On a corner in Cairo!

Got up this morning, jumped in the car to go and get the Sunday New York Times.   Stopped at the local supermarket (less than half a mile away) to get orange juice, Jones's "Maple sausages", frozen pancakes & waffles (for the grandson) and a bagel and cream cheese for me!   Then stopped at "Dunkin Donuts" to grab a "medium decaf hazelnut...milk, no sugar" for the Mrs.   Got home and took a look at the front page of

the Times and thought...WOW!

Look at this image!  I (we) take a lot of sh*t for granted.   I know I'm repeating myself!   But damn...it's worth repeating!

Never Never Land!

If I had really big money, I would set up a "Neverland" foundation.   I'm talkin' Bill Gates, Warren Buffett kind of money!   Young folks (anyone under thirty?) could apply for a grant.   They would have to qualify for (or answer to) any of the following:

• never been ankle deep in the ocean...yes OCEAN!
• never been on a plane
• never been out of the country...much less their home state
• never known or had a friend of another race/religion or sexual orientation
• never been to a "play" or a Broadway show
• never knew their Dad
• never felt loved!

If they've never experienced it...I would try to make it happen.   I know it would be a much better world if all the young folks could say..."yes...I've done/experienced that"!   Sure there are many more "nevers" I could add to my "Neverland" list...but this is good enough for now!

I consider myself to be very fortunate because I've had very few "nevers"...but I could write a book on those "nevers" that I've had!   Guess I need to start that infamous "bucket list"!

Guns won again!

“Everyone who voted yesterday knows after reading that bill, in their heart of hearts, that the bill would have made the America safer,” he added. “The American people were insulted yesterday.”
Source: (Chuck Scarborough @ MSNBC)

"After an amendment proposing expanded background checks for gun sales was rejected by the Senate Wednesday, it has been revealed 42 of the 45 senators who voted against the proposal have received donations from pro-shooting groups".   Source.

Below are the 45 senators who voted against background checks. (Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid also voted “no,” but it was a procedural mechanism, so that he can reintroduce the amendment again.)

And here's a map of the "NO" votes!   No surprises here...just the usual suspects!

Forbes Magazine is Pimpin' Pipcorn too!

"Pipcorn of Brooklyn is another new-style popcorn company selling mini popcorn made from hull-less kernels.   It comes in hand-stamped, simple paper bags."
Source - Forbes Magazine:

Things are always popping at Pipcorn and Pipsnacks!

Put all of them on an IED Pressure Cooker Pot!

That was my initial reaction when I first heard of the Boston marathon bombings.   I was filled with hatred (and I guess...I still am).

Then I looked at the image of eight year old, Martin Richard (who died), and the other victims and my eyes swelled with tears.   I was even madder and wanted revenge!

Martin made his "peace" sign, in May of last year, when his school organized a "Peace Walk."   Holding their homemade signs, kids walked around the city making a big statement with a simple act

My daughter was here that day of the bombings.   I said to her..."if they're captured alive...I hope they make them sit on a pressure cooker (with their IEDs...improvised explosive devices) and let the relatives of the deceased, and the injured, ignite the pressure cookers and blow all of them up to smitherines!"

Went to bed Thursday night knowing that "the authorites" were close to nailing down the perpetrators.   Switch to Friday.   Like so many others...I was glued to the television!   I couldn't believe how rapidly things had changed.   One suspect was dead and his younger brother was in captivity!   Amazing!   They had their background/history, were interviewing relatives...everything!

Then I saw the images of this innocent looking 19 year old and asked, how could this happen?   Like so may other things, I just don't understand.

Then I read this reader's comment on the Huffington Post and it really sums up my feelings...

"Now this kid, who was probably following his brother has to pay for what he did.   And I really don't think he understands what he threw away his life for.   It's sad.   This could have been anyone's child; and he is going to rot in jail for a very long time - having chosen poorly with his life direction.   I am not saying that he doesn't deserve the repercussions of his actions.   I am saying how sad it is that he threw away all of his chances, all of his opportunities, all of the joys that life can bring.   And that is a shame, indeed."

Of course my daughter was quick to remind me of my initial thoughts about this!   Blow their *sses up!   Again...I just don't understand!

CNN is "Pimpin'" the Pipcorn!

15 seconds of fame on CNN!   Check out Jen & Jeff Martin at 1:19 into this video...at Smorgasburg!   Actually they're much more famous than this 15 seconds!   They were featured in the New York Times and were selected as one of Oprah's "100 Favorite Things"!   Their Pipcorn is over the top!

The Power of Talking to Your Baby

From today's New York Times:

"By the time a poor child is 1 year old, she has most likely already fallen behind middle-class children in her ability to talk, understand and learn. The gap between poor children and wealthier ones widens each year, and by high school it has become a chasm. American attempts to close this gap in schools have largely failed, and a consensus is starting to build that these attempts must start long before school — before preschool, perhaps even before birth."

This is a must read!

Weapons of Mass Destruction!

