RFI: System Software Question

I'm running Windoze 7.

Edit: Problem solved thanks to Merlin, who suggested:

You could always zip the entire directory structure, then unzip to a location without restoring the paths. This would essentially flatten your entire directory structure to a single level.

Just why a man of such brilliance and good taste would be hanging out here will remain one of life's little mysteries. 

My thanks to everyone else for their help, as it is truly appreciated.


I have a directory e:\foo, and under that I have many subdirectories:

e:\foo\foo_a
e:\foo\foo_b
e:\foo\foo_c
e:\foo\foo_d
e:\foo\foo_e

and under those, many other subdirectories:

e:\foo\foo_a\foo_1
e:\foo\foo_c\foo_2
e:\foo\foo_e\foo_3

and at the end of each tree there may be a file:

e:\foo\foo_a\foo_1\foo-file1.xxx
e:\foo\foo_b\foo-file2.dox
e:\foo\foo_c\foo_2\foo-file6.crp
e:\foo\foo_d\foo-file7.asc
e:\foo\foo_e\foo_3\foo-file99.099

I want a utility to navigate the tree, and when it finds a file I want it to copy that file to a single directory, such as:

e:\MyCollectedFiles

thus putting all the files in one place and eliminating this tree.  I've looked and haven't found anything except sites offering free spyware.

Is there such a utility anywhere?

Joke Time - Moms Then, Moms Now

I got this pic from someplace or other, but it inspired me to a certain degree.

Then and Now

Keep reading, as it amuses you to do so.


Moms Then: Say that again and I'll wash your mouth out with soap!
Moms Now: That word is inappropriate.
Kids Then: Yes ma'am.
Kids Now: Mister Fathead, my assistant school shrink, said it's okay because it's part of self-expression an' shit.

Moms Then: You'll eat what I make whether you like it or not. There are starving children in this world.
Moms Now: Good job trying one bite of the dinner I made. Now you can have Mac & Cheese.
Kids Then: So wrap up this slop and send it to 'em, they're so hungry. Look, the dog won't even eat it.
Kids Now: I don't want Mac & Cheese. I want McDonalds.

Moms Then: You better stop crying or I'll really give you something to cry about!
Moms Now: I can see you're upset. Take a deep breath and use your words.
Kids Then: ::silence::
Kids Now: Last time I used my words, grandma washed out my mouth with Dawn dish soap!

Moms Then: You want to go out? Take your bike. Be home before dark.
Moms Now: You can't walk around the block by yourself. I'll drive you. Text me when you need a ride back.
Kids Then: Bye!
Kids Now: Why not? Grampa told me about the time he was gone for a week before anyone noticed, and you used to go anywhere you wanted - back in the old days.

Moms Then: Take a brown bag with a bologna sandwich on Wonder bread. Grab a Twinkie and a Hawaiian Punch too.
Moms Now: I packed your bento box with almond butter on whole grain, kale chips, and an organic smoothie.
Kids Then: Thanks! Can I get an extra Twinkie today? Please?
Kids Now: Good. Send it to the starving kids in India Grandma keeps karping about, and gimme a ten spot for Taco Hell.

Quora Question: I Give My Girlfriend...

Here's the entire question:


I give my girlfriend money to buy groceries, and she buys random things. I then have to buy groceries so that an actual meal can be prepared. How can I teach her how to buy groceries like an adult?

This guy's an idiot.  I wrote another answer that may offend the delicate sensibilities of the Quora moderators.

Quora Question: How did polka dancing originate?

Incredible as it may seem, someone wants an answer to this one.  So I provided one, and the real question is, one what?

My contribution will likely be deleted in a few minutes, but one never knows.  Keep reading for the truth about Polka.

When the Pellets Hit the Windmill

I note that Peter Grant the Bayou Renaissance Man has published two more posts on the collapse of civilization during a catastrophe.  You may read them as it amuses you to do so at An Interesting Look at Urban Defense (May 11, 2019) and Urban Conflict: A Recent Object Lesson (May 14, 2019).

Most of the time I find I'm in general agreement with whatever Peter has to say.  I perceive Peter to be an intelligent, erudite man with an unusual amount of life experience.  He's also a Christian, with a solid set of Christian morals and ethics.  So most of the time I think Peter has the right of it, but this time he's overlooking a few points.  Here they are, in no general order.

Curtis Reeves Chad Oulson Shooting - Slow Progress

I wrote about this case before, but for the sake of convenience a brief summary is called for.

