Interesting Use of the English Language

by | Sep 6, 2023 | Life

Interesting Use of the English Language

I copied some of the examples cited below from others, but many of them are originals thoughts, coming from me.

I often wonder why we use certain expressions, or words, which have a different meaning in the same sentence. We also use words which are unnecessary. Hopefully, you’ll get a kick out of the following. For whatever it’s worth, this brief article will make you more aware of the words and/or expressions used by others and/or yourself.

  • Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?
  • Why does “slow down” and “slow up” mean the same thing? 
  • Why does “fat chance” and “slim chance” mean the same thing?
  • Why is it called “after dark” when it really is “after light”?
  • Why do we sing “Take me out to the ball game” when we are already there?
  • Why are they called “stands” when they are made for sitting? 
  • Why are a “wise man” and a “wise guy” opposites? 
  • If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? 
  • He was shot in “Broad Daylight”! Is there something called “Narrow Daylight”?
  • Why do people say she gave birth to a “Baby” Boy? Is it possible to give birth to an Adult boy?
  • Why do we say the food in this restaurant is “awfully” good?
  • She spoke in a “Loud” Whisper.
  • The company had “Negative” Growth last year.
  • His girlfriend is “Pretty” ugly.
  • The comedian was “Seriously” Funny.
  • I’m on a “Working” Vacation.
  • Did you ever order “Jumbo” Shrimp in a seafood restaurant?
  • There was “Deafening” Silence in the room.
  • Who is that woman? She’s an “Uninvited” Guest.
  • The performer was a “One Man” Band.
  • How many people were at the show? There was a “Small” crowd.
  • It was so wet and cold, I was driving on “Frozen” ICE.
  • Do you still have the “Original” copies?
  • They have “Zero” Tolerance for people of color.
  • What did you think of those two communities? “Same Difference”
  • After the show, we were “Alone” Together
  • After dinner, I had “DIET” Ice Cream.
  • The psychiatrist said she has a “Passive” Aggressive personality.
  • How would you describe Johnny? He is a “dead man” walking.
  • How would you describe Johnny? He is an “honest” thief.
  • That was a “deceptively” honest presentation.
  • What is your ultimate goal in life? I want to “Go Back to the Future”.
  • I’m sorry, but that is your “only” choice?
  • Your actions placed us in a “fine” mess.
  • What kind of utensils do they use in that restaurant? “Plastic” Silverware.
  • How would you describe your husband? He’s a “BIG” Baby
  • The Homicide Detective asked, did you kill your husband? I definitely remember
  • The Homicide Detective asked, do you know who killed your husband? Only TIME will tell.
  • The Homicide Detective asked, do you know who killed your husband? The writing is on the wall!
  • The Homicide Detective asked, did you love your husband. I was “head over heels” in love with him.
  • The Homicide Detective said to the wife, “Your answers to my questions, opens up “a can of worms.”
  • I spent the last two weeks preparing for my “impromptu” speech.
  • I ate an 8-ounce slice of “pound cake”.
  • I paid too much for the sofa, but it was worth it.
  • How would you describe your boyfriend? He’s dumb as a doorknob.
  • How will you solve this problem? We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
  • The woman told her girlfriend, please stop “airing your dirty laundry”.
  • Have you recovered from your illness? Yes, “I’m Back in the Saddle”.
  • Did you make a decision yet? No, I’m between a rock and a hard place.”
  • Are you and Gloria still fighting” No, “we buried the hatchet.”
  • How did you like your blind date? Not very much, he is “older than dirt”.
  • Finally, I love this one. May I ask you a question?

U.S. CRIMINAL LAWS FOR MURDER ARE INSANE

by | Jun 5, 2023 | Law Enforcement, Life

U.S. CRIMINAL LAWS FOR MURDER ARE INSANE

How many times have you read an article about a vicious murder, only to learn the person who committed the crime has a rap sheet longer than your leg? You see it way too often. The criminal was previously arrested for assault, rape, attempted murder, etc. If you’re like me, you ask yourself how or why is this horrible person walking around free? Why aren’t they locked up in a cage for the rest of their lives?

I’m writing this just after a serial killer in Texas, named Raul Meza, turned himself in. He was wanted for 2 murders in Austin, TX. After he turned himself in, he advised the police that he committed two other murders in San Antonio, TX. Authorities believe he may have killed several other people.

In 1982, Raul Meza was convicted for the rape and murder of an 8-year old girl. Guess what? He served only 11 years and was paroled in 1993. You read that correctly. A guy who raped and murdered an 8-year old girl, served only 11 years in prison for that vicious crime. This is a prime example of what is wrong with our criminal justice system. The emphasis should not be on parole or rehabilitation for murderers, it should be on protecting society from vicious killers.

