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[New streaming TV device] In answer to Google’s $35 Chromecast stick, Roku releases its Streaming Stick for Netflix and more to your HDTV. Stream content from YouTube or your computer to your TV. Wireless N, and selling for $50 April. Cool. Link 

[“China’s Smog problem”] I was in Jodhpur, India about ten years ago and went out for a walk in the evening. I got to, maybe, a couple of blocks when I had to turn around and go back to the palace because the smog was so bad I couldn’t grab a breath. It was the only palace I’ve ever stay at and I had to leave because of the damn smog, bummer.

The next meeting of the Big Pine Computer Club is coming up this Saturday, March 8, 10 am at the senior center. Hope to see you there. Events

I don’t know why the poster should be annoyed by my watching Fox news, I hold no opinion on his watching Gilligan’s Island reruns, as I realize it is absolutely none of my business to worry about what floats this fellow’s boat, that is what the lady said when she kissed the cow. 

When a woman says, Do whatever you want!” Do NOT do whatever you want.

LibreOffice is a free/donation-ware Microsoft Office alternative program that runs on all the major operating systems, files are compatible also. Unlike Google Docs which is web based, requires an Internet connection and subjected to government and hackers spying, LibreOffice is a program one installs and keeps their files locally instead. If one needs to share editable files, one can send the installer for LibreOffice also as it’s free/open source software. https://www.libreoffice.org/

[“If gambling was legal the mob, as we know it, would be out of business”] You’re right, the Mob has been going “legal” to own the gambling systems. Ever hear of Vegas, Reno, Florida, and they have a chunk of every other state too.

[Schools] Violence and aggression perpetrated upon anyone, at anytime, can be a serious criminal matter. As such, these behaviors must always be addressed with the utmost concern and caution by school authorities. A tone is set at school by the principal, as to the seriousness with which bullying will be viewed. Classrooms maintaining a standard of behavior that reinforce positive conduct and achievement, while punishing disorder and malfeasance, will decrease chaos, confusion and fear for all students. A safer and more orderly environment that promotes exciting and constructive learning activities, will minimize turbulence and trouble.

There was never any doubt who was in charge of my classroom. And to whom a student would contact, regarding any violation or threat they perceived to their well being. Most of my life I taught and coached adolescents. Although each one of my students was very beautiful and interesting, some of them had difficulty getting along with others. Violence and verbal aggression were a significant part of their personalities. A student who knows that you love them and will protect them, can relax long enough to learn advanced skills. They can begin to construct a new way of relating to themselves, their classmates and the world at large. It’s really not difficult to create a healthy, prosperous and enlightening experience for students.

Bullying did not occupy one iota of our school day. When one of my students were bullied outside of my classroom, they came to me with their problem. Contact was immediately made with the bully. This individual was faced with making some very quick and serious decisions. It didn’t take long for everyone in the school to know my position on this matter. The school administration was left out of it. They were incompetent and incapable of dealing with this issue. Behind the scene they enjoyed and benefited from my interventions on these matters, however during my 20 years at one school, they referred to me behind my back: “As a whacked out Marine from Vietnam”.

My students and myself maintained our classroom autonomy and prided ourselves in our achievements and success. Throughout the day, while I taught my classes, we provided a refuge for unruly students who were sent to me by their teachers. These students knew the drill, they worked quietly on their assignments until I was able to speak with them. I’ve never endorsed speaking to anyone in an unkind or disrespectful manner. My students were taught how to analytically reason and think, while reaching solutions to scholastic and vocational problems. They were instructed with the means to live their lives independent of the opinions, ideas, attitudes and comments of others.

These students were never indoctrinated with the fraudulent notion that someone else’s ‘words can hurt them’. They were made aware that the power for words to hurt them, could only come from themselves. They were trained to utilize the powerful behavior modification tool of ‘extinction’. Simultaneously they developed confidence in themselves through skill mastery and academic achievement. Their self-respect and esteem were firmly constructed upon a work ethic that they developed through the successful mastery of projects, which they took great pride in.

Please correct the standard proffered by the school district that: “words can hurt” to “Words Do Not Hurt Those, Who Do Not Want To Be Hurt By Them”, or “Hurtful Words Harm Those Who Speak Them”. These are the types of banners that need to greet our students each day. Not the ridiculous baloney that has been thrust upon them. Impressionable young students are taught to be fearful and apprehensive, as they are dropped off at the entrance of a school and greeted by an enormous banner directing them to the nefarious notion that: “Words Can Hurt Them”.

