Long but wothy account of Mall shooting in Omaha

The Shack has the privilege of being able to talk with one of the witnesses
from the third floor of the Von Maur store at Westroads Mall in Omaha.

On the condition of anonymity, he has agreed to tell his account of what
happened. He will only be identified by the moniker NW.

I was given the first draft of this account Thursday morning, 12/6/07. The
only changes that have been made were mostly grammatical and organizational.
NW's account has not changed. He has opted to leave any inaccuracies (such
as the gun identification) as it was originally written in order to properly
show how the mind works in this condition.

I have agreed to post his story account as is, with only minor edits for
spelling and grammar. The bulk of this was written about 14 hours after the
event occurred. There is an update at the end.

His story presents an interesting issue for CCW holders in such a situation:
Shoot or no shoot. Hide or flee. Help or don't help.

Please look at the post after this account as I have put up a practice drill
(The Von Maur Drill) that is designed based on this man's scenario.

With that, I now turn the blog over to NW.
The shooting

I took a later lunch that day because I had a noon phone meeting with a
company out of New York, apparently we're not on the same lunch schedule. I
also planned to take a one-hour lunch that day, instead of a 30-minute
lunch, so I could go to Van Maur and pick up some gifts for my wife. We were
both there on the evening of Dec 03 with my 1-year-old daughter, and my wife
tried on some coats and showed me some bath robes she liked, so I knew
exactly what I was going for that day.

I asked a co-worker (named K for this story) for directions to Van Maur from
my place of business. as she knew a faster route that would get me there
quicker.

I left work around 1:15 to 1:20 and arrived at the front doors of Van Maur
at 1:35 (shooting -7), I remember specifically looking at my watch as walked
in. I came in the south entrance to Van Maur, right by the elevators.

I proceeded to 2nd floor using the escalator around 1:36 (shooting -6
minutes). I soon picked up a coat that my wife liked. I spent a couple
minutes there because I was still not completely sure about picking the
white coat or black coat. I checked my watch and realized time was running
out, so I picked the white one. This was about 1:39 (shooting -3).

Then I again took the escalator to the third floor. I went over to the bath
robes near the bra section, which is by customer service. I was standing
close to the north wall, by the east corner. I walked around the robes a bit
to see if there were any last minute changes about what I wanted to get,
then I proceeded to the rack of robes that my wife had expressed interest
in.

At this point I don't have a time line, but the events unfolded follows: I
heard gunshots, about 8. I knew exactly what they were, but my brain didn't
want me to believe it.

I looked towards the escalators because it sounded like they came from
there. I could not place the direction the shots came from because I was
surrounded by 4 walls and standing nearly in a corner.

I stood there for maybe 8 seconds (time enough to change a magazine), then I
heard several more shots. Somehow, then I focused in on the shooter. He was
towards the south wall, in the east corner, maybe 30 degrees to my left. He
was about 30 yards away. He was shooting towards the west and I had a nice
side view of him.



He was wearing what looked like a solid green sleeveless vest, and was
shooting a semi-automatic rifle. I could see sleeves of a shirt that did not
match the vest. The vest did not look military or camouflage, but to me
looked green.

To me, at the time, I thought the rifle might be an AR15. One thing I
noticed, it appeared that the empty shells were ejecting out of the left
side of the gun instead of the right, which doesn't make sense and could
have been an illusion. All I could see were mostly the black parts of the
gun. The stock of the gun was the black frame style, instead of a wood
stock.

The shooter had brown or black hair, and I remember it being cut quite
short, but not buzzed. He had the gun up to his cheek and was shooting in
rapid succession doing quick maneuvers with the gun. At first, It went
through my mind that this guy was some sort of military and this was a
terrorist attack. I could see the shells ejecting from the gun.

The way he was walking and shooting, calmly, no yelling, made me think that
there was more than one shooter and they were performing a "clean sweep". He
was aiming down the barrel of the gun, and shooting rapidly.

At this point, I stared for nearly 5 seconds, until I turned and ducked down
and started running. I want to make note of this point in time, as I will
come back to it.

I was running towards the north wall and somehow making my way farther
towards the east wall at the same time, putting myself in the corner even
more. There were maybe five people who started walking fast looking in the
direction of the shooter. I am not sure if they could see him or just heard
the commotion. When they saw that I was running like heck, others started
running, too.

People were running into the dressing rooms. I got near the door and decided
that is not where I wanted to be. I ran west a few yards uncertain of what
to do or where to go. I was trapped. But then I focused in on an emergency
exit and ran out of it. The alarm sounded. It was loud, but I think it was
only an alarm attached to the door, not sure if it set the whole store
alarms off, but they were loud shrieking alarms, not continuous, but a pulse
type alarm.

I ended up in some gray hallway with a set of stairs and very little room to
move side to side. I ran down one set of stairs to 2nd floor.
There was a door there and I almost went through it. But I heard more
gunshots that sounded like they were on the other side of the door. I
believe I turned and I jumped over the stair railing to the next landing,
skipping the stairs completely. I do not remember the impact, and I do not
remember if I jumped down a whole floor, or ran down the first half of the
stairs and jumped down the rest. I am not certain of this point due to the
fear I felt at this point after hearing more gunshots I thought was on 2nd
floor, confirming in my mind there were multiple shooters.

I ran down a small hallway and found a door to the outside, but it would not
open. It was a double door with a push bar. At this point, I had to make a
decision. Do I wait here or get out?

I didn't know what or who was on the other side of the door, and but I
decided to go for it because I was trapped at the end of a hallway with no
where to go. I pushed the door hard and it still would not give, so I kicked
the push bar and the door flung open.

I was now outside, on Van Maur's loading dock on the east side, I looked to
my right and there was a long trash can close to the wall. I jumped over a
rail, off the dock between the garbage can and the wall. I ran along this
until I came to the end of both the garbage can and wall. I then realized
that I was still carrying the coat I was going to by my wife. For some
reason, I decided to drop it, and probably ruined it.

Then I ran out into the parking lot, which is between the mall and the
parking garage. I didn't know what to do next. I tried to call 911 on my
phone with no luck. I yelled to some guy to call 911. Then I asked him if he
had a gun I could use. I was freaking out, and in reality probably would not
have gone back in. However, I was worried about someone picking off people
in the lot, or coming out charging with guns firing. I had no idea how many
shooters were in there.

I borrowed a lady's cell phone, and she was worried I was going to run off
with it. But 911 was busy, so I knew people were probably called. It took
FOREVER for the cops to get there, I estimated the time as10 minutes but the
news says 6.

During this time I did not know what to do. I almost just went for my car
and left, but I realized that couldn't be right. It was like someone pulled
a fire alarm at the store, so I thought about just leaving and let everyone
else figure it out. I decided that was the wrong thing to do.

I walked around to the north side and saw all the cops loading up. I yelled
to them, "I saw what is going on. The guy has an M-16 type gun. If you need
information, I can give it or else I am outta here." A police lieutenant
pulled me aside and I ended up in a cop car.

