Funny....

News alert....

Just launched today, a new blog: "Recipes from behind the Red Door"

Sometime this year a secret covert operation was launched to recover old family recipes. A team of highly trained operatives and one inept lookout observer who shall remain nameless, John, recovered long lost family recipes.

They along with others will be posted on the new site for everyone to enjoy. If you have one you would like to share sent it over and we will get you your 15 minutes of fame and publish your recipe. Check it out at:

www.recipesfrombehindthereddoor.blogspot.com

Today's chuckle

Krauthammer, spot on again....I like this guy.

Lie of the Day

Today's lie:

"The Constitution requires "separation of church and state", restricting government and private citizens from mixing religion and governmental function.

That's a lie. The 1st Amendment states the following:

"Congress shall make no law repescting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

The 1st Amendment is a restriction on CONGRESS -- not anybody else. It DOES NOT demand a 'separation of church and state'. It only demands that Congress establish no religion officially by law, and that Congress does not restrict the practice of religion in any way.

I don't have a term low enough for Maxine Waters

Despicable, reprehensible Witch? Nope. Inadequate.
Ignorant Socialist Thug? Nope. Inadequate.
Un-American Cow? Nope. Insulting to Cows.

Aw heck, I give up. There is no name for what this sorry excuse for a Congresswoman is.

So, Maxine, you want 'teabaggers' (a disgusting homosexual innuendo) investigated?

Just what is there about real Americans, exercising their 1st Amendment rights, that needs investigating, hmmm Maxine?

I've got news for you Maxine. You will NEVER silence us. You will only make us stronger every time you open your freedom hating racist pie hole.

Why don't you and people of your ilk in Congress just announce support for a Constitutional Amendment rescinding the freedom of speech and dissent? Either that, or move to Cuba or Russia. At least there, as Lincoln put it, "despotism can be taken literally, without the base alloy of hypocrisy".

Comments.....

I want to thank several people who have done a lot to clear the air and set straight some of the misconceptions that have been thrown about.

Matt Semeyn, thank you for your comments of last week and today. What you said was spot on and a great contribution to this blog. Bill Lamb, and Mary Alice should take a bow as well. Lakeside should stand and applaud the efforts of all three of them for not only the thankless job of being a board member in good times, but even more so under these circumstances. I don't recall any of you seeking those positions and as Matt put it, its about giving back. That is the leadership that Lakeside needs and deserves. Thank you all of you.

I am not sure what more I can offer that has not already been discussed concerning our unique situation. I am going to keep this open and available for those who do have something constructive to offer. I simply ask that we keep the tone civil and leave the name calling for some place else.

This has been a labor of love, fun and interesting and yea, I'd do it all over again. I will from time to time throw stuff on here, just to see if anyone is paying attention. Comments are always welcome, and it sure would be nice if those who do comment, use your name and not anonymous.

Again, I wish to thank Matt, Bill, and Mary Alice for their service, their expertise and their dedication to Lakeside, I for one appreciate it. Thank you.....

Fall sunset at Higgins

Thank you Tom for this beautiful picture. Wish I could say it's all sunshine here in Georgia but the rain is still falling. I'm waiting though.. Carlie's place is beautiful and when the sun comes out, I'll share some photos.

I'm enjoying the comments from the previous post. I think we may be getting somewhere. Everyone has a voice. Use it. We all know that part of the tradition of the camp is to live as non-confrontationally as we can. Doesn't make the problems go away, just keeps things simmering under the surface. There are issues that need discussion and they are reasonable, responsible and nothing to be afraid of. Start speaking up. No one can silence anyone. Suggestions and questions should be made and should be asked. Talk to the board, share your concerns, volunteer your services, pick up some litter if you see it..get involved and get busy. Thanks for sharing!!

On the road again.....

I'm off for a little road trip. Hitting Columbus for a few days, I'm going to hook up with some old friends, do a little shooting and then move on to Georgia. My grandaughter's class is having a "grandmother's tea" on Wednesday next week and I'm going to be there. Can't wait. (isn't she beautiful?) I'm bringing down a few of my mother's beautifully made smocked dresses for her to choose from. Don't know what I'll be wearing though..haven't packed yet. I'm staying a couple of weeks there and then will head to Cleveland to hang out with John and Pat. Can't wait!!! Will post from the road. I guess I'd better get moving and throw a few things in a bag!!!

