Wisdom is only valued by the wise. That is why the majority of the electorate dismisses it.

Civil war soldiers sent letters home to their loved ones during the conflict. Many were under-educated and were poor spellers. Their punctuation also left much to be desired. However, their kit bag of verbal precision was varied and full. The written word can be beautiful and fragrant in its precision but, alas, the flora to be found gracing the English language have been all but left to wither.

True, some writers and orators in later years enjoyed the  opportunities afforded by the sun-drenched fields and rock solid quarries of  pleonastic and explicit locutions. The interpretive discourses employed by such folks as Winston Churchill, H.L. Mencken and William F. Buckley Jr. could bring laughter, wonder and introspection to today’s population if it could but decipher the words.

Here is a common complaint:

Like, it is, like, dudes can’t get down with, like, BOOFs, cause they be talkin’ smack. Numb-meen?  Motha-f***ers be chillin’ in their crib…numb-sane? And don’t be talking to their crotch fruit.  Numb-sane? Snap! Okay, my bad. Dog, lem’me ax you a question and s**t. Like, does old dudes even know when they be jive talkin’? Numb-meen? Shee-it!  What they be jivin’ ’bout? Word! It be the bomb if I dug their s**t, ex-cetra. Like, dude…comprede vous, bee-ach?                           (Certainly floral, with a charmingly thorough lack of precision and economy.)

Translation: I don’t understand English and wish I did.            (Short and sweet but, sadly ,In this case, less floral).

One problem:  Most young folks not only don’t read the likes of Mencken. Some can’t even spell his initials.

QUESTION:  What is the difference between a member of the U.S. Congress and a baby  Central American Two Toed Sloth?

ANSWER:  Penmanship.

Another mass shooting. This time, at the “Pulse” nightclub in Orlando, Florida. It was the deadliest terrorist attack in the U.S. since 9/11.

Some folks, again, blame guns and their availability. There is some logic to this.

Blaming gun violence on the availability guns is logical in the same way that blaming the nation’s obesity problem on the availability of food is logical. Simple thoughts from simple minds.

Simple fix: Why hold a person responsible for his/her own behaviors when you can simply deny folks the freedoms of self-defense or an extra scoop of ice cream? (Of course, this only applies to law abiding citizens. The others aren’t governed by laws and will continue to murder innocent, defenseless people and/or get fat.)

I just proof-read my 40 previous blog postings and realized something:  God I have a lot to say. Much more than interests me.

Still, I think I’ll keep it up because I have a wee bit of a nasty streak.

See previous posts for earlier Zodiac signs.

SIGN: CANCER

Cancer is the emotional sign of “THE CRAB”. Cancerians are those who were born between June 21st and July 22nd. Their traits are the most difficult to pin down. They are loving, protective and sympathetic (perhaps even clinging and unable to let go) ,and emotional (maybe to the point of being overly emotional, touchy and moody.) They tend to be intuitive and imaginative, yet shrewd and cautious. But here’s the caveat: They are changeable. Cancerians tend to lean toward the politically Liberal side. They will jump at the chance to help you to safely cross a busy street (in a very careful and caring manner). But, once you reach the other side, don’t expect them to automatically let go of your hand.

SUB-SIGN: DRACO

Draco is the non-emotional sub-sign of Cancer. It’s symbol is ” THE DRAGON”. Actually, “Draco is Latin for dragon” and was one of 48 constellations named by Claudius Ptolemy (100-170 AD.). Those born on July 3rd might take the idea of simple caution to the warning stage (for example: Don’t celebrate with fireworks tomorrow or I’ll have you locked up!). Historically, Draco (the man), was the first legislator in 7th century Athens. The laws he drafted were harsh and unforgiving. From this came the term “Draconian”. Dracos may suffer from acid reflux and halitosis. And their feet are no field of daisies either.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a familiar face jump out of the woodwork to challenge Donald and Hillary? What if that face was very familiar? An Actor? What if that face belonged to a person who is neither Republican nor Democrat? What if he holds a lifetime membership in the N.R.A. while working closely and successfully with some of the most left leaning Liberal Progressives in the country? What if he holds an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University awarded to him due to his outstanding character and ethic? What if he is a board member of the non-profit “Michael Josephson Institute of Ethics” and co-founder of the “Character Counts Coalition”? What if he is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity who’s founder wrote, “…the main aim and object of Sigma Chi has been, and is, to develop and train broad-minded men who can recognize the wholeness of things and who are not bound down to a contracted, eight-by-ten notion of exclusiveness. There is an absolute necessity for such men.”? What if he was in the 160th Infantry Division of the California National Guard and activated during the Watts riots? What if he attended the California Military Academy and was commissioned a Lieutenant? What if, as an actor,  he was given an extra $350,000.00 at the end of a project and turned around and bought gifts such as Rolex watches and Porches and gave $1,000.00 bonuses to the cast and crew? What if The Joint Leadership of the United States Congress and the Congressional Award Board of Directors presented him with the Congressional Horizon Award? (The Horizon Award is presented to individuals from the private sectors who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life.) What if he is gracious enough, funny enough and humble enough to be one of the first stars to personally accept a $4.97  Golden Raspberry Award (Razzie) for worst film and ask the audience to give him the raspberry as he accepted it?  Would it bother you if he is a member of the conservative “Wednesday Morning Club” in Hollywood?