Minutes later another witness joined me. She said she was right beside me on
the 3rd floor before the shooting. We were both very shaken up. My lungs
were burning because I nearly did a full sprint down 3 floors. The cold air
hit my lungs hard.

I was later taken to J.C. Penney and interviewed. At first, the interviewer
was taking notes, but when he realized how involved I was I had start over,
this time with a tape recorder running

I was then escorted to my car and I stopped back by work. I arrived at work
around 4pm, which means my interview ended around 3:30 – 3:45.


My feelings

When I heard the first round of gunshots, I knew what they were but didn't
want to believe it. I tried to think that they were balloons or fireworks.
However, I definitely took a defensive stance ready to run.

When I saw the shooter, I stood there for nearly 5 seconds just watching.

Why?

First, he was firing 90 degrees away from me. The thing is, this image was
nothing new to me. I see people shooting all the time at the range, on TV,
in video games. But what my brain was having a hard time processing was that
was Van Maur.

Now back to the point I referenced earlier.

Honestly, and as God as my witness, when I saw him shooting and as watched
for a few seconds trying to figure out what he was going to do and what I
should do, the thought that when through my mind was, "If I had a gun, I
have a perfect shot."

Yes, a perfect shot. I had a full side profile, I was close, and no one was
visible behind him except a wall. I had a clear shot during the second round
of fire. I told this to every cop I came in contact with. The interviewer
agreed.

When I realized that I had no gun, fear instantly struck me, along with
anger, and severe panic.

I ran hard.

I did not think to try to help people, I just got out.

While I was running, I kept hearing shots. In my mind, I could see myself
getting shot in the back, bullets ripping through me and blood spraying in
front of me.

Interestingly, I was still able to make decisions. I knew the dressing room
was a bad place. When I realized I was trapped in a corner, more fear set in
and I almost went for the dressing room, but then I saw the emergency exit.

I instantly started second-guessing that decision as well. For all I knew,
there were more shooters waiting for people to try to escape. But realizing
that I was wide open to attack, I ran out the emergency door.

As I ran down the stairs, all kinds of thoughts started occurring. What if a
shooter was coming up the stairs? What if one followed me down? Every
decision I made was second-guessed, should I just stop or keep going?

I kept going, and due to luck, I was fine. There was only one shooter, and
he did not set any booby-traps.

Luck.

God.

Luck.

That's all. My decisions were fairly limited and all I could do is go where
the doors and hallways took me.

After my interview, as I was being escorted by the cops to my car, I saw the
nice, white coat still there by the garbage can. I pointed it out to my
interviewer who was escorting me, hoping maybe he'd let me go pick it up to
possibly save it. But, it was a lost cause. I would have gone back later and
paid for it.

This part of the story may be removed later, but I will have it here for
now.

I do not have a Concealed Handgun Permit. I have completed the training
class, but I keep putting off applying for the permit because I think it is
useless. In the places I would need a gun most; I am not allowed to have it.
I will not be a person living in fear and not go to Van Maur because they
don't allow guns.

My point is that Open Carry needs to be easier in Omaha, and places like
Westroads need to take down their "no guns" signs.

If I had my gun deeply concealed, I wouldn't have been able to draw it very
fast. However, if I had open carried, I could have drawn instantly.

Either way though, I could have drawn and taken a clean shot. However, in
both cases, regardless of the laws, I am not allowed to carry a gun at all
in Westroads Mall. If the laws did not oppress my rights, I would carry a
gun most places (except work). I would certainly have had it in the mall as
mall shootings have been on my mind since the incident at a mall involving a
shotgun back in February.

My wife is somewhat cautious about guns as is my sister-in-law. After this
event, both are now pro-guns. In addition, I will never again be caught
without a gun.

I later learned from the news that people were shot at customer service (to
my right) and the children's section (in front of me, off to the left). This
means it was only luck this guy did not target me, as I was closer to him
than some of the people he shot. I have a second chance at life.

What really irks my gut is that I was just there at Van Maur on Monday night
with my wife and daughter. What if they were with me this time? Escape like
I did would not of been possible.

I am very angry at the city of Omaha and the mall for their stupid laws that
nearly cost me my life. The laws protected no one, and in my opinion, caused
people to die.

Will I go to the media? Maybe. I can't make a decision now because I am
still shaken up. I got very little sleep last night. I need to let my head
clear. Nothing I do right now is going to change the outcome and near brush
with death.

Right now I have been practicing with my .40 S&W Beretta, replaying the
situation in my mind.

I could have done it, no problem, no hesitation, no regrets. This was a test
of my soul, and the results are in and I know them for certain.

I am going to go buy some "gear," then go to the shooting range for some
target practice.

My knee hurts and my legs and lungs still burn. I cannot recall how high of
jump I took, but I am going back to Van Maur to find out.

UPDATE 12/6/07 - I went to a local shooting range and purchased several
silhouette targets. I then put the targets down range, to the approximate
place I think the shooter would have been.

It seems it may be between 40 and 50 meters based on my memory. I used my
Beretta 90-Two (.40 S&W) and shot each target several times with 6 round
magazines. I mostly aimed for the head because that is probably what I would
have done in the mall, as I didn't know if he was wearing a vest or not.

My accuracy to the head was about 4 out of 6, depending on how fast I fired.
For the shots I missed the head, they still hit the neck or the chest. A few
test cases, I missed the head by an inch. I would of been shooting up at a
slight angle so the missed shots would of went higher than most people
stand.

I then took body shots and my accuracy was near 100% on the target, though
not necessarily in the kill zone. I conclude I could have taken the shots
with decent accuracy and been effective. I cannot predict the outcome,
except that I would of rather been shooting at the killer, instead of
crossing my fingers, turning my back, and running away. Even if I only
wounded him, I could of run in closer for more accuracy. Call me crazy, it
may be true, but running away like I did was crazier and more risky with my
life. I just got lucky.

I do want to say that when I talk about that I could of stopped the killer,
I am not trying to make a political statement. I am simply saying if I were
allowed to carry a gun, I would have and I would have used it. That is a
hard fact. I am not trying to be a hero and say that I would have tried to
save lives. I am saying that I was trying to save my life, and if my family
was there, their lives as well. There is nothing "hero" about what I am
saying, it's about survival.

I feel that I am alive today because of luck. I chose to run, but it was not
a choice. I was forced to run. Many will say that is the right choice. I say
it is the choice that requires luck. ALOT of luck with the position I was
in.

Use of deadly force at times may also require luck. But, it also depends
upon skill, awareness, and practice. These are things I can control, and
these are things I trust far more than luck
The statements I am making today are my own, and represent my personal views
and my views alone. It may or may not be the views of my family, friends,
employer, other professional affiliates, or anyone or thing affiliated with
me in any way of form other than myself.
Thanks, NW.

Stay safe;
xxxJM24xxx

Even More fun at...

The Crack House Apartments!

Now i missed out on this one how ever crackerz and the nanny were here and took a few shots of the excitement! It looks like there was more then just a dime bag behind door #3!

