Oswald's Coffin To Be Auctioned

I find this to be a little morbid, but here goes. Lee Harvey Oswald's Coffin is scheduled to go on the auction block on December 16 at Nate D. Saunders Auctions in Los Angeles. Bidding starts at $1,000.

The body of the suspected assassin of President John F. Kennedy was unearthed in 1981. This was done to settle a conspiracy theory that a lookalike Russian agent had been buried, instead of Oswald. A medical exam showed the badly decomposed body was indeed Oswald's, and he was returned to Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas, in a new casket.

The original, simple, pine coffin, which had suffered extensive water damage, is being sold by Baumgardner Funeral Home, the local undertaker which handled the re-internment.

In the picture, Oswald's casket is being carried by pallbearers who were actually newsmen who volunteered for the duty. The funeral was attended mostly by Secret Service and local law enforcement agents. Only five family members and friends attended.

I know that this is a piece of an emotional chapter in our history, but...it seems weird, incorrect and morbid to me.

Jersey's Highway Santa

This has been going on for three years. This morning, a Christmas ornament was spotted hanging from a large pine tree along New Jersey's Garden State Parkway. Since 2007, somebody has been decorating this tree at the 58.2 mile marker, outside the town of Little Egg Harbor. In the past, more and more ornaments were added until Christmas. Nobody knows who is doing this. The turnpike people are shrugging their shoulders, same with local law enforcement.

This sounds like a Hallmark Channel Movie, but it's really happening.

CBS Early Show House Cleaning

Well, when you've been in last place in the ratings, distantly, since the retreat of Captain Kangaroo, it's time to change things up!

CBS likes to call themselves the most watched network, well, yes, in spite of the dismal weekday morning numbers. It's simple, they want more viewers. They think that different faces are the best way to get those viewers.

Here's what's going on....Co-anchors Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez are out, along with weather forecaster Dave Price.

Starting in January, the new anchors will be Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, who have worked together anchoring CBS' Saturday-morning show. Jeff Glor will read the news, but here's the main attraction, for me, old friend, Marysol Castro will be doing the weather!
Marysol had been with ABC's "Good Morning America, Weekend." Now that she's with the new kids at CBS, I'll be watching.

New faces will help...a little. If you keep the same producers, you'll get basically the same product with a "new coat of paint."

Johnson Blames God For Dropped Ball

This is one of several reasons why I am losing my respect for certain professional athletes.

Yesterday, the Buffalo Bills were playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh was the heavy favorite, but at the end of regulation, the score was tied. At this point, everyone on the Buffalo bench was a firm believer that "There is a God!!"

Buffalo has the ball during "sudden death" overtime and there's a perfectly thrown pass to Steve Johnson, in the end zone! Catch it and the Bills win!

He touched it with both hands and.....dropped it!

Soon after, the $388,000+/a year receiver tweets the following:

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!!AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO..."

That's right, this jock with all of his God-given talent, blames God for his butterfingers.

Class act.

New Proposed TSA Banners

This is a list of proposed TSA banners. I think they speak for themselves.....

Click the picture to see a larger image!

Monday Foto - Jennifer Stano

Good Monday Morning! Here's a picture of Jennifer Stano. She's a model and actress from Westchester County, NY. She's also "engaged" to Alki David. He's uber-rich...good for her and obviously good for him.

Have a good week...

The Consumerist Ignored Me

The Consumerist is a bulletin board/forum where consumers can offer their opinion on various retail products and services. It is run by Consumer Reports. They are successful on the Internet with 200,000 - 400,000 hits a day.

Well, they had a story about buying a car. One of the responders told a story about buying a car and being victorious as she spent less money than the dealership wanted to sell the car for. The reality is that the dealership made less money on the sale than they intended! Dealerships will never lose money when selling a car. If you expect them to, then you are foolish, or downright stupid...take your pick.

The point of my comment on The Consumerist was that the purchaser was less than wise to refuse to purchase GAP insurance. She said that she decided not to buy the GAP insurance on the advice of her insurance agent.

