Oh Those Crazy Libs!

Hello People. Happy Friday! I like to end my week, and start my weekend, with a chuckle. Believe me, nothing makes me chuckle more than those looney lefties and their tenuous grasp on reality! Let's start with my favorite, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I know that she gets far more attention than she deserves but you really can't deny the crazy.  In a recent interview AOC was explaining 'privilege' and what we all need to understand. Here's the quote:
"It’s because, if you haven’t had a transition in your life where, you know, you were maybe born poor or born without certain privileges and then especially as you transition into having certain privileges in your life, you actually see and feel and sense and taste and smell all of the differences. If you’ve never experienced different treatment in your life, you wouldn’t know what different treatment feels like or looks like. And it’s really, really hard. I mean, it’s like — and we can all, almost every single person in this country can acknowledge some privilege of some of some type, you know. I’m a cisgendered woman. I will never know the trauma of feeling like I’m not born in the right body. And that is a privilege that I have, no matter how poor my family was when I was born. But it’s really hard for some people to admit that they — you know, it’s part of this weird American Dream mythology that we have, that for a lot of — in a lot of circumstances isn’t as true or isn’t as clearly communicated as we’d like for it, or we wish it was.”
Now, I know on the surface it appears that she just takes a pile of words and throws them out there, in no particular order, hoping they somehow form sentences. They usually don't. However, this time, she makes some interesting points. They're probably not the points she was going for but...Whatever. Let's take it from the top. If "almost every single person in this Country can acknowledge some privilege of some type" then no one is actually privileged, right? I mean, it's like saying that everyone has some type of popsicle. Yours may be blue, mine may be orange, but it's still a popsicle, right? As long as we all have a popsicle what's the problem? Now, Ms. AOC says her privilege was being born a cicgendered woman. For those of you over 40, that means she's heterosexual. She says that, because of the privilege of being born heterosexual she will never know the trauma of feeling like she's not born in the right body. I can relate to that. You see, I am an intelligent woman and I will never know the trauma of being born an idiot. As far as the "weird American Dream mythology", well, she is a self-described socialist so dream the impossible dream...
Here's a couple of other head scratchers from Ms. AOC:
 “Unemployment is low because everyone has two jobs. Unemployment is low because people are working 60, 70, 80 hours a week and can barely feed their family.”  Um, No. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics only about 5% of Americans have 2 jobs. That's hardly "everyone" and, of that 5%, only about 6% have 2 full-time jobs (That's 0.3% of Americans for those of you keeping score at home). That would make the 60, 70 80 hour work week questionable at best.
“ICE is the only criminal investigative agency, the only enforcement agency in the United States, that has a bed quota. So ICE is required to fill 34,000 beds with detainees every single night and that number has only been increasing since 2009.”  Wrong again. A 2016 appropriations bill said that ICE must maintain a level of 34,000 beds, not fill them. Beds, NOT people. That language was inserted to ensure that the money wouldn't be used elsewhere. That language was subsequently removed from future appropriations bills.
And my personal favorite...

Ocasio-Cortez called the fight to mitigate the effects of climate change her generation's "World War II." and said  "Millennials, and Gen Z, and all these folks that come after us, are looking up and we're like, 'The world will end in 12 years if we don't address climate change, and your biggest issue is how are we gonna pay for it?" I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt here and assume she knows that World War II actually happened already and pretty much covers all generations. As far as the 12 deadline, well, I say take that vacation you've always dreamed about. By the time your creditors catch up with you we'll all have gone the way of the dinosaurs....

Enjoy the Weekend!

Bella

And So It Begins...AGAIN

Hello People.  Today I begin the next generation of The Real House Cats of New York. Let me begin by saying that I get President Trump and I like what he's doing. If that offends you then go away. I am NOT a racist or a bigot. I am NOT homophobic, xenophobic or any other phobic. I am NOT a hater, uneducated or deplorable. I AM unabashedly Conservative. I believe that intelligent adults can disagree, vehemently, and still respect each other. If you don't believe that, go away. Finally, if you have ever uttered the words, "A MAGA hat is the new white hood", seriously, GO AWAY now! Why? Because you probably don't have the requisite knowledge to follow along anyway. I'm pretty comfortable drawing that conclusion since, in case you forgot, the 'Guys in the White Hoods' were Southern Democrats. I am not a guy, southern or a Democrat. Follow me? People who make these ridiculous comparisons and wildly inaccurate statements, like saying that this Country has 'never been more divided', do so because they simply don't know any better. Never been more divided? Seriously? Have you heard of the Civil War? Look it up. Times were a little tougher then than they are today. Another crazy statement that has been reported on and repeated without scrutiny is based on a "study" by the World Economic Forum. It says that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean! Are you kidding me. First of all, since 95% of the ocean has yet to be explored, I can not even image where this study came from or what it could possibly be based on. Perhaps the data comes from a 9-year old's class project like the Great Plastic Straw Debacle of 2011. That made-up story led to the banning of all plastic straws in several cities. If you use a single-use plastic straw you may as well just jam it into a dolphin's eye. That's where it's going to end up anyway. Apparently we don't actually recycle plastic. We just gather it up and toss it into the ocean. Who knew? The truth of the matter is that 60% of trash in the ocean comes from just 5 Asian Countries; China, Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. The truth is that America contributes less than one percent of the trash in the ocean. That means that if the Untied States were to eliminate plastic all together, not use one piece of plastic EVER AGAIN, it would reduce plastics in the ocean by LESS THAN ONE PERCENT.  So banning plastic straws may make you feel better but it won't change one damn thing in the world.  Finally, let me wrap up with this so-called Super Bowl Halftime Controversy. Maroon 5 is the main act. They are being criticized for not turning down the gig to "show support for Colin Kaepernick". It never occurred to them that, perhaps, Maroon 5 doesn't care about who the NFL does or does not hire. Perhaps they just want to perform for some 200 million people! In response, the NFL cancelled the pre-show interview with the band. Celebs, like Jay Z and Kelly Rowland, said they would not perform. That's super interesting since neither Jay Z or Kelly Rowland was asked to perform. But good to know. Gladys Knight was also slammed for agreeing to sing the National Anthem at the game. Ms. Knight, in her usual classy way, said "I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice. It is unfortunate that our national anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the national anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone. I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3, to give the anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life..." 
The over/under on Ms. Knight's National Anthem is 1:20. You can bet on that you know. I, personally, would take the under. Fun fact: The longest rendition of the National Anthem was Alicia Keys at Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. That went 1:55. The shortest was Billy Joel at Super Bowl XLI in 2007. That went just :90. I'm thinking Gladys Knight goes 1:01. Bet on it!

