BOG IT BLOG

Anniversary of the 'Space Race'

It is amazing that the National Media has overlooked (for the most part) a milestone in the history of this country. But then, with the Superbowl XLII, Groundhog Day, and Super Tuesday all within 6 days, I guess they can be excused. Anyways, today, is the 50th Anniversary of the first US Satellite to make orbit around the world. Explorer I was our answer to the successful Sputnik launch just four months earlier. Unlike Sputnik, which didn't do much other than broadcast a 'Beep', Explorer I was a working satellite. It examined the upper reaches of the atmosphere. It eventually discovered the Van Allen Radiation Belts that circle the earth.

To mark this event, only a dedication of some Moon-Mission equipment will even note the anniversary. The Apollo V Rocket, which has been under renovation in Huntsville Alabama, will be dedicated today, in honor of the beginning of America's Space Race. Apollo V spent over 30 years sitting outdoors, in the rain, rusting and detereating to the point of no return. After a renovation costing $23.4 million dollars, and 2 1/2 years of work, the dedication will take place within a new 68,400 square foot building next to theU.S. Space & Rocket Center. Konrad Dannenberg, 95 years old, the oldest of the German team that came over to help create Explorer I will be in attendance at today's dedication. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center houses an extensive collection of Space memorabilia.

It is funny how the past fifty years have been a blur. Of course, I was 3 years old when Explorer I was launched. But I do remember most of the televised launches. But it seems, it is all just history anymore. No one really takes much stock in what was accomplished. Most of the population is just waiting for their next 'spectacular' FIX before space becomes interesting again. I guess it is the nature of the beast within this 30 second world.

SuperBowl (commercials)

I can't remember a Superbowl contest in which I have no interest in the outcome. On one hand, it would be nice to see to the Giants win. The chances for that to happen is less than Ron Paul being the next President of the United States. It just 'ain't happenin'. As for the Patriots winning, its like being stuck watching a boring re-run.

The game doesn't matter. As many others, I will be watching for the commercials. A statistic floating around the media this morning is that in history, 6 out of 10 Superbowl commercials were about beer. Even the Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, is begging once again the NFL to eliminate all beer ads from the Superbowl. They state that it influences young people to drink. However, a study recently released from the University of Tampa states that after a year, most can't remember the product the commercial was hawking, let alone the need to DRINK. And Jay Leno had an observation in his monologue on Wednesday, in which he notes that why would there be Beer commercials while most viewers are already sipping suds? A real good point. But I look beyond the capitalistic reasons, and enjoy them for the art form that they are. And to get you in the mood... here are a couple of my favorites from years gone by.

A Woodchuck-Chuck Day

It is an unwritten rule that mankind will always find some reason to party. It really doesn't matter what it is. Just that there is an opportunity for you to drink a lot, whoop like a Banshee, and then later lose your lunch into someone's hat. With that sentence, we introduce the latest non-sensical 'Media Event'. It is time for the annual Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Punxsutawney Phil, the resident predictor, who the town folk call the Seer of all Seers, will once again be the center of attention at this year's festivities.

As you should know, if the rodent sees his shadow, it means another six weeks of Winter. A cloudy day will mean an early Spring. You'd think that if the Sun was out at this time, it would mean a short Winter, but it is the other way around.

Now this whole thing has gotten out of hand. As many as 30,000 people will participate.They'll even have shuttle buses to make sure everyone gets to the sight in time for the prediction. Of course, the rodent will probably be the only sane creature at the event. He (or she) would rather stay in its hovel and hibernate. But some individual (lets call him the 'King Idiot'), pulls the poor ground squirrel out of his winter home. Essentially making him miserable and a little perplexed why all these bi-pedal apes are looking at him, whooping and drinking in pure irrationality. You could imagine if Punx Phil decides to protest by doing what comes naturally all over the coat of King Idiot. Ahh, it would be Universal Justice. And as for the prediction, I don't know, but wouldn't he always see a shadow? With so many camera flashes, what else would he see!

Okay, here is the rub when it comes to this obscure tradition. Historically, It comes from the 'Candlemas Day', which goes back to pagan holidays concerning the Vernal Equinox. Our North American tradition is directly attributed to this song:

Candlemas Scottish Poem:

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and snow
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop

When it comes to our 'Sound Bite' population, most of us are blissfully ignorant of the details of Groundhog Day. Did you know that Phil isn't the only groundhog. As of last year, there were eleven predictions recorded by the furry creatures, each in their own city through out North America. In 2007, there were 9 'early springs' and 2 'more winter' predictions. The meterologists consider the whole premise 'all wet', with only 37% success. Over the years, there have been other famous woodchucks in other cities.

According to a Wiki on Groundhog Day, there was even a 'Pardon Me Pete' here in the Tampa Bay area. However, I couldn't verify his existence. But then think about it, what would he predict? Another six weeks of sunshine? Anyways, when, in the fullness of time (or negligence), the varmit finally goes to his burrow in the sky. The powers that be will just pull out another one from their herd and call it Punx Phil. Kinda like what Sea World does with their killer whales. You do know that if you ask any of the trainers the name of a whale, they always say its "Shamu'. Product placement run AMUCK!

This Saturday, the Punxsutawney website will have LIVE streaming of the event, so that we, the morbidly curious, can get our fill. You guessed it, yes, I do have plans to watch it. Hopefully, for no other reason than to see if Universal Justice comes to the King Idiot!

Groundhog.org

(Una)bashed Candidates!

Today, being the Presidential Primary here in Florida, I thought it might be fun to do a little sketch of the major candidates. Also included is a humorous image posted on the Net for each. Remember, I am attempting to be un-biased on my selections. Enjoy, but do not gripe... it is all in fun.

DEMOCRATS

Hillary Clinton: Probably really good with a WHIP!

Barack Obama: He'd never jump on Oprah's COUCH!

John Edwards: No matter the price, the best HAIR on the campaign trail!

REPUBLICANS

John McCain: Dracula couldn't of come back to LIFE better than this guy!

Mitt Romney: Fortune 500 CEOs dream of him!

Mike Huckabee: One H E L L of a Candidate!

Rudy Giuliani: Tony Soprano is his HERO!

Ron Paul: The INTERNET just loves Ron!

Okay, there you are. Hope you liked the effort. Remember you only have yourself to blame when the village idiot becomes Commander-In-Chief. VOTE!

