West Houston Aerial Photos of Flooding

Both from KHOU.

 

If Lakewood Church had water problems, why didn't Joel Osteen just say so?

This story becomes more odd with every new update.

From yesterday's IBT:

Joel Osteen apparently refused to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, the storm that killed at least five people, injured more than a dozen and displaced tens of thousands of people. Instead of opening up his church doors to victims, Osteen canceled services at Lakewood Church and locked the doors. The megachurch is an arena that could seat nearly 17,000 people and was not flooded by Harvey.

Osteen was harshly criticized on social media.

Now, we are told that there is - or was - interior water damage in Lakewood Church.   Heavy:

The Houston Chronicle also posted the flood photos from “inside the church,” but a spokesperson for the church said that the floodgate was “almost” compromised in the storm — which means the church was not flooded.

Yes, I agree, the picture above shows interior flooding in a building, and it most likely is from Osteen's church.

While there may have been other areas that were not flooded or a leaking ceiling or wall, considering the size of that church, there had to be plenty of dry areas available.

Anyway, I tend to believe the above pics are legit, but it begs the question; why didn't Osteen just say so?

Houston Curfew Changed; Midnight to 5AM

From GMA:  Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has imposed a mandatory curfew in the city from midnight to 5 a.m. in an effort to prevent potential looting, he announced at a press conference Tuesday evening.
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Typo fix: 08/29/2017

Houston Looting; Police Impersonators; Houston Curfew 10PM to 5AM; Coast Guard Assistance phone number: 281-464-4851

Coast Guard Assistance phone: 281-464-4851 

Unfortunately, it is inevitable, I guess...looting and a small percent of low-lives impersonating police officers.

The Houston Chronicle: Authorities warn against police impersonation:

Houston Police say a possible police impersonator accosted a motorist not far from the Lone Star College Kingwood campus on the afternoon of Aug. 14.

The victim was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Kingwood Executive Dr. and Sorters Rd. at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday, said HPD spokesman Keese Smith, taking a few moments to check for messages on his cell phone when another car stopped behind him.

From KTNC Action News: 14 arrested for looting.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday that 14 individuals have been charged with looting in recent days as the Houston area is recovering from record rainfall tied to Hurricane Harvey. 

According to Kim Ogg, the Harris County District Attorney, the 14 people charged with looting will face additional charges for committing the crimes during a crisis. 

The News & Observer asks: Is taking groceries in a hurricane looting?

On Monday night, at least seven people were arrested in Houston, according to KHOU, four of whom were impersonating authorities and telling people to leave their homes before looting them. The other three were caught raiding a video game store.

[.]

Matt Pearce, a correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, reported that he “drove around Houston all day and didn’t see anybody steal anything.” He also tweeted that the idea that looting was widespread was “bulls---.”

From AP: 10PM to 5AM Houston Curfew per Mayor Sylvester Turner. 

CURFEW CHANGED; MIDNIGHT TO 6AM, NOT 10PM TO 5AM

Flood / Hurricane live coverage

Live, on-line flood and hurricane coverage:

Fox TV News 26

MSNBC

KPRC TV - Houston

NASA live feed from space

KHOU TV - Houston

LiveStream TV News

Real-Time feed; Houston Traffic cameras. Houston TranStar

NPR: Does Trump Care?

Only from NPR. Only from NPR.

Written by Domenico Montanaro:

...tragedies present a special challenge for American presidents. It's one President Trump faces Tuesday in Texas[.]
[.]
This will be Trump's first test as consoler-in-chief, and it's not a role he has much experience with. Empathy is not what this president is known for.

Well...Domenico...how about if Trump tells those affected by the hurricane and flood that, he "feels their pain"? That should be all it takes, right Domenico?

Hurricane Harvey flooding and damage in Houston

See The Guardian for an up-to-date status on Houston.

Some parts of Texas may experience 50 inches (127cm) of rain or about a year’s worth of rainfall in just over a week.
[.]
The former hurricane turned tropical storm is regaining strength and continues to batter south-eastern Texas, with life-threatening floods surging through Houston before moving toward Louisiana.
[.]
Officials estimate that 30,000 residents are likely to need shelter.

Glenn Beck defends Joel Osteen

Average reading time (excluding links): 1m 15sec

Glenn Beck defended Joel Osteen on his Tuesday radio program.

Osteen came under intense "attacks" for not opening his Lakewood megachurch to people in need due to Hurricane Harvey and flooding.

Osteen, in the early hours of Tuesday, said his church would be open for those in need.