Until Next Time
Hella Bella

Know Before You Blow

Hello People.  Sometimes we look outside and can't believe what is going on in our world today. Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe in an American's right to protest. I do. However, I also believe that you should actually know what it is that you are protesting. For instance, many people spent the weekend protesting ICE. That's the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Many carried signs reading "Abolish ICE" and "Stop Separating Families At The Border". One read "Jesus Was An Immigrant". LOL! Well, angry people, you should probably know that ICE has nothing to do with separating families at the border. That would be the US Border Patrol. ICE is an internal enforcement agency. On June 25th ICE and HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) New York broke up a US based Darknet operation, arresting 36 people who were selling illicit drugs and weapons over the internet. They also confiscated over $23 million bucks. You probably didn't hear much about that on the news because, well, it's a positive story, and we can't have that. Abolishing ICE would not change a single thing going on at the border. So, if you don't know that, you look pretty silly stomping around with your little signs. As far as Jesus being an immigrant, well, you're just goofy but, to be clear immigrants are not at issue ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS are the issue. And don't flash your "No Human Being Is Illegal" signs at me. If you look at the Canada Border Services Agency you will find that "Anyone found to be living in Canada illegally, will be issued a removal order and then deported". Sound familiar? Are you familiar with Frontex? That is the European Union's Illegal Immigration agency that operates what they call the 3D approach. That would be "Detect, Detain and Deport" those entering Europe illegally. Again, sound familiar? So, before you start vilifying US immigration policy, you should probably understand where the rest of the world stands. Next, and we've had this discussion many times in the past, before you start throwing around the labels of "Hitler, Nazi or Fascist" think about what you are saying. Anyone who compares President Trump to Hitler or refers to his administration as Nazis is not just profoundly offensive but just plain ignorant.  I get the whole TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) but to compare the President of the United States to a regime responsible for the genocide of at least 5.5 million Jews and another 19 million civilians and other prisoners of war is beyond the pale. When I hear you say this, my immediate reaction is that you are uneducated at best, or simply an asshole in desperate need of attention. If that is your goal, then you are successful. Now, for those of you cheering on the behavior of restaurant owner Stephanie Wilkenson, who asked Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave her establishment because her "business has certain standards to uphold", should think long and hard about that support. TDS not withstanding, the next time you hear about that same scenario happening to a Muslim family or a gay couple, you'll have to agree that a business owner has that right. Right? Finally, last night in Portland, a group called the Patriots Prayer was holding a permitted rally to support their right-wing candidate who is running for the US Senate. They were met by Antifa, the so-called anti-Fascist movement. These "anti-fascists, who, of course had their faces covered, began pelting the rally goers with fireworks, bottles and pepper spray. Needless to say, a riot broke out. Now, once again, let's examine this. A group of people get a permit to hold a rally. You don't like what they stand for so you attack them to silence their message. The definition of "Fascist" is one who supports the "suppression of opposition". So, who are the actual fascists in this scenario? That's right Antifa, once again, it is you. So, in conclusion, you have every right to protest. I just ask that, in doing so, you actually know what your talking about. Thank you for your time.
Sway

Can We Talk

Well Hello Again People! Once again, you have dragged me out of retirement. Why do you always lose your way without me to guide you? It's exhausting really. Now, I fully understand that you need something to be outraged about. It is, sadly, the way of the world today. I'm all for focused outrage but, seriously, sometimes your outrage is, well, goofy. Allow me to paint you a picture:
You have fallen on hard times. You and your 6 year old are out on the street. You're cold and hungry, you have no money. In a moment of desperation you break into a grocery store. The police come and you are arrested. You are taken to jail and your child is taken by Child Protective Services. If you have a family member who is able to care for your child, your child is released to them until your case is resolved. I suspect, by now, you know where I'm going with this. What is happening on our southern border is NOT inhumane. It is NOT Un-American. It is, in fact, the American Justice System. Entering this Country illegally is against the law. Every day, in every town, city and village in America, Americans who break the law are separated from their children and incarcerated until their cases are resolved. Should those who chose to enter this Country illegally have more rights than you? If you're outraged at what is happening on our southern border, if you think it is inhumane, then you must be outraged at our entire justice system. Shall we just fling open our jails and release everyone who has children? Those who enter America at a legal point of entry, by air, land or sea, and request asylum are NOT arrested. Their families are NOT separated. It's only those who choose to sneak across the border, the ones willfully breaking the law, that are subject to arrest, just like any American citizen.  So, in my humble opinion, your outrage here is misplaced. If you don't like our immigration laws, then turn your ire toward your Congressmen and Senators. They are the ones who can change things. Thank you for your time.
Sway

You People Make Me So Mad!

Hello, again, People! I'm back. It's been over 5 months since the last time you ripped me out of retirement. Let's face it, with the vitriolic response to any dissenting opinions today, it's hard to muster the enthusiasm to even try. Beside, the hate mail was clogging up my inbox! But, you know, a Cat's got to do what a Cat's got to do. So, here goes....
You "Vote No to Con-Con" people are giving me a rash!  All of this nonsense plastered all over social media is dumbfounding. How can so many people know so little? There are, in my humble opinion, only two possible answers. Either you actually believe that We The People are incapable of intelligently participating in our own government or you really don't know what's going on and just share Farcebook memes to pretend that you do. Either way, you're wrong. So, please allow me to address the most frequently shared, yet utterly ridiculous statements being made by the "Vote No" crowd.
The Constitutional Convention proposition was cleverly placed on the back of the ballot so you wouldn't see it. Beware, they say, a blank ballot will be counted as a yes! LOL!
All propositions were put on the back of the ballot in 2010, when New York State starting using scannable paper ballots. It should really go without saying that a blank ballot is not counted either way.
Teachers, Fire Fighters, Police and all public employees could lose your pensions! Collective bargaining rights could be taken away! Seriously?
Let's start with the obvious. Collective Bargaining on the part of public service employees is not even covered under the State Constitution. It's protected by the Taylor Law, which, by the way, was enacted by the legislature and can be undone the same way. No Con-Con needed. As far as losing pensions go, highly unlikely. The NY Constitution makes public employee pensions contractual and protects them from "impairment". Any attempt to reduce benefits for retirees or take accrued benefits from current employees would violate the Contract Clause of the US Constitution. Either way, you're covered people. Your pensions are safe. Now, could a change to the State Constitution affect pensions for future employees (those who have not yet been hired)? Yes. But that's already happening. In 2012 the legislature put the new Tier (Tier VI) in place, restricting pensions for anyone hired after April 2016. Again, no Con-Con necessary.
The Con-Con will affect health care benefit protections for many people. Nope.
Health Care Benefits are not protected under the State Constitution so there are no protections to lose.
Delegates to a Con-Con will be the same politicians we have now. "Regular" people are not delegates. Well THAT'S ON YOU!
If there is a Con-Con the election of delegates will be free and open. ANYONE can run to be a delegate. If you want "Regular" people to represent you at a Con-Con then get off your butt and vote for them!
This is my favorite! Anything that could be done by a Con-Con can be done through regular legislation in Albany. LOL!!
For this to be true, you would have to believe that our current elected officials would vote to cut their own throats. Term Limits, Strengthened corruption laws, Real campaign finance reform. These are things that elected officials fear the most. These are the things a Con-Con could produce!
Here's what you really need to understand. Anything produced at a Constitutional Convention, any changes to the Constitution, would have to be put before the voters. YOU have the final say. Nothing changes unless the majority of voters in New York State say they should change. So, unless you actually believe that voters will collective say, 'Hey, you know what, I think clean water is overrated', the other scare tactic of telling you that environmental protections will be eliminated is just that; a scare tactic. You really have to ask yourself why, if a Con-Con is so bad, do the Vote No people have to lie? Could it be that the Vote No movement is actually the evil power brokers and special interest groups trying to maintain their stranglehold on New York Politics? Maaaybee.
 So, in closing, vote yes or vote no. That's up to you. But, please take the time to find out what you're actually voting for or against before you vote. Our future depends on it.
Thank you for your time
Nava Blue

