Local time where you're at. ("Where you're at"?)

Over the years, a number of my friends have taken time on Memorial day to thank my wife and me for our military service. We always respond with thanks of our own, but the truth is, this day is not about remembering those who have served and are still with us. This day is about remembering those who took the oath to protect and defend the our Nation’s Constitution, and lost their lives in that service.

I ask that today you remember in your prayers the families and friends of those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguards, and Peace Officers who gave their lives that we might remain free. I also ask that you continue to pray for the safety of those who remain in harms way.

Yahoo & TMZ have reported that disco queen Donna Summer has passed of cancer at the age of 63.

More later.

To be continued…

As you guys have probably already guessed, I have this penchant for being…different.

(There will be no misting here; this is a memorial.&#160 Enjoy your incredulity in the privacy of your own thoughts.)

When my high-school contemporaries were rocking out to Boston & Skynrd, I was firmly ensconced in Top 40.&#160 When the Sibling Unit&#153 was imbibing Coca-Cola, I had to go with Dr Pepper.

And when my brother was in the midst of his own personal Beatlemania…it was the Monkees for me.

We lost one of my favorite lead singers yesterday.&#160 Davy Jones was 66.

Jones was a former racehorse jockey-turned-actor who soared to fame in 1965 when he joined The Monkees and they embarked on an adventure that included a wildly popular U.S. television show. Jones sang lead vocals on songs like “I Wanna Be Free” and “Daydream Believer.”

Feel free to go read the rest.

Davy Jones was one of the good guys.&#160 (All the Monkees are, but Davy especially.)&#160 He left us too soon, and we grieve with his family.

Godspeed, Davy.&#160 You’re missed already.

The SpatulaGoddess has reported (and Drudge has confirmed through the Big Hollywood site) that Andrew Breitbart has passed away at the age of 43.

Andrew passed away unexpectedly from natural causes shortly after midnight this morning in Los Angeles.

We have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a dear friend, a patriot and a happy warrior.

Andrew lived boldly, so that we more timid souls would dare to live freely and fully, and fight for the fragile liberty he showed us how to love.

Hope to have more later.&#160 For now, the conservative movement has lost an icon, and this is not a good day for us.

Y’know, I was going to try and offer a short eulogy/tribute to Whitney Houston – who, as I’m sure you guys are all aware by now, died yesterday at the age of 48…

…but then I read this from Yahoo! music blogger Billy Johnson, Jr.

Too many of us—myself included—are guilty of making insensitive jokes about the demise of Whitney Houston, her frail frame, loss of one of pop’s purest voices, and battle with drugs.

But none of us are laughing now.

[…]

Houston’s fans were concerned when she married R&B bad boy Bobby Brown in 1992, but they professed their happiness.

By the late 1990s, Houston’s drug problems began to become tabloid fodder. In a 2002 interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer, Houston admitted to her struggles, but maintained that she was doing fine.

The public received its first real glimpse of Houston behind-the-scenes in 2004 when she appeared on Brown’s reality series “Being Bobby Brown.” The bad publicity move depicted Houston as profane, combative, and delusional, seemingly supporting the behavior of someone on drugs.

Among the saddest indications of Houston’s fall was her 2009 comeback album, “I Look To You.” While the album received positive reviews, her live performances signaled that the damage to her voice was beyond repair.

Concertgoers stormed out of her 2010 “Nothing But Love World Tour” angry, complaining that Houston was not fit to sing live, and they demanded that their ticket costs be refunded.

On stage, Houston made light of her vocal struggles, and even seemed to be confident when doing so.

But the public scrutiny intensified, and was followed by additional stints in rehab.

While the cause of death has not yet been revealed, one can only wonder whether it was drug-related.

I think that, of this, there can be little doubt.

