Observations on a World Gone Crazy

Good Day World!

Growing up in the 1950’s, I never heard of multiple gangs organizing to “hunt and kill” cops. Not to say there were no gangs back in those days. There were. Most notably, The Mafia.

But none of them went out of their way to target cops across the country. Perhaps they had more sense than today’s gangs.

While Baltimore burns, and looters overrun businesses in protest of the killing of an unarmed black man – Freddie Gray – the notorious Black Guerilla Family, Bloods, and Crips formed a partnership to "take out" law enforcement officers.

Welcome to a world gone crazy.

Shootings at schools have become all too commonplace in the 21st century. Stories of children murdered in classrooms and cafeterias across the country have become too common.

In some cases brave teachers stop armed students before they can kill someone. But school doesn’t seem like a safe place anymore.

Mass killers step into movie theaters with semi-automatic weapons, slaughtering audiences; a teenager and his brother plant bombs, causing death and mayhem, during the Boston Marathon; and U.S. counterterrorism officials are increasingly concerned that the Islamic State is growing in popularity in America.

Just three examples of how crazy the world is now.

Other things I never thought I’d see, climb out of social media, and the TV:

Teen murders 9 year-old during sleep over.

ISIS Wannabes: Inside the Minds of Jihadis Born in the USA.

It seems like the world is getting more violent, and crazy every year. As an observer for over six-decades, I have to say things aren’t getting better. We seem further away from world peace than ever.

America is sliding back into an era of racial unrest, and our politicians are so polarized they can’t agree if the sky is blue or green. No matter what advancements we’ve made in technology, our society is still coming apart at the seams.

Time for me to walk on down the road… 

 

 

No Compromise Politics in Congress is Screwing Americans

Good Day World!

I think it’s safe to say that most Americans are tired of a Congress that barely functions because of bipartisan polarization.

For example, remember Grover Norquist? He’s the clown that came up with The Pledge, which dates back to 1986.

Republicans looking for anti-tax support of any kind have slavishly signed The Pledge for years, promising to NEVER raise taxes.

This senseless affirmation of NO COMPROMISE when it comes to taxes was most recently signed by Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Cruz.

The only other Republican candidate in the race, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, has not yet signed the pledge. He did sign it when he was running for the senate in 2009.

Still undeclared presidential candidate Jeb Bush's spokesperson, Kristy Campbell, told ABC News in February, "If Governor Bush decides to move forward, he will not sign any pledges circulated by lobbying groups."

I have to extend kudos to Jeb for that move. While many Republicans sign it at both the state and federal level, Bush didn't sign it as governor of Florida either.

His father, George H.W. Bush, raised taxes after pledging during his campaign that he wouldn't. No surprise, he lost his re-election to Bill Clinton.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has also never signed it, but Americans for Tax Reform, Norquist's organization, says that Christie gave and kept a verbal commitment to follow it.

Governors Scott Walker, Bobby Jindal and Rick Perry have all signed and kept the pledge, according to Americans for Tax Reform.

It’s obvious, to anyone with common sense, that when a politician says their not going to compromise on some issues, it’s going to cause problems for everyone involved down the line.

A good politician understands the importance of a fair compromise in order to get things done. Look at our congressional history and you’ll see how compromise created important laws that benefited all Americans.

It can be done. But, not by signing pledges that destroy any chance of negotiating.

It’s time for me to walk on down the road…     

 

To My Surprise, My Father Once Worked For Lockheed’s Secretive Skunk Works

Good Day World!

I had an interesting conversation with my father recently, and discovered that he worked for the highly secret Skunk Works at Lockheed from 1953-56.

I knew he was a Journeyman Machinist who worked for Lockheed, Northrop Grumman (parts for the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger – photo left), and General Dynamics (where he retired).

It turns out that he worked on a lot of highly classified parts for all three of the companies that he worked for. For some reason, I was never quit aware that he did such specialty work.

(Editor’s Note:  The term Skunk Works became official in 1955. Up until then Lockheed called the research team’s department “Advanced Development Projects.”) 

