farfromgruvin

Shameless Embedding

2011-10-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

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5x7 Folded Card

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Racing Towards the Future

2011-09-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

Nearly three months having passed since I last wrote, I return with trepidation. I skimmed over my last few blog entries to get an idea of where my head was in the last quarter. In the midst of my father's passing was where I found myself. In the time that has slipped by since then there have been a number of events that have given me pause. They deal with daily life, work, family and future.

A new union contract at my place of employment has put a new perspective on a great deal of my daily life. The changes from the previous contract are significant. Top of the list would be a nine percent pay cut coupled with a completely new health care package that involves new costs and restrictions. There was also the loss of a week of vacation and the elimination of the job I currently perform. That doesn't mean I lost my job, it means I have to bump a less senior person off their job and take that one. While this has happened numerous times in the past, the current incarnation of the procedure lends itself to a paradigm shift in my overall perception of my job and near term future.

I have an opportunity to get a class A commercial driver's license with this change. I have had a class B license for about twenty years and have had the occasion to use it on the side for part time employment to supplement my income. Obtaining a class A license that will accompany me when I retire from the company in a few short years will provide an additional opportunity for work once I actually do retire. Wait...doesn't retirement mean ceasing to work? Well, at most times and in most economies it does. However, living in the San Francisco Bay Area the cost of living is astronomically high. I have been fortunate enough to earn enough so that my wife has been able to stay home and raise our kids and be a homemaker once they were old enough to fend for themselves. Now that the kids are (mostly) out of the house, my pay has descended to levels slightly above the rate I was making twenty five years ago when I started here. That does not bode well for the future. I want to be able to retire and live comfortably on my pension and whatever income I may need to earn to supplement that.

The new health care package involves changing from a PPO with little or no restrictions on who or where we went for care as long as they were in the network to an HMO. Previously we had no co-pays for office visits or medications. Great coverage you say? Yes it was. We paid dearly to maintain our coverage. Our contractual pay raises were diverted to pay for the rising costs of our health care coverage. Our new HMO has co-pays for office visits and prescriptions. We are able to stay in a Teamster plan so we retain our retirement healthcare benefit. That is essentially the only reason I stay at my current job. Sad but true. The few years I need to reach retirement are what keeps me there.

Years ago I could say that I actually enjoyed my job. We still had the worst schedules of anyone in the valley but in the past we earned enough to make it worthwhile. We had five weeks of vacation that was well deserved. This job takes it's toll on your body and your home life. You essentially live on the opposite side of the clock from the rest of your family. The middle of my work day is the middle of their night. I'm punching out and heading home when their alarm clocks are ringing. If one makes it to retirement they most assuredly posses numerous surgical scars from repairs of rotator cuffs, knee ligaments or replacements, back surgeries. The list goes on. I earned a good wage and had good benefits so subjecting myself to the rigors of the job seemed worth it since I kept a roof over our head, food on our table and we seemed to have a decent amount of disposable income. There was also camaraderie with the other guys I worked with. We could have fun, work hard and earn a good living. Fast forward to the present day.

I recently found out that I qualify for P.G.&E.'s low income rate assistance. That was an eye opening moment. I realize the industry I work in is breathing it's last gasps of breath. I know for sure that the company I currently work for does not care one bit for the struggles of it's workers. It's their bottom line. Cut, reduce, consolidate. Whatever needs to be done so the profit margin maintains some elusive level. At the moment I'm reevaluating the basic services that we bring into our home in order to see which are necessary and which are luxuries. I find us shopping more at Dollar Tree and looking for bargains in even more earnest. Juggling bill payments between paychecks seems to be my part time job now.

I don't want this to sound like I am whining because I honestly am not. I am trying to frame my current point of view and how it affects my perception of the future. I can't hardly stand the wait until I can leave this place. I know I can get an exponentially more satisfying job than this one doing something I like to do for a company that appreciates my efforts. We are currently viewed by management as overpaid. The same way they view the contractors who actually deliver their product. They are trying to cut the rate of pay to just above the point where a contractor would want to quit because it's not worth their time and effort. Here's a thought...reward your workers for the hard work they do and make them want to work for you. I know that won't happen so I've resolved to "make it through" the last few years I have to put in. Sad commentary on twenty five years of life.

