In today's local headlines, a man shot a woman in a gas station parking lot then took off leading police on a chase. The police ahead of him set up spike strips to stop him. The suspect blew through the first set of strips and kept going. A second set was put into place which the suspect managed to go around. Shortly thereafter, he had to stop due to flat tires and got out of his vehicle which was at this point surround by officers, and brandished a weapon. The very weapon, we assume, that he shot the woman with. Refusing to relinquish his weapon, a deputy fired upon him killing him. The woman that was shot is currently in the hospital having surgery I do believe. Prognosis unknown.
Now with the story related, what struck me to write about it were some of the comments on the news story by good citizens that always seem to know better. The main theme by these back-seat officers was "Did you HAVE to kill him?" In one word, YES. Why would you NOT shoot with the intention of stopping the suspect before more lives were endangered and possibly taken? I suppose, the officers COULD have put down their guns and HOPED he didn't shoot them on the spot. As one commenter said, and I quote, " Throw a fuzzy bunny at him, or maybe offer the let the bad guy borrow his cruiser so he could go home." Perhaps they could have patted him on the back for a job well done, gotta show these women who's boss eh?, then gone and had a few beers. All possible solutions, but REALLY?
Use of deadly force against an armed aggressor is a no-brainer. In that type situation there is no time to try and wing them and hope to disarm them at the same time. Find center mass then shoot. End of story. The people with comments about not shooting to kill, might feel different if it were them or a loved one facing said aggressor. What has happened to common sense in this world. Do YOU know when to come in out of the rain? Do you take a banana to a knife fight? If you were robbed, would you offer to take them home so they could clean you out there too? I just do not understand the mind frame of a lot of people. No, don't go looking for fights. But dammit, if you find yourself in one, do what needs to be done. That's all.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Party Time?
I am sitting here watching the end of the standoff in Mass. and something just does not seem right with what I am seeing and hearing. Smiles and laughter, people dancing in the streets. A reporter saying canceling a BALL GAME a small price to pay. Policemen, fire trucks, SWAT teams, slowly leaving the area in a slow almost parade like procession. Tooting their horns as they go.
I'm sorry, but has everyone there forgotten the REASON for them being there in the first place? To me the loss of life and limb should be remembered first and foremost. An event requiring, no DEMANDING a solemnity seen no where in this news coverage. Yet it seems to be one huge block party. Yes we are glad you got your homes back. Now GO TO THEM.
I had much more I was going to say, but just this small bit pains me so much I think I have to quit here. I only have one question. What the hell is wrong with people???
I'm sorry, but has everyone there forgotten the REASON for them being there in the first place? To me the loss of life and limb should be remembered first and foremost. An event requiring, no DEMANDING a solemnity seen no where in this news coverage. Yet it seems to be one huge block party. Yes we are glad you got your homes back. Now GO TO THEM.
I had much more I was going to say, but just this small bit pains me so much I think I have to quit here. I only have one question. What the hell is wrong with people???
Friday, April 12, 2013
Butterflys Unicorns and.... Puppies
One day in the not too distant past, my brother and I were discussing poetry online. In passing I mentioned I had done some writing in the area. As all good big brothers do, he asked to see some of it. Happily complying I served up what I thought of as some of my best. The clock ticked the seconds by, yet no response. I have to say at this point I was getting quite nervous. Had I over estimated my writing skills and he was now howling with laughter, wiping the tears from his eyes? Or worse, was he sadly shaking his head, trying to frame the least painful response to me? What had I done? I value his opinion above all others. He is a very intelligent, gifted writer. What was I thinking???
Eventually the response came, I was dreading to see what he had written. Let me see if I can remember and list his statements for you:
Where is the Lithium when you need it?
Holes are seared into my eyes.
It took me so long to respond because I had to clear out the black smoke rolling from my monitor.
And last, but not least, POE HAS NOTHING ON YOU.
Ok, so I take it he thought my writing somewhat dark. He DIDN'T say he didn't like it. That's a start! After a somewhat long and convoluted question and answer session concerning my mental health, he gave me list of words to use in a poem and submit for his review. Some of the words were Butterflys, Sunshine, Puppies, and Unicorns. Below I have copied my creation. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. I never did really get a response back from Big Brother. Not sure what that meant...
Out of the mist strode the regal Unicorn
Tossing its head and swinging its horn
Into the bright sunlight
‘Twas such a beautiful sight
Above its fine head did glow
A magnificent rainbow
Most think it a gentle beast
But most have never witnessed the feast
As the Unicorn walked along
One could almost hear its song
It raised its foot to take a step
Then held it there as if to prep
Looking down, the Unicorn gave a sigh
Then crushed below, a small butterfly
It raised its lip in an evil grin
Knowing the butterfly didn’t win
With a look of glee on its face
It continued on its merry pace
Ahead in the distance it spotted a puppy
The unicorn smiled and thought, “How lucky!”