My Two Cents About Success

Hello People. All this blogging is really wearing me out! Anyway, today I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm actually admitting that I read other people's blogs and, for the first time, am actually responding to one. If you're not interested, and why would you be, stop reading now and be gone with you! Okay. Now that we're alone...

Today I read an interesting piece on success and what it means to you. First, in the spirit of transparency, it was written by our boy, who is actually a full grown man. I would like to say that it was well written but….apparently grammar, syntax and punctuation are generational things. Anyway, it was well thought out and, syntax aside, thought provoking. In the piece he writes about a generation, his generation, where “everyone was convinced they would grow up to be super rich rock stars”. It made me think about one of the biggest differences between my generation and the young adults of today. Reality. I don’t mean that in a nasty way. Think about it. Think about how reality, or the perception of reality, has changed since you were young. We all wanted to be rock stars too but, for us, it was a wild dream that 99% of us knew would never happen. We didn’t have YouTube, turning plain Janes into overnight sensations, or the Kardashian’s proving that talent is necessary for celebrity. We didn’t actually believe that we would be rich and famous if we just wanted it enough. We dreamed about it, fantasized, and then settled in to our futures. Not so for this generation. They’ve had the fantasy showered upon them since birth. Justin Bieber, Dot Com Billionaires, Video Game Celebrities all make that dream seem just outside your grasp. But, the reality is that 99% of us will never live that dream. Therein lies the problem. Too many young people today confuse dreams and goals. Dreams are big and elusive; something motivating to reach for. Some dreams do come true. Many do not. That is certainly no reason to stop dreaming. Just because you’ll never make the NBA doesn’t mean you should stop shooting hoops with your friends. Goals are different. Goals are concrete and achievable. Every time you set a goal and reach it, you have succeeded. Be proud of that success. Success is a series of goals achieved. Goal #1 should be to strive to be the best at everything you do. Even if you’re not happy with the job you have today, be the best damn ‘here’s what I’m doing today’ guy there is. At the end of the day, a job well done is something to be proud of.  Pride breeds confidence and confidence breeds success. If you constantly compare your life, your reality, to your dreams you will probably never feel successful. Life rarely measures up to our dreams. We can’t make all of our dreams come true. But success; we can control that! So, set your goals and use each one that you achieve as a stepping stone to the next. Before you know it, maybe that dream won’t seem so far out of reach. Okay. I’m done. Hopping off my soapbox and heading home. It’s not my dream home, mind you, but it’s a damn fine home none the less!

Sway

P.S. If you’d like to read the boy’s article, and I highly recommend that you do, it’s right here:

https://michaelfight.wixsite.com/theclub/single-post/2017/05/03/Measuring-success

It's Finally Happened!

Hello People. I never thought I would see the day, but here it is, in all it's glory! The New York Times, via an opinion piece, has deemed SALAD....wait for it.....RACIST! That's right. Times columnist Bonnie Tsui has taken up the long awaited battle against racist Asian Salad. Why? Because it's made by "Westerners", not Asians, thus, it's cultural appropriation, vis-a-vis Racist! Tsui rants, or in this case writes, that "racist Westerners often use offensive stereotypes to name such Americanized cuisine while fetishizing Asian culture". Huh? Tsui goes on to say that "The casual racism of the Asian salad stems from the idea of the exotic" and is "rooted in the wide-ranging 'all look the same' stereotype of Asian culture". Wow. Really? You got all of that out of an Applebees salad? Wait until she finds out that French Fries aren't really French or that Buffalo Wings come from chickens! I shouldn't be surprised. In the last year or so the "OK" sign, chopsticks, The Constitution, the words 'thug', 'urban', 'inner city', and, my personal favorite, 'American' have all been deemed racist. Earlier this week, on the campus of Colgate College, a call came in to the security office from a student who said that a black man carrying what appeared to be a gun had entered a building on campus. The head of security sprang into action. He sent out an alert for students to shelter in place, contacted the police and implemented to 'active shooter' protocol in place. It turns out the man was a student and the weapon was a glue gun. When the facts came out, it was obvious that the security chief reacted to the report of a black man, not the whole gun thing, when he acted. So, he was, of course, suspended. Had the report been of a white man with what looked like a gun, I'm sure he would have just continued doing his crossword puzzle and called it a day. Thank goodness Colgate weeded out that bad seed! Oh, wait, before I forget, Friday is May 5th. Be careful what you call it. If you're even thinking about a celebration, think again. Don't be a racist! It's not your day, or your culture, to celebrate. Just say no to Cinco de Mayo!, Which, by the way, isn't even a national holiday in Mexico. Also, in case you missed it, Hawaiian Luaus are also a no-no. So, just to be safe people, stick with BBQ, Wings and Kraft cheese slices. And, if you want a day to celebrate that shouldn't offend anyone, try Tuesday the 22nd. The next one is in August. It's always been a favorite of mine.
Sway

An Actual History Lesson

People, people, people. Every time I think I'm out, you drag me back in. I'm done being nice. The following is for all of the morons who have been making asinine comments about President Trump's statements about Andrew Jackson. Your smug little snide remarks about what the President said just prove to me, and anyone else with an actual knowledge of history, that you're an idiot. First, let's address the actual statement:

"I mean, had Andrew Jackson been a little bit later, you wouldn't have had the Civil War." "He was a very tough person, but he had a big heart." "He was really angry that-- he saw what was happening with regard to the Civil War." "He said, 'There's no reason for this