The silver lining is that once I leave here, "my future's so bright, I gotta wear shades"!

My Father's Memorial Service

2011-06-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Just feeling the need to preserve the words I tearfully spoke at my father's memorial service Tuesday June 7, 2011. I had it all together while my brother was speaking. I read these words a dozen times. I was comfortable seeing them, hearing myself say them. I was pleased with the final product. I believe I made it past thanking the more than 400 people who attended before I started the blubbering.

How can you encapsulate your father's impact on your life into a brief statement? I can only think to use words like "profound" or "immense".
To me my father was a towering figure of knowledge, strength, wisdom and energy.
When I needed insight into what my next steps should be, his knowledge pointed me in the right direction. When I needed encouragement working towards a goal, I drew from the strength I had witnessed in him. When I needed his experience his wisdom was there to guide me. If I grew weary his unfading energy inspired me.
While my father's Earthly body has been taken from us by the ravages of cancer, that disease could never diminish the lasting impression his spirit has left on each of us.
I have said to friends and family that I can't help but have a silly grin on my face. My father is healed, walking pathways more beautiful than we can comprehend and hearing the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant." You can't ask for anything better than that.

John David Evans

2011-06-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'll miss you Dad. Look for me when I get there so we can sit and have some iced tea with lemon and talk about old times.

February 19,1932 to June 3, 2011

Ticket Home

2011-04-26T16:18:00.001-07:00

That was the subject line of the email my Mom sent out after the doctor appointment for my Dad where he was told there wasn't much that could be done for him other than try to make him comfortable. His cancer has spread to his liver and a kidney. The cancer in the lymph glands kn his legs is making mobility extremely difficult. The swelling of the lymph glands affects the circulation in his legs and they are collecting fluid. They feel like telephone poles. Thick, heavy and the skin is very tight. He is very constipated from pain meds. Just another issue to pile on top of all the others. I know both he and my mom are not afraid to die. They are both confident with the promises God has made. They are however concerned at times over the manner in which they get there!

Ethan's First Amusement Park Ride

2011-04-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

This shot was from back in April at Funderland in Sacramento, Ca.

10 cent price jump....overnight

2011-03-03T05:44:00.001-08:00

Yikes!!

2011-03-02T04:10:00.001-08:00

2011-02-23T05:44:00.001-08:00

Fortunately I was filling up the company car. Oh, and it was only $3.67 a gallon for regular!

Sleepover for Ethan

2011-02-16T13:34:00.001-08:00

Picking up the grandson to spend the night. These will be few and far between once they move to Sacramento. We will take full advantage of the time we have left with them being less than fifty miles away! I only wish it wasn't a work night for me. I have to sleep all afternoon and get up when it's Ethan's bed time. Still, every moment is precious.

Mobile Blogger Post

2011-02-15T07:09:00.001-08:00

I just downloaded the official version of Blogger for Android and thought I would take it for a spin.

I'm on my luchbreak hogging the wi fi at Starbucks and pondering the increasing speed at which technology is changing the way we live our lives. That sounds like a strong statement but is certainly backed by truth.

A brief year ago I would need to be sitting at home on my computer to post to my blog. While there were ways to post by text message they were rudimentary and lacking functions. Here I am seated (albeit uncomfortable) in a Starbucks writing a blog post from my phone. Certainly not a Silicon Valley first. For me it is light years ahead of previous methods. Who knows, this may lead to posting more often than biannually. I must admit my blogging has suffered quite a bit at the hands of Facebook. The short status update was easier to do than write a tome of unkown origin or destination.

Facebook was simply a lazy way to "interact". I think I became more of a lurker than anything. I would read most friends status updates and just move on to the next. Voyeurism I suppose. Leaving a comment or a "like" would require some amount of effort with possibly a needed follow up. I guess I'm just not that interested. My own life has it's own myriad of intricacies. Why would I want to be subjected to more, let alone someone elses.

