Joke time.

	A Navy man and an Army man are driving opposite directions on a curvy mountain road. The army man hits a patch of sand, swerves, and nails the Navy man's truck. They both exit their cars with no injuries, but their vehicles are ruined. Now, the rivalry between Army and Navy is well known, so needless to say a heated argument followed. Then suddenly the Navy man changed heart and said, "Hold on, this is dumb. It was an accident. Let's put this rivalry behind us." The Army man agreed this was a good idea. So the Navy man offered, "Why don't we celebrate our new friendship over a fifth of vodka? I have a bottle in the truck." The Army man thought this was an excellent idea. So the Navy man, being a gentleman, offered the Army man the first drink, and told the Army man to drink as much as he wanted. Soon half the bottle was gone and he offered the bottle back to the Navy man who said, "Thanks, but I'll wait till after the cops get here!"

Today's quote

I don't always know what I'm talking about but I know I'm right.

Muhammad Ali

---I Love this quote.

What have you guys been up to? Nothing all too special on my end. Its hot here which sucks. I will be heading to Chicago In November now, hopefully everyone will be around but we have months to plan something. Ill be there the 4th-9th.---

Funny one....

My trip to Asia begins here in Japan for an important reason. It begins here because for a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times. From that alliance has come an era of peace in the Pacific.
--George w. Bush

Tokyo
02/18/2002
someone apparently forgot about a little something called World War II

Todays Quote.

We hate some persons because we do not know them; and we will not know them because we hate them.
- Charles Caleb Colton

ABINGDON, Va. — Purdue Pharma L.P., the maker of OxyContin, and three of its executives were ordered to pay a $634.5 million fine on Friday for misleading the public about the painkiller's risk of addiction.

U.S. District Judge James Jones levied the fine on Purdue, its top lawyer and former president and former chief medical officer after a hearing that lasted about four-and-a-half hours. The hearing included statements by numerous people who said their lives were changed forever by the addiction potential of OxyContin, a trade name for a long-acting form of the painkiller oxycodone.

Designed to be swallowed whole and digested over 12 hours, the pills can produce a heroin-like high if crushed and then swallowed, snorted or injected.

From 1996 to 2001, the number of oxycodone-related deaths nationwide increased fivefold while the annual number of OxyContin prescriptions increased nearly 20-fold, according to a report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. In 2002, the DEA said the drug caused 146 deaths and contributed to another 318.

---It is ABOUT TIME some of the SOBs have to pay out for ruining so many lives. This is a nasty, nasty drug that is seriously addictive. Ive seen quite a few lives changed by it, all for the worse. I even know someone personally who lost her kids because of this drug. Its friggin nasty. To be honest with you, it has the same euphoric feeling as heroin if crushed and snorted. It can take you to some real high places, but when it brings you back you are in hell wanting more. Its very addictive and I think the company failed over the years to mention just how addictive it really is. My heart has a soft spot of junkies at times, you dont know w hy they get high, it could be to just escape something terrible that has happened to them. What gets me mad is when you hear about all these movie or rock stars that become junkies when they have all the money in the world and could avoid such situations. My heart goes out to the gutter junkie but not a man like Curt Cobain who had it all and pissed it away. Everyday is a struggle for me. My parents have to lock up their prescription pain killers from me in order for me to stay safe. The mind of a junkhead is an amazing thing. To me each day is one day at a time.... ---

funny quote

Having one child makes you a parent; having two you are a referee.

David Frost

Hey Offmen… Thanks!

The other day I was thinking about something I had learned from Pat M, and that thought lead me to think there was possibly a little some thing from all of you to be thankful for. So I thought about it for some time and jotted things down when they came to me. In the end I found there were a lot of good memories and for those I am most thankful.

Patrick M, Thank you for your great deal of patience in teaching me the game of chess.

John T M, Thanks for teaching me to never be afraid to cut my own hair, and also how to eat with chop-sticks.

Frank, I think I speak for most all Offmen in saying thanks for introducing us to Big Black.

Ian K, I was unable to think of any thing I learned from you but, your job at Metro did make for some great part time employment for a few of us(wow those are memories!)

