Hold On there! Don’t Get Your Feathers in a Flap Buddy!

               Animals with attitudes – Do you like these photos?

                                    There’s more here.

               This Lion looks like he’s sneering at something…

The Once and Future Big Brother: Drones are eyes in American skies

        Good Day Humboldt County!

 George Orwell had the spying part right. But the “State” – unlike in his novel 1984 where humans ratted each other out – it’s drones watching our every move looking for “violations.”

 Robots. Drones. We live in the 21st Century’s version of Orwell’s classic: 

“Most Americans have gotten used to regular news reports about military and CIA drones attacking terrorist suspects – including US citizens – in Pakistan, Yemen, and elsewhere abroad.

Photo -Deputy Amanda Hill of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado prepares to use a Draganflyer X6 drone equipped with a video camera to help search for a suspect in a knife attack. Mesa County Sheriff's Dept. via AP

But picture thousands of drone aircraft buzzing around the United States – peering from the sky at breaches in border security, wildfires about to become major conflagrations, patches of marijuana grown illegally deep within national forests, or environmental scofflaws polluting the land, air, and water.

By some government estimates, as many as 30,000 drones could be part of intelligence gathering and law enforcement here in the United States within the next ten years. Operated by agencies down to the local level, this would be in addition to the 110 current and planned drone activity sites run by the military services in 39 states, reported this week by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), a non-government research project.

Americans have mixed feelings about pilotless drones flown over the United States, according to a new Monmouth University Poll.

A large majority (80 percent) supports the idea of using drones to help with search and rescue missions; a substantial majority also supports using drones to track down runaway criminals (67 percent) and control illegal immigration along US borders (64 percent).

Americans on drones: Don't use for speeders

But despite widespread support for certain domestic applications of drone technology, privacy issues are an obvious concern, the poll finds. For example, just 23 percent support using drones for such routine police activity as issuing speeding tickets while two-thirds oppose the idea.” (Read the rest here)

TIME FOR ME TO WALK ON DOWN THE ROAD….

Sign of the Times: A Neo-Nazi registers as Capitol Hill lobbyist

Things are not extreme enough now in our society apparently, as The Crusaders for Yahweh-Aryan Nations LLC, a “white nationalism” group, has registered to lobby in Washington. 

The group’s leader, Paul Mullet, delivered the papers in which he wrote that his group will lobby on “any activities that adversely affect [sic] the White Race,” according to the The Hill.

Mullet views Obama as the Antichrist, and the Crusaders for Yahweh’s current goal is to become more politically active. They have encouraged fellow members across the country to run for local and state office.  Despite denying that his group stands for white supremacy and insisting that he is not personally racist, Mullet has described himself as a white nationalist and pro-white.  Mullet stresses Christianity and has made claims that “the white race is being targeted as a hate group,” by other races.

This is the second overtly racially motivated group that has filed papers to lobby in Washington this year.  The American Nazi Party, lead by John Bowles, registered to lobby in April.

Homeless man finds $77,000…and guess what? He actually gets to keep it!

                                       Good Day Humboldt County!

  Six months ago Timothy Yost (right) got a break. He was homeless in January. Today he has $77,000 and is still homeless, but considering getting a car after discovering a bag full of damp bills and 40 gold Krugerrand coins from South Africa.

  Life changed for Yost after making the find of a lifetime while looking for a place to wash his feet in the Colorado River at Fisherman’s Park in Bastrop, Texas. Or did it?

  Bastrop Mayor Terry Orr told msnbc.com that Detective Tamera Brown launched a lengthy investigation to find the money’s owner. She reached out to the FBI and a bank fraud investigation team and placed an ad in the local newspaper, per the law. Several people said the money was theirs, Orr said, but their claims were dubious.

 It came down to a Texas finders keepers law and Yost was given back the money he’d found. As for Yost, he spent the night in jail for being intoxicated after celebrating his good fortune. He did manage to tell local reporters he was going to get a car when they let him out.

"I've been walking for so long; the first thing I want is a vehicle," he told Austin Fox News Channel 7.

I can’t help wondering what Yost will do with his leftover money after buying a car. Will he buy a new car? A junker? Perhaps rent an apartment? The question is, how long has Yost been homeless? And why? Is he an alcoholic or druggie with a history?

No one will ever know what happened to Yost and his money. We’re left wondering what he did with his life. Did he take advantage of his new found fortune and improve his lifestyle? I’d like to think so.

