Cool History Lesson

This History Lesson is brought to you from a friend of mine that was bored one day and did some research, which he felt compelled to share with others. So have I.

Back in the 1500's

They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot and then once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery......if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor."

But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't afford to buy a pot...they "didn't have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low. The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June... However, since they were starting to smell, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom of today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children, last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the [Bath] water!"

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stog things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice "clean[?]" bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "Dirt poor."

The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence: a threshold.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: "Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold, pease porridge in the pot nine days old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money and plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guest go the top, or the "upper crust."

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometime knock the imbibers out for couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of "holding a wake."

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell, Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."

And that's the truth....Now, whoever said History was boring!!!

"I was taught to respect my elders, but I find it keeps getting harder to find anone elder (LOL)."

Firearm Refresher Course...

This Firearm Refresher Course was Emailed to me and have been seen throughout the professional sites among us instructors and/or LE sites. A lesson that all should adhere to...

Firearm Refresher Course:

1. "Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~ Thomas Jefferson.
2. "Those who trade liberty for security have neither." ~ John Adams.
3. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
4. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
5. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
6. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
7. You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
8. Know guns; know peace; know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
9. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
10. Assault is a behaviour, not a device.
11. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
12. The United States Constitution © 1781. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
13. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
14. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you NOT understand?
15. Guns have only two enemies; rust and politicians.
16. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
17. The American Revolution would never happened with gun control.
18. "All men are created equal." ~ Samuel Adams.

The Pledge of Allegiance (United States of America's)

Well...DUH!!!

Re-typed from an Email.

John Smith started the day early having set his alarm

clock (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6 am.

While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking,

he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG).

He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA),

designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and

tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA).

After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA)

he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO)

to see how much he could spend today.

After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN)

to the radio (MADE IN INDIA)

he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY)

filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia) and

continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.

At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day

checking his computer (MADE IN MALAYSIA),

John decided to relax for a while.

He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL),

poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and

turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA), and

then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA

AND NOW HE'S HOPING HE CAN GET HELP FROM A PRESIDENT MADE IN KENYA!

The Economy

Well, I've been on vacation and been back for about two weeks. I was shocked to see a State that when you buy food at the grocery store the screen and the receipt will show the item you are buying, i.e., corn, and next to it will show "N" for NO TAX. Now that is normal, anywhere you go that is what you are going to see, food does not get taxed unless of course it is prepared. The shocker came when at the end of the tally there was a TAX!!! Yes, you read correctly the receipt showed "Corn 12 @ 0.20 $4.00 N" and at the end you it showed the total, and a second total which they were collecting that involved a Tax of .11, when asked about and they stated it's the State Tax, knowing they are not suppose to charge tax on food and the receipt shows it, they still do...oh the State in question ILLINOIS. As I read a post that has nothing to do with the economy, but the final quote should be applied here... U.S. should pull out of Washington, the crooks are in the big house now.

I manage to see my acquaintance the day before, but left when they got off work. Of course I did not spend all day at their job, the day before I was running some errands after picking up the Jeep and attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting. The chick that caught my eyes at the first meeting, well, she’s not bad looking but she seems to be out there trying to get the “community” to get together and get to know each other (something of twenty plus years ago) and trying to do too much too soon. Hopefully it would be a good turn out, I know I have to be there since I was elected as one of the “block captain” in the community. I did volunteered to help setup and breakdown the event, but she wants everyone to bring something – pot-luck style – to me that sounds dangerous, not everyone cooks and with the economy now its hard to buy beyond your budget, I still do not know what I’ll be bringing to the event.

SPEAKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY, it is sad to find out that the legislature have joined the idiots of EPA and their affiliates to add more hardship unto the citizens by voting and allowing the stores to charge for the plastic groceries bags above and beyond the cost of food, and to my understanding there is no alternative unless you carry your own bags to be packed. Congress managed to pass a bill with a hidden law from the citizens nicknamed “The Hate Crime”, which if I recall failed on its own the first time. People wake up! Congress is suppose to be OUR VOICE, “…for the people, by the people…” Congress IS NOT supposes to operate on their opinion or “special” interest groups. Speaking to a gentleman and seeing the hurt in his eyes as he spoke about his country that was beautiful and free – yes, I used the word WAS – he explained to me about the things that people had and how the people let the GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER and they LOST their FREEDOM, and became COMMUNISM…. this country is Cuba. You might sit there and say to yourself, “This won’t happen to us.”, how many of the Cubans back in the days said that to themselves, obviously many did as I can see the hurt in the man’s eye as he spoke about it…and when he pulled out a faded letter that is still readable, he was a political refugee because he was part of the government of Cuba and defected to the United States of America for FREEDOM and now he sees this country doing the same thing that Cuba did. Now folks, I don’t know about you, but if a foreigner can see signs of trouble because they have already gone through it – now that is some scary stuff.

Experience comes after you had dealt with the problem, not before.

Unorthodox research

Clothing style: It has made me wonder where the idea of wearing your trousers below the waist line had originated, at first I thought it was a misconception from the late 50's where the boxer was worn just above the waist line and the trouser still was worn at the waist line; however, after asking about it seems that I was wrong. I am surprise that the majority that I see about wearing such fashion ranges from all ages and race. My research have led to a rapper wearing their trouser low and that style was found in a state penal facility in New York, which indicates that the individual that wears the trouser below the waist line is available; the holding of the trouser while walking indicates that the individual is packing. To me that translate: Harassment - I don't blame the law enforcement for stopping and checking individuals for weapons and treating them as though they're ex-felons since that's where the style started (I'm tired of hearing folks complaining they were stopped by "popo" and yet their attire brings it upon themselves).

TSA: It would be great if TSA file bankruptcy and leaves the airport, I don't know how many of you have had the bad luck of dealing with them at "Check Point Charlie" at the airport. While speaking with a friend that have retired from the government, I was shocked to learn that TSA has more power than INS/Custom! TSA is a civilian base company contracted out to do a government job and they have more power? I was surprise to hear that, but by the same token in several locales TSA might have filed bankruptcy in several location (all East of the Rockies) according to my friend, guess we would have to see what takes place.

Customer Service: It's a shame that I had to move farther from one of my favorite restaurant hang-out, but I found one that was NRA friendly - so I thought. The changes that have taken place at the new hang-out have changed to the point you can see some of the workers with long face, things that were common to observe are no longer. For example it is busy and before everyone seemed to jump in and move the people about to get them seated, now they wait and wait for a server to acknowledge them and the new manager only assist if one of the servers says something or there is no "heavy" traffic at the door and the place is almost empty...the manager spends more time checking their cellular phone, giggling and texting. Guess today's society does not know the meaning of customer service and experience and rather have upset, nasty, mean, etc., customers that might not come back and most likely tell their friends not to even go there.

RIP Lt. Mike Stone

Another great actor leaves among us. Karl Malden (Mladen Sekulovich) of Chicago, Illinois has passed away 2009 July 1, in California...I will not forget the time we played cards on board a TWA L-1011 from ORD to LAX (Chicago to Los Angeles) and he was still filming Streets of San Francisco, he would be surely missed.

(image from http://www.imdb.com/ Streets of San Francisco galleria)

How to read the letter "A"

Thought of the day: Professionals are predictable; the world is full of dangerous amateurs.

Q. What does a Native American, a farmer, and a slave have in common?
A. They were removed from their lands by force and cheated by the government.

The Meaning of "A":

Some of us like reading law books or items that most folks would not read normally; however, regardless of your reading preference learning something new everyday is worth while, now according to Black’s Law Dictionary the “A” has many interpretation, which if you read law books, statues, etc., occasionally or by chance because something caught your eye on an issue…or even watch the Congressional channel and listen to them talk, having this definition of the letter “A” might help you understand the lingo.

