Sneakeasy's Joint

It has been a wild ride, these last 5 yrs. and 5 months

Since May 5, 2002, 135,267 people have paid my humble blog a visit...

Reading 1820 posts...

Leaving 1350 comments...

And linking with 212 trackbacks...

Numerous Bloggers have honored me with inclusion in their Blog Rolls.

The Blogosphere has grown, and evolved, and so have I ( I gave birth to a niche Blog, in 2003, that has outstripped its parent in daily traffic, and popularity, and helped spur the growth of that niche ever since, and will continue to do so. ).

Change is good.

So is Evolution.

I became a Blogger in May 2002, and over the years writing on that Blog allowed me to share the news, and share my opinions, and my life.

Thru that Blog, and my BikeBlog, I re-discovered a talent for poetry, and Creative Writing, and amateur journalism, and I discovered the courage to change my life for the better, a journey that had begun in 1998, and is a work in progress.

In the past 9 months I've come to accept that there are far more people, with larger audiences, more resources, and more time on their hands, to spread the word, and fight the Blog Fight with regards to issues such as Illegal Immigration, The Muslim Threat, the 2008 Election, and the future of America incumbent on its outcome, than I, and that the best thing for me, and my growth, as a person, and a writer, was to move on.

I have been something of a Creationist, around here, bringing to life various "personalities", "organizations", and Concepts, in addition to that other Blog.

So where do I go from here?

What, and where, is my place in the Blogosphere of today?

To what few regular readers I've ever had...

I can't thank you enough for the support, and encouragement, and even opposing opinions, you have shared here over the years.

To all those who have me in their sidebar...

I can't thank you enough not just for the support, and encouragement you have shown by such a link, but for the approval of, and recognition of the quality writing, and the thoughful intelligence, and humor, that I ( and Nikita, too! ) hopefully have put into what appeared here, that such a link indicates.

I have no way of knowing exactly how many Blogrolls I'm on, so have no hope in hell of lettting all of you know that I'm moving on...

What, and where, is my place in the Blogosphere of today?

How different from SEJ will it be?

Will you know it when you stumble upon it?

Happy hunting!

Hee, hee! ;-D

( If anyone stops by, and has questions, use the e-mail in the sidebar. )

Ahmgonnaignoreyouandobfuscate Gives Sermon, and Whines

Sooo... no signs in in the building.

Did he see any of the ones outside?

Ahmadangerousfanatic was allowed a forum that no-one in America would be allowed to have in his country, and most of the Middle East, and he will use what he said, and clips of audience applause in reaction to some of it, to his propaganda advantage.

That is a given.

Yes, there is Academic Freedom, and the 1st Amendment, in America, 2 benefits of an open society he, and others in the Middle East, do not allow their own people, but his is not about those rights being extended to him.

It is the judgement of the University in givng him a forum that legitimzes him in the eyes of far too many in the world.

But it is done, and the question now is... what does the West do next about him, about the terror threat worldwide, and letting the world know the dangers, and will Columbia now allow groups like The Minutemen, to speak, uninterrupted, and protected, in the future?

I do believe that this Forum served a useful purpose, in the end, by allowing more people than usual to hear Ahmgonnaspeakeatcolumbia express himself, and see how he ignores serious debate, and discussion.

Just imagine how his being denied to speak would have been spun around the world, by enemies of Democracy, and Freedom.

Bolinger's opening remarks to the audience, and especially to the Iranian Leader, were strong, and appropriate.

Then Ahmgonnapreachlectureandwhine, approached the podium...

Ahmgonnaspeakeatcolumbia Set to Rant where Americans Can't

The ROTC is not welcome.

The Minutemen are not welcome.

The most dangerous world leader on the planet is welcomed with open arms, and the University that invites him, says it would have invited Ol' Adolf, too, in 1939.

Stop the ACLU has the Video.

I didn't know that This University actual DID invite Hitler!  In 1933!! ( A Tip of the Hat to Little Green Footballs! )

3 things about the above Ambassadorial Visit deserve our attention today:

Ambassador Luther’s speech focused on what he characterized as Hitler’s peaceful intentions.

Students who criticized the Luther invitation were derided as “ill-mannered children” by the director of Columbia’s Institute of Arts and Sciences.

Columbia also insisted on maintaining friendly relations with Nazi-controlled German universities.

Absolutely disgraceful.

The speech is only minutes away, and I will be watching.

Stop the ACLU is tracking the Blogosphere reaction.

Ahmadangerousfanatic to be Escorted to Ground Zero?

Tell me it ain't so!!

