Enzo Believes in Fools

"A fellow who is always declaring he's no fool usually has his suspicions."

Wilson Mizner (1876 - 1933)

Does age really matter?

Am I too old? Am I too old to be your dog? When will I be too old?
These are just some of the questions I ponder as I lay around all day.

The presidential race is again upon us, even if the fodder started earlier this cycle. When John McCain was running the Dems cast him as too old. Now it looks like Hillary will run and she is close to the age he was at the time. Bet they won't talk about her age or the plastic surgery procedures she has had.

I don't think age should matter. I hope my humans appreciate my seasoned outlook on life as the years go by. Of course I am still in my prime at the age of 3, which to some is 21 years of age in human life. Being this young lets me get away with more than say a 9 or 10 year old dog who should know better.

But....in the political arena a different standard is applied. Age becomes an issue when it is not your candidate.

I think age should only be an issue when you have been in politics too long. Enough is enough. We have seen you, we have heard you, now go home and chew on your treats like the rest of us!

We need new faces, new ideas, and more importantly someone who is respected by their peers with Business and Management successes! We surely don't need another politician who can't survive without being in the spotlight or someone without any experience at all. Our last 6+ years has shown that the inexperienced liars will only hinder progress for this great nation. We probably need the person who doesn't really want the job, but who would be great at it.

It's time for something new.

"Once you've accumulated sufficient knowledge to get by, you're too old to remember it."

Unknown

"Man up" and come home

I'm a dog, not a man. And I am home.
If someone told me to "man up" and come home I would have to bark for an explanation.

What did Secretary of State Kerry think his comment to "man up and come home" addressed to leaker Edward Snowden was going to accomplish? Did he think Snowden would all of a sudden be on the first plane back? Did he think Snowden could now, miraculously, trust Kerry or our current government?

I may or may not believe what Snowden did was right, but I sure would not trust this administration or any judicial system connected to it. They still haven't told Americans the truth about IRS, Benghazi or the shameful way our veterans are being treated, so why are they to be trusted now?

Woof! Think I will stay where I am......

"We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst."

C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963)

Please don't leave me

When I die I hope my humans think enough of me to provide proper burial or cremation. I hope they continue to think fondly of me as I will think fondly of them.

I love my humans. I have served my humans. I deserve the best, don't I?
I don't like thinking of my death, but this disgusting story just came to light.

As many as 60 bodies of VETERANS have been at the LA County morgue during the last year. They were not given proper burials.

The Veterans Administration says they were never notified the bodies were processed and ready to be buried. A spokesperson for the LA County Morgue pointed the finger at the VA.

They wrote, “…there are about 60 decedents of probable veteran status that have awaited disposition for about a year as a result of a personnel change in the Veterans Affairs office and stringent identification/eligibility processes required by the VA.”

Cindy Van Bibber, a VA spokesperson said, “There’s personnel changes every day but that certainly doesn’t take away from the service that we provide any veteran.”

She says “at no point” did the City Morgue contact the VA and tell them about the bodies piling up there.
(Hometown News / US News | By Kaye Wonderhouse )

What I do all day long

What do I do all day long? For the most part I sleep. Sometimes I get up and patrol the house, drink a little water, go back to the door and sleep some more.

It's a good life. One in which I am (of course) rewarded at the end of the day with a treat. I am not responsible for anything or responsible to anyone. I still get paid with a treat.

That is exactly what is occurring at Serco. They were paid $1.25 BILLION in taxpayer funds to process Obamacare paper applications.  Serco has three locations in U.S. and continues to hire. (They are paid more for each new employee they hire.) The problem is that there are no applications to process. Employees were told to sit at their computers and hit refresh every 10 minutes!

They don't work, are given treats (in the form of paychecks), and don't have to do anything.

What a job! Sounds like my job, doesn't it?

"Doing nothing is very hard to do ... you never know when you're finished."

Leslie Nielsen (1926 - )

Serving My Masters

I serve. I believe in service. Every day I serve my humans. My humans love and appreciate me.

I am rewarded for this service through the knowledge that I will be well cared for as I grow older or in my time of need. We don't actually have this in writing, but I trust them. I trust them with my life. My life.

This is not the case for our brave heroes in the military. They should receive the best we can offer in healthcare, yet they are treated worse than those of us relegated to Obamacare!

Who do you think is at fault? How long have they known there were problems? Do you think we are providing enough funds to care for our heroes?

"I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom."

Bob Dylan (1941 - )

I'd like some brownies with that....

Miami police find marijuana grow house hidden under doghouse.

What????? Did they find brownies in the dog's food bowl too??

Florida police acted Monday night on an anonymous tip that led them to a home in west Miami-Dade where they said they found a doghouse covering a crawl space that led them to about 64 plants and 50 pounds of marijuana, CBS Miami reported.

The space was described as too small for an adult to stand. The electrical work was so poor, police wondered how the house didn't explode prior to the discovery.

