Time to Just Chat

Here is a weird one to start off with. In this world of Photoshop and online scams, it pays to have a hearty dose of skepticism at reports of something strange — including an albino shark with one eye smack in the middle of its nose like a Cyclops. But researchers have verified this picture is real. The shark is a rare abnormality, not a new species. How would you like to see this swimming by while you’re swimming at the beach? Yikes…



Sgt. Gilad Shalit

 I was very glad to see that Sgt. Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier has been freed after five years of captivity by Hamas militants. The deal, the most lopsided prisoner swap in Israeli history, caps a five-and-a-half-year saga that has seen multiple Israeli military offensives in Gaza, an Israeli blockade on the territory and numerous rounds of failed negotiations. In Israel, public pressure for a deal was intense. Thanks in part to a vocal campaign led by his parents, Shalit had become a symbol of national solidarity in a country where military service is mandatory for Jewish citizens and where the government is seen as responsible for bringing soldiers home.

Appearing weak, pale and extremely thin in an interview, Shalit says he was told about a week ago that he was being freed. He says he feared he would remain in captivity for "many more years" and remained afraid that "things may go wrong." I shutter to think of the absolute hell this poor guy must have gown through for 5 years at the hands of people who hate Israelis so vehemently.

Did you see the last Republican debate? Although I am getting very, very “politics weary” already, I decided to tune in and see which one could make the best empty promises the most convincingly (how’s that for cynical?). Anyway, it was kind of fun. They actually started criticizing each other, in fact, I thought Perry and Romney would start calling each other names and yelling at each other. I still liked Cain but I was happy to hear a lot of the problems with his 9-9-9 plan being brought up (specifically the 9% Federal Sales tax). Cain stood his ground and defended the plan against almost all of the other candidates. I thought Mit made the best point about why it would double sales taxes on many Americans. Cain refused to see the point, maintaining that it would not raise taxes -it would lower them. He is so wrong. There are a great many Americans living on fixed incomes (such as Social Security and Disability) or are on Unemployment (that’s over 10 million by itself) who do not make enough money to even hit the lowest tax bracket which starts at $18,000 a year. His plan would take 9% of their fixed income right off the top and then tax them an additional 9% when they buy groceries and clothes. Och! No, that plan won’t cut it. No Federal Sales Tax!!

Are your eyes getting tired yet? O.K., I'll shut up for today. Take good care and…

Live Long and Prosper….