Thursday, March 31, 2016

Your New Career as an Adultery Assistant!


CuTRis starts Maxihard to compete with Microsoft


CuTRis starts Maxihard to compete with Microsoft
UnAssociated Press
March 31, 2016


CuTRis has announced his plans to start a new company that will directly compete with Microsoft; which he plans to name Maxihard. According to CuTRis, Maxihard will produce software that is 23% better than what Microsoft has.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Try Taking Responsibility Instead of Taking Offense

See how that works out...

Changes in Testing of Artificial Sweetener


Changes in Testing of Artificial Sweetener
UnAssociated Press
March 30, 2016


Scientists now believe that it is best to test artificial sweeteners only on humans—in order to reduce the number of sick laboratory rats.

New Counter Top

We liked a lot of things about our house when we moved in but not the colors! So we painted the green counter top and then saved our money so that we finally could buy a new one!

County Attorney Expected to Decide in Jamar Clark Shooting

http://kstp.com/news/mike-freeman-jamar-clark-minneapolis-shooting-charges-announcement/4089427/?cat=1

No more Grand Jury does not mean you will get the decision you are hoping for. That decision must be based on the law and on facts—rather than on blind anger. Everyone should be responsible for their own actions regardless of the decision.

Possible Correlation Crime and Race?

Has anyone ever considered the possibility, even if remote, that the reason Black men are sometimes killed by police is that they are part of a demographic that may comprise a higher than average number of representatives who are involved in criminal activity and possibly also uncooperative with law enforcement officers? Because if any of these questions are in the affirmative, someone should probably inform Black Lives Matter so that they are armed with solid facts.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

CuTRis Down from Mountain Top


CuTRis Down from Mountain Top
UnAssociated Press
March 29, 2016


Even though none of his demands were met, CuTRis is said to have come down from the mountain top he has been sitting on for 12 days. When asked about the experience, CuTRis merely stated that he had run out of beer and nachos and decided to come down.

Monday, March 28, 2016

The Left & Right of Presidential Politics


The Left & Right of Presidential Politics
UnAssociated Press
March 28, 2016


It was thought today that Donald Trump may have said something intelligent over the weekend. Unfortunately, no one could remember what it was after he kept talking for a few minutes. Analysts are reviewing recordings to make a final determination sometime later. On the other side of the spectrum, there is some rumor that one of Bernie Sanders' supporters may have gotten (a part-time) job! Could this become a new trend? It is much too early to tell. Yes folks, this is politics at its best!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Happy Easter!


Snow Line


Driving north to south yesterday, I saw the dramatic snow line that crossed the Twin Cities.




Teacher at Como Park High Unfairly Targeted by BLM

What About this is a Racial Attack?

From what I can see, a Como Park High School teacher has been unfairly targeted for speaking the truth. In fact, I don't see anything that singles out any particular racial group in what he said! If you see yourself in the words, what does that tell you? If the truth is upsetting to you, what should you do about it? Should you "kill the messenger?" Should you fix your own issues or blame them on discrimination? This is utterly ridiculous and I have to think if people try to look past their misdirected anger, they will see that students have been allowed to break rules (and sometimes break teachers and staff) and ultimately, that will probably lead to more law breaking and incarceration in the future; will it not? When I worked in the detention room of a south suburban junior high, I had a very large special education student with a very bad attitude who was a regular in the detention room. He threatened to beat me up regularly too. Administration was afraid to deal with him because his mom had a lawyer ready to drop a racial discrimination lawsuit on the school at a moment's notice. Once, while in detention, this young man told me that nobody could tell him what to do. I responded that there are people called police officers and judges and they can tell him what to do and I saw examples of what happens if you don't follow the rules when I worked for county social services. He immediately responded by asking, "Are you saying that because I'm black?" I replied, "No, I'm saying that because it is true." He told his mom and his mom called the school and the Assistant Principal called me in his office and told me I could never say that to a student again. Later, I told the school police resource officer who was outraged by this. He said, "That is exactly what that kid needs to hear!" So while Black Lives Matter protests the teacher who spoke out about an obvious problem (we've all seen the continued news stories about students assaulting teachers—especially in St. Paul Public Schools), the students are not being held accountable and the teacher who points it out is being unfairly targeted to be fired. Maybe we need more teachers like him and not less. There are already too many cowards and not enough people who speak the truth. And by-the-way, are "we" allowed freedom of speech in this country (USA) or not?

