Haunted Houses in Los Angeles

Halloween is a fun time. Not only do people love to dress up, but they love to decorate their houses as well, with the macabre and the shocking. Full of scary laughs and frightening decorations.

I thought I'd share with my readers, some of the clever and imaginative if not bone-chilling haunted house decorations out there in the Los Angeles area....







These are near UCLA....







On my way to work, houses in Palms and Culver City...

This one is just awesome:

Scariest houses of all, though.....








Brace yourselves.......














Now those are simply terrifying. Tricks-or-treaters should be wary that if they go to these houses with a bag already full of candy, beware the owner of these houses doesn't reach into your bag to distribute your hard-earned candy to other tricks-or-treaters, just making their rounds. Play safe, and be safe!


Happy Halloween!

My Excursion into West Hollywood

Yesterday, before work, I took a detour to check out all the hoopla for myself. Read about it at Flopping Aces.

If California is on another planet, then West Hollywood is in another galaxy.

The Real "May Day"

Frickin' awesome movie! They need to re-release this:

Spot the American Flag

Flag-waving and placard-carrying marchers crowd Broadway in downtown L.A.

May 1, 2008
Rick Loomis, Los Angeles Times

Hat tip: American Power

More photos that will make you see red at The Political Jungle: Moonbats Beware

Venice Blvd, Culver City, California: Check this out!

Saw this moonbat mobile loitering along Venice Blvd, on my way in to work.

Notice the seat cover, riding shotgun? This isn't the worst I've seen: I've seen a couple where the front end was also plastered with political messages and stickers. But still....the owner of this vehicle is one seriously disturbed "progressive" mental degenerate.

Sorry about the lack of posting...

....but the fool who writes my material went on strike.



A settlement should be reached by Monday.

Actor Robin Williams, left, marches in the picket line at the Time Warner Center in N.Y. during the fourth day of a strike by television and film writers. Tina Fineberg - AP

Comedian Jay Leno greets striking writers with encouragement and donuts outside the NBC Studios in Burbank, California. Members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike Nov. 5, seeking a larger share of DVD profits and revenue from new media distribution. Los Angeles Times, Al Seib.

That last 'toon is my favorite. I'm so sick of the liberal programming and all the anti-Iraq war and anti-American movies that they keep churning out.

The Writer's Strike affected me on Friday, when I had trouble meeting my appointment in Century City. The police were preparing to block off Avenue of the Stars for a big rally at 20th Century Fox. All the police had their vehicles parked on the side-street that my client lives on.

I also pass by the Culver Studios on my way to my work place. Picketeers are also prancing about out there, asking me to honk.

I should put a sign on the roof of my car as I drive by, saying "write some goddamn pro-conservative/pro-American movies for a change!"

"Remember me with Laughter"

While picking up breakfast yesterday, I saw this photo on the cover of the Daily Breeze. This is the same Torrance newspaper that covered several stories on local hero, Joseph Anzack, and his family.

The photo was heartbreaking, and a further reminder of the emotional costs of war. His funeral took place this past Sunday at the Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Here's a little bit more on the recent loss of another one of America's best and bravest:

By Larry Altman
Staff Writer

Daniel Cagle might have taken exception to the sniffles and tears shed for him Sunday, his eulogists said.

After all, the young Army soldier from Del Aire enjoyed a good time, loved challenging his schoolteachers, hanging with his friends, impressing the girls and leading his unit against insurgents in Iraq.

"He told us ... `I don't want you to remember me in tears,"' his mother, Gail Johnson-Roth, told about 250 mourners at his funeral at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood. "`I want you to remember me with laughter."'

And so they did - sharing a few stories and listening to the 22-year-old soldier's favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pennywise and Bob Marley songs blaring over the loudspeaker at the hallowed ground.

"He was full of life. He was full of personality," said Robert Murphy, whose 21-year-old son, Seamus, remains with Cagle's unit in Iraq. "He was a true testament of how great this country is that we continue to raise children into men like that."

Cagle died May 23, along with Staff Sgt. Stephen Butcher of New York, when a bomb exploded as they patrolled near Ramadi.

More details emerged at the funeral about how the young men perished.

Investigating the reported slayings of an Iraqi family, Cagle and Butcher approached a house to speak with two men, not knowing the killings were a ruse to attack American soldiers, mourners said.

"There were two cowardly insurgents in front of the house," said Cagle's stepfather, Andrew Roth. "As they approached them, it turned out they were `homicide bombers."'

In an instant, Roth said, the men detonated explosives concealed on their bodies, reducing themselves to "a pile of insurgent garbage."

The blasts killed Butcher immediately. Cagle died in a helicopter on his way to a hospital.

"This really brings it home," the stepfather said. "This is what happened to him. He is a hero by any measure."

A stream of mourners including friends, family members, fellow soldiers' fathers and a teacher eulogized Cagle as a buddy, a close brother, a memorable student and tough soldier committed to protecting his comrades.

"I don't know if God knows what he's in for," said sister Nicole Cagle, who serves in the Air Force.

