FamGuyToday by Aunty Fox

for the hurricane area, I just remembered a story I hadn't thought of, for a long time. I was at a campground, outside Beaumont, TX, (same place I'm headed now), and people were straggling out of New Orleans. The space beside me opened up, and a family from New Orleans was 'given', the space, (they were very hard to come by), and these people had no money. Anyway, talked w/the guy as he set up, and found out he had wanted to stay in 'Nawlins', but after a few days, his friend/neighbor had opened up the neighborhood convenience store, after being closed since the storm. Within a few hours, he was robbed at gun point, by 3 black guys, who took what they wanted, then shot and killed him. Somehow, someone called the Nat'l Guard, and before the crooks could load up and leave, there was a shootout, (right in front of my new buddy). The bad guys lost, big time. When it was over, the guard loaded all the bodies, including my guy's friend, into the back of a pick...

I'm s'posed to be in Beaumont, Texas, for a meeting early Weds morning, at the same place we mobilized at, for Katrina. That hotel was later nearly demolished when Hurricane Rita hit the area, but I guess it's been long since repaired. Seems like I'm never quite ready to head into the great unknown when these storms hit, and this one hasn't even hit yet, but I'm thinking it could be a pretty big one. Oh well, I'm ready for an adventure, I think, but I've got alot to do to get ready, and doubt I'm gonna get there as early as they'd like. The good news is, Kari's doing better and we're bringing her home from the hospital this afternoon.

is the new book by Vincent Bugliosi, former prosecutor for the city of Los Angeles, who characterizes Bush as, 'an abomination to the country and American values'. He gained fame for prosecuting Charles Manson, among others, and wrote, "Helter Skelter." He lays out the legal arguments how W knew, when he invaded Iraq, that it was based on lies. "The least I can do," he says, "is put the thought in Bush's mind, that he may be held responsible, in a criminal courtroom, for all the murders he is responsible for." Sounds good to me...

for the Repubs. Bush and Cheney won't be able to make the RNC, as they will be busy with Hurricane Gustav. Seems like the 'rain of Biblical proportions' that Focus on the Family, and other Chrisitan groups, prayed for, to hit Obama's outdoor speech, just may have worked for them at the RNC. Did you hear the collective, 'whew, thank god', when they found out Bush/Cheney wouldn't have to be seen at the big party?

Here's some basic background: She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town (pop. 6000)outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience. 1.Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest. 2. She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3. Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools. 4. She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change. 5. She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska. How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when h...

and didn't realize how, in 2002, W (shown here, accidentally sitting on his thumb) made a speech, saying how his new initiative would allow 'over 5 million new minority homeowners' in the US. His administration had changed the rules, so basically, 'no money, no job, no problem'. A new product, called a 'liar loan', became more and more common, as lenders were not required to verify statements on loan applications. As with most Bush administration policies, the lenders made the rules for lending, like the energy and drug companies made the rules for their industries, and those at the top become multimillionaires. Now, as with his foreign policy and energy policies, we are going to pay, and pay, and pay. Thanks, George....

but could have been better. Kari came out of surgery, like she usually does, in pain, and in a pretty bad mood. Can't blame her, cause, bottom line, they couldn't say what the problem was, just that they fixed the clog, but didn't know WHY it clogged, which is a problem. Also, we all know she is allergic to Vancomycin (sp?), and she needs Benadryl first, if they are gonna give it to her, and, like a bunch of other times, someone screwed up, and didn't. Not that they weren't told, a BUNCH of times. SOOO, she wakes up in pain, after surgery, and bright red and itching all over, because these yahoos can't read a chart. It REALLY pisses me (and her) off. I'm gonna chew some ass tomorrow, cause it's a bunch of BS that no one cares enough to read "Allergic to Vancomycin", on her chart.

Kari's latest repair lasted a little over 3 months, before clogging and incapacitating her, SOOO, we're off to the hospital again, to wait while she goes through another surgery to replace a valve. Hopefully, it's not blood clogging it, as that is usually NOT good news. Surgery set for this afternoon at University Hospital. Will let you know what's up when I can...

all this political crap comes down to one thing. Why did George Bush attack Iraq? If you can't see the OBVIOUS, that is was about oil prices, you ain't got a clue, and nothing I can write here will make a difference. Let's just hope Obama can make a difference. Just hopin'...

of the low-life Repubs. The Dems had to change a football stadium into a Democratic stage. SOOO, they added some pillars, as per Washington DC. The Repubs, typically, did a spin, and characterised it as, "Celebrity worship, in a temple". If you can't see the CRAP sent out here, you ain't tryin'.

