Cop The Truth

CTT Joins Twitter (So What?)

Now on board with Twitter (whatever the heck that is!) so you can follow me there, as well (though I have no idea why you would want to....).

Now if I could only think of something interesting to say there...

Thanks for reading, everyone.

Thanksgiving 2008

I often wonder what it is that many Americans seem to be so unhappy about.

I woke up this morning with the knowledge that I could get in my car and drive anywhere I wanted, including into two neighboring countries, with little hassle. By taking an airplane or boat, I can visit Europe, Africa, Australia and South America - and countless other places - and still be relatively safe.

I am confident that my family is free from harm because there are men and women out there - many in uniform - who have given up their holiday and family time so that they can protect all of us and respond to any emergency that might arise.

My concern isn't that there's not enough food to eat, but rather that there's too much.

I am not rich, nor even close to it, but when I think of the people in some of the other countries I've visited, and what their lives are like today, I know that I am probably wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. Humbling, indeed.

I am surrounded by family and friends - and the memories of those no longer with us - and I couldn't be happier. I have lungs full of air, good health and the hope that tomorrow will be an even better day for all of us. Money is perhaps a bit tighter than in recent years, the world a more dangerous place, our country more divided, yet we endure and even thrive.

I think that many of these whiners and complainers and naysayers have never been to another country. Never truly seen squalor or hunger or the constant threat of physical harm. Because once you have seen those things, you can never forget them. It gives you an appreciation for - and love of - this wonderful country in which we live and for the people that protect her.

Having said that, there are those among us who are hungry, poor, without a place to live and/or in danger. On this day - as we should every day - extend a hand or a kind word to a stranger and expect nothing in return. Donate money, food or your time to your local homeless shelter, church, veterans organization or hospital. Say a prayer for those less fortunate, for those overseas risking their very lives and thank almighty God for the gifts in your life.

And take a moment to say Thanks! to a police officer, a firefighter or medic, a member of our armed forces, a nurse or teacher, for their service to this, the greatest nation on Earth.

Attention Sunday Shoppers!

Plan on sleeping through WWIII? Then this is the bed for you!

If you regularly bed down in a hostile environment, maybe this is the right bed for you. The great thing is that securing yourself inside doesn't mean you're separated from many of the common comforts you would expect. The Quantum Sleeper can be fitted with a CD player, a DVD player with PC hookup, a microwave oven and even a refrigerator. Plus, it has options for cell phones, CB and short-wave radios.

The price tag on this bunk runs about $160 thousand. Basic requirements include enough space to install the unit, which weighs about 2000 pounds and expands to 138" wide x 98" high x 150" long when fully open. If you choose the natural disaster options, the manufacturer recommends it be installed on a ground floor with a concrete slab for proper anchoring, "to resist the forces of wind and water." Plus, installing on the ground floor will prevent the unit from falling through should the home structure become weak due to fire or other forces (or, say, really heavy beds).

Some of the basic features:

• 1.25" Polycarbonate Bulletproof Plating/Shielding
• Bio-Chemical Filtered Ventilation
  Rebreather
• Control Panel Mode Selection (i.e., Basic System Ops., Intruder Setting, Energy Status, Lock Down, etc.)
• Cover & Door Actuators w/ Emergency Release
• One way see through head cover (reflective mirror on 2 sides and front)
• Safety Features (Proximity Sensor, O2 Sensor, Smoke Det., Motion Det. Etc,)
• Emergency Communication system (Cellular, Short-wave Radio, CB etc.)
• Audio Amplifier (Amplify sound from out side unit) Air/Water Tight Sealing
• External Override Key Pad & Remote Control
• Battery Backup Power
• Toiletry system

Better than a shelter half and poncho liner any day!

Federal Appeals Court Overturns Air Passenger Bill of Rights

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a New York law that would require airlines to provide basic necessities to passengers stranded on delayed airplanes.

The law was challenged by the Air Transport Association of America, the industry trade group representing leading U.S. airlines.

The court said that while the goals of the law were "laudable" and the circumstances prompting its adoption "deplorable," only the federal government has the authority to pass such regulations.

"If New York's view regarding the scope of its regulatory authority carried the day, another state could be free to enact a law prohibiting the service of soda on flights departing from its airports, while another could require allergen-free food options on its outbound flights, unraveling the centralized federal framework for air travel," the court wrote.

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, the prime sponsor of New York Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, said in a statement that the ruling "is a disappointment to anyone who has suffered at the hands of airlines that care more about profits than their customers."

I'm sure that the federal government will get around to passing an Air Passenger Bill of Rights just after they build the fence to secure our borders.

In a word: never.

A Shameless Promotion

The guys at Ranger Up! aren't very bright, because they are thinking about letting me do some writing for them.

Please read my border analysis and vote at the end, using words like BRILLIANT and GENIUS and HANDSOME STUD! Actually, that last bit is just to fuel my ego, but if you wouldn't mind...

While you're at it, buy some of their great gear too, because then I won't have to suck up as much.

Seriously, the guys there support our troops, cops, firefighters, gorgeous women and everything else American. What could be cooler than that?

Welcome 2008!

Happy New Year, friends and comrades!

Here's to hoping that we may, truly, start all over.

Happy Christmas!

Ah, Christmas Eve! It's 80 degrees at the beach, everyone is bundled in shorts and a t-shirt and there's a "red flag" fire watch in effect due to high winds. Oh, how I envy those of you with a few inches of snow.

Happy Christmas to one and all!

And to our brothers and sisters serving overseas in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Middle East and everywhere else this season, thank you! Your constant vigilance and patriotism are the foundation of the free world.

You are not forgotten this day or any other.

May God bless each of you and see you safely home.

Time Magazine Flubs Another One

Time magazine's Man Woman Person of the Year for 2007 is Gen. Petraeus J.K. Rowling Vladimir Putin???

WTF?

Well, I guess it could have been worse.

All I want for Christmas

Debbie at Right Truth was kind enough to tag me this Christmas.

Three things I do want for Christmas:

1. health and happiness for my family and friends
2. an America united against our enemies
3. a quiet cabin in the mountains with a big fireplace, snow outside and a hot little Santa's helper (like Lacey Chabert) to share it with

Three things I don't want for Christmas:

1. Democrats running the country
2. more celebrities offering their pathetic opinions on world affairs
3. John Kerry in charge of anything more than his own sad ego

And there you have it.

Hey, Mom, Spinach Sucks!

Tainted spinach traced to California.

No wonder I never ate it as a kid. I think my Mom was trying to poison me!