MuskogeeUSA

Peanut Brittle Recipe

admin — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:59:06 +0000

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
½ cup water
1 cup light syrup (Karo light)
1 tsp salt
2 cups raw peanuts
2 tsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 heaping tsp baking soda

Procedure:

Grease 15 ¼ X 10 ¼ X ¾ inch cookie sheet with butter. Smear butter on with paper towel.
In a skillet, combine the sugar, water, syrup, and salt on high heat, stirring constantly until it forms a string when you pull the spoon out.
Add peanuts, stir. When nuts start popping, it’s a good sign. Watch the color.
When color is a deep golden brown, remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla, and baking soda. Stir it together very well.
Dump on cookie sheet and spread.
Cool until hard.
Drop pan on counter or other hard surface to break peanut brittle into pieces.
Enjoy.

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Grandma and Santa Claus

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:06:40 +0000

I received this in email and wanted to share. Usually, I try to verify the veracity, but this needs no verification. It is not the story that is important, it is the message. Merry Christmas and enjoy.

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid.

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: “There is no Santa Claus,” she jeered. “Even dummies know that!”

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her “world-famous” cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. “No Santa Claus?” she snorted….”Ridiculous! Don’t believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let’s go.”

“Go? Go where, Grandma?” I asked. I hadn’t even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. “Where” turned out to be Kerby’s General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. “Take this money,” she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s.

I was only eight years old. I’d often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn’t have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn’t have a cough; he didn’t have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

“Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied shyly. “It’s for Bobby.”

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn’t get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, “To Bobby, From Santa Claus” on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker’s house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa’s helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby’s house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. “All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, “get going.”

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker’s bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were — ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

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Don’t waste your money on Apollo 18

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:00:51 +0000

Disclaimer: If you plan to see the movie and don’t want the ending spoiled – stop here and return after you’ve seen it. This text may either spoil the ending for you, or save you some money.

Last Friday night, after a nicely stressful short week, the wife and I decided to take in a movie. She wanted something scary, so it was between Apollo 18 and Don’t be Afraid of the Dark. Well, both of us being sci-fi buffs, we decided on Apollo 18. Or as my wife would tell it, I decided on Apollo 18. Of course, this was after we saw this cinematic disappointment.

First of all, if I’d known it would have been filmed a-la-Blair-Witch, I never would have seen it. According to the movie, it was supposedly put together with footage recovered from this failed mission, so it was cut to this camera and that camera and another camera – very disjointed. The entire movie is horribly put together with scenes from supposedly different cameras that were on all the time capturing the entire mission. The actors were bad and the script was lame.

The mission of Apollo 18 is to supposedly set up monitoring equipment to watch the Russians during the Cold War sanctioned by the Department of Defense. However, with any good conspiracy, the DoD doesn’t tell the guys that there are little rock creatures that will infect them. In the end, it leaves the view wondering how any of this footage was “recovered” in the first place since none of the astronauts leave the moon.

As far as scary goes – there may have been some scary spots, but we were too numb to care.

Unless you are morbidly curious, my advice is to not waste your money. If you’ve seen the movie, I’d really like to read your comments.

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It’s not hate if I disagree with you

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:12:14 +0000

Chaz Bono, Sonny and Cher’s ~~daughter~~ son, is cast on Dancing with the Stars this season. Apparently, some people have a problem with this. Online group OneMillionMoms.com is calling for a boycott of the show because of Chaz and gay reality star Carson Kressley. Dan Gainor of the Culture and Media Institute said, “This is the latest example of the networks trying to push a sexual agenda on American families.”

Of course, GLBT groups are praising the move by DWTS, while others are condemning the casting choices. That’s find, everyone is entitled to an opinion.

Chaz Bono apparently tweeted, “I don’t listen to the haters, but embrace the love.” Haters? Just because someone doesn’t agree with you or your lifestyle does not make them a hater. I have a big problem with the way disagreement with some groups is called hate, but disagreement with other groups is called progressive thinking.

If someone disagrees with Christians, they are considered forward thinking individuals. However, those who disagree with GLBT people are haters. Sorry, but if all I do is disagree with you, it’s not hate. If I physically attack you because of your beliefs, well then that may be hate.

As far as Chaz and DWTS, I really have no opinion as I don’t usually watch the show anyway. But, last time I checked, every TV has an on/off switch and a way to change the channels. If you don’t want to watch DWTS for whatever reason – don’t.

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So Sioux me

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:09:12 +0000

Several years ago, Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, changed their nickname from the Redmen to the Riverhawks because someone was offended. They said the name was demeaning to the Indians (Native Americans, Original Americans) instead of a reference to heritage of our state. Oklahoma means home of the red man, so, if the term red man is so offensive, we should change the state’s name.