He was a journeyman machinist. His job involved creating master dies for various parts of experimental aircraft.

A die is a specialized tool used in manufacturing industries to cut or shape material mostly using a press.

Like molds, dies are generally customized to the item they are used to create. Products made with dies range from simple paper clips to complex pieces used in advanced technology.

In 1955, the Skunk Works received a contract from the CIA to build a spy plane known as the U-2 with the intention of flying over the Soviet Union and photographing sites of strategic interest.

In the conversation with my father, he indicated that he created dies for several parts on the U-2 Spy Plane.

During the entirety of the Cold War, the Skunk Works was located in Burbank, California on the eastern side of Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport(34.200768°N 118.351826°W)

BRIEF ORIGIN

In 1943, the U.S. Army’s Air Tactical Service Command (ATSC) met with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation to express its dire need for a jet fighter to counter a rapidly growing German jet threat.

One month later, a young engineer by the name of Clarence "Kelly" L. Johnson and his team of young engineers hand delivered the XP-80 Shooting Star jet fighter proposal to the ATSC.

Quickly the go-ahead was given for Lockheed to start development on the United States' first jet fighter effort.

It was June of 1943 and this project marked the birth of what would become the Skunk Works® with Kelly Johnson at its helm.

The formal contract for the XP-80 did not arrive at Lockheed until October 16, 1943; four months after work had already begun. Kelly Johnson and his team designed and built the XP-80 in only 143 days, seven less than was required.

What allowed Kelly to operate the Skunk Works so effectively and efficiently was his unconventional organizational approach. He broke the rules, challenging the current bureaucratic system that stifled innovation and hindered progress.

His philosophy is spelled out in his "14 rules and practices."

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Hangover Cures From Cabbage To Coca Cola

Good Day World!

The need to be able to treat hangovers is steeped in history.

From cabbage to fried canary and milky Coca Cola, potion-mixers, scientists, and bartenders have long attempted to stave off the dread-ache of the hangover.

Today let’s look at how the ancient’s addressed the problem, and then the more modern cures for hangovers.

Ancient Cures

Cabbage seemed to be the biggest remedy during ancient times—it’s been documented in texts on classical Greeks and Romans as well ancient Egyptians.

Five hundred thousand papyrus texts from Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, dating back to the second century AD (1,900 years ago) were dug up by Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt from 1896 to 1907, and experts have been translating their contents ever since.

Just recently, one of the medical texts was found to contain a “drunken headache cure,” now more popularly known as a hangover cure. Are you ready for this ancient knowledge?

The text suggests that sufferers “wear leaves of Alexandrian chamaedaphne strung together.”

Alexandrian chamaedaphne is a shrub available online and more commonly known as “poet’s laurel,” should you want to actually give this a try.

By the late 1600s, chemists and herbalists had begun to concoct their own scientific mixtures for curing the hangover.

English physician Jonathan Goddard created his eponymous remedy Goddard’s Drops, which contained ingredients like ammonia, the skull of a person hanged, and dried viper.

The quickest way to cure a hangover—well, someone who had passed out from too much drinking—in the 19th century was shock therapy, according to The Medical Advisor, a semi-professional/semi-ridiculous health journal.

It suggested pouring vinegar down the victim’s throat and then rubbing it on their temples.

If that didn’t work, strip them naked and throw a bucket of cold water on them!

Modern Cures

The first aspirin tablets were made in 1915. Alka-Seltzer was introduced in 1931.

The Bloody Mary—a go-to tomato-based vodka drink perfect for the morning after—was introduced in 1934, mixing both the “hair of the dog” and plenty of anti-oxidants to rid you of your blues.

Adhesive patches like Bytox, which are applied before you drink, promise to flood your body with a slew of multi-vitamins and green tea extract, beginning with your first sip of booze.

Canned drinks like Mercy contain up 5,000 percent of the daily value of certain vitamins. They can be ingested sporadically or used as a mixer throughout the night (though a can of Sprite seems to be the latest trick).