Scanning the news reels for some press on what happened. Bottom line, the fun never ends at the CHA!

Oooh hot off the presses from crackerz scan off the news reels!!

Keep packin heat!
Nutz

Christmas Spirit

Well I did my good deed for the season. A person ran out of gas and I gave him a couple of gallons that I had in the garage! So for those of you who think I am cold hartless individual, well you are wrong. I would want some one to give me a couple of gallons of gas if I was down and out as well.
NUTZ

A little christmas humor!

There will be no nativity scene in Congress this year!

The Supreme Court has not ruled that there cannot be a nativity scene
in the Capitol this Christmas season. Nor is there any religious reason.

There was not even a problem finding enough asses for the stable. They
simply have not been able to find three wise men and a virgin in
the nation's capital.

From our good friend Roger!

Surpassed!

Crackerz finally did it, she has posted more post in the last 6 months to the Crazy Crumbz blog then i have to this blog in a couple of years!! Hats off to my darling wife and of course our pretty little girl for getting Crackerz into the blogisphere!

Excitment on Kingston Ave

With a screech and bam and some sirens, some excite on sleepy Kingston ave. Kid of nice to have the windows open on a cool december evening. Wonder what hit what in our back yard?
Nutz

Everyone loves JIB JAB!

Click on me!

Check out the Crazy Crumbz Blog!

Yes, Nutz has been a slacker when it comes to updating his blog. So, if you want an update on the Nutz, Crackerz and Crazy Crumbz family, go to http://crazycrumbs.blogspot.com.

Go Blue!

Crackerz just cant wait for the Michigan v Florida domination day on January 1st!
I will have to break out my UoM go blue t shirt from 1988 and wear it with pride!!

GO BLUE

Friday Mornings at the Pentagon

By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers

Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war.
Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.

This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.

Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.

"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls.
There are thousands here.

This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army.
Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.

Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area.

The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.

"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class.

"Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden ... yet.

"Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.

"Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.

"11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.

They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.

"There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks.
An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.

These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

"Did you know that?

The media hasn't yet told the story."

Thoughts for Turkey Day

In the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday -- “Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart, as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds." Theodore Roosevelt

Deep fried turkey...

Today in addition to other things, we are having deep fried turkey. I posted the recipe on the wiki and will be adding pictures shortly.





The wine this evening is "Smoking Loon" a very fine Syrha

Happy Turkey Day!!!
Nutz

Missed the Photo op...

Twas the night before monday and all through the house not a creature was stirring except momma and baby crazy crumbz. The laundry was all wadded on the floor in hopes that cleaning lady soon would be doing her deeds and washing the skid marks from my drawers. When down the street arose such a clatter a big red fire truck and posse of cops all descended on the motel crack rock! Momma elbowed big daddy to see what was the matter. With sig in hand a big bright light, I threw open the shades to see with delight, that Norfolk's finest were once again at the crack house appartments.

OOh I love 3AM... How exciting. I really need to have a camera by the sig for night like last night. Anyhow we were not exactly sure what happend however it did look like it could have possibly been a car accident.. however comma, the car was parked in the parking lane... wierd.. hope there is no excitement tonight..
Nutz

Night time exctiement at the CHA

I took some pictures of the police and ambulance at the CHA tonight.. not sure how well they came out. Will post shortly. Bottom line.. more excitement at the Crack House Apartments!!! Yippeee!!

VOTE!

This was a good one from last year figured I would post it again! We CAN learn from the past.

Be sure to vote over in the right column!

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag.. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907 Correction Jan 3, 1919 (Letter)

Higher Education and leadership

The cool thing about living a country with soooo many freedoms is that we can look to institutions of higher learning to solve many of our scientific and societal problems.

Concerning race relations, The University of Delaware states...
“A RACIST: A racist is one who is both privileged and socialized on the basis of race by a white supremacist (racist) system. The term applies to all white people (i.e., people of European descent) living in the United States, regardless of class, gender, religion, culture or sexuality. By this definition, people of color cannot be racists, because as peoples within the U.S. system, they do not have the power to back up their prejudices, hostilities, or acts of discrimination. (This does not deny the existence of such prejudices, hostilities, acts of rage or discrimination.)" - Page 3

The freedom of speech is a cool thing.

Congratulations, Nutz!

Today, Nutz was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. CC and I are very proud of you!

Thanks for your service to this GREAT country!

A big BLOW

(to the christmas carol)

Theeee first Noel...

Yes we are getting a little bit of a blow this evening...

How about a thank you...

to the men and women of our military! No matter what our political beliefs, it's always nice to say thank you to those (current and former servicemen and women) who fight/fought for our right to have an opinion.

Must be nice...

to be able to sit around the house all day and write comments on people's blogs. Guess some of us have to work for a living.

PS I'm on my lunch break.

Paul Tibbets

Paul Tibbets
1915-2007
Rest in peace my friend....

Comment Commentary...

Typical un-intelligent slant on things, no facts used to back up an attack on a president who Won the Noble Peace Prize, established the National Park Service, was awarded the medal of honor. Read his history and you be the judge.

BTW he was the honorary president of the ADS at the time of his letter.

Obviously the point of the letter was missed by a reader.

Correction?

It has been pointed out that there has been an error in the previous post concerning Roosevelt. The text quoted was delivered in letter format in Jan 1919 shortly before the death of Mr. Rooselvet. This letter can be viewed at the library of congress. Or shoot me an email and I will fire you a copy.

Pole?

Ok, maybe you are from Poland, maybe you are a statistician, anyhow I have a poll going on. Please feel free to vote and lets see what the results are.

God bless America

More fun at the CHA

Hey look the rescue squad is back... I know I have missed a few visits between now and the last post.

Nutz

(29+2+1)+3 billion=Mccains in china....

...with a new baby!!!
Congrats to the new critter!!

Glad all are doing well...

Funny Halloween Cartoon

If you hit reply to all...

... you should not be afraid to say in front of your mother or a police officer! All privacy issues go out the window... Remember, you did hit REPLY ALL!

Comments from the left?

I am sorry but I have to go off on what you said and on those pictures lol. I dunno, it seems to me that if you're afraid to go buy a gallon of milk, then you have drunk the scaremongering kool-aid that the Bushies have been pushing since 9/11, and thus you have larger problems than a handful of Muslim extremists who are doing nothing more threatening in those pictures than waving some signs around. These pictures are inflammatory - as are the signs the London Muslims are holding. If you go to any demonstration, of any group of any stripe, the slogans and signs are always eye-catching and inflammatory, purposely. To get attention. Did these Muslims actually behead anyone or kill anyone at this rally? Of course they didn't. London has a huge Islamic population, yet they have relatively few episodes of unrest or violence. In fact, most of Europe has much larger Islamic populations in its cities than we have here, and again, they have relatively few incidents of violence or unrest. You only hear the occasional bad report, because of the fact that it IS rare, and so it sells the news. It doesn't make the news every time Joe Bloggs in London buys a pack of smokes from Ahmal the shopkeeper and exchanges pleasantries. That doesn't sell newspapers, and it doesn't advance a scaremongering conservative agenda. But peaceful, normal interactions between Muslims and Christians/Jews/atheists

/agnostics happen every second of every day, with no dirty bomb going off anywhere!