If anyone had taken even a moment to think about this, instead of immediately jumping up and down screaming that Andrew Jackson was dead before the Civil War, you'd see that it makes perfect sense. Here's an actual history lesson for you, not the "idiot's take on history" we've become accustomed too. The "Sectional Divide" in America (North vs South) was rampant in 1835, mainly over the issue of Slavery. President Jackson saw the growing controversy as artificial and political with both abolitionists and southern extremists looking to divide the Union to serve their own separate ends. This made the President very angry. Jackson saw this as a threat to the Union and the "American Experiment in Liberty". As such, President Jackson worked to placate both sides just enough to keep them talking without taking a side and forcing the issue. In other words, he negotiated. In doing so, the Union remained together and the experiment in liberty continued. 26 years later, long after Jackson's death, the Confederates bombed Union soldiers at Fort Sumter and the rest, so they say, is history. So, with this in mind, let's re-examine what they President said:

"I'm mean, had Andrew Jackson been a little bit later, you wouldn't have had the civil war"

Jackson held the Union together in 1835. Who's to say that 'if he'd been a little bit later' he couldn't have held the Union together in 1861. 

"He was really angry that--He saw what was happening with regard to the civil war"

He saw the Sectional Divide growing over, among other things, slavery. He was really angry that this issue could tear the nation in two, which it eventually did. So, What President Trump was saying was that Andrew Jackson understood that a sectional divide over any issue could destroy the promise of America; and that compromise and negotiation we're needed to keep the Union whole. Jackson was ahead of his time. If he had been President in 1861, perhaps he could have avoided the war. 

So people, the moral of the story here is; Our President may not be articulate but he isn't stupid. Maybe, instead of racing to prove he's wrong, we take a minute to actually hear what he's saying. Who knows, you might learn something.

Nava

Stupid Is, Well, Stupid

Hello People. The winds of stupidity are blowing strong across our Country again. Let's start with today's glaring headlines about the outrage over Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking for the resignations of the remaining 46 US Attorneys held over from the Obama administration. The fact that there's nothing unusual about that seems to have alluded the media. Most US Attorneys resign after an administration change, 47 of them did step down.In 1993, Bill Clinton removed all 93. I guess I missed the "outrage" then. I've said it before and I'll say it again, just because you don't remember it doesn't mean it didn't happen.
March 2017: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the health care reform proposal must be fully read and presented to the public with "ample time" to review.
March 2010: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the health care bill must be passed so we can find out what's in it. As much as I appreciate her new found love of reading, her hypocrisy is overwhelming.
Okay, enough about politics, because there's plenty of stupid to go around.
An elementary school in Sacramento, California has nixed the annual Father-Daughter dance in favor of the Family Dance, to make it more inclusive. The school board said they would also be reviewing all "gender related activities" moving forward. I can't speak for all people but, I know that when the captor was growing up, her brother couldn't wait to go dancing with his dad!
The brain trust at the University of Southern Illinois has organized a "Nap-In". Yes, it is what you think it is. They're encouraging students to come to the library for a two hour nap to "dream of diversity". Then, it gets better, when they awake they can write their Utopian dreams on the dream wall for all to see! How charming. May I suggest that when/if they graduate they lay down and dream about getting a job. That will work!
Students at a Des Moines, Iowa high school, after wearing red, white and blue to a school basketball game, were forced to hand-deliver an apology to the opposing school. Why? Because their actual school colors are black and orange and, because the other team had players who were the children of immigrants, it was determined that wearing the colors of the USA was offensive. Let's see; living in America (check); going to school in America (check); offended by the colors of America (check). Sounds about right to me!
"Comedian" Samantha Bee, on her show Full Frontal, did a hysterical bit on young CPAC (conservative political action committee) members and their "Nazi haircuts". She showed a video while she mocked the young men. Funny thing. The young man she focused her venom on was undergoing treatment for brain cancer. Chemo took his hair. Hysterical, right?
I read an article from Psychology Today about a group of "psychologists" who have diagnosed the President as mentally ill. In defending their ability to diagnose someone they have never met, one of the geniuses, a Harvard man, offered this analogy: (paraphrasing here) 'The actual medical exam is not the be-all end-all in making a diagnoses. If the man in the back of the bus is sniffling and sneezing, you don't have to examine him to know he is sick'. Makes sense, right? UNLESS he's allergic to, say, perfume, and is being affected by a woman sitting near him. Why, he's not sick at all. Maybe if you had examined him you would have known that asshat! Just like Ms. Bee, your ability to judge someone just by looking at them is not as keen as you seem to think.
I'll leave you with this. In the immortal words of the Boomtown Rats "Cos I know what I read ain't true; I know; And I'm telling you; I know".
Respectfully,
Nava

That's On You Goober

Hello People. I have a bit of wisdom for you. Just because you don't remember it, doesn't mean it didn't happen. I say this because of the onslaught of ridiculousness that has been blanketing social media. First, let me start with the resignation of General Michael Flynn. Whatever happened there, and I say 'whatever' because none of us actually know, there was an issue and he resigned. Fine. Then the floodgates of lunacy burst open. The resignation of this one nominee was earth shattering! It's scandalous! The greatest blow to an American President in history! LOL. Please consider this:
Obama’s nominee to chair the National Intelligence Council, Chas Freeman, withdrew over questions about payments from the Saudi Arabian government, business ties to the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp., and negative statements he made about U.S. support for Israel. After he resigned he issued a combative public statement blaming the “Israel lobby” for “character assassination.”

Obama's White House “Green Jobs” czar Van Jones resigned after he it was discovered he signed a statement in support of a 9/11 “Truther” group.Former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) withdrew his nomination to become Health and Human Services Secretary after it was discovered he failed to properly pay his taxes.Nancy Killefer, Obama’s nominee to serve as the government’s chief performance officer, withdrew due to tax problems.Governor Bill Richardson (D-New Mexico) withdrew his nomination to become Commerce Secretary because of an ongoing investigation into whether he doled out government contracts in exchange for campaign money.White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers resigned after posing for photos at a White House dinner that a couple crashed through security to attend.I can do this all day....Jonathan Z. Cannon, nominated to serve as Obama's deputy director at the Environmental Protection Administration, withdrew over questions about a defunct non-profit, America’s Clean Water Foundation, where he served as a board member. In 2007, EPA auditors accused the non-profit of mismanaging $25 million in taxpayer funding.Jide Zeitlin, Obama’s nominee to serve as U.S ambassador to the United Nations for management and reform withdrew his name while being accused of identify fraud and improper business practices.Erroll Southers, Obama’s nominee to serve as director of the Travel Security Administration, withdrew after refusing to answer questions about collective bargaining and false testimony he presented to Congress.Maj. Gen. Robert A. Harding, Obama’s second nominee to service as director of the Travel Security Administration, withdrew his name after it was discovered he received “service disabled veteran” status for sleep apnea.