If the man who is the most dangerous leader in the Middle East right now, and who wants to get his hands on a Nuke, and use it, who believes in the supremacy of Islam, and wants us all to convert to it, is allowed anywhere near the site it would be a disgrace, and a shameful smack in the face of our brave troops.

If he is allowed to speak does anyone doubt that he will say something just as incendiary as the last time he was at the UN?

In a move that has stunned New York, the Bloomberg administration is in discussions to escort the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to ground zero during his visit to New York next week, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said today.

The Iranian mission to the U.N. made the request to the New York City Police Department and the Secret Service, who will jointly oversee security during the president’s two-day visit. Mr. Ahmadinejad is scheduled to arrive September 24 to speak to the U.N. General Assembly as the Security Council decides whether to increase sanctions against Iran for its uranium enrichment program.

Mr. Kelly said the NYPD and Secret Service were in discussions with the Iranian mission about the logistics for the possible visit, and whether it will take place at all. He said Mr. Ahmadinejad would not be allowed to descend into the pit for safety reasons related to ongoing construction there.

The full piece in the NY Sun.

Bloomberg’s contact info:

PHONE 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside NYC)

Give the Mayor, What for!, politely of course, hee, hee. ;-D

WRITE TO BUSH: SAY NO TO PANDERING TO DICTATORS

A tip of the hat to Stop the ACLU! ;-D

Educators afraid to Allow American Patriotism on Campus

This is outrageous!

On the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, students at one high school were not allowed to wear clothes with an American Flag.

Under a new school rule, students at Hobbton High School are not allowed to wear items with flags, from any country, including the United States.

The new rule stems from a controversy over students wearing shirts bearing flags of other countries.

I see no problem with Any Flag on Campus, as much as I'd like to ban non-democratic, and terrorist supporting ones.

It's a matter of Free Speech.

However, if only one is to be allowed, then that one should be the glorious Red, White, and Blue.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should it be banned.

That's a no brainer!

This is AMERICA, after all, and patriotism, and love of country, are 2 of the most important things our country needs its future grown-ups to to feel, about the land they live in.

Any Public School Official too cowardly, and PC, to allow Old Glory to wave proudly on campus, should be re-evaluated for the job they hold.

A Tip of the Hat to Stop the ACLU, which has its own thoughts, and a round up of opinions from others.

Want to POLITELY, let  the school know what you think of this idiocy?

The telephone number for Hobbton High School in Sampson County, North Carolina is 910-594-0242 ( A Tip of the Hat to Mackers World! ).

Fred Thompson Announces, Other Candidates Joke to Mask Fear

If you missed The Announcement by Fred Thompson, Stop the ACLU has the video, and Ian Schwartz has videos of the Jay Leno appearance.

Wow!

Are we looking at the next Prez?

It is far too soon to say, but I liked what I saw, and heard, on these videos more than I’ve liked anything the Republicans in the race already have said for months, and definitely more than anything any of the Dems running have said.

The Republicans, with their jokes about Fred, tonite, did themselves no favor, by taking the bait, and trying make like amature nite at the Comedy Club.

Yes, I found the jokes funny, but at the same time I just shook my head at how childish, and imature, they all seemed.

What are they afraid of?

Many people underestimated Ronald Reagan, remember?

Now here comes another Hollywood Republican, Elder Politician, and could it be there will be a repeat?

Stay tuned….

Then, again, what do I know? ;-D

BookCrossing Inspires Poetry

A couple of my fellow BookCrossers have said in verse what BookCrossing means to them, and what it is all about:

book crossing a head

i was surfing the web
seeking books for my daughter
when to my surprise
i found in short order

a site that was based on
this curious thought
books can freely be given
not merely be bought

at first blush the notion
stood the world on its head
i read through the pages
with some sense of dread

for surely this concept
would create a schism
between sharing ideas
and capitalism

it's true that i frequent
the local library
so to borrow a book
is not at all scary

but this seems quite different
releasing a tome
out into the wild
quite freely to roam

without payment or credit
without return date
just bound to the mysteries
of fortune and fate

with no strings attached
just a simple i.d.
so the finder might tell
of their joined destiny

and if they so choose
pay back kindness in kind
freeing not just a book
but also a mind

'twas then i remembered
what first brought me here
my searching out tales
for my daughter to hear

in caring for her
i have learned to my pleasure
that life's greatest gift
is a love without measure

and after some thought
i'm compelled to agree
this realization
should hold more widely

whether at random
or through planned exchange
by chapter and verse
the world can be changed

so now into action
this thinking is led
and i'm sure that i see
a book crossing a head

perhaps one fine morning
i'll set out to free 'em
beside an art gallery
inside a museum

at park benches, cafes
on playgrounds at schools
at concerts and movies
and even bar stools

to all the book crossers
(those likewise inclined)
i hope in this process
much joy you will find

just say to a skeptic
if ever they see ya
you're simply embracing
a novel idea

let no one dissuade you
if this you believe
that truly 'tis better
to give than receive

and hold fast this adage
both simple and true
do unto others
as you'd have done to you

by robert-n-kate

Camera Catches Krispy Kreme Crazed Christian Collegians Cavorting!