A. The first letter in the English and most other alphabets derived from the Roman or Latin alphabet, which was one of several ancient Italian alphabets derived from the Greek, which was an adaptation of the Phoenician. The first letter in the Phoenician alphabet was called aleph, meaning “ox”, which is also the meaning of the first letter in the Greek alphabet, alpha. Alpha and the second letter of the Greek alphabet, beta, were combined to form “alphabet,” which is largely the same in different languages.

A in Latin and law Latin. Anglo-American law abounds in Latin and French words and phrases, and the use of A in these languages is important to the English-speaking lawyer. In Latin “A” was used both as an abbreviation and as a symbol. For example “A” was an abbreviation for “Aulus”, a praenomen, or the first of the usual three names of a person by which he was distinguished from others of the same family; also for “ante” in “a.d.”, ante diem (before the day), and for “anno” (year) in a.U.c, anno urbis conditae (the year of the building of the city) and in anno ab urbe condita (from the year of the building of the city). As a preposition, the form was either Á, ĂB or ABS. A was used before consonants; ab was usually used before vowels, but sometimes before consonants, whereas abs was used before “c” or “t”. The meaning was “from”, “away from”, “on the side of”, “at”, “after”, “since”, “by”, “by means of”, “out of”, “with reference to”, “in regard of”, “near by”, and “along”. For example, A fronte in front; ab tergo, from behind; a puertitia, from yourth; ab sole orbe, from or at sunrise; ab intestato, without a will, instestate. In law Latin, “a” means “by,” “with,” “from,” “in,” “of,” and “on,” and AB means “by,” “from,” and “in”.

A in French and law French. In French A is a preposition, the meaning of which largely depends on context. It is usually translated as “into,” “at,” “to,” “in,” "by,” “of,” with,” “on,” “from,” “for,” “under,” “till,” “within,” “between,” etc. it also changes into au and aux when combined with “the.” A is also the third person, singular number, present tense, indicative mood of the verb avoir, (to have): Il a (he has). In law French “a” is used as a preposition meaning “at,” “for,” “in,” “of,” “on,” “to,” and “with.”

The word “a” has varying meanings and uses. “A” means “one” or “any,” but less emphatically than either. It may mean one where only one is intended, or it may mean any one of a great number. It is placed before nouns of the singular number, denoting an individual object or quality individualized. The article “a” is not necessarily a singular term; it is often used in the sense of “any” and is then applied to more than one individual object…..So under a statute providing that the issuance of “a” certificate to one carrier should not bar a certificate to another over the same route, a certificate could be granted to more than two carriers over the same route……Also, article “a” in statue making it a crime for a person to have in his possession a completed check with intent to defraud includes plural……But the meaning depends on context. For example, in Worker’s Compensation Act, on, or in or about “a” railway, factory, etc., was held not to mean any railway, factory, etc., but the railway, factory, etc., of the employer. Where the law required the delivery of a copy of notice to husband and a copy to wife, the sheriff’s return that he had delivered “a copy” to husband and wife was insufficient…..

(retyped from Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th edition, minus reference to case laws and replaced with “…..”)

Now that you know the “true definition” of the “A”, you might be able to understand the lingo of congress when they speak and the reading of a law text or statue – yeah right.

Just An Opinion

How Far Does It Has To Go?

Government vs. Religion - OK so a particular faith don't believe in modern medicine, hell I wonder about it myself. They're not "licensed" (LOL) after all a doctor's license is to "practice"; guess in the eight years plus they don't practice while they are doing their internship or residency...anyways where is the line drawn between separation of government and religion. Because they [state government] lost one battle they changed the rules so they can win...talk about the ultimate cheat code! Granted I believe in protecting life, especially a child's but the simplest thing called common sense should take over when you get that gut feeling that something is just not right, which is God's way of talking to you...but it is mentioned in the Bible that if you don't do the things you're suppose to do, He will turn a deaf ear unto you. - referring to Oregon City, OR, Oregon v. Worthington.

