Sunday, October 9, 2011

Hey John

OCTOBER 9, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

October 9 is … Moldy Cheese Day



Isn’t all cheese moldy? What about bleu cheese? I always thought the hairy substance you occasionally find in your refrigerator is either old meat or new cheese.



John Winston Lennon -- composer; musician; one fourth of the famed rock group, The Beatles; husband of Yoko Ono; father of Julian and Sean -- was born on this day in 1940 in Liverpool, England. It’s hard to imagine what the world would be like without his influence on music.



There is hardly a soul anywhere in the world that isn’t familiar with the songs he wrote as half of the team of Lennon and McCartney. When The Beatles were no longer touring, John Lennon collaborated with Yoko Ono in avant-garde works. He then began to express his political views through his music, and in some cases, his actions. Live Peace in Toronto was his first gesture for world peace. And, he returned the coveted Order of the British Empire award (the MBE) to protest British involvement in the Nigerian Civil War. He continued his quest for peace in Give Peace a Chance and with his bed-in for peace at the Amsterdam Hilton following his marriage to Yoko Ono.

His music traced his lifestyles, his views, his childhood, his pain, and jubilation: Cold Turkey, Instant Karma, Mother, Working Class Hero, Jealous Guy, Crippled Inside and How Do You Sleep. Imagine, from the LP of the same title, became his best known work. It also made a statement, paying homage to nonmaterialism. Then there was the LP, Sometime in New York City, filled with anti-establishment verses. Mind Games and Walls and Bridges followed.



Whatever Gets You Through the Night was cause for celebration. It was his first solo #1 hit in the U.S. Lennon then recorded an LP with Yoko, each alternating songs on Double Fantasy. He celebrated his son Sean with Beautiful Boy, his wife with Woman and his new life with both in Just like Starting Over.

He had barely begun to start over when, on December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot to death outside his New York City apartment building.



It’s hard to Imagine...



1975 - John Lennon turned 35. To celebrate, Yoko Ono presented John with a newborn son, Sean Ono Lennon.



1985 - A 2½-acre garden memorial was dedicated to John Lennon by his widow, Yoko Ono, this day. The memorial in New York City’s Central Park is named Strawberry Fields



Just a couple of thoughts I had and you should too or at least think about.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

COPYRIGHT 2011



VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.













Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan. It is still a good time to purchase any of my books. The books are interesting and inexpensive reads. My third book is now available. The title is Public EneMe?



www.barnesandnoble.com (do a quick search, Title, my name)

www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search.





Book Titles:



Holmes the Ripper



A Revengeful Mix of Short Fiction



Public EneMe?



"An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don't." - Anatole France


Saturday, October 8, 2011

Palin and the Koreans

OCTOBER 8, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

October 8 is … American Tag Day



This is it! You are it. What is it?



Hank, Jr. was fired by ESPN. Who did he upset? Who complained? Who takes Bocephus seriously? ESPN still has Jim Rome; it still employs proven cheaters in Lou Holtz and several other former college coaches; several of their on-air people regularly swear on the air and then apologize. They are not fired. ESPN dropped the ball on this one. They lose!



I hope the California Parole Board does not release her. It is too close to Thanksgiving to tempt her. A woman who killed her newlywed husband and chopped and cooked his body parts over Thanksgiving weekend in 1991 is seeking release from a California prison.



Omaima Nelson, an Egyptian-born former model and nanny, is set to appear before parole commissioners Wednesday at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla where she has been serving a life sentence. Nelson was convicted of murdering her 56-year-old husband William Nelson in a grisly killing that authorities likened to the fictional slayings of Hannibal Lecter. Once again the ‘model’ label is used with nanny. She likely will not get many babysitting jobs after prison, even in California.



Prosecutors said the then-23-year-old killed Nelson and likely plotted to steal from him as she had done with other middle-aged men she had seduced in the past. Authorities said she tied up her husband of less than a month, killed him and dismembered the body, churning his parts through a garbage disposal that neighbors said ran nonstop in the hours after the murder. Authorities found some of Nelson's body parts stuffed in garbage bags and mixed with leftover Thanksgiving turkey. His hands had been fried in oil and his head boiled and stuffed in freezer, said Randy Pawloski, a senior deputy district attorney in Orange County who prosecuted the case and will argue against her release.