Hugh is In the House

Tomorrow, Fox Network airs one of the last episodes of 'House' for this season and maybe the next. Myself personally, I arrived at this sitcom from a different perspective. I tend to avoid any medical dramas since my wife has worked nearly 30 years in a hospital. Mind you, she doesn't 'bring' her work home with her, but consider it like second-hand smoke, from month to month you pick up jargon and instances to the point where I understand most medical procedures. So the idea of sitting down and watching something close to your life just doesn't sound that enjoyable.

But, while watching a little bit of the show a few months ago at a friends' house. I got hooked. Thankfully, this new obsession has helped fill the void for the lack of new shows on TV. Two or three episodes a week between the Fox and USA channels have filled the bill. And all of them new to me. So Tuesday night, isn't as big a deal as to most of you 'addicts' out there.

When I first started watching, I wondered where Hugh Laurie has been? Being a Movie and TV Hound, I pretty much didn't know where this guy came from. Considering his wisecracks and abilities... undoubtably he has been in the business for awhile. I finally realized he was in 'Flight of the Phoenix', the remake of the Jimmy Stewart classic, done a couple of years ago. Also, he was the dad in the 'Stuart Little' franchise. If I were him I wouldn't spread that fact around too much. Anyways, I did some research, considering I'm about as nosy as I am an obsessive-compulsive. Digging into his past was one of the best surprises in my snooping I've ever encountered.

Hugh Laurie, as most of you know, is British. Not only a subject of the Queen, he is considered half of one of the greatest comedy teams in English history. It is not well known that Laurie is an accomplished musician. His moments on House where he plays an instrument, is the real thing.

While at Cambridge University he served on the rowing team. His main ambition was to represent Great Britain at the Olympics. Later, he found out his dad was a gold medalist in rowing. He came across the gold medal in a chest in his parent's attic. The family never talked about it at all. His dreams of Olympic gold died when he contracted Mononucleosis. With his athletic career behind him, he dedicated his time to the college comedy group known as 'Footlights'. The comedy troupe has consistently provided Britain with many a comedy star. It is a who's who of british stardom. Douglas Adams, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Peter Cook, David Frost, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, and Eric Idle, just to name a few. His fame started when he played in Rowan Atkinson's Blackadder as the 'Prince Regent'. Laurie's 'Footlights' class also included his partner in crime, Stephen Frye. They starred together in a prime-time comedy show known as 'A Bit of Frye and Laurie'. It was a staple of English humor from 1986 to 1995'. His career went on from there. Later, he tried his hand in writing. He wrote 'The Gun Seller', a British bestseller and an international hit.

Finally, he started doing work in Hollywood. The way he got the job for 'House' is almost mythical in Hollywood lore. It seems that he was in the middle of filming 'Flight of the Phoenix', in the desert of Namibia, when he was approached for an audition. The only appropriate place that they could film it was in the hotel's restroom. He was still in costume with 3 days of stubble on his face. When House creator David Shore saw the tape, he exclaimed that Laurie was perfect, a true American hero. No one had told him he was British.

His fame with House has eclipsed all the success he had in the mother country. Currently, he commutes between his family living in London and Los Angeles, California. He refuses to move them here. Superstitiously, thinking the day he settles here, his success would end. The Writer's strike has been a blessing in disguise for him. According to reports, his friends were worried about his physical and mental health. After a few years, this long-distance lifestyle was starting to take its toll. Now with House shut down, he can spend more time (for a little while) with his wife and three children.

And as they say, the rest is history. Like I said, his bio was one of the best I've dug up. The man is destined for even greater success. After looking at his videos on YouTube, it would be really be nice to see him do stand-up comedy.

How to get BEADS, without really Flashing!

Okay, another crazy Gasparilla Day has come and gone in the Tampa area. The street cleaners are muttering their annual curses. The local beer distributors are in their customary post-fest euphoria. And the little kiddies (and many an adult) are looking at their pile of necklaces this morning and asking the question "what the hell are they good for?"

I'm not going to get into how many uses I can think of for a 50 cent piece of plastic. Even though the idea comes to mind involving a cat, a boat dock, and some way of preventing damage to one's prized vessel. Anyways, I saw a local tv station (can't remember which one) that had a story involving two elderly ladies with many a bead around their necks. Of course, knowing the high standard of depravity in our fine community, thoughts passed by of granny showing what God gave them naturally. But knowing the high standards of the invading horde, I seriously doubted that such flashing would find an appreciative crowd, so nix the beads.

The news story progressed and I was relieved to hear that instead of them showing their goodies, these ladies took a different approach. To entice the invading horde of pirates (in fairness to real pirates, most were lawyers and politicians) to give them the shiny baubles, one would barter a cigar for beads. And the other would do it with a cup of beer. Now anyone knows that the two most valued items to a Tampa pirate is a little brew and good local stogie. There is only one other thing that these pirates value more, and that is an easily accessible Port-A-Potty (especially near the end of the parade)!

On a whole, it sounds like a real good idea to get the prized little trinkets. But then, reality sets in, think about it... would you give away fifty dollars of Michelob and Hav-a-Tampas for three dollars of throw away junk? Hmmm.. you know the flashing idea isn't all that bad for those ladies after all. Hey, maybe they could get beads for NOT going 'Au Naturale'. Remember, in some things, blackmail can be a powerful argument.

Last of the Doughboys!

Time marches on, and as such our living memories of World War I are leaving us. The Associated Press reported recently that the last living soldier of the German side in World War I has died. Even though not conclusive, Dr. Erich Kästner of Leipzig-Schönefeld, Germany was believed to be the last World War I veteran of Germany. Most European news organizations consider him the last. However, Germany has distanced itself from all information of the two wars, and there is no organization keeping a track of their veterans. Anyways, Dr. Kästner died in a nursing home in Cologne, France on January 1st. He was a foot soldier in the 'Great War', and then later served as a 2nd Lieutenant on ground support services for the Luftwaffe in World War II. After the war, he served with distinction as a judge in reconstructed West Germany. One way or another he is one of the last to live through and witness that great conflict. He died at age 107.

