I Do What I Can

Hello My dear Friends. Many of you have contacted me saying "Your Majesty, you've been very quiet on the Syria issue. What's going on? What are we to think?" (or something like that). Anyway as I have acknowledged in the past, I realize how difficult it is for you to navigate this troubled world without my guidance. However, my team of social media consultants has advised me that my rather conservative view of the world, although 100% correct, turns off and, at times, offends some of my minions readers. Apparently not everyone is open to enlightenment. Therefore, I am trying to curb the political commentary. With that said, I do have a few random thoughts I'd like to share with you....
->Are you familiar with the tale of the Boy who Cried Wolf? Seems more and more relevant every day, doesn't it? In the end, the wolf eats the boy. I fear we will all soon be covered with ketchup.
->A headline on the NBC News website reads "American jihadi rapper reportedly killed in Somalia". I think I'm okay with that. Seriously. He was a dude from Alabama, who joined an al Qaeda linked Somali militant group and spent his days posting videos of himself, rapping about jihad, on YouTube. Is it any wonder that someone killed him? It was probably a relative.
->A 10 year old Tennessee student was asked to write an essay about her "idol". She wrote her essay about God. She was informed that God was not an "acceptable subject" for the assignment. She wrote about Michael Jackson instead. That was accepted without question. Lovely.
->Did you know that the U.S. Government owns one-third of all U.S. land, including 80% of Nevada and Alaska and half of Idaho. With that said, the Government now wants to spend another $2.3 Billion to purchase even more land. It isn't clear why but, what the heck, it's not like there's a deficit or anything.
Po

Never Forget?

Hello My Dear Friends. On this September 11th, as in years past, we reflect on the tragedy that befell this Country in 2001. You don't need me to tell you anything about that day. It was our generation's "moment". Like the assassination of President Kennedy or the bombing of Pearl Harbor, we know exactly where we were and what we were doing when it happened. We can close our eyes and see the images of that day as if it were yesterday. It will always be that way for us. We will Never Forget because we can't forget. Tragedy scars the soul and, like a tattoo, it will always be there. This day, of course, is far worse for those who lost their loved ones. 2977 people were killed that day, 2753 of them in New York. Over 1700 families who lost loved ones never received their remains. Hundreds more have died from diseases contracted during the clean up. Thousands of U.S. Military men and woman have died in the battles that have ensued since 2001. Never Forget? I don't believe I will.
Po

Oh the Humanity!

Hello My Dear Friends. Today I must share with you the horrific news that Mayor Stubbs, the Mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska was brutally attacked and mauled BY A DOG! That's right! The 16 year incumbent Mayor barely survived, suffering a punctured lung, fractured sternum and a five inch gash to his side! I am beyond appalled. This, by the way, is Mayor Stubbs...

...and he is the duly elected Mayor of Talkeetna, an Historical District of about 800 humans, located about 110 miles north of Anchorage. He is currently heavily sedated and fighting for his life. The suspect, described only as "a large dog" is still at large. If you have any information on this brutal attack...
Anyway, it is not really unusual to have an animal as Mayor. The Mayor of Syracuse, for instance, is an ass. The Mayor of San Diego was a dog (metaphorically of course) and many Mayors have been known to be rats! So, my dear friends, how do you know if your Mayor is actually a cat? (You knew this was coming)
5.  His recent campaign appearances were viewed over a million times on YouTube.
4.  Town holds an annual "Whiska Lickin" Festival
3.  Runs on a promise to eliminate mice
2.  Presents visiting dignitaries with the squeaky toy to the city
and, the #1 way to know if your Mayor is actually a cat...
1.  The budget is balanced and taxes go down!
Po

Oh Miley, My, My, MY!

Hello My Dear Friends. I guessing that you've heard by now that former Disney star Miley Cyrus put on quite a show at the Video Music Awards the other night. I would have described her as "pop star" Miley Cyrus but she really isn't a star. She's a celebrity. To be a star, one would have to at least ONE number 1 hit. She does not. But, I digress. People are up in arms over her performance on the MTV VMA show. Why? I'm not really sure. Yes, it was a ridiculous, sexually explicit bit of tripe. So what? It's not like she was on Nickelodeon. Parents who complained said their children expected to see "Hannah Montana". Seriously? She hasn't played that character in years. And, dear parents, if you're so concerned about what your kids view, why were they watching MTV at 9:00 PM on a Sunday night? Shame on you. Did I see the live performance? Of course not! Why on earth would I be watching the MTV Video Music Awards? Do they even make music videos anymore? Allow me to offer a little reality check. The purpose of Miley's performance was, number one, to destroy her Disney image. Mission accomplished. The second goal was to promote her new album. Well, "Bangerz" won't even be released until October, but pre-sales on iTunes after the show lifted it to #5 on the pop charts. I'd call that a win. Goal number 3 was to create a buzz about her transformation. LOL, check. So, in the big scheme of things, it was probably the greatest performance of her life. Following in the footsteps of former Disney stars like Brittany Spears and Christina Aguilera, slutty works. The only question now is does she have the musical chops to pull off her new adult image. I doubt it. She really can't sing, but that's for another blog. Another thing that bothers me about this whole"controversy" is that picture of the Smith family all aghast. It went viral even though it was taken while they were watching Lady Gaga, not Miley Cyrus. Leave it to the media not to let the facts get in the way of a good story. So people, let me leave you with this one final thought. There are a lot more important things going on in this world to get enraged over. Next time try turning the channel.
Po