And btw I did see these pictures in the American press when that demonstration went on. Specifically in the conservative press. They milked those pictures for all their xenophobic and racist worth. I think you can go to Michelle Malkin's site and search for 'em. She probably got weeks of material from them.

Anyway I am just not seeing the supposed threat to us here in the U.S. I fell for the Bushie scaremongering back in '01, and I feel like a dupe for doing so. To paraphrase the Who, I won't get fooled again. I certainly won't cast a vote for any Republican. To a man (with the noble exception of Ron Paul - who btw should really drop his racist immigration stand!) they all try to justify torturing other human beings in the name of making us safe.

You are right though that financial matters should have nothing to do with who you vote for. I agree. But neither should we vote for any candidate who will do evil (justify torture, false imprisonment, continuing an unjust war and occupation) in the name of some supposed good ("national security"). No matter how it might benefit us. Personally, I don't care if every last one of us here in the U.S. were wiped out, it would never justify the immoral act of torturing someone. And shame on those candidates, like Giuliani, Romney, that idiot Tancredo, and all the rest, who actually try to justify it, and other evil acts, in the name of keeping us "safe".

The Repubs this term sound like a reincarnation of the Know-Nothings and so I will have nothing to do with them. To be honest I am actually holding my nose at voting for Hillary, I wish she were more pro-life, and I actually wish she were more liberal (like she used to be) on health care and immigration. She has had to moderate her stands on several issues. But I am so damn tired of old white farts of men running this country that I will gladly punch the ballot for her lol.

I just wish there were a socialist party in this country! Well, a viable one anyway hehe.

RANT OVER!! :D

What is a HillBilly?

Thanks, Mr. Y.

I'm addicted...

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Way too funny...

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Cook Book..

If you all are a little hungry, Crackerz I and others have been collecting recipes and posting them to a "Wiki". If you have any recipes that you would like to share or would like access to post to the wiki drop us a email.

All about perspective

Stats and numbers are a funny thing. You can make them tell a tune to what ever you want. In 2005 (the latest year data are available), total national health expenditures rose 6.9 percent -- two times the rate of inflation (1). Total spending was $2 TRILLION in 2005, or $6,700 per person (1). Total health care spending represented 16 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). So if this is the case for one year of health care we can pay for the war against the terrorist for 11 years. Assuming war expenditures remain constant at $180 billion per year.

Nutz

ONLY IN TIDEWATER, VIRGINIA!

For those of you who live/have lived here, this will make perfect sense. To
the rest of you, its just amusing. Hope you all enjoy!!!!!!! For the purposes
of this document, we will refer to the area as "Norfolk", pronounced exactly
that way by Northerners who settle here. Southerners who settle here
pronounce it "Nawfuk" and everyone else calls it Norfick".
The word "Norfolk" actually originated in Southern England, gradually over
time as a combination of the words "North" and "Folk", their way of referring
to their brethren to the north.
* Norfolk is composed entirely of roads under construction. The
year-round seasonal weather allows for year-round construction. The only way
to get into downtown is to move there. Don't worry about getting out. Those
arrangements will be made by your next of kin.
* All directions start with "Get on 64..." and somewhere include the
phrase "Turn at the 7-Eleven." Most people navigate the area using Interstate
64 because of oddball location naming. The immediate problem here is that, in
order to access western portions of the area, you have to travel I-64 East.
* I-64, the largest interstate in the state, has two exits that serve
Virginia Beach, the largest city in Virginia. The land mass of the beach
area is approximately 1% of the city's total land area.
* The city of Portsmouth is not at the port's mouth - that would be
Norfolk.
* The city of Chesapeake is named for the Chesapeake Bay,15 miles
away.
* Newport News is not a newspaper. The city is, in fact, served by
The Daily Press newspaper, based in Hampton.
* South Norfolk is in Chesapeake and "Suffolk", an old English
combination of 'South" and "Folk" is not south of Norfolk, rather west.
* Hampton Boulevard is in Norfolk and does not go to Hampton.
* Northampton Boulevard is not in the north of Hampton. It is 22
miles southeast of Hampton, in Virginia Beach.
* Chesapeake Boulevard runs parallel to Hampton Boulevard and does
not go to Chesapeake.
* Virginia Beach Boulevard starts in Norfolk and only becomes a
boulevard when you reach Virginia Beach. Portsmouth Boulevard is in
Chesapeake.
* There is no Norfolk Boulevard but there is a Norfolk Avenue in
Virginia Beach. It does not go to Norfolk.
* Atlantic Avenue parallels the Atlantic Ocean. Strangely, so does
Pacific Avenue.
* Chesapeake Beach, nicknamed "Chic's Beach", is in Virginia Beach.
Chicks do not go there. Chics go there, but it's named after a guy, Chic
Leddington.
* Meanwhile, Ocean View Avenue has no view of the ocean unless you
use a high-powered telescope and a crane.
* Bayview is too far from the Bay to see it and Riverview has no view
of any rivers. Shore Drive has no shore but runs along beside miles and miles
of military bases. Military Highway, an apt name for the main thoroughfare of
a primarily military area, will not actually take you to any military bases.
* Ironically, Independence Boulevard ends at one.
* The Northwest River is actually in the Southeastern part of the
area.
* Deep Creek contains no deep creeks.
* Great Bridge is an affluent area accessed by crossing a drawbridge.
* London Bridge Road has no connection to London and has no bridges. It
is however, falling apart.
* The area of Damneck contains no dams. Oceana Boulevard does not
come near the ocean.
* Norfolk Naval Shipyard is in Portsmouth.
* One of the largest Coast Guard bases on the east coast is in
Portsmouth,
21 miles from the coast.
* Hilltop, a mildly affluent shopping area, is not on a hill or near
a hill. Actually when it was all fields prior to 1963, you would notice a
slight higher elevation in this area!
* There are no cars at the Chrysler Museum.
* Scope is not a mouthwash- it's a convention center in Norfolk.
* Sometime, just for fun, stop and ask a local for directions to
"downtown Virginia Beach." Chances are, you will be sent to Norfolk. Virginia
Beach has no downtown. They claim to but it is in fact a shopping district
with five squat brown office buildings. And, no hotels.
* No one carpools here, allowing the HOV-reversible lanes to be used
by skateboarders during rush hours. All the tollbooths were taken down a few
years ago, creating one less place for traffic accidents to occur.
* Everyone in the country lived here once or knew someone who did.
You will be hard pressed to find a native of the area. Everyone here is from
somewhere else, due mostly to the fact that Norfolk contains the largest
naval base in the world. When you curse the drivers here for not being able
to drive, you are cursing the drivers of the whole country.