New York’s I.V. Doc will make house calls, administering bags of liquid vitamins, glutathione and amino acids straight to your veins soon after waking up. In an hour you’re back in action.

There’s literally hundreds of more supposed cures. I don’t have the space for all of them here, but I’ve got some good links for you:

10 Hangover Remedies: What Works?

11 Ways To Ease A Nasty Hangover

Everything Science Knows About Hangovers—And How to Cure Them

Time for me to walk on down the road…

 

I May Be in An Alternate Universe – Here’s 3 Reasons Why

Good Day World!

Here’s three current news articles that make me suspect I’m in an alternate universe. Things in this universe are really wacked! Read on...

One:

The May 2 boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is expected to be the richest fight in the history of boxing.Ticket sales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas are expected to hit $74 million, three times the gate record. Pay-per-view revenues from both HBO and Showtime are expected to be around $300 million.

Both fighters are guaranteed a minimum of $50 million, with a chance at making triple that if they win the fight.

Is it just me, or is that crazy? In a matter of minutes, two men are making mega millions. Can you name any other profession in America that pays more in such a short period of time?

A reflection of our values?

Two:

Chinese scientists have caused an uproar by trying to permanently edit the DNA of human embryos — created genetic changes that could be passed along from generation to generation.

Their attempt didn't work very well, but the report, published in a small, online journal called Protein & Cell, has worried experts who have been watching out for such experiments.

It raises the specter of eugenics — making designer babies, or trying to "improve" the human race.

"Human germline modification is widely considered unethical for both safety and social reasons," the Center for Genetics and Society said in a statement.

"Using germline modification techniques to create a human being is prohibited by more than 40 countries and several international human rights treaties."

The question now is, how far did those experiments go? And, are they ongoing?

Three:

This last article finally convinced me this must be an alternate universe!

Even the world of cybercrime is getting hit by falling prices and cheaper labor!

You can now anonymously hire a cybercriminal online for as little as $6 to $10 per hour, says Rodney Joffe, senior vice president at Neustar, a cybersecurity company.

Excuse me, but where are the authorities?

Time for me to walk on down the road…

 

Koch Heads Seek Money From Their Masters

                                 Good Day World!

With over a year and a half to go until the presidential elections, Koch Heads are cozying up to their would-be masters.

With hopes of buying the presidency via Charles and David Koch, GOP presidential hopefuls are lining up for an audience with the mega billionaire would-be king-makers.

It appears Wisconsin governor Scott Walker has the inside track with the Koch boys. On Monday, the NYT reported that the Koch Brothers had settled on their preferred 2016 candidate - Scott Walker. 

The Koch’s, with unlimited amounts of money to spend, are still covering all the bases and are supporting other worshippers like Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul – to name a few.

Kinda like a horse race where you bet on an Exacta or Trifecta.

So what is expected from candidates, like Walker, in return for the support from the Koch boys?

Check out this quote from Charles Koch: "We're telling [GOP candidates] that if they want our support, one way to get it is articulating a good message to help Americans get a better understanding and a better appreciation of how certain policies … will benefit them and will benefit all America."

What policies are those?

In 1980, David Koch ran as the Libertarian Party’s vice-presidential candidate in 1980.

Here’s just a few excerpts of the Libertarian Party platform that David Koch ran on in 1980.

As a result of the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, billionaires and large corporations can now spend an unlimited amount of money to influence the political process.

Perhaps, the biggest winners of Citizens United are Charles and David Koch, owners of the second-largest privately run business in America Koch Industries.

For the Koch brothers, $80 billion in wealth, apparently, is not good enough.

Owning the second largest private company in America is, apparently, not good enough.

It doesn’t appear that they will be satisfied until they are able to control the entire political process.

Despite being elitists (or perhaps because they are) GOP presidential hopefuls continue to flock to the Koch brother’s door with visions of millions of dollars dancing in their heads…and a presidency.

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Dear Human: A Letter From Your Dog

Editor’s Note: It’s great to be back from my week hiatus. Here’s a wonderful article I ran across recently:

My Dear Human,

I apparently need to keep you on a short leash, because you regularly forget why you are on this earth to begin with.

