This Is So Maddening

There is NO law stating that children must be separated from their parents or guardians after crossing the United States border illegally.  Yes, they crossed the border illegally. Yes, they entered without "legal papers." Yes, they can be arrested, as they broke the law of the United States.  But, there is absolutely NO law or legislation saying that people, or families, seeking asylum in the United States must be separated.  The President and his minions are trying to convince the public that this is a law; it is NOT.  It is being done on the personal whim of the President, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, adviser Stephen Miller, and Kelly.  The latest two outrages are ins (1) stating that it is a Democratic law mandating the separations of children and parents or guardians, and (2)  that all of the people crossing the border in family groups are "paid actors" trying to upset citizens of the United States.  This President and his advisers are completely beneath contempt.  They are totally disgusting.

Then, there's the 60-year-old convicted felon living in Agua Dulce, California.  One of his neighbors (not aware that the man was a felon) contacted the local police department because he felt the man had "an unusual number" of guns.  The police visited the man, and found 431 handguns and rifles inside his house.  Later, they visited a female friend of the man, and found 30 more rifles at her house.  The next day, with a search warrant in hand, the police visited the man's home again, and found another 91 rifles hidden inside the house.  That previously convicted felon had a total of  553 guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and hundreds of extra-large magazines in his possession.  - That is terrifying.

The city of Chicago is still continuing to have increasing violence involving gun crimes.  I feel for the people who call the city home and have to deal with gunfire in their lives on a daily basis.  There was a party in University Village in the Near West Side of Chicago Sunday night, that ran well into the morning hours of Monday.  At 4:50 a.m., two cars drove in circles around the party, and shots were fired.  Police and paramedics arrived on the scene within minutes.  A young man had been shot multiple times in the head, and was covered with a sheet, with paramedics moving on to the next person, a young woman, who was clearly deceased.  Four other people had gunshot wounds and were treated on the scene before being taken to the hospital. An hour after the first victim was covered with a sheet, the sheet began moving.  People in the crowd drew attention to the movements to the police, who yelled to the paramedics.  The 17-year-old man died 20 hours later from critical brain trauma.  It heart-breaking that shootings happen so frequently in Chicago, and throughout the United States.

And invasive giant hogweed has been found in Virginia.  It looks similar to cow parsnip, but giant hogweed is toxic, and the sap can cause burns and blindness.  Removing the plant requires a Tyvex suit, gloves, and a face shield.  If you're not sure whether you have cow parsnip or giant hogweed, consult with your local agricultural agent.  Giant hogweed is a native of Southeast Asia, and was brought to the US as a decorative plant near the end of the first World War.  It is dangerous, invasive and toxic.  Below is a photo of the plant and what it will do to your hands...