***An additional note: You have to cross at least one bridge or tunnel in
order to get out of the area. Gotta love the water***

Too funny not to share!

Dear Abby:

My husband is a liar and a cheat. He has cheated on me from the
beginning, and, when I confront him, he denies everything. What's worse,
everyone knows that he cheats on me. It is so humiliating.

Also, since he lost his job six years ago, he hasn't even looked for a
new one. All he does all day is smoke cigars, cruise around and shoot the
breeze with his buddies while I have to work to pay the bills.

Since our daughter went away to college he doesn't even pretend to
like me and hints that I may be a lesbian. What should I do?

Signed: Clueless


Dear Clueless:

Grow up and dump him. Good grief, woman. You don't need him anymore!
You're a United States Senator from New York running for President of
the United States . Act like one!

Getting Closer

It has been a while since the last update about the addition. Anyhow, here are some new photos of the inside of the house.

Follow-up to OV Beating

This morning on Fox and Friends, Al Sharpton was interviewed about the Jena 6 situation. As an add-on, they asked him about the Ocean View beating. He said that if the parents called, he'd be here to assist them. I think they should call. What about you?

You decide...

As always, we had some excitement in OV. The article, along with the video, from the pilot is below. Just curious, where are all the supporters of a potential racially-motivated beating?

Police investigating videotaped attack on Ocean View teen

By MATTHEW ROY, The Virginian-Pilot
© September 25, 2007

Video: The assault captured on tape.

NORFOLK

In the video, the 13-year-old boy struggled to stay on his feet as several youths punched and pushed him from all sides. When he finally went down, the blows didn’t cease; he tried to protect his face and head with his hands. As he pleaded for them to stop, he was kicked in the face.

After the weekend beating in Ocean View, which lasted less than 40 seconds, the boy struggled to his feet, his face bloody.

The youth, Damin O’Rourke, who only recently moved to Norfolk’s West Ocean View from North Carolina, was left with bruises and scrapes. Police have identified several assailants – juveniles who they said could face misdemeanor assault charges.

Once again, the city is facing questions related to an

assault involving several young assailants.

Damin is white; his assailants are black. Still, police said in a news release: “The assault does not appear to be racially motivated according to information gathered by investigators that we are unable to release.” The city’s Gang Squad was investigating, said Officer Chris Amos, police spokesman.

In July, a group attacked three men in East Ocean View; one died. Police charged seven people, ages 15 to 29, in that case. Police do not think the two attacks are part of a larger pattern, Amos said.

The incident comes on the heels of a march that drew thousands to Jena, La., to protest the treatment of several black youths who were charged with serious crimes in connection with an assault on a white youth. While the circumstances were very different – protesters in Jena said the young defendants were being treated too harshly – the national news media, and some international news outlets, nonetheless took an interest in the Norfolk case.

Billy Cook, a city School Board member who is black, said in an e-mail that community leaders, especially black leaders, should speak out against violence. He said in an interview that black youths are over represented in discipline reports he sees from the schools.

“We need to address the issue directly, deliberately and intentionally, and say 'Enough is enough,’” he said.

Damin, a seventh-grader at Northside Middle School, spoke about the beating Monday at his family’s home on Hickory Street. He said it started without provocation or warning around 5 p.m. Saturday at Marlow and Orange avenues.

He said several people attacked him. Most were strangers, he said, although one went to Northside Middle School .

The attack was videotaped by a youth from the neighborhood who uses a camera to capture images of skateboarding, said Damin, who refused to identify the boy. He said the youth gave his family a copy of what he recorded; they, in turn, released it to news outlets.

WVEC reported that the youth with the camera had been threatened at school for taping the assault.

Police acknowledged the Gang Squad was investigating but did not otherwise reveal any theories about what may have been the motive for the assault.

Matthew Roy, (757) 446-2540,

matthew.roy@pilotonline.com

More on the addition

So what can I tell you... things go fast things go slooow... We were all excited when the workers said they would be by this weekend to put in the flooring and finish things up. No show, partly on account of us wanting the ceiling textured. The ceiling is done, looks nice however the help failed to hit the closets.. Not sure If I wantto make the call on that one... Anyhow will take some fotos tomorrow to post of the in side... I know I am a slacker!!!
NUTZ

Too funy not to post!

The new capitol of Mexico....
San Diego

Catching up...

Celeb Death Watch:
Ronny Regan's ex wife Jane Wyman kicked the bucket.. They go in threes!!!

Politics:
Denise Kucinich in my opinion needs to be hung for treason! Click for the details!

The addition:
Is going well. Drywall and insulation are up. Getting close to completion!

What happened to your MI team, Nutz?

Celebrity Death Watch

Like I have said, they go in threes!!!

Advernturur Steve Fosset Admit it, he is dead or does not want to be found.

Luciano Pavoratti Great voice, he will be missed

and???

We have until Monday for another celeb to augger in!

Nutz

Bike Week Ft Walton Beach Fla..

Chet v Norfolk

Gun-rights advocates stage protest at Norfolk council meeting

Chet Szymecki, who was arrested in June at Harborfest, was joined Tuesday by his daughter Kiersten, 13, and his wife, Deborah. JOHN H. SHEALLY II | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

By HARRY MINIUM, The Virginian-Pilot
© August 29, 2007

NORFOLK

More than 100 gun-rights advocates, most carrying handguns on their hips and wearing buttons saying "Guns Save Lives," came to the City Council on Tuesday night to protest what they called harassment of law-abiding gun owners by city officials.

The protest was called by the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun-rights group, after Chet Szymecki of Yorktown was arrested in June at Harborfest for carrying a gun.

Szymecki was arrested for violating a city ordinance banning guns at Harborfest - an ordinance that officials now acknowledge violates state law. City Attorney Bernard A. Pishko said city officials were unaware of a state law prohibiting localities from banning guns.

Video: Highlights of the council meeting. Brian Clark | HamptonRoads.tv

Carrying a weapon openly is legal in Virginia, even at a large gathering such as Harborfest. Once city officials realized their error, the charges against Szymecki were dropped.

"We made a mistake," Councilman Barclay C. Winn said. "It was unintentional."

Most who came to protest didn't appear to believe it was an innocent mistake.

"You know it was illegal," said Dave Vann, who drove from Falls Church to speak. "You arrested someone, and now it's going to cost you dearly."

Szymecki, a Navy veteran, said he was manhandled and hurt and that his wife, Deborah, his three children and two other children who accompanied them were traumatized. He said he has hired Norfolk attorney Stephen Merrill.

An emotional Deborah Szymecki told the council that after several police officers were done handcuffing her husband, she was left without money or the keys to the family car.

Others rose to describe incidents in which they said they were questioned and often handcuffed by police for simply carrying a firearm openly.

"Apparently you have some officers who don't understand the law," said the president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Philip Van Cleave of Midlothian.

The meeting drew more rowdy as it continued, with speakers receiving thunderous applause and some expressing disgust for the council. Some used unsavory terms to describe the police.

Councilman Paul R. Riddick left the meeting as gun-rights advocates began speaking, he said, in protest of their protest.

