Saturday, December 24, 2011

Twatwaffles Of The Week

And away we go.............................

Number Five:  Texas Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba who struck an umpire in the face during a heated argument about balls and strikes in a Venezuelan Winter League baseball game earlier this week.

Yorvit Torrealba Strikes Umpire During Argument

Torrelalba is well known and widely respected for playing the game with fire and passion; however, this behavior does not merely cross a line, it hurdles a line.  As the columnist in the attached link so correctly states, this was an ugly disgusting incident which will taint an otherwise stellar career. 

Number Four:  A thus far unidentified individual or group of individuals who spray painted Anti-Christian/Satanic graffiti, including "666" and an inverted cross, on the garage of a Bakersfield, CA family who have prominently displayed Christian themed Christmas decorations, including a "Happy Birthday, Jesus" sign on and around their home. 

Hate Graffiti Spray Painted On Home

Can't we all just get along?  Was this nation not founded on a basic principle of freedom of, and from, religion?  Can we not let everyone celebrate the religion, or lack thereof, of their choice without behaving in this type of repulsive manner?  Dear readers, when will we learn to celebrate our few differences instead of persecuting each other over them?

Number Three:  State Governments across America, who during recent budget crunches, have slashed funding for services for the mentally ill.  The end result, of course, has been a flood of mentally ill patients into emergency rooms throughout the country.

Mentally Ill Flood ERs As States Cut Services

Isn't this just par for the course, folks?  Times get tough; but instead of trying to implement difficult, deep budget cuts, state lawmakers prefer to cut services for the most misunderstood, feared, and stigmatized patients in the health care system.  Economic hardships such as job losses, foreclosures, and the like lead to an increase psychotic breaks, so the logical thing to do is cut services for the mentally ill, right?  Pitiful.  They should be ashamed of themselves.  Just once I would like to see the powerful instead of the powerless bear the brunt of the results of hard times.

Number Two:  Roy Allen Ostergren, 34, who was wanted out of Texas for aggravated assault on his common law wife. Authorities say Ostergren beat his wife with a baseball bat, wrapped a chain around her neck and dragged her behind his truck on December 12th.  He was tracked to Northern California and arrested in Oroville.

Texas Fugitive Wanted For Attacking Wife Arrested In California

As if the whole baseball bat beating, dragging behind the car thing weren't bad enough, Ostergren is also accused to of sneaking into his wife's hospital room and attacking her again while she was recovering from her injuries.  Assuming these allegations are true, you, sir, are a twatwaffle extraordinaire!

Number One:  Paul Daniel Kunzler, 34, of Taylorsville, UT, who was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of two counts of rape of a child, three counts of sodomy of a child and three counts of sexual abuse of a child.  His four-month "relationship" with a 13 year old girl was discovered after a bizarre incident at the man's house in which one of his housemates was shot by a third housemate who was reportedly trying to shoot a mouse in his kitchen with a 9mm handgun, according to investigators.

Man Shoots At Mouse And Injures Roommate While Another Roommate Is Arrested For Rape

Talk about everything happening for a reason!!!!!  Unbelievable!!!!!!  I say it week in and week out, friends and frenemies, I don't make this stuff up.  I just report it for your amazement.

Peace, Love, and Happy Holidays, my brothers and sisters.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Wanton Disregard For Human Life..............

You know what I don't understand?  I don't understand the absolute disregard for human life in this day and age.  The latest example comes to us from New York City.

Woman Burned Alive In Brooklyn Elevator; Man Arrested

No Bail For Man Accused Of Burning Woman Alive

Man Suspected Of Torching 73 Year Old Woman Charged With Murder And Arson

Neighbors Hold Vigil For Woman Burned Alive In Elevator

That's right, folks.  A 73 year old woman was burned to death in an elevator.  Burned to death.  The rationale?  According to the alleged assailant, the victim owed him $2000.  Burned to death.  Over two grand.  If anyone out there can think of a more horrific way to die, please share it because I cannot.  This woman was killed in the most bone chilling manner imaginable over a debt for doing odd jobs.

What type of animal looks another human being in the eye, douses her with fuel, and sets her alight; walking away as she screams in agony as the flames take the life from her?  Where is the regard for another human life?  Why such cruelty and barbarism?  It is bad enough that people will kill over money, but to kill in this way?  I just don't get it.

I realize that there have been examples of unspeakable evil throughout human history, but it seems to me like there are more examples in our current society.  If we don't start respecting and caring for each other as members of the human race, I fear our civilization is doomed.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Sandusky And His Attorney Equate Child Molestation With Football?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have made a point to avoid commentary on the sexual abuse allegations currently swirling around Penn State's football program, but something I saw today really struck me as unfathomable.

It seems that both Mr. Sandusky and his attorney, Joseph Amendola, are essentially equating Mr. Sandusky's impending trial with football.  Please review the attached video clips that were recorded shortly after Mr. Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary hearing this morning.

Sandusky Vows To "Fight For Four Quarters".

This Is Bigger Than Penn State vs. Miami In 1986

Yes, you heard that correctly, folks.  Mr. Sandusky is "going to fight for four quarters".  This is "bigger than Penn State versus Miami in 1986."  "This is the game of Jerry Sandusky's life."  Really?