Curtis Reeves, a 71 year old retired police captain, was at the Cobb Grove 16 Theater in Wesley Chapel, Florida with his wife.  Chad Oulson, a 41 year old, physically fit, hardworking man, was at the same movie with his wife, and was sitting in front of Reeves.  During the pregame show Chad was texting someone, Curtis objected, and words were exchanged.  The short of it is that Reeves had a container of popcorn which Oulson seized and threw at him.

So Reeves shot Oulson with a .380 automatic and killed him.

Facts About Bees, Trees, and Latinos

I went out for lunch today, which was a mistake.  For a sawbuck I got an overly large portion of meatloaf and gravy, a somewhat lesser portion of mashed potatoes, and a small helping of canned green beans.  The beans were the best part of the meal; the meatloaf upset my delicate constitution.

On my way back from the restaurant I found a Mexican man in my driveway, explaining to my neighbor (not that one, thank the Lord) that there were bees up in the pine tree behind my house.  Just why I'd care about this is beyond me, but he insisted on pointing them out until I, surprise-surprise, saw a swarm of bees at the top of one of the pine trees behind my house.

Well, hot damn.

I told him to let 'em be (clever pun intended) because they were important to the ecology.  He agreed, but he kept talking about the bees.  I wanted to go inside, so I finally just shrugged it all off and left him to his own devices.

Naturally, that's when the fun started.

Advice Wanted: Response to Disgusting Story

I have a friend in Cleveland who, for reasons associated with dementia and drunkenness, hit me with this question the other day.  I knew what I might say, but advising him on what to say is a different matter.  One that requires diplomacy and a kind, considerate demeanor.

If you're a thin skinned politically correct special little snowflake, I'm warning you right up front that it's hotter than the hinges on the gates of hell below the fold.  Keep reading and you'll end up a tiny puddle of water with a permanently bent mind.

The rest of you, keep going.  It's business as usual.

Walking in a Dangerous Area - Pack Your Whatever

I was minding my own business and nursing my morning bourbon, when I ran across this little gem in my email, courtesy of Spot Crime.

Spot Crime uses local police reports, and although it's a long way from being complete it's better than nothing.  For instance, I live near Machine Gun Alley, and we had a shooting next to my condo complex recently involving two cars, four people, one shooter, and two targets.  One driver collected six and lived to tell about it, while his passenger jumped out and ran for it.  She collected one to the lung and lived to tell about it.  The shooter hasn't been caught, and neither has his buddy.

Here's today's report, which includes this little gem: Indecent Exposure.

Indecent Exposure!

Red hot damn!  Probably some chick walking around topless, protesting for the LGBT movement or free speech or something.  Maybe I can track down a few pix!

Before we go any further, the usual warning applies.  The rest of the post is not politically correct and is deliberately designed to offend people.  If you're a regular reader, keep going.  All others return to their safe area - Slash dot, Face Book, whatever.

Shamless Commercial Message - But Worth Reading

Brigid Johnson could certainly be described as an accomplished woman, but that's an understatement.  She's pretty much got it all - she intelligent, talented, erudite, and she's hotter than a five dollar pistol on Saturday night.  Yeah, all that and a fifth of top shelf bourbon.

She's also married.

Brigid has published another book which shot to the top of the Amazon bestseller list like a Stinger missile going after a Soviet Hind.  When the dust cleared it was revealed that all the proceeds from the sales are going to charity.  Brigid funds an animal rescue and a veteran's charity organization.

Lessons is available on Amazon, here: True Course: Lessons Learned From a Life Aloft

It's a great read and a worthy cause.

And now, back to my regularly scheduled Happy Hour.

Ess Oh Ess Update (Second Update)

I wrote a post a few days back asking for the odd get well card for Eva, a young lady recovering from a kidney transplant.  You can read it here as it amuses you to do so.

The response was significant, and the cards filled a shopping bag.  My sincere thanks to all of you who took the time to send Eva a get well card.

Eva is still recovering, and still in isolation.  We have no news about when she'll get out.  Should anyone want to send another card, I'm sure she'd enjoy hearing from you.  The address is:

Eva
C/O CULVERS
1912 STATE ROUTE 256
REYNOLDSBURG OH 43068-3131

Eva is 11 years old and in fifth grade.

Have a great day, and thanks again for your cards and letters.

* ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~  * ~ *

Most recent update (4/29/2019); I got this from Carole, who is the originator of this entire effort:

JACKPOT!!!
I delivered 48 cards, 6 books, and 1 coloring book.  Here's a message from Eva's grandmother to all of you: "What a blessing.  I have no words to express my gratitude."

Quora Question: Christianity and Homosexuals, Bisexuals, and OtherSexuals

I've been censored on Quora, and little wonder.  Someone posed the question:

Christians, if you found out your son or daughter is gay, would you lovingly accept their partner into your home?