"She's tremendously dangerous," said Pawloski, adding that Nelson sought help from two different boyfriends to try to remove her husband's teeth and dispose of his remains to cover her tracks. This guy is the master of the obvious. He ought to get a raise for pointing out how dangerous she is.



During the highly publicized trial, Nelson took the stand and said she stabbed her husband, a former pilot and convicted drug smuggler, with scissors while he sexually assaulted her. A psychiatrist testified that she confessed to cooking her husband's ribs barbecue-style and tasting them but later denied engaging in cannibalism. He said he believed she was psychotic when she killed Nelson.



Defense attorney Thomas Mooney argued his client was circumcised as a child growing up in a squalid section of Cairo, which made sex extremely painful, and was repeatedly raped and abused by her husband in the weeks after the couple wed.



Sarah Palin is out of the picture. In a radio appearance on Glenn Beck’s radio show in November 2010, Sarah Palin thought the North Koreans were our allies.



“CO-HOST: How would you handle a situation like the one that just developed in North Korea? [...]

PALIN: But obviously, we’ve got to stand with our North Korean allies. We’re bound to by treaty –

CO-HOST: South Korean.

PALIN: Eh, Yeah. And we’re also bound by prudence to stand with our South Korean allies, yes.”



This is not just a slip of the tongue a frequent public speaker makes. This is a sign of lack of knowledge. Good riddance, Sarah.



Just a couple of thoughts I had and you should too or at least think about.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

COPYRIGHT 2011





VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.













Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan. It is still a good time to purchase any of my books. The books are interesting and inexpensive reads. My third book is now available. The title is Public EneMe?



www.barnesandnoble.com (do a quick search, Title, my name)

www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search.





Book Titles:



Holmes the Ripper



A Revengeful Mix of Short Fiction



Public EneMe?



"The majority of mankind is lazy-minded, incurious, absorbed in vanities, and tepid in emotion, and is therefore incapable of either much doubt or much faith." - T.S. Eliot

Friday, October 7, 2011

Happy birthdy, Hannah!

OCTOBER 7, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

October 7 is … National Frappe Day



Have a milkshake on me. Happy birthday Hannah!



I will go see this whenever it comes out if I am still alive. Following in the grand tradition of 1960s-shows-turned-movies, Fox 2000 has just acquired the feature rights to 'Mr. Ed.' The television program with the talking horse ran for six seasons from 1961 to 1966. According to Variety, Fox 2000 president Elizabeth Gabler is a passionate equestrian and was a driving force behind the project; the studio is currently in search of a writer for the film.



If I can come up with a good storyline, I will send in a script. One of my sons has written movie scripts in the past. I would collaborate with him for a knockout talking horse opera. Who should play “Willlbuurrrr”? Jack Nicholson could handle it as could Owen Wilson. Bill Murray might just be a hoot with Dan Akroyd as the voice of Mister Ed. Give it some thought.



For some reason, Hank, Jr. is listened to. He is a singer. He is not in politics and does not speak for any organized group of people. I find the fact ESPN painted itself into a corner with this non-story is the only reason this story has legs. It is another example of the press being the story not reporting the story.



To keep his gig, however, Bocephus blinked first. Hank Williams Jr. is apologizing for using an analogy to Adolf Hitler in discussing President Barack Obama that prompted ESPN to pull his classic intro song to "Monday Night Football."



Williams said in a statement posted on Facebook and his website Tuesday that his passion for politics and sports "got the best or worst of me."



Hank Williams Jr. apologizes for offensive comments made about President Barack Obama.



In an interview Monday on Fox News' "Fox & Friends," Williams, unprompted, said of Obama's day on the links with House Speaker John Boehner: "It'd be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu."



Asked to clarify, Williams said, "They're the enemy," adding that by "they" he meant Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.



Williams backed off Tuesday.



"The thought of the leaders of both parties jukin and high fiven on a golf course, while so many families are struggling to get by simply made me boil over and make a dumb statement," Williams wrote. "I am very sorry if it offended anyone."



ESPN had no further comment. It is not known if the intro, synonymous with "Monday Night Football" since 1989, would be used again.



At least the story is not about Chris Christie or his weight.



In other Republican Presidential campaign news, Michelle Bachmann is now running for the Vice-President spot. Her recent plunge out of the top contenders leaves her no realistic chance at the top spot. I do not think any intelligent person ever gave her a real chance anyway.