from the 'I have a dream speech'. Never thought I'd see it in my lifetime. A black guy as a presidential candidate. Wow! You youngsters of today, have no idea what it used to be like. If you were black (or a hippie), you had NO rights. Cops could do whatever they wanted, and the 'moral majority' supported it. Iraq is sorta like Viet Nam, on a much smaller scale, but still emblematic of an administration that can start a war, for their own enrichment, lie to the public, and (sorta) get away with it. Hopefully, we have learned, grown and evolved, but who knows? I would have bet anything we could/would NEVER have another Viet Nam, but we did/have. Just remember, when in doubt, FOLLOW THE MONEY! See who got rich. Oil and defense. Bush and Cheney. Let's hope we have learned something....

but I thought Bill's was much better. THEN, Joe Biden, after a great intro by his son, knocked it out of the park. He eloquently listed how W had basically screwed up everything he's touched, especially the war and the economy. Hopefully, people were listening.

http://nachofoto.com/photo-of-projected-path-Hurri-4df5bb776623 Gustav has a pretty good chance of becoming at least a category 3 hurricane, and hitting somewhere along the Gulf Coast. I feel sorry for whatever area takes a direct hit, cause I know the kind of damage it can do. Sure hope it doesn't hit New Orleans. Perfect timing, as per usual, since we have a Paris trip planned and paid for...

Did you see Michelle Obama's speech? Amazing! I don't care what your political affiliation is, that was FANTASTIC!

in the kitchen. I bet that's a line that's NEVER been used before. Our Sunday got off to a wonderful start as lovely Laura dropped off a delicious homemade (western slope) peach pie. Yummmm... But then, Ted entered the (competition?) with his 'Elkanoff' dish, which is a specialized beef Stroganoff, made with elk. Yummmm... I know I can't declare a winner, but I love the level of competition. Keep it up, kids. Round two starts next weekend.

regarding Bailey acting so weird, is that she is picking up the scent from our bedroom where we fogged for spiders. After Carol and I both had some kind of insect (or spider) bite, we decided to fog the bedroom, cause neither one of us liked the idea of something munching on us as we slept. I'm guessing Bailey's powerful nose and not-so powerful little kitty brain picked up on that smell, knew it didn't belong, and thought it was some intruder in the house. Kinda strange, but it is all we can figure out, as she is still constantly sniffing, looking around and acting like she can't cross any room without being in fear that something is gonna jump out at her, and, her kitty bed, in which she used spend 80% of her life , hasn't been used in days. If the fogger's NOT it, then she needs to get used to the ghost that must be living with us.

This is Bailey, on ghost watch, (look at the size of that tail) right before she crawled up onto the windowsill, of a 2nd floor window, so she could finally catch a nap. She is still freaked out, as if she can see or feel something strange going on. Let's hope it's over, soon...

back when she used to be 'normal'. That is, before today. Bailey always sleeps with us, most of the night, that is, and is always there when we wake up in the morning. Until last night, that is. This morning she was 'on guard', wide awake in the living room, when Carol got up early and brought her to bed. She was totally spooked and spent her time at the foot of the bed, wide-eyed, sniffing the air, staring around the room, and jumping like a startled 'scairdy cat' at every sound or touch. This is a Maine Coon cat that attacks (big) dogs that wander into our yard, chases squirrels thru the trees and 'owns' the house when the Golden Retrievers come over. We took her outside, and she refuses to leave the deck, staying on top of the table, warily looking in all directions and poofing up her hair at every sound. She is SPOOKED!, and we don't know why. It's like a ghost moved into our house and only she can see it. Weird...(Update) As of mid day, whe...

that this lying, criminal should evoke? Just watch 'Body of War', about a young soldier who enlisted in the Army, 2 days after 9-11, and was paralyzed by a bullet to the spine, his 2nd week in Iraq. Now he lies in bed, thinking how he was 'suckered' into the big lie. How many parents, brothers, sisters and relatives of patriotic young Americans have been devastated by this shill of the oil industry? Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis... W attacked a country on 'oops, bad information', to jack up the price of oil, for all his contributors, (and if you don't believe it, you are either naive, ignorant, stupid, hopelessly Republican, or ALL OF THE ABOVE). And now, that the Repubs want to be re-elected, there is finally a timetable for ending this debacle. Remember, Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9-11, but he convinced us they did, for the obscene enrichment of his Big Oil buddies. If you can't relate, just try to remember the next time ...