One of the great things about living in Orange County is that you never know what strange things you may stumble upon as you travel around its cozy confines.

Last night, at 915pm, I approached the famous Block of Orange, and saw a sight straight out of a Chabad Telethon.

You know the scenes I'm talking about: Normally sober, serious, and respectable, adults, many of them older than I am, dancing joyously to a catchy tune.

Well, um, what I witnessed was like that.... but without the long beards, funny hats, and great music, plus I was more than twice the age of just about everyone present. ;-D

As I approached one of America's iconic dining establishments I saw what seemed like, at least, 100 young people singing, clapping, and dancing, in, and around, the drive-thru entrance.

And eating donuts... lots, and lots of donuts!

They all appeared to be caucasian ( It WAS dark, howeer, and I didn't attempt a head count, so that's just a guess, too. ), and that just made me more curious to learn what had set them off.

There they were, flushed with the pleasure of their dancing, and singing, but what were they singing, was there a meaning to their strange dance, and what planet did they come from, anyway?

After asking a few questions of several people who were not caught up in the frenzy, I finally got some answers.

As I watched, the spectacle unfolded before me:

A bunch of the crowd did a dance involving people moving forward, and back, in the circle they were in, as everyone else clapped, and hollered.

Then, as everyone sang 2 sentences, they turn their backs to the person next to them, or behind them in the crowd, and shake their behinds however much they can before turning around again to the center of the circle, all the while laughing, and singing, and getting generally all excited.

Whenever a car would approach the crowd would part and, to loud cheers, let the devotees of Krispy Kreme approach their shrine to worship. 

I pieced together the chant:

"Wag, wag, wag my Pony! This is how we do it!!"

If you don't know what the "Pony" is, you are on your own because I can't help you. ;-D

I originally thought someone had put something in the Donuts, but learned there was probably a more interesting explanation.

Further questioning revealed that the young people were incoming Freshmen/Freshwomen ( Freshpersons? Hee, hee! ) at the Christian Vanguard University, of Costa Mesa, right here in Orange County.

Ahhh, now, I thought, THAT explains it!

You see, this week is Welcome Week for the start of the new school year:

We're excited to welcome all of our FABULO(US) new students to the VANGUARD CAMP(US) community at Welcome Week 2007!

In August, you'll get to see what "The (US) Campaign" is all about and what God is up to at V(US)C.  We are honored that you have chosen to be a part of (US) during this MOMENTO(US) time in your life!

Okaayyyy, apparently part of what God is up to is introducing impressionable young people, unaccustomed to certain delecacies they are not familiar with where they come from, to said cuisine at one of the local Houses of Worhip, and letting nature, um, take its course. ;-D

Such an activity is apparently "guaranteed to assist you in your ADJ(US)TMENT to college life making your transition into the V(US)C community successful."

A perusal of the Events Schedule revealed all.

The day began with a communal breakfast, and 4 hours in Church.

Then came a communal lunch, a 3 hour event of some sort, followed by pizza, washed down with another 2 hours in Church afterward.

The highlight of the day was the evening nightcap at Krispy Kreme that had begun at around 845pm, and lasted until 11pm.

Check out the Schedule for yourself, it's all there.

Yes, they danced the whole time there, from what I later learned, when I passed by after an evening at the movies, at 1130pm.

Little did they know that a local Blogger ( Yours Truly! ) would happen upon the whole jouyous scene, and snap a couple of pictures for a story. ;-D

I watched for 20 minutes before heading off to the watch a movie.

People, like me, coming to the mall, or leaving, came by to observe the spectacle, and I got a chuckle out of 2 young black guys who shook their heads in disbelief at what they were witnessing.

1 offered the other $5 if he would join in, and his friend laughed, shook his head, and looked at him as if he was nuts. ;-D

Krispy Kreme no doubt made a killing. ;-D

People who watch certain TV Shows, expecting to get a glimpse into the REAL OC, need to get their behinds off the couch, and get out more.

I love this place! ;-D

NOTE: Elon Gold will host the 27th annual Chabad "To Life!" Telethon on Sunday, September 9, 2007 from 4-10 p.m. PDT.

You KNOW you want to watch at least a few minutes of the fun, don't lie! ;-D

Gay Wins Gold in 100 Meters!

