Snippets – Politics As Usual – October 15th 2006

The subject of today’s Snippets concern politics, naturally, being there is an important election coming up November 7^th …

A Bit of American History – River Life of a “River Rat”

Kathy Flippo proudly calls herself River Rat and runs a commentary at her site entitled Tow Talkin’. The articles she writes is part of the Little River Books website, which sells her books and other authors’ books concerning the rivers of America and river life. Like Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) it seems the river runs through her veins. Kathy is also the author of several books about the history of the great rivers, specifically those in her area, of America. My grandmother (father’s side) lived in Hannibal, Missouri as a child, and whose maiden name was Rosenbrook, also had a relative who was a captain in the American Civil War – today his sword hangs in our home in my son’s room. History is not just dates and places on a map, it can be personal and we live history every day. Kathy has kept alive a portion of our American heritage in her written words, spoken words and, as friend Quills, puts it – “her house is a museum” – with artifacts of what she writes about. Winner of several awards, she is an impressionable person – full of vitality and humor.

Light Side of Lighthouse – The Case of the House with a Statement

In a neighborhood in Utah, a city councilman, Mark Easton had a beautiful view of the East Mountains until a new neighbor purchased the lot below his house to build a house. The new home was 18 inches higher than the ordinance allows, so Mark Easton made sure that they enforced the lower roof line ordinance because of the loss of his view. Mark and his new neighbor had arguments about the situation, but in the end the new neighbor, at great expense, had to make the changes. During the course of this renovation on the part of the new neighbor, Mark Easton called the city and informed them that the new neighbor had installed some vents on the side of his home that offended Mark and requested that the city investigate.

Light Side of Lighthouse – New Scam Discovered

Quills, Iowa sends an interesting story/photo …

Seems the BBB got a complaint the other day about a scam that AFLAC was taking advantage of women on the street and stealing money … netting cold hard cash from unsuspecting individuals. The way it works is the thief uses children to distract the target. While admiring the cuteness of the kids they are robbed of their cash and never know what hit them. … A passerby with a digital camera phone happens to capture the photo below. Review it carefully and use caution when distractions like this come along.