a world class elk camp looks like. For the last 5 (+) years, we have averaged nearly 3 elk per season from this camp. Eat your heart out, magazine writers, you can't come close to this. The average Colorado elk hunter's success rate is less than 20%. We are so far 'off the chart', it ain't even close. Bottom line, we all have a freezer full of the best meat in the world, which I happen to be having for dinner tonight. Hopefully, it will happen again this year. I sure hope so, 'cause there's NOTHING like elk, to get your daily protein...

who miss Rick Reilly on the back page of Sports Illustrated, here's his ESPN article. http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3542649 Prettty funny...

after the 2004 elections, when I thought the American people couldn't be any more stupid. I was wrong. After 8 years of Bush, McCain is able to convince the typical Neanderthal voter, that high gas prices are because the Dems voted against offshore drilling. WTF?? Of all the Bush war and oil policies, at a time when the Dems had NO power, it is THEIR fault that Big Oil is continually making new records for profit? Unbelievable that the American people are that stupid. But they are!! Look at the polls. At this point, I am thinking the average jerks deserve what they get. I'll be fine, BUT, alot of you dumbasses are gonna suffer. You deserve it. Live and learn with Bush and his policies. It's gonna be a tough few years for you idiots....

when I thought the worst thing that George W Bush had done to my country, was the war in Iraq, close behind his Big Oil policy, that are inter-related. Bottom line, his Texas buddies get rich as US taxpayers and workers are bankrupted in a one-two punch. BUT, I think he has hurt us, long term, just as badly, in his "No Child Left Behind" debacle. In an effort to control federal money to those school districts his admininstration approves of, he has 'dumbed down' the entire US school system. Instead of rewarding the highest level of intelligence, he has linked education dollars to those who can pass those borderline students ahead. Of all his boneheaded policies, this probably has the worst long-term effect for our country/economy. While other countries reward the best of their youth, we drag along our lowest common denominator. Like I said, he has KILLED our country in many ways, but I think this is the WORST long term legacy that this totally incompetent, idiot has w...

And I'm going to dump them as soon as I can get Comcast out to hook up my new service. Should be Sept 27th. Could do a long rant, but, bottom line, have tried to get faster internet service for a LONG time, and was promised it, but it never arrived, even though I was CHARGED for it. They admitted their mistake, but said they couldn't rectify it. Bottom line, they are toast. I lost internet access for a day and a half (that's TOUGH, for someone like me), but now have bundled phone service, long distance, hi-speed internet and HD-TV with one company who can't possibly be as bad as Qwest. ( I HOPE!). Will let you know. But I do know, that if I had access to cruise missles, Qwest HQ would no longer be there...

watching Michael Phelps win the golds, but I didn't appreciate what a volleyball fan I was, until Kerry Walsh took the court and I realized how much I enjoy watching the game...

yesterday, August 16th, because of too much snow, but some riders from Denver hauled out their boards and got a jump on the season. Down here, it rained and rained and rained. Over three inches in two days, which is about the same amount of precip we had gotten the entire year. Would have been more enjoyable if we hadn't lost electricity and been in the dark all day...

even a total idiot like Geroge Bush, wouldn't be stupid enough to stand in front of the world, and rail against Russia for "attacking a sovereign nation because of a perceived threat." DUH, George... Remember shock and awe against someone with no WMD's? I know your brain doesn't understand concepts like 'irony', but still, one of your handlers should have picked up on the obvious, here. That is, don't be so hypocritical, and STUPID, as to warn others about doing exactly what you did. What an idiot....

By MICHAEL J. SNIFFEN Associated Press Writer 12:31 PM EDT, August 9, 2008 WASHINGTON (AP) _ Former President Ford secretly advised the FBI that he and two of his fellow members on the Warren Commission doubted the FBI's conclusion that John F. Kennedy was shot from the sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository in Dallas, according to newly released records from Ford's FBI files. Forty-some years later, we hear Gerald Ford, and two other members of the Warren Commission weren't 'on board' with the official lie, put out by the gov't. Most people, those with a brain, anyway, knew this LONG ago. However, there is a segment of society, out there, that believes, 'if the gov't said it, it is true". These are the same sheep that are Bush fans. Nothing new here, but I just wonder why the gov't finally admitted Ford and two other members didn't go along with the big lie. Interesting, that it just came out now...

about a political problem in Baghdad. Seems that over five years after W's, 'oops, bad information,' attack on Iraq, there is a huge political fight, about where to send the water trucks with clean water. In a city that's still lucky to get 5 hours of electricity per day, the only good water, in most neighborhoods, comes from trucks. Thanks George! Don't know about you, but I kinda take electricity and water for granted. Not in Baghdad. Hundreds of billions of dollars later, the $$$ hasn't made it to utilities. Halliburton and General Dynamics have more than prospered, BUT, if you want clean water or electricity, you are SOL. Just not enough profit in it for the Bush crowd. If it has nothing to do with weapons or oil, there is no reason to do anything. Never mind, it all makes sense, now....