Beck was critical of the internet backlash from people who lambasted Osteen for not opening the doors of his megachurch. Beck called those who were critical of Osteen, "despicable".

Beck said the church doesn't have adequate shower and hygiene facilities, is unable to provide adequate shelter and food for anyone seeking refuge in Osteen's church.

Glenn Beck is "okay", in my opinion - but sometimes his stance on an issue leaves me scratching my head.

Yes Glenn, we understand anyone seeking shelter at Lakewood church won't have the accommodations that one might find at a Hilton hotel. And I don't believe anyone is expecting Lakewood church staffers provide 24 hour concierge service or provide meals made to order.

Look, there are people in Texas who have nothing but the clothing on them, and nowhere to go. Should they stay on the roof of their homes or wander about in flooded streets, Glenn, or could they be at least find some comfort in a place like Lakewood Church?

For whatever reason, have you ever not had anything to eat or drink for a significant amount of time? And then, when you do have the opportunity for food and/or drink, no matter what it is, it tastes fantastic because you have gone without for so long?

I think anyone with nowhere to go would be more than grateful to sleep or rest on a clean and dry floor, rather than having to remain outside in the weather elements we see in Texas.

Lakewood church doesn't have the resources to gather some blankets, some food (hell, just some sandwiches), some toothbrushes and toothpaste, dry T-shirts, a place to rest?

Big swing and a miss on this one, Glenn. BIG SWING and a MISS.

No room "at the Inn"? Maybe there's a manger somewhere.

Updated: Dear Glenn Beck, see the people in the below photo? Do you think they'd rather stay in their garage or be somewhere dry? Like...Lakewood Megachurch?

Getty Images. People wait to be rescued from their home after the area was inundated from Hurricane Harvey in Houston on Monday.

 

More Rain expected?

Image: AP

From AP, more rain expected.

The storm is generating an amount of rain that would normally be seen only once in more than 1,000 years, said Edmond Russo, a deputy district engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers, which was concerned that floodwater would spill around a pair of 70-year-old reservoir dams that protect downtown Houston.
[.]
Forecasters expect the system to stay over water with 45 mph (72 kph) winds for 36 hours and then head back inland east of Houston sometime Wednesday. The system will then head north and lose its tropical strength.

Before then, up to 20 more inches (51 centimeters) of rain could fall, National Weather Service Director Louis Uccellini said Monday. 

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.  - see Prayers In Times of Natural Disasters.

Joel Osteen = Not a total asshole

Joel Osteen has seen the light. A bit late, but better late than never.

And it's probably Green light; green...the color of money, not wanting to impede the flow of green in the collection plates.

Osteen opened his megachurch to those in need in Texas. MSN:

HOUSTON — Televangelist Joel Osteen says his Houston megachurch has "never" closed its doors to people seeking shelter as Harvey swamps the city.

Osteen has faced criticism for not opening his massive Lakewood Church as a storm shelter. In a statement to ABC News, Osteen says the church "will continue to be a distribution center for those in need" and is "prepared to house people once shelters reach capacity."

The 16,000-seat former arena served as the home of the NBA's Houston Rockets from 1975 to 2003.

Osteen's comment stands in contrast to a church Facebook post and a since-deleted Instagram remark by Lakewood associate pastor John Gray, who said flooded highways had made the church inaccessible. A spokeswoman for Osteen didn't immediately return a request for comment Tuesday.

O$teens' Megachurch

I don't see any flooded highways or water holding anyone back from reaching the church.

In the future he can ask himself, "WWJOD"...What Would Joel Osteen Do? And then...he should do the opposite.

Tech News

I mentioned the attack near the end of this post. But it turns out it was FAKE NEWS. From Gizmodo:

Remember that guy on Facebook a couple of weeks ago who said he got stabbed by some stranger because he had a “neo-Nazi” haircut? You’re never going to believe this, but the story was total bullshit. He accidentally stabbed himself. And blamed it on a non-existent black guy.

What a douche bag.
- - -
C|Net looks at the 2018 BMW i3.

The i3 interior.

- - -
BEWARE OF Hurricane Harvey Charity Scams. From Next.gov:

The U.S. Emergency Computer Readiness Team, known as US-CERT, warned email users to be cautious of any messages related to Hurricane Harvey, even if it appears to be from an organization or person they know. Fraudulent emails could include malicious links[.]

- - -
Wired: Hurricane Harvey spreads floating Fire Ant colonies.

Rafts of fire ants have been spotted floating around floodwaters in Houston, Texas, colonies banding together to weather super-storm Harvey.
[.]
If you’re wading around flood waters and run into a raft of 100,000 fire ants, your day will get considerably more complicated. The ants will board you and sting and not let go, even if you submerge.