You have one very simple job to do - feed me and pay attention to me when I am not asleep. I fail to understand why you allow anything with a keyboard or a remote to take your attention away from your only job, which is me.

Technology has made you its slave and I prefer it when you are my slave. Freud would say that I have technology-envy, but he can't really say anything because he's dead.

While I'm venting, I am concerned about your obsession with hoarding my excrement.

When we go outside, you always lunge for it with your little blue baggie so you can get it before anyone else does and then you just throw it away. Can you explain that to me? Never mind. You're an odd duck, but I like you most of the time. Especially when you hand out the food.

But I feel compelled to ask who you really think is taking care of whom in this house?

You, with the opposable thumbs, fetch and dole out the food but who is guarding the food from the mice and burglars? Who has the sharp canine teeth?

And which one of us is on guard duty day and night because we don't cotton to spending hours in front of the TV or the computer or yapping on the phone? Just throwing it out there for you to ponder.

As for the furniture, you like to sleep on the bed, same as me. Somewhat confusing to me is why you think I should sleep on the floor. You are a nice person, but you don't think things through very well. Just sayin'. By the way, I like the bed, especially when you're not at home. Nanananabooboo.

Now, can we talk about the cat for a moment?

Such a kiss-ass. All that rubbing up against your legs when you come home as if he has done a damned thing since you left hours earlier. Let me enlighten you: He slept. He yawned. He stretched. I was on duty protecting the fat lazy cat and all of the food in the kitchen while you were gone. I was not sleeping. Except maybe on your bed for just a little bit.

Lastly, I would like to request that you not call me Sugar Pie or Honey Bun in front of that white poodle who lives down the street. Please. Stop. It. You're killing me.

Aside from not wanting to have my manhood impugned in front of the lady dogs, I may also need plausible deniability that you and I are acquainted. Just help me out, pal. No offense.

Is it dinner yet? Can I have some food? I want some food. Now. Please. Hello? Step away from the computer and no one will get hurt. Not even the lazy cat. I promise. Chop chop.

Follow Janet Eve Josselyn – the author of this article- on Twitter: www.twitter.com/janetjosselyn1

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Blog Break: I’ll Be Back in a Week–Your Still Welcome to Come By Today

Good Day World!

Once, or twice a year, I like to get away from all my social media sites, and go on a vacation.

A real low tech travel approach I find refreshing. My destinations vary, but all have one thing in common – no cell phone, computer, IPad, tv, or radio is allowed.

Imagine that for a moment. Could you do it?

It’s not easy. You have to prepare loved ones and friends for the fact that you’re going into the hermit mode for a week. Not totally hermit mode, however. I always take these breaks with my beautiful wife for 40 years, Shirley.

While you’re here, please explore the links on the right hand side of the page. I think you’ll find them amusing and even controversial.

I’ve been blogging since 2008, and am proud to say I just recently had my 5 millionth viewer! I’m humbled by the thousands who visit this blog daily. I enjoy sharing news and opinions with people. Guess it’s the journalist in me.

Speaking of sharing, here’s a couple of well-written articles on pot: 

Medical Marijuana: the Myths and Realities

 

Groundbreaking Research Suggests Medical Marijuana Could Reduce Seizures In Children

If this is your first visit – welcome! If you’re a regular reader, then you know I’ll be back (God willing) in a week. Until then, “…may you have the wind at your back and a smooth path ahead.”

Time for me to walk on down the road…

   

If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

Good Day World!

Two old proverbs:

“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride”

and

“…be careful what you wish for, it might just come true”

Imagine, if you will, that a supreme being granted you one wish. No limits. Whatever one thing that your heart desired would become reality.

Would you be noble and wish for Peace throughout the world?

Or,

Would you be a humanitarian and ask for a cure for all cancers?

Or,

Would you be a visionary and wish to see and predict the future?

Or,

Would you be greedy and ask for billions of dollars?

Or,

Would you be vain and ask to be irresistible to the opposite sex?