With a snort and a yell
Upon the puppy it fell
One small flick of its horn
And half into the puppy was shorn
The Unicorn knelt down
And with nary a sound
Except for a slight crunch
It ate its small lunch
Why do I tell this you might ask?
Because I was given a simpleton task
A task to write a poem so sweet
That it would be a real treat
A treat for my one and only brother
My big brother, there is no other
To him my poetry was black and sad
And he asked me to pen one that wasn’t so bad
Butterflys, rainbows, sunshine: My quest
Unicorns and puppies, give it my best
So here you are dear brother of mine
Your sweet, happy poem, do you think it fine?
I hope that I have made you proud
And that you are able to shout out loud
To the world you can cry, That’s it! I give up!
But please don’t drink from the poisoned cup
Hell no I DO not need a shrink!
As all is not lost, no matter what you may think
I am fine, just penning this for you
Cause I feel bad I made you blue.
I’m sorry I made your monitor turn black
And the smoke from it caused your air to lack
As you said, Poe has nothing on me
So glad I was able to make you see!
K.S.
10/19/2009
Eventually the response came, I was dreading to see what he had written. Let me see if I can remember and list his statements for you:
Where is the Lithium when you need it?
Holes are seared into my eyes.
It took me so long to respond because I had to clear out the black smoke rolling from my monitor.
And last, but not least, POE HAS NOTHING ON YOU.
Ok, so I take it he thought my writing somewhat dark. He DIDN'T say he didn't like it. That's a start! After a somewhat long and convoluted question and answer session concerning my mental health, he gave me list of words to use in a poem and submit for his review. Some of the words were Butterflys, Sunshine, Puppies, and Unicorns. Below I have copied my creation. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. I never did really get a response back from Big Brother. Not sure what that meant...
Out of the mist strode the regal Unicorn
Tossing its head and swinging its horn
Into the bright sunlight
‘Twas such a beautiful sight
Above its fine head did glow
A magnificent rainbow
Most think it a gentle beast
But most have never witnessed the feast
As the Unicorn walked along
One could almost hear its song
It raised its foot to take a step
Then held it there as if to prep
Looking down, the Unicorn gave a sigh
Then crushed below, a small butterfly
It raised its lip in an evil grin
Knowing the butterfly didn’t win
With a look of glee on its face
It continued on its merry pace
Ahead in the distance it spotted a puppy
The unicorn smiled and thought, “How lucky!”
With a snort and a yell
Upon the puppy it fell
One small flick of its horn
And half into the puppy was shorn
The Unicorn knelt down
And with nary a sound
Except for a slight crunch
It ate its small lunch
Why do I tell this you might ask?
Because I was given a simpleton task
A task to write a poem so sweet
That it would be a real treat
A treat for my one and only brother
My big brother, there is no other
To him my poetry was black and sad
And he asked me to pen one that wasn’t so bad
Butterflys, rainbows, sunshine: My quest
Unicorns and puppies, give it my best
So here you are dear brother of mine
Your sweet, happy poem, do you think it fine?
I hope that I have made you proud
And that you are able to shout out loud
To the world you can cry, That’s it! I give up!
But please don’t drink from the poisoned cup
Hell no I DO not need a shrink!
As all is not lost, no matter what you may think
I am fine, just penning this for you
Cause I feel bad I made you blue.
I’m sorry I made your monitor turn black
And the smoke from it caused your air to lack
As you said, Poe has nothing on me
So glad I was able to make you see!
K.S.
10/19/2009
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
What the???
I saw this today and it did something to me that rarely happens. I was speechless. Thought I would share it with those gentle readers of mine that did not have the pleasure... Just follow the yellow brick, er, link.
Really???
Really???
Spring in Kentucky
With warm weather in Kentucky, the threat of severe storms and tornadoes arise. Only here can you wear shorts one day then have to grab the ratty old parka the next. As the years have gone by, Lucy my beagle, has become an expert at predicting the weather. I have watched her and learned all the signs. I only have to look at her to know what the weather has in store.
If the wind is blowing more than a gentle breeze, she will stand in the middle of the floor with her ears perked up listening. If she decides it is not getting in the house to get her she will relax and most likely take a nap. If, however, she thinks it is too strong and may just sneak in through a window or under the door to do her bodily harm, then she goes on patrol. From room to room she will go, head lowered ready for the attack. She will continue this until the wind dies down. No rest for the weary here!