Kim Barton, who would not say where she lives, tried to speak but was told by Mayor Paul Fraim that she couldn't because she had not signed up to speak.

"I want to hear what she has to say," Vann said.

Fraim replied, "I'm running this meeting " and informed Vann his time to speak had expired.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com

Redneck pick-up lines

1) Did you fart?
cuz you blew me away.

2) Are yer parents retarded?
cuz ya sure are special.

3) My Love fer you is like diarrhea .
I can't hold it in.

4) Do you have a library card?
cuz I'd like to sign you out.

5) Is there a mirror in yer pants?
cuz I can see myself in em.

6) If you was a tree I were a Squirrel, I'd store my nuts in yer hole.

7) You might not be the best lookin girl here, but beauty's only a light switch away.

8) Man - "Fat Penguin!"
Woman - "WHAT?"
Man - "I just wanted to say something that would break the ice."

9) I know I'm not no Fred Flintstone, but I bet I can make yer bed-rock.

10) I can't find my puppy, can you help me find him?
I think he went inta this cheap motel room.

11) Yer eyes are as blue as window cleaner.

12) If yer gunna regret this in the mornin, we kin sleep til afternoon.

And.... the best for last!

13) Yer face reminds me of a wrench, every time I think of it my nuts tighten up.

Hillary and the Cowboy

Senator Clinton was on a plane to Texas and finds herself seated next to an older,
weathered man in a western snap shirt, faded jeans and a
cowboy hat. Thinking herself above the old cowboy, she decides to make sport
of him.

"You know," she says, "I've heard these flights go much more quickly if you strike
up a conversation with a fellow passenger. So, let's talk."

The cowboy looks at her wryly and says, "Well I s'pose that'd be all right.
What'd ya like to discuss?"

"Oh, I don't know," says Hillary with a hint of sarcasm, "How about Iraq?"

"Hmm," says the cowboy, sensing the Hillary's attempt to belittle him, "That
could be an interesting topic. But, let me ask you a question first -- horses,
cows, and deer all eat the same stuff--grass. Yet, a deer passes little pellets,
a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse makes muffins of dried poop.

Why do you suppose that is?" Dumbfounded, Senator Clinton's replies, "I
haven't the slightest idea."
"So tell me then," says the cowboy with a smile, "How is it that you
feel qualified to discuss Iraq when you don't know shit?"

The secret of a happy marriage

A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

Their domestic tranquility had long been the talk of the town.

People would say, "What a peaceful & loving couple".

The local newspaper reporter was inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage.

The Husband replied: "Well, it dates back to our honeymoon," explained the man.

"We visited the Grand Canyon and took a trip, down to the bottom of the canyon by horse.

We hadn't gone too far when my wife's horse stumbled and she almost fell off.

My wife looked down at the horse and quietly said, "That's once."

"We proceeded a little further and horse stumbled again.

Once more my wife quietly said, "That's twice."

"We hadn't gone a half-mile when the horse stumbled for the third time.

My wife quietly removed a revolver from her purse and shot the horse dead.

I SHOUTED at her, "What's wrong with you, Woman!

Why did you shoot the poor animal like that Are you crazy?
She looked at ME, and quietly said, "That's once."

"And from that moment.....we have lived happily ever after."

The end of something???

Ever hear about Dec 21, 2012???

Anyhow read up about this... http://www.aztlan.net/rumblings_center_galaxy.htm

Food for thought... If you think this is going to happen, read up about the hurricane!!
Nutz

Jury of peers?

Hurricane Shameka

Well, it appears our African-American friends have found yet something else to be pissed about.

Cynthia Ann McKinney, a black congresswoman from Atlanta reportedly complained that the names of hurricanes are all Caucasian sounding names. She would prefer some names that reflect African-American culture such as Chamiqua, Tanisha, Woeisha, Shaqueal, and Jamal. She would also like the weather reports to be broadcast in language that street people can understand.

I can hear it now...A weatherman in Houston says...

"Wazzup, Mutha-fukkas! Hehr-i-cane Chamiqua be headin' fo' yo ass like Leroy on a crotch rocket! Bitch be a category fo'! So grab yo' chirren, yo' Ho, leave yo crib, and head fo' de
nearest guv'ment office fo yo FREE shit!"


Remember don't believe everything you read on the internet... but this sure is funny.. watch out now, she might pimp crack ya!

The Happiness Fairy!

Interesting thought!

When you call 911, you summon a man with a gun to use force on your
behalf. The fact that you don't personally own the weapon in question
doesn't make you morally superior. On the contrary, it makes you a
hypocrite of the first order. You absolve yourself from having to use
force by shifting that responsibility to another person, and then you
congratulate yourself on your civilized attitude.
--Marko
munchkinwrangler.blogspot.com 

Bubba Died

This was too funny not to post.. Funny, I can see people saying that same thing about me and my friends!!!


Bubba died in a fire and his body was burned pretty badly. The morgue needed someone to identify the body, so they sent for his two best friends, Cooter and Gomer. The three men had always done everything together.

Cooter arrived first, and when the mortician pulled back the sheet, Cooter said, "Yup, his face is burned up pretty bad. You better roll him over."
The mortician rolled him over and Cooter said, "Nope, ain't Bubba."

The mortician thought this was rather strange. So he brought Gomer in to confirm the identity of the body. Gomer looked at the body and said, "Yup, he's pretty well burnt up. Roll him over."

The mortician rolled him over and Gomer said, "No, it ain't Bubba."

The mortician asked, "How can you tell?"

Gomer said, "Well, Bubba had two assholes."

"What? He had two assholes?" asked the mortician.

Yup, we never seen 'em, but everybody used to say, "There's Bubba with them two assholes."