Remembering September 11th

This has always been one of my favorite 9-11 videos. It demonstrates the unity we all had after the attacks. GOD how I long for that again. Another one of my favorites is President Bush standing on the mound of destruction yelling in the bullhorn , "AND THE PEOPLE THAT KNOCKED THESE BUILDINGS DOWN WILL HEAR ALL OF US SOON!" USA! USA! USA!

More observations....

Great comments on my previous post. I thought I'd continue on with a new post and let the comments keep coming!!

While the state park is just down the road with real campers actually camping, we at the "camps" are still a camp. While far from camping, it's the spirit of community that makes it a "camp". As a child, I couldn't wait to head off to camp. For those few weeks or months, I felt a part of a community and hey, don't all camps have their traditions? Isn't that what makes a "camp"? Lakeside will always be "my" camp. While cell phones and laptops have moved in with us, perhaps stealing a bit of the old ways of communicating from the old campfires up and down the path, we still hand down those traditions, hopefully hear the old stories from our parents and grandparents and if we don't, it's a loss.

We talked about "renters" in the previous comments. It is a fact that's here to stay. As more and more cottage owners move towards renting, it introduces a challenge to all of us. Most folks that are renting are friends of or former Lakesiders themselves. It's not a bad thing! I speak from experience here! It's great to be able to come back and it's been interesting to experience "camp" from different vantage points. What was our little "tri-cottage" experience was home. I've found that at different points along the path, the experience changes. We have the "east enders", the "west end" group and everything else in the middle. Getting to know Libby as a neighbor was a great thing. What a nice spot and nice neighbor. Moving around has it's benefits. Even within camp there are little groups, unique unto themselves.

As for manners... I'm not talking Emily Post here. Not talking stuffy either. My grandparents were probably the most wild and crazy party animals I know! We sure learned how to have a good time! One more great thing handed down. When I speak of the erosion of manners, it's still about consideration and basic respect. In camp we skate around conversations regarding MONEY, POLITICS, and RELIGION. I know all of us were brought up that certain things just were not appropriate conversational topics. That is fine. We can touch on current events and all but, our own personal beliefs and positions are kept close and respected. That's ok. What about that gossip??? Well, it's just one of those things that happens and boy can a little story move quickly. It's a game in a way and as long as it isn't taking a direction of hurting someone, have at it!!!

Reading the Lakeside book isn't very practical. First, I think it's out of print. While interesting historically, I don't think it addresses the problems. A list of "rules" won't either. Taking a little time to be friendly with new renters/and old..would be nice. If someone walks into the dining hall with a baseball cap on I'm sure someone could find it in them to just point out that "we don't do that"? And, it is true that no one could possibly know all the little ins and outs without some kind of help. I still think each cottage could use a "How to enjoy Lakeside" booklet. Not just the renters. I agree that a cottage owner who chooses to rent their cottage is responsible for what goes on is appropriate but like someone pointed out..they aren't there. We are though. A little help might be appreciated? Maybe not. Hmmm.

Mary Alice and I have contemplated a children's book on etiquette. I still think it's needed but what parent wants to be told how to raise their children? Could be tricky. Could be done. We'll see.

What do you all think could help? Maybe everyone needs to read the good old standby.."Who Moved My Cheese?"... Change management. Perhaps it's just part of the "ways"? I'm pretty certain my grandmother said the same thing about my generation and my mother I know is talking about "what has happened to these kids"? Still, it would be nice to think we could cultivate a little interest in maintaining or improving our behaviour towards each other. Some people just simply won't be interested and probably feel "they" are not a problem. Ummmhmmm...That's ok. The better everyone else behaves, the more certain folks might stand out. Ok, this is how NOT to behave. A learning moment.

Am I turning into "Aunt Helen"? OMG! No, I just think preserving the beauty of "camp" is a good thing. That includes the beauty of kindness and respect towards others. Listening to a group having a rousing good cocktail on the porch is different than listening to a bunch of very young children screaming all afternoon on a porch. (Hey, I was trying to enjoy a quiet read). Perhaps they needed a little nap? Or, there is the horse block. I know I spent many a meal sitting out there with my little ones. I don't think I finished a meal for almost 6 years when my kids were little. Eat in shifts!! Just a suggestion. Any others???