on my screensaver, it reminded me of an old joke. The kindergarten teacher was having her city children identify pictures of forest animals, and when no one could recognize the deer, from a picture of a magnificent buck, she tried to help them out, with a hint. "This is what your mommy calls your daddy, in the morning". Right away, little Johnnie pipes up and says, "So that's what a horny bastard looks like." Said it was old, not necessarily good, but it made me smile.

why there has been such an increase in the number of Mormon missionaries knocking on doors, as of late. SALT LAKE CITY (Aug. 9) - A woman who made news around the world when she had five pups cloned from her beloved pit bull Booger looked very familiar to some who saw her picture: She may be the same woman who 31 years earlier was accused of abducting a Mormon missionary in England, handcuffing him to a bed and making him her sex slave. Relax, guys, I doubt if it's gonna happen again...

on our trip to Paris. We've been talking about it for years, and seriously for months, and though I don't really feel like I deserve it, at the moment, Carol does, so we're headed out in a few weeks. Had found some good deals on flights and hotels, but while we thought and discussed the pros and cons, they filled up, SOOO, when this one came along, flying Lufthansa and staying at Hotel Elysees Union, I jumped on it and am very glad I did. Average rating of 4.5 of 5 on Yahoo reviews. Right off the Champs Elyses, midway between the Eifel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Flight and hotel NEARLY paid for by Smart car deal, which was made in France, so it seemed appropriate. Any and all tips and suggestions from those who have been there appreciated.

that with elections rapidly approaching, Bush (shown here when he heard Exxon-Mobil set another all-time, world record for profits) and his big oil buddies, having bled us nearly dry for the last few years, would back off a little? Oh, and if you have a problem with the multi-hundred billion dollar debacle in Iraq, that seems to be improving nicely as we approach November. Who coulda seen this coming????

America's Favorite Videos, but I was too slow. This is Bailey's toy, with glow ball contained in a 'race track' on the outside, that she likes to play with. Somehow, with a small battery, I guess, the ball lights up when it is pushed around the ring on the outside. Anyway, I heard a noise, and when I got there, Bailey had a small mouse, in the outer ring, apparently unharmed, and was playing 'cat and mouse'. She would alternate bopping the mouse into the ball, then the ball into the mouse, and they went back and forth, lights flashing, around the edge. If I hadn't spent so long laughing, and gotten my camera earlier, I would have had an amazing video, BUT, I was too slow, and the mouse finally figured how to hop out. I released it, unharmed, in the middle of the 9th fairway, with a memorable experience in it's little mousie brain.

IDLEDALE, Colo. - A mountain lion crept through an open door into a house outside Denver, snatched a Labrador retriever from a bedroom where two people were sleeping and left the dog's dead body outside, wildlife managers said Tuesday. Yup, a 72 lb yellow Lab, sleeping at the foot of it's owner's bed. Keep the doors closed, kids...

after watching Oliver Stone's "JFK", a movie that I hadn't seen for in a LONG time, I was kinda asking myself what I really believed. First of all, if you haven't seen JFK, which was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, you gotta. It has probably the most amazing cast I have ever seen together in one movie. It really brings back all the sorrow and rage of Kennedy's assassination, the Viet Nam War, and the huge number of unabashed lies the gov't put out, which some people actually believe(d). I would imagine you would have had to have lived through it, like I did, to feel true outage. BUT, I'm getting off course. My thoughts, last night, then turned toward 9-11, Iraq and the Bush administation. Do I believe Bush went to war KNOWING Saddam had no WMD? Absolutely, without a doubt. I can't say if it was religious zeal, advice from big oil/military advisors, or if he's just stupid. Probably a combination of the three. Did Cheney/Rumsfeld (and maybe Bush)...

so I could post a shot of Keb Mo, from the concert at the outdoor amphitheater at Denver Botanic Gardens, where we were the guests of Matt, on Molly's birthday. Had some wine and a great picnic, as I played with Hunter, while listening to music under the stars. Had forgotten how much I liked Keb and his kind of music. Had also forgotten what the neighborhood around there was like. We had to park a ways away, and really enjoyed the big ol' mansions with the hundred and some year old trees. Altogether, a really good time. Thanks, Matt, for a memorable evening.

