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Janis Joplin (1943 - 1970)

5/31/2019

 
Janis Joplin was born in Texas and was an extreme outcast in high school (Jimmy Johnson was a classmate), because she was overweight and had terrible acne. Her refuge was in her music, so she and a couple of classmates formed a band. Her passion at that time was Blues.
 
Her father was an engineer at Texaco and Janis ended up attending the University of Texas. She dropped out of college and left for San Francisco in 1963 to pursue music but it didn't go well. Frustrated with not gaining traction in the music business, she began hanging out with seedy people and started shooting up drugs and drinking alcohol. Her close friends saw her downward spiral and gathered up enough money to help Janis return home in 1965. Her parents were shocked at her appearance as she weighed less than 100 pounds and seemed very frail. The not eating and instead consuming drugs and alcohol had ravaged her body.
 
She sobered up and enrolled in Lamar University (Texas), to get a degree in anthropology. On the side, she played her guitar and sang at local venues in Austin, Texas. She became engaged to a man who worked for IBM, but he called the wedding off which devastated Janis. She started seeing a psychiatrist at a United Fund agency (later called The United Way), to help with her problems. 
 
It took just one year after she moved home for a music manager to talk her into moving back to California to become a lead singer for a band he was putting together. He was familiar with her work in San Francisco and thought she’d be a perfect fit for the band. He also knew her past problems with drugs and alcohol so he told her that he wouldn’t tolerate her going down that path again.
 
After several months of touring, the band’s manager ran out of cash because they weren’t bringing in large enough audiences, so the band had to dismember. She played for a few different groups for two years then started her solo career around 1969.
 
Janis Joplin’s albums weren’t mega-successes like some artists of that time. She did rock the world with singles like: “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” and “Cry Baby,” but the reason she’s remembered by so many to this day, is due to her on-stage performances. She was mesmerizing. The vintage clothes she wore, her wild hair, her raspy voice, her painful facial expressions, her unique movements on stage, her indecent language both verbal and non-verbal, the possibility of a breast or two popping out, etc., were what truly set her apart and were why the organizers of Woodstock considered her a great match.
 
After Woodstock in August 1969, Janis began a horrific downward spiral again into alcohol and drugs. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, people would see Janis holding on to a bottle of Southern Comfort. Many people attempted to intervene and convince her to seek help for her addictions, but she wouldn’t listen. She was no longer dependable in showing up for concerts sober or for showing up in the recording studio. She was a mess. Her dreams were right in front of her, but she couldn’t fight the addictions that were holding her back.
 
About a year after her performance at Woodstock, she died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27. Jimi Hendrix who also performed at Woodstock, died from a drug overdose just sixteen days before Janis. They were both so amazingly unique. They were the epitome of artistry versus just more “me-too,” singers, songwriters, and musicians. There’s no telling how much more creativity they had left but unfortunately their demons caught up with them, so we’ll never know.
 
Janis’ topsy-turvy career only lasted around three years so isn’t it amazing that people still remember her around 50 years later? Reminds me of the saying that the length of our lives is less important than its depth
.

Crazy Bernie

5/30/2019

 
I think it's absolutely horrific that after so many years of running for President, Bernie Sanders still doesn't provide any policies in reference to how he'll pay for the things he's promising. Here are a few things his offering, according to his website,  if he's elected:

  1.) Healthcare for all.
  2.) Jobs for all.
  3.) Free college tuition.
  4.) Paying off college debt. 
  5.) Expanding social security.
  6.) Pass the New Green Deal.
  7.) Racial justice.
  8.) Empower the people of Puerto Rico.
  9.) Demand the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes.
10.) Empower tribal nations.

There are several more issues listed on his website but once again, no policies as to how he'd accomplish any of the above. He knows what would happen if he provided a tax policy because economists would shoot it down as there aren't enough people in the Top 1% to pay for a fraction of what he's offering. First of all, there's no way to pay for what he's saying even if everyone who pays any amount of taxes began paying a 65% tax bracket.  When it takes 100% of our income to sponsor the Federal Government we'd be a communist country. 