Observations.....post Labor Day

I am so very happy for those who hung in there to have this last great weekend of the summer. What beautiful weather! After an illusive bit of summer days, it's great to get a good Labor Day weekend. It's always a bit sad though knowing that the boats get pulled, the docks will come out soon and the last sounds of the dining hall bell are a distant memory. The dogs are roaming free!!!

I had a great summer. It was interesting to see the place from a couple of different vantage points and from the perspective of a "renter". Actually, can't say I have much perspective there, maybe in time, but it feels the same as it always did. Once a Lakesider, always a Lakesider. I do think our just being there surprised one family on more than a few occassions. Did they really think we'd just go away??? Hmm.

Observations- For one, I thought the Dining Hall did a great job. I've been there in good years and in bad years and for the money... this was a good year. I am certain that if you ate every one of your meals at some local restaurant you'd be complaining after a couple of weeks about the same old thing. Get over it.

My grandmother had a saying; "By mid-August nobody is speaking to anyone and it's time to go home". She was right. Or, at least partly right. It's a long time if you are there most of the summer for everyone to get along all the time. Now, it isn't everyone. It's a few people and it happens almost every year. There are some people who just wouldn't be happy in heaven. Stay home.

The same debate regarding renters is still going on. Some things will never change. The problem isn't so tricky if people would be willing to open their mouth up, go tell the offending party to knock it off, or..politely and specifically tell them "this is not the way we do things"... no, everyone has to huddle, bitch, send a note or drop a suggestion. I know there have been a few tough cases... still.. what is everyone afraid of? Offending an offending renter???? Please. Don't start making more "rules", start educating those who "don't know the way" in a very straightforward way. In other words, don't beat around the bush.

The Board. Well, it's obvious to just about everyone that the leadership is.. well..absent. The board members outside of the prez have been working their butts off and doing the best they can under really rotten circumstances. Someday perhaps the camp will select candidates based on skill sets as opposed to which family hasn't had a "turn" on the board. It's a long term, a reasonably sticky mess usually and the camp needs solid leadership. The pool of fresh blood is VERY limited, without doubt. However, it isn't a popularity contest to begin with and most are dedicated to protecting and preserving Lakeside. Not fluffing up their egos. We should be grateful to have those members of the board who are doing it for all the right reasons. Support them.

Finally, what happened to respect and consideration for others? What happened to basic manners? My generation of boomers did manage to have some fun out there but we still were taught manners. My grandmother made us stand in a closet if we wanted to chew gum. We also popped up and down like bobbers on the lake when someone of "age" came to the table. I still see some of the young ones doing that. I should say, maybe like one or two tables of young ones whose parents have taken this seriously. Kudos to them. What I saw as more obvious this summer is the lack in general of good manners. And, it was NOT the kids behaving badly. Ok, so.. maybe it's my grandmother's philosophy about "too much time and nothing better to do" by mid-August but what I saw was mid-July. One woman behaving badly.. but then... she always has. She stopped speaking to us then. Oh well. (our gain?)

All in all... it's always been the best place to learn how to show respect, use your table manners and practice them. My kids are forever grateful that they know how to behave in any situation and can converse with and feel comfortable with all sorts of people of all ages. They recognize bad behavior from a mile away. I'm not patting myself on the back.. I did my job, it's part of the culture and it's a great training ground. Perhaps we need to revisit this later.

Times are changing, old ways are starting to shift, and it makes me a bit sad to see some of the very good ways start to fall off. It's too beautiful there to let too many things go. For most of the camp, Lakeside was a gift handed down from their ancestors. For that reason alone, show a little respect.

I'm sure I'll have a few more observations to share......safe journey.

Uplifiting "Forward"

Apparently there is ONE competent government agent:



Oh, there's MUCH more to know about Sheriff Joe!

Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay.

The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows.

The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. Teresa and I adopted a Weimaraner from a Maricopa County shelter two years ago. He was neutered, and current on all shots, in great health, and even had a microchip inserted the day we got him. Cost us $78.

The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.

I have long wondered when the rest of the country would take a look at the way he runs the jail system, and copy some of his ideas. He has a huge farm, donated to the county years ago, where inmates can work, and they grow most of their own fresh vegetables and food, doing all the work and harvesting by hand. He has a pretty good sized hog farm, which provides meat, and fertilizer. It fertilizes the Christmas tree nursery, where prisoners work, and you can buy a living Christmas tree for $6 - $8 for the Holidays, and plant it later. We have six trees in our yard from the Prison.