Folks, I know that Jerry Sandusky has been a football man for his entire life.  I know that Joe Paterno and Penn State are legendary in the world of college football.  Yet, it somehow seems to trivialize the whole matter of children allegedly being raped when football analogies are used to describe defense strategy.  It just strikes me that they aren't taking what was allegedly done to these young boys seriously.

So you tell me, dear readers, am I overreacting, or do you agree with me?

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.


Monday, December 12, 2011

Really, Gov. Perry? President Obama Is Waging A "War On Religion"?

To paraphrase GOP messiah, Ronald Reagan, well, there they go again.................

Republican presidential hopeful, Rick Perry, recently launched a television ad bemoaning the horror at gays being allowed to serve in the military while children supposedly cannot celebrate Christmas in school.  Gov. Perry, as if on cue, then laments Mr. Obama's "war on religion".  Of course, the lapdogs that are the right wing media fell in lock step behind Perry's baseless comments.

Where to begin, dear readers?  Perhaps I should give more than passing mention to the good governor's bashing of gay soldiers.  Of course, when GOP supporters boo an openly gay solider, why am I not surprised?  Still, I digress.  Yes, indeed, Gov. Perry, why should these able bodied, patriotic Americans be allowed to serve in the military?  Could it be because this country was founded on equal opportunity and due process for all?  What a horrific prospect, Gov. Perry!!!!!  Gays and lesbians in the military!!!!  Oh, the horror.  As that old saying goes, in the heat of battle no one cares whether the solider in the foxhole next to you is gay or straight.  They just care whether you can shoot straight.What I really can't understand is why so many gay and lesbian Americans are willing to fight and possibly die for a country where bigots like Gov. Perry are viable candidates for president and for a country that won't let them marry who they love.

Ah, and yes, the mythical war against Christmas continues....................  Again, Gov. Perry, this nation was founded on inclusiveness and equality.  Is it so horrible to have "holiday" parties and such, so that the children who aren't Christians don't feel excluded?  Isn't America about being a melting pot with respect and equality for all?  The Constitution that I have studied over the years certainly leads me to think so.  By the way, this would be the same Constitution that outlines the number of justices on the Supreme Court.  Based on your previous comments, you may not be familiar with it.

Somehow, in Gov. Perry's rather convoluted mind, this equates to President Obama waging a war on religion.  Some in the right wing media even suggested that the president attended church for the first time since Easter as a direct result of Mr. Perry's inane comments.  As if there is any relevance whatsoever to the frequency with which Mr. Obama attends services.  As I often say, sitting in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car.

Interestingly, Gov. Perry, the Christianity that is practiced by President Obama appeals to me.  The Christianity that you apparently practice does not.  Perhaps that isn't God who you think is speaking to you, but someone who occupies a bit darker and (ahem) warmer locale.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Twatwaffles Of The Week

And away we go...........................

First we have a Dicknozzle of Douchebaggery:  An unidentified female California State University, Northridge student who had a meltdown in the campus library during Finals Week because some of her fellow students, in her view, were talking and breathing, yes---breathing, too loudly.

Dude, It Is Finals Week!!! Stop Breathing At The Top Of Your Lungs

Of course, the student who was irate made more noise telling everyone else how loud they were than anyone else in the library.  You know, I am a student myself.  I understand the stress and anxiety of Finals Week, but, for the love of Pete, chill out a little, will ya'?

Number Five:  An unidentified female thirteen year old Philadelphia middle school student who is currently under arrest for passing the sleep aid Ambien to some of her classmates.  Seven were sickened with two in hospital overnight.  Reports indicate that the offending student essentially had a mobile pharmacy at the school.

Thirteen Year Old Arrested After Passing Sleeping Pills To Classmates

Remember the good old days when the worst thing that school administrators had to worry about was hooligans like me smoking in the restrooms?  Also, a gold star goes to the first person who points out the grammatical error in the attached article.

Number Four:  An as of yet unidentified (We are falling into a rut, my friends.) male nurse who allegedly touched a female patient's breasts and stomach in a "sexual manner" while the young lady was in hospital for dehydration. 

Former Hospital Patient Says Male Nurse Touched Her Breasts

Dear readers, I take this one personally.  Being mere weeks from earning my RN license, this really hits home.  When  one practices medicine, one has to put one's hands on members of the opposite sex, but one must maintain the utmost in professionalism and decency.  I do not wish to be too judgemental since this matter is still under investigation; but if the allegations are proven to be true, this disgrace to the honorable profession of nursing needs to lose his license for life!

Number Three:  We have a twelve way tie for number three this week, friends.  Twelve members of the Kenmore (NY) East girls varsity basketball team who routinely engaged in a racist chant in their locker room prior to their games.  It seems that in order to prepare themselves to play, they needed to chant "One, two, three, niggers!" before they took to the court.  Needless to say, the one African American member of the team was offended by this and rightfully so.  However, when she confronted her teammates, she was met with the usual "we aren't racist" nonsense that is to be expected from a community that is 97% white.  The end result of this overt bigotry as well as other taunts involving slavery, chains, shackles, and referring to Tyra Batts, the African American member of the team, as a "black piece of shit" was a fight between Batts and an offending teammate.  Batts and the other girl involved in the fight were suspended.  After investigation, the entire team was suspended due to their racist behavior.