OSAKA, Japan (AP) - A Gay is the world champion in one of the worlds premier athletic events.

In a 100-meters final that delivered a shock that no-one expected Sunday, this Gay was quick out of the blocks, and once his legs were pumping, he minced, and pranced past the great Asafa Powell to claim, quite possibly ( People more into statistics, and records, are free to enlighten this reporter. ), the first gold medal at a major international championship for one of his persuasion, in 9.85 seconds.

"After 60 meters I saw that no-one could catch me - and I just got all tingly, and excited," he said. "I stayed up, and alert, the rest of the way," he winked knowingly into the camera, as he was interviewed on TV.

For the full story go here. ;-D

NYPD Warns of Disaffected Muslim Youth

Is this something America should have seen coming years ago?

I think so.

Average citizens who quietly band together and adopt radical ways pose a mounting threat to American security that could exceed that of established terrorist groups like al-Qaida, a new police analysis has concluded.

The New York Police Department report released Wednesday describes a process in which young men — often legal immigrants from the Middle East who are frustrated with their lives in their adopted country — adopt a philosophy that puts them on a path to violence.

The report was intended to explain how people become radicalized rather than to lay out specific strategies for thwarting terror plots. It calls for more intelligence gathering, and argues that local law enforcement agencies are in the best position to monitor potential terrorists.

Read the Report ( PDF ).

Read the rest of the MSNBC story.

Analysis of the Report comes in a Commentary by Christopher Dickey, of Newsweek:

The Making of a Homegrown Terrorist: The real threat to the West is not from foreign jihadis but from ‘unremarkable’ civilians within our societies, says an insightful new report from the New York Police Department.

Dutch Bishop Off his Meds

A soon to be retiring Dutch Catholic Priest has sparked a controversy in The Netherlands with an idiotic suggestion:

Bishop Tiny Muskens, from the southern diocese of Breda, told Dutch television on Monday that God did not mind what he was named and that in Indonesia, where Muskens spent eight years, priests used the word "Allah" while celebrating Mass.

"Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will name God Allah? ... What does God care what we call him? It is our problem."

All to foster "Understanding", and brotherhood, and... and 92% of 4,000 people questioned in a recent survey in the country think the idea is nuts. ;-D

That's the 1st sign of any sense in that country in years, as Muslims are causing all sorts of upheaval in that country, and the rest of Europe.

I agree with this guy:

Gerrit de Fijter, chairman of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, told the paper he welcomed any attempt to "create more dialogue", but added: "Calling God 'Allah' does no justice to Western identity. I see no benefit in it."

The AP report is here.

Heading Back to Santa Monica Tomorrow

No, not to take on the Peaceniks again, but to check out the Pier, 3rd Street Promenade, and a Cafe, without the distraction. ;-D

It's been several years since I was last out there. ;-D

Exposing Peace Moonbats in Santa Monica

Yesterday I went on a nice, long bike ride along the coast, and in the Santa Monica mountains.

Tired, but happy, I pedaled down the Bike Path along the beach, from Doheny Beach to the Santa Monica Pier, and upon my arrival encountered a spectacle that, every Sunday, takes up a good chunk of sand right next to the pier itself.

The minions of the World Allied Conspiratorial Kongress of Idiotarians Everywhere ( better known as W.A.C.K.I.E. ), with the complete support, and encouragement of those running the show in the Socialist Society of Santa Monica, use a public space, frequented by families with children, to spread propaganda, and misinformation, about the War Against Terror, and Radical Islam, and the ongoing Liberation of Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Admittedly, this is a very moving scene to witness, and walk through and, at 1st impression, a nice tribute to those who have sacrificed, and died, for our country.

But looks can be deceiving.

They describe their mission this way:

We established the "Arlington West Memorial" at Santa Monica Beach on February 15, 2004, and have maintained this weekly memorial, honoring those killed and wounded in Iraq, with thousands of white crosses, pictures of those killed, flowers, and hundreds of memorabilia left by family and friends representing the loss of their loved ones. This memorial has been featured in news stories around the world.

As I wandered among the displays of the names of the dead, pictures of the dead, and wounded, about war resistance, and military service avoidance, and about the costs, and blame, these people claim, and the table full of related merchandise for sale, and info for free, I overhear people espousing their misinformation, and propaganda, in friendly, earnest, reasonably sounding voices, to the gullible, and already ilinformed, moved by what they see around them.

Some of the people they talk to are Vets home from the war, who agree with them already for some misguided reason, others are people who know, or are related to, the names on the displays, and are easily manipulated by their emotions.

Most, however, are like me, people with no connection to those fighting for their country.