- - -
Your ISP is spying on you.  Techcrunch:

Never, ever stop being afraid. To top up your paranoia reserves, a new study finds that internet providers can, if they so choose, monitor all kinds of things from your smart home’s traitorous metadata.

- - -
Geek.com: Elon Musk approved to drill.

[Musk's Boring Company] got the thumbs up to dig a two-mile-long underground test tunnel in Hawthorne, Calif.

The City Council last week voted four to one in favor of moving forward with the track extension.

- - -
InfoWorld: Will AI replace customer service as we know it?  Well - how much worse could AI customer service be from human customer service?
- - -
Russia tightens internet control.  Security Week:

...Russia's parliament voted to outlaw web tools that let internet users sidestep official bans of certain websites.

It allows telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor to compile a list of so-called anonymiser services and prohibit any that fail to respect the bans, while also requiring users of online messaging services to identify themselves with a telephone number.

- - -

Image: noisey.vice.com

Live Science:  Ecstasy ingredient may help PTSD?

[The active ingredient in the drug ecstasy, MDMA]  passed an important hurdle on the path to becoming a prescription drug for treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

[MDMA] was granted "Breakthrough Therapy Designation" status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), [which means] that the FDA will "expedite the development and review" of the drug.

- - -
After the FAKE NEWS of the neo-"Nazi-haircut attack guy", I'll consider the following FAKE NEWS until proven otherwise. Although...never underestimate the stupidity of some people.

From Live Science: Eclipse watchers in California put sunscreen on their eyeballs.

According to KRCR, a local news outlet in Redding, California, a few patients visited a nearby clinic complaining of pain after they put sunscreen on their eyeballs during the eclipse on Aug. 21. They did this because they did not have protective glasses to view the eclipse[.]

- - -
Typical Microsoft behavior. Beta News: Microsoft's Windows phone fails the NYPD:

Windows Phone isn't just an embarrassment to Microsoft, it has also been a waste of time and money for consumers[.]
[.]... Microsoft abandoned it, leaving many users without support and, ultimately, forcing them to buy new devices.
[.]
One of the saddest cases is the NYPD, which trusted Microsoft and equipped its officers with Windows Phones[.] These brave men and women deserve the best technology and equipment, yet when it came to smartphones, they were given some of the worst. So, now, its officers are effectively handcuffed by obsolete and unsupported tech.

- - -
Live Science: A collection of tweets from people experiencing Hurricane Harvey. 
- - -
PC World: DOOM, DOOM II, DOOM III and more - all priced to sell!

- - -
Grammar fix 8/29/2017

North Korea fires missile over Japan

From The Sydney Morning Herald:

North Korea fired a missile early on Tuesday from near Pyongyang that flew over northern Japan, the South Korean and Japanese governments said.

Public broadcaster NHK reported that the missile broke into three pieces and fell into the waters off Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's main islands.

More here at Radio Australia.

And here at the BBC.

So...what's the deal with Kimmy? Childish Tyrant? Death Wish? Not enough bran?

Kimmy II

Joel Osteen = Asshole

Pastor Asshole Joel Osteen refuses to offer shelter to Texans with nowhere to go. IBT:

[Pastor] Joel Osteen apparently refused to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, the storm that killed at least five people, injured more than a dozen and displaced tens of thousands of people. Instead of opening up his church doors to victims, Osteen canceled services at Lakewood Church and locked the doors. The megachurch is an arena that could seat nearly 17,000 people and was not flooded by Harvey.

Original Image: Getty

 If you remain a member of his "flock" after this...I...don't know what to say...

Harvey; More Rain To Come

More rain will fall in Texas.

The National Weather Service calls the flooding "unprecedented," and warns things may become more dire if a forecasted [sic] record-breaking 50 inches of rain does fall on parts of Texas in coming days. 

Unless you have lived through something like this, and I haven't, I don't think anyone can imagine the feelings of loss, anger, frustration, hopelessness.

Pray for Texas.

The Houston metropolitan area received 24.1 inches of rain in 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service, which issued its statement around 7 a.m. on Sunday — an incredible 340 billion gallons of water.

Map via Weather Underground

Left: Cody Duty AP                   Right: NBC News

Image: Houston TranStar

World News Links

Unidentified Chemical haze mist off Sussex Coast sends over 100 to the hospital. Sky News:

People were warned to avoid beaches and keep doors and windows shut after an "unknown haze" drifted in off the Sussex coast.
[.]
"This seems to have been caused by an unknown haze coming in from the sea, but the source has not yet been established[.]