I think you get my point. The problem is that so many of the "outraged resistance" movement just starting paying attention this year. They have no sense of history and no clue as to what has been going on around them. The TRUTH of the matter is that everything they are protesting began long before Donald Trump became President. Let's talk immigration. President Trump's travel ban was seen as "against everything that America stands for". Really? How many of those hundreds of protesters who chose to jam up airports are aware that President Obama deported more people than any other president in American history? As a matter of fact, Obama deported more people than all other Presidents of the 20 century COMBINED. Where was your outrage then? What? You didn't know that. Well, that's on you Goober. Before you pick up a picket sign, why don't you try picking up a newspaper. 

Respectfully,

Nava Blue

Make It Stop People!

Hello People. I swear that all of this nonsense is driving me to drink! I've had a long talk with my captor who has, in one form or another, worked in the media for the past 25 years. Today's media is out of control. I don't know if it's political, ideological or just plain ignorance but I have to tell you, it's driving me nuts! President Trump has the media on their heels. He keeps calling them out and they keep making their defense of themselves the headline. Here's a News Flash: It isn't. He's playing you. Let's take the President's contention that the media is downplaying or ignoring terrorist attacks around the world. The President's goal, by making that statement, was to remind people that the world is a very dangerous place, thus backing up his need for the travel ban. The media, which, as a whole, is clearly opposed to the ban, played right into the President's hand. What did they do? They spent days reporting on the President's list of terror attacks, reminding viewers of the ones they covered, justifying the ones they didn't and producing a list of other attacks that the President didn't mention. They made his case for him. He got exactly what he wanted. They can't see the forest for the trees. The media went on to report that the President continues to say things that he has no proof of; things that just aren't true. "It's unprecedented" they declared! Really? Last June President Obama said that "the steel industry is producing as much steel in the United States as it ever was. This is just plain false. It's not even close to true. Did the media "fact check" this? Did they report on the "lie". Nope. They never even questioned him. In February 2013 Mr. Obama claimed that during his first term his policies forced car manufactures to "double fuel efficiency" in their vehicles. True? Nope. Not even close. Fuel efficiency increase by 11%. In December 2012 Mr. Obama claimed that if Republicans didn't extend middle class tax cuts "114 million middle class families would suffer". That's interesting since, according to the US Census Bureau, there are only 76 million middle class families in America. Remember the outcry over that one? Me either. I could do this all day. My point is that these things happen all of the time. Does that make it right? Of course not but it doesn't make it headline news either. We cannot deny that there is a glaring double standard in the media and we will all suffer because of it. When I read post after post on social media stating beliefs based on half truths and misrepresentations I can't help but wonder where we are headed. One last thought. The Seattle judge who issued the stay on the President's travel ban stated, on the record, that since September 11, 2001, no foreign nationals from the countries on the banned list had been arrested for terror related activities. Do me a favor, Google the names Omar Faraj Saeed Al Harden and Abdul Razak Ali Artan. How about Mohanad Shareef Hammadi and Waad Ramadan Alwan? These are just a few that I am aware of. I'm sure there are many more. You see, when you don't get the whole story you can't make an informed decision.
Peace Out
Nava

Please Consider This

Hello People. As you continue to fervently protest everything you can think of, I have a few suggestions. One of the latest controversy from President Trump regards his assertion that voter fraud may have accounted for 3-5 million votes. Outrageous! Right? State Attorneys General, main stream media and leftist pundits all agreed that there is zero proof of voter fraud of any kind. They are sure of it!
Please consider this: The top 3 states housing illegal immigrants are California, Texas and New York. There are about 5.5 million undocumented people living in those three states. Add New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois and the total of undocumented residents totals about 8.5 million. Now, what do these states have in common? None of them require identification to vote. Yet, all of the aforementioned "experts" are confident that not one of those people voted. Not one. In 2014 the Public Interest Legal Foundation, based in Indiana, identified 141 counties across this Country that had more registered voters than residents! No proof? Really? So, why the resistance to an investigation? Let's find out one way or the other.
The border wall has heads spinning. It's unAmerican! It's insanity!
Please consider this:  The Secure Fence Act (H.R.6061) was signed into law in 2006. It passed the House 283-138 and the Senate 80-19. Here's a fun fact. Both Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barak Obama voted YES. Look it up. That's a real head-scratcher, right? By the way, 65 nations around the world, including many of our NATO allies in Europe, have border walls and fencing to keep illegal immigrants, terrorists and criminals out of their countries.
President Trump will somehow prevent women from getting equal pay. I saw A LOT of signs about that even though The Trump Organization has more female executives than male and the women, in many cases, make more than the men.
Please consider this: As secretary of State, Hillary Clinton gave her highest paying positions to men and, during her tenure, women earned 72 cents for every dollar men earned. It's an actual fact. Also, according to the 2014 U.S Census report, under Barak Obama's watch, more than 2 million women fell into poverty. Whaaat! Let us not forget that Barak Obama failed to put equal pay in to practice over the last 8 years. Another head-scratcher. Let's see you slap that on a sign!
Respectfully,
Nava Blue

Why You Suck

Hello People. I’ve tried to be patient. I’ve tried to be understanding. I’ve even tried to ignore your obvious attempts to annoy me. Well, I’m done with that. I realize that many of you are upset by the election of President Trump. I also realize that a large number of you have no idea why. At least that’s how it seems when you flaunt your hypocrisy and continually spout falsehoods and obfuscations. At some point you have to ask yourself why, if Mr. Trump is so bad, does his opposition have to make things up to enrage people?  Let’s start with social media’s greatest hits. ‘President Trump removed the Dr. King bust from the White House’. This was a widely reported, outright lie. The “reporter” who initiated that lie later claimed that “someone must have been standing in front of it”. Really? ‘President Trump removed all references to climate change & LGBTQ from Whitehouse.Gov’. Also, ‘President Trump took away a lifeline for struggling Veterans’.  Not true. Yes, these pages were removed from Whitehouse.Gov and migrated to Obamawhitehouse.archives.Gov, along will ALL OTHER materials created by the Obama white house. It is Standard Procedure done by every new administration and has NOTHING to do with policy. Why were just the aforementioned topics singled out? Because, they are the most inflammatory. ‘President Trump has shut down the public call-in line to stifle free speech’. Well, yes, the public call-in line was disconnected, on January 14^th by the Obama Administration, as is Standard Procedure.  I could go on and on about this nonsense but let’s move on.