It may go something like this: I better be careful, oops-watch out, somebody is going to have a bad day, I better get ready, there they are, here it comes, their “words are going to hurt me.” Really… Will I be injured every time and by everyone who says words that I believe are hurting me? Will it ever stop? What a lovely learning environment.

My students were strong, competent and capable. We knew how to take care of ourselves. We had one another. And we knew where to go when we needed back up. If the leadership in our schools is not competently delivering on all of its responsibilities, then they should be shown the door. 

You’re right, the paddle boat “thingy” between Summerland Key and Ramrod will be the next boat to cost the taxpayers $500,000 to remove. The “thingy” is getting rustier everyday.

Happy birthday to our good girl! Heartgard online is without a prescription and $100 visit to vet. Proin medicine can be bought online without prescription and vet visit for your leaky dog. Heartworm is a bad thing and during mosquito season, which is year-round down there, is the time to keep your dog safe. Advantix can also be bought online for gigantic savings as compared to buying from your rich vet. Don’t get pick-pocketed any more!

[Ukraine] Napoleon said, “When your enemies make huge blunders don’t stop them.” Putin’s starting to look like a fool in the world’s eye. He’s going to fail miserably. Somehow the certain Americans will try and make it out to be a huge American defeat, but they will be wrong. Putin’s backed himself into a corner.

[Sloan for Mayor] Sloan threatening to drop his trousers at a candidate forum in 2009, in support of Key West having a nude beach.

[“Where to do laundry on BPK”] One bathtub, add water, add soap, add kids to agitate. 

Key West has just lost first place standing in the wonderful world of weird. Now Tampa triumphs. Yep, the weirdest of the weird are now in Tampa. The other day some Tampans (Tampons?) flagged down a cop and reported that they had seen their neighbor having sex with a pit bull in his back yard.  The neighbors said that they had begged the perv perp to knock it off, but the perv perp was so involved he ignored them. Ah passion! The cops interviewed one Bernard (The Saint) Marsonek, the suspect. Then they arrested him and charged him with aggravated animal cruelty, sexual activity involving animals and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. That’s according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.  It was reported that Marsonek and the pit bull were cuddling and quietly sharing a Milk Bone when the cops arrived. UP DATE:  It is rumored that Marsonek insisted that the pit bull was female, he allegedly is worried that he will be accused of being a homosexual. Not that there’s any thing wrong with that!  Puppy love?                                             

Part 2) Hillary the Hawk has returned while Obama ponders his next move now that the Russian chickens (Kiev) have come home to roost in Ukraine.  Hillary compared the recent Russian troop deployment in Crimea to policies implemented by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany regime. Clinton drew parallels between what she described as a campaign by Russian President Vladimir Putin to give Russian passports to any Crimea resident with Russian ties and the so-called “Heim ins Reich” resettlement policy practiced by the German dictatorship prior to World War II.  “[This is like] what Hitler did back in the 30s,” Clinton said, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram. “All the Germans that were … the ethnic Germans, the Germans by ancestry who were in places like Czechoslovakia and Romania and other places, Hitler kept saying they’re not being treated right. I must go and protect my people and that’s what’s gotten everybody so nervous.”

“Heim ins Reich,” which literally means “Home into the Empire.” It was a policy pursued by Hitler beginning with the Anschluss of Austria and the annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland in 1938. The ultimate aim was to convince ethnic Germans living outside the Third Reich to agitate to be included in a so-called “Greater Germany.” In practice, the policy required expelling non-Germans from their traditional homes as the Nazis pushed east and resettling ethnic Germans in their place, as well as transferring whole German communities from parts of eastern Europe for resettlement in Germany. WW2 followed.

At a press conference Tuesday, Putin said that he would use force in Crimea only as a last resort, but he reserved the right to protect ethnic Russians in the region by any means necessary.  

Is it even remotely possible that Ms. Clinton has finally understood that her zany “Reset Button” policy toward Russia immediately after Obama took office was a fool’s errand? We are witnessing and assisting in the rebirth of the Soviet Empire.

Just last week Last week, the Democratic Party had their winter meeting and a TV interviewer decided to ask DNC committee members and guests if they’re ready for Hillary–and why. – Some said she had about a hundred moments of greatness when she served under President Obama – but, strangely, couldn’t name a single accomplishment of hers, besides marrying Bill Clinton.

Another attendee mentioned Clinton’s stance on abortion as a reason to be super excited for Hillary Clinton in 2016.  As for her accomplishments, none came to mind, but she noted that Obama saw a reason for her to be nominated as Secretary of State.  Duh! Or perhaps the Dems did remember what Ms. Clinton had done during her 4 years as SOS and were just too embarrassed to mention her deeds. Link