I can't believe people aren't holding him accountable and instead show up for his events. I think this says a lot about Bernie's supporters. They don't have a clue about the three branches of government and the authority they have. They don't have a clue about how an economy works. They also lack knowledge of the most important components of our Constitution. I just wish there was a test we all would need to take before we are allowed to vote. This would drop many Democrats off the voting rolls.   

Top Restaurants

5/30/2019

 
The highest volume sit down restaurant chains: 1) Olive Garden $3.7 billion in sales with 841 locations 2) Cracker Barrel $2.3 billion in sales with 635 locations 3) Texas Roadhouse $2.1 billion in sales with 473 locations 4) The Cheesecake Factory $1.9 billion in sales with  187 locations 5) Longhorn Steak House $1.6 billion in sales with 487 locations.  

The chain that is the most productive by far according to each restaurant's sales volume, is The Cheesecake Factory.  One of the reasons why they have twice as much sales per table is that they generally have larger groups eating there. Whereas other restaurants generally have two to four sitting at a table, The Cheesecake Factory averages four to six people dining.    

Democrats and Mueller

5/29/2019

 
Democrats in D.C. are so sleazy. Let's look at the truth and then where Democrats took it. Robert Mueller made a speech today where he stated there was no reason to ask him questions about the report because everything is in there and he stands by his team's conclusions. He addressed the fact that he did his job in managing the investigation and providing the report and that the Congress and Senate can do whatever they feel necessary with it within the boundaries of the law. Of course he would say this.

Now
let's review what Democrats are saying about what Mueller said. They're saying that Mueller "told them," to go forward with further investigations and impeachment. He didn't tell them to do anything with the report just that his job was done in reference to it. 


Some of what Mueller said was dangerous and divisive. It's so outrageous that the head of our country's law enforcement doesn't understand the impact of not having sufficient evidence. Judges don't allow cases to move forward if the prosecution doesn't have enough evidence to try a case. People are innocent until "proven," guilty. Contrary to what Mueller was saying, Trump doesn't have to prove his innocense, the prosecution must prove guilt. 

So the bottom line is that the Mueller Investigation took over two years and was beyond thorough. Mueller was saying, in so many words, that his team is done but if Congress wants to try and find something that's up to them. But what in the world could they find? Just exactly what questions could they ask the same people Mueller's team has interviewed that would get different answers? Members of Congress aren't law enforcement professionals.

Let's face it, they wouldn't ask many questions anyway, they'd do what they always do and use their five minutes to grandstand. They'll make ridiculous, unverifiable claims, and ask the person who is supposed to be being interviewed just a couple of leading questions. We all know they don't get anything done in these hearings. U.S. citizens deserve better.    

Beer

5/29/2019

 
Evidence of beer production goes back to around 7,000 B.C., in Iran. Today, the brewing industry is a global business, consisting of several dominant multinational companies and many thousands of smaller producers ranging from brewpubs to regional breweries. A minimum of 35 billion gallons are sold per year—producing total global revenues of $294.5 billion.

The top five beers in the U.S. are 1) Bud Light 2) Coors 3) Budweiser 4) Miller Light and 5) Busch. The most consumed beers in the world are: 1) Snow (China) 2) Budweiser 3) Tsingtao (China) 4) Bud Light and 5) Skol (Dutch). Although it is now produced in South America and Africa.

Anheuser-Busch (now called InBev and traded on the market), is by far the largest beer producer in the world capturing around 18% of the market. The reason they're able to do this is that they own so many brands here and around the world. They have twelve breweries in 20 countries. Some of the brands you may not realize they own are: 1) Corona 2) Shock Top 3) Goose Island Brewery (which I thought was out of Charleston, SC when I drank it there) 4) Rolling Rock and 5) Kona Beer. They began taking extremely popular and locally supported beers like Kona (Hawaii), and buying the owners out.

Even if it's just on Wikipedia, please check out the founder of Budweiser (Adolphus Busch), as his story is one of the greatest I've ever read. We were using some of his ideas at General Electric over 100 years after his passing. He was an amazing man, the Thomas Edison of beer distribution.    
​

Music City

5/27/2019

 
Most people know that Nashville is called: "Music City," but most don't know why. It can thank "The Grand Ole' Opry," for the title. Back in 1925, the first entertainment radio station (WSM) in the U.S., began in Nashville and their most popular program was a weekly barn dance which ended up being called: "The Grand Ole' Opry." Comedians, musicians, singers, story tellers, etc., would go on stage and perform while the radio station broadcasted the performance.

