Washington Mutual Survivor

My nerves are on edge. This morning I found in my inbox 5 emails sent just after midnight from a former acquaintance. I'm concerned she may be in the throes of some sort of meltdown. I've seen this happen before.

But what's really got my nerves on edge is the non-stop financial meltdown. No, I'm not talking about my personal non-stop financial meltdown, I'm talking about that other one to which they can't seem to agree on a solution in Washington, D.C., with a big meltdown at the White House yesterday.

Then to open the morning paper to read that my bank was seized by the Feds overnight in the biggest bank collapse in U.S. history, well, it just makes me nervous.

I'm guessing the new WaMu branch being built near me is likely not going to be opened.

This morning's woeful article about the WaMu collapse in the Seattle P-I said the collapse was precipitated by $16.7 billion in deposits being pulled since September 15.

I'm thinking maybe I should go pull 1 or 2 of my billions out of WaMu and put them somewhere safer. Though, supposedly the money is currently safe. But what if the warned about Financial Pearl Harbor happens? Will any money be safe if that happens, that isn't tucked under your mattress?

Hurricane Strikes Mexico

Alma, the Sweet Songbird of the South, singing this Saturday at the Tarpon Ice House in Port Aransas, sends me some amusing emails. Every once in awhile I'm not sure if one of the Alma emails has maybe crossed the line into the world of politically incorrect, or not.

Like this one Alma sent me today......

A Category 5 Hurricane Hits Mexico.

Two Million Mexicans Die and Over a Million are Injured.

The Country is Totally Ruined and the Government does not Know Where to Start and is Asking for Help to Rebuild.

The Rest of the World is in Shock.

Canada is Sending Troopers to Help the Mexican Army Control Riots.

Saudi Arabia is Sending Oil.

Other Latin American Countries are Sending Supplies.

The European Community (Except for France) is Sending Food and Money.

The United States, not to be Outdone, is Sending Two Million Non-English Speaking Mexicans to Replace the Ones Who Died.

God Bless America!

My Fabulous Tacoma Relatives

I was talking to one of my oodles of blog readers and was appalled that I'd left that blog reader with the impression that my dear little sister and equally dear little Kristin had created a nightmare for me while I was staying with them.

No. No. No. That is not correct. Kristin and Michele and Blue and Max made me feel like I was a King staying in some sort of 5 Star Hotel. I don't recollect ever being so pampered or treated so kindly.

There was not a single moment where I felt even in the slightest way uncomfortable or unwelcome. My entire time in their house I was talked to in the nicest, most respectful manner imaginable.

I'm sure I must have done at least one thing that got on someone's nerves, at least a little bit, but I heard nary a word about anything I might have done that wasn't kosher. Even though I knew I did some questionable things.

Like setting off the security alarm despite being told not to open a door.

Or burning steaks to a blackened crisp. They ate the charred remains as if they were the tastiest steaks they'd ever had, with nary a complaint. A few days later they even let me barbecue chicken using my multiple flipping method, despite it being horribly controversial and not allowed when I burned the steaks. Ironically if I'd used my multiple flipping method with the steaks, they wouldn't have been burned black.

When I forgot to water the backyard plants, killing several of them, not a word was said, the plants were simply replaced. To my embarrassed chagrin.

I could go on with more examples, but you get the drift. I absolutely totally enjoyed my stay with Kristin and Michele and Blue and Max. It was other parts of Tacoma that set my nerves on edge.

There, now the record has been set straight.

I Would Change My Name

A Hurricane Ike Survivor on TV....

I Vote For No One

A week ago John McCain said the American economy is fundamentally sound. Yesterday he suspended his presidential campaign and opted out of tomorrow's debate because the economy is now in crisis in dire need of his attention.

Meanwhile Joe Biden thinks FDR was President at the time of the 1929 stock market crash and that FDR spoke to the American people about the crash via television.

Which likely doesn't strike Sarah Palin as odd since she thinks the Founding Fathers initiated the Pledge of Allegiance and put it under God. At the same time she thinks banning books is a doable thing in a democracy in which freedom of speech is one of its founding tenets.