—KJC

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Bring Lexi Page Home

https://www.change.org/p/keep-lexi-home

Children should be held above politics as the little gifts from God that they are.

Lexi Page Removed from Family by Insane Law

Apparently this is about some insane law that only Native American people can adopt Native American children! Lexi is said to be 1/64 Native American so the Choctaw tribe has decided to traumatize this child to satisfy the power they have due to the Indian Child Welfare Act passed in the 1970's. Unfortunately, this misuse of power is doing anything but protecting child welfare. Shame on the tribe and shame of the legal system for letting this happen! A child should never be removed from a loving home over such political crap!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3505472/Custody-case-girl-six-ripped-foster-family-1-5-cent-Native-American-white-appealed-California-s-highest-court.html

Biological Parents Should Think of Child

After reading a story about a child being torn from her family in a custody battle, I can only wonder how the biological parents could do such a thing to their child? The girl went to live with a loving foster family at age two and now at age six she has been removed, kicking and screaming from the family who loves her to go live with her dysfunctional biological family. It is truly heartbreaking and extremely upsetting. Shouldn't the child's interests be considered over all else? I would ask her where she would like to live. Everyone else can could with HER decision.

The Guy at the Bank Who Says "Hi"

Who is that guy at the bank who says “hi” to me when I walk in and doesn’t seem to do anything else? Why do “we” need him? I don’t need someone to say “hi” and tell me which bank teller doesn’t have anyone in front of him/her. Of all the stupid things that is high on the list.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Brussels Attacks are a Wake-Up Call

When I got up this morning I found that half a world away, people were blown up in a terrorist attack in Belgium The cowards who killed and wounded the people who were navigating through rush hour were said to be part of the ISIS terrorist cells living in that European country. It should serve as a wake-up call to all of us. As the people who are so worried about their privacy protest about the battle between Apple and the FBI over unlocking an iPhone of known terrorists, I can only think that I would gladly let the FBI look in my phone if it would save innocent people from being killed by terrorists. Will our desire for personal freedoms be our ultimate demise? And what about the outcry against profiling? When people from the Middle East are allowed free rein of their new country is it just asking for trouble? I don't believe all of them are terrorists—but the ranks of the law abiding citizens of Somali descent here in Minnesota are producing new recruits for ISIS all the time. Can we afford to let our desire for personal freedom impede our need for public safety? Of course, this same question could be asked of race as well. Can some people do anything they like and hide behind their minority status—to the detriment of the general public? The Brussels attack (as well as 9-1-1) has created a new world. Some freedoms may need to be compromised to keep the public safe. Furthermore, if the people (and countries) of the world are tired of ISIS murdering, enslaving, torturing, burning and destroying, then certainly if those people and countries work together, ISIS can be destroyed and eliminated from the world.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Spring Frogs!


11 Year Old Wine Was Good!



Here is a wine I made over 10 years ago out of wild grapes and honey. I love the color and flavor—though it is not like any other wine I've ever had. In fact, the taste varies slightly between the batches I've made over the years. It is not sweet and not really dry. It has a good amount of alcohol in it. It is entirely natural and a decade in the bottle does no harm.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

CuTRis Thought to be Sitting on Mountain Top


CuTRis Thought to be Sitting on Mountain Top
UnAssociated Press
March 17, 2016


Sources in a back alley of St. Paul have disclosed that CuTRis is sitting on top of a mountain in an undisclosed location. The reason for this is also undisclosed but widely thought by both informants to be based in his dissatisfaction with how people treat each other. Apparently CuTRis is on some sort of strike and may not return until people try to be nicer.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