I’ve thought about it, and my first impulse is to take the money and run! I’d justify that greedy request by spreading the wealth and giving everyone I know lot’s of money.

But, there’s other possibilities.

If I had a loved one dying, I’d ask for their health to be restored.

Or,

When it’s my wife’s time comes to die, that I go at the same moment…holding her hand in eternity. 

What would you do with one wish?

Time for me to walk on down the road… 

 

Circus Time: GOP Candidates Threaten Hillary Who Announced Her Candidacy Today

Good Day World!

Presidential wannabe, Canadian-born Ted Cruz, fired the first shot of his propaganda campaign before an appreciative audience of NRA members.

Likely GOP presidential candidates used the National Rifle Association's annual conference on Friday to sharpen their attacks on Hillary Clinton in anticipation of the start of her presidential campaign.

Cruz told Hillary Clinton (who announced her candidacy today) not to mess with the NRA and the 2nd Amendment. Reminiscent of Charles Heston’s famous passionate speech, Cruz dared Hillary “To try and come take away his guns.”

Somewhere in the alter universe of Cruz’s world, he saw himself threatened by a woman attacking him and trying to wrestle away his gun. Think about that picture for a moment.

Good theater and meat for the gun lobby however. Cruz (like every GOP candidate that night) is counting on the NRA for support. He could have been even more effective if he would have had a rifle (like Heston’s flintlock) and waved it over his head. NRA’ers love a good show.

The "Ready for Hillary" grassroots movement has been encouraging Clinton to run for president in recent years.

With Cruz leading the way by attacking Clinton first, the circus is officially on! The war of words has started. The enemies are engaged. It’s time to turn on your bull-sh**t meters and start filtering facts from lies.

GOP Candidates Sharpen Attacks on Clinton Ahead of 2016 Announcement

Since I cast my first vote for a president in 1968, I’ve watched the whole election system transform from a time when real issues were discussed in a respectful manner, to the circus it has become today.

Needless to say, whoever wins will be beholden to the Super PACs, and other wealthy contributors. They’ll have to follow a party line – be it Republican, or Democrat. I don’t think there’s much hope for most Americans truly getting representation from a new President, or Congress. 

Time for me to walk on down the road.. 

 

Worldwide Alert! Stop Vegetable Abuse

Good Day World!

It’s time to end the abuse.

Every day, cucumbers, zucchinis and carrots are being inserted into orifices where they don’t belong!

It doesn’t stop there either – we’re talking broccoli, radishes and even artichokes. Anyone with a conscience knows it’s not right to put vegetables where the sun don’t shine.

These nutritional foods that are born from the sweet soil of our earth are not meant for whatever you may or may not be doing in the privacy (hopefully) of your home.

Make a salad, steam them, stir-fry or just sauté with a little olive oil and garlic.Now that is how to properly use a vegetable. Vote to end the abuse here.

Watch Video Here

Time for me to walk on down the road…

 

Chill Out! Freeze Your Worries and Pain Away

Good Day World!

The topic today is Cryotherapy.

Are you looking to reduce psychological stress, insomnia, rheumatism, muscle and joint pain, and various skin conditions?

Then chill out. 

All you have to do is expose your body to ultra-low temperatures (-200 to -240 F). You do this by getting in a cryogenic sauna/chamber for a short duration of 1.5-3 minutes. It’ll lower your skin surface temperature significantly and stimulates receptors.

In other words, your supposed to feel great after freezing your ass (and other parts) off!

Clothing worn during the treatment is minimal: for women clothing is optional while for men genitals have to be covered with cotton underwear to avoid getting “blue balls!” (Just kidding – but men do have to cover up their family jewels.)

During the 1.5-3min session the average skin temperature drops to 10 °C (50 °F), while the coldest skin temperature can be 0 °C (32 °F). The core body temperature remains unchanged throughout the process, however, it may drop slightly afterwards.

Professional athletes have been doing cryogenic thing for years now. It was first used in Japan (1978), but has been redefined by a group of Polish scientists who took the idea and made Whole Body Cryotherapy the physical therapy it is today.

