No Birth Certificate for Allah

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been meaning to write about the Atlanta family battling state over right to name daughter Allah for a few days. I'm finally getting around to it.

It was a headline on the Drudge Report which first alerted me to the story of Elizabeth Handy and Bilal Walk, who would not be issued a birth certificate for their daughter. As it turns out, the details of the story are different from what I imagined they would be. I assumed from the headline that the Georgia Department of Public Health had refused to issue the infant a birth certificate with that name from some sort of "political correctness". We can't be insulting Muslims by giving girls the first name Allah, after all.

As it turns out, the Georgia Department of Public Health had an actual, legitimate reason for the refusal. Allah was not to be the child's first name, but rather her surname.

"State officials, however, said the child's name — ZalyKha Graceful Lorraina Allah — does not fit the naming conventions set up by state law. They say that ZalyKha's last name should either be Handy, Walk or a combination of the two."

The State's explanation seemed logical to me, until I read that Handy and Walk have a three-year-old son who was given a birth certificate for his name, Masterful Allah, with no problem. But, even there, a simple explanation is likely. I'm sure that when the older son was issued his name, the particular Georgia Department of Public Health worker who OKed the name was probaly unaware of the state law regarding surname conventions. When the girl was to be named, the Georgia Department of Public Health worker in charge of issuing her birth certificate was more knowledgable of State regulations.

Handy and Walk have been dealing with the state on this issue for at least two years. General counsel Sidney Barrett wrote that, once the birth record is created, ZalyKha's surname can be changed through a petition to superior court; this obvious solution would be not unlike the solution found by Frank and Gale Zappa when the hospital in California would not register the name "Dweezil" on the birth certificate of their first son.

This whole story is not at all news worthy. Had the parents chosen another surname - like, Smith, for example - there wouldn't have been any reason for Drudge to link to the story in the first place. Not exactly fake news, but useless news.

Man in Pikachu Onesie Tazed and Arrested

According to sputniknews.com, one Steven Goodwine, Jr. age 27, was tazed and arrested after he began fighting with bouncers who had kicked him out of a bar in Arlington, Virginia. The peculiar aspect of this incident was that Mr. Goodwine was dressed in an outfit referred to as a "Pikachu onesie".

Being ignorant as to just what that is, I Googled the term Pikachu “onesie” to find a photo. The photos here come from the website for Target. To my understanding, the man in these photos is not Mr. Goodwine, but a model.

Et tu, U2? More Trump Derangement Syndrome

In a spectacular display of Trump Derangment syndrome, U2 has decided to delay their upcoming album after Donald Trump's election as POTUS.

Really?

What a load of pretentious, self absorbed twaddle.

U2's guitarist, The Edge (that's not pretentious, is it?) told Rolling Stone that with Trump's election, the world is a different place. Cuz like, you know, like the 80's and Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher and whatever.

But then again, how seriously can we take a band whose leader believes we should combat ISIS with comedy?

Alfred Electronics Shop Redux.

Back in September, I wrote a piece on Alfred Electronic Shop, an electrical fix-it-shop located near our apartment in Sibulan. As I mentioned in that post, I've been to the shop on a number of occasions to have repair work done.

The owner always did very good work for me, and in appreciation, I added Alfred Electronic Shop to Google Maps. Sadly, I returned two days ago for a repair job and found his place of business closed. After a bit of investigation, I learned that the owner, his wife and children left Sibulan for his family home, somewhere in Mindanao.

Life can be very difficult here; I hope he and his family do better with their new endeavors. He seemed to be a nice guy and I wish him the best of luck.

Note: After writing this post, I went to Google Maps to mark the shop as permanently closed - the saddest edits I've ever made to the Google Maps website.

Coconuts

To paraphrase a question asked by Coconuts Manila,
"What does a man need to do to be in the same league as Hillary Clinton, Beyonce, and Simone Biles"?

My answer, have his coconuts removed through sex reassignment surgery.

It's a good bet that Roman will not be singing the karaoke version of this number.

After Hillary Wins the Election.........

It's less than four weeks away from the 2016 election for POTUS, and like so many others, I will be happy to see November 9th, 2016 arrive.