Travis Loeffler, 23, of Gardena, described Cagle as "the life of the party," a man forever embedded in the hearts, minds and souls of his friends.

Alex Avila called Cagle "one of the best friends anyone could ask for."

"I'm real proud of him for what he did. I just hope everyone appreciates what our soldiers and our friends are doing for us," Avila said.

Dana Middle School teacher Phil Churnside, who taught Cagle in the eighth grade, said he told his current classes that the soldier was the type of student who would jump into a pool from a high-dive, not slowly creep into the water.

Dana school officials never forgot the vibrant student.

"Danny Cagle was easy to remember," Churnside said. "I just hope he knew how much we loved and cared about him."

The military posthumously promoted Cagle from private first class to specialist and awarded him the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, among other medals.

Army Maj. Gen. Don Riley presented the Stars and Stripes covering Cagle's casket to his mother and father.

"Danny went and did what he wanted to do. He did it bravely," said his father, Patrick Cagle. "I'm very, very proud of him."

About 40 Patriot Guard Riders - motorcycle enthusiasts who attend services to honor fallen soldiers - circled Cagle's grave with flags.

Just two days earlier, the group of veterans took part in the procession for Cpl. Joseph Anzack Jr., a Torrance soldier found dead in Iraq the same day Cagle died.

Anzack's father, Joseph Sr., was among the mourners Sunday. He said he was "doing what I am supposed to do."

Cagle's mother and sister held each other as they watched the brown casket lowered into the ground.

"I love you, Daniel," his mother said, dropping a yellow rose into the grave.

Multimedia Presentation

Some of the comments left for the Cagle family:

Words cannot show the deep feelings of sorrow I share with you and your family for the great sacrafice Daniel has made for you, me and the rest of this country. My son Cole was serving with Daniel in A-company. Gods speed be with healing you in your griefing.
- Kim Wetzel

Our deepest sympathy to the Cagle family. On Friday we attended a funeral for my daughter's school friend Joe Anzack, who was also killed in Iraq. It is heart wrenching to hear of yet another fallen soldier. Our prayers are with you and your family. Daniel is a Hero, thank you for raising such an honorable son. Thank you Daniel for your service and your courage. Please pray for the Alexeev family of Wilmington, Ca. Alexandre Alexeev graduated from Hawthorne High in 2002 and was killed in Iraq last Monday. May God Bless you, may God Bless our Troops.
- Richard & Isabel

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Pfc. Daniel Cagle. He is a true AMERICAN HERO. It will be my honor as a Patriot Guard Rider to attend this hero's service. God bless the family for their ultimate sacrifice....
- Robert aka Bear53

Your son gave his life so others, whom he did not know, could live free. I am one of them. Thank you and may God keep you and your Danny safe.
- Jack B

Images from the Los Angeles National Cemetery today

"To those who volunteered and extended the hand of liberty to alien peoples"

After seeing one morning client, I drove out to the Los Angeles National Cemetery to pay my respects. I did not have time to stick around for the ceremonies. But captured some photos. Here are just some of them:


Veterans stretching back to the time of the Civil War are buried here. Of note,

Over 100 Buffalo Soldiers are interred at the Los Angeles National Cemetery. These African American soldiers were members of the 9th, 10th, 24th, and 25th Cavalry during the Civil War.

Looking to the south, looming in the background is the Federal Building in Westwood. The National Cemetery sits on the northside of Wilshire Blvd.

I graduated from UCLA. During all that time, that I attended there and lived in Westwood Village and related areas, I never once visited the Cemetery. Although the Gulf War did grab my attention, and I used to listen to Pirate Radio's Shannon in the Morning for Gulf War Updates and patriotic music and soundbytes (including parody songs, poking fun at Saddam), for the most part, I slept through the political world and focused only on my small universe.

This is at the corner of Wilshire and Veteran. The cemetery sits on the westside of Veteran, with UCLA bordering the east. I even lived on Veteran Avenue a couple of times while at UCLA.

The United Spanish War Veterans monument, also known as the Spirit of ’98, is a bright white marble composition of three figures completed in 1950 by sculptor Roger Noble Burnham. The memorial crumbled after a 1971 earthquake. In 1973, sculptor David Wilkens re-created the monument out of concrete and plaster, reinforcing it with rebar. The plaque from the original sculpture survived and was imbedded on the new sculpture.

During my time at UCLA, I used to take pause and stare at this monument whenever I passed by. I think part of my interest had to do with the image of the Veteran of the Spanish-American War. One of the aftermaths of that, was the acquisition of the Philippines. And being a student of the Filipino martial arts, I had a historical interest in the time of the Philippine Insurrection.