Yup, he was reelected last year with 83% of the vote.

Now he's in trouble with the ACLU again. He painted all his buses and vehicles with a mural, that has a special hotline phone number painted on it, where you can call and report suspected illegal aliens. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement wasn't doing enough in his eyes, so he had 40 deputies trained specifically for enforcing immigration laws, started up his hotline, and bought 4 new buses just for hauling folks back to the border. He's kind of a 'Git-R-Dun' kind of Sheriff.


TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO

HE IS THE MARICOPA ARIZONA COUNTY SHERIFF

AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER

THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY:

Sheriff Joe Arpaio (In Arizona) who created the 'Tent City Jail':
He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.

He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails. Took away their weights Cut off all but 'G' movies.

He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.

Then He Started Chain Gangs For Women So He Wouldn't Get
Sued For Discrimination.

He took away cable TV Until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that Required Cable TV For Jails So He Hooked Up The Cable TV Again Only Let In The Disney Channel And The Weather Channel.

When asked why the weather channel He Replied, So They Will Know How Hot It's Gonna Be While They Are Working
ON My Chain Gangs.

He Cut Off Coffee Since It Has Zero Nutritional Value.

When the inmates complained, he told them, 'This Isn't The Ritz/Carlton.....If You Don't Like It, Don't Come Back.'

He bought Newt Gingrich's lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jails.

When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.

More On The Arizona Sheriff:

With Temperatures Being Even Hotter Than Usual In Phoenix (116 Degrees Just Set A New Record), the Associated Press Reports: About 2,000 Inmates Living In A Barbed-Wire-Surrounded Tent Encampment At The Maricopa County Jail Have Been Given Permission To Strip Down To Their Government-Issued Pink Boxer Shorts.

On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached 138 Degrees Inside The Week Before.

Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS.

'It Feels Like We Are In A Furnace,' Said James Zanzot, An Inmate Who Has Lived In the TENTS for 1 year. 'It's Inhumane.'

Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: 'It's 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear, But They Didn't Commit Any Crimes, So Shut Your Mouths!'

Way To Go, Sheriff!

Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves.

Sheriff Joe was just reelected Sheriff in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Glenn Beck - 1 Obamabots - 0

What Media Bias? Part 159

by Mark Noonan on September 6th, 2009 at 12:12am | 5 Comments
If George Bush had hired, say, a member of the John Birch Society to advise him, it would have been a major news story - Obama hires a hate-filled, self-described kook of a commie…and what do we get?

From a Nexis search a few moments ago: (Ed. Note: time stamped from September 4th)

Total words about the Van Jones controversy in the New York Times: 0.
Total words about the Van Jones controversy in the Washington Post: 0.
Total words about the Van Jones controversy on NBC Nightly News: 0.
Total words about the Van Jones controversy on ABC World News: 0.
Total words about the Van Jones controversy on CBS Evening News: 0.

If you were to receive all your news from any one of these outlets, or even all of them together, and you heard about some sort of controversy involving President Obama’s Special Adviser for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, your response would be, “Huh?” If you heard that that adviser, Van Jones, had apologized for a number of remarks and positions in the recent past, your response would be, “What?” And if you were in the Obama White House monitoring the Jones situation, you would be hoping that the news organizations listed above continue to hold the line — otherwise, Jones, who is quite well thought of in Obama circles, would be history.

There’s been a little bit out there - some of the kooks on the left are making hay over the fact that Meg Whitman - of E-Bay and now running for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in California - said nice things about Van Jones (this may toastify Whitman’s GOP chances - she’s already got two strikes against her - RINOish proclivities and a friend of John McCain - as far as the GOP base goes, and this is not going to be helpful, even though she’s now denounced Jones’ views). This Washington Post story has the most detail seen in the MSM, but even it is clearly a cover-up job.

But other than a few peeps, its mostly been a conspiracy of silence on what would be with a responsible MSM a massive news story. That such a hater and fool could commend himself to the Democratic leadership just shows how far they’ve fallen - and real journalists would have this guy for lunch, plus everyone who advanced his career, into the bargain. But, we get next to nothing. Naturally - because the MSM is a mere adjunct of the DNC these days.