I know I won't be happy with the final results of the election. That's an easy prediction because I can't bear to see either Clinton or Trump elected. Every minute of every day day, I'm bombarded with cries that I must vote for Clinton because Trump is even worse, as well as shouts that Hillary is an even greater evil than Donald. In trying to express how I hate the fact that one of these two douche bags will be elected President, words fail me.

As I look at the situation today, I believe Hillary will win the election. I don't say that because I want her to win....the U.S. will be up shit creek whichever one wins. Hillary will win because she is the 2nd most disliked Presidential candidate in American history running against the number 1 most disliked Presidential candidate in American history.

As much as I dislike President Obama, I can say that when he was elected in 2008, he was greatly loved by many, many people. Hillary will enter office as the most hated POTUS elected. She will be more unpopular on day one than Richard Nixon the day he resigned. She will be unable to unite the country.......unless, of course you consider how the country will be united in their dislike for her.

I don't believe she'll finish a first term; I believe she'll be impeached or forced to resign. Perhaps this is only wishful thinking, can Kaine be any worse?

Two Terrifying Halloween Costumes

This morning, a friend on Facebook posted a Halloween costume video and the video immediately reminded me of a costume I wore to a Halloween-slash-birthday party back in 2009. In a post mentioning the costume, I published a photo of me dressed as an illegal alien and my friend Lowell wearing a clown costume.

When we donned those costumes seven years ago, I was aware that my illegal alien costume might be considered by some to be political insensitive, but this was in the day when illegal aliens weren't automatically linked with terrorism by very many folks. Today, not only have terrorists and illegal aliens been linked together in the political realm but now, clown costumes have been banned in some areas as 'symbols of terror'  as well.

When we made the clown with illegal alien photo, we had no idea that the two would be connected by 'terror' in 2016. I wish I could say that we were ahead of our time, but having the two costumes together in on Halloween photo was simply a coincidence........I think.

Besides, aren't Halloween costumes supposed to be terrifying? I thought that was the point.

Quick, Change the Channel

One of the most popular and long lasting day time television programs in Philippines is Eat Bulaga!. It's been on the air for more than 30 years, and can be seen, around lunch time, six days a week.

The program is basically a variety show with comedy, dancing and music. My wife and our domestic helper love the program and they're tuned in whenever it's on the air.

I have been, for the most part, neutral concerning the show. Because of the language differences, I don't understand most of the comedy. The music isn't quite the sort I'd normally listen to, but it isn't absolutely horrible.

I've never felt the desire, before today, to comment on the program. There's been a "meme" of sorts on the show recently, which I can't leave alone. I don't know when it started, but I've noticed recently that the program is featuring, on a regular basis, men wearing high heel shoes while dancing and performing musical numbers.

I don't like this one bit.

First Debate Did Nothing to Change My Mind.

Like 100 million other folks, I suffered through the first debate in the Clinton/Trump Slugfest, and as I expected, both sides are claiming its candidate the winner. The Clinton News Network (aka CNN) has "fact checked" many of Trump's statements during the debate and , naturally found those particular statements untrue. Of course, that is CNN after all, and you wouldn't expect otherwise.

I also expected, before the debate, that my dislike for both these douchebags would remain the same no matter what happened. That expectation was realized. All through out this election, I've maintained that choosing between Trump and Clinton is like choosing between mustard or mayo on your shit sandwich. I have not wavered in this assessment.

One expectation not met was my believe that Clinton might very well have a medical episode during the 90 minute debate. That medical episode didn't happen, of course, but we still have two more to go.

What we saw in Trump was a true non-politician - an unpolished, off the cuff speaker. In Clinton we saw a politician who came with her list of practiced talking points who, for the most part, followed the script written for her. With Trump, we saw the real Donald Trump. We saw the real Hillary as well - a programed robot who doesn't understand spontaneity, except for perhaps programed spontaneity.

Tomorrow's Debate.

As I write this post, it is just after 7:00 PM - Monday the 26th - here in Philippines. In 14 hours I'll watch the Clinton/ Trump debate live on television. It'll be 9:00 AM Tuesday here; I'll pour a cup of coffee and enjoy the circus.

I won't bother to predict who'll win the debate on points; both sides will claim victory no matter what the results.

Mostly, I'll be watching in the event that Mrs.Clinton will have one of her coughing fits or perhaps a minor fainting spell. Should either of those happen during the debate, Mrs. Clinton can kiss the White House goodbye. I can't think of any one single thing that could happen concerning Trump which would have the same disastrous affect, and for better or worse, Clinton has to face the same challenge in all three of the POTUS debates.