 

I feel sorry for that dog....he's gonna need more food to curb the munchies.....

 

 

Auditing My Treats

I heard the whispers. I see the glances my way. How dare they consider auditing my treats! I get treats for good behaviors and deeds and don't need to reminded that they are at times in limited supply.

This well cannot run dry! I just don't know how I will live without those treats! I have been told there are taxpayer funds for such things and I should be able to spend that money on anything I want.....and I want treats!

The IRS has spent $96.5 million on office furniture under the Obama administration and is now claiming it has insufficient funding to adequately serve taxpayers.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew testified before the House two weeks ago about the IRS’ need for additional funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The IRS is currently seeking an increase of $1.2 billion—a 7 percent raise over its FY 2014 $11.29 billion budget. It would bring the agency’s FY 2015 budget to $12.48 billion.

A review of contracts by the Washington Free Beacon shows the IRS in the past five fiscal years has spent $96.5 million refurbishing IRS offices across the country. Those contracts include fiscal years 2010 through 2014. That amount already exceeds what the agency spent during the entire eight years under President George W. Bush, fiscal years 2002 through 2009.

(Mary Lou Byrd, Washington Free Beacon)

 

"Unquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes as he formerly got in wages."

H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

Thin Mints Are My Favorites

Girl Scout Cookies....Yummmmm.

I know I am not supposed to eat chocolate, but in year's past I have thought about sneaking a few while my humans are away. Samoas, Peanut Butter, Shortbread, Savannah Smiles and others.....they are the best cookies and a great way to show support for young girls in this legendary group.

For over 100 years the Girl Scouts have been empowering young girls by building courage, confidence, and character and making the world a better place. In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships. It helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others. (GirlScouts.org)

So why, oh why, have the pro-life groups targeted Girl Scout cookies through a boycott? They site the Girl Scouts' support for abortion-rights advocates, like Planned Parenthood.

Get a life! These are young girls trying to improve their life and the lives of others. What have the pro-lifers done today except complain? I don't believe in most of what Planned Parenthood stands for, but leave the children out of it!

Lucia Weinmeister, spokeswoman for the Girl Scouts of Central Texas said, "It does fire up people who are against what we do, or what they think we do," she said. "It also fires up our strongest supporters." (Associated Press)

Let's rally and show our support for our local Girl Scout Troops and leave them out of politics!

"Fear does not have any special power unless you empower it by submitting to it."

Les Brown, Communication Bulletin for Managers & Supervisors, June 2004

This is My House!

My home. My domain. My residence. My humans. My food source and of course the location of my coveted TREATS!

My humans own my house and I am okay with that. They love me and would never put me out on the street. Unfortunately, just owning your house or business and property these days doesn't seem to mean much to the government. Have you heard about civil forfeiture?

Civil forfeiture is when police and prosecutors seize property, cars or cash from someone they suspect of wrongdoing. It differs from criminal forfeiture cases, where prosecutors typically must prove a person is guilty or reach a settlement before freezing funds or selling property. In civil forfeiture, authorities don’t have to prove guilt, file charges or obtain a conviction before seizing private property. Critics say it is a process ripe for abuse, and one which leaves citizens little means of fighting back.

According to Larry Salzman, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, “It’s thuggish behavior.”

Law enforcement officials argue that civil forfeiture powers give them an effective tool against lawbreakers. Freezing funds and seizing assets allow them to hit alleged criminals, frequently suspected drug dealers, where it hurts the most – their wallets. Alarmed civil rights groups and libertarians are rallying against the practice. Salzman's group defended Russell Caswell and won the case in federal court last year. 

(The government wanted Caswell's Tewksbury, Mass., business – and the land it was on – because they suspected it was a hotbed for drug-dealing and prostitution. The agents, who were working with state and local authorities, told a disbelieving Caswell they had the right to take the property, valued at as much as $1.5 million)

But not every target of civil forfeiture can afford the fight.

In 1985, the U.S. Department of Justice created its Asset Forfeiture Fund. One year later, the fund -- which holds the proceeds from seized property and is available to be divvied out to law enforcement agencies -- brought in $93.7 million. In 2008, the amount had ballooned to $1.6 billion. In 2013, it reached $6.3 billion.

Since I already know the value of my treat stash and where those treats will wind up, I would like to know who got that $6.3 BILLION and for what reason.
(Barnini Chakraborty, FoxNews.com)

"Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them."

Paul Valery (1871 - 1945), Tel Quel 2 (1943)

I Like Bacon

Yes, bacon. Sometimes pork, the other white meat. Most anything from a pig.

Unless you are vegan, meat products from a pig are wonderful! Even pig's ears! Who doesn't love a pig's ear every now and then?