After Meza was released, there’s a long list of people whom he murdered. Obviously, if Meza was locked in a cage for the rest of his life after the 1982 rape and murder of that young girl, numerous innocent people would be alive today.

The treatment of Meza described above is symbolic of so many other cases across the country. Why in the world does our justice system demonstrate so much undeserved empathy toward murderers?

What is wrong with our criminal justice system? Why do vicious killers, who rape and/or murder people, serve such short sentences? Why are they released on parole?

Remember, murder is a permanent crime. The victim and their family will never recover. That’s why the punishment should also be permanent, that means the rest of the criminal’s life. After committing a murder, a prisoner should never be released, so that he or she can do it again.

Let’s take a moment to review the various levels of charges one might face for the murder of someone. Please note, the following list is not all inclusive, it’s more of a generic summary.

First Degree Murder

It is the most severe homicide crime and the criteria is premeditated and carried out with intent. This could result in the death penalty, which is almost never actually imposed. More often, life in prison without the possibility of parole, is the sentence. In America, if you get the death penalty, you’re almost assured of at least another 15-20 years living on death row. See more on this at the end of this article.

However, some judges give out a sentence such as only 15 or 25 years to life. Why? Put them away forever!

Second Degree Murder

Second-degree murder is carried out with intent but with no premeditation. This one often carries a pathetic sentence like 15 years to life.

Third Degree Murder

Third-degree murder falls between manslaughter and second-degree murder charges. This murder is not based on having the intent to kill. Third-degree murder is often charged as a depraved heart or mind crime. This charge can arise when a person fires a gun in a crowd without intending to kill anyone. Do you or I really care if he or she intended to kill someone? Firing a weapon into a crowd is more than enough for me to lock up this person forever.

Manslaughter

Your behavior shows you don’t care if someone dies because of your actions (voluntary manslaughter). You accidentally cause another person to die (involuntary manslaughter).

Attempted Murder

Attempted murder is the failed or aborted attempt to murder another person.

In some states “Attempted 1st Degree Murder” can carry a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Unfortunately, that kind of sentence is very rare. In most states, more often than not, attempted murder carries a maximum penalty of only 15 years. Very often, the actual sentence is even lower.

Unfortunately, our justice system usually rewards the criminal for failure. If you attempt to kill someone and succeed, you will probably receive a very serious sentence. However, if you try to kill someone, but fail to achieve your goal, the criminal justice system often rewards you with a very light sentence. How dumb is that?

Death Penalty

In 1976, the death penalty was reinstated by the Supreme Court. Since then, only 1,569 men and women have been executed in the United States. Incidentally, most of those executions were concentrated in a few states.

1,569 may sound like a large number, but over 47 years, that comes to only   33 per year. How many murders are committed in America annually? I don’t have the exact number, but it averages out to approximately 21,000 per year. Yes, out of every 21,000 murders annually, there are approximately only 33 death penalty cases each year

Let’s do the math.

21,000 x 47 years = 987,000 murders since 1976

How many people were put to death? 1,569. That means the death penalty is applied in America only about 2% of the time. Or looking at it from the opposite direction, in about 98% of murders cases, there is no death penalty applied.

If you’re like me, you are angry that the death penalty isn’t utilized far more often. However, it should only be applied when the guilty person confesses, or if there is 100% scientific proof. It should never be used in a circumstantial evidence case.

It doesn’t matter how you personally feel about the death penalty and/or how rarely it’s used. What matters is we keep the threat of a death penalty hanging over the head of murderers. Why? Because you would be amazed how many times a murderer pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid the death penalty.

Conclusion

We need a justice system that emphasizes punishment over rehabilitation for violent offenders. People who rape, seriously injure, or kill others, deserve to spend the rest of their lives locked in a cage. This type of sentence places the emphasis on protecting society from people who will kill someone for a trivial reason. They simply do not care about others.

Why should we demonstrate empathy for these cold-hearted killers? Why does our criminal justice system demonstrate such a high level of concern for violent offenders? You can bet every dollar you have, if the judge was sentencing a killer who murdered one of his loved ones, that murderer would never see the light of day again. We need judges who place themselves in the position of a family member who just lost a loved one forever.

Issues, Behavior, Beliefs, Which Irritate Me

by | Feb 14, 2023 | Life, Religion and God

Issues, Behavior, and Cultural Myths, Which Irritate Me

I’m guessing there are many aspects of life, and they are different for everyone, which irritates all of us, some more than others. I’m definitely in the “more than others” category. Here’s a partial list of issues, beliefs, or behavior, which irritates me. I’m guessing you will identify with some of them, and I’m confident some of you will not like several of my thoughts in this article. If you’re interested in my partial list, please continue reading. After you finish reading this article, if you want to send me to a deserted island, let me know. But I’m sorry, I do not believe in many of our absurd, cultural myths.

