An Interesting Look at SE Ohio

Whenever I get to spend a few days back home, I always try to get down to the Ohio River to drive the routes along the river bank. The bank is peppered with little towns with fabulous little gems. In Gallipolis, if you are driving through the main square, there is a great little 50's dinner with an enormously diverse menu (for SE Ohio, that is). There are comfortable little side roads (off the main river roads) that will take you through coal reclamation country. Some hills are clear cut in attempts to bring in a little bit cash for the landowner (or developer/outside investor).

In one little hiccup of a town, Chesire, Ohio. The air is filled with smog and thick smoke (apparently toxic, thick smoke). The electric company (owner of the local coal-burning power plant), bought out most of the town's residents. They took some money with the promise never to seek retribution on the company, etc. (regular legal stuff). There are a few remaining residents who refuse to sell out and hold tight to what little is theirs, their property.

Well, there was a recent picture that captures the disparity of SE Ohio. Large house, coal stacks in the background and the smog forming. Check it out here.

Beliot College Mindset List for the Class of 2014

Imagine living in a world without the 30-minute Domino's Delivery Guarantee? Imagine never having known the joy of parental advisory-less television viewing? Now you have walked a moment in the shoes of this year's upcoming freshmen class. 1992 was the year that Gansta Rap and Grunge hit the musical scene. It was also the year of birth for these greenhorns.

On the upside, a quarter of these youngins have immigrant parents. This means that the country I grew up in is no longer here...I like it.

Read the list HERE.

As Bob Dylan reminds us:

"Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'"

Why Wikipedia is not a credible source...

An Insubordinate Soldier

So in the latest barrage against President Obama, a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army has defied presidential orders and claims that he cannot execute the orders until Obama's citizenship is proven! Lt. Scott Easterling asserts that his pledge to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the land conflict with following orders from the President because he does not have proof of citizenship.

Would there be such support of this soldier if he were asking to see George W. Bush's, Bill Clinton's or Ronald Reagan's birth certificate? Has any Presidential candidate been forced to "prove" his credentials to the American military? Last time I checked, Obama was inaugurated as President and now sits as the commander-in-chief.

When I was in ROTC in college I was told that such actions were equal to "insubordination" and even "conduct unbecoming an officer." Why isn't this dude being reprimanded by his superiors? Why aren't the pro-American forces coming out en masse to support the Commander-in-chief? Is it because he is black? Is it because his father was an immigrant?

Federal and state courts have already thrown out a dozen or so cases just like this due to the vetting process that has already taken place. Sounds like this officer does not understand legal precedent. The courts have interpreted the laws and decided that such arguments against his eligibility are unfounded and will not be heard due to lack of evidence. What makes his case any different other than the fact that he is refusing to do his job in the meantime?

This just makes me so mad! Why are humans so god damned divisive?

Read the full story HERE.

A Great Find by One of My Students

This hilarious little YouTube film was sent to me by one of my Bible as Literature students. I swear the creators of this stole my lecture notes, because this is almost verbatim what I say about Genesis chapter 19.

Quirky News From SE Ohio

I usually read the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (which I lovingly call the "Eagle-Mistake") online and love reading the police beat. While it has been disheartening recently with the rash of break-ins and obvious economically based crimes, it is good to know that there are still some stupid people doing stupid things that are relatively harmless. Here is a recent story from the "Police Beat":

"THORNVILLE - A Thornville woman reported someone left a hog's head on her door step Friday night, according to a report from the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office.

She arrived home about 1 a.m. and noticed the animal's head, which, upon inspection, she saw was decorated with makeup, a wig and tiara.

There are no suspects."

Now maybe this is a politically retaliatory action. Perhaps this was a comment towards Republican leanings? I am not trying to read too much into this, but I am trying to figure out how this is a crime. Sounds like a prank to me.

I particularly like the part about "no suspects." It makes it sound so official.

Proof the America Can See Past Differences

Only in America

I was watching the news and the news-reader nonchalantly passed off a story about a father in Pennsylvania who was upset a local cake shop would not put his son's name on his birthday cake. Get this - the kid's name is Adolph Hitler. You can read the full story HERE.

The father claims that he named his son his simply because it would be a unique name and "no one else in the world" would have that name. I thought, okay, I have seen Seinfeld. I have pondered a child named "Soda" or "Seven," so why can't this guy call his kid whatever.

THEN I SAW HIS OTHER KID'S NAMES. His daughter's middle name is Aryan Nation and his other daughter's name is derivative of Himmler's name. Jesus...Only in America.

Good news for good old dad....WAL-MART was happy to fulfill his request. Anything for a buck...

A Christmas Thought

I saw this on the internet and it gave me a bit of pause:


Just a Christmas thought...

Mr. Stewart Again Hits it on the Head

Jon Stewart again proves why he has such a following:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Autoerotic Explanation

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

This Video is Pretty Funny

Jack Black as Jesus...need I say more?

