Ramblings from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia

My mother always taught me to tell the truth.

And Pilate asked Jesus, “And what is truth?”

Truth is a rather nebulous quality that people consider highly beneficial to the needs of other people rather than themselves. To suggest at all that perhaps long cherished beliefs may be in error or even in doubt may result in your being spurned.

I started writing these little articles to give social commentary with a bit of sarcastic wit. I take each day the headlines ...

Headline:

In Portland, Ore., parking laws include police

“About five minutes after the officer arrived, Bryant walked up to him and told him he was parked illegally. "He told me he was allowed to do so," Bryant testified. "I responded, 'No, you're not.' I told him he was an officer of the law. He's not supposed to break the law. He's supposed to enforce the law."

Boy, isn’t about time? This officer wasn’t responding to a call, ...

Headline:

It's the law: No sagging pants in Chicago suburb

“LYNWOOD, Ill. - Be careful if you have saggy pants in the south Chicago suburb of Lynwood. Village leaders have passed an ordinance that would levy $25 fines against anyone showing three inches or more of their underwear in public.”

Whoa, man! I guess the werewolves of Lynwood can relax now, there will be less full moons! Seriously, how do these guys buy those pants, anyway? Do they take someone ...

Headline:

Wis. woman accused of placing dead rat in food (AP)

It seems Ms. Debbie R. Miller, 41, of Appleton, put a large dead rat in her food and then demanded payment of $500,000 to keep her mouth shut, according to this Associated Press story. She was caught and convicted of extortion. Which brings me to unacceptable behavior in restaurants.

For goodness sake if you must chat on your cell-phone take it outside! People are there to eat and have quiet ...

Headline:

Chatty burglar overstays welcome, gets arrested

WINNSBORO, Texas -John Michael Baker, 25, of Winnsboro

It seems Mr. Baker was going to rob a friend's car and residence. Caught in the act, he stood talking to his erstwhile friend, completely unaware that the man had called the authorities. He stood chatting drunkly while the police arrived and arrested him.

This brings me to an advice column for would be burglars. For goodness ...