Offensive Racist Chat Leads To Suspension Of Entire Girls Basketball Team

As I was writing this, I checked the calendar.  I'll be damned if it isn't 2011, so why are these bigots acting like it is 1962?  Sickening.  Repulsive.  Pitiful.  Hateful.  Outrageous.  The list goes on and on.  I have asked this question over and over again.  Why do racism and bigotry continue to exist?

Number Two:  We have a two way tie for second place on this week's dishonor role, Arthur Brasher and Michelle Hanks who were arrested for allegedly kicking in a Provo, UT woman's front door, entering her apartment, and hitting her with a golf club multiple times.  Provo Police Sgt. Matthew Suifanua told ABC 4 that the victim knew the suspects, who broke into her home to collect on what they claimed was a debt owed to them by the victim.

Woman Beaten With Golf Club During Home Invasion

According to media reports, the victim was not seriously injured, but it seems to me like this is another example of society having no regard for human life anymore.  I don't know how we as a species got to this point, and I have no idea how we redeem ourselves.  I wish I did, but I don't.

Number One:  Zachary Meints, 23, a youth hockey coach arrested on suspicion of Internet sexual exploitation of a child.  So far, police said they have interviewed 13 potential victims/witnesses. Five of those victims were under the age of 15 at the time the alleged exploitation, which involved inappropriate sexual messages.

Youth Coach Arrested On Internet Sexual Exploitation Charges

Is it just me, or does it seem like there are more and more pedophiles in the ranks of sports coaches, trainers, and such?  I find the whole matter to be quite disturbing.  Please implore to your children to tell a trusted adult if anyone acts in an inappropriate manner with them.  It could be the difference between a life and death.

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.


Thursday, December 8, 2011

Some Musings Regarding The "War" On Christmas

You know what I don't understand?  I don't understand the annual shrieking about the supposed "war" on Christmas that we all have to endure.  A war on Christmas?  Really?  What exactly construes this assault on Christianity's holiest day?  A main point of contention seems to be the use of the phrase "Happy Holidays".  Really?  How petty.

Yes, dear readers, I say "Happy Holidays", and I do so out of respect for not only for my Christian brothers and sisters, but also out of respect for my Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, Buddhist, Celtic, Hindu, Andean, Atheist, etc. brothers and sisters who also celebrate major holidays during this time of the year.  We live in a multi-cultural nation, folks.  Should we not be inclusive and respectful of everyone's beliefs and celebrations; not just the beliefs and celebrations of the majority religion in America?  I fail to understand why this simple fact is so difficult for some in our society to grasp.  We have a Constitutional guarantee of freedom of (and from) religion.  Why can we not respect the multitude of faiths in our country while celebrating our sameness and brotherhood as members of the human race?

What I would really like to see is all of the energy and time and money that are spent on the this supposed "war" on Christmas dedicated to charity for the poor and down trodden.  After all, Jesus ministered about charity for the poor above all.


Deuteronomy 15:7, 11
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.


Deuteronomy 24:14Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns

Psalm 41:1-2
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.


Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.


Far be it for me to speak for Christ, but I think His will would be better served be following His word than by whining about a non-existent "war" on Christmas,

One of latest versions of this nonsense that is floating around social media essentially implores folks to say "Merry Christmas" because "God is welcome in (their) house".  Well, friends and frenemies, God is welcome in my house as well, but so are Allah, Vishnu, Waheguru,  Yahweh, Huwa, Gitche Manitou, Ahura Mazda,  etc.

Peace, love, and Happy Holidays, my brothers and sisters.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Herman Cain Doesn't Recall A 13 Year Affair?

You know what I don't understand?  I don't understand why politicians who have had infidelity issues seem to think they can run for office without their trysts coming to light.  Folks, I have taken a great deal of delight in lampooning former GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain, but this issue goes far deeper than him.  Gary Hart and Donna Rice.  Bill Clinton and Gennifer Flowers, Monica Lewinsky, et. al., Larry Craig and male prostitutes who cruise airport gents rooms, Mark Foley and male teenage pages.  The list is as endless as it is sordid. 

I ask the question again.  Do these men think that their peccadilloes won't eventually come to light?  Was Mr. Cain really so naive at to think that Cynthia White, among others, wouldn't tell her story to the press?  Did Mr. Foley think his continuous inappropriate behavior with young male pages would never be discovered? 

Do these people think they are so powerful and untouchable that no one will sell them out?  Do they think they can be in public spotlight without their personal lives being scrutinized?

With exception of those who prey on children like Mr. Foley, a part of me wonders why we care.  Seriously, do a person's personal indiscretions really have in bearing on his ability to perform the duties he was elected to perform?  In Mr. Clinton's case, he was still a successful and popular president despite his marital issues.  Is this another example of American puritanism?

Frankly, friends, I have mixed emotions about this.  What do you think?

Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.