THE END OF AN ERA

AND A BEAUTIFUL BIRD




The F-117A Nighthawk has flown its final mission. By modern standards, it was slow (sub-sonic) and virtually defenseless. Its capability was that it was virtually invisible to radar, allowing it to penetrate where no other craft could. Developed by Lockheed-Martin "Skunkworks" and tested out of the Groom Lake AFB ("Area 51"). Even its naked eye image created confusion as to what was seen. During its secret period it was often reported as a UFO by civilians. In the late 80's, one crashed in Kern County, California. The military kept civilian fire/rescue operations from responding to the crash site, citing "National Security" issues.

***

You are a poor subsistence farmer in a poor third world nation. Earning, maybe, $2 a day and spending half of that to buy 2 kilos of rice to feed your family. Sounds tragic, but the vast majority of the planet's population does live that way. Whats worse is that the cost of food has increased so much over just the last six months that millions of people across the globe can no longer even afford that. In Bangladesh, the government has ordered it military to be fed potatoes rather than rice to try to supply their population with just the basics. Thailand, the largest rice producer in the world, has sharply cut its exports to the world market. Fearing that it may not be able to support its population's needs in the future.

Rice, potatoes, corn, wheat and so much more, are not only the staples for existence but are also the prime ingredients for producing bio-fuels.

Just something to think about the next time you refuel your gas guzzler with ethanol-85.

Oh, and Wal-Mart is now restricting just how many bags of rice a person can purchase.

***ADDENDUM***

On an even more serious note:

Think about what this is going to do to the price of beer, wine and liquor!

***

Did you know that the moon has weather? I didn't.

On the moon, the Earth always maintains a permanent position in the sky. And when we see the Moon as "full" someone there would see the Earth as being totally dark. The only illumination being that produced by man in its cities.

I wonder if future generations living on Luna will look up into the sky and say:

"Its a dark Earth. I bet all the Terra-Nuts will be out today."

***

I mentioned earlier that Northwest and Delta Airlines want to merge. Here is one of the major reasons why.

Over The Limit?
UNDER ARREST!
Please don't drink and drive

"Let's all be careful out there!"

"A MOTE OF DUST...

SUSPENDED IN A SUNBEAM"


I am pretty sure I've posted this before (just too lazy to go look). I know its been posted a bazillion times on the web, but the message never fades.

I miss Carl. His voice was so relaxing, yet captivating. A man who could articulate concepts in a way the average person could grasp, ponder and learn from.

Many thanks to Lugosi (Mirth, Musing & More) for refreshing my memories today.

Over The Limit?
UNDER ARREST!
Please don't drink and drive

"Let's all be careful out there!"

NORA, LEAH and ME

To see a whole lot more, just click The Swarty Family. Also located on the sidebar >>>>>>

Over The Limit?
UNDER ARREST!
Please don't drink and drive

"Let's all be careful out there!"

THE PICTURES SPEAK...

FOR THEMSELVES

***

She is cute. She is talented. Hopefully she will make the transition from child star to adult performer without too much difficulty. But, at 15 years old, I don't think Miley Cyrus has really been around long enough to write a memoir of her "life". That seems a bit pretentuous to me.

***

I see that Clinton and Obama are now each licking their wounds from the Pennsylvania primary fight. Taking shots at McCain while barely acknowledging that the other exists. This battle for the Democratic nomination gets more interesting every day. Its been over a century since the primary process, for either party, has gone this far without a clearcut winner. Get comfortable, this one is going to go the full 15 rounds. Right down to the judges decision. Neither candidate will win by a knockout, thats for sure.

***

Homeland Security has done it again. The "Virtual Reality" fence pilot project has been scraped, to the tune of $20,000,000 flushed. Another example of Dubya's top-down management style. Secretary Chertoff, who approved it just last week, now says that they'll be looking for input from the Border Patrol.

Ben Franklin once stated that the best way to make a decision was to write down all the positives and all the negatives. Letting that visual evidence be the decision maker. Looking at Dubya's record, his "positives" would fill a slip of paper the size of a Chinese fortune cookie missive. His negatives would fill a warehouse of documentation.

***

Its the 21st Century, damnit. So why aren't men and women paid equally for equal work? And, if the pending legislation makes it to his desk, Dubya has already announced that he will get his crayons back from Cheney and sign the veto.

***

I actually slept "normal" people's hours last night. Hence the reason for today's tardiness.

I'll be back later with more. I need a cup'o'coffee.

Have a great day and thanks for your patience. See ya later.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Over The Limit?
UNDER ARREST!
Please don't drink and drive

"Let's all be careful out there!"