I think I need to regurgitate my dinner.  Just read the Emperor’s comments on leadership, comparing himself to my Packer QB, Aaron Rodgers.  Referring to Rodgers, the Emperor told GQ magazine, “In the sense of you can’t be distracted by what’s around you, you’ve got to be looking downfield.   And I think that’s a quality that I have – not getting flustered by what’s around me. ”   I’m hurt and offended.  Maybe I should go out and demonstrate .               WHAT THE HECK !

Over  the weekend,   Deputy  National  Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told the Sunday morning TV  talk shows  in reference to the Syrian refugee crisis, that ” we have very extensive screening procedures for all Syrian  refugees  that would come to the United States.  There’s a very careful vetting process that includes our intelligence community, our National Counterterrorism Center, and the Department of Homeland Security.  So we can make sure we’re carefully screening anybody coming to the United States”

Hmmm !   Let’s see, we can check their driver’s licenses, their work resume, the last three residences, credit card payment records, arrests, bank accounts, community service history,  educational background and grades……………………….  Oops, they don’t keep any of those records in Syria. because it is a totalitarian system with half its population displaced (moved, murdered, martyred, recruited) and its infrastructure full of very large military-induced holes.

So when the Emperor blatantly   lies to us about such things, is it because he doesn’t have all the facts, or because he believes that most of our population is just plain stupid ?  Based on the last Presidential election, it must be door #2.                 WHAT THE HECK !

I just returned from the annual Florida Bug Jam, one of the larger VW shows in the country, with another first place trophy in my competitive hands.  I am awed at the quality of workmanship that went into the manufacture of my Bug 36 years ago.   Wish I could personally thank Heinrich and Hans and Dieter and all the boys that built these cars with pride.

And then there is corporate Germany run amok.  I’m also the proud owner of one of the VW diesel models that Volkswagenwerk AG cheated on,  installing devices to pep up their cars while polluting the air way beyond mandated standards around the world.   The company wants us to believe that a small group of rogue engineers slipped this hardware and software into the vehicles without the knowledge and blessing of the brass.   Knockwurst (baloney in English) to that.     If only we could locate those three “retired” engineers living in the lap of luxury somewhere in Bavaria, they would certainly fill us in.

So, I’m angry, and I’m suing .   I found the nastiest, blood-sucking tort lawyers I could find (in Alabama), and signed on.  I want blood.  Actually, I really love my diesel.  I’ve owned three of them.  But VW has destroyed one of the few product/brand loyalties that remain for me.  Ask my wife, I’m a VW guy !   I’ve had VWs non-stop since I was 15 years old.   May Wolfsburg’s sewer system back up completely .   The catalyst for this posting today was my receipt from VW of America of a $500 gift card plus a $500 credit for future repairs at my local VW dealer.   That doesn’t cut it !   The “schadenfreude” in my DNA makes me chuckle as I see the empty showrooms and parking lots of the local dealers.   I know the dealers weren’t in on the company’s dirty little secret, but my heart is broken and someone needs to pay !                        WHAT THE HECK !

As a youth, I was blessed with many wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins, all of whom lived in close proximity such that they were a regular and important part of life.  One of these relatives was Aunt Tillie,  who delivered a steady diet of nearly unreadable Bible verses inside of gift boxes and assorted greeting cards.  I felt it my duty to de-scramble her terrible handwriting to unleash the intended biblical message, lest I be struck by a bolt of lightning for not paying attention.  I sort of understood where she was coming from most of the time, and  dearly wish I could review all those subliminal messages now that I’m much older and a bit more wise.

Yesterday, in response to one of my kid’s life issues delivered to me via text message, I instinctively responded with a Bible verse (Proverbs 19:11) that I found due to the wonder of “Google”.  The verse seemed a perfect concise remedy for someone hindered by anger.  It didn’t strike me until today that I may be turning slowly into Aunt Tillie.  Not a bad thing, I guess.           WHAT THE HECK !