There is a display where you can "Write any messsage you choose" in honor of the troops who gave their lives, and even make a little sign, with your message, to take and attach to one of the crosses, to join other items of tribute, some left by family, and friends, to the dead.

I pulled out my pen, and finding ample space on a page, wrote a message that thanked our brave soldiers for their honorable service, and ultimate sacrifice, in the fight to liberate Iraq, and Afghanistan, and against Radical Islam, a threat to Western Civilization little understood by frighteningly far too many in the West, and signed my name, and this website url, to my message.

Arlington West, as this "Iraq War Memorial" is called Is a pet project of Veterans for Peace-Los Angeles, a chapter of the national Veterans for Peace.

What they don't tell anyone who wanders thru, and don't actively promote by the display of signs, or of free literature, are some of the orgnizations the national website links to, and who some of those sites link to, and thus, by this linkage, imply their support for the politics, and causes of:

When you dig deep enough you find:

Z Magazine

Counter Punch

Code Pink

Truthout

The Socialist Worker

International Answer

Yes, there's a link to Cindy Sheehan, but she's small potatoes compared to the above dangerous representatives of Radical Moonbatism.

I'm not linking to that trash, this time, because I want readers of this post to put in the effort to learn about these menaces themselves.

Running for Water

As regular readers know I walk... a lot. ;-D

I've discovered an interest in hiking, locally, to go with my interest in Bicycling, and have posted a couple of stories about hikes I went on.

I received an e-mail the other day from the folks in charge of publicity for the folks behind a very worthy cause:

Hi Kiril,

My name is Cara Mattleman and I am an associate account executive at GolinHarris. I have been reading sneakeasysjoint.com and I know of your interest in hiking, cycling and writing. I thought you and your readers might find it interesting to learn how 20 international runners are doing similar activities this summer in an effort to solve one of the world’s most pressing issues: the global water crisis.

On August 1, 20 international athletes will arrive in San Francisco as part of the 2007 Blue Planet Run.

This international athletic event, made possible by The Dow Chemical Company, is raising funds to deliver safe drinking water to 1.1 billion people who are currently without access. Dow’s commitment to this event is part of its 2015 sustainability goals, an ambitious program to improve people’s lives.

Since the run began from the United Nations in New York City on June 1st, the Blue Planet team has traveled relay-style 24 hours a day from the US to Europe and Asia, reaching as far as China.

Feel free to visit www.blueplanetrun.org for complete details on the 2007 Blue Planet Run and the global water crisis, as well as the run route, runners’ blog and videos. Best,

Cara Mattleman

www.golinharris.com

The things PR people will do to get their clients story out, I tell you. ;-D

With a daily audience in just double digits, and few of those regular, few posts on hiking, none on running, and all my current cycling stuff found on another Blog entirely, one would think I'd be the last Blogger to contact in an effort to spread the word. ;-D

The place doesn't even have many of the links it used to, in its sidebar, these days.

However, because she was apparently impressed enough with what she DID find to contact me, I checked out the links she gave me.

The message of the Blue Planet Run includes the following:

We run like water. We run FOR water.

We run to bring news to every person in every town we pass through—urgent news of a crisis that affects one in five of all of us on this earth.

We run to remember the sons and daughters, the mothers and fathers, the 6,000 human beings who die every day because they lack safe drinking water.

We run because time - and water, essential to our existence - is running out for all of us.

We run to tell a story that begins with suffering but ends with hope.

We run to include you in the story. You are the solution. Commitment is our only obstacle.

We run to tell a story that ends like this: twenty years from now we will have joined together to bring water – to bring life – to 200 million people around the world.

I found it all very interesting, especially the Blog, and all the photos, and videos.

If you have the time, and are interested, check them out.

Hiking, and Biking, and Writing on Hot Summer Days

With my vacation in August I plan some cycling, and hiking, and writing.

I want to revisit some old rides, to take photos for inclusion in old stories , and to explore some urban hiking opportunities in the OC.

Vacation Time is Near

Regular readers, here, if I have any, will notice some changes in the sidebar, I'm sure, and wondering what's up?

Well, yes, change is in the wind, and I'll be working on it thru August.

I've been Blogging for over 5 years, and have been thinking about the future. ;-D

Harry Potter Early Release Scandal Hits Huntington Beach

The search continues, this morning, for the revealers of the fate of Harry Potter,  by Anti-Wizard Moonbats, the other day, in the quiet seaside community of Huntington Beach, CA..

The latest Book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was set for release at local bookstores at midnight tonite, and it remains to be seen see if Earth people were civilized, and intelligent enough, to handle its revelations.