We fought fierce Muslims, back then too. The Moros of the southern Philippines remained unconquered during the 500 years that the Spanish occupied the islands. Their fighting spirit was fortified by their religious fanaticism. There are accounts of "Amok" warriors and "Jurimentados" taking six rounds and still having the strength left to continue pressing their attack. This led to the .38 caliber pistol being replaced by the .45-caliber, for more stopping power against a charging Moro with the intent of engaging in close-quarter combat. I've heard many stories on how Marines got the nickname "leathernecks"; but one of the lesser known stories, and one that I have never been able to substantiate, is that the Marines received the nickname, in part, because they were issued leatherneck collars to counter the frequent attempts at beheading Marines with the swish of a wavy-edged kris or kampilan by the Moro warrior.

Moro violence and terrorist guerilla warfare continues to this day, as they've never truly been pacified. We've now been familiar with them as The Moro Liberation Front, which today finds its offsprings in the form of The Abu Sayyaf group and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; both of which claim ties to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network. Many of the 15,000 warriors who make up the MILF took part in fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan.

Perhaps one day, I'll mention about how modern boxing techniques and footwork has its influence from the time when our Marines occupied the Philippines.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

The Los Angeles National Cemetery, located across from what is now the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, has grown to more than 114 acres since its late 19th century origins. The first interment dates to a few days prior to the May 22, 1889 dedication of the cemetery. In 1973, the cemetery was transferred from the then-Veterans Administration Medical Center to what was then the National Cemetery System.

The Los Angeles National Cemetery opened as one of 11 facilities operated by the Veterans Administration, on lands shared with national veterans' homes or asylums for disabled soldiers. The Pacific Branch of the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was established in 1887 on Santa Monica ranch lands donated by Senator John P. Jones and Arcadia B. de Baker. The following year, the site grew by an additional 200 acres; in 1890, 20 more acres were appended for use as a veterans' cemetery. By this time, with more than 1,000 veterans in residence, a new hospital was erected in 1900. It was replaced in 1927 by Wadsworth Hospital, and a second facility, Brentwood Hospital, was also constructed in the 1920s.

Some of the built features are unusual, including an administration building-chapel, 1939-40, and the NCA's only indoor columbarium, 1940-41, both built by the Works Progress Administration in a distinctive Spanish Revival style of stucco and tile. The original gatehouse and entrance gates have been removed.

Two unusual canine burials distinguish Los Angeles National Cemetery, although this practice is prohibited today. Old Bonus, an adopted pet of residents in the soldiers’ home, and Blackout, a war dog wounded in the Pacific during World War II, are both buried here.

I believe that there are 14 Medal of Honor recipients buried here.

Medal of Honor Recipients
Landsman William F. Lukes (Korean Campaign of 1871) U. S. Navy, Company D. Korean Forts, June 9 & 10, 1871 (Section 7, Grave F-19).

Private Charles W. Rundle, (Civil War) U.S. Army, Company A, 116th Illinois Infantry. Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863 (Section 34, Grave 1-11).

Sergeant George H. Eldridge, (Indian Campaigns) U.S. Army, Company C, 6th U.S. Calvary. Wichita River, Texas, July 12, 1870 (Section 37, Grave B-1).

Sergeant (then Corporal) Luther Kaltenbach, (Civil War) U.S. Army, Company F, 12 Iowa Infantry. Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 16, 1864 (Section 43, Grave A-15).

Sergeant First Class (then Sergeant) Chris Carr (medal awarded under name of Christos H. Karaberis), (World War II), U.S. Army, Company L, 337th Infantry, 85th Infantry Division. Guignola, Italy, Oct. 1 & 2, 1944 (Section 275, Grave G-15).

Private Robert H. Von Schlick (China Relief Expedition, Boxer Rebellion) U.S. Army, Infantry, Company C, 9th U.S. Infantry. Tientsin, China, July 13, 1900 (Section 81, Grave G-20).

Corporal Edwin Phoenix, (Indian Campaigns) U.S. Army, Company E, 4th U.S. Calvary. Red River Texas, Sept. 26-28, 1875 (Section 67, Grave H-22).

Wagoner Griffin Seward, (Indian Campaigns) U.S. Army, Company G, 8th U.S. Calvary. Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory, Oct. 20, 1869 (Section 15, Grave D-10).

Farrier Samuel Porter, (Indian Campaigns) U.S. Army, Company L, 6th U.S. Calvary. Wichita River, Texas, July 12, 1870 (Section 40, Grave E-6).

Sergeant (then Private) Edward Murphy, (Indian Campaigns) U.S. Army, Company G, 1st U.S. Calvary. Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory, Oct. 20, 1869 (Section 44, Grave 1-22).

Corporal Harry Harvey (true name was Harry Huckman), (Civil War) U. S. Army, Company A, 22nd New York Calvary. Waynesboro, Va., March 2, 1865 (Section 60, Grave E-4).

Color Sergeant George McKee, (Civil War), U.S. Army, Company D, 89th New York Infantry. Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865 (Section 1, Grave G-2).

Coxswain Timothy Sullivan, (Civil War) U.S. Navy, USS Louisville. Battles in Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi, unknown date of action (Section 18, Grave H-2).

Corporal (then Private) James Sweeney, (Civil War) U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Vermont Cavalry. Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864 (Section 78, Grave P-3).

I have more photos here.