The Women’s March on Washington had some issues in my humble opinion. First of all, the captors were there, so their opinions are derived from a different point of view. The March was covered in profanity and vulgarity. In spite of the vast number of children and young girls that were there, posters, tee shirts and chants were filled with F-bombs and words like pussy and c*unt.  You may call that a “women’s movement” but I call it trash on display. Apparently, one of the rights you're fighting for is the right to be vulgar in public. Wow, empowering. This wonderful gathering of inclusiveness and diversity to lift all women up, blocked and berated Pro-Life women’s groups because, apparently, they only support “choice” if you choose in lock-step. I have news for you. Life is a choice too. If you actually support a woman’s right to choose then you have to support their right to choose life. At some point you really have to ask yourself why you are standing next to a grown woman dressed as a vagina. Hypocrisy?

Let’s just address a few of the more glaring examples of hypocrisy and stupidity on display. Ashley Judd, while decrying Mr. Trump’s “nasty woman” comment, called him “a man who looks like bathes in Cheetos dust”. Name calling, body shaming, shallow; all of the things they claim make President Trump “not their President”. Chelsea Handler proudly proclaimed that Mrs. Trump “barely speaks English” and tweeted out that she hoped “someone was explaining all of this to Melania” Well, the First Lady speaks FIVE languages fluently. Unlike Ms. Handler who apparently only speaks drunken idiot. As far as explaining the proceedings to Mrs. Trump, the first lady is a college grad, unlike, again, Ms. Handler. So after trashing President Trump for his stance on illegal immigrants, she goes on to taunt, mock and demean a legal immigrant. Very inclusive. Very diverse. After ripping the President for his late night tweets, they take to Twitter, not to attack the man, no, to attack his 10 year old son. Bullying? Wasn’t that one of your issues? Hypocrisy? So, the Women’s March on Washington preached of love, diversity and unity but those are just words. Their actions speak a whole lot louder to me. Okay. One final thought. Stop calling President Trump a “Fascist’.  He is not a Fascist. Is he a Nationalist? Yes he is. So am I. I believe that America is the greatest country in the world. So, sue me. The cornerstones of Fascism are ‘no elected representation’, ‘no free market’ and ‘no individualism or individual glory’ where the State controls the press and all other media. That sounds a hell of a lot more like his predecessor than is does about President Trump. Stop labeling people with names you clearly don’t understand. As a matter of fact, why do you follow your own preaching and stop labeling people all together! So, for the reasons that I’ve listed and the many more that I simply didn’t have time to list, you really suck. Please stop Sucking!

Thank You,

Nava Blue

It's A Brave New World

Hello People. I am Nava Blue, the new leader of the Real House Cats dynasty! Unlike my predecessor PoKitty, may she rest in peace, she really cared. Now, look deeply into my eyes. Do I look like I care? Okay. I realize that many of you have just started paying attention, I mean really paying attention to what's going on. This leaves you vulnerable to those who would seek to mislead you. I am not one of those people. If I tell you something you can bet, good, bad or ugly, it's the truth. So, if, at some point, my views offend you, too bad. Go to your safe space and read Dr. Davis' 'Because I'm Worth It'. With that said, let us begin.
The latest pre-Inauguration folderal involves the President-Elect and Georgia Congressman John Lewis. In a nutshell, the Congressman said that he would be boycotting the Inauguration because he didn't believe Mr. Trump was a "legitimate president". The PEOTUS countered by saying Mr. Lewis was all talk and no action. There is no denying that Mr. Lewis was a brave leader in the civil rights movement in the 1960's. He most certainly was. However, that, alone, does not make you immune from criticism. In a time when all elected officials should be working toward healing the great divide in this nation, these unnecessary exchanges don't help. During the primary election, Congressman Lewis said of Donald Trump, "I've been around a while and Trump reminds me so much of a lot of the things that George Wallace said and did. I think demagogues are pretty dangerous, really.  We shouldn't divide people, we shouldn't separate people.” Here’s the interesting part. In October 2008 Congressman Lewis said of the campaign of John McCain & Sarah Palin that they were “sowing the seeds of hatred and division in a way that brought to mind the late Governor George Wallace and another destructive period in American politics. Sound familiar? How about this, in January 2001 Mr. Lewis boycotted the inauguration of George W. Bush saying he didn’t attend the swearing in because he didn’t believe that Mr. Bush was “the true elected president”. Anyone else see a pattern forming here? I get the feeling that Congressman Lewis is not a bi-partisan kind of guy. He certainly isn't interested in healing the divide. 

Speaking of the great divide, there;s another controversy brewing on the hill. It's over the winner of the Capitol's annual high school art competition. The winning painting came from a student in Ferguson, Missouri. It's entitled "Untitled #1". Basically, Republicans say it is offensive but the Congressional Black Caucus says it is protected art and deserves to be hung at the Capitol. Republicans have removed it several times only to have it re-hung. The Chairman of the CBC says he "might just have to kick somebody's ass if it comes down again". Classy. Anyway, I'm no art critic so I'll leave it up to you. Should this be displayed on the wall of the United States Capitol?

I'm just the messenger!

Nava Blue

I Died Today

Hello My Dear Friends. I died today. If you’re reading this, and obviously you are, I have crossed the Rainbow Bridge into eternity. Don’t be sad. Well, be a little sad. I am dead after all! Here’s a bit of advice. When you cross the Rainbow Bridge, make sure you take a right or you’ll end up in Canada! Seriously. They don’t tell you that. After nearly 17 human years on this planet, I, along with my human captors, decided my work here was done. I have always believed that when the pain of aging outweighs the joy of living it is time to say goodbye. I know that my passing will leave a hole in their lives. That’s a good thing. You see, my Dear Friends, I know I will be missed because I know that I was Loved. That is one thing that I have always known.  And, my Dear Friends, when all is said and done, if you can say that, you’ve lived well. The greatest solace, as the end grows near, is knowing, really knowing, that you are loved. As our loved ones age, they get a little cranky and a little forgetful. Sometimes it feels like a burden to visit. Well, suck it up. Don’t waste time, my Friends, no one knows how much time they have on this earth. Tell the ones you love that you love them. Do it daily. Can anyone really hear that enough? Hug your friends. A good hug can turn a bad day around in an instant. Say what’s in your heart. The weight of carrying around the things you should have said will drag you down. Good or bad, if you speak from the heart you will be heard. It’s easy to love when times are good but it’s more important to love when times are bad. If one good thing comes out of this past election, I hope it’s the knowledge that we can disagree, vehemently, and still love one another. Good people do and say stupid things sometimes. That doesn’t make them bad people. Bad people do and say stupid things all of the time. They just suck. Stay away from bad people. Seriously. Bad people never change but, I digress. One last thing. Social media does not and cannot replace social interaction. Get out of your sweats and go out once in a while! It’s nice to wish someone a Happy Birthday on Farcebook but it’s so much nicer to get a card in the mail. Remember Birthday cards? Don’t take the easy way out. Make the effort. We’ll all be better for it.