And then we have Barack Obama who thinks there are 57 or 58 American states. And who repeated over and over again that over 10,000 people died in a Kansas tornado. Among other gaffes.

I was appalled awhile back when I read that the majority of Americans could not tell you when the Civil War took place. I am more appalled that someone running for the highest office in the land doesn't intuitively know that 10,000 people dead from a tornado would be a disaster of historic proportions.

Or that the Pledge of Allegiance came about in the 1890's at the instigation of a preacher and that God didn't get added til the 1950's.

Or that FDR did not become President til 1932, 3 years after the stock market crash of 1929. And that the first look Americans got at TV occurred in 1939 at the New York World's Fair. Or that an American President did not talk to the American people via TV til long after 1929.

I'm thinking I don't think I can vote for any of these boobs we have to choose from this time. I'll just stay home and mutter the Pledge of Allegiance a dozen times come the first Tuesday in November.

John McCain Suspends Campaign & Debate While Clay Aiken's Gay

Can't I have a peaceful lunch without hearing something shocking on Fox News?

It was bad enough to be told that Clay Aiken had shocked his fans and the rest of civilization with the news that he is a father. And gay. These revelations came via People Magazine.

I'd barely digested the shocking news about Clay Aiken when special breaking news had John McCain announce that he is suspending his campaign to return to Washington to participate in finding a solution to the financial crisis. This includes postponing Friday's debate and when that debate is held sometime next week, switching the subject from foreign policy to the economy.

McCain asked Barack Obama to do the same. To go along with the debate postponement and to return to Washington. They are both senators, after all. It seems the responsible thing to do.

But, I was looking forward to Friday's debate. I don't take postponed gratification well.

More Bad Gas News With Your Morning Coffee

Incoming from Don Young. A list of links to articles in the Star-Telegram, including the shocking one at the top of the list. Plus a wise saying from Confucious....

1) The Texas RRC voted unanimously, yesterday, to use Oil & Gas Clean-up Funds to speed up drilling permits. There ARE 49 other states to live in, you know. Choose carefully.

Click here to read the story.

2) Former Fort Mayor Bob Bolen has joined the Motley Fool Mayor's Chorus in singing the praises of urban gas drilling. I'm sure Moncrief and Barr requested this bit of corporate drivel.

Click here to read the story.

3) Do not underestimate the impact of the Thomas Drilling site in east Fort Worth. This 3-pronged assault on West Meadowbrook is THE Tipping Point for anyone paying attention. This is the Alarm Bell that must be answered. Be ready.

Click here to read the story.

4) Remember: Moratorium Rally Thursday afternoon at 5:30 pm.

5) "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

Confucius

Saggy Pants in Fort Worth

A couple days ago I was sitting out on Miss Puerto Rico's balcony watching the passing parade of humanity when a shirtless guy came into view. He strutted along with his pants about down to his knees with huge boxer shorts shining bright for all to see.

Miss Puerto Rico said, "That is just not appropriate." That sounded funny spoken with her accent.

I thought this pants down fad was just a D/FW Metroplex thing. I didn't see any pants down to the knees when I was up in the northwest. When I mentioned that it was nice seeing everyone wearing their pants properly I was told that that fad had come and gone a couple years ago.

Fort Worth and other towns in this metro zone have tried all sorts of things to get guys to pull up their pants. There are billboards around town as part of what is called the "Pull 'Em Up" campaign.

Apparently that campaign isn't going too well. Fort Worth's Mayor Mike Moncrief thinks the city should put up posters at various venues around the area, like the Fort Worth Zoo.

And put bumper stickers on the city's cars and trucks. So that, as Fort Worth's esteemed mayor said, "Wherever they go with their pants down around their ankles, they're going to see signs that say 'Don't do that.'"

I've got a much better solution. As in make the sagging pants thing not cool. I'm doing my part. I went out and about today with my pants sagging. Which you can see in the photo at the top. Sure, I got some curious looks. But I'm sure at least one saggy pants wearer saw me and thought to himself, "Geez, that ol' cracker looks like an f-ing fool. I ain't gonna do that anymore."

If Mayor Moncrief and the rest of the Ruling Junta would drop their pants and wear them down around their knees and visit local schools, I'm sure this stupid fad will come to an end quickly.