Well, I guess Harry Reid is not fond of pigs......should we remind him that his snorting on the Senate floor about everyone is not very appealing either? He needs a mirror and hearing aids.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says attempting to work with Republicans in Congress reminds him of “chasing one of these little pigs in a greased pig contest” -- because the lawmakers always “scamper” away from compromises.

"Sometimes, working with some Senate Republicans feels a lot like chasing one of those greased pigs," he said. "Regardless of all our efforts, anytime we get close to making progress it seems as though we watch it slip out of our hands, and Republicans scamper away."(FoxNews.com)

Should we also remind Mr. Reid that he RUNS away from patriotic, honest Americans every time he opens his mouth?

Snort. Snort. Snort. Back at ya Harry Reid.

"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."

Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

Enzo Believes in Journeys

"As you journey through life take a minute every now and then to give a thought for the other fellow. He could be plotting something."

Hagar the Horrible

I'm Going Green

Fertilizer, weed and feed, or whatever you use to green up your lawn should have already been done last quarter. Only another month to do it again.

I love my grass. I love the feel of grass on my paws and love rolling around in it. They say Going Green is the new thing? Well, I am here to tell you that I have always been green-minded. It's what I do. It's where I like to be. It's where I like to lay. It is the place to be seen around here....

As for Obama's green? Well, that program is not going as well as the green, lush carpet I play on. Here is the latest:
Amid the pomp and circumstance surrounding the president's visit four years ago to Smith Electric in Kansas City, he boasted, "I think they’re going to be hard-pressed to tell you that you’re not better off than you would be if we hadn’t made the investments in this plant.”

Smith Electric received 32 million in federal stimulus funds, but has now halted production after having built just 439 of the promised 510 vehicles. (It took 4 years to build just 439 vehicles???)
It has also left a trail of broken promises and unpaid bills.

Smith created just a quarter of the jobs it initially promised the state of Missouri it would create in return for $1.4 million in tax credits. Meanwhile, it has also stiffed the Missouri University of Science and Technology, the state government, and a local electrical supply company, as well as its landlord, the Kansas City city government, for hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to interviews and reviews of public records by the Washington Examiner.

Ahhhh......Even I saw this one coming and I'm just a dog.....

"Magnificent promises are always to be suspected."

Theodore Parker (1810 - 1860)

Enzo Believes in the Internet

"On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog."

Peter Steiner, cartoon in The New Yorker, July 5, 1993  

Enzo Believes in Brevity

"The Ten Commandments contain 297 words, the Bill of Rights 463 words, and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address 266 words. A recent federal directive regulating the price of cabbage contains 26,911 words."
               According to an article in the New York Times

Dude, this was like two years ago....

When I behave I am lavishly rewarded. When I misbehave I am reminded of other deeds that occurred in the past. I don't think that is fair, but humans have their own set of rules.

I try to be a good dog. I try to please my humans. But....sometimes the moment gets the best of me and I let loose.....barking to the consternation of my humans.

Thinking of my situation, I am trying to feel sorry for Tommy Vietor, the ex-White House spokesperson for the NSC. However, even though his ill-chosen words are now fodder for the media, it is hard to feel sorry for someone who doesn't seem to know anything:

• Asked whether he personally changed the word “attack” to “demonstrations”: “Maybe, I don’t really remember,” Vietor said. When pressed by Bret Baier, Vietor said, “Dude, this was like two years ago. We're still talking about the most mundane process.”
• When asked whether the president was in the situation room: Vietor said he did not know where the president was at all points in the night because he does not have a “tracking device on him.” (Vietor said he was in the situation room.....how scary is that?)

I'd like to know if he was dispatched by the White House or if he chose to present himself to the media (Fox News/Bret Baier). Either way, I bet he is regretting it......

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Enzo Believes in the Tooth Fairy

"The tooth fairy teaches children that they can sell body parts for money. "
               David Richerby

Playing Fetch

Toys, balls, toys, balls.......I will chase and retrieve anything you throw......as many times as you throw it.

I am a fun-loving pup who loves to run and jump, even if I do look like a cross between a galloping horse and hopping bunny rabbit. My humans laugh a lot while we play too. They will take the offered toy or ball and throw it again, and again, and again.....my energy is limitless.

My humans think they are amusing me with this tried-and-true little game, but I have a secret: they amuse me! I will run up to them with the item I just fetched and as they reach down to take it, I run away! Sometimes they chase me for it, but in either case, they have been tricked!

Being tricked can happen to anyone. Look at what happened earlier this month to POTUS with the World Series Boston Red Sox: the team was at the White House to receive congrats on winning and to present a shirt to POTUS. David Ortiz quickly took out his phone and shot a selfie with Obama and the team in the background. Samsung then revealed it was part of an ad campaign for the Galaxy Note 3.

If POTUS and the White House can be tricked so easily, I think I have a few toys and balls I would like to run over.

"There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you."

Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)

Enzo Believes in Golf

"The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has."
                  Will Rogers (1879 - 1935), Illiterate Digest (1924)