Fish Fear Me

Nine Years

Today marks nine years tobacco-free. And I haven't picked up the vaping habit either. There are still times I miss smoking, but I don't miss being addicted to nicotine or the smell of cigarette smoke on my clothes, in my car, and in my house. I certainly don't miss the expense. Figuring 1.5 packs per day and an average of $6 a pack, that comes to about $30,000 I didn't see go up in smoke. One downside was I ballooned up to 210 pounds at one point, but through a better diet and exercise I've settled into a much healthier 185. I'm glad I've stuck with it.

#NotChinese

So I've pretty much had it with China and its fucked up trade attitude. I'm going to do everything I can to avoid buying products made in China. It's not a matter of cost, it's the principle of not buying stuff from a country that makes it their policy to lie, cheat, and steal every chance they get. And that's China now. They are liars, cheats, and thieves.

So I started this weekend with a minor purchase, some new hand towels for my bathroom. Most of the towels on the shelves of my local Target were made in China, but it only took a minute to find some nice ones that were from Pakistan instead.

And there you go. Not Chinese.

Do your country and ultimately yourself a favor: Go #NotChinese.

I Don't Think I'm The Only One...

...Who tends to root for the creature about to be eaten alive:

Octopus sucks onto blogger's face as she tries to eat it alive https://t.co/sPuotr6gxl via @MailOnline

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) May 7, 2019

My Congresswoman Is A Moron...A Continuing Series

There is no occupation of Gaza, there hasn't been for 14 years. And if Gazans would act like humans instead of barbarians there wouldn't be any crises at all.

 

How many more protesters must be shot, rockets must be fired, and little kids must be killed until the endless cycle of violence ends?

The status quo of occupation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unsustainable. Only real justice can bring about security and lasting peace.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 5, 2019

"You Can Kill Them Now Or You Can Kill Them Later"

You can hear Margaret Sanger cheering all the way from Hell:

Guilty

Mohamed Noor was convicted on one count each of Murder in the 3rd Degree and Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree. He was acquitted on the charge of Murder in the 2nd Degree. He was immediately taken into custody and will be sentenced in June.

The murder conviction surprises me, the manslaughter one does not. However, at this point I have no reason to second-guess the jury. The case that Noor overreacted is a strong one and the jury obviously did not think it was negated by the exception of a peace officer's use of force.

I can't let this go without again mentioning that Damond never should have left her house that night. Contrary to numerous reports, Damond was not in the alley outside of her home that night, but more than 200' away at the end of the alley. Neither officer expected to see her when she suddenly appeared and if she had stayed in her home she would be alive today.

I lived in Minneapolis for almost almost 30 years, in nice neighborhoods like Damond's and not so nice ones. I called the police about 6 times in that time frame and every time I stayed put rather than wonder around in the dark while the police were doing their jobs. To me that is just basic common sense and I urge anyone in similar circumstances to do so for your own safety. 

Rest in peace Ms. Damond.