People like me have been shouting loud & long from the rooftops about the dangers of illegal drug use, from marijuana right on up the scale (pun not really intended, but it fits here, doesn’t it?).&#160 For our efforts, we’re pooh-poohed, laughed at, ostracized, sniffed at, dismissed and just generally treated like pond scum by the so-called “enlightened” among elitist shits who think that there’s no harm in “just a little recreational drug use”.&#160 Just a li’l toak ever’ now-and-then, cain’t be allllll that&#160 bad, now can it?

Whitney Houston very likely started with marijuana.&#160 You tell me.

Rest in peace, Whitney.

Denizens, this gentleman was my first pastor.&#160 (Not my first minister, as I was a Presbyterian prior to this – really too young to consider things, but still.)

This man set the standard by which all other preachers & pastors – both Southern Baptist & not (yeah, Vicar, you too) should be measured.&#160 If there were more men like him leading the Southern Baptist Convention, I’d still be there.

Rest in peace, Bro. Miles.&#160 I have no doubt that the Lord is telling you right now, ‘”well done, thou good & faithful servant”.

The Seattle Post is reporting (and Drudge, via the AP, has confirmed) that former Penn State coach Joe Paterno has died at the age of 85.

He is the winningest college football coach in history, and its greatest representative, despite what the Asphyxiated Piss media says.

They say it was lung cancer.&#160 But I blame the cowardly pisstards at Penn State University, who fucking had&#160 to have a scapegoat for the Sandusky scandal, didn’t they?&#160 Paterno followed Pensylvania law – and the state of Pennsylvania fired him for it.

And in doing so, they took away his reason to live.

Congratulations, Pennsylvania, you fucking bastards.&#160 JoePa’s in heaven now, so he’s in a better place.&#160 But he could be in Hell right now, and he’d still be better off than living in your piece-of-shit excuse-for-a-state.

For shame if you don’t know who Harry Morgan was. For those of us who have the t-shirt and all, clearly this is a great loss. One of those great people who plied their craft better than most. And did so with some longevity as well.

Harry Morgan for those less initiated was none other than Col. Sherman Potter, Commander, 4077 MASH, Korea.

Yes, THAT M*A*S*H.

For a more complete bio, you can go here

Since the flags were already at half-stalf for Pearl Harbor day, we will keep them there until reveille on Friday.

ThatIsAll&#153

Denizens, take a moment today to reflect on the attack on Pearl Harbor, seventy years ago today – and what our country might look like today had we not won World War II.

And then let’s get up off our asses and effin’ get to work, because if B. HUSSEIN!!!!!&#160 Obambi has his way, that’s exactly what we will&#160 look like!

Get busy!

Denizens, there’ll be no PFW recap today.&#160 Might not be one for this week, I dunno.&#160 For the time being, it’s taking all I have to write this.

I lost a friend today.&#160 One I’ve never met.&#160 Neither her nor her husband, in fact.

Yet I’ve shed more tears for this person this past year than I’ve ever shed for some of my own family members.&#160 Losing her is really more than I want to put up with right now.

Rest in peace, Mary Hopkins.

Vicar, General, you guys have the conn.&#160 I think I’m gonna go throw up.

Denizens, this edition of the Perfect Football Weekend begins on a somber note, as we acknowledge the passing of Mansfield (TX) assistant coach Cody McCarty.

McCarty, 29, died of an apparent heart attack, Mansfield school district spokesperson Richie Escovedo said.

He had been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Wolves since 2009 and also was an assistant baseball coach and taught physical education.

“This is a big loss, and not just for football or baseball. He let every kid in his classes know that they were special,” Timberview head football coach Mark Walker said. “He was a good man that did everything right.”

It’s notable for two reasons:&#160 1) he was only 29 years old, and 2) he was a former TCU Horned Frog:

McCarty played tight end for TCU from 2000-2004, following in the footsteps of his father, Mickey McCarty, who played baseball and football for the Horned Frogs in the 1960s.

The Realm&#153 mourns the death of this fine man.&#160 He left us too soon.