Mystery mist over Sussex coast. Photo: Jacob Ward

- - -

World Press: The world wept for Cecil the lion. Who will weep for Asaad the man?

...it's time for people all over the world to be outraged over ISIS slaughtering and beheading Khalid al-Asaad, the 83-year-old caretaker of antiquities in Palmyra[.]

[.]
...jihadists dragged him to a public square on Tuesday and cut off his head in front of a crowd.

- - -
New Eurpoe: Man shot dead after stabbing soldier in Brussels.
- - -
French President Emmanuel Macron's popularity plummets. The Express:

...over half of French voters are now dissatisfied with Emmanuel Macron’s performance as president.

- - -
Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams says one-third of the U.S. doesn't recognize a joke when they hear it. CNS News:

"... they can only tell you’re kidding if they see somebody else laughing, or you say, “Ha, Ha” or “JK” or something after the joke. They actually can’t tell."

- - -
Red Orbit: Experts don't think middle-age people walk fast enough.
- - -
RTT News: Morning Asian markets open lower.

Asian stock markets are mostly lower on Monday after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi refrained from providing clues on monetary policy outlook [.]

- - -
The Local: Swiss woman charged with being a jihadi tourist/terrorist:

...30-year-old Zurich woman, a Swiss national,
[.]
... who tried to travel to Syria to join Islamic State is charged with supporting terror groups and will be tried in Switzerland’s federal criminal court[.]

- - -
Neowin:  China implements Real ID Procedure for online commenting.
- - -
Living in an inverted pyramid. TecheBlog:

...an inverted pyramid home in Spain...

Photo credit: Sadao Hotta

Texas; Hurricane Harvey - How To Help

I should have published a post like this much sooner. But most people know where to find this info.

The Salvation Army.

The Red Cross.

Donate Blood.

Money is tight; but praying costs nothing.

It's Light Up Time!

My life would be markedly improved if people would deliver cigarettes to me from walking out of the television.

I'm sure most everyone has seen Fred and Barney with their Winstons.

And all the doctors, dentists, nurses, entertainers, ex-president and others who all advocating smoking.

Doctors are never wrong.

The text in the three squares above, surrounding the doctor, say starting at "noon" and going clockwise:

Family doctors, surgeons, nose and throat specialists...doctors in every branch of medicine were asked: "What cigarette do you smoke?"

Three nationally known independent research groups did the asking.

The answers came in by the thousands. Actual statements from doctors themselves. The results? Camels...convincingly.


So...how's your T-Zone?

Toasted for your throat protection. See, it turns out the tobacco industry was looking after our health all along.

 

Doctors are never wrong.

Perry Como smokes? I need no other reason to start.

 

Science is never wrong.

Not ONE SINGLE CASE of throat irritation!

Here's a composite of three separate ads. Babies used to sell Marlboros? Heh - I can only hear the anti-smoking banshees cringing in agony over using a baby to peddle cigarettes. And Fatima cigarettes? Never heard of them.

"Mom, calm down and have a cigarette. I'll have one, too."

 

Science is never wrong.

Dentists are never wrong.

This ad is so low key, and the music so trance-inducing, I swear it was a hypnotic ad that, once seen, caused you to rush out and buy Lucky Strikes:

You must feel like starting smoking right now, even if you've never smoked. No? Will these dancing cigarette packages change your mind?

Now...you want to talk about niche marketing? I'd never heard of this brand.

NOT a REAL Country:

Scientists and EDUCATORS seem to agree that Kent is the brand to smoke:

The Micronite Filter - Heh...It was probably asbestos.

Even Granny and Jed lit up:

You cannot enjoy water-skiing without a cigarette. Ever:

It's Light Up Time...it's...Toasted...

The Turd Reich

Average reading time (including video): 1m 30s

When I publish something LIKE THIS,  about Liberal Anarchists preparing to assault others with bags of feces and urine (among other things), we see the same behavior from The Lunatic Left happening again.

From Alternet:

When a group of far-right activists come to San Francisco to hold a rally this Saturday, they will be met by peace activists offering them flowers to wear in their hair.

Also, dog shit. Lots and lots of dog shit.

Hundreds of San Franciscans plan to prepare Crissy Field, the picturesque beach in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge where rightwing protest group Patriot Prayer will gather, with a generous carpeting of excrement.

“I just had this image of alt-right people stomping around in the poop,” Tuffy Tuffington said of the epiphany he had while walking Bob and Chuck, his two Patterdale terriers, and trying to think of the best way to respond to rightwing extremists in the wake of Charlottesville. “It seemed like a little bit of civil disobedience where we didn’t have to engage with them face to face.”