Now, six Native American students at the University of North Dakota are suing because they are offended at the nickname of “Fighting Sioux”. That sounds like it is honoring a proud, strong people, not cutting them down. But, in fact, they say it hurts their self-esteem:

They also say it has had a ‘profoundly negative impact’ on their self image and psychological health, and has deprived them ‘of an equal educational experience and environment.’

What? I would have figured any people who have overcome as much adversity as the American Indian wouldn’t let a little thing like a name affect them so greatly. I guess I was wrong.

However, they do seem to have picked up on the “white man’s” proficiency to litigate well enough.

By the way, this “white man” was born in this country, so that make me, yep, native American.

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Friday Rants: Gay puppets, Pee-er skier

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:07:02 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a Friday Rant, but the news provided two stories I just couldn’t pass up.

Gay puppets

Two men who are roommates and best friends must be gay, right? I mean, there’s no way two straight men can be friends or roommates. Well, apparently, that’s what Lair Scott of Chicago wants to teach children.

He launched a petition to have the two Sesame Street characters get married to help gay and lesbian children feel better about themselves and teach tolerance. And, since gay marriage recently became legal in New York – and Sesame Street is set in New York – it’s the perfect venue.

I have never condoned hating anyone for any reason and I think we need to teach children that it is not okay to hate someone especially based upon the color of their skin, gender, religion, sexual preference, etc. Actually, I think we should teach children that it’s not okay to hate for any reason. But, let’s also teach them that two men or two women can be best friends and even be roommates without being gay. Let’s also teach them that two men can love each other without being “in love”.

So, marriage for Bert and Ernie? Sesame Workshop says that Bert and Ernie are just good friends and will not be getting married. Thank you, Sesame Workshop, for keeping a level head about this and not caving to such a stupid idea.

Pee-er skier

Allegedly, Robert “Sandy” Vietze, a member of the US Ski Team, had several alcoholic beverages before boarding the flight. He then, allegedly, left his seat to use the restroom, but instead, peed on a little girl about 5 rows back. According to published reports, the girl was briefly left alone by her father when Vietze began urinating on her leg. Also, according to published reports, Vietze said he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing and has refused to apologize.

I know 18-year-olds can do some stupid things, but this takes the cake. According to this website, the legal age in Oregon is 21. So, he shouldn’t have had anything to drink anyway because of his age.

Now, the question is, should he be booted from the ski team and barred from competing in the 2014 Olympics. I say, yes. Even if he does apologize to the girl and her family, the consequences should be severe. Athletes, actors, and other famous people think they can get away with anything simply because they are famous.

It’s time to show them that it doesn’t matter, they still need to face the consequences of their actions.

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New Poll: How is President Obama doing?

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:27:22 +0000

Good Morning America this morning reported the President’s approval rating is down to 41%. I think that number is probably too high given the current economic situation. I don’t know about you, but I probably have no 401k any more.

What do you think of the job President Obama is doing? Weigh in on the comments or answer the poll to the right.

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25 ways to know you’re grown up

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:06:19 +0000

This was sent to me via email and, I must say, I’ve found more than one that applies to me.

Your house plants are alive & you can’t smoke any of them.
Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
06:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
You hear your favorite song on an elevator.
You watch the Weather Channel.
Your friends marry & divorce instead of hook up & break up.
You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as “dressed up.”
You’re the one calling the police because those damn kids next door won’t turn down the stereo.
Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
You don’t know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonalds’ leftovers.
Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
You no longer take naps from noon to 6 PM.
Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
Eating a basket of buffalo wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer “pretty good shit”.
You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
“I just can’t drink the way I used to,” replaces, “I’m never going to drink that much again”.
90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
You no longer drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn’t apply to you.

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If you choke a smurf… and more

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:13:56 +0000

For years now, I have been certain there are no more good ideas for Hollywood to base movies on. With the release of the Smurf movie, I am now positive they have run out of ideas. Of course, on the news that it was one of the highest grossing films of the past weekend, I am also convinced the movie-going public is also as brain-dead. Then I got to wondering if there are any good smurf jokes out there. I was kind of disappointed as there weren’t many, clean ones, that is. I’ll begin with the most common joke:

If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?
Blue man group visit their genealogist. Genealogist says, ‘I have bad news’ and he’s holding a photo of papa smurf.
What do you call a smurf with its pants down? Blue moon.
What’s blue and white and red all over? A smurf with a sunburn.
What’s blue and white and goes round and round? A smurf stuck in a revolving door.

Well, that’s all the clean smurf jokes I could find. If you have any clean smurf jokes you’d like to share, please do so in comments.

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Top 10 tips to protect your pet during hot weather

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:00:52 +0000

I know I’ve been posting it’s so hot jokes, but all joking aside, our furry family members rely on us to keep them safe. Here are some tips to keeping our pets safe during this blast-furnace heat.