The game itself seems meaningless after this, but let’s get on with it anyway.&#160 Ged Kates & my Arlington Heights Yellow Jackets risk their first two-game losing streak in about four or five years tonight as they take on the South Hills Scorpions at Farrington.&#160 This ain’t a gimme – South Hills is 5-2, 4-2, and they undoubtedly saw the Southwest game film from last week.&#160 I’d expect that Heights secondary to get tested early & often.

Gary Patterson’s TCU Horned Frogs get back to work Saturday at Amon Carter, as they host the New Mexico Lobos.&#160 Patterson’s trying to put the fear o’ God into the Frogs…

TCU coach Gary Patterson called New Mexico “a dangerous team” during last week’s Mountain West media teleconference, which may have been a surprise to the Lobos (0-6, 0-1 in MWC), who fired head coach Mike Locksley three weeks ago and replaced him with defensive coordinator George Barlow.

But Patterson was not offering coach-speak and insisted after TCU’s practice Sunday that New Mexico, which has been outscored by an average of 44-18 this season, has dangerous receivers.

“Their wide receivers are really good,” Patterson said. “They’re the No. 2 throwing team in the league.”

That is, of course, coach-speak for “they can’t run for shit”.

Let’s put it this way:&#160 if New Mexico finagles a win at Amon Carter, TCU&#160 will be out of the PFW.&#160 (The line, in case you’re wondering is NM plus 45.)

Bob Stoops’ third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, meanwhile, are a 30-point favorite at home vs. Texas Tech.&#160 This is the same Texas Tech that bent over & grabbed the ankles for Adam “Pussy” James and his bitch of a father Craig (so, Craigy, how much booster money did&#160 you score at SMUT, princess?).

Tech isn’t anywhere near&#160 as formidable under Tommy-boy Tuberville, so I’m not particularly worried about this one.

Bo Pelini’s 13th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers get to go up to UMinne-haha and kick the snot outta the Golden Gophers.&#160 The line’s UMinne-haha plus 25&#189, so don’t look for this one on “Big Ten’s Greatest Games”.

Sunday, Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams come to town to play the Dallas Cowgirls.&#160 (Presumably, the Rams & Cardinals took the same charter, as they’ll be playing only about half a mile from each other that day.)&#160 I am, of course, pulling for the Rams here, as El Choko continues to start for the ‘Girlz – but there’s a greater-than-zero chance I’ll be disappointed this time, so we’ll see.

UPDATE:&#160 The four-lettered network is reporting (via screen crawl) that Sam’s got a bum ankle and is out for the game. A.J. “Touchy” Feely goes in his place.

Cowgirlz’ll win this one.&#160 There goes my PFW.

In other action, Bucky – believe it or not – is a 7&#189-point road dog to Michigan State.&#160 Vegas must not be much of a believer in Russell Wilson.&#160 If I had money…

Oh, and it’s Kansas-Kansas State, so no help for Turner there.

We’re back Monday for the recap.&#160 In the meantime, my question for HDD is…do you&#160 have money…?

As you’ve probably heard by now, pro football lost probably its most colorful character over the decades this weekend.&#160 Al Davis, former Oakland Raider head coach who became the franchise’s owner/managing general partner, is dead at the age of 82.

Davis was charming, cantankerous and compassionate. But he was best known as a rebel, a man who established a team whose silver-and-black colors and pirate logo symbolized his attitude toward authority, both on the field and off.

Until the recent decline of the Raiders, he was a winner, the man who as a coach, then owner-general manager-de facto coach, established what he called “the team of the decades” based on another slogan: “Commitment to excellence.”

Under Al Davis, who joined the franchise in 1963 as GM/coach and later became its owner, the Raiders also won three Super Bowls.

And the Raiders were excellent, winning three Super Bowls during the 1970s and 1980s and contending almost every other season — an organization filled with castoffs and troublemakers who turned into trouble for opponents.

“Al was a football man — his entire life revolved around the game he loved,” said Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, an original AFL owner of the Houston Oilers. “He worked his way up through the ranks and had a knowledge of all phases of the game. That experience aided him as an owner.

The Realm&#153 sends its condolences to the Davis family.