Mark, That even my worst dribble here on the OMI blog can be responded to in a most eloquent and thoughtful manor. Your words inspire me to be more academic when creating posts, or comments (I obviously have a long way to go).

Michael S, Where do I begin? All those little suggestions you made about my study habits and I ignored back in the day, now make them self’s so useful.

Martin, I learned that you are more that just a really nice guy. In fact, you are as exceptionally intelligent as your lovely wife (possibly even more so, because you are an Offmen).

Mike T, Thank you so very much for introducing me to the music that would forever change my life (Thanks Mike with out you I might still be stuck listening to Van Halen while secretly holding a hidden affection for The Pet Shop Boys).

Tom J, Thanks for showing me that even my small bit of Irish heritage should never be take lightly.

Joe S, I learned that my hair clippers really did in fact get very hot after long periods of use, and that I should take the complaints of those who’s Mohawks I am shaving seriously. Sorry about burning your scalp buddy!

Pi Baker, From you I learned that I don’t know all of the old Offmen as well as I thought I did. I know we met once… but I have no face with the name.

Steve B, I learned during a memorable 2 hour car ride from Phoenix to Flag Staff that I know nothing about the Vampire role playing game scene, and that you carry the most amazing volume of info of any Offmen on fantasy roll playing and D&D.

dad-e~O, That even in this day there are people who can write about politics in an objective and friendly manor. A very noble ability for one of which I am jelous.

CreamyGnocchi, What I learned from you will stay between you and I.

Phil M, I learned that your brother John and I were just a pair of dufus mechanics compared to your ability to understand the drum brakes on my old Dodge Charger. Oh and also that thing about the sock as well.

John K, Alright truth be told I can’t think of any thing I have learned from you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Some day we will figure out your computer issues and get you to participate in our fun on the old OMI blog.

Mike Mc, What I learned from you although no big secret, still it best remains left alone back in that corn field in front of the OMI camp site.

Scott L, From you I have learned that my mind is not what it used to be… who the hell were you any ways?

Bob L, From you I learned that honesty and integrity will always prevail… even if it takes a while. It took a long time for you to be fully indoctrinated into the fold, but I always believed in you and was thrilled when it finally happened (although my Idea to involve hot sauce in your induction ceremony was likely a big mistake).

Christian B, From you I learned that the lyrics to any old song could be rewritten and turned into an entirely new one all about John T Miller…and also hold the distinction of some how remaining recognizable.

Rick R, From you I learned that even when your dog Dolly (a large Rottweiler) growled at me it was just her way just saying hello and I like you.

Jason, You taught me that we are all prejudiced. It was a tough pill to swallow back in the day, but I think I finally get it.

Eric, I have learned from you that friendship can endure more than one could imagine. I am quite thankful we are still friends to this day.

Randy G, You taught me how to safely release my anger and rage on inanimate objects destine for the compactor.

Boom Boom, John Lee Hooker

Todays Quote.

Communism is like prohibition, it's a good idea but it won't work.

Will Rogers

Thought for today

Play: Work that you enjoy doing for nothing.
- Evan Esar

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- There was an unusual spectacle in the nation's capital Tuesday, downright rare, in fact: U.S. Senators seeking truth, and justice, and taking action. And they deserve great credit and thanks.

The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, led by Dianne Feinstein, focused on the reasons for the prosecution of two Border Patrol agents now serving long sentences in federal prison. Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean were given terms of 11 and 12 years respectively on their convictions for shooting an illegal alien drug smuggler.

Senator Feinstein, and Senators Jeff Sessions, John Cornyn, Jon Kyl and Tom Coburn demanded answers of U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, who chose to prosecute Compean and Ramos and give that illegal alien drug smuggler blanket immunity to testify against the men.

Sutton's decision to prosecute the agents, to file attempted murder charges against them and seek harsh mandatory prison sentences was simply an outrage. Senators Feinstein, Sessions and Cornyn took Sutton to task over what they clearly see now as a blatant abuse of prosecutorial power and strongly questioned the decision to give immunity to a known illegal alien drug smuggler. Sutton's office gave the smuggler immunity in order to prosecute the two agents who had pursued him in a high-speed chase, which ultimately resulted in the wounding of the drug dealer who had ditched his van, loaded with hundreds of pounds of drugs, and ran from the agents.