LOG OUT BUTTON: Many web developers think it’s cool to hide the log out button. Why? Logging out, especially on a bank site, is critical for your financial safety. Why do these idiots hide the log out button? It should be prominently displayed, so that everyone will see it.

PARENTHESIS AROUND THE AREA CODE:

Maybe it made sense back in 1983, but in the year 2023, there is absolutely no need to place parentheses around the area code, as is often required on website forms. Why do people continue to insist on doing this? I don’t get it.

GAS STATION PRICES: You will never see the price of gas listed simply as $3.98 per gallon. No, it will be $3.98 9/10. Why do we need that useless tenths category?

ALCOHOL: Why do most Americans associate having a good time with alcohol? Why can’t you go out and enjoy yourself without indulging in something I find unhealthy and unnecessary? Yes, I realize, that’s my issue, not your issue.

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? Wherever I go, I’m a person who analyzes many aspects of an organization. I’m sorry, but I can’t help myself, that’s what I do instinctively. When I transition to a new company, a new job, or a new organization, I always see them doing things which make no sense to anyone, not even themselves. When I ask the question, this doesn’t make any sense, why are you continuing to do this, you know what the answer is. We’ve always done it this way. I hate that response.
I worked in the federal government for 25 years, and on several occasions, I wrote letters to upper management, showing them how we could accomplish our tasks more efficiently. If that wasn’t enough, I would also point out that it would actually save money. Even though many of the senior managers liked or agreed with my suggestions, guess what the usual response was.

TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU: Very often, I’m in an extended conversation with someone who suddenly prefaces their next statement by saying, “To Be Perfectly Honest With You”. When I hear that expression, my initial thought is, have you been lying to me all this time?

KNOCK on WOOD: Yes, in the 21st Century, people still preface their wishful comments by knocking on a table or something similar. Really? Why?

ADULTS DO THIS ALL THE TIME: When people are giving you a verbal list of several items, you will see them counting with their fingers. You’re no longer 7 years old, please stop doing that!

THE FOX PROPAGANDA NETWORK:  Millions of American incredibly believe the non-stop lies and propaganda coming from Fox is news. The Alternate Reality which Fox creates for their addicted viewers, is extremely dangerous for our democracy and our country.

THE CONCEPT of GOD, HEAVEN, HELL, and a DEVIL with a tail: When we were growing up, most of us believed in Santa Claus, Batman, and Superman. When we reached a certain age, we eventually figured out that Santa Claus, Batman, and Superman do not exist, they are CULTURAL MYTHS! For the rest of our lives, we may have a little chuckle when any of them are brought up in conversation, possibly wondering why or how you possibly believed in them as a little kid.

But for many reasons, which I will not get into in this article, millions of adult Americans, still believe the absurd cultural myths related to the concept of a God and associated issues. When I ask people where is your god, they look up in the sky. When I ask them where is hell and where does the devil live, they look down and say underground. I then ask, does the devil live under Bermuda, Hawaii, the North Pole, China, or somewhere else. I’m always met with a blank stare.

I then ask the big one, if your God is all-powerful, why doesn’t your god eliminate the devil? Once again, I rarely get an answer.

If they’re still talking to me, I usually ask them where is heaven? Once again, they look up in the sky and point in that direction. That’s very impressive reasoning!

I then ask them questions such as, how are people transported to heaven? Do they have bathrooms, supermarkets, food, McDonalds, Burger King, and roads in heaven? Do people live in single family homes, townhomes, or apartment buildings. Do women have wings? Is there a heaven for fish, lions, tigers, elephants, insects, horses, etc.? I never get an answer. By that time, they are no longer talking to me. How can people possibly believe this mumbo jumbo? In terms of heaven, I almost get it. I realize people never want to face the reality that after you die, it’s over. But please, the concept is absurd! After you die, it is in fact all over.  

JEWISH PEOPLE STILL BELIEVE in GOD: This one is mind boggling to me. I ask them where was your all-powerful God while the Nazis were killing over 6 MILLION JEWS over a period of several years. I never once heard an acceptable answer.

BLACK PEOPLE STILL BELIEVE in GOD: What was your all-powerful God doing while white Christians, many of them holding a bible in their hands, enslaved huge numbers of black people for a very long period of time.

CATHOLICS STILL BELIEVE in GOD: How many hundreds of Priests sexually abused or raped thousands of little boys or girls over the years? And you still believe in that religion?

FAMILY MEMBERS of CRIME VICTIMS: Family members of people who were kidnapped, raped, assaulted, or murdered, still pray to their God. Why? I ask them, where was your all-powerful God while your son, daughter, mother, or father was being kidnapped, raped, robbed, or murdered. Once again, I never heard an acceptable answer.