Drudge has reported (and Fox News has confirmed) that Steve Jobs, one of the founders of Apple Computer, Inc, is dead of an unspecified cause at the age of 56.

His family, in a statement released by Apple, said Mr. Jobs “died peacefully today surrounded by his family…We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.”

The company didn’t specify the cause of his death. Mr. Jobs had battled pancreatic cancer and several years ago received a liver transplant. In August, Mr. Jobs stepped down as CEO, handing the reins to Tim Cook.

“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being,” Mr. Cook said in a letter to employees. “We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.”

My first ever computer was an Apple IIc.&#160 Had a lot of fun on that thing – there was a football game on it that I loved.&#160 Aggravated me no end when Jobs ditched the II series for what was then something called the Lisa&#153 – later to become the Macintosh.&#160 Then the iMac, then the iPod, iTunes, then the iPad, and all the innovations that arose therefrom.

Yeah, he probably was right about leaving me high & dry on that. (rueful grin)&#160 PC-dom would not be where it is now without Steve Jobs.

The Realm&#153 mourns Steve’s death, and sends its sincerest condolences & well wishes to his family.&#160 We are very, very&#160 sorry he’s gone, and will remember him most fondly.

(The following is a column which appeared on my old web site, www.spatulacitybbs.com, on September 11th, 2001.&#160 It is re-posted now in remembrance of then.)

NOTE: This column contains some coarse language. Back out now if such language offends you, please.

I got four hours of sleep last night. I’m fighting the obligatory yearly case of tonsillitis. My throat hurts like Hell ™, my body is racked with soreness, and – not to put too fine a point thereupon – I’m in need of a tube of Prep H.

You get the idea. (sigh)

So here I am on LBJ Freeway in Dallas, plodding my way through traffic, fighting hard the urge to fall asleep at the wheel, literally. I’m listening to our sports-talk/guy-talk station on AM, the Ticket (KTCK 1310), when the sports jocks there suddenly exclaim something to the effect of, “WTF…?!”. Apparently, a heavy jet has veered off course and slammed into one of the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City.

“Wow,” I’m thinking, “they’ll likely stay with this one all day”, and I immediately turn over to the news/talk station here, WBAP 820, for all the coverage. Yes, I admit it – I’m fascinated by carnage.

At that point, though, I’m thinking tragic accident. Somebody’s plane lost its hydraulics and careened out of control, and the World Trade Center, unfortunately, was simply in the way.

That was 7:50. At 8:09, my worldview – and that of 280 million Americans, I would bet – changed radically.

At that point, a second jet slammed headfirst into the other tower. At that point, it’s not just a major tragedy. This looks just a weeeee bit too organized to be a coincidence.

It’s 8:20 when I get to the office, and I meet my buddy and old Wingtip Courier dispatcher as he’s driving up. He hasn’t been paying attention to anything. We get inside the office, and I bring him and our other compadre up to speed on things (he wasn’t listening to the radio, either, which was surprising). I go into my office and try pulling up a video stream for any of this. It’s 8:25.

Fifteen minutes later, the message is clear: America is under attack for the first time in 60 years. Yet another heavy jet has crashed – this one into the Pentagon. Reports are coming in about multiple hijackings. I’ve read a report about a worldwide alert issued last Friday concerning our resident international terrorist, Osama bin Laden, Two & two are quickly starting to come together.

(Side note: Don’t let them tell you they had no warning. I’m not kidding about that worldwide alert concerning bin Laden. They knew. Damned right they knew.)

(SECOND SIDE NOTE:&#160 As I go through the years, I’m less inclined to blame the Bush Administration than I was nine years ago.&#160 Sure, they knew it was possible, but all they had was a general warning.&#160 Nothing specific that said they were going to do what they did precisely on that day.&#160 So the Bush Administration gets a pass from me on this one.

The Demoscum, on the other hand…)

I can’t pull up anything on the ‘Net – and I have a T1 at work. The radio offers some details, but I want to know more. I run across the street to the CompUSSR to scope out the TV images.