Since it was pr
etty much the only place to get broad exposure, the most talented artists across the country showed up to perform. As other markets such as in Atlanta, Detroit, L.A. and New York City, began providing large radio markets, artists from various genres migrated to other markets while Nashville remained primarily a bluegrass, country music, and gospel music market. Let's face it, other cities, especially large ones, would love to have the title of "Music City," but the bottom line is that Nashville earned it. 

Living Life

5/27/2019

 
When's the last time you've done something for the first time? We've got only one shot at this thing called life and we don't have a clue when it will end. In the words of Tim McGraw,  "Let's live like we were dying."

The Shot That Wasn't Fired

5/27/2019

 
Major Patrick Ferguson was born in Scotland but attended a prestigious military academy in London and ended up fighting for the British during the Revolutionary War. He was a military man through and through and fought based on principles and wouldn't allow those who followed him to participate in any barbaric practices.

The reason Major Ferguson is so famous is for what he didn't do. The British weren't engaged in a battle with the colonists at the time that General George Washington was passing through Pennsylvania with some of his officers. It was 1777, and Major Ferguson had the General in his sights but Washington was on his horse with his back to him and heading the other way. Ferguson didn't think it was honorable to shoot him in the back especially since they weren't fighting on the battlefield.

Three years later, Major Ferguson was killed in a battle in North Carolina. I can't help but wonder what would've happened if he had taken the shot and killed General Washington. Would we have won the war? If we did, who would've been our first President?

It's amazing to me that sometimes just one event can change the entire course of history. In this case, one good moral decision probably helped us become the country we are today.  

Cauliflower is Racist

5/27/2019

 
So now some crazy liberals like AOC, are saying that growing vegetables like cauliflower is racist. When I heard her speak on the topic I've got to admit I didn't understand much of what she was saying because I don't understand "crazy talk," but I got enough to understand she was attacking the lack of diversity in our farming since we have people who come from all around the world.  We do have citizens in the U.S. who are from all around the world, as contrary to what some Democrats try to get everyone to believe, we are one of the greatest countries in reference to immigration laws thus allowing more people in.

Once again, her philosophy is completely flawed. Farmers grow crops based on what sells. We've always had apples, cauliflower, corn, green beans, lettuce, oranges, soy beans, etc., because the market dictates it. Most farmers can't afford to grow diverse/unique crops because they wouldn't sell enough to stay in business. This is where local sourcing comes into play. Small farms can provide what is needed in various communities that have a high amount of minorities.

The other crazy thing about what she was saying when she was talking about other crops to grow for minority communities, is that some of them can't be grown here. We don't have the climate for certain produce, instead we've outsourced it as part of our trade deals with other countries. 

What these liberals are saying about produce like cauliflower being racist, is outrageous. I hope they don't have a base that could be fired up over such ridiculous claims. One thing I'm sure of, is that the crazy statements being made by liberals such as AOC, will serve to fire up the Republican base like never before come the 2020 elections.  

Finding Life in Space

5/27/2019

 
Have you ever thought about the irony of finding life on other planets? When NASA finds anything that is a component of life, it will be celebrated around the world. The headlines would be: "Life is found on Jupiter!" Could you imagine the excitement if they found a fertilized egg? This would be way beyond their expectations of finding life on another planet.

So why do we treat life differently here? If a fertilized egg is considered life around the world when it comes to finding life in space, why do Pro-Abortion people not accept it as life here? Saying there's a right to an abortion is an argument that will never go away and I believe that it should be allowed in certain circumstances, but being honest about when life begins, shouldn't be so clouded.

People can't have it both ways and that's what Pro-Abortion people are trying to do as can be demonstrated by the fact that life ends according to scientists and accepted by everyone around the world, when a heart stops beating, so why would we throw out science and say it doesn't begin when the heart starts beating? Scientists have a protocol for the determination of finding life in space, then why wouldn't it be applied here as well? Picking and choosing which proven scientific principles we will follow takes away from being intelligent human beings.    
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    Author: John Mann

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