Never leave your pet in a parked car alone, even in shade. Ever.
Always provide fresh cool water. Take it with you if you are traveling with your pet.
Watch for dehydration. An overheated dog will drool excessively, become lethargic, and have bloodshot eyes.
Take walks early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler.
If the pavement burns your feet, it will burn theirs. Be careful of hot pavement. Check paws after a walk.
Most dogs like to swim. If you have access to a lake, pond or pool, let your dog cool off. It is probably a good idea to rinse them off after a swim.
Dogs cool from the bottom up. Spray their paws and stomach, not just the top.
Don’t overfeed your pet. In hot weather, overfed pets can overheat.
Be careful of sunburn. Yep, they can sunburn, too. There are pet sunscreens available.
Know your pet. You will be the first to notice when your baby isn’t acting right.

If you have any tips, please feel free to comment.

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It’s so hot that… we are finding more it’s so hot jokes

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:00:55 +0000

The nation is under a ‘heat dome’ as the weathermen have termed this miserable little bubble of hell that has situated itself over the middle of the country. Air conditioners are being taxed to their limits, vehicles are commonplace on the sides of highways, and people are flooding emergency rooms with heat-related illnesses. But, I do thank God I have air conditioning at home, in my car and at work. AND, we get to joke about it because we are a people who make jokes about miserable things to make us feel better.

So, that being said, here are some more it’s so hot jokes I’ve found…

It’s so hot that I saw an Amish guy buying an air conditioner.
It’s so hot that I saw a funeral procession pull into a Dairy Queen.
It’s so hot that birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
It’s so hot that potatoes cook underground – just pull and add salt and butter.
It’s so hot that I burn my tongue telling it.
It’s so hot that you can say 113 degrees without fainting.
It’s so hot that you discover you can drive your car with only 2 fingers.
It’s so hot that you break a sweat the instant you step outside – at 6:30am.
It’s so hot that sun tea is instant.

If you have any more, please leave them in comments.

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Harry Potter pickup lines

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:30:11 +0000

I got an email in response to my post with Harry Potter yo mama jokes containing Harry Potter pickup lines. After I stopped laughing, I decided to share these with the love-starved geeks out there. If you have any more, please post them in comments. And, if you use any of them and they actually work for you, I would love to know that as well.

We may not be in Professor Flitwick’s class, but you still are charming.
My love for you burns like a dying phoenix.
Being without you is like being under the Cruciatus Curse.
If I was to look into the Mirror of Erised, I would see the two of us together.
What do you say we disapparate out of here.
You know, when I said, “Accio hottie,” I didn’t expect it to work!
Will you be my horcrux tonight, so l can give a piece of my soul to you?
You must not be a Muggle, because you cast a spell on me.
Are you using the Confundus charm or are you just naturally mind blowing?
I must need Occlumency, because I can’t get you out of my thoughts.
I might as well be under the Imperius curse, because I’d do anything for you.
Your smile’s like expelliarmus: simple but disarming.
Did you survive Avada Kedavra? ‘Cause you’re drop dead gorgeous.
I need a pensieve because my head is filled with thoughts about you.
Cho Chang? More like Cha-Ching! Cause I just hit the jackpot.
Would you like a butterbeer? It’s a portkey. Next thing you know we’ll be back at my place.
I don’t need the mirror of Erised to know that you’re everything I desire.
Did you use Relashio? ‘Cause there’s sparks between us.
Did you slip some Firewhiskey into my drink, or are you just getting hotter?

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It’s so hot that… (reprise)

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:04:27 +0000

I originally posted this in August of 2010, but I think it bears a reprise.

Here in Northeast Oklahoma, we have been in the midst of a nasty heat wave. With temperatures over 100 degrees every day and heat indices 10-20 degrees above that, it’s safe to say it’s freaking HOT! So, that brings be to wondering just how many ways you can get the idea across just how hot it is, so I came up with this list:

It’s so hot that I saw two trees fighting over a dog.
It’s so hot that I saw a chicken lay a fried egg.
It’s so hot that cows are giving evaporated milk.
It’s so hot that you learn a seat belt makes a good branding iron.
It’s so hot that when the temperature drops to 95, you feel chilly.
It’s so hot that hot water now comes out of both taps.
It’s so hot that all the corn on the stalks started popping and flying through the air. The cows thought it was snowing and they froze to death.
It’s so hot that Satan took the day off.
It’s so hot that even the sun was looking for some shade.
It’s so hot that I saw a dog chasing a cat … and they were both walking.
It’s so hot that Dennis Rodman went out without a bra.
It’s so hot that my thermometer says “Are you kidding?”
It’s so hot that you discover asphalt has a liquid state.

