a supreme athlete, an uncanny blend of power, improvisation, and velocity; a master of rhyming prediction and derision; an exemplar and symbol of racial pride; a fighter, a draft resister, an acolyte, a preacher, a separatist, an integrationist, a comedian, an actor, a dancer, a butterfly, a bee, a figure of immense courage." 


Muhammad Ali reacts after his first round knockout of Sonny Liston during the 1965 World Heavyweight Title fight at St. Dominic’s Arena. Lewiston, Maine 5/25/1965

"...One last thing: at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley tonight, Paul Simon was singing “The Boxer.” Pausing before the final verse, he told the audience, “I’m sorry to tell you this, but Muhammad Ali just passed away.”

RIP, Muhammad



Thursday, June 2, 2016

what goes around, comes around

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/31/cincinnati-zoo-gorilla-harambe-shooting-mothers-blame

to all of the critics, i.e., the media, protesters, petition signers, internet know-it-alls, politicians (including prosecutors), public (police) investigators, etc.:

Have you ever heard the expression "what goes around comes around"? 


What will you be saying after an accident that involves your child when self-appointed expert/critics are pointing their fingers at you?