There’s little doubt in my mind that this therapy is expensive. If I didn’t have such an aversion to bitter coldness, I’d try it out. I’m also cheap, and would probably try the therapy at home first in our deep freezer in the garage!

Until I get that desperate, I think I’ll stick to what I’m doing now.

Time for me to walk on down the road… 

The ‘Silent Majority’ Needs a Candidate That Can Motivate Millennials

Good Day World!

Most Americans identify with the Democratic Party according to A study released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center.

Despite the findings, GOP candidates for the House of Representatives in 2014 garnered millions more votes than their Democratic rivals.

So how did a decisive Democratic edge in the general population translate to a distinct Republican advantage at the polls?

For some quick backround let’s look at two different versions of what’s happening in politics today:

Emerging Democratic Majority

Emerging Republican Advantage

After everything is said and done, the answer why we have a GOP dominated Congress is simple: the Democratic majority is mute. They aren’t voting.

The Pew study surveyed more than 25,000 adults throughout 2014, a much broader sample than traditional opinion polls. It also found that Democrats retain a wide advantage among younger Americans.

Fifty-one percent of Millennials (defined as people ages 18-33) either identify as Democrats or lean that way, compared to 35 percent who identify as or lean Republican.

Unfortunately, when the Millennials forsake voting, it leaves a vast majority of Americans under-represented by a Conservative minority. The results, as we all know, is a polarized Congress trying to force an agenda down American throats.

It’s apparent that the Democratic Party needs to capture these Millennial’s attention, and get them to vote. A silent majority isn’t the recipe for a healthy America. The question is, who is going to step forward and attract these voters?

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Rocky: ‘Yo Paulie! I wish you the best!’

Good Day World!

“Yo Paulie!

I saw ya on TV yesterday.

Youse looked real good. I heard ya were thinking about running for president of the United States, and now youse gone and done it.

I know I’m jus a dumb boxer, but could ya splain to me what you mean by, "We have come to take our country back"(?)

I unnerstan visions – I get em all the time – so when you say you have a "different vision" for America, I kinda get it. The part about getting our liberty back is kinda confusing – here I thought I was already free – but if you say so, I guess it’s so.

I like what you say about those rich folks get richer, and the poorer folks getting poorer. It’s what I see happening too. You know how I feel about underdogs, so don’t worry about getting my vote Paulie (aka Rand Paul).

I figure you have a better chance at getting the Republication nomination than I had in fighting Apollo Creed.

Folks don’t give you much of a chance, but like Mickey told me, “You're gonna eat lightnin' and you're gonna crap thunder!” against those other presidential wannabes.

It’ll be your biggest fight yet, and even if ya lose, I expect youse to be still standing tall in people’s opinions. Adrian, and I, will always be there for ya Paulie!”

Best wishes, Rocky

Time for me to walk on down the road….

 

How can you know when someone is telling you the truth?

Good Day World?

How can you know when someone is telling you the truth?

Do you have a built-in sh**t- meter? Can you read body language and detect a liar?Are you psychic? Do you research everything you read to verify facts?

I’m curious.

These days, I don’t know who to believe. When it comes to watching/reading the news I often suspect I’m not getting the whole story – or someone (world figure, ect) is out-right lying like a rug!

An example:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the rejection of the framework of a multi-country deal that with Iran that seeks to limit the country's nuclear capability.

He claims the current plan "leaves the preeminent terrorist state of our time with a vast nuclear infrastructure."

Is that true? Does Netanyahu know something the US doesn’t? I wouldn’t be surprised. Israel’s spy system is superb.

On the other hand, there’s reason to doubt Netanyahu’s claims. The man will say anything to see the US back off from any kind of deal with Iran – their hated enemy.

When you infuse politics into the media mess, truth is one of the first victims. So what are we left with in the pursuit of truth?

Good question.

Take everything with a grain of salt for starters. After that, just try to use common sense whenever possible. That’s not as easy as it sounds.

