Headlines, Ponderings on the Headlines, and just Random Ponderings

This photo of a 20 year old Florida woman riding on an endangered sea turtle caused her to be arrested last week in Melbourne, FL.  Reporter's note:  Why do people insist on taking photos of stupid shit they do and post them on social media?  I read about a couple arrested for robbing a bank after they posted a pic of themselves with the bundles of loot.


In an interview on CNN's Outfront with Erin Burnett, former U. S. President Bill Clinton called out Donald Trump for running a "...fact-free..." campaign.  Mr. Clinton also mentioned that when he spoke with Mr. Trump at Trump's wedding, he recalled that Trump had talked about what a great job Hillary had done in the Senate for New York.  Reporter's note:  How long will it take before we hear Mr. Clinton saying "with Hillary you get me" to boost his wife's campaign?


A Kentucky Waffle House restaurant refused service to a U.S. Navy sailor, who was in uniform and who was armed.  Staff at the location, which is owned by a franchisee said that the location had a strict no guns allowed policy and the only exceptions made were for law enforcement personnel.  Reporter's note:  I'm curious why this sailor was armed off-post.  That's not the norm.  When I worked shifts as an Air Force Security Police officer, we were instructed not to dine anywhere off-base.  But if he was carrying a gun for a legitimate purpose, they should have made the same exception for him that is made for law enforcement personnel.


After a delay of five hours while her last-minute appeals were heard and denied by the U. S. Supreme Court, 47 year old Kelly Gissenbander was executed by lethal injection in Georgia.  She'd been convicted for her husband's 1997 murder, although it was her boyfriend who actually stabbed her husband to death.  SCOTUS denied three different appeals on Tuesday.  Pope Francis sent his diplomatic representative in the U.S. to deliver a letter to the GA Clemency Board, asking them to spare Ms Gissenbander's life.  Reporter's note:  I remain opposed to the death penalty, not so much on moral grounds, but on fiscal ones.  It costs from five to ten times as much (or more) to execute a convicted murderer as it does to simply lock them up for life without the possibility of parole.  That money could be put to far better use.  On the moral side of the equation though, I think a lifetime of reflecting on one's transgressions is better justice than being put to death.


Speaking of Pope Francis, the attorneys representing Rowan County, KY County Clerk Kim Davis are claiming she had a private meeting with the Pope at the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy)  in Washington, D.C. during his U.S. visit.  Both the Vatican and the Apostolic Nunciature have not commented on the claims from the Liberty Counsel.  Reporter's note:  It would be very interesting if it turns out the Vatican denies the meeting took place.  I can't imagine her lawyers would make such a claim if it weren't true, but who knows?


I normally shy away from stories about Caitlyn Jenner at this point, but the fact her second wife, Linda Thompson has commented on the change from Bruce to Caitlyn is worth noting.  In an interview with US magazine, Ms Thompson said, “I have to be honest and say it’s strange for me to see this beautiful woman, and look in her eyes, and think, ‘That’s the father of my children,’ ” the actress said. “That being said, I’m totally supportive of her and always have been.”  Reporter's note:  I have had the pleasure of meeting Linda Thompson.  I think the world of her and the grace she is showing here doesn't surprise me one bit.  Nicely done, ma'am.


The president of Planned Parenthood withstood a four hour inquisition by Republican members of the House, including questions about "lavish spending" and her own compensation.  Observers say Cccile Richards did not give an inch during the questioning.  Reporter's note:  I continue to be amazed that male Republicans who did not attend medical school continue to insist they know more about women's health issues than women themselves, or the medical professionals who treat them.  Mind-boggling.

That's the song "Sea Cruise" by Frankie Ford.  It was his one big hit.  He died recently in New Orleans from natural causes.  He was 76.  Reporter's note:  I've always liked this song.  RIP


Random Ponderings:

I was working on a pool on how long Trump's boycott of Fox News would last, but it ended before I could get organized.

Kudos to the FCC for slapping Smart City, a provider of Wi-Fi at convention centers and hotels $750,000 for blocking the BYO Wi-Fi of guests who didn't want to pay $80 a day for their service.

I don't care if the bright yellow ants of Australia's Kakadu National Park taste like lemon-lime soda if you lick their underbellies, I'm not licking ants.

Tom Brady's statement that he isn't endorsing Donald Trump restores a little faith in him.  But only a little.

I thought Julie Chang was the shortest woman on-camera on the set of Fox 11's Good Day LA, but now I'm thinking she might be the tallest.  It is hard to tell though from the angles.

Maybe Matt Damon should limit his comments to his own movies for the next few months so he doesn't wind up in hot water again.

Maybe Kim Davis will run for higher office.  I'd vote for her...if she was running for javelin catcher.  Dogcatcher would be too much for her.

I would love to flashback to 1975 or so and stage the ultimate Battle of the Bands.  The Wrecking Crew versus The Swampers.  That would be so awesome.

What I found most interesting about the latest Forbes 400 listing of the richest Americans is that their combined net worth of $2.34 trillion wouldn't fund the federal government for a full year.  Staggering amount our federal government spends.