There are just a handful of the soldiers left around the world. At last count, there are five veterans left in Great Britain. One of France's vets died last Sunday, their down to one. Canada has only one, and until recently we had three. J. Russell Coffey, of North Baltimore, Ohio died December 20th, leaving only Harry Richard Landis of Sun City Center, Florida and Frank Buckles of Charles Town, West Virginia.

We should always remember those who suffered and died in this war. Also, we should never forget others that disrupted their lives to answer the call. It is one of those distinctive moments in a generation when all have gone on. It gives us a moment to reflect what they were called to do. And whether we would 'measure up' to what they did.

In tribute to our honored veterans, here is a small biography of each, lest we forget....

James Russell Coffey, North Baltimore Ohio, at age 109 died on December 20, 2007. He joined the Army on October, 1918. The war was over before he saw action. After the war, he played semi-pro baseball, earned a doctorate in education, and taught in high school and college.

Frank Buckles, Charles Town, West Virginia, age 106. He served as a driver in WWI. After the Armistice, he helped soldiers to return home through-out Europe. Later, He was working for an American steamship line in the Phillipines when he became a Japanese held prisoner in WWII. He spent three years in a prisoner-of-war camp. Afterwards, he bought a 330 acre cattle farm in West Virginia, where he has spent the rest of his life raising his family.

Harry Richard Landis, Sun City Center, Florida, 108, enlisted a year after America entered the war. The war ended soon afterward, he never saw combat. After the war, he completed his college degree at Bowling Green State University. He taught high school math and physics. Later, he became a retail salesman for the Kresge Company.

The last remaining Canadian Veteran:

John Foster Babcock of Ontario, now living in Spokane Washington, 107 years old. He never considered himself a veteran since the war was over before his reserve battalion was sent to the trenches. He came to America in the 1920s. where he had relatives. Became an electrician and later a naturalized American citizen. In 1946, he joined the United States Army, at the rank of Sergeant. Later, at the age of 65, he became a pilot. At the age of 100, he wrote his autobiography, titled Ten Decades of John Foster Babcock. He was honored with a phone call by Queen Elizabeth II on his last birthday.

Even though none of them served in combat, they still served with honor and distinction. May their place in history, never be forgotten.

Battle for the Net!

I'm going to get serious for a moment this morning. There is a war going on that will effect all of us one way or another. The policy of 'Net-Neutrality' is being contested by some of the largest corporations in the world. The principle of 'Net-Neutrality' is that users should be in control of what content they view and programs they use on the Internet. It is 'equal-access' to all that enter the Net. It is one of the principles that the Internet was founded upon. It is a policy that is being threatened in a couple of directions.

The first battle is with some of the national Internet providers. Comcast have recently filtered its Internet traffic to slow or stop peer-to-peer file transfers called bitTorrents. It says that over 50 percent of their bandwidth is clogged by such transfers. Their explanation is that they are doing it to ensure access for the rest of their customer base. I suspect it is more a money saving policy. Instead of expanding their bandwidth, they would try to limit the more costly Internet users, so they would not have to invest in more capacity. A couple of days ago, the FCC (responsible for policing this policy) has decided to investigate Comcast's action to see if there are any laws broken. It is a good bet that other providers are keeping an eye on this confrontation. A favorable ruling for Comcast could mean the beginning of the end of Net-Neutrality.

Another battle is with AT&T. CEO Randall Stephenson stated recently that the corporation is looking into filtering and monitoring its Internet traffic for the transfers of copyrighted material. He claims that it is the same as stopping someone from pick-pocketing a DVD from a store. It is an understandable stance, but the idea of a corporate entity reading and evaluating your communication transmissions is probably abhorent to most of the Internet population. Do you want someone making decisions on what you can download or even look at?

But there is a long-distance view of 'Net-Neutrality'. If there wasn't a non-interference rule, Internet providers could limit who you can see, do business with, what search engines you can use... even political and controversial points of views could be suppressed. I know that is a rather extreme picture I paint. And being a reasonable man, I doubt it would ever get that bad. But if it went only part of the way, it still would be an injustice. Freedom of the Internet is an extension of democracy. We need to be free to choose. It is the right this country was founded on. That choice should not be decided by a multi-national corporation.

Save The Internet!

We as a people, must never let them limit our selections for sake of profit or opinion. Corporations have too much power in how we live our lives as it is. Never should our daily choices be limited!.

Goodbye Mike!

If you were a Buccaneer fan in the past decade, undoubtably you were a Mike Alstott fan. Take it one more step, you didn't have to be a Bucs' fan to love what Mike brought to the game. He played the game with all the determination his 6-foot-1, 248-pound body could muster. He put everything into it. Alas, today, Thursday, January 24, 2008, Mike Alstott has retired! He is and probably always will be the most loved Buccaneer of them all.

So why do we heap such praise on this man? He only went to the pro-bowl six times in his career. His playing stats are far from Hall of Fame stature. I seriously doubt he will ever wear the NFL yellow coat of a 'Hall of Famer'. But he had a quality that was extremely rare, even in Pro Football.

Coaches say the most important thing a player has is 'Heart'. I know it sounds hokey, but it is true. The sheer mental and spiritual determination to succeed is something you cannot teach. It is something that even 'successful' players may be lacking. Many a 'star' player in this league succeeds by ability. In this 'Me' generation of players, sometimes personal stats are more important than what happens on the field. 'Letting Up' on plays has happened on occasion. And the love of the game is not always present in these 'career' players.

Alstott however, has always been a player that gave everything. He would 'practically' WILL his success in a play. This guy used all his muscles, guts, brains and heart to make the play. Once after 'willing' himself into the endzone in 1997 against the Vikings, in which no less that 5 players tried to stop him, a sports pundit stated that if there ever was a 'play' that would put a man in the Hall of Fame, that was it. Of course, we know that won't happen.

Mike Alstott ALWAYS showed his love for the game. And we the fans have loved him for it. He will be missed, and I hope he stays in the Buc organization in the years to come. His 'Heart' is needed in the future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

'Spring' Time Blues

With most of this continent in the midst of winter, I thought it might be a nice time to talk about one of my 'warm-weather' obsessions. Back in the 70s I got interested in the Florida Springs. Maybe it was the mythical talk of the 'Fountain of Youth' or my interest in Skin Diving that prompted my interest.