Or just wait it out. Most trends start on the coasts and then spread to the less trendy zones. Give it a few years and I'm sure the news that this goofy trend is no longer cool will spread to Fort Worth. Of course, hastening that awareness might be a good thing.

I don't think we need to worry about the girl participants in this fad. They seem to wear their saggy pants much more tastefully.

Let's Talk Moratorium Fort Worth

Fort Worth's Ruling Junta has decided to talk to the people of Fort Worth about their city for the 3rd time in something like 50 years. One of the opportunities for the people of Fort Worth to talk to the Ruling Junta takes place 6:30 PM Thursday, September 25 at Will Rogers Memorial Center Auditorium in the goofily named Fort Worth Cultural District.

At the same time that the Ruling Junta is listening to the people another group of concerned Fort Worth citizens will be holding a rally at the same location, a rally to give voice to the idea that Fort Worth's Ruling Junta should listen to the Fort Worth citizens who believe a more cautious course be taken regarding the massive drilling going on in the Fort Worth urban zone, the first time such activity has been allowed in a densely populated area.

You can find details of the Moratorium Rally here.

And, as if to rub salt in the wounds of those trying to chart a more cautious course, yesterday, on Tuesday, the Ruling Junta approved Chesapeake Energy's gas permit near Tandy Hills Park.

And now, back to the Ruling Junta's "Let's Talk Fort Worth" nonsense. In the Fort Worth Star-Telegram today there was a full page ad for the Talking Project and Thursday's listening session. The Ruling Junta even has a website devoted to this. Fort Worth is laying off workers, shortening library hours, among other things, due to a huge budget shortfall that is not being helped by any windfall from Barnett Shale, but they can afford full page ads and a website for their "Let's Talk Fort Worth" project.

Here's some typically deluded verbiage from one of the 2 full page propaganda ads that the Ruling Junta placed in today's paper....

"Fort Worth is a thriving, dynamic progressive city known for its cowboys and culture---everything from world class museums, corporate headquarters, and NASCAR to an abiding reverence for its unique Western heritage.

Today, Fort Worth is recognized as one of America's safest, most livable communities with plenty of fertile ground for economic growth. The city's successes and accomplishments are no accident, though. They are the result of thoughtful planning by city leaders who have been guided by the vision of the residents they serve."

It goes on and on from there. Where do I start? Progressive city? Known for its culture and cowboys? Known by whom? You in the rest of the country, do you know anything about Fort Worth? Known for its corporate headquarters? Radio Shack lost its headquarters, Pier One Imports lost theirs too, to, I think, Chesapeake Energy. Is that what they mean by "known?" As in known for corporate boondoggles?

Livable? With gas drilling going on all over town and hundreds of miles of pipelines being laid to carry odorless gas? That's livable? With homeowners being threatened with eminent domain unless they agree to have a pipeline shoved through their front yard. That's livable?

Fort Worth is known for being safe? The town couldn't even keep open its signature park at the north end of downtown, called Heritage Park, due to crime problems.

Thoughtful planning by the Ruling Junta? Huh? Where is there any evidence of any thoughtful planning? Has any member of the Ruling Junta thought maybe it'd be a good idea for Fort Worth to build some sidewalks, like what exist in actual progressive cities? You might want to start with something simple like that.

Fort Worth Urban Gas Drilling Moratorium Rally

Urgent message just in from Don Young.......

WHAT:

Urban Gas Drilling - Moratorium Rally

PURPOSE:

We are calling on the City of Fort Worth to impose an immediate MORATORIUM on all new gas drilling permits and pipeline activities until the City has a Master Plan that addresses the Total Impact of urban gas drilling production.

WHEN:

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008

5:00 p.m. - begin gathering

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - MORATORIUM RALLY

(Rally held prior to the City of Fort Worth's, "Let's Talk Fort Worth" event)

http://www.fortworthgov.org/townhall2008/

WHERE:

On public property in front of the Will Rogers Memorial Center Auditorium. (It's perfectly legal.)

3401 W. Lancaster Avenue - Fort Worth

BRING:

1. Posters, Banners, signs
2. Cameras - Video & Digital
3. Friends, Family and Neighbors!