New Civilian Award Proposed for Parents Who Teach their Teenagers to Drive

I'll start this post off by pointing out that my wife taught our three sons how to drive. 

By the time they were old enough to drive I was burnt out teaching family members how to drive. But I digress. That's a post for another day.

I've been unable to come up with any stats on how many parents in America teach their children how to drive. As you are aware there's other options like paying someone else to take on the task.

But today I'm celebrating those daredevil parents who take their children out for their first driving experience.

Imagine the guts it takes to allow a teenager behind a wheel when their only driving experience was video game vehicles. Not everyone is that brave.

I think we need to come up with an award for those dedicated parents who don't even get combat pay for risking their lives. For instance, they could get free psychiatric care for life. 

Like nurses, teachers, and animal rescue workers, parent's contributions to society are seldom recognized nationwide.

Proposed Categories

** Most hours without vomiting from fear.

** Seizing control of the steering wheel at least once to avoid a head-on with another vehicle.

** Most obstacles narrowly missed in one lesson

** Parents that have taught the most offspring to drive (I think Mormons would have an edge in this category.)

** A category for parents who don't go crazy or develop nervous ticks after completing their mission.

As it stands, I have a nagging feeling there should be more categories. If you have any suggestions, please email me (richarddavestancliff@gmail.com

There's Never Been True Equality in America: Get Over It!

It's time to set the record straight.

When our ancestors created that sacred document known as the Constitution, it only applied to a narrow segment of people living in America at the time.

One of the most hypocritical statements in the Constitution states, "all men are equal." Having slaves - as many of the signers did - was considered okay. The dark-skinned slaves didn't count like other humans.

From the start, white-skinned people enjoyed their freedom and ability to govern themselves by creating a government that favored the wealthy and perpetrated their ideology.

One of their biggest mistakes the founders made was creating a stratum of government that did not have to adhere to the rules of the land. 

Thus, our flawed judiciary system came with lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court. Justices are nearly untouchable regardless of what laws or crimes they rack up. They can lie - see the three Trump justice appointees' confirmation hearings - and no one can do anything about it.

While we're looking at the warts in our democracy it's important to recognize that the president of the United States is above all laws. At least it feels that way right now. POTUS is equal to none (even a former one). And they are above all other Americans.

Our former president has graphically demonstrated that by not being held accountable yet after attempting a coup in 2021 against our republic. Despite six major court cases spanning years involving Trump's crimes, he's still not been indicted for anything.

I'm on a roll now.

This next ruling segment of society, politicians, lead a charmed life. They are seldom held accountable for their crimes (like cuddling up with generous corporations that reward them if they cast the right vote) and lack of conscience. 

I'm thinking of the GOP Freedom Caucus in the House. None of that group of crazies are being held accountable for their part in trying to overthrow our government despite mountains of evidence.

I know it sounds harsh saying there's never been true equality in our society. It doesn't make me hate America, however. I'm just recognizing reality and suggesting the fight for equality will always be waged because human beings are flawed.

In any society the super rich's influence spreads throughout government and the economy. It's just the reality of so-called civilizations. Wealth, power and influence has always been concentrated among the elite.

As it stands, as long as we remain a democracy that continues to seek equality despite the numerous challenges, we will maintain the title of the greatest democracy in the world today. 

New GOP Guidelines: How to Pretend You're Not in a Cult When You Are a Card-Carrying Member

Right-wing politicians pretending they're patriots is nothing new. 

However, Trump's minions - in and out of government - have taken the next step and are happily embracing a cult.

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Cult - total devotion to one person or a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious.

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The common thread in all cults is a charismatic leader whose followers believe he/she can do no wrong. Enter Trump and MAGA. 

Here's the tricky part. We have MAGA pols in the House and the Senate. They play a game where they tell people they are the one's protecting the Constitution.

In fact, with the backing of Trump judges right up to the Supreme Court, they are doing just the opposite. Crushing precedents that protect people's freedoms is just one example.

Like Jekyll and Hyde, these MAGA pols show the general public one face, and then turn around and show their other face to the base.

Republicans once known as the party of conservatives have slipped into a quagmire of conspiracies churned out by our former president since he lost the 2020 election. What's more they worship Trump with mindless devotion.

According to new GOP guidelines there's proper responses to feed the mainstream media. Some examples.

Reporter - "Did Trump lose the election?" 

Trumpie - "It's debatable. There was so much fraud who can tell for sure?"

Reporter - "Who's the president of the United States?"

Trumpie - "Where are Hillary Clintons emails?"

Reporter - "Do you believe in Climate change?"

Trumpie - Hunter Biden should be charged for... (take your pick) Treason, Money Laundering, or being the son of President Joe Biden.

As it Stands, after considerable research I've been unable to locate where MAGA Membership cards are being printed. Footnote, put $20.00 down on China for me.

Is America Achieving Gun Nirvana?

The typical gun owner in America has long been a white conservative. 

But the times, they are changing.

In recent years, liberals, females and minorities have been purchasing guns in increasing numbers.

The NRA has to be ecstatic about the newly expanding market. Traditionally the gun manufactures had to gin up sales by having their political lackies create fear among people that someone was going to take their guns away.

They still do that, of course, but this new customer demand for guns is a godsend to the industry.

All of which makes me wonder if we are entering an era where happiness, is indeed a warm gun. This new segment of society's interest in owning guns will solidify our world standing as the country where guns are as common as tattoos.