---Just yet another example of when an illegal scumbag gets more rights.....I dont think these 2 agents should be imprisoned for doing their damn job.---

Today's quote

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Todays Quote.

Sex is like bridge; if you don't have a good partner, you better have a good hand.

Mae West

---I think this rings very true. How has everyone been as of late? Im doing OK, just trying not to be crabby from the heat. Ive been watching my daughter just about 5 days a week which has been great. Shes 4 and a half now and is just amazing to me. Ive recently discovered a love for the Grease Soundtrack too.

What have you guys been up to?---

The ladies have the power!

By KAMAL MENGHRAJANI
July 16, 2007

Behind every powerful man is a more powerful woman.

New research gives this old adage a boost. A study published by a group of researchers from Iowa State University found that women are more likely to flex their figurative muscle during arguments — and men are more likely to give in.

"The surprising finding was that women were exhibiting more power, and men were responding in positive ways," said David Vogel, associate professor of psychology at ISU and lead author of the research study. "It wasn't a power struggle for these couples."

Vogel and his colleagues looked at 72 couples from Iowa who volunteered for the study. The spouses were about 33 years old and had been married, on average, for seven years.

Unlike previous studies, this one measured power at home on three fronts: professional life and finances, attempts to gain control in the relationship, and ultimately getting one's way.

Today's quote

Everything I have ever done in my life has always stayed. I've just added to it...But I will not change. Because when you are successful and you change, you are an idiot.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

You know its bad when......

---Even your own party members are fighting to make change. Ive been thinking a lot about the war lately and what a mess it is. It makes me even wonder how we got to this point. I think the blame goes far deeper than Bush though. In the Middle East, all we have to do is protect Isreal since they are such close allies to us and they are all alone over there. Hussien needed to be ousted from power too, I do believe that, but I just never thought it would be such a mess afterwards.---

2 GOP senators join revolt vs. war policy

Draft measure to narrow troop mission in Iraq

By Shailagh Murray, Washington Post | July 14, 2007

WASHINGTON -- The Republican revolt against President Bush's war strategy accelerated yesterday as two of the party's most respected voices on national security proposed legislation envisioning a major realignment of US troops in Iraq starting as early as Jan. 1.

Defying Bush even as his team fanned out to press Congress for more time, Senators John Warner, Republican of Virginia, and Richard Lugar, Republican of Indiana, unveiled a measure requiring the White House to begin drawing up plans to redeploy US forces from front-line combat to border security and counterterrorism.

But the legislation, at this point, would not force Bush to implement the plans.

The proposal fell short of Democratic demands to set a firm timetable for withdrawal, but underscored the continuing erosion of the president's position among Republicans on Capitol Hill. It could shape the debate as Congress wrestles with its position on the war

creepy info.

The heaviest recorded rat weighed 26.2 pounds, and was found in a sewer in New York City.

---Remind me to stay way from NY. I just came across a rat in the dumpster by my ex's business a couple weeks ago that was about the size of my shoe and it freaked me out. I dont know what Id do if I saw something like this. 26 pounds, thats a small child!!!!!!---

the prison system sucks.

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- The ninth floor of the Miami-Dade pretrial detention facility is dubbed the "forgotten floor." Here, inmates with the most severe mental illnesses are incarcerated until they're ready to appear in court.

Most often, they face drug charges or charges of assaulting an officer --charges that Judge Steven Leifman says are usually "avoidable felonies." He says the arrests often result from confrontations with police. Mentally ill people often won't do what they're told when police arrive on the scene -- confrontation seems to exacerbate their illness and they become more paranoid, delusional, and less likely to follow directions, according to Leifman.

So, they end up on the ninth floor severely mentally disturbed, but not getting any real help because they're in jail.