She continues to slam Governor Rick Perry while not attacking former Governor Mitt Romney. Rick Perry brags that Texas has created more than 1 million jobs during his 10 years as governor, trumpeting the state's hands-off regulatory climate and business-first policies. But another part of his jobs agenda, the part that promotes investing state money in private companies, is drawing new criticism as he runs for the Republican presidential nomination.



Rival Michele Bachmann recently likened one of the deals subsidized by the Texas Enterprise Fund to Solyndra, the California energy company that went bust after receiving a $528 million loan from the federal stimulus program. Perry's state fund "gave $35 million and a grant to a private company and there were donors in that private company," Bachmann said, referring to Perry campaign contributors. Though the company promised to create jobs, "they didn't create any," she said.



The criticism lays bare a larger battle among conservatives about whether the government should let the free market reign or use public money to boost jobs. More specifically, the deal Bachmann attacked illustrates the murky complexities of private ventures that not only involve risk but also donations to political campaigns. Perry spokesman Mark Miner declined to discuss the deal in question, which was with a precursor to Lexicon Pharmaceuticals. What matters, he said, is that overall "the fund has created more than 59,000 jobs and capital investment of more than $14.7 billion." Bachmann, he said, was "just throwing garbage at the wall to see if it will stick."



From the first grant announcement in June 2003 through August 2011, the fund had distributed more than $439.5 million to 89 firms – from giants like 3M Co. and Home Depot Inc. to a Houston company called Alloy Polymers, which promised to create 52 jobs. The firms have indeed pledged to create a total of 59,000 jobs, but it's unclear how many have so far met their targets. The state says figures for this year are unavailable. Lucy Nashed, a spokeswoman for the governor's office, said 30,749 jobs had been created by the end of 2010.



Just a couple of thoughts I had and you should too or at least think about.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

COPYRIGHT 2011





VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.













Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan. It is still a good time to purchase any of my books. The books are interesting and inexpensive reads. My third book is now available. The title is Public EneMe?



www.barnesandnoble.com (do a quick search, Title, my name)

www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search.





Book Titles:



Holmes the Ripper



A Revengeful Mix of Short Fiction



Public EneMe?



"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." - Albert Einstein


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Steve Jobs, dead at 56.

OCTOBER 6, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

October 6 is … German-American Day and Come and Take It Day

Isn’t that what the Germans tried to do twice during the 1900s? These efforts by the Germans resulted in WWI AND WWII.



I missed it yesterday but it was also National Taco Day.



Steve Jobs, the world is a better place because you lived. RIP sir.



Sarah Palin, the day after saying the Presidency is too small for her activism has said she will not run for President. Who cares and why is this news in 2011? Sarah, go live with Casey Anthony and Amanda Knox, never to be heard from again, please!



It appears Casey Anthony is nothing special in the justice system; just another lost soul with little chance of ever developing into a productive member of society. 



Casey Anthony told her probation officer this week that she is unemployed and hasn't used any illegal drugs, according to a report released Tuesday by authorities.



Anthony reported to her probation officer Monday at an undisclosed location in Florida, the state Department of Corrections said in the report. She told the probation officer that she has had no source of income during the past 30 days. Her probation order requires her to "work diligently at a lawful occupation."



But Florida Department of Corrections spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said being jobless doesn't put Anthony in violation of her probation. Thousands of other probationers are without jobs, given Florida's 10.7 percent unemployment rate. "Probation officers encourage offenders to explore their options as it relates to employment," Plessinger said in an email. "Employment status is reviewed monthly by probation officers."



Anthony's defense attorney, Joe Baez, said last month on Fox News' "Geraldo At Large" that Anthony was undergoing therapy and counseling. But Anthony checked "no" on the probation report form that asked her if she had attended mental health or therapy programs in the past month. Anthony said on the form released to the media that she hasn't attended educational or vocational classes. The lies and deception continue. Anthony also told the probation officer that she has not used any illegal drugs and that she has consumed alcohol but not to excess. Anthony developed a party-girl reputation after photos taken in the weeks after Caylee disappeared showed her partying with friends and participating in a nightclub's "hard body" contest.



Anthony was acquitted in July on charges of murdering her daughter, Caylee. The 25-year-old was convicted of four misdemeanor counts of lying to authorities. She told officers a baby sitter had kidnapped the child. Authorities later learned the baby sitter never existed.