Tuffington, a 45-year-old artist and designer...

45 years old and still acting like a child. Worse than a child.

I don't know what "Alt-Right" means. It's just another invented label from The Left...The extra-ordinary Left, if that helps clear my definition of them.

Apparently the "Tea Party" label is no longer in vogue, insulting enough or useful for them. "NeoCon"? They dropped that long ago. "Nazi"? The Left used it all up on George W. Bush.

Freedom of speech  means just that. Even when it means what you say is stupid.

Rich Old People Need To Die: Part Two

Average reading time (including video; excluding links: 2m

In Part One I listed six rich and/or rich and old people who need to die because they are taking more from taxpayers. MSN.com:

The richest people in the U.S. aren’t just getting several years of extra life, they’re also reaping a financial reward for their longevity – courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer.

I don't wish for any of them to die, it's simply incumbent of them. It is the point of the above story which matters; that the rich actually consume more natural resources and are a financial drain on EVERYONE.

And so many of these people are those who tell us the world is overpopulated and that natural resources are incredibly limited - well, they're the ones who should lead by example, shouldn't they?

I'm not advocating anyone attempt to hasten the death of anyone else; only that Sudden Cardiac Death or a Lightening Bolt is appropriate for any one of these rich, old people.

What I noticed in Part One is that the six people I featured are all Liberals. Another trend is that they are ALL WHITE MALES! O.M.G!

So, here are six more who really need to exit spaceship earth. They're too old and rich to hang around any longer. They are a burden on the taxpayers. They've used more than their fair share of oxygen.

Albert Gore, Jr. , 69 years old and worth $300 Million.

Gore's Carbon Footprint is gigantic. He's burned more fossil fuels than I don't know how many families added up. Hypocrite.


György Schwartz, aka George Soros. Age 87. Worth $ 25 Billion.

One of Soros' homes. I wonder how many refugees he's invited in; living on the premises?

Murray Rothstein, aka Sumner Redstone. Age 94. Worth $ 4.9 Billion.

Jay Rockefeller,  80. Worth $160 Million.

Steve Ballmer. Only 61 but worth Over $ 31 Billion.  Ballmer lands in the Exception To The Rule; Amount of Wealth Nullifies Age.

Diane Whinestein,  84; Worth $ 80 Million. 

Oh yeah...BIG TREND. So far, with both Part One and Part Two, we have 11 RICH WHITE MEN and one RICH OLD WHITE LADY. Hmmmmmmm.

C'mon folks...lead by example; for "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
  - Mr. Spock; "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"

To be Continued...
- - -
Just noticed I misspelled Steve Ballmer's last name on the image. Well...I'm not re-doing it; FYI.

Ted Kennedy 8 Years Sober

Former Democrat U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy received his eight year sobriety pin today, August 25. Congratulations Senator!

More HERE. Read more HERE. And, more HERE.  And HERE. And THIS IS REALLY GOOD!

The New York Daily News

But This? This is historical revisionism.

A gallery of Chappaquiddick Photos HERE. 

Some experts concluded that Mary Jo Kopechne was trapped inside the car for four hours, attempting to stay alive breathing small air pockets that slowly filled with water.

And because tragedy plus time equals comedy... (even Al Franken says so)...

* How did people find out Ted was dead?
  He didn’t show up to the bar this morning.

* Ted Kennedy never became president because unlike George Washington, he couldn’t cross a river.

* They have named a drink after Ted Kennedy. It’s called the Chappaquiddick. It’s made by mixing Gin and murky water.

*  I’d rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than being in a car with Ted Kennedy driving.

* If Ted Kennedy is to be buried in Martha’s Vineyard, the island will sink below  sea level.

* What's the difference between Ted Kennedy and the Iraqi Army?
  The Iraqi Army never killed anyone.

* Why did God create booze?
  So Ted Kennedy would never be president.

* What was Ted Kennedy's wedding present to his new wife?
  A life preserver.

Ted Kennedy, cover of LIFE magazine, January 15, 1965.

Ted Kennedy loved Chappaquiddick jokes. That's morbid.

CBS News: Ted Kennedy's memoir; he feels remorse and guilt over Chappaquiddick.  Yeah - anyone buying another attempt at Ted's Chappaquiddick revision of history? 

A very detailed and researched essay on Chappaquiddick.

THIS? Disgusting and in bad taste. I wonder who wrote it?

 

CHEERS on the eight years of sobriety, Ted!

I'll visit again in one year on your 9th anniversary of sobriety.