Those are the one’s I’ve come up with or found on the internet. If you have more, please leave a comment.

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Yo Mama Jokes, Harry Potter Style

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:13:05 +0000

Who doesn’t like a good yo mama joke – except maybe yo mama. So, when I got these on an email, I couldn’t resist passing them on to you. I’m sure there are plenty more, so if you have any, please feel free to put them in the comments.

Yo mama’s so fat that the Sorting Hat put her in all four houses!
Yo mama’s so fat that a wingardium leviosa spell couldn’t lift her.
Yo mama’s so fat, she makes Hagrid look like “Mini-me”.
Yo mama’s so fat, she tried to eat Cornelius Fudge.
Yo mama’s so ugly, even a dementor wouldn’t kiss her!
Yo mama’s so fat the Sorting Hat assigned her to the House of Pancakes.
Yo mama’s so old, she used to babysit Dumbledore.
Yo mama’s so stupid, she thinks Sirius Black is a hip hop station on satellite radio.
Yo mama’s so ugly that the whomping willow saw her and died.
Yo mama’s so stupid she thinks Patronus is a kind of Tequlia.
Yo Mama’s so fat, her Patronus is a Double-Whopper with Cheese.
Yo mama’s so nasty, the Forbidden Forrest was named after her.
Yo mama’s the reason that Dumbledore turned gay.
Yo mama’s so old, her boobs look like two upside down Sorting Hats!
Yo mama’s so fat, she used the invisibility cloak as a bib.
Yo Mama’s so ugly, everybody calls her “She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Naked”
Yo mama’s so fat that even the Dementors can’t suck her soul out in one sitting.
Yo mama’s so pasty, she makes Ron Weasely look like George Hamilton.
Yo mama’s so fat, she looked in the mirror of Erised and saw a ham!
Yo mama’s so old she gave Nicholas Flamel his first kiss.
Yo mama’s so ugly that the Dementor’s Kiss was swapped out for a hearty handshake and a promise to give her a call sometime.
Yo mama’s so stupid, she drowned in a pensieve
Yo mama’s so dumb she thought that she could talk to snakes if she put parsley on her tongue
Yo mama’s so nasty, every pair of her panties has the Dark Mark on them.
Yo mama’s so fat that if she confronted a boggart it would morph into a treadmill.
Yo Mama’s so ugly that even Voldemort won’t say her name.
Yo Mama’s so poor she can’t even afford a Gringotts account.
Yo mama’s so fat that the sorting hat couldn’t decide where to put her – she couldn’t fit in any of the houses!!
Yo mama’s the only mute prostitue in Hogsmeade. They call her “dumb-le-whore”!
Yo mama’s so fat, she ate the Death Eaters.
Yo mama’s so masculine that Dumbledore would sleep with her!
Yo mama’s so nasty that the order of the phoenix was “stay away from that woman!”
Yo mama’s so poor that Dobby gave her a sock to keep her foot warm.
Yo mama’s such a tramp that she’s given more rides than the Hogwarts Express!
Yo mama’s so fat even Grawp can’t pick her up!
Yo mama’s so smelly, Bertie Bott made her his next jelly bean flavor.
Yo mama’s so fat that it takes two boggarts to shape-shift into her!
Yo mama’s so ugly that she lost a beauty contest to Mountain Troll.
Yo mama’s so ugly that when the bassalisk snuck up on her and saw her face, HE dropped dead.
Yo mama’s breath is the secret ingredient in the Weasly’s Butterscotch Barf-ies.
Yo mama’s so ugly that when she walked into Gringotts Wizarding Bank, they gave her a job application.
Yo mama’s so ugly she turned the Basilisk to stone.
Yo mama’s such a tramp that she’s like a quidditch broomstick – everyone gets a ride.
Yo mama’s so skanky that the reason you’re called a Half-Blood Prince is because she has no idea who your father is!
Yo mama’s so dumb that a stupify spell actually made her smarter.
Yo mama’s so stanky that not even dobby would accept one of her socks.
Yo mama’s so fat that even her Quidditch robes have stretch marks.
Yo mama’s so old she makes Dumbledore look like a teenager.
Yo mama’s so fat they’d have to use transfiguration to sneak her through the hole in the Gryffindor Tower.
Ya mama’s so fat, her wand is a Slim Jim.
Yo mama’s so fat the core of her wand has a creame filling.
Yo mama’s so ugly that Voldemort took one look at her and killed HIMSELF!”
Yo mama’s so poor she had to go to the Weasley’s for a loan.
Yo mama’s so ugly, she thought that Hogwarts were the growth on her thigh.
Yo mama’s so ugly that as a baby they had to use the Confundus Charm so the family would play with her.
Yo mama’s so ugly she scares the Dementors away.
Yo mama’s so ugly that when she asked Crabbe to take her to the Yule Ball, he decided to go with Goyle instead!

