Granted, in theory these missiles can be terrifyingly effective, but I remember speaking with some guy a few years ago and he was in Afghanistan during the war. He told me, honestly the thing that scared the shit out of people there the most is when they witnessed a B-1 bomber in action. Now, I know that weapons are created to destroy threats, and these beasts can be shot down, but it was what he told me about their presence - they could hear them coming, a very distinct growl, and then when the payloads were dropped, complete and total devastation. On top of that, the B-52's flying high overhead would exercise carpet bombing. He said that he could not imagine anything so fascinating, so powerful and so destructive as US bombers on a mission. Those words still stick with me.

I have to say, happily, that no bottle of vodka would be safe within 50 miles of me either, especially if it's Smirnoff Blue Label.

When I had to put my Big Dog [a fitting name] down 42 years ago, the night before I let him sleep in my bed, and I read a story to him as if he were a curious child. The story was The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde. If you read it, you will see where I was coming from. The little swallow stayed with the prince until the end even though he knew it would cost him his life, as it was in the dead of winter and he could not fly south. The prince's heart was broken and it cracked in two. However, they were united again in God's garden, where the prince could hear the swallow singing sweetly again.

That story kicks my ass every time I read it, but it also reminds me that one day, I will see my Big Dog again and we can go walking down by the river. It might sound corny, but it keeps me going. He's waiting patiently until I get there, and I'll tell you what, he is no longer in pain. Let that drive you. It does me. Animals have that effect on us. The little buggers worm their way into your heart and stay there. The happiest day of your life is when you smell the puppy or kitty breath for the first time as they yawn in front of you - and the worst day is when they look at you and tell you it's time to go. Well, look at it this way - when you're together again, all the days will be happy. That alone makes it all worthwhile.

queue, this is never an easy time. Ever. Your furry friend cannot come right out and say it, say good-bye, and you must make that determination for them. Make sure she is as comfortable as you can make her, let her sleep with you, hold her, and then if she does not pass during the night then take her in the morning. This time will pass and eventually things will settle down, and when they do, tell yourself that your friend gave you the best years of her life and she will not have to suffer anymore. Remember her for that.

Hello, I'm Mr. Ed. Willllbbbbuurrr!

Hagerty and Blackburn are two for two against. Smart thinking. Tennesseans are getting really tired of this bullshit.

He was on a radio broadcast and he said live "Iran better not fuck with us." Equally amusing was when he was at a rally not too long ago and he mentioned John Kerry's concern about oceans rising 1/100 of an inch or something to that effect - in reference to this, Trump mentioned "the next three hundred fucking years."

Goodbye yellow brick road, where the dogs of society howl...you can't plant me in your penthouse, I'm going back to my plow...back to the howling old owl in the woods, hunting the horny black toad...oh I've finally decided my future lies, beyond the yellow brick road...

Steve Gruber can get you going in the morning. Dude's pretty funny, and usually spot on.

That is arguably the weirdest thing I have seen in quite a while. Try it. It's very telling.

"L'etat, c'est moi."

You're spot on. Even though I like Tim, his priority should be something tangible, like the crises facing our country in the form of inflation, supplies, things like that.

I agree. I met him a couple of times too. Folksy, down-home type of guy. He even said at a recent event that "the President is not well." Tim would likely be the guy on your block that would help you out if things went south. The problem is, there aren't enough Tims in the Congress.

Thanks Bud. Followed you back. That platform is going to explode if it hasn't already. It was popping this morning.

Back at you. Thanks.

Got it. Thanks.

Noticing that in just the last two hours the energy level has increased exponentially on this board and on Truth Social. Need a good shot in the arm, pardon the pun. Summer's coming and I will have more time to do some research in addition to working around the property. looking forward to good times ahead, I just get this funny feeling that a time of reckoning is coming if it has not already started.

Why thanks Buddy. Looking forward to many active and interesting posts. Still haven't figured out how to message someone on there. I know there is a reply button, I just don't see a channel for private communications between members.

Edit: I think I figured it out. I think if you right click on the three dots you see a "mention" link, and it looks like it goes right to the person.

I think they need it to send you a verification code. You may be able to get that via email as I am sure there are others who share your concerns.

Following. @Vindicator63. Be a good doggie and you will get treats and belly rubs and a warm place to sleep 😃

I know this is relatively new in terms of news stories, but I'll tell you what, a lot of people are going to be mucho pissed off if they aren't already.

Thanks. I figured it might be something like that.

We're finally on fiber here in east Tennessee, so the type of network may have something to do with it. I got on in a minute, but I have heard others experiencing problems - it may have to do with DSL or some other format that may be causing problems.

Ho Lee Fuk, but that sounds more Korean than it does Chinese.

I was about to ask the very same thing.