Boy does that make me sound shallow. I think there are a lot of folks who can relate to the general idea but don't nessecarily publicize it. I guess the saying is true..."give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves".

Decaf? Really?

2011-01-27T17:49:00.001-08:00

Ethan keeping his Papa's job alive by "reading" the paper.

zzzzz

2010-12-08T14:52:00.001-08:00

The new grandson born Thanksgiving Day. He's 16 days old in this image. His Mom has her hands full with this newborn and his twenty-month-old big brother.

The New Phone

2010-10-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

I recently picked up a Samsung Captivate with my AT&T U-verse rebate. It's an Android phone. I had originally kicked around the idea of getting an iPhone but I had these visions of being assimilated into the Borg. I like the Android because it's produced by numerous companies which fosters competition. People and companies trying to be/do the best at something is what drives our economic engine. I have to say that the phone is amazing. The apps are also amazing. I can be without my computer for a few days and I have nearly all the capabilities of my laptop on my phone. Not to mention the HD video recording capabilities!

For Joe

2010-10-19T23:58:00.001-07:00

2010-10-14T14:55:00.001-07:00

bathtime

Chastised!

2010-01-28T19:00:00.000-08:00

I have been beaten down and chastised for my severe lack of posting. I must admit that I have become almost blase' about my blog. I don't know if it is due to a change of direction in nearly every aspect of my life or simply growing tired of the whole scene.

In the last year my job has changed locations twice. The hours I work my shift are steadily creeping backwards. Twenty some odd years ago I started work at the liesurely hour of 3:00am. As of 2009 the start of the shift has become 11:00pm. It's only a few hours but a drastic change in lifestyle. In this same year I have also become a grandfather. This has probably been the single most life-altering change of my current nearly 'empty nest' life. You've probably heard someone say that they wish they could have been a Grandparent before being a parent. I must whole heartedly agree with that statement. Being a grandparent is such a joy.

To spread that joy, I urge you to view the most inspiring video ever made. It just so happens to star the very grandbaby that has altered my perception of life

2010-01-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

Her Car

2009-12-30T10:35:00.001-08:00

Her Car
Originally uploaded by sharkzƒan

Courtesy of my parked truck. I fine addition to my vacation activities...making phone calls to insurance companies.

She hit my truck so hard she moved it about 10 feet and up on to the curb. At least my truck fared better than her car. It's drivable. If I had to guess, I'd say her car is totalled.

Fun With Jib Jab

2009-12-16T14:17:00.000-08:00

It's been a pathetically long time since I have posted. I conceivably have lost my lone reader. I am now essentially posting for my own edification. If you just happened to stumble across this blog, my apologies for interrupting your internet.

Let the edification begin!

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Sam Adams - Not the beer

2009-11-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin."

Samuel Adams, 1776

Relevant "Quotes Of The Day"

2009-09-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

In the course of human events there are times when each of us experiences self doubt and ones thought processes come to a screeching halt. Today when attempting my latest in a long line of incredibly overdue blog posts, I was planning on penning my own opinionated tome on the current public debate on health care "reform" being proposed by Comrade Obama. Unfortunately the incessant monotonies of life crashed in on me and squashed any hope of creating an intelligently written post on the subject. In response to this failure I chose the most rational direction to proceed. That direction was to the dreaded "Quote of the Day". I must say, however that these quotes are especially relevant to the current political climate of the country.

I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like
A man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-- Winston Churchill

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But
Then I repeat myself..
-- Mark Twain

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys
To teenage boys.
-- P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short
Phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it
Stops moving, subsidize it.
-- Ronald Reagan (1986)

If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it
Costs when it's free!
-- P.J. O'Rourke

No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in
Session.
-- Mark Twain (1866)

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to
Fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)

What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
-- Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)

AND LASTLY...
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong
Enough to take everything you have.
-- Thomas Jefferson

Exclusivism That Welcomes All

2009-08-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for a readable presentation on this topic for some time. While it could be headier than most care to read, I found it easy to follow. Even the circular philisophical questions make sense. If you have any interest (or even none for that matter) in the subject it's a very interesting read.