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A thought now that Congress has rejected the buyout

Vegetarians Brain Shrinkage

In another fabulous study, scientists have shown that vegetarians are more likely to suffer from brain shrinkage than normal omnivores. Vitamin B12 (or a lack of this vitamin) is the cause of brain shrinkage in vegetarians and vegans (along with elderly, pregnant women and people who live strictly on Twinkies). Read more HERE.

I always was very smarmy with my veggie-swilling friends in college. They chastised me daily for my love of all things once mobile and breathing grilled, fried and broiled. I heard rant after rant about the healthy benefits of such a life style. Now, I know that there are benefits, but everything in moderation my friend. We have high schoolers drowning themselves in the "gotta Hydrate" frenzy, people eating so much soy that it gets bad for them and eventually the egg will surely be bad for us again, or is it bad now and it will be good for us again? Does anyone know about eggs? Am I supposed to eat them? Will I die if I do? Will I die if I don't? Damn science!

I always told my vegetarian friends in college that they were stupidly arguing with me...now I have scientific proof.

KWAME IS GONE!!! (or going...)

Well, he is resigning, paying 1 million in restitution, spending 120 days in jail, losing his law license and spending the next five years reporting to his probation officer. Kwame Kilpatrick, soon-to-be-former mayor of Detroit, has pleaded guilty today just before 11 a.m.

Read more about Kwame's downfall HERE.

Second Temple Wall Found

According to the Jerusalem Post, the remnants of the southern wall of Jerusalem that was built by the Hasmonean kings during the time of the Second Temple was uncovered on Mount Zion by the Israeli Antiquities Authority.

The wall is over 2,100 years old and was destroyed during the Great Revolt against Rome in 66 CE. Hopefully, according the archeologists on the scene, they will be uncovering the first temple wall soon. Below is a picture of what the Second Temple would have looked like. Read more about the wall HERE.

Shocking Revelation: Jesus was a Jew

A new artifact might very well show that the three-day resurrection was a common Jewish story during the time before Jesus was born. While this might not seem shocking, it would show that Christian theology is not as unique as most Christians would like to think...I will keep up on this for you, but in the meantime read the entire article HERE.

The Secrets of the Amazonian Jungle

The BBC and Brazilian government are reporting today that they have found an "uncontacted" tribe in the Amazon rain forest. Aerial photographs show the settlement of the tribe deep in the forest. The photographs show the men and women of the tribe as well. You can read more about this very interesting discovery HERE.

Our Governor is Sexier than Yours

In another b*llsh*t poll from the media - well this one is from Playboy so can I really claim that this is the "media"? - the nation's governors were ranked on sexiness. The list, compiled by Playboy Radio, was ranked by a team of sex workers. It is "scientifically" proven this week that Michigan's governor, ranked slightly behind No. 1 ARNOLD and No. 2 Jeb Bush(?), is much, MUCH sexier than Sweaty Teddy Strickland there in O-Hi-Ah. So take that, Buckeyes! Our governor is more "do-able" according to some crappy list! Who cares about football...we all know that the only thing that sells better than sports in the good ol' U.S. of A. is SEX!

Here is the list up to the former-freak-of-a-governor Spitzer: (courtesy Playboy Radio)
1. Arnold Schwarzenegger (California)
2. Jeb Bush (Florida)
3. Jennifer Granholm (Michigan)
4. Chet Culver (Iowa)
5. Martin O’Malley (Maryland)
6. Deval Patrick (Massachusetts)
7. Ted Strickland (Ohio)
8. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
9. Bobby Jindal (Louisiana)
10. Mitch Daniels (Indiana)
11. Matt Blunt (Missouri)
12. John Hoeven (North Dakota)
13. Tim Kaine (Virginia)
14. Janet Napolitano (Arizona)
15. Jon Corzine (New Jersey)
16. Bill Richardson (New Mexico)
17. Mike Huckabee (Arkansas)
18. Eliot Spitzer (New York)

Greetings from Hockey Town

Little Timmy (back row on left) told Coach Rizzo (the beauty in the mullet & ears with the sexy blue wind-breaker - middle in back) that team photos always made him nervous. Poor little Donny (second row on left) and little Joey (front row on left) will never see hockey the same way again. Oh those crazy Eagan hockey boys.

Handlebar Moustache Fandango Part V: The Doppelganger

Well, here is my twin (separated at birth). Notice the fabulous orange jumpsuit - obviously my long-lost brother is a ward of the state, county or city in which he obviously caused some drunken havoc and/or smacked his wife around and/or went on a 30 minute 15 mph shirtless road chase with the blue and whites all the while screaming "Molly Hatchet rules!" over and over and over..

I am currently looking for an orange jumpsuit but just cannot seem to make the commitment in order to obtain one. I am going to the Army/Navy Surplus tomorrow, so there may be one there (a jumpsuit, not an ex-con...I know they'll be one of those there). So here's to prison stints and orange jumpsuits...Oh, and handlebar moustaches...yea, don't forget about those handlebars.