Of course! The insurance agent is not going to admit that his coverage (which you just bought) needs to be supplemented by GAP insurance! If and when your car is totaled, GAP insurance pays the difference between the amount of money the insurance company pays and what you still owe the bank. My point was that this is a worthwhile product and is inexpensive. As a salesman, I get paid a whopping $10 when you buy GAP insurance!

The Consumerist did not publish my comment. Nor did they publish my follow up comment which lamented their choice to ignore my original comment.

If you want to waste some time on a one-sided pity party for infantile consumers, by all means visit the pompous and cavalier folks at The Consumerist at www.consumerist.com.

I am waiting for a time when these consumer product rating services are, themselves, rated.

Kelli Space's Problem

Kelli Space

Meet Kelli Space. She's a recent college graduate from Northeastern University with $200,000 owed in student loans. Kelli has a web site where she is asking you to donate your money to help her pay her loan payments.

Kelli said that she is the first one in her family to go to college. She says that she knew that she could not afford it. She continues to say that the people in the financial office at Northeastern did not warn her about what was to come.

Kelli graduated with a degree in Sociology and is now working full time as an office manager in Manhattan. She says that she can't afford to pay her $900/month student loan payments, which will increase to $1,600/month next November.

I have no sympathy for stupid people. I have less sympathy for stupid educated people!

Here's what we can learn from this, boys and girls, they don't teach common sense at Northeastern University!

New NYC Taxi Driver Dress Code

The New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission has plans pending to require a new dress code for taxi drivers. The group wants a more "professional look."

Current rules prohibit tube shirts, tank tops and bathing trunks. The new rules are vague, not mentioning any type of apparel.

This is all very nice. What we really need is someone who speaks English (clearly), a clean cab, and more honest drivers who won't charge $200 for a four mile trip to the airport.

Hangover Helpers

A couple of guys in Boulder, Colorado are going to be very busy on New Year's Day.

Marc Simons and Alex Vere-Nicoll, two University of Colorado graduates, have teamed up to form Hangover Helpers, a company that will visit you on the morning after and feed you breakfast burritos and Mountain Dew and they will clean up your place.

They market their business to the college crowd, charging $15 per roommate.

Charlie Sheen could use these guys...

'Bama's Basketball Boo Boo

Our President was injured today. Taking a break from his Commander-In-Chief and Chief Executive duties, Obama was playing a series of games of basketball. These games are apparently competitive as Obama was elbowed in the face requiring more than a dozen stitches. Don't worry, it wasn't a Republican that caused the injury. It was Rey Decerega, director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, who was taking a shot when he elbowed Obama. Reports indicate that the President is doing fine.

Here's a thought. This can be done with proceeds going to charity. The President and four of his White House buddies can put together a team and take on the likes of four prominent Republicans. I'd like to see people like Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh together with Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney against the President's five. Play the game in a large arena, charge for admission and maybe even broadcast it, on say, C-Span!

Naw...that's a terrible idea. Maybe a bowling tournament...

Friday Foto - Capri Anderson

Here's something a little different for the Friday Foto. Normally, within this feature, I strive to feature an attractive lady who has not yet reached her full potential for fame and success. In the case of Capri Anderson, I think she may have peaked. Sad, but poor choices have their proper dividends. Charlie Sheen made a few poor choices, too.

Things have a way of working themselves out.

Click the picture to get the full effect and have a nice weekend!

Young Texts Fisher: "Sorry"

The Vince Young/Jeff Fisher thing is getting weirder and weirder. The latest chapter has Tennessee Titan Quarterback Vince Young texting an apology to Coach Jeff Fisher. That's right, he sent a text message! Text messaging is what 17 year old high school girls do when they want to talk about boys or clothes or whatever it is that 17 year old high school girls talk about.

Grown men do not text each other about important (for them) matters. They speak face to face! This is something that Coach Fisher favors.

We should remember that Young has a contract with the Titans which is worth $8.5 million. Young should think of a better way of "making nice" than sending a lousy text.