Law Enforcement's Leash

So LAPD leash might be coming off, but if you live in my area and see several of the "rookies" doing their "ID checks" at the bus stops, sounds like my area "rookies" might need the leash now. How can a court tell a department not to be bias and to install cameras to ensure the officers are not "racial profiling" on traffic stops? Not because the government did it, but ethnics groups tend to stick together. So, if an officer works in in an area and constantly pulls over the same ethnic group for traffic violation and they have that camera on boards, are they "racial profiling" just because they have to work in that area? I don't think so, let's get with the reality here folks and open your eyes maybe less than one percent might be doing racial profiling, maybe an officer had an incident a week ago or five minutes ago with an individual and now it seems they're only pulling over that ethnic group...we're all humans and don't tell me you didn't think that way at one point or another.

No Guns Allowed - Not Posted

Some Wal-Marts sport the "NO GUNS" sign, others have a clause under the sign "Except properly licensed," yet you have a handful that don't display anything! Recently while working (in full uniform, vest, duty belt with gun, radio, etc.) when most folks won't ask what you do for a living because you're a walking billboard (target), I had to get supply and working graveyard you're limited to where you can get supply in the extreme early mornings when most folks are sleeping - anyways, after getting supply at the same Wal-Mart I have for years I went in with no problem and got the supplies and would you know it, an item didn't work time to exchange it since you're right there. Upon re-entry I was denied entry after I just bought the supplies, I explained they don't have anything posted of such thing "no guns" and that I was on duty and I was properly licensed; then came the stupidest comment from the greeting host, "Metro allowed all others no because they might get your guns." Wow! You go through training, some even have gone through a police academy, some military background, etc., unless your in a fight or in lala land, I don't care you you are the chances are high you will lose a weapon, that's why (a well trained individual or one with common sense) you check your surroundings to spot possible problems - PREVENTION. I think they should go through training, hope their alarm don't go off since we're not allowed in the store. Oh, a "Metro" did come to my aide (also buying supply) by telling them we're the front line because nine out of ten times, they (Metro) be there after us , if they're not busy and we take care of the calls on private property due to the contract. Yet, it is sad to know that the corporate main office supports hunter education and gun rights as I keep reading, but the "stores" sure shows a different attitude in a right to carry state.

TSA vs. Custom Agent

Recently I was advised by a close friend that was traveling abroad that when they entered the United States from their travel, Custom (which is part of the INS) checked their stuff and let them through, however, when they had to go through TSA check point, what they had, which Custom Agents allowed to pass they claim it was not allowed and attempted to confiscate the item. Needless to say the item made it home after a short debate, but still who's over who? TSA are not government agents even though they work under the blanket of "Homeland Security" and Custom are Agents that work for INS, which I know of several Border Patrol Agents that have gone to Customs and several Dept. of Interior/BLM Agents have gone to Custom too and visa versus because they are government employees...how does TSA thinks they supersede them? I'm all for "protecting the public", but hey too much is enough...talk about being bias go see a TSA personnel, now that's who needs the leash and the cameras.

The Big Question:

If you die today, are you going to heaven? How do you know you are going to heaven? Do good people go to hell? The last question I can answer easily, yes. Good people do go to hell. For there is only one way to go heaven and it’s outlined in the Bible in the New Testament, especially in the Book of John, not only that most folks have the one verse memorized (John 3:16), but to understand it completely you need to read the entire Book of John and the other books too. Now for the first two questions, I can only answer them for myself. Yes. Because I am saved and everyday I hunger for the word of God for my guidance and I’ve been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I already know I won’t see one of my relatives because they didn’t accept Him as their personal Saviour, would I see you?