I did some exhaustive research years ago about fresh water springs in Central Florida. Unlike the Northern Counties, The Central Florida Aquifer is deeper making fresh water springs far and few between. However, according to an early US Geological Survey for Hillsborough/Pinellas County, there were over 20 springs listed in this area. Currently, of those springs, only a handful remain. Some disappeared because a change in the level of the Aquifer.

Eureka Springs, near Tampa, rarely ever runs anymore because of the digging of a flood control channel nearby. Many others have disappeared over the years because of mankind's indifference. Did you know that Clearwater Florida was named not because of the beautiful Gulf waters, but of Clearwater Spring. It was popular for centuries, for which ships would stop to replenish their water supplies. The spring has since been concreted over, and is currently under U.S. 19. There is a spring/sink near Fowler Avenue in Tampa that once was candy blue. Last I saw it, it was a muck hole clogged up with old washers, refrigerators and other refuse. But the one thing that disturbs me most of all, is the buying of these natural resources for companies to exploit. I believe that Florida Springs need to be considered a public trust, just as our shoreline is considered 'owned' by all the residents.

Beautiful Crystal Springs near Zephyrhills is a case in point. Back in my Scuba days, I would go to it to check out my equipment, and do a little training. It has always been privately owned. But for a small admittance price, the public could enjoy the splender of the springs. But quite a few years ago, the owners made a deal with Nestle' Corporation and closed the public access to the springs altogether.Crystal Springs was closed to ensure the quality and cleanliness of the water being submitted to the bottling plant. Since, Nestle' has become famous for their water brands. Under the names of Deer Park, Osarka, Perrier, Zephyrhills, Ice Mountain, and Nestle', the company has become one of the largest bottled water providers in the world. And it seems that the owners are always pressuring Swiftmud (South West Florida Water Management District) to increase their pumping limits.

Don't get me wrong, I am a tried and true capitalist. I believe in the rights of the owner, and the god-given right to profit from said ownership. However, there is the right of the rest of us, to enjoy the beauty of Florida. You know you would object if tomorrow, you were charged or forbidden to use the State's Beaches. Why aren't the springs treated in the same fashion?

I hope one day, that these beautiful examples of Florida's beauty will be protected and made available for all to see and experience. In the mean time, Drink Up!

MLK Day

I am going to put my 2 cents into a debate that will probably have me branded as a racist. In defense, I am going to give you some of my history and where I am coming from. As you probably know I am over 50 years old. My father's family came to Florida just before the Civil War. My Great Great Grandfather served in Madison's Rangers and then Gamble's Artillery in the Civil War. A hobby of mine, for many a year, has been Genealogy. I have segments of my family back to France and Great Britain. I grew up in a racist south. My father lived and worked with African-Americans. He was a foreman on a land excavation company. His crews were mostly African-American, which included some of his best friends. But using todays standards my father was a racist. Most of the white population could be coined in those terms. Growing up, the 'N' word was a common utterance. And belittling African-Americans was a frequent occurence.

Summertimes, I would go to work with my father, would play all day with some the crew-members' children. The color of their skin didn't matter, we were kids... looking for fun. I never knew the Jim Crow laws existed until once my father went to the home of one of his workers. We were not allowed to enter the home. I was told it was against the law. It was a hard thing to understand when you are only 7 years old. Later, My fourth grade teacher used to tell stories of her childhood. She was in her 70s, and she would describe how her father and others 'strung' up black people for various crimes. It repulsed me immensely. I guess from that point on I kept my distance from what I called the 'lynch' crowd.

In later schooling, I went to a segregated 'junior-senior' high school. Fights happened often, with sometimes as many as 10 a day. It was a tough school. Now when desegregation was proposed, there was talk about that the first blacks would be killed. Fortunately, I enrolled in a 'tech' school before that day came. I did hear it was violent, but no deaths ever took place. That school no long exists, thank goodness. But some of those racist feelings do.

I am the first to admit that the south still suffers with racism. Once in awhile, I see it in many of the older residents. As for myself, I do not consider myself a racist. But I do consider myself caucasian. I am a man of my race. It is tough that my race is ignored because of our 'majority' status in the country.

Okay, here it is. I do not agree with MLK Day. All right, I said it. Please don't whip me. Martin Luther King Day was made a national holiday for strictly racial terms. It was made to appease a certain segment of our society. It is NOT a holiday for most of the population. No matter how much many wish it to be, MLK is only earnestly celebrated by the African-American population. And many of them ignore it too. Disturbing is how the holiday has become a joke to many. Recently, when the topic of MLK day comes around, someone always seems to giggle about it. It is a shame, since King was a great man with a great message. His legacy is something every child should be taught. But making a national holiday for him was a bad idea. By setting a day aside for him, when there were many others of equal greatness, some even in the civil rights movement, smacks as racist. Making Dr. Martin Luther King a national hero because of the color of his skin is plainly an injustice. What compounds this controversy is the persecution anyone speaking against this holiday recieves. I for one, will probably be branded as a 'Jim Crow' racist. I guess it is what I have to live with being the product of the south. But I will say my peace. It is what this country was founded upon.

Believe it or not, a national holiday, a memorial day for the minorities that were (and are) persecuted would be a better use of this day. A day to memorialize the suffering of African-Americans, Hispanics, Native-Americans and Chinese immigrants. Not to belittle the plight of slaves and their descendents, but the genocide of native people was a far worse atrocity and should be remembered just as much. Alas, most are afraid to speak up against Martin Luther King Day, and will probably continue making fun of it in private. Being a federal holiday, means that government and banking entities are closed, but pretty much everyone else it is business as usual. This points to the lack of endorsement of this as a bonafide holiday.

In closing, maybe subsequent generations will consider MLK a holiday to celebrate. But then maybe we will one day exchange gifts with Kwanzaa instead of Christmas each year.

Bubba Bog

Trenchcoat Comedy

I am starting to doubt my scarfing capabilities. In my younger day, there was little on the web that I didn't know about. By accident, I found this 2 year old video that I knew nothing about. They are called 'Men In Coats', and are based in Great Britain. Their shtick is an international hit . It is hard to believe that these guys are unknown over here. Its one of the funniest acts I've seen in quite awhile. But then I don't get out much these days.

If you get a chance check out their official website...

Men In Coats

The clip has been on YouTube for over a year. And over 14 million people have seen it. Where have I been?