I don't believe the odds are in Clinton's favor. It will be much easier for Trump to waltz through the debates without a major screw up; it's less likely that Clinton will escape unscathed.

On the Streets

On my walk to the market in Sibulan this morning, I came upon this group of puppies sleeping in the road. I didn't see any sign of a mother; I don't know if these dogs belong to someone or if they're feral. It's not uncommon for folks here to allow their dogs to wander about.

Some reading this may view this as cruelty - callous indifference to the fate of these animals. Some may even be surprised that dogs could be treated in such a manner.

It shouldn't come as a surprise, considering that human beings are treated in the same callous and indifferent way.

London’s Muslim Mayor Bans Sexy Women In Advertisements

From the Daily Caller:
London’s Muslim Mayor Bans Sexy Women In Advertisements -

"Sadiq Khan, London’s first Muslim mayor, announced Monday that 'body shaming' advertisements will no longer be allowed in London’s public transport".

One wonders if the motive behind this ban is "feminism" or Islam.

I suppose he's just one step away from requiring women to dress like his wife.

D.T.= B.O. sq

In Sept, 2015 I opined that Barack Obama and Donald Trump are Two Sides of the Same Coin. In January of this year, I wrote that it would be exactly like the American people to replace one narcissistic sociopath for another.

Now, going along those same lines, Bret Stephens has written in the Wall Street Journal that Trump Is Obama Squared: "Two epic narcissists who see themselves as singularly suited to redeem America".

As much as I would love to say otherwise, Stephens has done a much better job of explaining the point I was attempting to get across in my very modest way.

He does point out their differences.

"Donald Trump is Barack Obama squared. Not as a matter of rhetorical style, where the president is glib and grammatical, while the developer is rambling and coarse. Not as a matter of economic instincts, where Mr. Obama is a social democrat while Mr. Trump is a mercantilist.
And not as a matter of temperament. Mr. Obama is aloof and calculated. Mr. Trump loves to get in your face."

He goes on to explore the similarities of the two "epic narcissists".

"Both men see themselves not as politicians but as movement leaders. Both are prone to telling fairy tales about their lives and careers.
And both believe they are better than everyone else."

In one way, Stephens did not go quite as far as I did in comparing the two men to Benito Mussolini.  All three rose to fame via a cult of personality.

Oddly enough, Wikipedia compiled a list of cults of personality because it is a phenomenon that has taken place in several countries in the world. There are quite a few countries on the list, but no Wikipedia editor has had the cojones to list the United States, Barack Obama, or Donald Trump.

Woman Calls 911 After Finding Spider.

A woman in Michigan found a black widow spider in a package of grapes which she had purchased in a Walmart Super-center.

The oddest thing in this story, is that the young lady called 911.

"I told them that 'this isn't really an emergency, but I have a Black Widow spider in my grapes and I don't really know what to do," the woman's boyfriend told local TV. "He kind of just paused and was like, 'kill it' and I was like 'you want me to kill it? You're not going to send anyone over?' This is a poisonous spider and he's like, 'yeah, just kill it and throw it away.' "

The boyfriend also said it took "quite a few sprays" of insect killer to kill the spider.

First, it's amazing to me that anyone would feel the need to call 911 because she found a spider in her produce. Secondly, who needs to be told to kill a Black Widow spider, and why would you even bother to hunt up the bug spray? Kill the thing with you @#$#@^ shoe.

Finally, the woman and her boyfriend would "still really appreciate an apology from Walmart."

Really?

It shouldn't be all that surprising to find a spider or insect crawling around a fruit or vegetable. That should be common sense. Walmart cannot possibly be held responsible for anything such as this.

Caitlyn Jenner Halloween Costume Has Progressive's Knickers in Twist.

The Caitlyn Jenner Halloween Costume Has Progressive's Knickers in Twist.

Everyone on the Internet seems to think this Halloween costume is a bad idea. some even wanting to leave the planet because of it.

I think it's a great idea......though I wouldn't personally wear one.

Walmart ISIS Cake Causes Major Butt Hurt.