that led the 'authorities' to find out, so quickly. who some of the suicide pilots were, was the 'fact' that they had spent their last night drinking at a strip club, (as always, if you don't remember it, or don't believe me, just Google it) yelling 'death to infidels' and had accidently left behind a copy of the Koran. Think about it!!! These hardcore Islamic terrorists, who were willing to die for their cause, 'knowing' they were gonna meet Allah the next day in Paradise, spent their last night on earth, drinking at a strip club???? I know the administration had to lay an airtight case, and this helped at the time, but let's be real. Religious fanatics who commit suicide for their cause don't spend their last evening with Jack Daniels and Gypsy Rose Lee. ALSO- During testimony by the 911 Commission, Dept of Transportation Mineta testified, during questioning on why the hijacked plane, heading toward the Pentagon, and other Washington t...

The attack (on the Pentagon) was at 9:40, about one and a half hours after the attack first started to unfold. Yet the Pentagon was left undefended, despite its close proximity to Andrews Air Force Base, which had two combat-ready fighter wings on duty on 9/11/01. The attack plane approached Washington DC from the northwest, but instead of diving into the portions of the Pentagon housing the top brass like Donald Rumsfeld , the plane executed a 320-degree spiral dive to approach the vast building from the southwest side and strike a portion of Wedge One that was undergoing renovations . While crashing into other portions of the Pentagon would likely have killed thousands, the precision maneuver limited fatalities in the building to under 200. Think about it. Look at the flight of the plane that hit the Pentagon. Over an hour after 2 planes hit the WTC. First of all, it could have easily been shot down, knowing what they knew. BUT, most obviously, why would an 'inexperienced' p...

a brand new book by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Ron Suskind, describes how the White House directed the CIA to forge and leak a letter showing that Saddam Hussein had helped train the 19 hijackers on 9-11. http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/08/05/book-white-house-forged-letter-to-start-iraq-war/?icid=200100397x1207071414x1200348466 Basically, the same type of evidence, a faked attack in the Gulf of Tonkin, that was used to justify the Viet Nam War. While reading about this new book, I came upon an extremely interesting 'comment' by another reader. I can't believe I'd never heard or thought of it before. EVERYONE has totally overlooked the most obvious Smoking Gun. It is IMPOSSIBLE to positively identify 19 hijackers overnight as was done on 9/11/01 with No Bodies, No Fingerprints and NO DNA...yet the FBI released 19 photos, names and complete background histories on the 19 to the media in less than 20 hours on 9/11/01. Are we suposed to believe that they all ...

Here's a video, requested by J, of an old guy and a little car.

was my vantage point, on Sunday afternoon. Actually, it was from the deck of Nate and Laura's condo, in Keystone Village. Sorta the cherry on the sundae, for a wonderful weekend. Thanks guys. If it's up to me, and Carol, Ted and Kari agree, we'll make the Beer and Bluegrass Festival a yearly tradition. If we keep tryin', we're bound to have a good time, someday...

of the beer and bluegrass, at the festival was fantastic, we sorta balked at the $30 admission, for the second day. SOO. I decided to make my own bracelet, out of a Cheez-It box, and thought I was pretty smart, 'til Nate and Ted came up with a much better idea. (Not gonna say what it was). SOO, I threw away my homemade bracelet and walked in with an authentic one. Felt kinda bad, but by the time I'd decided on my favorite brew, felt much better. Would recommend The Ackerman's and Oakhurst if you enjoy some foot-stompin' Blugrass, and, highly recommend the Backcountry Brewery's Pilsener. Just my humble opinion.

to the condo, for the Beer and Bluegrass Festival, on a day that was over 100 degrees in Denver, we went from A/C, to windows open, to windows up and the heat on, as we crossed the Continental Divide on Loveland Pass. Not much snow left, but could have stopped and had a snowball fight, had we wanted to. "Twas a great weekend, spent with the kids and spouses, and I really hated to see it end. Only bad thing was the traffic. Just keeps getting worse. BUT, there's worse places to be, with the cool air, occasional showers and great views, with Kari as the DJ, and Ted's I-pod, hooked up the Acura sound system. I've had worse drives.

Although we all know that global warming is just liberal plot, we did set a record for most days EVER in the 90's here in Denver, and were at 104 yesterday. SOO, today we are on our way to Nate and Laura's condo, picking up Ted and Kari on the way, for the annual Beer and Bluegrass Festival at Keystone Village. High of 79 forecast (there) today, and will drive past some large snowdrifts on the way. The Smart Car is gone, and hopefully it made it over Loveland and Vail Passes on the way to it's new home in Grand Junction. Gonna kinda miss it.