It also really helps if you can separate yourself from political parties and allow yourself to remain open to the truth.

Independent thought is rapidly diminishing in this sound-byte age, but if your not afraid to question/research issues in depth, chances are you’ll get closer to the truth than you are now.

Time for me to walk on down the road… 

 

On April 6th,1954, the original TV Dinner sold for 98 cents

Good Day World!

I grew up in the fifties, a time when home-cooked meals were first being challenged by TV Dinners.

TV Dinner is a genericized trademark originally used for a brand of packaged meal developed in 1953 by C.A. Swanson & Sons (the full name was TV Brand Frozen Dinner).

The original TV Dinner came in an aluminum tray and was heated in an oven.

The first Swanson-brand TV Dinner was produced in the United States and consisted of a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, cornbread dressing, frozen peas and sweet potatoes packaged in a tray like those used at the time for airline food service.

TV DINNER INVENTION HISTORY

The identity of the TV Dinner's inventor has been disputed.

In one account, first publicized in 1996, retired Swanson executive Gerry Thomas said he conceived the idea after the company found itself with a huge surplus of frozen turkeys because of poor Thanksgiving sales.

Thomas' version of events has been challenged by the Los Angeles Times, members of the Swanson family and former Swanson employees. They credit the Swanson brothers with the invention.

Either way, Swanson's concept was not original.

In 1944, William L. Maxson's frozen dinners were being served on airplanes. Other prepackaged meals were also marketed before Swanson's TV Dinner.

In 1948, plain frozen fruits and vegetables were joined by what were then called 'dinner plates' with a main course, potato, and vegetable.

Later, in 1952, the first frozen dinners on oven-ready aluminum trays were introduced by Quaker States Foods under the One-Eye Eskimo label.

Quaker States Foods was joined by other companies including Frigi-Dinner, which offered such fare as beef stew with corn and peas,veal goulash with peas and potatoes, and chicken Chow Mein with egg rolls and fried rice.

However, Swanson, a large producer of canned and frozen poultry in Omaha, Nebraska, was able to promote the widespread sales and adaptation of frozen dinner by using its nationally-recognized brand name with an extensive national marketing campaign nicknamed "Operation Smash" and the clever advertising name of "TV Dinner," which tapped into the public's excitement around the new device. (via Wikipedia)

The rest, as they say, is history.

Have a look at the old newspapers from April 6, 1954 and get them!

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Jesus Christ Walked Away From the USA One Day

Good Day World!

Here’s a thought…

Jesus Christ walked away from the USA one day

fed up with intolerant churches and what they had to say

disgusted with the games So-Called Christians have to play

Jesus walked far far away.

Leaving the hypocrites and the money-changers

HE turned his back on the hatred being shared

by Christian churches and their phony dangers

stigmatizing non-believers, their bigotries bared

 

So, Jesus Christ walked away from the USA one day

and the churches in America didn’t notice

because they had long ago went another way

far from his teachings and focus.

                                             ***    

-Dave Stancliff – 4/1/15

 

 

  

Whose the Winner? Iran, or USA in Nuke Deal?

Good Day World!

When America and Iran agreed on the framework of a deal regarding the use of nuclear energy who emerged victorious?

Should American’s be stomping their feet in approval? Do the Iranians feel like they pulled a fast one on stupid Westerners? Or, is it the perfect deal where both sides are happy with the result?

And while I’m asking questions, what was the real result of this political breakthrough with our sworn enemy?

President Obama has been confronted with skepticism and hostility by Republicans in Congress who say that he's being conned by Iran. Expect to hear from them next week.

Obama contends the inspections – which are part of the deal - are the toughest in history.

 "If Iran cheats, the world will know it. If we see something suspicious, we will inspect it," Obama told reporters. "So this will be a long-term deal that addresses each path to a potential Iranian nuclear bomb."

Translation: We’re not going to let them build a nuclear bomb. Iran is supposed to be okay with that in exchange for the US dropping economic sanctions that have been crippling the country.

It all sounds very simple. So, why do I suspect there’s another story that’s not being told concerning this “historic” arrangement/framework?