Bubba Bog

Land of the Midnight Sun

Pardon my fixation with Alaska these days. I have a grown daughter that has settled up there. She went up there to work in the resorts. And now she has set up house and seems to be planning a life in the 50th state. Of course, we were very worried how our daughter would survive in minus 40 degree nights, when she had rarely ever saw the cold side of 20 growing up in Florida. But to our amazement, she has lived a couple of winters through and is still breathing. I doubt an old Florida boy like me could've done the same. These turn of events, highlighted my woeful ignorance of this lesser known part of the union. So I am always scarfing news and knowledge about Alaska these days. And for my troubles... I have come along these tidbits of information:

First, it is nice to know that there are whales in the ocean that are still alive and well after suffering the bad days of human exploitation. A bowhead whale weighing over 50 ton was caught off the coast of Alaska with a exploded lance tip buried in its neck, that was a remnant of an attack over 100 years ago. The date of the lance tip and other factors give researchers an estimation of the age of the whale. This particular whale is estimated to be between 115 and 130 years old. Scientists say that bowhead whales can live up to 200 years. And it is heartening that some of these survivors of man's stupidity and greed, can live and thrive to a ripe old age. The demise of this particular bowhead was by a similar lance used by the local Alaskan Inuit people in a recent hunt.

Some say there is a hypocracy in condemning whalers, then allowing the native americans to do the same. The difference in my opinion, is greed versus need. The Inuits (or Inupiats) have been sustaining their way of life for thousands of years. killing for the survival of their tribes and their way of life. The whaling industry kills for the sake of profit. With little regard to what the slaughter is doing to the mammals' population. In these modern times, the world has little need for whale products. On the other hand, the natives would never overkill. They have a tradition of worshiping these gentle giants. Their way of life depends on the survival of the whales, seals and walrus. Without them, the culture of the native population would completely disappear.

And speaking of life in Alaska. It is now a common habit for many Alaskan residents to leave the 'Land of the Midnight Sun' for the balmy breezes of Hawaii. A pacific 'kind of' parody of the snowbirds of North America to Florida. With a more affluent lifestyle of natives and other residents of Alaska, the pull of warmer climates is becoming an irresistible enticement. Also it is nice not to live the endless night of winter in Alaska. And who wouldn't want to spend your winter getting a tan, and snorkeling the reefs day in and day out. Just recently, direct flights have now become a common occurrence.

And finally, It is nice to know that there still are good people left in this world. A woman in Washington state took a trek to Alaska, to give back a ceremonial mask to natives of King Island (80 miles from Nome) in the Bering Sea. There was one problem however. The island was abandoned in the 1970s, and remnants of their culture can only be found in museums and private collections. Most of the islands artifacts have been pilfered and dispersed around the world. The mask, apparently was taken by a relative in the 19th century. The mask had a small inscription that said it was taken from the grave of a medicine man on King Island. Last Thanksgiving, the mask was given to a representative of the King Island Native Community based in Nome. It is now on display in the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum in Nome. It is said to be one of the best preserved artifacts known to exist from the island.

Knerr, Last of Wham-O is Gone

Richard Knerr died this week after suffering a stroke at his home in Arcadia California. Most of us didn't know Knerr, but we benefitted from his life's work immensely. Richard Knerr, along with his business partner, Arthur 'Spud' Melin created the toy company known as Wham-O. It is an understatement to call Knerr and Melin the 'Ben & Jerry' team of the toy industry. People who knew them, understood their border-line zany devotion which goes back to their childhood.

As boys, they started out early by selling slingshots. The Wham-O name actually was coined as the sound of what happens when you hit your target with a slingshot. In their life, they covered the globe looking for toy ideas.

Their best products, not only were successful, a few became cultural icons! Hula Hoops, Frisbees, Superballs, Slip N' Slides and Silly String transcend a product name and have become a part of our modern lexicon.

Sadly, Spud Melin died in 2002 at 77, and Knerr gave up control of Wham-O in 1982. But the company continues, with much of its current product line now devoted to marketing Water and Snow Ski-boards. Times are a changing, and it is with remorse that in their passing, a unique era in home entertainment has finally come to an end.

True Oldies Channel

The past day, I finally got the opportunity to listen to Scott Shannon's Syndicated Oldies Format on 106.3 WJQB-FM in Tampa. 'True Oldies Channel' is by far the best Oldies format I have heard in a long time. I have always been a fan of Oldies Rock N' Roll. It was one of the reasons I got in radio back in the 70s. One of the first projects I did was to make a special weekend package called the 'Rock N' Roll Revival'. And years later I was Operations Manager of a Radio Station in Pinellas County in which we were strictly old time Rock N' Roll. It was the best time I ever had.

Since getting out of the business, I've always kept up with the local Oldies stations in and around the Tampa Market. W101, Q-105, WSRZ and quite few others, over the years, have done the format with limited amounts of success. But as an old programmer told me once... 'A station living by the Oldies..dies by the Oldies'. The problem with programming Oldies exclusively is that it is a finite format. Unlike a Top 40 station, which there is a continuous infusion of new music, an Oldies station's sound is limited to the size and depth of their music library. And if it wasn't huge, (and in most cases it wasn't) the station would eventually become stale and repetitive. But, I always thought it could be done, if you don't limit the station's playlist to the top 10 songs of the genre. Most people don't realize the magnitude of the music recorded in the 50s, 60s and early 70s.

Currently, there are a couple of 'Oldies' stations in this part of Florida. However, their programming has changed with the times. Since the audience has gotten older, the powers that be have changed their 'Oldies' formats to 70's, 80's and even 90's. It was done in the hope to draw a younger demographic audience that advertisers would like. But it just doesn't work very well. Don't get me wrong, they may find great success in the tweak. But, as for the format... it isn't true oldies. Rock N' Roll and Rock has its genesis in the late 50s and 60s. Excluding those years takes the heart right out of the music. When 'Disco' came on the scene, it seems that the progression of Rock died. The music did continue, but the Soul of it was never the same. I'd say that most songs after 1975 are just simply out of the genre.

As for Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel, it is nice and diversified. On the website, it will show you everything they've played that day, and I am impressed at the range and mix. Mo-town to Be-Bop then to Surf music. They have put a lot of thought into the rotation of the different flavors of the era. And they seem to play every memorable song in the age, not just the top billboard hits. It is my recommendation for you to check out this format on a radio station near you.