She always knows if it is raining if only just a drizzle. She knows even when I do not. Lucy does not like rain and will not go out in it even if it rains for a week solid. I go to the door and call her to go out but I only get ignored. Normally you have to stand out of the way or get trampled as she goes out. I am still trying to get rid of the last hoof print she left when I did not move fast enough. After 5 minutes or so of fruitless whistles and jiggling the bell on the doorknob, I go in search of her. Most likely she will be curled up on her bed, her tail wagging slightly with a chagrined look on her face. Up until this point I had not looked outside so did not know about the rain. As I am trying to coax her up I glance out the window, and sure enough I saw two drops of rain go by. So much for that.
We get a lot of spring thundershowers in these parts. It always gets interesting then. You have the wind, with the patrol dog constantly under foot. You have the rain, so you keep the Mean Green Machine handy in case of accidents. Lock and load! THEN you have the thunder. If you just happen to be sitting when it rumbles, hope you have nothing in your lap. Even though Lucy knows she is not allowed on the furniture, she assumes your lap does not count and will immediately long jump from her position and firmly ensconce herself on you. I didn't really want that cup of coffee anyway. If you are unlucky enough to be standing, a miracle happens. My 40 lb beagle shape-shifts into the largest house cat I have ever seen and proceeds to CLIMB your body until she reaches such a height as she deems sufficient for safety. Generally that is around the head area. I really hate thunderstorms.
The only weather event I do not recognize from Lucy would be a tornado. Luckily there have been none in her short, psychotic life. I imagine, judging from her behavior otherwise, that if I am near her should a tornado arise, than my life as a blogger would end as I know it. It is supposed to storm tomorrow, I have to go get my riot gear ready...
If the wind is blowing more than a gentle breeze, she will stand in the middle of the floor with her ears perked up listening. If she decides it is not getting in the house to get her she will relax and most likely take a nap. If, however, she thinks it is too strong and may just sneak in through a window or under the door to do her bodily harm, then she goes on patrol. From room to room she will go, head lowered ready for the attack. She will continue this until the wind dies down. No rest for the weary here!
She always knows if it is raining if only just a drizzle. She knows even when I do not. Lucy does not like rain and will not go out in it even if it rains for a week solid. I go to the door and call her to go out but I only get ignored. Normally you have to stand out of the way or get trampled as she goes out. I am still trying to get rid of the last hoof print she left when I did not move fast enough. After 5 minutes or so of fruitless whistles and jiggling the bell on the doorknob, I go in search of her. Most likely she will be curled up on her bed, her tail wagging slightly with a chagrined look on her face. Up until this point I had not looked outside so did not know about the rain. As I am trying to coax her up I glance out the window, and sure enough I saw two drops of rain go by. So much for that.
We get a lot of spring thundershowers in these parts. It always gets interesting then. You have the wind, with the patrol dog constantly under foot. You have the rain, so you keep the Mean Green Machine handy in case of accidents. Lock and load! THEN you have the thunder. If you just happen to be sitting when it rumbles, hope you have nothing in your lap. Even though Lucy knows she is not allowed on the furniture, she assumes your lap does not count and will immediately long jump from her position and firmly ensconce herself on you. I didn't really want that cup of coffee anyway. If you are unlucky enough to be standing, a miracle happens. My 40 lb beagle shape-shifts into the largest house cat I have ever seen and proceeds to CLIMB your body until she reaches such a height as she deems sufficient for safety. Generally that is around the head area. I really hate thunderstorms.
The only weather event I do not recognize from Lucy would be a tornado. Luckily there have been none in her short, psychotic life. I imagine, judging from her behavior otherwise, that if I am near her should a tornado arise, than my life as a blogger would end as I know it. It is supposed to storm tomorrow, I have to go get my riot gear ready...
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Poetry
Crossroads
As we travel along the road of life, we never know where it will take us
Here and there, over and yon
Through stormy paths and quiet glades
Crossroads are reached and choices must be made
Left or right? Up or down?
We never know if our choices are made correctly at the time
Or if there is even a right or wrong
Sometimes repercussions are felt quickly, others not for years
But the choices must be made as life does not stand still
For man nor woman it will not wait
It moves along on Fate's railroad
Life goes on and so must we
For good or bad, we can only do our best with the road we select
Kadee
June 26, 2011
As we travel along the road of life, we never know where it will take us
Here and there, over and yon
Through stormy paths and quiet glades
Crossroads are reached and choices must be made
Left or right? Up or down?
We never know if our choices are made correctly at the time
Or if there is even a right or wrong
Sometimes repercussions are felt quickly, others not for years
But the choices must be made as life does not stand still
For man nor woman it will not wait
It moves along on Fate's railroad
Life goes on and so must we
For good or bad, we can only do our best with the road we select
Kadee
June 26, 2011
The Year of the Macro
With Spring in the air, and new lenses in hand, I am excited to get out and start shooting. I will periodically post some of my photos for your viewing pleasure, but until that time I will share some oldies but goodies. Enjoy. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)