UPDATE: Kooks of a feather - Van Jones was one of Ariana Huffington’s political directors in her quixotic run for governor of California. I’m telling ya, people, Van Jones is no one-off screwball - he’s mainstream on the left. The sort of idiocy he parrots is believed, deeply, on the left.

Mr. President: Re-Think This. Please.

by Mark Noonan on September 6th, 2009 at 05:33am | 10 Comments
The story:

Looking for a quick and easy boost in the polls, President Obama has decided to go to the one place where merit bears no relationship to adulation: the United Nations. On September 24, the president will take the unprecedented step of presiding over a meeting of the UN Security Council.

No American president has ever attempted to acquire the image of King of the Universe by officiating at a meeting of the UN’s highest body. But Obama apparently believes that being flanked by council-member heads of state like Col. Moammar Qaddafi — who is expected to be seated five seats to Obama’s right — will cast a sufficiently blinding spell on the American taxpayer that the perilous state of the nation’s economy, the health-care fiasco, and a summer of “post-racial” scapegoating will pale by comparison.

If the President does this, it will destroy the last shred of credibility he has among GOPers and Independents in America. News flash for you liberals: the United Nations is held in utter contempt by all non-leftists in the United States. Our President sitting at a table with the the dictators of Libya and Vietnam will be a national humiliation. He’ll look like a fool and we’ll all pay the price in diminished respect around the world (I know you liberals out there think that President Bush destroyed our respect - but what he “destroyed” as the willingness of global leaders to say nice things about us…but the way we fiercely defended right and justice for 8 years made us profoundly respected where it really matters). Only sheer idiocy or megalomania can account for a decision such as this.

I hope the story is wrong. If its true, I hope Obama changes his mind - he’s my President, too, and like him or not I need him to be effective on the world stage. This will undercut the ability of my nation to make its weight felt in the councils of the world.

Quote of the day

Unemployment Rises To 9.7%

Lovely:

The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to a 26-year high of 9.7% in August as nonfarm payrolls fell by 216,000, the 20th consecutive monthly decline, the Labor Department estimated Friday. U.S. payrolls have dropped by 6.9 million to 131.2 million since the recession began in December 2007….

So what is the administration doing about it? Nothing. They’re working on how to stuff health care “reform” down the throats of people who don’t want it, raising the deficit even higher, planning indoctrination broadcasts into the schools and defending troofer trash marxists in the White House.

The economy takes last place behind those important tasks.

Welcome to Omerica.

(And don’t forget, this is only the “official” unemployment number. Counting discouraged workers who have given up looking and run out of benefits would add a huge number more to the count - which is why they don’t count them.)

Tell's me a lot about our president...

My question is how does he know so much about crack head's ? Just like I said last year, be afraid, be very afraid.

ABC's Unwitting Self-Parody:

'Proof: The American Worker is Getting Nickle and Dimed'

The ABC News Blog laments the plight of the common man here in Obamaland and concludes we're all getting the shaft.

Proof: The American Worker is Getting Nickle and Dimed
There is a study out today from UCLA that looks at how employers are cutting corners when it comes to paying their low income employees.

68% of the workers surveyed were cheated out of pay during the previous week.

The researchers found that the average worker was nickle and dimed out of $51 dollars a week. Employers weren't always paying their workers for all the overtime they worked. And some employees were talking their staff out of putting in for workers compensation after injuries.

Wait until ABC figures out their employees no longer know how to spell nickel.

Now do you still think state run media has their act together?

And the coyote sang....

Our last night at Higgins was a beaut. Crisp, clear and with a bright moon shining, I went out to sit on the porch. I heard the coyotes. First time ever. What a thrill. First came the call. One lone female I presume howled. Soon another answered and not even a minute later they were all kicking up their heels and you could just picture a circle of them dancing in the woods. It was an awesome sound. I then heard a bark and a whistle. I think perhaps Kris was calling in the dog and then everything went silent. By the time I'd gotten mother out to hear them, the symphony had ended. God I was happy to have heard them. They didn't sound very far away at all. What an end to a lovely summer.

It's always a bit sad to leave at the end of summer but without doing that, you don't get the joy of coming back. I can't wait until next summer. It's still one of the most beautiful places ever.