Wampus Cat Report

Introduction

Strangers, I have always heard, are friends you haven't met before. Please let me introduce the Wampus Cat Report. And myself as its originator.

More Politically Correct Crap

Let's get the record straight. Despite the "politically correct" jargon of many in the media, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is not a "suspect" and he did not "snap."

Hasan is a Muslim terrorist who murdered 13 fellow soldiers and wounded many more. And he didn't "snap." He had been walking and talking like a potential terrorist for years. The only real mystery is why his Army superiors hadn't kicked him out of service before the tragedy at Fort Hood.

The service had no business condoning and promoting to field grade a man who had gone around spouting anti-American statements for years.

That was as ridiculous as pretending now that he might not be guilty and that if so, he suffered from some sudden impulse.

Hana is a premeditated murderer and terrorist.

'Disremembering'

Former Governor Mike Easley's political campaign treasurer has had an onslaught of memory lapses. Testifying before the State Elections Board, he had remarkable difficulty recalling names, facts and even understanding some questions.

Thank goodness it isn't a crime to "disremember."

Just never forget that one can go to jail for perjury.

Obama's Figures Don't Figure

President Obama  is one of our most articulate and well-meaning politicians. But he apparently ain't much on arithmetic.

Over the years, our Social Security payments have been adjusted to reflect any increases in the cost of living. (Decreases in costs of living are not reflected in downward adjustments. ) This year there was no increase in the cost of living. Hence, no upward adjustment in Social Security payments.

But we old folks needn't fret.  Mr. Obama  says we should be given a $250 "bonus" anyway.

Based on what???

If They Are Illegal...

Wampus has been scratching his head on this one. A decision has been made to allow illegal immigrants to enroll in our community college system. It seems that might offer yet another incentive to encourage folks to slip into the country illegally.

And if they "own up" to being illegal, why aren't they escorted to the border rather than invited to go to our colleges?

This clearly shows how seriously we take the problem of illegal immigration.

Lightning Bugs - What Happened?

On a recent night, Wampus ventured out on our deck overlooking Sleepy Creek Lake. From out of the darkness drifted a small, blinking yellow light.

It was a lightning bug - a.k.a. "firefly."

Big deal? You're durn tootin' it was. I hadn't seen one in years. And this was only one.

What happened to the lightning bugs? When I was a youngster they punctuated  the darkness like the Milky Way decorates ths sky. Young'uns caught them and put them in jars. Or stuck the "lights" on their fingers to simulate diamonds.

Then, perhaps gradually, they were gone.

Where did they go.

When did they go...

And why? 

A Miraculous Solution?

A proposal now going through the funding process would create a position of "graduation coach" for Goldsboro High School. Almost half of the students entering Goldsboro High fail to earn diplomas.  It would be remarkable, indeed, that one person might be able to instill in the minds of these students the motivation and knowledge all the other teachers and counselors combined couldn't impart in four years.

The fact that Wayne County Commissioner Jack Best made the motion for the county  to initiate funding a major share of the cost suggests there must have been some convincing arguments offered by the proponents. Or, in the absence of that, perhaps he felt it was at least worth a try.

Commissioner Best has a rock-solid business background and serves as commissioner without compensation - including expenses. We can be sure he and other commissioners will be monitoring the results of the appropriation. Results should be the basis for any renewable or expansion of the "graduation coach" approach.

All of us should hope it works.

Hold 'em

A judge has ordered that terrorist suspects arrested recently in North Carolina be held without privilege of bond.  That was based on fear they might leave the country to avoid trial.

There is a far better reason to keep them behind bars. In light of murderous utterings of their leader, and their terrorist training background, they should be held to protect the public of this and other states. Solitary confinement might even be appropriate.

A Sure Solution To Deficits

I began my newspaper career on The Independent in Elizabeth City (NC) back in the 1940s. The Independent was founded by W.O. Saunders,  probably one of the most talented writers and most courageous  publishers of the last century.  His articles appeared  in major publications and were applauded around the nation.

Back during the Great Depression (which wasn’t so darn great to those of us who lived through it) W.O. wrote of a unique way for the government to address the problem of budget deficits.

He said they should place a tax on dogs: A dollar a head for male dogs. Two dollars a head for bitches. And three dollars a head for sons of bitches.

The only issue, of course, would be how to spend the surplus!

More Politically Correct Crap

Ugh. The latest thing to come down the politically correct pike is an effort to eliminate  references to the Founding Fathers.

You know, the folks who wrote the Declaration  of Independence and the Constitution. Perhaps I should have made that the “persons” who did the writing. For some reason in recent years “people” has been replaced by “persons.”  Somehow, I always felt “people” was the plural of  “person.”

At the time the Declaration and the Constitution were drafted, women didn’t even have the right to vote. So “Founding Fathers and Mothers” hardly seems appropriate. And “Founding Persons” somehow sticks in the craw.

Okay, okay:  “Founders.”

But since they all were (pardon the expression) men folks, I’m sticking to Founding Fathers.

Racism?

Up in Cambridge, Mass.,  a college professor found himself unable to get into his front door at night. He went around the house to an unlocked back door. Seeing the figure going around the house, a good neighbor suspected a break-in.

He notified police. Sgt. James Crowley and another officer responded. When Crowley knocked on the door of the home, Professor Gates - who lives there - responded.

Apparently following established procedure, Crowley asked for identification to establish whether the man was, indeed, the resident rather than a burglar.

Prof. Gates responded in outrage, shouting insults at the officer and making uncivil references about his mother.

Crowley attempted, unsuccessfully, to calm the professor down. The tirade continued outside the home. Finally, Crowley placed the man under arrest.

The result has been an outcry of racism against the police officer. President Obama joined in the affray, accusing the police department of stupidity. Crawley is white, the professor black.

Crowley  is in charge of the police department's  efforts to be avoid violating the sensitivities  of minorities. He is admired and respected by fellow officers of all ethnic backgrounds.  The department says he was following established rules in his handling of the case.

President Obama has backed off his earlier comment and wants to have Crowley and the professor to the White House "for a beer."

But before we put the "racism" issue to rest, perhaps Professor Gates should be asked if his reaction would have been the same had Sgt.  Crowley been black.

Some have difficulty understanding this, but racists come in all colors.