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Today is a sad and happy day all in one. Sister had advised me that this morning when she dropped off our mother at our cousin's house, grandmother told her that she remembers who's she is and that she will never forget and that she knows that she will be gone for a while far away. My cousin has invited my mother to travel with them to drop off my grandmother (my mother's mother) in the country where she lived for most of her life and now she is returning in her old age of ninety-three years back to the country she lived and had my mother and her brother - Panamá City, Panamá S.A. I myself have had the pleasure of saying that I too grew up in that country as a child during my early youth (the 70's), the memories of David Chiriquí, Panamá, Concepción, Puerto Armuelles’ beaches, Volcán, Puertorillos, etc., just a few places that are vivid in my memories from that country (Panamá, S.A.). The sad part is that I was not able to see my grandmother before her travels due to my distance and lack of vacation time, but I did managed to see her a year ago and to speak with her very recently - the day before her travel while she was with the family one last time in Chicago. At least she was able to see her great-grandson (sister's son) in person and to see her great-granddaughter's photo (my daughter) before travel. Plans are already being put into the works for next year's vacation of returning to Panamá to see the family that I have not seen in many summers of thirty years ago or so.

Observation Commentary

Once in a while I would go to www.nrahq.org site and catch-up on some of the latest news around the United States about gun laws throughout the Union; however, one in particular had caught my attention at www.thepittsburghchannel.com pertaining to the NRA suing the city government of Pittsburgh for a law that had become without the Mayor’s signature. Their new law makes any law-abiding citizen criminals. They have enacted a law that if you do not report your firearm stolen within 24 hours you have committed a crime! Hey, wait a minute! Let’s take into account a service personnel, they have a safe with firearms and are deployed for six months or more (maybe less or more time) and while they are gone someone breaks into their dwelling and takes the safe or even gets it open because they got all the time in the world since neighbors really don’t pay attention to their surroundings and no one wants to get involved like yesteryears, when everyone knew everyone and block parties were common, they get back from duty and discover that their safe is missing or have been open and go to report the firearms stolen (six months later), but because the New Law states within 24 hours they have now committed a crime! There went that person’s military career down the drain for being a criminal.

There is always someone that “tops” a story, incident, etc., ever notice that either at work, at a bar (especially), or anywhere else? I was winding down after work before heading home for my schedule days off and I decided to make a stop along the way; almost immediately being pegged by the bartender and the few customers there once I order a club soda with a twist of lime and sat at the corner in the darkest part of the bar to watch the idiot-boxes of multiple channels (two news, one sitcom, three sports) and I started to listen to conversations that were near me. In one occasion a patron that was near by listening to my conversation with another patron chimed up and immediately (unwanted attention) started to tell us about their “experience” with a similar story; however, after several times of this happening I decided to try a non-scientific experiment of my own without the knowledge of anyone present.
I got the individual talking about something after I had started saying something and suddenly I stopped since they kept trying to speak over me and at first I started to “compete” against them and I skillfully held back and when they showed a significant pause in their story or among them telling the story I threw out a key phrase or word and soon those items were part of their story, finding this amusing, I kept it up almost on a regular basis and before you know it I had an hour long or so conversation with this individual “tailored” to how I wanted the story to sound and gave “encouragement” with a few words here and there. The things you can do when you are bored and want to have fun! The sad part of all this, I don’t have to think hard to see when this has happen before because I see it almost every day among my co-workers and other friends too. Is life that shallow and boring for others?

Has education change so much? Has society thought others that the memory or gray matter that the good Lord have given you is not to be used? Have something been put into the food you buy at the fast food joints and/or stores to cook at home? I have come across an individual that is doing a job for the first time, we call them “X”, something different from what they have done most of their life and another individual, we call them “Z”, that have done the same job for almost half of their life based on a twenty year program. Now what has bothered me with this scenario is the fact that based on a twenty year program, I myself have exceeded that mark…anyways; individual “X” in the short time that they have been doing this task have shown that they can keep up with the best of us and improvise, adapt, and follow their instinct on something – almost like a seasoned veteran to the job. Now individual “Z” that has been doing it for a while have been acting as though they have never been in this line of work nor do they show that they have the experience or as some would call it “the new bee.” Unfortunately I have to deal with it almost everyday at work and I just don’t know how to instill for them to use the gray matter and to put to use their experience, the only other remedy I have is to start doing write-ups, but I rather do write ups it is absolutely needed and a major “liability” problem – guess soon we shall see what may come.