Virginia Tech: Rage, Reflection and Rejection

How could this have happened? Is that a serious question? In a place where
possession of a gun — and indeed, any effective means of self-defense — is
prohibited; a place packed with young people who have been taught that
surrender and submission is not only the correct, but the morally superior
response to lethal confrontation; a slaughter-chute where the prey were
lulled by a moronic mantra of "this is a gun-free zone; a safe and nurturing
place; there is nothing to fear," 32 are killed at leisure by a lone, armed
psychotic. Through a red film of rage, I ask, I cry, How could it NOT have
happened? Did thinking people not know, from both ancient and modern
history, and from simple common sense, that it had to happen?
First, disarm as many citizens as possible. Restrict their God-given right
to self-defense, and make those who successfully deter predators the
subjects of aggressive prosecution and endless life-destroying lawsuits on
behalf of their would-be murderers. Create "killing boxes," and fill them
with infantilized, mind-massaged victims, and give them rules against
resisting killers. Forbid trained, experienced, armed citizens and even
off-duty peace officers from bearing arms in those zones, and ridicule those
who protest as "paranoids."
Coddle the obviously crazed and dangerous. Brush aside and ignore their
prolonged, repeated, graphic threats of grisly mass murder. Minimize their
malignant malice; indulge it as "diversity" and celebrate its "otherness."
If the most obvious threat is brought before a court, then fumble and fail,
without follow-up, and hold no one accountable for it, because the guilty
are "gentle, compassionate, socially-sensitive souls." Do not blink at the
ticking time bomb's return to the classroom, where his freshly embittered
brain spews out even more and greater warnings of the coming explosion.
Finally, claim this inevitable event, and the actions of its architect
"could never have been foreseen," even if, absurdly, you "knew it had to be
Cho" when you heard of the slaughter. Only a "respected professor" or other
half-wit could utter such words without seeing their irony.
Above all, totally abdicate decision-making power on the issues of arms and
self-defense to those who are completely unqualified to even address the
subjects.
A Better Bloodbath
In America, many of our oldest and most onerous gun laws were crafted by
criminals and passed by their puppet politicians. Frequently their purpose,
as in New York City, was to prohibit arms to rival gangs. In other places,
like Chicago and San Francisco, their aim was to criminalize ethnic
minorities and "subversive elements," including blue-collar workers with
coal on their clothes and grease under their fingernails; those who might
organize and object to dangerous slave labor conditions and perennial
poverty.
Following on that foundation came more restrictive weapons laws propounded
by "progressive thinkers" and "social engineers," many of whom also embraced
the "science" of "eugenics," which called for the euthanasia of "congenital
misfits, morons and degenerates." Jews were, as a race, defined as
degenerates. The "progressive" philosophy also envisioned a more
"manageable, unarmed populace" of those who were not quite bound for the gas
chambers, but well below the sophistication level of "gifted society" —
those "born to lead." They only abandoned euthanasia, by the way, when the
Third Reich co-opted the theme.
Tyrants and gangsters still exert their influence, because corrupt
politicians prefer unarmed peasants; a simple fact. Their motives ethically
disqualify them from such decision-making. Then, increasingly, our laws,
policies and public perceptions have been and are promoted and enforced by
psychological cripples, the emotionally unbalanced, and moral cowards.
Am I being rash and unreasonable?
Please consider this: Those who fear inanimate objects — tools like guns and
knives — and believe them to be intrinsically evil or capable of inspiring
evil, are clearly psychologically crippled. They cannot think rationally
about arms and their lawful use. Those who cannot differentiate between
armed, trained, dedicated guardians of their fellow man, and twisted,
predatory, psychotic killers, based on shared use of firearms, are clearly
emotionally unbalanced. Those who so morbidly fear physical confrontation
they preach submission and surrender, even unto death, in preference to
fighting for life — and seek to enforce that condition upon others — are
moral cowards.
None are possessed of the courage, wisdom and appreciation of the dynamics
of violence and counter-violence requisite to engage in decision-making on
those critical issues — yet they do. They persist, and the killing zones
widen, deepen and darken with the blood of innocents.
Our rights and freedoms were fought for and affirmed by brave and brilliant
men, now derided and ridiculed by academia and the effete as "Irrelevant
Dead White Males." Our rights have been stolen by the unworthy. To them we
must say, "Your way has not, does not, will not work. Sit down and SHUT UP!"
HYPERLINK "http://www.nssf.org " \t "_blank"

For the democrat who has everything...

Another project

In case Crackerz did not tell all of you all, I am currently elbow deep in a back deck inlargement as well. Special thanks to all of our friends who have pitched in to help me empty my beer fridge!

We shall see what we shall see!

++++ Day 4

Well we are roofed... well sort of!!

I like the attic space!
No hablas english senior!

Aqui en los estados enidos hablamos solement ENGLISH por favor!

++++ Day 3 plus

Things are well on there way, looks like we are running a couple of days ahead of schedule! Cool...we are excited to see how the ++ is going to turn out!! More to follow!
Nutz

+++day 2

As you can see by the photo the construction guys are making quick work of the project. The paperwork says they will be done by October, however think they will be complete sooner as opposed to later.

By the way, ORF tied a record today of 101 degrees.
Yes the heat index was quite high!

Trip to Wal Mart

You are in the middle of some kind of project around the house. Mowing
the lawn, putting a new fence in, painting the living room, or whatever.
You are hot and sweaty. Covered in dirt or paint. You have your old
work clothes on. You know the outfit, shorts with the hole in crotch,
old T-shirt with a stain from who knows what, and an old pair of tennis
shoes.

Right in the middle of this great home improvement project you realize
you need to run to Wal-Mart to get something to help complete the job.

Depending on your age you might do the following:

In your 20's:

Stop what you are doing. Shave, take a shower, blow dry your hair, brush
your teeth, floss, and put on clean clothes. Check yourself in the
mirror and flex. Add a dab of your favorite cologne because you never
know, you just might meet some hot chick while standing in the checkout
lane. You went to school with the pretty girl running the register.

In your 30's:

Stop what you are doing, put on clean shorts and shirt. Change shoes.
You married the hot chick so no need for much else. Wash your hands and
comb your hair. Check yourself in the mirror. Still got it. Add a shot
of your favorite cologne to cover the smell. The cute girl running the
register is the kid sister to someone you went to school with.

In your 40's:

Stop what you are doing. Put a sweatshirt that is long enough to cover
the hole in the crotch of your shorts. Put on different shoes and a
hat. Wash your hands. Your bottle of Brute Cologne is almost empty so
you don't want to waste any of it on a trip to Wal-Mart. Check yourself
in the mirror and do more sucking in than flexing. The spicy young
thing running the register is your daughter's age and you feel weird
thinking she is spicy.

In your 50's:

Stop what you are doing. Put a hat on, wipe the dirt off your hands
onto your shirt. Change shoes because you don't want to get dirt in your
new sports car. Check yourself in the mirror and you swear not to wear
that shirt anymore because it makes you look fat. The cutie running the
register smiles when she sees you coming and you think you still have
it. Then you remember the hat you have on is from your buddy's bait
shop and it says, "I Got Worms ".

In your 60's:

Stop what you are doing. No need for a hat anymore. Hose off the dog
crap off your shoes. The mirror was shattered when you were in your
50's. You hope you have underwear on so nothing hangs out the hole in
your pants. The girl running the register may be cute but you don't
have your glasses on so you are not sure.

In your 70's:

Stop what you are doing. Wait to go to Wal-Mart until they have your
prescriptions ready too. Don't even notice the dog crap on your shoes.
The young thing at the register smiles at you because you remind her of
her grandfather.

In your 80's:

Stop what you are doing. Start again. Then stop again. Now you
remember that you needed to go to Wal-Mart. Go to Wal-Mart and wander
around trying to think what it is you are looking for. Fart out loud
and you think someone called out your name. The old lady that greeted
you at the front door went to school with you.

Remodel Day 1

Ok, we have begun our long talked about remodel project! Ok, Crackerz is telling me it is an addition.. as you can see from the picture, it is currently a subtraction! Obviously something is missing? Some new items have also been added to our front yard! The porta-crapper would have been a perfect addition for the most recent Whitetrash/Hogfest! Will have to take a picture tomorrow of the large dumpster behind the crapper..