Time for me to walk on down the road…

‘Simplicity is natures first step, and the last of art’ - Philip James Bailey

photo source

AS IT STANDS looks at Color Psychology - Do different colors affect your mood?

               Good Day Humboldt County!

 Like death and taxes, there is no escaping color. It is ubiquitous. Yet what does it all mean? Why are people more relaxed in green rooms? Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms?

Colors often have different meanings in various cultures. And even in Western societies, the meanings of various colors have changed over the years. But today in the U.S., researchers have generally found the following to be accurate.

Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black.

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

The most emotionally intense color, Red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, Pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

The color of the sky and the ocean, Blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

Currently the most popular decorating color, Green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

Cheerful sunny Yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

The color of royalty, Purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Solid, reliable Brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.

More from Color: Psychology, Symbolism, and Interesting Facts

Time for me to walk on down the road…

As It Stands: A tribute to single custodial fathers

                         

                        By Dave Stancliff/For The Times-Standard
 A brand new baby’s startled cry. In that instant, I became a father back in 1975. Two more sons followed; one in 1977, and the last in 1980. Their births motivated me to use my GI Bill and go back to college because I wanted to be able to provide them with good lives.
 You’ve probably heard the same general story from other dads. It’s not an uncommon happenstance. I had plenty of help raising my sons. My wife is one of the most nurturing and loving humans in the world and we made a good team.  
  I shudder to think what it would have been like to raise my sons alone. I’ve asked myself, “Would I be patient, compassionate, and loving at all times while raising three boys?” It’s a tough situation for any dad.
 According to the latest single parent statistics reported in Unmarried and Single Americans Week Sept. 18-24, 2011: there were 11.7 million single parents living with their children in 2010. Of those reported, 1.8 million were custodial single dads. 3.4% of American children live with their father only, and 4.1% of American children live with neither parent.
Obviously the majority of single parents are moms. If this was Mother’s Day I would talk about them. Since it’s Father’s Day I’d like to hold single custodial dads up to the limelight and say, “Good job guys!” It’s not a perfect world, and anyone man enough to raise children alone should be commended.
The media doesn’t talk about you single dads too often. You don’t quite fit into the politically correct category and it’s awkward singing your praises. With such a small percentage of single custodial dads in this country we don’t read about your challenges as often as we do single moms’ challenges.
  I’d like to share with you single custodial dads the origin of Father’s Day. It seems fitting. A woman named Sonora Dodd wished to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone after his wife died in childbirth.

  In 1910, she and others celebrated the first informal Father's Day in Spokane, Washington, and the movement quickly spread across the country.
The holiday didn't become nationally recognized until 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson declared that the third Sunday in June would be national Father's Day.
  You single custodial dads may be a minority in our society, but you represent the very best in men by displaying the courage and love it takes to raise children alone. The challenges you face are different from those faced by single moms.’
 The single father must make sure each child feels that he or she belongs in the family. If the father has a daughter, he must avoid doing only things that interest men and boys. Both boys and girls like animals, so going to a zoo is one option. Like I said, being a single father has unique challenges.
  A dad can be a good role model for both daughters and sons. The bottom line is men are capable of raising children alone. Most choose not to. For those who do, this day is for you, and all the other dads. Accepting responsibility is a manly thing to do. I don’t question why someone is a single dad. That’s none of my business.
  Let’s be honest, becoming a dad is easy, but being a good dad is the most challenging thing any man can do. I also believe that, unlike when I was growing up, being a single dad in this society is not shameful,  but can actually be an empowering experience. The ability to adapt and thrive is a positive thing. Single dads need all the help they can get.
Here’s one website ( http://www.singlefather.com ) that offers an informative article for adjusting to life as a single father.
  Many thanks to all you married and single dads (custodial or not), who love your children and understand what it takes to be a good dad. The world needs more like you.
As It Stands, I’m going to take this time to recognize my dad, Richard Wayne Stancliff, as the best dad in the world!

Some Bizzarre and Odd things around us…

                           Good Day Humboldt County!

Thanks to the wonders of photography, we can see things in this wonderful world that would have otherwise gone unseen. Most people don’t get the opportunity to see a skyscraper shaped like a Crescent Moon, or hot air balloons flying over the caves of Cappadocia.

But thanks to skilled photographers that cover every corner of the planet searching for the odd and bizarre things around us, we can sit back in comfort and be awed.

 So sit back and relax. Let your imagination wander while you feast your eyes on these wonders:

(TOP) Gibraltar Airport is one of the most extraordinary airports around the world.

         (BELOW) Morning Glory – kind of clouds observed in the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern Australia.