Exclusivism that welcomes all

Why So Serious?

2009-08-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Gotta love the hair as well!

Quote Of The Day

2009-08-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.

Ronald Regan

Our Corrupt Government - Van Jones

2009-08-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

Our Corrupt Government

2009-08-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Just Because

2009-07-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

My grandson is growing so fast! I just had to post this "conversation" we had with him. He actually does a little laugh at one point!

Very Disturbing Article Indeed

2009-06-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

When the Russian newspaper Pravda runs a column that pronounces American capitalism is dead, one should stop and contemplate the course this country is taking. Pravda is the former state run newspaper of communist Russia. It was the mouthpiece of the regime.

"American Capitalism Gone With A Whimper" is the title of the opinion piece. This headline wouldn't stir any controversy if published in any right leaning conservative publication. It would be par for the course, even considered preaching to the choir. Published in Pravda makes it an entirely different animal.

Stand up, speak out. Contact your representatives. Call them out when they drop the ball or can't seem to tell the truth because they are too caught up in their own lies. Don't let them dictate the direction this country is headed as if no one cares. That may be asking too much. There is a multitude of citizens who are actually too busy watching American Idol and following the sleazy exploits of the pointless lives of Hollywood schmucks to care about the little details like freedom and liberty.

Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

2009-05-26T13:49:00.001-07:00

Obama's Supreme Court nominee...discuss amongst yourselves. Does anyone remember the firefighters whose advancement test results were thrown out because the racial minority test takers didn't score high enough? The Appelate Court judge who wrote the opinion is this nominee.

Mobile Blogging Test

2009-05-24T14:56:00.001-07:00

Testing mobile blogging from my cell phone. I could really use a qwerty keyboard.

Failure Of Socialism

2009-05-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

From The New York Times - November 13, 1857
Click "View Full Article" under the first paragraph.

Even going back 150 years it was obvious that Socialism is a failed political system. Coming from a commentary in The New York Times makes it all the more poignant.

The sheeple were swindled in this last election cycle. The President ran his campaign as a "hopey changey" moderate. He portrayed his far left agenda as change. He used languge to prod the electorate into voting against George Bush but not particularly for him. Well, he won and now we have our cake and we are being forced to eat it too. The Hopey Changey" Administration now owns most of the financial industry, the auto industry and is making a hard charge for the healthcare industry.

In his first 100 days in office, Obama has spent more than the Dubya Administration did in eight years. Where is the outrage? Obama increased the size and scope of our military commitment in Afghanistan. Where is the outrage? I could go on but I won't because my blood pressure is rising.

Most of the folks I correspond with probably disagree with my politics. Maybe I should stick to trains and photography. Discussing politics and religion is always dangerous territory. I have some wonderful friends who vehemently disagree with me about politics. That's healthy. We are still friends yet political adversaries. Our votes and voices are our weapons agaist the "enemy".

Our Out Of Control Government

2009-05-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Just perusing the recently retracted Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis Domestic Extremism Lexicon "Reference Aid". It apparently classifies a large portion of the population as extremists. It's overarching broad descriptions of "extremist" groups opens up a myriad of possibilities for agencies to target individuals for their perceived extremist views. As an example, I fully support 2nd Amendment rights. If I actively pursue forms of support for repealing gun laws or protesting new legislation I may be targeted as a militia member according to the lexicon description. Read through some of these to see which extremist group YOU may be a "member" of according to the DHS.

The bracketed (U) stands for unclassified and (U//FOUO) stands for unclassified, for official use only. The post title is a link to the document.

(U) alternative media

(U//FOUO) A term used to describe various information
sources that provide a forum for interpretations of events and
issues that differ radically from those presented in mass
media products and outlets.

Apparently media other than "mainstream" is subversive and dangerous. The truth is not important, the source is. The DHS is of the opinion that as long as the sheeple continue to watch the alphabet soup networks (abc, nbc, cbs, etc.) they will be fully propagandized.