Bubba Bog

Oh and by the way, Q-Zoo and 'Dialing For Dingbats' is long gone, but it sure is good to hear Scott in the local market again, even it is programmed syndication!

Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel

Florida Stations:

106.3 WJQB-FM Tampa-St. Petersburg

Big 810 WEUS-AM Orlando

1480 WVOI-AM Naples-Marco Island

1560 WINT-AM Melbourne

La La, Li La La La

Yesterday, was the 50th anniversary of one of western civilization's far-reaching creations. The Smurfs were created in 1958 by a 16 year old Belgium boy named Pierre Culliford. Better known as 'Peyo' (one of those nicknames you get while drunk, well maybe), first published the blue buggers in a comic strip Johan & Peewit: “Le Journal de Spirou”. Fast forward 20 years later, Bill Hanna and Joseph Barbera brought the characters to the small screen for NBC in 1981. 256 episodes later, the little blue things are now global entities. Millions of children have succumbed to this relentless 'Smurfberry' marketing juggernaut! From cereals to children's underwear, the branding (very appropriate term) of the blue creatures is relentless. Many a child have lulled off to sleep clutching their fluffy Smurfette to their bosum while visions of mushroom cottages floated past their eyelids.

Don't get me wrong, this obsession is harmless to the innocent. However, for susceptible adults, it could mark them for life! The common symptoms of an infected adult is the tendency of singing with a high pitch 'la la' while bobbing ones head back and forth. Also in rare cases, some have been found in public shirtless, usually males but sometimes a female, and with blue dye all the way down past the belly button. There is no known treatment for such insanity.

Seriously, we adults have had a lot of fun over the years trying to limit the importance of these cartoon characters. I remember in the 80's a computer game surfaced called 'Smurf Massacre'. You went around with an AK-47 annihilating as many as possible. It was morbidly uplifting. And the coup de grâce was if you hit a certain key, all the Smurfs die in a blazing nuclear explosion. Needless to say, the game was not commerically available, but it got around.

As for the future, it does not bode well. Recently, I have come across images and sites of smurf-dressed individuals doing unspeakable things that I cannot show. Also, it is kind of a right-of-passage for college students to dress up in blue and white. All to demonstrate they have arrived at an enlightened level of western culture. But in respect, there ARE redeeming values in Peyo's creation. If you think about it, It sure beats the hell out of Japanese ANIME. Now that is real Evil and a good subject for another day.

Bubba Bog

The World Record for the Most People dressed as 'Smurfs', San Francisco, May 24, 2006 (290 people)

Lasting Impressions!

Not long ago, a prominent scientist was asked, if visitors from space checked our species out, what one truth would they come away with? His response, "A Bumper Crop of Idiots!"

And there is a lot of evidence for his estimation. Case in point, the Associated Press is currently reporting of a German man who mistakenly mixed up a bottle of gasoline and a bottle of alcohol. When he took a swig of the fuel, he impulsively spitted it out. No problem in itself, except he was smoking at the time. Nearly burned his face off. He is now in a hospital recovering.

A New Zealand Butcher Shop posted in its window a picture of a lady, claiming that she is the 'Lucky Winner' of a contest. The Lady shows up to claim her prize and was subsequently arrested. You see the picture was the image from a surveillance camera, of a woman stealing a chicken from the counter. She has since pleaded guilty, and is now serving 40 hours of community service.

Police recieved a call from an 18 year old Utah man complaining of a home burglary in which a quarter pound of Marijuana was stolen. The Burglar broke a window, cut himself while breaking in. The 18 year old told the police that he knew the man, since he had offered to buy the pot earlier in the day. The suspect was tracked back to his mother's house. Where the contraband and a pair of bloody pants were recovered. Back at the police station, the victim was asked to come in to identify the recently knabbed suspect. After a positive identification, the suspect was charged with Burglary, Theft, and possession of Marijuana with intent to supply. The victim was then arrested. He was also charged with possession of Marijuana with intent to supply.

And finally, here is a clip that was brought to my attention. After some background work, I cannot vouch for its authenticity. It first appeared at a spanish-speaking video web-site. One way or another, it speaks for itself...

This is just a few of the examples that explains why the aliens haven't contacted us. Think about it, If you had a choice, would you want to talk to US?

Beyond Gasparilla!

Before Gasparilla, while we are still sober and functioning, might we take a moment to consider what other Fairs and Festivals we'll attend this spring.

If you are new to this area, you are probably unaware that the Gasparilla Festival in Tampa is the unofficial start of the Fair 'n Festival season here in Florida. Unlike up North where Fairs are usually staged in the Summer to Fall. We Beach Bums like to eat our Elephant Ears while there is only a limited amount of UV Rays on the body. Of course it is nice to have all the snowbirds and part-time Floridians join in too.

Back in the olden days, when I was a kid, The State Fair and Gasparilla was one in the same (as an event). The Gasparilla Parade would wind down to the Fairgrounds at Tampa University in downtown. Auto Racing, livestock, everything that was new and wonderful could be explored at the Fair. Alas, the State purchased land 7 miles away, and moved the Fair to its present location in 1976. I still think it was a bad move. The old fairgrounds looked, felt, and smelled like a Fair. Even though the current site has improved over the years, it still feels like a 'commercial exposition' instead of a Fair. My fondest memory? Eating 'deep fried mushrooms' for the first time when I was 10 at the old Fair. I have suffered with a life-long obsession with the greasy morsels ever since. But you know, they never seem to taste as good as those I bought under that old grandstand.

It is nice to see that there are still some of the smaller Fairs in this corner of Florida. And a couple rival the State Fair in attendance each year. Case in point, the Florida Strawberry Festival. It has continued to increase in popularity and size. The Florida Strawberry Festival Association keeps buying land for more exhibitions and parking. The Association currently owns a good portion of the land on the west-side of the city. All of it dedicated to the yearly madness of Shortcake and Country Music.