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Funny Fortune Cookie Sayings

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:42:14 +0000

Fortune cookies, while not invented in China, are the expected end to a Chinese dinner. The sayings are inspirational, romantic, promising riches, or just downright funny. No matter what saying or prediction our cookie contains, we are excited to open them and find out. I’ve compiled some funny sayings here for you. Please feel free to comment with your own.

He who throws dirt is losing ground.
You can always find happiness at work on Friday.
Do not mistake temptation for opportunity.
A woman who seeks to be equal with men lacks ambition.
If cookie still in one piece, play lotto.
He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
Meh.
He who laughs last thinks slow.
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.
A cynic is only a frustrated optimist.
A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind, and won’t change the subject.
It doesn’t matter. Who is without a flaw?
The world may be your oyster, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get its pearl.
Flattery will go far tonight.
The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
The greatest danger could be your stupidity.
He who laughs last is laughing at you.
We are born naked, wet, and hungry, and get slapped on our butt … then things get worse.
Ignore previous fortunes.
Help! I am being held prisoner in a Chinese bakery.
I couldn’t repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
Give me the strength to change the things I can, the grace to accept the things I cannot, and a great big bag of money.
The fortune you seek is in another cookie.
Today is probably a huge improvement over yesterday.
Those are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others.
The world may be your oyster, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get its pearl.
A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.
A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water.
Love is grand; divorce is a hundred grand.
Oops…wrong cookie!

I would like to read fortunes you’ve received. Please comment!

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Cherokees need to repair election process

admin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:09:47 +0000

I’m not Cherokee, so I guess this really doesn’t affect me much. However, it does allow me to be objective about the problems they are having with their latest election. The results for Chief are going back and forth between incumbent Chad Smith and challenger Bill John Baker much like a tennis ball between two aggressive players.

Baker was declared the unofficial winner first, but when the election board certified the votes, it showed Smith as the winner with just a 7-vote lead. Of course, Baker wanted a recount, which I don’t blame him. The recount showed Baker as the winner with 266 votes. That’s quite a difference. There was also a difference in the total number of votes counted. Hmm.

Smith Challenged back. I don’t blame him, either. The Cherokee Tribal Court orders a count of the envelopes for absentee ballots and come up with over 300 more envelopes than ballots. Double-hmm.

They have now completed a second recount and the unofficial winner is Smith by 5 votes, however, the total number of ballots has again changed. According to a statement made by Baker in the Muskogee Phoenix, many had erasure marks and white-out on them. Triple-hmm.

It is clear that something is wrong. When someone counts the same ballots three different times and comes up with three different totals and varying tally results, something is drastically wrong. The system is broken.

In my opinion, they need to fix the election process and declare a ‘do-over’. Otherwise, the court will have to step in and declare a winner based upon the evidence it sees and possibly not what the Cherokee people want.

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Pray for rain? Why not?

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:07:53 +0000

Governor Mary Fallin, according to MSNBC.com, is asking Oklahomans to pray for rain. Of course, there are many who are saying that weather doesn’t work that way. However, there are many more who knows that God is also the god of weather. Apparently Governor Fallin believes this as well as Texas Governor Rick Perry, who also asked Texans to pray for an end to the drought and heat wave.

With several weeks of triple digit temps and/or heat indices, it is time for a break. I have been praying for a break in the temps and drought and, like Governors Fallin and Perry, I urge others to pray also.

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Muskogee storm water fee is necessary

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:26:46 +0000

The price on everything is going up. We spend more on groceries, gasoline, clothing, electricity, water, and more. We are spending more while, in most cases, our income remains flat. It seems unfair that oil companies are reaping record profits while we struggle to keep the lights on. It feels like another thump on the head when the city we live in raises their fees as well and we cry foul when that happens.

But, stop for a moment and consider that while the price on everything we purchase has risen, so has the price on everything our city has to purchase as well. The City pays more for gasoline, diesel, electricity, pavement, equipment, repairs, etc. as well.

We citizens demand services from our city. In order for the city to provide these services, they must have appropriate funds to do so.

The people cry, “The streets need to be repaired!” In order to repair the streets, the city needs money to buy asphalt and other material.
The people scream, “The city needs to do something about storm drainage to keep our streets and homes and businesses from flooding!” But, in order to make those improvements, the city needs money.

To be fair, the more buildings and parking lots and driveways there are, the fewer places that rain and water have to go to soak into the ground. When water can’t soak into the ground, it runs off. If you get enough water running off with no place to go, there is flooding. So, it only seems fair that entities that have more impervious surfaces, and, therefore create more runoff, should pay more for the City to fix the problem.