This Beer Goes to 11



While finishing the recording of a song I wrote in 2014; called, "Away, Far Away," me and Dave enjoyed a beer we made in 2004. It was excellent and in no way worse for the 11+ years in the bottle. It was carbonated, had a head and tasted great. Of course, had it been pasteurized (which it wasn't), it probably would have spoiled.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Speculation: The U.S. Under Trump or Sanders

As you go to the polls, think about the USA under the leadership of either Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders. Trump is like the rich kid bully you grew up with and Sanders is a guy who is followed by people who don't like to have to work. Here in Minnesota, we once voted for a professional wrestler because we were sick of politicians. It was not a good thing even though it might have seemed like a good idea at the time. Seriously think about the consequences of either a candidate that is so far left that we can't pay the bills or one that is so far right we can't get along with each other. I know there isn't much to choose from but there is still time to choose more wisely.

White Privilege

When I sit in a room full of people who all look more like each other than they look like me I think about White Privilege. When I am asked to put my racial and ethnic demographics on an application form I think about White Privilege. When the spokesman for the black newspaper I applied to be a writer at told me the interviewer was not there I thought about White Privilege. Whenever I watch the Latin Grammys I think about White Privilege. When I watch Black Entertainment Television I think about White Privilege. When I am not allowed to show pride in my race because I am called a racist or supremacist I think about White Privilege. When I hear about the Miss Black America Pageant I think about White Privilege. When I hear about the NAACP I think about White Privilege. When I get information about groups to support Black or Asian or Latino students I think about White Privilege. When I hear about Affirmative Action I think About White Privilege. When there are initiatives to increase the number of teachers of color I think about White Privilege. When I play with my mixed race child I think about White Privilege. When I get a letter asking for a donation from the United Negro College Fund I think about White Privilege. When I see the TV news story about the latest arrests I think about White Privilege. When Black Lives Matter protests on a busy freeway I think about White Privilege. When I paid for my own college education by working and was not eligible for any student aid I thought about White Privilege. When I navigate a crowd of people loitering in front of the store I want to go into I think about White Privilege. When police officers are condemned for using deadly force even if justified I think about White Privilege. When I am threatened or insulted because of my skin color I think about White Privilege. When I work hard and pay high taxes I think about White Privilege. I think about White Privilege. I think about White Privilege. I think about White Privilege.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Got Ribs?


Pork Ribs grilled and served Saturday evening with grilled sweet potato, baked potatoes and rice.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Bad Taste at Joe's Crab Shack

The story that broke yesterday about the photo of a lynching found in a table at Joe's Crab Shack in Roseville is (I think) offensive to anyone who possesses a sense of right and wrong. It is inappropriate no matter what color anyone is. It should be removed and an apology from the corporate powers would be in order—though in no way is it mandatory; as we live in a country that preserves freedom of speech—even if that speech is stupid and outdated. Yes, unfortunately, there was probably a time when this picture with its caption about not liking the gumbo would be considered funny by some. But today it is not. It is inappropriate, just as the NAACP's own name should probably be changed because it would certainly be inappropriate for me to call its membership "colored people;" yet that is the name of the organization isn't it? Perhaps a hyphenated name would more reflect the political correctness of the current era. While I find the picture embedded in that table at Joe's Crab Shack offensive, I do not believe that it automatically gives the NAACP or Black Lives Matter the right to issue a list of demands. Demanding that money be "donated" to an African-American youth group is not within their rights. In fact, one might argue that any youth group that excludes all but one race is racist in and of itself. But that is not the debate here. The issue is that the picture should be removed. The company should apologize (the restaurant manager did so immediately upon being informed of the picture); but this is in no way mandatory and if they do not, no legal action should be enacted. If you don't like this, the appropriate response would be to choose to not patronize the establishment. Insults are not grounds to issue a list of demands and threats of protests—because freedom of speech is a sacred belief in our society. I don't like the picture and I don't want to see it. But I also don't like demands made up by angry people who belong to an organization with an outdated and possibly offensive name. So, when the corporate apology comes, and I believe it will (and if it doesn't you won't find me eating at Joe's Crab Shack—which is my choice), the appropriate thing to do is to drop the demands and accept the apology and to move on and stop bringing up the past—unless of course you have never made a single mistake yourself ever in your entire life. Then go ahead and have at it!