And ohmigod – what TV images. I saw the second plane come in behind the first tower, and a plume of fire and deep black smoke explode out the other side. I saw the collapsed side of the Pentagon. I saw both WTC towers collapse – I had to ask someone if they’d collapsed all the way, so incredulous was the scene there. (A third building nearby would collapse six hours later.) I heard reports of yet another plane crash – this one near Pittsburgh. Rumor has it that the plane was headed to Camp David – we’re somewhere around the anniversary of the Camp David accords, so I hear.

Returned to work around 11:00 in a state of near-shock. Twenty minutes later, I received the go-ahead to go home. After a quick stop-off at the school to check on my wife, I arrived home and turned on the TV to Fox.

The images there were even more unbelievable than before. Fox had the direct angle on the second tower hit. They also had better angles on the collapse of both towers – although by that time, there was so much smoke & dust that one could hardly make anything out.

After a quick lunch, I sit down here to gather news stories, and I find this.

That’s right, sports fans. Here are a group of Palestinian squids laughing, dancing and cheering the attack on us, whom they call “the Great Satan”.

Compassionate people, those Palestinians.

Okay, now that I’ve bored you with my day, here’s my analysis: CNN early on was doing everything it could to avoid calling it a terrorist attack. But, Spatulaites & Spatulaettes, it’s too coordinated, too organized to be anything but. These events had to be planned months in advance. Certain people had to be installed at just the right junctures in order to pull this off – our airport security procedures, despite the fact that they’re handled by part-timers making minimum wage, are still way too strict. People who knew how to fly those planes had to arrange for passage on these planes. This would have been a major undertaking for simply one airliner – for four to have been hijacked in this manner and turned into suicide machines screams for the fact that this is more than just a Chinese fire drill.

So. Who’s got the capability to pull it off? Who has the money to train these thugs, place them right where they needed to be placed, and then turned loose? And who among them hates us enough to target us? Not to mention, who’s stupid-assed enough to try it?

If you haven’t figured it out by now, go back to school and take a comprehensive reading course. You think about it, there’s really only one man who qualifies: Osama bin Laden.

There can be no question. The mastermind behind the 1993 bombing at the aforementioned World Trade Center is so consumed with hatred for the United States that it sticks in his craw that he failed to bring us down eight years ago. So he decided to try and finish the job, gambling that we’ll be too chicken-shit to do anything about it.

(Second side note: Yeah, the Palestinians and the Taliban in Afghanistan are denying responsibility. Don’t believe the bastards. This is their baby.)

This is where George W. Bush needs to prove him wrong. Take this one to the bank, my friends: The Bush presidency – whether he believes it or not, whether he likes it or not – rides on how he handles this.

America is screaming for justice. More to the point, America is screaming for revenge. This is nothing short of an act of war. Yes, war. There’s been a formally undeclared one on us now, by most of the non-Israeli countries of the Middle East, for several years now. The Muslims hate our guts. The Syrians, the Iraqis, the Iranians – we’re their enemy. “Death To America” has been cruising at #1 on the Middle Eastern Top 40 for several years. They’re getting bolder, too – because they think we’re too cowardly to fight back. They think we’ve forgotten how to fight.

If George Bush has any balls, now’s the time to prove them wrong.

This is your solution, like it or not: Any country harboring terrorists – that would include Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Syria, et. al. – must be wiped from the face of the earth.

Scramble 30 bombers. Five warheads each – six if the plane will hold it. Bomb the shit out of these countries – get rid of these raghead bastards.

So what if you take innocents out, too? This is war, people. They don’t care about killing our innocents; why should we give a shit about theirs??

And that goes for the Palestinians, too. Let’s do Israel a favor and eliminate those sons-of-bitches from the annals of history, as well. They want to laugh and make merry at our misfortune, they need to pay the ultimate price.

Show the world some balls, George W. Teach them that there’s a price for fucking with America. Demonstrate to them that we have not forgotten how to fight!