This sudden slide into a gun utopia reflects (among other things) how insecure liberals, women and minorities have become. They feel like they have to stand up to conservatives and MAGA morons who are roaming the country spreading increasing violence.

I wonder... will this national arms race end up bringing Americans together in defense of democracy? Will it end in a standoff?

Or will it end up being the civil war that political pundits have been warning about in the last five years?

America's love affair with guns is in the national DNA. We used them to achieve independence against a monarchy. Many Americans feel owning guns is a guarantee to preserving their freedom.

As it stands, apparently it doesn't matter how many Americans kill other Americans, as long as gun manufactures thrive, and fear remains a sales tool. Welcome to gun nirvana.

Riddle Me This: What Rooms Do Ghosts Avoid?

The answer to the above headline is "The Living Room" of course!

Yea, I know. It's corny. But riddles are fun if you like mental challenges. And who doesn't? (Answer - Trump supporters).

Here we go (Answers at bottom)

1.  David's father has three sons: Snap, Crackle, and _______? 

2.  Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

3.  The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?

4.  I am not alive, but I grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?

5.  When does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?

6.  What has many keys, but can't even open a single door?

7.  I make two people out of one. What am I?

8.  What's more useful when it is broken?

9.  Why is Europe like a frying pan?

10. What runs around the whole yard without moving?

      Here's some links to Riddle Categories

Classic Riddles

Jokes and Riddles

Math Riddles

Video Riddles

What is it? Riddles

Riddles for adults

Answers

1.  David

2.  Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

3.  Footsteps

4.  Fire

5.  In the dictionary.

6.  A piano.

7.  A mirror 

8.  An egg.

9.  Because it has Greece at the bottom.

10. A fence. 

(From 100 Best Riddles)

As it stands, I always thought Batman's foe, The Riddler, was the best villain he confronted. 

Are You Crazy and Brave Enough to Do Something No One Else Has Ever Done?

I'm still in awe of a 14-year-old Alberta, Canada, girl who set a new Guinness World Record by pulling 22 socks onto her foot in 30 seconds last month.

But I doubt if her feat (pun intended) will be remembered by too many people.

Every time I read the things people do to get their names into the Guinness World Record book I'm struck by the inspirations and determination it takes to stand out for one glorious moment of recognition.

You may have heard that John Cena set a Guiness Record for the most wishes granted a day ago. He made the wishes come true for 650 children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

I'm puzzled by this next Guiness record that was set a week ago. Apparently, someone confirmed the flight of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin from Scotland to London as the most tracked ever.

Do you realize that this record was once held by Santa Claus? Not really. But you never know.

One man's determination to go further than anyone else in a giant pumpkin down the Missouri River paid off with a new Guiness record in August. 

Duane Hanson (photo above) spent 11 hours paddling the 38 miles to Nebraska City. 

He broke Rick Swenson's record which was 25 miles which was set in 2016.

I'm always interested in food records. 

The following record was set by a very ambitious chef.

(PHOTO - Leigh Evans poses with his gigantic vegetarian creation Clarence) Court/SWNS

Leigh Evan's scotch ostrich eggs which took 90 minutes to cook and weighed a bit over 17 pounds was formerly inducted into Guiness lore.

Are you getting inspired enough to take on a challenge? 

November 17th is a celebration of Guiness World Records Day. See if you can come up with a record-setting idea and consider the holiday as the starting gun for your project.

The holiday encourages you to stretch the ends of human endurance and creativity. Heck! Even animals can set world records.

 Back in 2018 a miniature pig named Joy performed the most tricks in a minute (13). She did this under the careful scrutiny of two Iowa judges - Newton City's Mayor and chief of police.  

The skies are no limit for some challenge takers. Take a look at David Rush of Idaho who has set 52 world records. Among them he won the world's fastest juggler and the world's slowest juggler!

As it stands, I have to confess I've never set a world record and my wife's claim that I'm the laziest man in the world has yet to be verified.

Everybody is Waiting for Something

The world's optimists are waiting for a global kumbaya heralding universal Peace. 

Americans are waiting for Trump to be held accountable for his numerous crimes and attempt to overthrow the 2020 election.

Humanity is waiting for cures for numerous deadly diseases like cancer.

Lawarence Ferlinghetti is still waiting for a rebirth of wonder.

Cartoon fans are still waiting for Willie J. Coyote to catch the roadrunner.

Animal and environmental activists are waiting for forests and animals to reclaim the earth as theirs.

Eric Trump is still waiting for his dad's approval.

Republicans are waiting to take the House of Representatives back so they can go on an extended revenge tour.

Quasi-Militias are waiting for the big day when anarchy breaks out in every state.

Legal eagles are waiting for the day that the Supreme Court justices will stop destroying precedent in our judicial system.

Millions of Americans are waiting for food and lodging that doesn't always come.

MAGA minions are eagerly waiting for Trump to declare he's running for president again in 2024.

Flat Earth devotees are waiting to fall off the edge of the planet and become stardust.

Foxes patiently wait for the chickens to come home before raiding their coops.

Monster hunters are still waiting to catch the elusive Bigfoot.

Fishermen are ready to wait all day to get a good catch.

Long lines of people don't mind waiting to get inside to see a live Broadway Play.

As it stands, I'm still waiting for the Great American novel to suddenly appear to me fully edited.