Dumb old me, I have to answer it.  Keep reading for a politically incorrect answer to the question along with a semi-civilized debate with two other Quora users who disagreed with me.

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary, void where prohibited, any trigger warning you can think of has officially been made in this general statement: Rhino hides only!  If you're a sensitive perpetually pissed off little snowflake, the rest of this post is likely to damage your tender little psyche.

Dangerous content lurks below the fold.

Quora Question: Did some husbands in the 1950's really get their wives lobotomized?

From someone on Quora:  Did some husbands in the 1950's really get their wives lobotomized?

Yes, they did.  Men who were psychiatrists (meaning they are an M.D.) had the authority to have anyone committed to a mental institution against their will, and to be medicated against their will.  The treatments in the mental hospital could, and often did, include a lobotomy.  Electroshock therapy was also popular.

Ess Oh Ess - Card or Two Wanted

I occasionally scan through a social media platform called Next Door, mainly because it costs nothing and every once in a while I get some news about crime, taxation, and how our lunatic fringe lefty local government is giving me the shaft.  It always cheers me up to know that I'm not alone.

The other day I stumbled across a message from some well-meaning good Samaritan, and decided to help out a little.

Here's the message from Ms. Samaritan:

Eva's been housebound since early January when she got a kidney transplant. Eva just turned 11, and she is in fifth grade. Doctors do not want her around anyone who might be contagious. I sent her a card and it made her day to get mail. Help bring a smile to her face. Just mail her a card to:
Eva
C/O CULVERS
1912 STATE ROUTE 256
REYNOLDSBURG OH 43068-3131

I don't know any of these people, and I don't eat at Culver's. That being the case, this poor kid is having a hard time of it.  She's recovering from surgery and has been confined to quarters since January.  They don't want money, all they want is a 'get well' card.

A card?  That's it?

So I sent her two get well cards and a letter, and if she's somewhat cheered by my gesture, so much the better. 

My request is simple.  If any of you casual readers would send this child a get well card, I will raise a glass in your honor and give you a tip of the old fedora.  I'm thinking that the further away you live, the better she'll like it - distance being a sort of modifier to the marginal utility of the card.  See?

Okay Ladies and Gents - one card from the dollar store, one stamp from wherever, and that's that.  My thanks in advance.

When a Free Country is No Longer Free

Some well meaning soul included me on his spam list, and as a result I fat-fingered the keyboard and ended up running this video instead of deleting it.  I'm kind of glad that I did.

For those of you who have never heard of her, and up until today I hadn't, Lauren Southern is a red hot blonde from Canada who is also a decent journalist.  If you believe her website, she reports on the stories that commercial media refuses to cover, or that commercial media lies about.

Like Muslim violence in Australia, for instance.

Keep reading for an option on two outstanding videos and an islamophobic, misanthropic rant by yours truly.  Warning: If you're a thin skinned perpetually pissed off little snow flake, better take a pass on this one - you'll be terminally offended.

Piracy and Governmental Protection

I got this story courtesy of my Internet buddy, Old NFO, where he announced that a Texas author was getting hosed over by pirates in Canada, the Canadian government, and the U.S. Government.  You can read about it Boosting the Signal as it amuses you to do so.  Continue reading my own diatribe at your own risk, knowing that if you're a snowflake and I've somehow failed to offend you, it isn't for lack of trying.

Old NFO Spam Attack

Old NFO complains that he's the target of spammers, and that it's taking him the best part of his sober life to get rid of all the spam messages.

Check it out at %&*#%)!!!, and take a look at one spam message he failed to delete.  This one:

The nerve of some people!

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Explained

Unless you missed the bus, everyone within earshot is aware of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, moonbat extraordinaire, and her Green New Deal.  If you're bored or in need of amusement at someone else's expense, you can read about the proposed train wreck here: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Releases Green New Deal Outline.

What people with any kind of intelligence wonder is why something like this would even be proposed, as it's completely nonsensical.  Well, I'll tell you.

April Fool's Day 2019

Well, it's good old April Fool's Day again.  In a moment of alcohol induced inspiration, I decided to list a few April Fool's jokes that either took place on April first, or didn't but were good anyway.  I also decided to list one or two that equate roughly to two redneck friends with a case of beer and a .22 pistol, who decide it would be fun to shoot cans off each others' heads.

Keep reading for a few politically incorrect and potentially disastrous jokes and stories.

California Gun Law Struck Down as Unconstitutional

Ever get mail (USPS mail) that says Important!, or Time Sensitive Data Enclosed!, or maybe it's Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!, or something similar, and you fail to open it because we all know it isn't really important (to you, anyway) and is a complete waste of paper, ink, and your time?

No?  Tell me your secret.