Whatever Young comes up with, it's too late.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving Day. When you think of it, this is a really strange holiday. Most of us think that we are challenged everyday with the struggle to make "ends meet." Some of us think that the guy across the road has it better than we do. Maybe so.

Here's my take, today is a good time to take a look at what we do, or what we are expected to do, on Thanksgiving, and think of the poor schmuck who is not able to do what we are doing.

Yeah, I'm thankful for my family, good health, the privilege of being able to work where I choose to, the ability to purchase anything I want to, and I am thankful for this blog! Think about it! I pay nothing for the privilege of communicating with people, around the world, again, for free! Could anybody have a better or cooler hobby than that?

Maybe I should be thankful that I'm happy with what I've got! Don't think about this too much...enjoy the pumpkin pie!

NFL Picks - Week 12

Happy Thanksgiving!

Amid the turkey and relatives, let's all remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving...that's right...FOOTBALL!

The NFL gives us three games, today.
For this, we are truly thankful!

Here are my picks:

NEW ENGLAND at detroit
NEW ORLEANS at dallas
cincinnati at JETS
GREEN BAY at atlanta
PITTSBURGH at buffalo
carolina at CLEVELAND
tennessee at HOUSTON
jacksonville at GIANTS
minnesota at WASHINGTON
miami at OAKLAND
KANSAS CITY at seattle
tampa bay at BALTIMORE
PHILADELPHIA at chicago
st. louis at DENVER
SAN DIEGO at indianapolis

san francisco at ARIZONA

Wednesday Foto - Mary Castro

Middle of the week and we take a look at Mary Castro. Mary is a California girl, an actress and a singer. Her vocal range includes an ability to sing opera.

Talented lady...heep an eye on her!

Click the picture to get the full effect and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

TSA Effective?

In the past few weeks we have been hearing about the stepped up measures being taken by the Transportation Safety Administration. We've been hearing a lot about the penalty of arrest for anyone who does not comply with their directives.

I'm wondering. The USA is a big country with lots and lots of airports. Why haven't we heard much (if anything) about a terrorist being arrested by the TSA?

I'm not talking about pocket knives and hand guns - I'm talking about TERRORISTS, or hijackers. I must admit that hijacking commercial airplanes is not the problem that it once was. Can anyone fill me in on any potential terrorists who have been arrested by the TSA? This may be of interest to only half of us...because roughly half of adult U.S. Citizens pay income tax, which pays for the TSA.

Man Steals Dough From Pizza Shop

Have you heard enough bad news lately? Are you tired of hearing about crime? From Staten Island, New York comes a story where a lone holdup man sticks up a Brothers Pizzeria. He nervously grabs a bag from the manager, thinking that he scored some quick cash. Well, Salvatore DeRosa got a bag full of dough...pizza dough. He's in custody.

This reminds me of something from when I was in the Army. As I recall, it was at a magical place called Fort Dix. It was nighttime and I was enjoying a beer at a Wrightstown, New Jersey bar. A fellow soldier asks me where he can buy some "grass."(marijuana) I tell him that I don't know..."I'm just here for the beer." My friend wanders off and returns in a few minutes with a cellophane bag and a dumb grin on his face. The next day he asks me if I remember where he bought the "grass" and showed me a cellophane bag filled with crab grass clippings.

Coach Killing Packers

Brad Childress got the axe today, one day after his Minnesota Vikings lost (badly) to the Green Bay Packers.

Two weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys' Head Coach, Wade Phillips, was canned after a decisive loss to...yup...the Green Bay Packers.

Coincidence? That two head coaches should be fired after badly losing to the same team...all within a short period of time?

The Pack travels to Atlanta on Sunday. I just thought I mention it...

Most Dangerous U.S. City - St. Louis

Here's a surprise! According to a study by CQ Press, Saint Louis, Missouri is the most dangerous U.S. city! In 2009, St. Louis had 2,070.1 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. The national average is 429.4. Camden, New Jersey fell to #2, having topped the list in 2008, also in 2003 and 2004.

