20121213 – 26 Primary School Children Gunned Down – LUNACY

Thursday – warm and sunny.

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Leisurely morning.

In the afternoon I’m off Kayaking in Sarasota bay then down the Mangrove tunnels. Manatees, Herons, Osprey, Storks, Pelicans, Conch and Cormorants so close you can touch. Awesome day out. Great guide and so much of nature seen. Really interesting, must do this again, especially as I managed not to capsize. Such a lovely way to see a place.

Wendy goes window shopping in Sarasota and fortunately doesn’t spend much apart from an extravagant $1.16 on a cup of tea at Wholefoods. Now thats a supermarket you could spend a fortune in. Some awesome foods especially their luxury Granola and better still they sell bottled Hof Brau. Heaven.

Is maths an American strong point? Why do I ask? Subway are offering a 6″ for $2 and a foot long for $5. Doh! 

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Just in case you think I have any religious bias against “that religion”. Here’s two equally disturbing  violence advocating quotes from the Bible:

“I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword” (Gospel of Matthew 10:34) or  “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled” (Luke 12:49-51).

Friday – warm and overcast.

Picnic all packed ready for a day out at Myakka State Park – one of our favourites. A bit overcast so a change of plans.

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We head up to St Petersburg. Can’t really find a city centre to explore so we head down to St Petes Beach. Take our chairs and lavish picnic onto the lovely white sandy beach – this is a first for us since the kids grew up. Glorious sunshine and not a cloud in the sky although it’s the coolest it’s been so, far only73F, just nice for sitting on a beach. Over lunch we’re treated to a passing school of Dolphins and watch Brown Pelicans diving. The dolphins are only about 30 feet out.

Have a lovely stroll along the beach – our exercise for the day.

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Then drive down to treasure Island. Not really that much there other than more pristine white beaches.

Come across the most politically correct pier in America – see photo. Spot what’s missing?




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Another sad day for America, yet another massacre. This time it’s 26 primary school children gunned down. When will they ever learn? As I’ve alluded to before these are daily events now in America. But oh no the 2nd is sacred. Don’t infringe their rights or you’ll be on the NRA hit list.

But some good news from the world of science:

Humulone, the bitter-tasting chemical compound found in hops, is said to be effective against cold and flu virus

Have to increase my daily alcohol intake to a good quality lager and red wine!

Saturday – warm and sunny.

Finally go down to Myakka State Park. Interesting bird talk with the ranger. Lunch looking over the lake. Then a stroll down to the weir. Unfortunately we take P1130799a wrong turn and poor Wendy has to risk life and limb with me wading through the long grass. She throws a real wobbly when she learns there are rattle snakes in there and I’ve led her astray! Mind you when she sees a cottonmouth snake – first snake we’ve ever seen in the wild – she quickly moves onto high ground.

Todays wild sitings include a Bald Eagle, Kildeer, Avocet, Snipe, Palm Warbler, Osprey, Turkey Vultures,  Roseate Spoonbill, Black Vulture, Anhinger, Wood Stork, Herons galore and a Cottonmouth snake.


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On the way home we call in Sports Authority to pick up a couple of shirts. Now bear in mind it’s just a day after 26 kids were massacred and there they are parents buying their kids a Colt M4 and 1911 pistol. Pump action suitable for all levels of PLAY – 2 Day sale only $29.99, see picture. Have they and the store no respect, shame or common sense. And of course if you’re over 18 you can buy anything from a rifle to pump action shotguns. No bloody wonder there’s so much gun crime. Will they ever learn?

 

Sadly one aspect of American culture. The political system is designed to have so many checks and balances to protect democracy and limit power of anyone group or individual that achieving change or even another amendment to the constitution is extremely difficult and rare.


Three Very American Things to Ponder:

1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

C O W S

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are P1130809unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N

They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq . Why don’t we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we’re not using it anymore.

T H E 1 0 C O M M A N D M E N T S

The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: You cannot post “Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,” and “Thou Shall Not Lie” in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians…It creates a hostile work environment.


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