—KJC

Thursday, March 10, 2016

A Show About Nothing

If you hold a meeting to decide about the future but you have already decided that you can't leave the past, your show (or meeting) is about nothing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQnaRtNMGMI

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

Thank You Son

Thank you son for allowing me to watch you grow. I am in constant awe of your intelligence and abilities. Though you are still too young for some things, you are a master of much. Thank you son for allowing me to be a part of your education and your insatiable desire to know about everything around you. Thank you for letting me watch you learn to read and count and sing and run and play. Thank you for becoming such a good little helper. And finally, thank you for being my buddy.

Love,
Dad

Tuesday, March 08, 2016

Bringing in the Bobs

Whenever a company brings in the bobs, it is usually to pretend to be looking for solutions to bad business decisions—that they (i.e. management) have no intention of fixing appropriately. This tactic, however, is a way of deflecting the bad decision making onto a consulting firm that will gladly accept the blame—for tens of thousands of dollars in fees. It is a win-win for "everyone."

Monday, March 07, 2016

Scattergun McCuTRis Dropping Trou at Airport


Scattergun McCuTRis Dropping Trou at Airport
UnAssociated Press
March 7, 2016


Scattergun McCuTRis wrote on Facebook this morning - I had a great weekend! I've been thinking about having "Texans Are Better!" translated into Chinese--to open up a huge market of readers. I met with a Chinese publisher by the name of Henry Trou; who flew in to Houston for the weekend. I picked him up at the airport on Saturday and showed him around and we discussed the project. But now it is time for him to go back home. So I will be dropping Trou at the airport very soon!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010806725473&fref=ts 

Mummies Exhibit: Science Museum of Minnesota

I saw the Mummies exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. I went because I had a complimentary ticket. After having done so, it has reinforced for me that grave desecration when perpetrated by a museum, is called "Science."

Friday, March 04, 2016

This Presidential Election is an Embarrassment

I'm going to just go ahead and say that this presidential election is an embarrassment. There are no really good candidates. Donald Trump has hijacked the Republican Party—and apparently there are a lot of unhappy right-wingers who are supporting him. On the Democratic side, there is an aging socialist who appeals to the young people—who aren't likely to look at all the fallout from his particular brand of politics. It might look good at the surface, but underneath it is likely to cause a whole new set of problems. There is also Hillary Clinton who might have the skills, but is pulling around a lot of baggage from the past that might make trusting her difficult—though trusting any politician may be difficult if you think on it. So, none of these candidates would be my first choice. But when has the public ever gotten to pick the original candidates? Sure, we can vote for the last remaining millionaires but that first group just "pops" up somehow. It would sure be nice to have a candidate (or a party) that was for middle-America just once. But here we are! And it is embarrassing...

Tuesday, March 01, 2016

Super Tuesday

Honk If You Are an A-Hole

I've noticed that people like to honk their horns and get angry while driving. Often I have no idea what has them all riled up. This morning as I was waiting to turn left in the far left lane, another car in the far right lane sped past honking its horn. I was obviously not in the way and not blocking traffic. I was merely waiting for the green arrow so I could turn left onto the freeway. There didn't seem to be any other cars close by at that exact moment. So what was it about? Perhaps some people are just A-Holes...

Minneapolis SWAT Team to Get New Uniforms to Change 'Militarized' Perception

Nope, No Need for Gun Control...

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/29/us/ohio-school-incident/index.html