But there are other fine Fairs to consider. Here is a short-list of the most notable Fairs and Festivals:

JANUARY

Florida Citrus Festival - Winter Haven - Jan. 17-27, 2008

Manatee County Fair - Palmetto - Jan. 17-27, 2008

FEBRUARY

Florida State Fair - Tampa - Feb. 7-18, 2008

Osceola County Fair - Kissimmee - Feb. 8-17, 2008

Pasco County Fair - Dade City - Feb. 18-24, 2008

MARCH

Florida Strawberry Festival - Plant City - Feb. 28-Mar. 9, 2008

Sarasota County Fair - Sarasota - Mar.14-23, 2008

APRIL

Central Florida Fair - Orlando - Apr. 17-27, 2008

Hernando County Fair - Brooksville - Apr. 7-14, 2008

Okay, The Fairs and Festivals aren't as decadent as the Gasparilla Festival, and reside deep in Golly Gee territory .... But they more than make up the difference with Great Food and Cuddly Livestock!

Bubba Bog

Politicians

If you haven't noticed, we are in the middle of the maddening Presidential Primary Season. When obscure politicians wax poetic the virtues of change. Always cursing the warts of our current life and promising that rosy future just beyond the horizon. They all promise the same things... then do whatever they want after elected.

My personal take on the contest is to vote for the one candidate that spends most of his (or her) time being humorous. A politico trying to get laughs is less likely to do harm to us peons. If we ever find a candidate that has the ability to balance the budget and can do a good 15 minute monologue.... we should crown them King (or Queen)!

I've noticed reporters never ask the right question. Instead of, 'Do you believe in Global Warming?' They should ask 'Have you ever used a Rubber Chicken?' Knowing how the current media hates original thinking reporters, they'd probably get thrown out... but who knows, the answer might just reveal our next leader!

Bubba Bog

Starry Starry Night

If the travails of modern life are just too much for you. I have a suggestion. Why don't you head to the woods, muck around like a crazy person, and howl at the moon! Trust me, it helps! And if you are afraid that your friends will have you committed, just tell them your stargazing. And to continue your ruse, bone up on some of 2008's celestial occasions.

There will be quite a few 'Occultations' happening the year. An 'Occultation' is one of those weird geeky words that means that something gets in front of something else. Pleiades Star Cluster, Beehive Cluster, both will 'Occultate' in 2008. Also there will be a total eclipse of the Moon on February 20-21. It will be easy to see in North America. And a total Solar eclipse will happen on August 1st. However, you need to be at the Canadian Northwest Passage or Siberia to really appreciate it. A couple of times, planets will line up making brighter dots in the sky. And in August the Perseid Meteor shower will be exceptionally visible to us this year.
And even On May 20-21, Jupiter's moons will disappear. The little buggers will again re-appear in about 20 minutes. I know, all this sounds mundane and boring. Hey, I didn't say it was going to be enjoyable, but then, name an alibi that is!

Check out more at SPACE.COM

Pillaging for Fun and Profit!!

Okay, we have one week to make our plans for the ultimate hedonistic celebration! Gasparilla Festival of Tampa starts next weekend (January 19th). A celebration that is tailor-made for us hard-working depraved adults. A chance to drink beer and pretend we are free-wheeling pirates with wenches to be had! Of course, you will have to wait another week since the first weekend is for the kiddies and the religously justified.

The first weekend can be best described as 'TO HELL WITH ALE' Festival. There will be Kiddie Parades, Street Vendors, Aerial Attacks, and NO BOOZE. Now the final week will be the 'ALE AND TAIL' Festival. Drunk Pirates and scantily clad Beauties (technically called wenches) will be everywhere. Even if you are not lucky (or rich) enough to play an invader, don't worry, there will be fun and depravity available for all.

My favorite part of this celebration has always been the Invasion Flotilla. It seems every year some drunked out boater nearly crashes into the pirate ship. Its kind of a yearly tradition. Anyways, here is a clip of last year's flotilla to kinda 'get you in the mood':

Check out the Festival's website: Gasparilla Pirate Festival

As you will notice, the "TO HELL WITH ALE" weekend is officially called the 'Gasparilla Extravaganza'. And as for the "ALE AND TAIL" fun, its called the 'Gasparilla Pirate Fest'. Both weekends should be fun, please participate according to your current moral standards.

NOTE: This is not my wife.

(However, the Parrot looks familiar)

A FLUSH update!

Mankind's favorite invention, the Loo, better known as the Toilet, is an object of controversy and joy this morning.

Locally, it was announced yesterday, that Tampa's Toilet Rebate Program is finally coming to an end. You have until February 15th, to get your rebate application to the city's Toilet Rebate office for your $100 rebate. The program has been running for 15 years. When reading the local news reports, it amazed me that the city HAS a Toilet Rebate office! Lets just hope that those employees don't have their jobs er 'flushed away' at the end of this program.

I commend the objectives of this program, but always thought it was kinda short sighted. Going to the Ultra-Low-Flow toilets sounds good, but my experience is that most tend to flush twice, since it seems it never has enough water to get the job done. But maybe it is just me.... My wife is continually reminding me that I am exceptionally full of it, So maybe it is a personal not mechanical problem and I shouldn't complain.

Now in New York, the politicians are all getting their photo-ops with a new attraction in the Big Apple. Pay Toilets have come to Madison Square Park in Manhattan. It costs 25 cents and takes 15 seconds for the stall door to open and 15 to close. As for cleanliness, the thing will spray the whole room down with antiseptic when not in use. The 90 second spray will pretty much keep everything wet. Considering it is mostly the 'Madison Avenue' crowd that will use it, I can see the reason for extra caution when it comes to germs. It is not everyday that you see a Deputy Mayor having his picture taken flushing a Toilet.

And finally, recently a new type of toilet has come on the market! It is called the 'FishnFlush' and retails for about $300. It includes a two piece aquarium tank, 2 artificial plants and an electric air pump. All you have to do is supply the fish. Now, that is an aquarium made just for me! Considering the mortality rate of any fish I try to adopt, it makes it easy to flush the recently deceased to the afterlife!

'Honey, what happened to the new fish .... don't know, maybe he jumped.'

Stunning Accident on Interstate 4!

It is always disconcerting to wake up to bad news nearby. Local tv stations were going ape with a large car pile-up in Polk County on Interstate 4. Here is a clip from WTVT in Tampa, showing the low fog that we are accustomed to here in the mid-counties of Florida:

Gayle Guyardo on WFLA TV, who is a paragon of journalistic experience (ahem), kept saying that in her 15 years in broadcasting she has never seen it this bad before. Not to dispute her, but this area has fog like this all the time in the winter and early spring. However, it was exasperated by the smoke from the brush fire at that location on Interstate 4. Of all the miles of I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, isn't it rather interesting that the wreck took place within eyesight of the brush fire of yesterday. Oh, well, but who am I to dispute her expert observations.