Whatever the citizens demand, the city must have funds to deliver. Bottom line is, the city hasn’t kept fees in line with inflation, so now they are having to raise fees to get them in line. However, the fact remains Muskogee still charges lower fees than most cities and towns around. Even this impervious surface fee is lower.

Nobody likes paying taxes and fees, but in order for the city to provide the services its citizens demand, taxes and fees are the primary method of funding.

Like it or not, Muskogee needs this storm water fee.

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Fire the parents, not the clown

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:34:11 +0000

Corporate Accountability International and hundreds of health professionals are calling for McDonalds to ‘fire’ Ronald McDonald. It all stems from the epidemic of child obesity we have in this country and the fact that McDonalds markets to children.

I don’t dispute we have a problem with childhood obesity in America, but there are many things to blame for it and unhealthy eating is only one part of this problem. I also don’t dispute that McDonalds markets to children. However, instead of blaming some clown, maybe we should ask, “what is the parents’ responsibility in this?”

Companies have for years been targeting children in their marketing. Probably even more so now that parents seem to have forgotten the word – “No”. I remember well that my parents knew that word and used it often. And I’m all the better for it.

Parents nowadays are too concerned with being their child’s friend instead of the authority figure they are supposed to be. Children have enough friends. They need structure and someone to enforce boundaries and provide guidance (parents). Children will take the path of least effort unless they are nudged in the right direction. Parents need to teach their children that there are temptations in this world and how to resist them. Unfortunately, many parents also take the path of least resistance, so when their little snowflakes throw a fit, they will give in and let the child have his or her way lest the little monster be upset.

Children are faced with temptation to take the easy path every day. Television, internet, video games, and movies all provide diversion to physical activity. Easy, greasy fast food provides a quick (and fattening) meal for busy families constantly on the move. Children do not use their imaginations any more like they used to.

Unless there are parents who are not afraid to say “no, you will do this instead” or “no, you will eat this instead”, firing a clown isn’t going to do anything to assuage the obesity problem in the US.

So, parents, tell your kids they can’t eat junk food every day; tell them to go outside and play, and run, and jump; restrict their time on the television and computer and have them read a book and use their imaginations; teach them to make good choices by your own example. In short – be their parent, not their friend.

Long live Ronald McDonald!

In this post, I used the word parents to mean any adult figure in charge of raising a child be it parents, step-parents, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, guardians, foster parents … well, you get the picture.

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Osama bin Laden’s death called a conspiracy by Michael Moore

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 03:04:56 +0000

Apparently, filmmaker (and I use that term loosely) Michael Moore believes that the death of bin Laden was a conspiracy. In a series of tweets allegedly by him, he made it perfectly clear he’s not happy with the way bin Laden was killed.

So, yeah, it was a conspiracy. If a conspiracy involves a group of people engaged in a secret plan to do harm to someone, then, yes, it was a conspiracy between Obama, Seal Team 6, and various others in our government.

So, I guess Mikey’s not happy, so he’s going to make another boring film that I won’t bother watching.

See Michael Moore not happy about bin Laden “Execution”

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Americans should be proud, but not boastful

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 12:52:35 +0000

Sunday evening when it was announced that Osama bin Laden was killed, I think I shared the joy and relief of millions of other Americans that there was some justice done. While I don’t normally revel in another person’s demise, I have to admit that I didn’t shed a single tear over his death, heck, I didn’t even feel bad.

The royal wedding is now yesterday’s news and of no import any longer as bin Laden’s death continues to dominate. The news anchors and reporters are all clamoring to convince us how intelligent they are by telling us exactly how we tracked him down by using the cell phone signal of a courier. Personally, I think we should have kept that little tidbit to ourselves and used it again if possible. Now there are people wanting the photos of his bloody dead body published for all the world to see exactly how he died.

We should be careful, however, and not cross the line into gloating. As my dad used to say, “Don’t get cocky!” We need to remember to not get cocky. Even though the good guys won a great victory, the war against terror is far from over. We need to remember there will be reprisals and we need to be ready instead of sitting back and saying, “Look what we did.” I don’t agree with Obama very much, in fact, hardly at all, but I find myself agreeing with his decision not to release the death photos of bin Laden.

I know some photos will eventually be leaked. Someone on the assault team had a cell phone with a camera, I’m sure, but the government doesn’t need to be part of that release. We do not need the photos as a trophy of our success. We do not need to rub it in the faces of his followers as they do. We need to be better than they are, after all. We are Americans.

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It’s not news, it’s (insert-favorite-news-source-here)

admin — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:28:58 +0000

I guess the news media exists to not only disseminate the news, but also to disseminate that which is not news.

I got an alert from CNN today that said Michelle Obama’s plane had to abort its landing because it got too close to a C-17 cargo plane landing in front of it. Apparently, they were three miles apart when they were supposed to be 5 miles apart. This was not at all attributed to terrorist activity, controllers asleep at the wheel, or any other nefarious reason.