The decision that my captors made was heart wrenching but not difficult. They saw, daily, how diabetes, arthritis and my weakening heart was taking its toll on me. I saw the pain in their eyes as they watched me struggle. Human nature makes you want to hang on to a beloved member of your family hoping, above all odds, for a little more time. But, as my captors sadly realized, sometimes you just have to let go. So, today, with my family by my side, I died. I had a long and lovely life. I learned many things and, throughout my life, I’ve tried to share them with you. Regrets? I’ve had a few. But, then again, too few to mention. Sorry. Had to be done. Unfortunately, 17 years was not long enough to see the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs. 17 freakin’ years! Are you kidding me Buffalo! How long can one team suck? Anyway, there is some good news. I’ve groomed the baby, NavaBlue, to take over for me, so the Blog Will Go On! You’re welcome! I wish you love, laughs and happiness.

Po

A Poem for You!

Hello My Dear Friends!

Twas the week after New Years'
And in each room, bar none
I saw lights and decor
That must be undone.
Off the wall, off the shelf
Do I box, bag or wrap?
Then hoist up in the attic
With other seasonal crap.
The lights and the santas
Make the times warm and gay
Why can't they make decorations
That put themselves away?
Tinsel is lovely
Dangling so bright and pretty
Until you have to remove it
From the back end of your kitty!
Don't get me wrong,
I love Christmas, I do
It's the aftermath of the day
That leaves me so blue.
The stockings looked great as they hung in a row
Now I'll fight with the mantel hooks
Ho freaking Ho.
So My Dear Friends
I resolve for this year
To dump half the stuff
That I've hung to spread cheer.
So many memories
Packed into each holiday treat
But if it doesn't fit in the box
It's going out to the street.
Farewell Santa and reindeer and fake Christmas snow
The attic is too far, so to the roadside you go.
And so I exclaim, with my arms and back sore
I have 12 months to heal
Until I do it once more!

Your Resolutions

Hello My Dear Friends! It's been so long, hasn't it. As you know, I took a hiatus during the Presidential melee to avoid becoming part of the incessant noise. Little did I know that one side would be such poor losers that the noise would carry on in to the new year! So, I'm back in spite of it all, to help make the new year better. You're welcome. It is that time of year where people make a list of promises to themselves that they will never keep. They're called resolutions and they are, as you well know, a recipe for failure and disappointment.  Anyway, I said to myself 'PoKitty, what can you change to make you a better Kitty and 2017 a better year'? The answer was obvious. You! I'm perfect. The only thing I need to change to make life better is you. You're the problem. So, in the spirit of peace and love, I have compiled a list of changes you need to make to make my life better in the new year. Again, you're welcome.
1.  Please resolve to take a breath. I realize that the recent election was contentious, to say the least, but life will go on. At this point, we are all very aware of how you feel about the outcome. It is not necessary for you to share those feeling, three times a day, every day. As a matter of fact, it's not just unnecessary, it's freaking annoying. We get it. You're not happy. So, take a breath, relax, and give us a break. If you must share your unhappiness, as many of you are only capable of doing, in the form of a Farcebook Meme, could you at least make sure what you're sharing is actually real and true. That would probably cut down the number of memes you share by 99%. I never thought I would long for the day when people posted pictures of the food on Farcebook yet, here we are.
2.  Please resolve to make better decisions. Same as the wisdom that, "just because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it"; just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean you should do it!  For instance, stop burning the flag and then saying you mean "no disrespect". That's just stupid. Stop protesting "the rich" by stopping the average person from shopping or going to work. As a matter of fact, just stop protesting "the rich". Success used to be something to be proud of, not scorned. When you block streets and storefronts you're not harming the 1%, you're pissing off the 99% who are just trying to live their lives. You want to change the world? Go to Washington.
3.  Please resolve to grow a pair. I'm serious people. Take your whining, thin skinned, milk and cookies, participation trophy, safe space loving attitudes and pack them away. The world is a tough place for grown ups. If you want to be treated like a grown up, start acting like one. People are going to say and do things that you don't like for the rest of your life, get used to it. There are no 'safe spaces' in the real world, except in your parents basement. So, unless that is where you plan to live for the next 50 years, please, grow a pair.
4.  Please resolve to pay attention. This past Presidential election woke up a lot of people. Kindly stay awake. Case on point: Governor Cuomo signed over 500 bills into law last year alone. They all take effect today or tomorrow. Please obey them all. What? You don't know what they are? Of course you don't. No one does. Those are just state laws. They don't take into account any new federal or local laws or regulations that will also take effect. Each year, hundreds of new laws and regulations are added to the books but few, if any, are ever removed. Adultery is still illegal in New York. It's illegal to shine shoes after 1:00 PM on Sunday. It's illegal to have a puppet show in your window. It is illegal to urinate on birds in New York. How about "Official State Stuff". New York State has an "official" muffin. Yep, It's the apple muffin. The "official" State Snack is Yogurt. The "Official State Insect" is the Ladybug. Add the Bluebird, the Beaver, Brook Trout, Sugar Maple, Garnet, Bay Scallops and Snapping Turtles to the list of Official State Stuff. There are more and each one takes an act by the State Legislature to earn their distinction. That means it costs us money. This is what our elected officials do when we're not paying attention. Let's pay attention.
5.  Finally people, Please resolve to spend more time with family and friends, in person, face to face, where you can hug them, and less time on line in virtual relationships. None of us knows how long we have so let's all resolve to spend at least a little more time with the ones we love while we still can. that, alone, will make 2017 a better year. Be safe My Dear Friends and Happy New Year!
Po