I went to bed early on election eve 2004 thinking that Kerry had it in the bag.   When I woke up the next day and learned that Dubbya won...I was literally drunk by noon!   I'm serious!   Drunk...drunk! America...the stupid.   I'm sure I was drunk in 2000 as well...when Dubya stole it...and the Supreme Court blessed it!

NRA - Brandon Holt - 6 years old!

Toms River, New Jersey

The funeral for 6-year-old Brandon Holt took place this morning at the Hooper Avenue church.   Brandon, of McCormick Drive was shot in the head Monday night, police said, by a 4-year-old playmate who had taken a .22-caliber rifle from his house.   The 4-year-old fired the rifle accidentally while the two were playing outside.   Brandon, the son of Ronald and Christine Holt, was pronounced dead Tuesday.

Please don't text while driving! Please!

Alexander Heit's final text cut off in mid-sentence.   Before he could send it, police say the 22-year-old University of Northern Colorado student drifted into oncoming traffic, jerked the steering wheel and went off the road, rolling his car.

Heit died shortly after the April 3 crash, but his parents and police are hoping the photo of the mundane text on his iPhone will serve as a stark reminder to drivers.

via Copyranter

Accidental Racist! Wow! This seems to have caused an uproar!

This has been all over the news!   Apparently it has ticked off a lot of folks!   I'm not good on lyrics (other than John Lennon's Imagine)...so I decided to find the lyrics on this one.   Will it get a Grammy?   NO!   Is it worthy of all the bullsh*t controversy and criticism?   No!   As a matter of fact Mr. Paisley...I just may go buy me some of your music!   Get over it people!

Accidental Racist Lyrics:
To the man that waited on me at the Starbucks down on Main, I hope you understand
When I put on that t-shirt, the only thing I meant to say is I'm a Skynyrd fan
The red flag on my chest somehow is like the elephant in the corner of the south
And I just walked him right in the room
Just a proud rebel son with an 'ol can of worms
Lookin' like I got a lot to learn but from my point of view

I'm just a white man comin' to you from the southland
Tryin' to understand what it's like not to be
I'm proud of where I'm from but not everything we've done
And it ain't like you and me can re-write history
Our generation didn't start this nation
We're still pickin' up the pieces, walkin' on eggshells, fightin' over yesterday
And caught between southern pride and southern blame

They called it Reconstruction, fixed the buildings, dried some tears
We're still siftin' through the rubble after a hundred-fifty years
I try to put myself in your shoes and that's a good place to begin
But it ain't like I can walk a mile in someone else's skin

'Cause I'm a white man livin' in the southland
Just like you I'm more than what you see
I'm proud of where I'm from but not everything we've done
And it ain't like you and me can re-write history
Our generation didn't start this nation
And we're still paying for the mistakes
That a bunch of folks made long before we came
And caught between southern pride and southern blame

Dear Mr. White Man, I wish you understood
What the world is really like when you're livin' in the hood
Just because my pants are saggin' doesn't mean I'm up to no good
You should try to get to know me, I really wish you would
Now my chains are gold but I'm still misunderstood
I wasn't there when Sherman's March turned the south into firewood
I want you to get paid but be a slave I never could
Feel like a new fangled Django, dodgin' invisible white hoods
So when I see that white cowboy hat, I'm thinkin' it's not all good
I guess we're both guilty of judgin' the cover not the book
I'd love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air
But I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn't here

I'm just a white man
(If you don't judge my do-rag)
Comin' to you from the southland
(I won't judge your red flag) Tryin' to understand what it's like not to be
I'm proud of where I'm from
(If you don't judge my gold chains)
But not everything we've done
(I'll forget the iron chains)
It ain't like you and me can re-write history (Can't re-write history baby)

Oh, Dixieland (The relationship between the Mason-Dixon needs some fixin')
I hope you understand what this is all about
(Quite frankly I'm a black Yankee but I've been thinkin' about this lately)
I'm a son of the new south
(The past is the past, you feel me)
And I just want to make things right
(Let bygones be bygones)
Where all that's left is southern pride
(RIP Robert E. Lee but I've gotta thank Abraham Lincoln for freeing me, know what I mean)
It's real, it's real
It's truth

Like I said, get over it people!

Mitch McConnell versus Ashley Judd

I'm at a loss for words!   This bullsh*t from a man whose primary objective was to make President Barrack Obama a one term president.   How do people like Mr. McConnell get elected to office?   Again, I'm at a loss for words and completely dumbfounded!

All good things must come to an end!

It was short but sweet.   She arrived at 5:30PM last Friday and left at 6:30PM today...eight great days.   The night after her arrival, she had a chance to see family & friends and a good time was had by all.   Her sister and nephew took her to the Brooklyn Art Library to visit one of her Sketchbook Projects!   The museum even tweeted about her visit!

We did Zaza last night, one of our favorites...her's too!   Again...short but sweet!

Dropped her off at JFK this evening...curbside!   I can't do the long goodbyes anymore.   It's hard enough just saying goodbye!   Right now she's at 33,000 feet on her way back to Munich via Warsaw.