Anyhow when all is said and done Crackerz and I will be a lot lighter in the wallet! Donations will be welcome and encouraged.. just kidding.

Glad I have an office job, check out the heat index at 8PM! I love the Tidewater in the summer time!! yikes

Figure out the heat index in your area by clicking on this!

Been a while..

Once again it has been a while since the last posting..
Busy.. not an excuse.. however I think you all need to listen to some cool music from our friend scotty! If you like his tunes, send him some $$$ and get a couple of CDs. He might even blast you the tunes electronically...

Click me to listen to some good tunes!

Retired People....

Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make their days interesting. Well, for example, the other day I went downtown and went into a shop. I was only in there for about 5 minutes and when I came out there was a cop writing out a parking ticket. I went up to him and said, "Come on, man, how about giving a retired person a break?" He ignored me and continued writing the ticket. I called him a "Nazi.” He glared at me and started writing another ticket for worn tires. So I called him a "doughnut eating Gestapo." He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket. This went on for about 20 minutes. The more I abused him, the more tickets he wrote.

Personally, I didn't care. I came downtown on the bus. The car he was ticketing displayed a bumper sticker that read, "Hillary in '08."

YOU WORRY ME

This pilot hit the nail on the head in his open letter. He needs to be awarded a Medal for having the TESTICULAR FORTUITUDE to say all this in a very profound way!

The paper stated today that some Muslim doctor is saying we are profiling him because he has been checked three times while getting on an airplane. The following is a letter from a pilot. This well spoken man, who is a pilot with American Airlines, says what is in his heart, beautifully... Read, absorb, and pass this on.

"YOU WORRY ME!"

By American Airlines Pilot - Captain John Maniscalco

I've been trying to say this since 9-11, but you worry me. I wish you didn't. I wish when I walked down the streets of this country that I love, that your color and culture still blended with the beautiful human landscape we enjoy in this country. But you don't blend in anymore. I notice you, and it worries me.

I notice you because I can't help it anymore. People from your homelands, professing to be Muslims, have been attacking and killing my fellow citizens and our friends for more than 20 years now. I don't fully understand their grievances and hate, but I know that nothing can justify the inhumanity of their attacks.

On September 11, nineteen ARAB-MUSLIMS hijacked four jetliners in my country. They cut the throats of women in front of children and brutally stabbed to death others. They took control of those planes and crashed them into buildings killing thousands of proud fathers, loving sons, wise grandparents, elegant daughters, best friends, favorite coaches, fearless public servants, and children's mothers.

The Palestinians Celebrated, The Iraqis were overjoyed as was most of the Arab world. So, I notice you now. I don't want to be worried. I don't want to be consumed by the same rage and hate and prejudice that has destroyed the soul of these terrorists. But I need your help.

As a rational American, trying to protect my country and family in an irrational and unsafe world, I must know how to tell the difference between you, and the Arab/Muslim terrorist. How do I differentiate between the true Arab/Muslim-Americans and the Arab/Muslim terrorists in our communities who are attending our schools, enjoying our parks, and living in OUR communities under the protection of OUR constitution, while they plot the next attack that will slaughter these same good neighbors and children?

The events of September 11th changed the answer. It is not my responsibility to determine which of you embraces our great country, with ALL of its religions, with ALL of its different citizens, with all of its faults. It is time for every Arab/Muslim in this country to determine it for me

I want to know, I demand to know, and I have a right to know, whether or not you love America. Do you pledge allegiance to its flag? Do you proudly display it in front of your house, or on your car? Do you pray in your many daily prayers that Allah will bless this nation, that He will protect and prosper it? Or do you pray that Allah with destroy it in one of your Jihads? Are you thankful for the freedom that only this nation affords? A freedom that was paid for by the blood of hundreds of thousands of patriots who gave their lives for this country? Are you willing to preserve this freedom by also paying the ultimate sacrifice? Do you love America? If this is your commitment, then I need YOU to start letting ME know about it. Your Muslim leaders in this nation should be flooding the media at this time with hard facts on your faith, and what hard actions you are taking as a community and as a religion to protect the United States of America. Please, no more benign overtures of regret for the death of the innocent because I worry about who you regard as innocent. No more benign overtures of condemnation for the unprovoked attacks because I worry about what is unprovoked to you. I am not interested in any more sympathy. I am only interested in action.

What will you do for America - our great country - at this time of crisis, at this time of war? I want to see Arab-Muslims waving the AMERICAN flag in the streets I want to hear you chanting "Allah Bless America " I want to see young Arab/Muslim men enlisting in the military. I want to see a commitment of money, time, and emotion to the victims of this butchering and to this nation as a whole.

The FBI has a list of over 400 people they want to talk to regarding the WTC attack. Many of these people live and socialize right now in Muslim communities. You know them. You know where they are. Hand them over to us, now! But I have seen little even approaching this sort of action. Instead I have seen an already closed and secretive community close even tighter. You have disappeared from the streets. You have posted armed security guards at your facilities. You have threatened lawsuits. You have screamed for
protection from reprisals.

The very few Arab/Muslim representatives that HAVE appeared in the media were defensive and equivocating. They seemed more concerned with making sure that the United States proves who was responsible before taking action. They seemed more concerned with protecting their fellow Muslims from violence directed towards them in the United States and abroad than they did with supporting our country and denouncing "leaders" like Khadafi, Hussein, Farrakhan, and Arafat.

If the true teachings of Islam proclaim tolerance and peace and love for all people, then I want chapter and verse from the Koran and statements from popular Muslim leaders to back it up. What good is it if the teachings in the Koran are good, and pure, and true, when your "leaders" are teaching fanatical interpretations, terrorism, and intolerance?

It matters little how good Islam SHOULD BE if huge numbers of the world's Muslims interpret the teachings of Mohammed incorrectly and adhere to a degenerative form of the religion. A form that has been demonstrated to us over and over again. A form whose structure is built upon a foundation of violence, death, and suicide. A form whose members are recruited from the prisons around the world. A form whose members (some as young as five years old) are seen day after day, week in and week out, year after a year, marching in the streets around the world, burning effigies of our presidents, burning the American flag, shooting weapons into the air. A form whose members convert from a peaceful religion, only to take up arms against the great United States of America, the country of their birth. A form whose rules are so
twisted, that their traveling mem bers refuse to show their faces at airport security checkpoints, in the name of Islam.

We will NEVER allow the attacks of September 11, or any others for that matter, to take away that which is so precious to us: Our rights under the greatest constitution in the world. I want to know where every Arab Muslim in this country stands and I think it is my right and the right of every true citizen of this country to demand it. A right paid for by the blood of thousands of my brothers and sisters who died protecting the very constitution that is protecting you and your family. I am pleading with you to let me know.

I want you here as my brother, my neighbor, my friend, as a fellow American. But there can be no gray areas or ambivalence regarding your allegiance and it is up to YOU, to show ME, where YOU stand. Until then. "YOU WORRY ME!"