ATHLETES THANK GOD for their ACHIVEMENTS: I almost want to throw up when I see football players point up to the sky and say thank you after they score a touchdown. It’s the same with baseball players who hit a home run. Do you really believe there’s a god watching your game and rooting for you against your opponent? And that God has the power to intervene in the game on your behalf?

PRAYING: Do you believe there’s a god who understands numerous languages and simultaneously monitors almost 8 billion people?

I also ask them other questions such as, why do you have to get on your knees before you can pray? Why do you have to bow your head while talking to God? Why do you have to clasp your hands together? I have other questions I ask, but you get the idea. I never once received what I consider an intelligent reply. But very often, they walk away from me before I can ask those other questions. It’s literally mind boggling to me that people actually believe there’s a god listening to their prayers, even though several million other people might be praying at the same exact time. Where is that God? How does that God hear you? How does God hear millions of people praying simultaneously?

We currently live in the scientifically advanced 21st century, where we’ve been exploring outer space for over 60 years. Despite our numerous scientific advances, incredibly, people still believe these absurd, totally illogical, cultural myths. Yes, that’s the same mumbo jumbo which was pounded into them since they were three years old.

Hopefully, after reading this article, some of you will still talk to me.

Murder and Rapes of Indigenous Women and Women in General

by | May 24, 2022 | Life

Murder and Rape of Indigenous Women and Women in General

I recently read an article on violence against women, but especially indigenous women. Although we are 22 years into the 21st Century,  American women continue to be raped and/or murdered at a very high rate. However, as much as they are suffering, their plight pales when compared with attacks against native American women. Thankfully, a federal bill was updated, improved, and reauthorized back in 2013. More on that later in this article.

How much more likely are Native women to be murdered?  Indigenous Women are murdered at a rate 10 times higher than all other ethnicities!

  • Murder is the 3rd leading cause of death for Indigenous Women (Centers for Disease Control).
  • More than 4 out of 5 Indigenous Women have experienced violence (84.3%) (National Institute of Justice Report).
  • More than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native adults (83 percent) have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime.
  • Slightly more than 1 in 3 Native American Women [34 percent] are raped in their lifetimes.

Who is committing these crimes?

Although the exact number of victimizations per person is unknown, it is clear that most American Indian and Alaska Native victims have experienced at least one act of violence committed by a perpetrator who is not an Indian (97 percent of women and 90 percent of men). Fewer victims (35 percent of women and 33 percent of men) have experienced one or more acts of violence by an American Indian or Alaska Native perpetrator.

These statistics illustrate the need for the sovereign right of federally recognized tribes to criminally prosecute non-Indian perpetrators. Until this bill was updated 9 years ago, federally recognized tribes did not have this authority, even for crimes committed on tribal lands. This gap in jurisdictional authority provided immunity to non-Indian perpetrators and compromised the safety of tribal communities.

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 partially corrected this problem by providing special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction to federally recognized tribes. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that women in general, are victims of numerous assaults and murders. In 2013, the following federal bill was updated and reauthorized.

REAUTHORIZING THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT: KEY PROVISIONS

While tremendous progress has been made since the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was first enacted, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are still significant problems facing women, families, and communities.

  • Domestic violence causes 3 deaths a day to women
  • 1 out of 4 women have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner.
  • 1 out of 5 women were raped in their lifetimes.

The VAWA bill, signed into law by President Obama, made targeted expansions to address the needs of especially vulnerable populations. Here are the Key Provisions.

  • Researchers estimate that for every woman killed in a domestic violence homicide, nine more are nearly killed.
  • The bill integrates screening for homicide risks throughout existing VAWA programs and requires states to develop goals and activities to reduce domestic violence homicides.
  • Native American women suffer from one of the highest rates of domestic violence. The bill closes gaps in jurisdiction and recognizes the authority of tribes to prosecute domestic violence crimes against Indian and non-Indian perpetrators
  • The bill addresses high rates of dating violence and sexual assault on college campuses by requiring colleges and universities to provide information to students about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and inform students and staff about the number of these crimes that occur on and near campus.
  • Colleges will be required to create and disseminate policies describing the protections, resources, and services available to victims to help them safely continue their education.
  • Sexual assault is one of the most underreported violent crimes in the country, and victims often suffer long term physical and emotional trauma.
  • The bill creates state grant funding for law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim services to work together to respond to these crimes and helps law enforcement agencies tackle their backlog of rape kits.
  • The bill addresses the high rates of dating violence and sexual assault experienced by teens and young adults. The bill will help schools, youth organizations, and domestic violence agencies work more effectively with youth and engage young people in stopping violence before it starts.

Although we’ve seen tremendous progress over the years reference opportunities for women, and women’s rights, it’s very said to learn that some things never change. I wish I could come up with a solution, but I don’t have one.