Ricin in Las Vegas

Yikes! Are going to have to worry about white powder again? I think the last time, the powder was anthrax. I don't remember if we, in the United States, have had the ricin scare, but I do remember something about a scare in Japan a few years ago. As if we don't have enough worries, we now have to worry about someone grinding up castor beans in a hotel room in Las Vegas. What is the world coming to? The investigators don't believe it was an act of terrorism, but time will tell.

Whoa! Now That is Weird!

Blind Man's Sight Restored By Inserting Son's Tooth!

That is the strangest headline I think I have ever read, but it turns out to be true! Who would ever come up with such and idea and have it work. It seems this fellow in Ireland lost his vision when lava-hot liquid aluminum splashed into his eye a few years ago. He thought he was going to be blind for the rest of his life until he found out about a procedure that involves creating support for a cornea from the person's own tooth and jaw. The man's 23-year-old son donated his tooth and a piece of jaw so that his father's eye socket could be rebuilt and an artificial cornea could be inserted into a hole drilled into the tooth. How freakish, cool, amazing and miraculous is that? The man had a 65% chance that his sight will be restored. He is now able to see well enough to watch television and to get around relatively easily. What a wonderful world we live in!

Nation of Immigrants: Yes! Nation of Illegal Immigrants: No!

Okay, this is something that absolutely needs to be thrown onto my trash heap for thought. This is something that has been bugging me for awhile now, and now that we live near a state that is truly struggling with this issue, I need to address it. Last night the news was about the state of Maryland trying to pass legislation in attempt to curb illegal immigrant activity. This issue is starting to go the twisted way of the Iraq war. Do you remember how the Bush administration justified attacking Iraq because of the attacks on September 11? Iraq did not orchestrate the attacks, but somehow the politicians, and the news media twisted things into one issue. The same thing seems to be happening with immigrants and illegal immigrants. There is a difference! America is a country built on immigrants and all they have to offer. Come to America to have a better life, to be free to pursue life, liberty and happiness. All of this is true, but do not come here under cover of darkness, across borders that you should not be crossing and expect to have the same rights and privileges as those who have come and followed the right path to get here. If I were an immigrant who entered the country through legal means and followed all the right ways of becoming a citizen, I would be outraged toward those who are trying to receive the same benefits without going through the legal ways to get here. I agree that some of the rules of becoming a legal citizen may need to be revised and that the process might need to be streamlined, but who would want to start their lives off in a new country by illegal means? With all the demands the illegals are making of us, it seems that they are disrespectful of the laws and rules, and the citizens of the very country they are wanting to be a part of. Do it the right way! Don't break the rules and expect to be treated as though you are welcome if you disregard the laws of our country! Immigrants, yes! Illegal immigrants no! There is a difference.

No Children for Johnny Knoxville???

I heard on the radio that Johnny Knoxville, of "Jackass" (in)fame injured his "family jewels" trying to re-enact a trick that Evel Knievel did. The photos of the pants Mr. Knoxville was wear make it obvious that the accident was bloody and painful. Knoxville also had to have a catheter for awhile afterward too. Hopefully this dude will take the hint from above and quit doing such stupid and dangerous things. At the very least, maybe this accident has made it impossible for the fellow to pass on the jackass gene.

Politics & Sex Scandals: Do They Matter?

This morning we woke up to "news" of a possible affair that John McCain might have had with a lobbyist named Vicki Iseman. We also are hearing rumblings of Hillary Clinton having an affair with a personal assistant, Huma Abedin. Whether or not these sorts of stories are true, they beg the question: "Do they matter?" Our country has been through all this junk before and it seems not to have had a real impact on the political process. I just wonder why all this stuff has to be dredged up. Does it matter? In some respects, the lobbyist thing might matter insomuch as McCain could grant favors, but some of the other stuff doesn't really matter. Way back when the "news" media had much less of a grudge against us all, none of politicians affairs were known, and there had to be some. Sometimes I think there is nothing to be gained from putting all this past trash out there when the purpose seems to be just to destroy a candidate personally.

44 and Counting

Today is my 44th birthday. I happen to be someone who doesn't mind acknowledging and celebrating my birthdays. I think that attitude is one that I learned from my parents. They never made a huge deal about birthdays; no elaborate parties, but an occasional one. My mother always made a birthday cake and fixed our favorite meal when it was one of our birthdays. My birthday was the only one in my family that occurred in the winter, so sometimes weather would interfere with celebrations, but I always felt special on "my" day. Since I have become older, I still enjoy my birthday. No matter what my age is or what my circumstances are, I am awfully glad to be here!

Total Eclipse of the Moon Good Luck?

Tomorrow night the moon will be full and the shadow of the earth will overtake it and cause a total eclipse. Tomorrow is also my birthday, so I think it is a gift from the heavens to me! I wonder if that means that I will have a lucky year? I sure hope so. After the last year I had, I would really be thankful for some good things to come my way. In addition to the lunar eclipse, Saturns rings are also supposed to be visible. The next lunar eclipse will not occur until the year 2010, so I want to make this one count. The only thing that could ruin the viewing is that we are supposed to be getting a wintery mix of weather tomorrow night, but that doesn't dampen my hopes and spirits in regard to having a great 44th year!