                                The river above the river: Magdeburg Water Bridge, Germany.

                                     Heavy fog in Sydney, which enveloped the whole city.

                                       Skyscraper-Crescent Crescent Moon Tower (Dubai).

                                                  Photo of storm in Montana, USA, 2010.

           The Lighthouse guard in Mare, France must be one of the most courageous people on the planet!

                 Airport in the Maldives is located on an artificial island in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

In northwestern Montana, USA. The water is so transparent that it seems that this is a quite shallow lake. In fact, it’s very deep.

This is a unique geological phenomenon known as Danxia landform. These phenomena can be observed in several places in China. This example is located in Zhangye, Province of Gansu. The color is the result of an accumulation for millions of years of red sandstone and other rocks.

                                              View of the sunset from inside the wave.

                                                                  Autumn camouflage.

                                                              Balloons in Cappadocia.

                           ALL PHOTOS & TEXT VIA ODD STUFF MAGAZINE – GO HERE TO SEE MORE

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Weird Festival for the Month for June: ‘Hollerin’ Contest’ in North Carolina

“On Saturday, the tiny town of Spivey’s Corner, N.C., will host the National Hollerin’ Contest, which promises to be a howling good time.

The event, now in its 44th year, celebrates the “lost art” of hollerin’, the traditional form of communication that people used before telephones became commonplace. It’s also apparently the highlight of the festival calendar in Spivey’s Corner, which despite its small size — pop. 48, give or take — proudly calls itself “The Hollerin’ Capital of the Universe.”

 (Read more here)

Universe Shattering Breakthrough: Scientists Discover Mickey Mouse Face on Mercury

              A mouse worshipping alien civilization?

Did Mickey Mouse’s ancestors come from Mercury? Questions upon questions. What’s next? Madonna on Mars?

“We've had the Face on Mars, the Smiley Face on Mars, even the Elephant Face on Mars — and now we've got the Mickey Mouse Face on Mercury, courtesy of NASA's Messenger probe.

The mousy shape comes from three overlapping craters in Mercury's southern hemisphere, northwest of a larger crater known as Magritte. The biggest crater in this scene, which serves as Mickey's head, measures about 65 miles (105 miles) across.”

Source

Did Oregon man get the plague from the cat or the mouse? Attempted rescue results in fight for his life

                Good Day Humboldt County!

There’s a lot of mysterious things happening every day. I enjoy discovering mysteries, and solving them even more.

  However, I wouldn’t know where to start to try and explain why Oregon holds the dubious record of having the most modern cases of the plague in America!

A very unlucky Oregon man got the plague from either a feral cat or a mouse recently. Don’t ask me why he tried to wrench the rodent out of a feral cat’s mouth. I’m still shaking my head. Perhaps Oregon’s state public health veterinarian, Emilio DeBess summed up the situation best:"Taking a mouse out of a cat's mouth is probably not a good idea."

“An Oregon man appears to be suffering from the plague after he tried to rescue a mouse from the mouth of a feral cat. "This can be a serious illness," Emilio DeBess, state public health veterinarian, tells the Oregonian. "But it is treatable with antibiotics, and it's also preventable."

The unnamed man, in his 50s, is receiving medical attention and is listed as being in critical condition. Doctors have not officially confirmed that he is suffering from the plague but say he is showing several symptoms leading to a likely diagnosis.

What may be the most fascinating aspect of his condition is that this is not the only recent case of the plague in Oregon or in the U.S. In fact, The Oregonian says it's the fifth such case in the Beaver State since 1995. DeBess says Oregon holds the record for modern cases of the plague in the U.S. with about one case per year since 1934. In that time, four people have died from their symptoms associated with the blood infection.

There is a plague vaccine, but the illness has become so rare in the U.S. that the vaccine is no longer sold here. Even though cases of the plague are rare, the bacteria that causes it still exists and is fatal in more than 90 percent of untreated cases.

The man was reportedly bitten on June 2 and checked himself into a hospital on June 8. He is said to be suffering from symptoms of septicemic plague, the rarest of the three known forms of the blood infection in which the Yersinia pestis bacteria can manifest.

And before anyone starts pointing fingers, DeBess said doctors still aren't sure whether the man contracted the illness from the cat or the mouse. The cat, which has since died, has been taken to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for further testing. "Taking a mouse out of a cat's mouth is probably not a good idea," DeBess said.” (source)

I hope the unidentified man survives. We all make mistakes. Some worse than others.

Time for me to walk on down the road…