It was a minor miracle that there were only 3 deaths in the crash (at last count, with a handful of criticals). With at least 50 cars involved and at least 6 on fire, how on earth the majority survived is beyond belief. It was so bad at the beginning, the first responders were forced to practically 'Walk' the emergency vehicles to the wrecks. On a technical standpoint, getting the helicopters in the air over the fog and getting those spectacular images was a rare occurence. Tampa doesn't suffer with ground fog but usually fights with sea fog when the dew point spikes like this. The TV helicopters were able to fly out from Davis Island, and can get above the fog before heading east. So it isn't common to get such video. A real surreal sight, especially looking at a snow-like blanket of fog, and only seeing the blue light of the emergency vehicle coloring the fog bank.

Oh and sorry Ms. Guyardo, sometimes your delivery grates on me... makes me testy.

Bubba Bog

Way Down Upon the 'Ole Brother'!

Yes, Virginia, there is a Swannee. Christmas is past, and it is time to turn our attentions away from brotherly love and drape ourselves in the cloak of Political Correctness.

Tomorrow is the deadline for you to vote for the proposed new Official Florida State Song. Even though there are over 18 million people living in the land of flowers, only 6800 have voted for this travesty. It isn't a done deal, the legislature has to vote on the winner. And it has been defeated before.

However, this year there is much more momentum. Governor Charlie Crist refused to play the official song at his inauguration as tradition dictates. And with this song competition, the whole campaign is getting a lot more media attention.

'Old Folks At Home (Swanee River) (not an error, it was originally written that way) was made the official state song in 1935. It was written by Stephen Foster in 1851 as a song for a 'black-faced' minstrel to sing in stage shows in New York City. It was performed to great popularity for quite a few years. It became a national standard sung by people through out the country. It is true that Foster never saw Florida, and originally penned the song as the Pannee River. The song was written in a style that was meant to represent the black southern slang of the time. If you read it in the original verse, it sounds in today standards as racist. But it wasn't meant that way. If anything, it is best described as a glowing portrayal of life in the south. Yes, Slavery did exist, and was a horrible stain in the daily life of the south. However, there were good aspects to the south in the mid-nineteenth century. Overall the song instills a longing for home and family. In that century, songs were sold by sheet music, and the song was published in a cleaned up version, with most of the slang removed. It did include one word that is now inappropriate. And that is the word 'darkies'. Later, it was replaced with 'brothers'.

It is strange that most that want this change are African-Americans. You would think that they would want these continued reminders of past wrongs. It would seem that white southerners would want to eliminate it to hide their ancestors' transgressions. But it doesn't work that way. All in all, most in the state find the whole argument not worth the time or trouble. I personally, have not found one person who wants the song changed. And it offends me when tradition is ransacked for political correctness.

Our past has many skeletons. Slavery was a great crime. However, it pales in significance to the annihilation of the Carib and Calusa Indians here in Florida. All of it is history, warts and all... it is not meant to be sanitized.. it is to be remembered, lest we forget their suffering.

Oh, another Post-Christmas Comment

I want to put my two cents into the 'Christmas' name controversy. I believe Christians have a right to complain when stores and corporate entities remove the name Christmas for the sake of being 'Politically-Correct'. It just doesn't fly using 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'. I commend Walmart for returning to 'Merry Christmas' after a couple of years of the later.

However, I take objection to the Christian Right claiming that Christmas has always been about Christ. Christmas, which was called Yule and at one time, Roman Festival of Mithra. Mithraism was the worship of the sun God Mithra, or the Bull of the Sun. It was celebrated on December 25th each year. The day marked a day of plenty, celebration and debauchery. When the Holy Roman Church became in power, it was easier to adopt the old pagan holidays instead of trying to forbid them. So, the church made the Mithra festival, Christmas. Most biblical scholars believe that Jesus Christ was born either in late spring, or early fall. However, it was overlooked, since in the early days, the Ressurection, Easter, was mostly celebrated instead of Christmas. Many centuries would pass before Christmas would be on the same level with Easter. In the northern European countries, the Yule celebration was celebrated in the latter part of December. Many of our secular observances were from Yule traditions handed down and merged with the religous celebration.

I guess in the long run, it doesn't matter what you call the celebration, as long as you and yours finds happiness in the celebration. It is nice to re-affirm your religious beliefs and family unity in this holiday. I would say that our family bonds are created and strengthened by this yearly spectacle. Jew, Muslim, Druid, Buddhist, Christian and all the rest preach the potential goodness in mankind in their own way. In this time of year we celebrate the need for such goodness. It doesn't matter what flavor you are... as long as you taste and revel in the need for brotherly love.

A Post-Christmas Comment

A little comment on this past Christmas season. The national media seems to ignore one of the best christmas movies of all time.

We're No Angels (1955) is one of the great movies created by the famed Hungarian Director, Michael Curtiz. That is saying something, considering Curtiz is responsible for a big swath of the golden age of movies. Robin Hood, Captain Blood, Casablanca, White Christmas, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Mildred Pierce, and the Commancheros. He is credited of making Errol Flynn the Swashbuckler we all remember. Even though they hated each other with passion.

We're No Angels is about 3 escaped convicts from Devil's Island who spend christmas night helping a good natured merchant fix the evils in his life. It is done with comedy and flair. The writing in this movie is superb. It is perfect for the 'Made in Heaven' pairing of Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray. Humphrey Bogart, not seen in comedy, does a great job with the one liners and repartee. Peter Ustinov is a great 2nd fiddle to Bogart, and then the rough character of Aldo Ray taking the interaction to a different level. Also, Basil Rathbone, known for being Hollywoods' greatest villain does his usual bang up job. And the likeable persona of Leo G. Carroll, plays everyone's favorite father figure perfectly.

But the writing is the biggest star of this movie. For instance, Joseph (Bogart): "We came here to rob them and that's what we're gonna do - beat their heads in, gouge their eyes out, slash their throats. Soon as we wash the dishes". The christmas magic of this movie is how the 'hardened' convicts soften up to this family and their plight. And in the end, help them (even though indirectly) with their troubles. I suspect why it is frequently overlooked as a christmas standard are the inc