Anthony currently is serving probation at an undisclosed location in Florida for unrelated check fraud charges. The details of where she is serving her probation have been kept secret because of concerns for her safety. A judge granted the Department of Corrections the ability to keep Anthony's probation details confidential even though they are part of the public record in most other cases. Anthony is required to check in monthly with a probation officer.



Chris Christie is still not running for President.



This is a nice thought to contemplate. Imagine the money this reunion would have generated.



"If John and George were still here it's highly likely we would've had a Beatles ­reunion. I think we would've mellowed to the point where we would've said, 'Come on, let's do it ...' The thing was whenever we got ­together, no matter if we were arguing, we played great ... We were like hands in a glove." -- Paul McCartney



Just a couple of thoughts I had and you should too or at least think about.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

COPYRIGHT 2011



VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.













Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan. It is still a good time to purchase any of my books. The books are interesting and inexpensive reads. My third book is now available. The title is Public EneMe?



www.barnesandnoble.com (do a quick search, Title, my name)

www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search.





Book Titles:



Holmes the Ripper



A Revengeful Mix of Short Fiction



Public EneMe?



"History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are." - David C McCullough


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I think Governor Christie just changed his mind.

OCTOBER 5, 2011

BRUCE A. BRENNAN BLOG FROM THE WORLD AND MY MIND

The news as I see it and the views as I want them.

October 5 is … National Storytelling Festival



This sounds like an event not a day. I do not really tell stories but I do write them. Order one of my books today in celebration of today’s holiday.



Did you hear the big news from Tuesday on the political front? Governor Chris Christie said he would not be running for the Republican Party nomination for President. He said the time was not right for him.



It will not take long before Bill Kristol and FOX News has him changing his mind.



As was reported by the New York Magazine online version, Bill Kristol is running out of strikes. Weekly Standard editor and Republican operative Bill Kristol has been trying hard to draft a new Republican candidate into the presidential race. In January, he started imploring Paul Ryan to jump into the race. Ryan begged off. Kristol's eye wandered to Indiana governor Mitch Daniels. Daniels, too, turned him down. Kristol even suggested that Marco Rubio could perhaps enter the race. Not even a whiff.



By August, Kristol was writing anguished, pleading poems to the candidates spurning him. The latest, desperate effort involved him working publicly and behind the scenes to draft Chris Christie into the race.



Now Christie's also out, and Kristol has compiled the worst draft record since Matt "Fire" Millen.



Leave this guy alone. His weight problem will be made into an issue and I am sure numerous reporters are looking for Mafia ties from New Jersey to tie Christie in with. He is not nationwide material. He has an approval rating of around 50% amongst New Jersey voters and they should know him. He is not really conservative. Many of his positions would disappoint Tea-partiers. He is better off in Jersey and so is America.



Neon Deion Sanders has filed for divorce. That, in and of itself, is a little unusual. Typically, the wife files for divorce. Deion gave some stupid reasoning for his decision. I do not know who his wife is but she apparently is on TV or is a model. He says he just wants a housewife, not a model or actress. If he wanted a model or actress, he said he would have gotten one ten years ago.



Deion has a girlfriend. She is described as a model/actress. So he apparently is trading his wife of 11 years is on a newer model. Who decides if you are a model/actress anyway? I never heard of either of the women involved in the Sanders divorce. I am constantly reading about women described as models, actresses or super models. Who votes on this stuff? Tiger Woods ex-wife was described as a super model. In reality, she was a babysitter of another golf pro’s kids. That should not qualify as a super model. Just having sex with someone famous does not make a woman a super model, an actress or a model, just an easy lay.



Just a couple of thoughts I had and you should too or at least think about.

BRUCE A. BRENNAN

DEKALB, IL 60115

COPYRIGHT 2011



VISIT ANY OF THE SITES LISTED FOR REVIEW, RESEARCH, ORDERING MY WRITING PRODUCTS OR TO CONTACT ME.













Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan. It is still a good time to purchase any of my books. The books are interesting and inexpensive reads. My third book is now available. The title is Public EneMe?



www.barnesandnoble.com (do a quick search, Title, my name)

www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search.





Book Titles:



Holmes the Ripper



A Revengeful Mix of Short Fiction



Public EneMe?



"The manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the thing that must be endured." - Dean Acheson



"Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it." - Albert Einstein