Sadly, he probably fits the profile of people in my earlier post “Ironic, Ain’t It?” Posted 4/25/16. Continue reading PROBLEM SOLVED! except…………. →

See previous posts for Taurus.

SIGN: GEMINI

Gemini is the emotional sign of THE TWINS (Greek : Castor and Pollux /  Roman: Dollius Partonii). Anyone born between May 21st and June 20th are said to have the following qualities:  They are expressive, talkative and fun. Curiously, they can have two sides. One may be outgoing and extraverted. The other side may be serious and indecisive. Don’t ask them to choose sides unless they seem to be in a good mood. Donald Trump (born June 14th) is a Gemini (for whatever that’s worth).

Alexandros of Antioch (130-100 BC) is believed to have sculpted the statue know as “Venus de Milo” representing the Greek goddess Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans). Strangely, the planet Venus does not relate to the zodiacal sign, Gemini. Gemini’s planet and sub-sign is Mercury.  Alexandros seems to have been focused on “The Twins” while sculpting the statue  ( and did a spectacular job on them, I must say), rather than the rest of her.  Wow! He appears to have neglected her arms  almost entirely.

Continue reading YOUR HOROSCOPES #3 →

There are lots of things you CAN’T do, even if you put your mind to it.

You are NOT only as old as you feel unless you feel your age.

You CAN’T be too smart for your own good.

A stitch in time may save 36 (or any multiple of 9).

A penny saved is simply that, a penny saved. (Even if you swiped it).

A bird in the hand can get messy (especially if it is a live duck). Also, it is only worth market value.

The larger they are, the harder YOU fall.

It CANNOT rain cats and dogs. It would be just as likely to rain post cards and feet. It can only rain “rain”. That’s why it’s called “rain”.

Absence makes the heart useless.

There are too many things that are better than a “poke in the eye with a sharp stick” to count.

Money can’t buy misery either.

A straight line is the shortest distance between two punch lines.

Moss be damned. A rolling stone gathers squat.

Pride cometh before “prie-dieu”. Ask Webster.

In the wake of the mass shootings at the Pulse gay night club in Orlando last night, TV news, once again, is presenting all kinds of experts with all kinds of answers to all kinds of questions. It’s like a grab bag festival.

As always, facts are hard to come by this early in the game. There are suppositions, guesses and political agendas leading the pack. When the media should be focused squarely on gathering facts and developing questions, they instead are jumping the gun by presenting definite maybes that will likely change tomorrow.

What we did know, even prior to this event, is that something like this was going to happen. And when it did, Conservatives would blame the terrorists. Liberals would blame guns. The media would find some way to make Trump look bad. (Frankly, he doesn’t need any help. We all know Donald is the ass to which Hillary is the orifice.)

I am curious though. I wonder how many folks were legally carrying concealed weapons in that venue. I understand how contraindicated it sounds to allow guns into a drinking establishment, but there are such folks who abstain from alcohol consumption to be the “designated driver”. I wonder if that concept might apply to “designated defenders”. Waiting for cops to arrive after calling 911 may not be a viable option. But at least the bad guy made the call.

Perhaps some folks were armed inside the Purse. If so, how did Omar Mateen  succeed in killing and injuring so many innocent people? Very curious.

Of course, simply  carrying a legally concealed weapon doesn’t automatically endow a person with the stones to use it to defend others.

Just a thought.