In Slidell, Louisiana a good ol' boy peckerwood redneck gentlemen went in his local Walmart and attempted to purchase a cake decorated with a replica of the Confederate battle flag with the words "Heritage, not Hate" spelled out atop the flag.

When Walmart refused to decorate the cake according to his instructions, the good ol' boy peckerwood redneck gentlemen underwent a major butt hurt.

As explained in in his Youtube video, the good ol' boy peckerwood redneck gentlemen printed a copy of an ISIS flag and took that design to another Walmart location in order to have a cake decorated with it.

The good ol' boy peckerwood redneck gentlemen does not explain why he took the ISIS design to a different Walmart. I suspect the good ol' boy peckerwood redneck gentlemen created a scene at the first location and was either too embarrased to return or else was banned from that particular Walmart for acting out.

The good ol' boy peckerwood redneck gentlemen goes on to vent his outrage toward Walmart, saying the company had some 'splainin' to do.

Knowing Walmart associates as I do, I'm reasonably sure that the cake decorator at the second Walmart had no idea the image was that of the ISIS flag. It's also quite possible that the cake decorator believed the flag to be a 'sex toy flag' like the one flown in a London gay pride parade.

With the Legalization of "Same-Sex Marriage" in Ireland...........

.......the word "Gaelic" takes on a whole new meaning.

Teens Commit Crime-mation.

There are times when I'll come across a news story that is either so bizarre or mind-numbingly stupid, that I can hardly resist posting something about it on this blog. When I can include a Youtube video, well, so much the better.

From the smoking gun:

"A trio of teenage burglars who stole cash, jewelry, electronics, and prescription drugs from a Missouri residence also thought they got away with a stash of cocaine they found in a wooden box, only to later discover that the powder was actually the cremated remains of the homeowner’s father, police report".

Devin Gesell, 17, (pictured ) admitted he and two accomplices, ages 15 and 16, broke into a St. Peters, Missouri home. Gesell was the lookout as the teenagers stole jewelry, prescription drugs, video games, $825 in cash and the remains of the homeowner's father. Gesell told police they discarded the ashes when they realized after tasting the cremains, it was not cocaine.

One would think that this story was bizarre enough, but now there is an added twist.

According to riverfronttimes.com, the three were acquaintances of their victim, and they allegedly planned the caper after seeing a Facebook post announcing that the family was going out of town.

But wait, it gets better.

The homeowner says the two unnamed teenagers are relatives, and the ashes were the cremains of their own grandfather.

Sadly, the ashes can never be recovered.

Hello Cedartown.

Hello Cedartown. I'm so glad you took time out of your busy schedule to visit my blog.

As soon as I read the insulting comment on my blog, I knew at once that it could only be you. I went to Google Analytics and checked my stats, and sure enough, I had a visitor from Cedartown.

It's ironic. You tell me to "Get a life"; but yet, you are half a world away and still feel the need to insult and harass me.

Again, I want to thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a good day.

Clueless Pro-Choicers.

I first came upon the video of Marni Evans and her fiance, John Lockhart, who had to delay a scheduled abortion after a decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed Texas to implement new regulations on abortions by way of a ChurchMilitant.TV video. I found it again via Catholic Vote.org. Now, it appears the video is everywhere.

In the video below, the couple calmly discuss their decision to abort their unborn child.



I have to agree with the writer of an article on the National Right to Life website who said, "it’d be hard to pick a less sympathetic couple". The two appear to be totally clueless when it comes to understanding that they are talking about taking the life of a human being.

Their reasons for aborting their child? The typical, "we can't afford it excuse". They also admit that they haven't invested enough into their relationship.

Can't Ms. Evans see that her fiance is essentially telling her that, oh yes, I care for you but I can't possibly think of supporting your offspring?

Likewise, Evans is letting Lockhart know, in no uncertain terms, that she'd rather kill his child than bring it into the world.

Pro-abortion writers who agree with Evans & Lockhart call us "anti-choice". That's supposed to be an insult. How dare we deny someone a "choice"?

One especially clueless individual commenting on the original Texas Tribune article had this enlightening observation.

"If you don't want one,[abortion] don't have one. I don't like Brussels sprouts but I don't scream at people who choose eat them. Their choice."

The decision whether or not to allow your offspring to live is like choosing whether or not to eat Brussels sprouts.
Dear Lord, where do these people come from?

All we can do is pray for them.