When controllers realized they were too close, they ordered Obama’s plane to go around – like they were supposed to. Neither the plane nor Obama was ever in any danger. Her plane landed with no incident. Nobody was injured, no gigantic fireball filled the sky, and there was no repeat of Biblical plagues – only a slight delay for the first lady as her plane went around to make a safe landing.

I can see the headlines tomorrow: Terrorist did not blow up a plane, The tornado did not flatten the town, The river did not overflow its banks, etc.

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Urine or you’re out, part 2

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 02:59:06 +0000

I had to take a drug test before I was hired for my job. I am subject to a drug test if I have an accident while at work, and I’m subject to random testing at any time. Being clean was a condition for employment and continued employment.

So, why aren’t people on public assistance required to submit to drug tests? If a Louisiana state representative, John LaBruzzo, has his way, 20 percent of the people on welfare would be required to pass a drug screen to continue receiving benefits. Why not? I think it’s a great idea.

Under his plan, anyone who failed a drug test would have to submit to treatment to continue benefits. If not, no money.

The need for the legislation is “that the best interests of a significant portion of the state’s population are served by ensuring that they are free of the physical and mental impairments associated with drug dependence,” reads the proposed bill.

And the aim of the bill is ensure Louisianans “are ready to work, and in order for Louisiana’s citizens to be work-ready, they must be free of drug dependence.”

More states should adopt policies that will require initial drug testing and random testing of benefit recipients and base their assistance on the results. People can lose their jobs when testing positive for drugs, which means loss of money and benefits, so why should we treat the jobless any different?

See Urine or You’re Out

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City not immune to cost increases

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:25:29 +0000

It’s a sad fact that prices are going up, sometimes sharply. Expenses are outpacing income at a sometimes alarming rate. In such an economy, it seems that everywhere we turn, somebody’s got their hand out for more money from us. So, along with the gas pumps, grocery stores, clothing stores, and everywhere else, the City wants to raise fees.

Unfortunately, the City is not immune to the same cost increases that are plaguing private citizens. When gasoline prices go up, the City must pay more for gasoline as well. Of course, that causes higher costs for not only the fuel used in police, fire, and other city vehicles, but for everything else the City uses, too.

However, the City is not oblivious to our plight. Many fees have not increased in over a decade, even though costs of providing services and running the government has continued to increase. Many council meetings I’ve either attended or viewed shows City councilors resistant to increasing fees to the level they need to be. The most often quoted reason is that they don’t want to unduly burden citizens with fee increases. But, sometimes, increases are necessary.

However, citizens expect not only the same level of services from the City, but expect the City to provide more services in the future – services that cost money to provide.

In a perfect world, the City could eliminate taxes and fees and still provide all the services its citizens need and want. In reality, providing services costs money, money the City receives from taxes and fees.

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Good for you, BYU

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:10:25 +0000

According to the news, Brigham Young University is mired in controversy after suspending Brandon Davies for having sex with his girlfriend. It is a violation of their honor code which also prohibits consumption of caffeinated drinks. I’m not sure how much of a controversy it really is, or if it just the media stirring the pot and making mountains out of molehills, as they are good at doing.

The point is, Davies knew about the honor code when he chose to attend that school. He agreed to the honor code in order to attend class and play ball for them. He violated it, he’s suspended as he should be. He broke the code, he needs to suffer the consequences of such an act.

But, there are many, I suppose (from what the media is saying), who think that in this day and time, that honor code is obsolete. I say, no. While premarital sex occurs more in this day and age than any other, it is not a reason to change the beliefs and codes of a university attached to the Mormon church. If Mr. Davies didn’t want to abide by those codes, or he considered them obsolete, there are countless other universities in the United States and abroad he could attend.

Athletes need to know they are not special enough to merit exemptions from laws and rules that apply to the rest of us.

No, I think BYU is absolutely correct in sanctions against Davies and any other student who violates their rules of conduct. I say, good for you, BYU.

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Azalea Arts and Crafts Show

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:50:45 +0000

Lawns are beginning to green, trees are putting on leaves, dead skunks are littering the roads, and… arts and craft shows. All these are signs Spring is looming.

The Muskogee Civic Center is preparing for the Azalea Arts and Crafts Show on April 2 and 3 from 9am – 5pm. They are asking potential vendors to reserve booth space now. Call 684-6363 to secure your space.

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Charlie and Lindsay and Gadhafi, oh geez

admin — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 23:15:45 +0000

There are currently at least three delusional people in the news today. Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan and Gadhafi. All three have something in common: they think they are God’s gift to the world and therefore immune to doing the right thing. They are also in denial.

