Stealing Grave Markers?

-
The news continues to be dour on the economic front. I read an article about plummeting stocks and banks that are on the verge of closing because of a poor cash flow. On the opposite side of the page was even more distressing news.

A few men from Niagara Falls were arrested for stealing vases off of graves in cemeteries around the area. They were then selling the metal vases to scrap yards. About five grand was made and split among the grave robbers.

Grave robbers! Are you kidding me?

One of the arrested men said something about feeling funny since they started robbing the vases. But he also complained about needing the money for gas and food. I suppose, but can you imagine sitting down to a steak dinner knowing that you were profiting from the poor people who gathered together to memoralize their grandmother, or aunt, or mother. Good grief, God can't look too favorably on that crime, right?

I also continued to monitor the presidential election and it seems to me that you'd just be better off keeping your mouth shut. Obama answered a question about immigrants not speaking the language with a fairly harmless comment about how it would be nice if we all spoke a couple of different languages and the McCain camp spun it into a negative by saying that Obama wants Americans to speak Spanish.

Perhaps that it was I hate most about politics - the negative, negative, negative feeling of all of it. I thought of the fear-mongering of the coded terrorist warnings immediately following 9/11 - what color was dangerous again? Are we still on high alert?

I suppose, at the end of the day, it is difficult to separate truth from fiction - but there is one thing I do know - people shouldn't be disturbing the dead. That one just doesn't feel right at all.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more