What a real Hero Looks Like

Hello My Dear Friends. If I may be serious for a moment, today the President of the United States awarded this nation's highest military decoration, The Medal of Honor, to Army Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter. Spc. Carter was involved in the 2009 Battle of Outpost Keating, one of the most intense battle of the Afghan War, where 53 American Troops were surrounded by 300 insurgents. 8 brave Americans died in that battle, 22 others, including Carter, were wounded. The outcome would have been even worse if not for the heroism displayed by Spc. Carter and Spc. Clinton Romesha (who also received the Metal of Honor). Here's a link with details about what happened.
American Heroes
There's more to this story. In addition to his heroism on the battlefield, Spc. Carter, after returning home, went public with his battle with PTSD. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is all too real. The Military says about 20% of our military returns from battle with PTSD. I believe that number is much higher. Many families know, my own included, that the loved one who returns from battle is not always the one who left and, in many cases, that's because of PTSD. Nightmares, debilitating anxiety, substance abuse and, in some cases even suicide are the byproducts of PTSD. We don't do enough for our Veterans. That is a fact. By Spc. Carter making public his battle with PTSD perhaps more Veterans will seek help. There is help available. If you know someone who is trying to battle PTSD alone, urge them to get help. The VA offers nearly 200 programs to deal with it. There is no shame in asking for help. Okay. So, to my initial point, athletes, actors, philanthropists are not heroes. They may do exceptional things, but those are not heroic things. What does a real hero look like?

Army Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter, a true American Hero.
Po

Mandatory Gratuity and Other Oxymorons

Hello My Dear Friends. Once again I sit here utterly confused by what you people do. There is now a growing trend of restaurants adding a "mandatory gratuity" to all checks, not just large parties. Applebee's has been doing that for a long time. I don't eat at Applebee's. "Gratuity" by definition is a "a gift or reward, usually of money, given for services rendered without claim or obligation". Restaurant owners argue that, because servers make a lower wage, tipping is necessary for their livelihood. I argue that tipping is a reward for good service and your worker's livelihood is your responsibility, not mine. I realize that the job of server is a difficult one. Customers can be difficult and many don't tip. I am not one of those people. When I get good service, not great or over the top, simply competent service, I leave a 20% tip. I think that's fair. I've been known to leave as much as a 25% tip for outstanding service. I've also left no tip in response to service that raises my blood pressure. That is my choice. If a server is rude or incompetent, that's their business. If I choose not to reward rude behavior, that's my business. What would motivate a server to go that extra mile if they know they will be rewarded either way? By the way, the courts have generally ruled that "mandatory gratuities" can not be enforced, so you don't actually have to pay them but how many people know that? So, for me, I simply won't patronize any establishment that requires tipping. Okay! So, you may be thinking, what other oxymorons bug you PoKitty? Assistant Supervisor; Live Recording; Actual Reenactment; Government Accountability; Fresh Frozen; and, my favorite, Adult Male. Enjoy what's left of the weekend!
Po

Hello Mr. President!

Hello My Dear Friends. You've probably heard by now that the POTUS is coming to town! I, for one, am honored that, with all that's going on in the world, the President could take time out of his extensive vacation schedule to visit Upstate New York! The Governor will greet the President at the airport in Buffalo but, after that, he apparently has better things to do. Something about getting his daughters ready for college or some other nonsense. Mr. Cuomo is actually skipping Thursday's opening of the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. The Governor says he wants to avoid a "fracking uproar" with the President in town. Apparently "fracking uproar" is code for 'Dude, you're really unpopular and I still have elections to win'. Hydrofracking opponents and proponents are expected to greet the Presidential Bus Tour with or without the Governor's presence so that excuse seems a little thin. Robert Duffy will open the Fair in the Governor's absence. He's the Lieutenant Governor. Don't feel bad, most people have no idea who Robert Duffy is. Anyway, it's a great honor for a city to host a sitting President. We can figure out how two cash poor cities like Syracuse and Buffalo will pay the estimated $50,000 apiece the visit is going to cost local taxpayers at a later date. The good news is they're picking up the trash along the highway and they've (temporarily) chased away the "Off Ramp Entrepreneurs". We wouldn't want the President of the United States to see what our city actually looks like! Unlike Buffalo, who began handing out tickets at 5pm, Syracuse decided to release tickets at noon. Unfortunately for me, I have a job and wasn't able to stand in line all night to get a ticket to hear the President speak. Fortunately for the President, fewer and fewer people have that problem so there will be a full house in Syracuse. I'm sure we'll learn all we need to know from the stellar news coverage we've come to enjoy here in Syracuse. Just last night, during the lead story on the 11 o'clock news, the reported interviewed a women who was first in line for a ticket. She proudly told the audience that she had "worked for the Obama election campaign in 2008, the re-election campaign in 2012 and was ready to volunteer again in 2016 if the President decided to run again"! The reporter did not respond. It's that kind of intellect that makes this Country what it is today. Welcome to Syracuse Mr. President!
Po