We toured the jail with Leifman. He is well known in Miami as an advocate for justice and the mentally ill. Even though we were not exactly welcomed with open arms by the guards, we were given permission to shoot videotape and tour the floor. Go inside the 'forgotten floor' »

At first, it's hard to determine where the people are. The prisoners are wearing sleeveless robes. Imagine cutting holes for arms and feet in a heavy wool sleeping bag -- that's kind of what they look like. They're designed to keep the mentally ill patients from injuring themselves. That's also why they have no shoes, laces or mattresses.

Leifman says about one-third of all people in Miami-Dade county jails are mentally ill. So, he says, the sheer volume is overwhelming the system, and the result is what we see on the ninth floor.

Of course, it is a jail, so it's not supposed to be warm and comforting, but the lights glare, the cells are tiny and it's loud. We see two, sometimes three men -- sometimes in the robes, sometimes naked, lying or sitting in their cells.

"I am the son of the president. You need to get me out of here!" one man shouts at me.

He is absolutely serious, convinced that help is on the way -- if only he could reach the White House

---This just a small tidbit of the entire article I was reading and it made me so sad. I am mentally ill and I can relate to how some of these inmates must feel without the proper treatment or medication. Sure if you do commit a crime, you do have to face the judge, or jury, but I think the system just passes people like this up and forgets about them. I feel for them.---

the kid.

---Just another recent picture of the kid having fun in the Lake up in Northern Iowa.---

Poor Bushie...

Friday, July 13, 2007

WASHINGTON NEWS

Defiant Bush Holds Firm On Surge

As the White House delivered what it termed a "mixed" progress report to Congress on the Iraq war, President Bush held a press conference to make his case for continuing the surge strategy until September. Media reports portray him as holding his ground, and note Bush and members of his Administration sought to stress that the report contained only interim findings. In what is a common refrain, ABC World News said the Bush team was attempting to "buy time," though on Capitol Hill many Democrats "made clear they have no intention of waiting." USA Today also reports the President "is seeking more time for the Iraq security strategy" to succeed.

Most analysts believe the President gained little ground yesterday. NBC Nightly News said Bush's "resolve has failed to quell a Republican rebellion and bipartisan calls to impose a withdrawal timeline." The Wall Street Journal observes that Thursday's report "seemed certain to complicate White House efforts to maintain congressional support for its handling of Iraq." The Christian Science Monitor also says that "an assessment that basically calls for more patience on Iraq may end up having a limited impact in part because it emphasizes military achievements at a point in the Iraq effort when everyone from military commanders to analysts agree that political progress is now the crucial determining factor."

The Washington Post describes Bush as "a weakened president [who] is desperately playing for time while a Democratic opposition mounts its case against him and Republican lawmakers agonize over how long to stick with him." The New York Times says Bush's Iraq strategy "now boils down to this: He is trying to buy time for a surge that is living on borrowed time," and "even some of" his "aides acknowledge that the" surge "the president so ardently defended...was already in its final phases. From the White House to the Pentagon to the military headquarters in Iraq, the focus of behind-the-scenes planning is already on what follows."

The San Francisco Chronicle says that given his low poll numbers, Bush "has little to lose politically in using the last 18 months of his presidency to try to prove critics of his war policy wrong." But "the rest of his Republican Party...is looking at something entirely different: elections for the House, Senate and the presidency that, absent a miraculous turnaround in Iraq or a suicidal stumble by Democrats, are headed for a debacle."

---I dunno what this troop surge will do, do you? Im sure it will get more of our boys killed, thats for sure. I just think that this new Iraqi Govt. is a like a big baby and wont learn to walk on its own until we leave. They bitch and moan that were are there, yet as soon as something diplomatic comes up they run to us for advice. I say we get out of the middle east all together, let them all kill one another. ---

random thoughts

hello guys, i was watching the history channel the other day and they had a program on the roman empire. while they were running through the different emperors i began to think about emperor bush and what he was looking for in a legacy. the thought struck me that everybody remebers the name of nero, but trajan was a much better emperor and only history buffs know of him. bush is aiming to be another nero because he wants to be remembered. nero fiddled while rome burned. bush piddled while wtc fell. not right but we can work on it.


crickets chirping, mother nature