"I know that people are going to be very annoyed with who-ever it was that revealed the plotline, but jeez, people, get a life! " said 60 year old Granma, Mrs. Mugglesworth. "I can't go anywhere near a bookstore, or a Multi-Plex due to the whole world going Potty over Potter."

"We believe that he, she, um, whoever revealed the facts, is possibly jealous that so many people gots the hots for J. K. Rowling, and not their works," said Chief Investigator Jeri Dalts, of Huntington Beach PD. "The fact that this crime is still unsolved is terrible for the cause of Literary Outreach in our city, and the world, as the Summer Reading Season heats up."

Though a clue was found on the grounds of nearby Goldenwest College, investigators remain clueless, with no way of identifing the perpetrator.

"I've seen book, and movie frenzies, like this before," said Mrs. Mugglesworth. "Of course I've always tried to just ignore it, and was always successful. Until this month."

According to experts such tragic behavior, surrounding the publication of a book, occurs with disturbing regularity. "It's an ancient risk that the Writers, and Publishers, have always taken," said Prof. Yor Leig Bingpuled, of the United Nations Office for the Investigation of Book Publishing Scandals and other Unexplained Phenomena .

The revelation has left many of the Wizards fans, young, and even younger, very pissed off.

"Our God, J. K. Rowling, has been very cross all week," said a local 4th grader, who wished to remain un-named because she was ditching school today to be in line for the midnight release of the book, on the scandal, "Especially at the New York Times!"

White House Spokesman, Tony Snow, said the President had no comment.

Spokespersons for Democratic Leaders in Congress said they will form a Committee.

Pat Robertson, on the 700 Club, said it was God's Will.

Republican Leaders are hoping Pat will just shut up, and believe that the whole thing will just blow over by Saturday night.

Cindy Sheehan plans to read the whole Potter series, from start to finish, over the summer, in the hopes that she can glean some nugget that could help her in her possible campaign to run for the office now held by Nancy Pelosi.

I know that this reporter speaks for many Americans, when I say...

I have not read the books, but thoroughly LOVE the movies! ;-D

I also wish to say Kudos to Rowling for creating a series that has helped kids discover the joys of reading.

Now the big question is not where the next Big Thing in Young Adult Literature will come from, but whether those affected, for all these years, by this series, will expand their horizons, and stick with reading for the rest of their lives.

Some say that there are indications that they have, and will.

I certainly hope so. ;-D

Bus Strike Over, Normal Life Resumes

So much for the plan to get back to more blogging.

A week long Bus Strike meant that to get anywhere I had to ride my bike, or walk.

Oh, I do that anyway, as readers know but, for a week, I was doing more of it, including the 22 mile round-trip commute to work every day. ;-D

A Busy Week Keeps Me Away

I've had a lot going on the past week, or so, but am back now.

House cleaning, BikeBlogging, and concern about the Bus Driver's Strike that has recently hit the OC. among other things.

I have to ride my bike BOTH WAYS on the commute to work.

Thats 22 miles! ;-D

Terrorism in Great Britain Again

First it was 2 car bombs in the heart of London the other day:

Anti-terrorism police have launched a huge manhunt for the people who planted two car bombs in central London.

Then, this morning, there was an incident in Scotland at a major airport:

A car on fire has been driven at the main terminal building at Glasgow Airport, police have confirmed.

4 people were captured, in the aftermath of this latest incident, by alert witnesses on the scene.

In light of the President's ill-advised Amnesty Plan for Illegal Aliens going down in flames, it behooves our leaders to FINALLY ENFORCE existing laws on our books, SECURE our borders with Mexico, and Canada, and listen to the concerns of the LEGAL residents of this great nation.

Wake the Hell Up, America!

PC World Announces 100 Favorite Blogs

.... and no, I ain't one of them. ;-D

Here are our favorite stops in the blogosphere, covering everything from high tech to low comedy and all manner of pursuits in between.

Ah, well, such is life. ;-D

Time Flies When You are Having Fun

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:

• hell (3x)
• sex (2x)
• ass (1x)

Geez.... I feel slighted, not to mention insulted.

While no Potty Blogger, not by a long shot, I've used more R, and X-Rated, words than those, and more often, too boot! ;-D

How they can conclude i'm even close to being R- Rated is beyond me. ;-D

I joined the Blogosphere in May 2002, back when the place was young, and the Mainstream Media didn't have a clue about what was about to hit them ( Some might argue that they STILL don't know what hit them. ).

A lot of words have flowed from my fevered brain since then.

This is my 1801st post.

1335 comments have been made to what I have written.

212 Trackbacks have been made to posts of mine.

There have been over 130,000 visitors to this fine establishment.