R.I.P MLK and you too Bobby Kennedy!

Everything The Bible Says Is Objective, Historical Fact!

Decided I had to dig around a little and here's what I found!

The Bible was passed down verbally, for centuries, before any of the writing was even begun, and those earliest writings had to be copied, from verbal accounts, as the originals are not to be found. The first Bible was compiled in the 4th century, under Constantine 1, the very first Christian emperor, by his council of Carthage.   Interestingly, several books of the Bible were left out forever after.

The first book of the Bible, Genesis, was verbally completed about 1271 B.C.E, and the last book, Revelation was completed about the year 96 C.E.

The Bible was passed down verbally, as there was no writing back then, over a period of about 1300 years, beginning with Moses' writing Genesis in the wilderness around 1271 BCE, to John's writings in about 98 CE, and the gospel according to Matthew in the 1st century (which some scholars say probably was not written by Matthew).

Some scholars also feel the Gospel authors copied each other's work to a large extent.   Some feel, since Moses displays such horrific morality, that his writings may not have been divinely inspired.   One example is Numbers 31:13-18, in which he orders murdering children, and non-virginal women, but advises his soldiers to keep virgin women and female children for themselves.

According to a 2011 Gallup poll..."Three in 10 Americans interpret the Bible literally, saying it is the actual word of God".   God help us!

ps...sorry to break the bubble but Jesus wasn't born on Christmas!

A letter to Justice Scalia from a same-sex couple!

Dear Justice Scalia as well as your distinguished peers serving on the Supreme Court,

First let me thank you for hearing the historic cases this week on California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).   My husband, Kelly Vielmo, and I adopted three beautiful siblings from DC’s foster care system last year.   Being an inter-racial, same-sex family we are used to being conspicuous and sometimes the center of attention on a local level depending on where we happen to be.   With the cases being heard in the Supreme Court this week our family is now on debate at the national level.   With that said I am following with interest your ruling on these cases.   One comment that stuck with me was the speculation of potential “deleterious” effects of kids having same-sex parents.   After I looked up deleterious (adj. causing harm or damage) I had to reflect on the harm and damage that has been done to my children.   I know that you are listening to these cases from a nationally-scaled legal point of view, but the intent of this letter is to offer you the lens and point of view of one individual family your rulings will affect.

Children who are placed in the care of foster systems throughout this nation have suffered from either the neglect or the abuse of their biological families.   For all intents and purposes, we will call this deleterious parenting.   Sadly my children were born into these circumstances.   They further had statistics against them.   The adoption rates of both African American children and sibling pairs (not to mention trios) are greatly reduced.   When my husband and I looked at our options for growing our family, DC’s Child and Family Services Administration seemed to be our natural choice.   We knew we wanted siblings, had no racial preference for our children, and living in the District were able to help our local community at the same time.

I do not want to go into too much detail of my childrens’ history for the sake of their privacy.   When our children arrived we welcomed a five-year-old who was not potty trained, a two-year-old who was withdrawn, and an almost two-year-old who never learned to walk.   Please understand that there were no biological impediments to the development of these children.   Their situation was entirely brought on by deleterious parenting.   Since their arrival our children quickly graduated from the need of any additional services to include physical, speech, and play therapy.   They are now happy and active members of their community.

I do not tell you these facts to paint ourselves as the saviors of these children.   These children have done more for us than we have for them.   Having the extraordinary privilege of watching these childrens’ souls grow and thrive despite the obstacles placed before them has been the lesson of our lives.   I tell this story to establish myself as an expert witness to the effects of deleterious parenting.   As you prepare your response on Proposition 8 and DOMA you now have the opportunity to decide what further obstacles will face these children.   What are the deleterious effects your decision will have on my children?   What states within our nation can these children live in and still declare their family legal?   Next year during tax season will their parents have to hire a CPA to determine who and how to list the children as dependents?   When the first of their parents passes away will their family’s assets and property be preserved and passed between parents as a married family or be treated as legal strangers?

I am not naive enough to think that any verdict of your court will change the opinions or hearts of the individuals we encounter on a daily basis.   I accept that the stares our family receives walking down the street on a daily basis elicits both judgment and inspiration.   What I do not accept is that the United States of America is willing to devalue my childrens’ family more than others and have a separate grouping of laws and benefits.   I pray that as you rule on these cases that you keep Cardel (6), Raine (4), and Ravyn (3) in your hearts and do all in your power to keep deleterious obstacles from their lives.

Respectfully Yours,
Jack Montgomery

Here's Jack's (7 minute) video capturing his words and family photos.

Decades of Vintage on fab.com!

Already told you folks about Nancy and her "Decades of Vintage".   (See my "worth a visit" on the sidebar).   She's now on fab.com...so you better hurry up and get over there because damn near everything is already sold out!   Wait...did I mention that Mrs. Nancy is the mother of the "Pipsnacks" kids!   Yeah...they are the "Pipcorn" kids!