Coming in at number 3 was Detroit, followed by Flint, Michigan and Oakland California.

Congratulations, St. Louis, you're in the big time!

Young Attitude Getting Old

Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans may have blown it, yesterday. In case you missed it, Young injured the thumb of his throwing hand during the third quarter of Sunday's game. Coach Jeff Fisher took him out of the game. Young got hot. He had his thumb taped and still was unable to get back into the game. Young got hotter. Following the game, he threw his shoulder pads and jersey into the stands. He later had some kind of altercation with Coach Fisher.

A couple of things, here. In the NFL, the coach is God! Right or wrong, you do what he tells you to do. Secondly, and Dan Marino said this, being a quarterback in the NFL is a privledge. Young should know this, by now.

It has been mentioned that Young's future with the Titans is over.
It's very simple.....as I said, the coach is God...don't screw with God.

Monday Foto - Megan Kelly

Some guys on the radio were making a fuss about Megan Kelly posing for GQ magazine. Here's one of the pictures. Megan, if you don't know, is an anchor at Fox News Network.

A lot of people don't like Fox. They say that Fox is too conservative. The way I see it, Megan is one less reason to hate Fox. Click the picture to get the full effect and hace a great week!

Now THIS Is A Christmas Bonus

Clive Palmer is a billionaire businessman - the richest man in Queensland, Australia. He knows something about business and employee motivation.

Palmer handed out $10 million in gifts to his 800-strong Townsville nickel refinery staff, including a fleet of 55 Mercedes-Benz cars and an amazing 700 overseas vacations.

Here's some background, Palmer threw a lifeline to Queensland Nickel 16 months ago when it was facing closure and losing $10 million a month. Having recently posted a profit of about $100 million, he attributed it to staff innovation and high nickel prices. Recipients of the cars were chosen on performance, years of service, and input to a program that generated $16 million in savings.

Palmer says, "Too many people in Australian industries do not appreciate the average person working for them. We want our workforce to be happy and know they’ve got a good future and are well respected."

I've always believed that happy workers do better work and are more productive. This translates to greater profits.

Do they teach this in business school?

Chihuahua Police Dog

Nara, Japan has a new police dog! He's a 6 1/2 pound, 7 year old, long haired Chihuahua named "Momo" or in English, "Peach."

Momo was one of 32 dogs chosen from a field of 70 to become a police dog to help in search and recovery efforts in Japan.

This is really pretty smart, economically. Think of how much less a small dog will eat!

Football At Wrigley

College football continues this week and the nation turns it's eyes toward the critical match up between the University of Illinois and Northwestern. What?

Yup, they are playing the game at the famous Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs since 1492. One problem...The field is not big enough for a football game! This is not the first football game to be played at Wrigley. The place has not grown or shrunk in size...but there is a problem! The teams and the Big 10 have agreed that the east end zone, which ends within a few inches of the right field wall, is too dangerous. The put padding on the wall, but it's still too dangerous. The solution is to have the offense play toward the west end zone....on every possession. This could work unless a pass is intercepted or unless there is a fumble recovery.

Look for highlights on ESPN and on every sportscast in the country.

Was Soldier Field booked for a yard sale?

Starbucks To Grow Beans...In China

In March, Starbucks will be 40 years old. The company has been wonderfully successful. They have a great product and they easily get a premium price for it. That's why I don't drink it. Don't get me wrong - I love coffee. I drink three cups a day, sometimes more. I brew my own. I have a thermos bottle.

Back to the subject of the post, Starbucks is going to grow their own coffee. If you know anything about business, you'll know that owning and controlling the manufacturing process, together with the retail point-of-sale, is traditionally the best way to maximize profits! Starbucks is going to grow their own coffee beans, in China. Why China? Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says, "We've discovered a part of the area there that can produce the world's best coffee, and in three to four years, we will bring coffee from Yunnan to the world."

Best coffee? Did Howie forget to say, "The cheapest labor?"

I'll stick with my Choc Full O' Nuts.