Charlie Sheen’s interview makes it clear he thinks he is the reason CBS exists today. I like Charlie Sheen as an actor, but I can’t stomach him as a person. His arrogance about, well, everything tells me is is clearly in denial. Talking about how he kicked a drug addiction in mere days when everyone else battles for years tells me that he isn’t taking things seriously. His dad even tried to help, but Charlie lashed out at him for it and talked about his “angels” – a nanny and a porn star. Okay, so that is a fantasy of most men, but that’s beside the point. He still thinks CBS will collapse without him. Not likely. Now, of course, they’ve moved a tv show I like to make room for the interview with this idiot.

From listening to ABC’s interview with Libyan leader (dictator, despot, idiot) Gadhafi, Qaddafi, Kadafi (or however they spell it this week), it is obvious this guy is disconnected from reality in a big way. While more than half of Libyans are trying to overthrow his regime, he keeps saying his people love him and will die for him. Well, the second part of that is certainly true – they will die for him, or rather because of him. He says the trouble is because they have been drugged with hallucinogens by terrorists. Really? He said that? If his people love him so much, he should walk down the streets of Zawiya alone and let his people ‘love’ him.

And Lindsay Lohan. That girl just doesn’t learn. It is apparent that she thinks she is more important than anyone else. She certainly has no regard for anyone else. She pretty much got a slap on the wrist for the DUI conviction and that certainly didn’t teach her anything. She is on probation for that and is now accused of lifting a $2500 necklace. Of course, she says she ‘borrowed’ it, but the store owner says differently. Apparently there is paperwork involved that was not done. No paperwork, no jewelry loan. That little girl needs to spend some time in the grown-up world of prison. Let’s see what happens when she ‘borrows’ something from someone there.

As for me, I’m going to the bank to ‘borrow’ a large sum of money, and, uh, hold the paperwork.

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Garlic Chicken Pasta Bowl

admin — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:59:33 +0000

My wife got this recipe from a coupon page out of the paper about 10 years ago, but it is very tasty and quick and easy to make in about 17 minutes. It’s from Del Monte, so the canned tomatoes and green beans it calls for is Del Monte. So, here goes.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups rotini pasta
12 oz chicken breast halves cut into cubes
1 tbsp oil
1 can (14.5 oz) seasoned green beans, drained
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Cook chicken in hot oil 3 minutes until no longer pink.
Add green beans and undrained tomatoes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, simmer uncovered 9 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Add cheese and pasta; toss until coated.

Serves 4

Enjoy

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Here we go again

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:00:32 +0000

Trouble in Libya, trouble in the middle-east, far-east, or mid-west, or maybe even trouble on the moon – whatever reason they need to jack up oil prices, and by default gasoline prices. Of course, with that, the price of everything else goes up, too.

So, here we are with gasoline prices on the rise and the news media predicting $4 and $5 per gallon by summer (again). “Double-Dip” recession is the buzz phrase being thrown around by proud-looking talking-heads on the news, ecstatic that some of their doomsday predictions appear to be coming true.

Then, they show recycled stories about how keeping your car running properly, your tires properly inflated, and changing your driving habits can save you some money on gas all the while predicting more doomsday. They print and air even more recycled stories about grocery prices rising in its wake.

My favorite, however, has to be the news stories that basically call us Americans spoiled because we are griping about over $3/gallon gas when they are paying over $9/gallon in London and Europe. But, nobody calls Iraqis spoiled when they are paying much less than we are for the same gallon of gasoline. In any case, this American thinks he has the right to gripe about $3/gallon gasoline and rightly so. I really don’t care what they pay in Europe – I don’t live there. If I did, though, I would be griping about $9/gallon gas but I wouldn’t be down on anyone paying less – good for them.

For years we have been talking about reducing our dependence on foreign oil. I think a real good start would maybe be to stop exporting what we drill here so we don’t have to import as much. Just saying. If we really wanted to reduce that dependence, I think we could.

But, I’m just a spoiled America, what do I know?

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Saturday begins mandatory 10-digit dialing

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:08:38 +0000

Because the 918 area code here in Eastern Oklahoma is running out of numbers, we have added a new area code: 539. This area code is overlaid with the 918 area code. What this means is that no numbers in the 918 area code will change. Once there are no more 918 numbers available, the 539 numbers will start being assigned.

What this further means is that all local numbers will have to use all 10 digits. Local numbers will not need a 1 or 0 in front of them. Long distance numbers will still require 1 or 0 in addition to the 10 digit phone number.

I use Suddenlink for my home phone service and they have been requiring 10-digit dialing for a couiple of weeks now, so the few calls I don’t use my cell phone for have required all 10 digits.

As of Saturday, March 5, 2011, all carriers will be requiring all 10 digits.

For more information, please see: New area code overlay for 918: 539.

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