Numerous Bloggers have honored me with inclusion in their Blog Rolls.

The Blogosphere has grown, and evolved, and so have I ( I gave birth to a niche Blog that has outstripped its parent in daily traffic, and popularity. ).

Change is good.

So is Evolution.

I have been something of a Creationist, around here, bringing to life various "personalities", "organizations", and Concepts, in addition to another Blog.

So where do I go from here?

What, and where, is my place in the Blogosphere of today?

Orange Juice Blog Celebrates OC High School Grads

Yeah, yeah, Orange Juice, and i are on different wavelengths, politically, but that don't mean we can't agree on some things:

We hear so many negative things about the young people in our community and we felt it is important to recognize that the positive far outweighs the negative. Here are a few of the best and the brightest with their names, colleges of choice and proposed goals for the future.

Check out the Photos in Our Future.

Is another Grocery Strike in the Bag?

Everyone in the county remembers the last Grocery Worker Strike, and how much fun THAT was. ;-D

Now comes word that we may be in for a sequel.

Thousands of grocery store workers faced the possibility of a second strike in just three years as they packed into union halls across Southern California on Sunday to vote on a proposed contract.

The United Food and Commercial Workers, which represents 60,000 workers, forced a vote after six months of contract negotiations that failed to reach an agreement with Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons. Results of the vote will be released today, and the walkout could begin as soon as Friday.

At issue are health benefits, pensions and adding a lower payment scale for employees, who say they haven't had a raise since 2002. A representative for the grocery companies called the vote premature and said store officials remain hopeful that they will get back to the bargaining table this week.

As everyone knows, from watching the antics of film makers in Hollyweird, not all Sequels are equal.

Some should never have been made.

Will this, if it occurs, turn out to be a blockbuster, or a bust?

Full Story in the OC Register.

A Tip of the Hat to Red County.

BookCrossing Celebrates 4 Million Registered Books!

Just over 6 years ago one of the most respected, and popular, Online Communities was born, and this week saw a major milestone achieved.

CEO Scott Sorochak made the announcement:

BookCrossing members have now registered over 4,000,000 books since the site began just over 6 years ago. Think about that for a second.

That’s over 55,000 books per month over a 6-year period that have been registered in over 130 countries worldwide…and I do mean worldwide.

Some notable releases: the Statue of Liberty, the Great Wall of China, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, the Pyramids, the Arctic Circle and even Mt. Everest's base camp.

To learn who Registered the 3,999,999th, and 4 Millionth books, and what those books were, go here.  ;-D

Recently I reached a couple of Milestones myself.

I joined BookCrossing in February 2005, and have Registered 113 Books, and Released 106 into the Wild.

100th Registered Book = A Romance of Billy-Goat Hill by Alice Hegan Rice. ( Published in October 1912!! ) ( See Photo of the Book! )

100th Book Released into the Wild = Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild by Michelle Malkin.

Released outside the gate of FOX Studio in Los Angeles, CA. ( See Photo! )

Sending a Message 6: My Father, the Legal Immigrant

On Friday ( Begin With Chapter 1 ) I went to a rally against the ACLU to represent my Father, on Father's Day Weekend.

In this last post in this series I want you to meet a man who LEGALLY immigrated to the United States, and is my answer to all those who have gotten, and will continue to get, angry over my views on ILLEGAL ALIENS.

Gorge Kundurdziev was born in a small town in the Macedonian part of Yugoslavia, in 1923, immigrated to the United States in 1951/2, had his name involuntarily Americanized to GIorgio Kundurazieff in the process, married, in 1957, fathered a son, and 2 daughters, developed the Mental Illness known as Paranoid Schizophrenia ( a chronic mental illness. ), in 1969, and died, in a hospital, in Los Angeles, in 1988 ( What happened to him, in the end, was not easy to watch happen, and we could only wait for the  final act, knowing he was beyond communicating with us. ).

In between he lived a complicated, and difficult, yet mostly happy life.

The 2 photos here are the oldest family photos our family has of him.

The bottom one is of him, and his Bulgarian Army buddies, early in WW2 ( That's him in the back row, on the left. )

The top photo was taken at an Eastern Orthodox Church, in Glendale Ca., in about 1953.

Dad never talked much about his life before America. The memories were too painful, I suppose.

Mom always said he was in the Bulgarian Airforce, then in the Macedonian Underground, against Tito ( America's Commie of Choice in Europe at the start of the Cold War. ), and that he lost his left eye blowing up a railroad.

She said that when his unit was betrayed he fled the country and spent a few years in Refugee Camps before immigrating to America.

He never saw his parents, and sisters, in person, again, and they apparently spent some time in Concentration Camps because of him.