A Little History

Hello My Dear Friends! As you know, I took a break from enlightening you so as not to add to the incessant noise of the election. Now that the election is over, and social media has been overtaken by the "everyone gets a trophy" crowd, I thought I would rejoin the conversation. It occurred to me that a big part of the problem is that, because the "everyone gets a trophy" crowd doesn't have a clue as to what they are talking about, their anger is misplaced. I keep seeing references to "if you don't know history, you'll repeat it". I totally agree. So, since they no longer teach actual history in school, here's a little lesson for you. Let's start from the beginning since the "EGAT" crowd has decided that the Republican Party is the party of hate, racism, homophobia, and the like. Here are some FACTS.
1.  The Republican party was formed in 1854 by anti-slavery activists. In fact, 6 of their 9 point platform dealt with civil rights, equal rights and voting rights for liberated slaves. When Abraham Lincoln was elected as the first Republican President, the Democrats responded by dividing the Union and launching the Civil War and, of course, his assassination. Fun Fact! The first 23 blacks elected to Congress were all Republicans. After losing the Civil War the Democrats proudly formed the KKK to target Republicans and take back Congress. The Republicans passed the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments giving black Americans freedom, citizenship and the right to vote. The Democrat's response brings us to my next point.
2. Jim Crow Laws were established by Democrats. The "separate but equal" state laws, made by democrats in the south, was reinforced by President Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat.
3.  During World War II Japanese Americans were rounded up and placed in interment camps. It was yet another dark spot in American history. Who did that? Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat.
4.  In 1993 "Don't Ask Don't Tell", a slap in the face to gays serving in the military was signed into law by Bill Clinton, a Democrat.
5.  In 1996, the "Defense of Marriage Act", a slap in the face to mankind, was signed into law by Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and strongly supported by the First Lady who claimed to have a "Deep moral belief that marriage was between one man and one woman". Yes, they have since "evolved". But that doesn't change history.
So, My Dear Friends, as you wildly riot in the streets because you don't want "History to Repeat Itself", you might want to pull your collective heads out of your asses and contemplate on how you just dodged a bullet.

Respectfully,
Po

Lessons of the Frog

Hello My Dear Friends! Before I get into my thoughts for today, let me first put some concerns to rest. It is true that my health has been failing and I acknowledge that the end, for me, is near. This, however, will not spell the end of this blog. Oh no! Quite the opposite. I have been training my protege, Nava Blue, to pick up where I've left off. So, when the time comes to pass the pen, believe me, she will be ready! Now, on to more important things....
Did you know that if you placed a frog into a boiling pot of water, the frog would jump out. His instinct for survival would take over in the face of imminent danger. But, if you put that same frog into a pot of cold water and slowly increased the temperature, the frog's instinct would be to adapt to the changing environment. He would stay in that pot until the end. Why do I tell you this? Because we, my friends, are becoming that frog and our proverbial pot is our freedom. If someone were to tell you that they were going to take away your freedom, you, like the frog, would fight. Your instinct would be to keep what is yours. Unfortunately, those who seek to take what's yours are never that obvious; never that straight forward. No. Like the slowly rising temperature, those who seek to take what's yours just nibble away, bit by bit, until there's nothing left. We all know what has been happening on college campuses across the Country. Freedom of Speech has all but been eliminated. "Safe spaces" have replaced discussion groups. Conservative speakers have been banned. Critical thinking is shunned. Anyone who dares to challenge the status quo is ostracized. The same people who talk about diversity and acceptance are the first to slap labels, like racist, homophobic, bigot, onto anyone who disagrees with them. An American themed Barbecue was banned at a college in New Jersey because it was deemed "offensive to some students".  Dartmouth College canceled a Luau, calling it "culturally insensitive". Maybe it is. My point is that everything is offensive to someone so where does it end? Little by little, degree by degree, we're being painted in to a corner where the only acceptable behavior will be to walk in lockstep and say nothing. I don't know about you but I don't look good in gray. Now, imagine if you will, that anything you've ever said, every private conversation you've ever had; regardless of context or circumstance; could be broadcast to the world for judgement. How would you fare? Think about it. I'm sure there are some of you who have never uttered an unkind word. I, for one, am not one of those people. Imagine living in a world where anything you say, even in the privacy of your own home, could be used against you at any time. Well, you don't have to imagine it. You're there. Remember the case of Donald Sterling? How about Paula Deen? These were very public cases but it's happening every day to every day people. Where will it end? It won't. You can't, as my Dad used to say, put toothpaste back in the tube. So where do we go from here? The first step, my Dear Friends, is to stop being so offended by everything. Accept the fact that sometimes good people say stupid things. That doesn't make them bad people. Remember when we used to judge people by their actions? That whole 'sticks and stones' thing? It's time to get that mindset back. The temperature is rising people. Jump now or forever hold your peace!
Po

Fact Check This!

Hello My Dear Friends! It has been a while, hasn't it. I've been taking a break during this contentious election season so as not to add to all of the noise. However, sometimes a Cat has to do what a Cat has to do! Now, I realized a long time ago that we are now living in a post-fact era. Meaning "facts" have somehow become irrelevant, an afterthought if you will. Members of the media today are either too dumb or too lazy to check their own facts so they turn to groups like FactCheck.org or Politico and just assume that they are right.  Well, guess what, many times they are not. So, I asked myself, "PoKitty, who do we turn to when the "fact checkers" are as wrong as the facts they are checking"? Well, after a moment of thought I realized that the answer was simple; ME! During and after the Presidential Debate all the talking heads were babbling about 'fact checking this' and 'fact checking that' and one after another repeated the same WRONG information. I was stunned, really. Two particular "facts" caught my attention. The first was the brouhaha over Mr. Trump's assertion that "Stop & Frisk" procedures were NOT ruled unconstitutional. Everyone with a microphone jumped all over him. Lester Holt interrupted him twice to tell him he was wrong. All of the fact checkers said he was wrong. Guess what. He is RIGHT. As a matter of fact, (there's pesky word again), Stop & Frisk as a tactic was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1968. In New York City a Federal District Judge, Shira Scheindlin, ruled that the way the NYPD was conducting their Stop & Frisk policy was racially bias and therefore unconstitutional. She did not, and could not by law, rule Stop & Frisk as a tactic unconstitutional as the Supreme Court had already ruled on the matter. Thems the facts people. Mr. Trump also said that the judge in question was "very anti-police" and was removed from the case by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. Also correct. Let me share a couple of notable quotes from Judge Scheindlin. When ruling on the stop & frisk case she said, "It is pervasive in policing policies like stop & frisk and neighborhood watch, regardless of the collateral damage done to the majority of innocents". Yes, Judge Scheindlin also believes Neighborhood Watch is unconstitutional. She also said "Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to be subjected to force than whites, despite the fact that whites are more likely to be found with weapons and contraband".  That is a fact that I am not familiar with. Anyway, to recap. Stop & Frisk as a tactic was NEVER ruled Unconstitutional. Trump is correct. The second "fact" that has been totally twisted also came from Mr. Trump. He said the murder rate in NYC is up. Again the media jumped down his throat. YOUR WRONG! Well, in 2014 there were 328 murders in NYC. In 2015 there were 352. You do the math. Granted, the numbers for 2016 are trending down but 2016 isn't over yet. So, as a matter of Fact, the murder rate in NYC is up. Sorry pundits. Just because someone calls themselves a "fact checker" doesn't mean they are actually dealing in facts. So, here's another fact for you. When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left her post, a routine audit by the Inspector General's office found a whopping $6 billion (that's billion with a "B") unaccounted for. Six Billion Dollars missing. Gee, I wonder why CNN hasn't reported that. It's a fact. Look it up!
Po