Liberté survit!

Another barbaric act of violence was perpetuated by Muslim religious zealots.  This time the innocent victims were the citizens of Paris, France.

To my dying day I will never understand the need and willingness of some members of our common human race to destroy others simply because they do not believe as they do.  

What goes through the minds of these people who commit such acts of atrocity?  Oh sure, it is easy to blame the Muslim religion, which actually teaches to "destroy the infidel".  In other words if you don't believe as they do, they feel it is their duty to destroy you.  At least that's the way I understand their religion.

But folks, let's admit that all cultures have their barbarians who seek pleasure in causing death in destruction.  Be it some Lewes teenagers (almost always male) who have an overload of hormones and burn down a vacant bard or a young Muslim who thinks he'll be a martyr by killing as many "infidels" as possible and be rewarded in Heaven with 72 virgins.  Which, brings to mind how are the gay martyr's rewarded?  But I digress.

My apologies folks for my rambling.  I thought long and hard about what I would post in response to the horrific tragedy in France where people were going about their everyday lives only to have terror rain down upon them.  The obvious question is "Why does God permit this?"  And don't give me the old "mystery" thing.  I'm not buying it.  

All I know is each day most of us go through lives just trying to survive. Most of us aren't trying to make others live the way we do, or lie cheat and steal.  But there is that element that seeks to destroy.  If there is a God, I thank God I'm not one of that human species.  

So today I will think about those in France who have lost their loved ones.  I will also think about those who are grievously injured and for no better reason than they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

I often wondered if our planet is observed from other life form in outer space.  What do they think of us constantly causing harm and causing death and destruction to each other?  

Rodney King said it best (which, I doubt he really said it but I'll use the quote anyway):

"Can't we all just get along?"

I fear not.  

The terrorists have achieved their goal.  Look at how we live now. That's their point, to create terror.

But it is only temporary folks.  In the end the terrorists will lose.  Then what new evil awaits us?

For now though, my thoughts go out to those who have lost so much in this latest act of barbarism by Muslim religious extremists. May they find peace and solace soon. 

Sony Pictures Caves

Kim Jong-un and the actor (Randall Park) who portrays him in "The Interview"

Hard to believe but Sony Pictures cancelled the Christmas day theatrical release of "The Interview", a movie that mocks North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.  (See here.) 

First of all isn't it hard to believe that Sony Pictures has succumbed so easily to this bullying pressure and threats from the North Korean hackers?  You know what this action by Sony sets a precedent don't you?  More fodder to international terrorists to terrorize us in the West.  Oh yes, that what they're doing and they're succeeding at, terrorizing us.  When these mysterious, unknown Korean hackers can threaten to bomb movie theaters that show "The Interview" and we cave, we're terrorized.  

You know something?  We should look at the example of the Israelis. When the cowardly terrorists attempt to terrorize them by bombing an outdoor cafe, the Israelis immediately clean up the body parts and blood and put the cafe right back in business.

 May sound heartless (cleaning and moping up still warm body parts and blood) but if you give in to the terrorists (and haven't we given in enough?  Have you traveled by air lately?), they will just further terrorize you until they're completely controlling your life.  

Hitler had it all wrong with his millions of soldiers and Panzer tanks.  All he had to do was hack into our computer systems and threaten us with terroristic bombings. Have you noticed that the terrorists are more successful than the land based armies of World War II Japan and Germany?  

The irony of this movie is that it is just another unfunny ego trip for James Franco

and Seth Rogan.

 I don't "get" Franco and Rogan, the current Flavor of the Moment in Hollywood. I just don't think they're funny.  They seem to be having their own private party with inside jokes.  Maybe one good thing that comes out of this action by Sony Pictures, no more Franco/Rogan "comedies".  
  

My Backyard Buddy

My portulaca eating Backyard Buddy, The Rabbit
Note: this is the actual rabbit, I just took this picture

This is my backyard buddy.  Not really, a little sarcasm from your friendly blogger here early in the morning folks.

I just took this picture about a half an hour ago, early this morning.  Mr. Bunny Rabbit is out for his morning meal in our backyard.  His "morning meal" (and afternoon meal and evening meal) apparently consists of the flowers of my portulaca plants.  

Portulaca, i.e. "Rabbit Salad"

This rabbit and I have been battling all summer. He's (or she) is a persistent bugger.  I'll be walking around the backyard, refilling the birdbaths and sometimes I almost trip over him (her).  We give each other a LOOK, just daring me to do something about it, and then he (she) takes off, usually to the cornfield that borders on our backyard rabbit salad bar.

The Rabbit Equalizer

Bill wants to kill it. I'm a little squeamish about taking such a drastic measure, although I wouldn't be TOO upset if a roaming fox decided to come by and have rabbit for dinner.  What I don't see doesn't bother me plus, to me, that's nature taking its course.  

We put out one of those Have-a-Heart traps (bought specially for our little buddy) but he (she) hasn't taken the invitation....yet.  Even with a slathering of peanut butter on a carrot, no trapped rabbit.  

When we lived in Pennsylvania on our 6.875 wooded acres, an occasional rabbit would appear for a week or two and then disappear, no doubt having kept his (her) appointment as dinner for the many foxes we had surrounding our wooded oasis in PA.

I've taken a water gun out to this bugger, and he (she) does take off when I pull the gun out.  But this bunny is a sly one because he (she) just keeps coming back when I'm inside the house posting a blog, feeding my face or taking a nap, not necessarily in that order.

So what's to be done?  I've decided next year to admit the terrorist rabbit has won.  I won't plant any more portulaca.  Hey, if the powers that be in  New York City decided not to rebuild the Twin Towers just because they would be an obvious target for the terrorists and instead build that innocuous, single tower, tentative looking building   that looks like it's saying "Please don't hit me", who am I to question THAT wisdom?  

Next year:  Marigolds!

Me this morning with the flower bed that the rabbit DOESN'T eat - marigold, snap dragons and asylum

TSA and the "audacity of grope" - On Liberty blog - Boston.com

TSA and the "audacity of grope" - On Liberty blog - Boston.com

I found this blog that expresses my feelings about the absurdity of the new enhanced methods of airport security which gives the passenger the option of a Full Montny naked body scan or a "check your junk" pat down with gloved hand (like that makes a difference whether or not you're being sexually molested.)

My Internet connection at home is still being held hostage by Verizon's "not over the weekend" service. I got an automated call from Verizin today that said a service technician will be at my house by 7 pm. Oh goody, I didn't have anything to do all day anyway than wait around for a telephone service rep.

Bill said it right yesterday, we really are getting to old for this aggravation.

Two weeks ago I had the DirecTV guy in to straighten out my satellite signal. Now I gave another precancerous growth on my neck and I was just at the dermatologist at the VA last month and they don't want to see me again for another year. Looks like I'm gonna have to make some phone calls tomorrow to look for a local dermatologist.  Last time I called there was a six month wait.  So much for health care in the good ole USA.

I'm still looking for that week (or two) that everything goes smooth. I don't know if it's me or life that is getting more complicated.

Pictures with my blog again tomorrow. I don't know how to add them with the iPad I'm on now. Just another complication.

Well, at least I have my Chirstmas cards addressed, stamped and sealed. One benefit of not being glued to the computer this weekend.