When he died, in 1988, I was able to get his complete Immigration Files thru a Freedom of Immigration Request.

What I learned there was startling, and intriguing.

While his Immigration was LEGAL there is a mystery in the details that confuses the issue of the life he led during, and immediately after, the war.

He spent time in at least 2 Refugee Camps between 1947 and 1951, and apparently made quite an impression on some people, somewhere, because he eventually gained a sponsor for immigration to America.

The sponsor was part of the American Friends Society, a Quaker Relief Organization.

While Dad never made it into High School, he was fluent in the languages of his country, and even knew some Greek, Italian, and German.

Thus thru his paperwork, I know what day, and year, and who, in what camp, Americanized his name. ;-D

Not knowing any English, he just went with the flow, apparently. ;-D

I know the boat he came over on, and where he went once he got here, and why he ended up in California.

When you supposedly fought in the underground against a country supported by the people you hope will take you in, I suppose being completely upfront, with the US Displaced persons Commission, about your recent life wouldn't be, um, prudent. ;-D

Dad hated Communism, and was a proud Macedonian Nationalist and, as was shown in the 90's life, in the now broken up Yugoslavia, is all bound up in matters of history, culture, ethnicity, and religion.

All Dad knew was that Freedom , and the chance to rebuild his life, lay in America, and death lay behind him.

This 1st page details the story he gave fighting in the Bulgarian Army, spending time in a Forced Labor Concentration Camp, in 1945-6, where he lost his eye, beign transported to a hospital, then  home to recuperate, then making for Greek and Italian, Refugee Camps in 1947, and 1948.

As the 2nd page, attached to this document, states:

"The Commission further states that assurances have been given to the Commision on behalf of the principal applicant by: Mrs. W. M. Storey, Old Mill Farm, Lexington, NY.

That these assurances are in accordance with the requirements of the Act and Regulations, have been approved by the Commision, and bear the Commision Number A-8751.

That the Principal Applicant will be employed as a FArmhelper in NY., that he will reside at Old Mill Farm, lexington, NY, and...

That the Principal Applicant will execute the oath of affirmation required under Section 6 of the Act prior to issuance of Visa.

Based upon the foregoing findings, the Commision determines, and hereby certifies:

That the the Principal Applicant is a displaced perosn, and an eligible displaced person, eligible for consideration for admission into the united States under Section 2(C) of the Act, and that such admission would be in accordance with the regulations of the Commision;

That the Principal Applicant is entiled to: The 1st preference under section 6 (A) of the US Displaced Persons Act of 1948, as amened, because of the nature of his employment.

Therefore in accordance with the regulations of the Commision, this report is submitted to the Officer of the US Foreign Service at Naples, Italy, for consideration in connection with the Principal Applicant's application for an Immigration Visa."

Unlike more than 12 million folks, who shall remain nameless, since 1986, my Dad jumped thru all the LEGAL hoops he was required to to come to The Promised Land, The Land of Opportunity, The Land of Freedom, and Democracy.

The SEJ Seal

The Mad Macedonian Will Set You Free! ;-D

Sending a Message 5: Signs of the Times

On Friday ( Begin With Chapter 1 ), I joined in the sign waving, and slogan chanting, with enthusiasm, and the messages being sent by the signs were intended not just for the ACLU, but for our leaders in all levels of Government who seem intent on ignoring the concerns of the average American Citizen with regards to the issue of Illegal Immigration, and securing our borders from intrusion by Illegal Aliens, whether they be workers, criminals, or terrorists.

A Rainbow Coalition, Standing United, came together to Push our leaders in government to stand up to the ACLU NOW, and get a Move On with regards to seriously doing something about our too Liberal Open Borders, north, and South, and treatment of Illegal Aliens.

As the uproar over the current "Illegal Alien Amnesty Bill" shows, the smell of discontent among Conservatives, and other concerned citizens, is in the Air of America, and one would think the people running for offices, from City Council to President, would pay heed... 

Yesterday I found another one of those "Census Documents" the Political Parties send out that are intended to make you think you are specially being singled out for opinion, but are really just thinly disguised pleas for money.

So here I am "among a select group of Republicans who have been chosen to take part in the official 2007 census of the Republican Party".

Why is there only 1 question about Illegal Immigration?

Are they serious? Do they REALLY need to even ask THIS question?

Of course I damn well agree that WE MUST STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!!

The Party is seriously divided, on this issue, and the Liberals are loving it.

As the Police kept watch to make sure we didn't get all rowdy-like, and didn't step over, or wave anything across, the barrier separating us from impeding the flow of traffic, we stood around chanting, and waving, slogans, and waving the American Flag as well.