• Iran Deal Shows the Obama Doctrine in Action
• Deal Means Peaceful Enrichment: Rouhani
• Is World Safer or Not? What's Being Said

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Rock On! Rolling Stones Announce Tour Dates

Good Day World!

Back when I was a teenager, The Rolling Stones were in the vanguard of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in America in 1964–65.

This year marks 53 years of continuous entertainment provided by the original “Bad Boys” of rock. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are considered legends in the industry.

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Their first international number 1 hit was "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", recorded in May 1965 during the band's third North American tour. "Paint It, Black" is one of my favorite songs of theirs.

I have to admit that I’m amazed at the “Stones” staying power. The fact that they are appreciated by generations of new young fans is proof enough of their greatness.

The "Zip Code" tour will make stops largely in the middle of North America this year. This is the first time the band will have toured in North America since 2005-07's "A Bigger Bang Tour."

In addition, a re-mastered edition of 1971's "Sticky Fingers" album will be released May 26.

Here's the list of planned shows:

May 24 San Diego, CA Petco Park
May 30 Columbus, OH Ohio Stadium
June 3 Minneapolis, MN TCF Bank Stadium
June 6 Dallas, TX AT&T Stadium
June 9 Atlanta, GA Bobby Dodd Stadium
June 12 Orlando, FL Orlando Citrus Bowl
June 17 Nashville, TN LP Field
June 20 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Field
June 23 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest / Marcus Amphitheater
June 27 Kansas City, MO Arrowhead Stadium
July 1 Raleigh, NC Carter-Finley Stadium
July 4 Indianapolis, IN Indianapolis Motor Speedway
July 8 Detroit, MI Comerica Park
July 11 Buffalo, NY Ralph Wilson Stadium
July 15 Quebec, QC Le Festival D’Été de Québec

For more information, check out the band's website.

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Conservative Christians: ‘Relax, No One’s After You in America’

                                  Good Day World!

There are countries in this world – Pakistan for instance – where it’s not safe to be a Christian. Christians are marginalized and treated like criminals across the middle east.

Thank God then, if you’re a Christian in America where you’re treated with respect and protected. The First Amendment protects Christians, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindu’s, Buddists, etc. al.

When I see a law passed that pretends to defend the Christian faith by rationalizing injustice against people that are not approved of by the church, the hypocrisy sickens me. Somehow, I don’t see Jesus as being that judgmental. 

When Indiana’s Gov. Mike Pence signed the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act he effectively sent out the wrong message to the world, “Indiana is NOT an all inclusive state welcoming everyone – just the opposite!”

The new law has the potential to undo decades of progress toward greater equality.

Social conservatives say their fight to preserve their beliefs is to protect what they say is religious freedom, arguing that Christians or people of other faiths who oppose same-sex unions should not be required to take actions that could be seen as condoning gay marriage.

"Christian businesses and individuals deserve protection from those who support homosexual marriages and those who support government recognition and approval of gender identity (men who dress as women)," reads a message praising the new law on the website of the Indiana group Advance America, whose executive

Pence and Indiana lawmakers rejected the idea of inserting provisions into the law that would have specifically added protections for people who are gay.

The interstate backlash to Indiana's new religious freedom law is growing even as state lawmakers move to clarify the legislation, with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray vowing to issue an executive order this week banning city workers from taxpayer-funded travel to the state.

The Seattle mayor's statement is the latest boycott threat to emerge over claims that the law has the potential to discriminate against gays and others.

MORE ON THE SUBJECT

Tim Cook: Pro-discrimination ‘religious freedom’ laws are dangerous

What the 'religious freedom' law really means for Indiana

Indiana law: Does freedom of religion mean freedom to discriminate?

Connecticut bans state-funded travel to Indiana over anti-gay law

One last thought: If Christians can get away with discriminating against the LGBT community because it goes against their religion, what about the other religions, and their laws? Like Sharia Law. Muslims who don’t want to obey the secular laws in our country could fall back on this new law.

Time for me to walk on down the road…