(U) hate groups

(U//FOUO)A term most often used to describe white
supremacist groups. It is occasionally used to describe other
racist extremist groups.

Racism of any form is antithetical to everything I believe. God created us in his image and we are all his children (there's a radical notion we should fear!) However, it is troubling that DHS describes "hate groups" mainly as white supremacists. Is not Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam a hate group? La Raza? The lexicon descriptions of the various minority extremist groups do not describe them as racist even though their actions are. If you are a minority is it not possible to be racist as well?

(U) patriot movement

(U//FOUO) A term used by rightwing extremists to link their
beliefs to those commonly associated with the American
Revolution. The patriot movement primarily comprises
violent antigovernment groups such as militias and sovereign
citizens.
(also: Christian patriots, patriot group, Constitutionalists,
Constitutionist)

O.K., this is really confusing. The term "patriot" is now being given a negative connotation. Can someone be antigovernment without being violent? Of course. Lets also throw in "Christian" as well. Saying that the movement "primarily" comprises violent antigovernment groups does not specify that if you are NOT violent you are not an extremist because you believe the government to be too big and too powerful. While revolutions can be violent such as the American Revolution, a revolution in general terms can mean many things other than violence. Associating the American Revolution with an extremist group is an subversive way of targeting those who would want more of the freedoms our Founding Fathers intended and less government intrusion. There is a quote that goes something like, 'When people fear their government, that is tyrrany. When government fears the people, that is liberty.'

(U) rightwing extremism

(U//FOUO) A movement of rightwing groups or individuals
who can be broadly divided into those who are primarily
hate-oriented, and those who are mainly antigovernment and
reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.
This term also may refer to rightwing extremist movements
that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to
abortion or immigration.
(also known as far right, extreme right)

Just having the term "broadly divided" in the above description should scare everyone. Somehow rejecting federal authority for state and local authority is a bad thing? Can anyone provide me with an example of some statute, program, code or law that can be equally applied and relevant to all fifty sates? Under this definition of rightwing extremism, the Founders are just that. They believed in a weak centralized government and strong state governments.

(U) tax resistance movement

(U//FOUO) Groups or individuals who vehemently believe
taxes violate their constitutional rights. Among their beliefs
are that wages are not income, that paying income taxes is
voluntary, and that the 16th Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution, which allowed Congress to levy taxes on
income, was not properly ratified. Members have been
known to advocate or engage in criminal activity and plot acts
of violence and terrorism in an attempt to advance their
extremist goals. They often target government entities such
as the Internal Revenue Service and the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
(also: tax protest movement, tax freedom movement, antitax
movement)

My head is going to explode. I am an extremist because I think the government takes far too much money from me to give to people, places, causes and events that I do not wish to support. They believe that my hard earned dollars are theirs to use in whatever way they see fit. A good example is sending hundreds of millions of dollars to "community groups" such as ACORN that perpetrate voter fraud. Their mention of the 16th Amendment in the context of "it's in the Constitution" gives the impression that anyone who opposes is a radical. The 16th Amendment which was ratified to fund the Civil War snowballed over the next century into our current confiscatory tax system. What's not to like about that? Raise your hand if you support higher taxes and more debt. Anyone?

(U) skinheads

(U//FOUO) A subculture composed primarily of
working-class, white youth who embrace shaved heads for
males, substance abuse, and violence. Skinheads can be
categorized as racist, anti-racist or “traditional,” which
emphasizes group unity based on fashion, music, and lifestyle
rather than political ideology. Dress often includes a shaved
head or very short hair, jeans, thin suspenders, combat boots
or Doc Martens, and a bomber jacket.

Here the problem is a radical group being identified by it's fashion and music among other things. Um, I actually own a pair of Doc Marten shoes. Not boots, but shoes. I also have a pair or two of jeans. I guess I've slipped into the dark realm of the skinheads.

The entirety of this report should be troubling to all of us as Americans. That your political or personal views can be deemed extremist by the government and could possibly put you on some terrorist watch list should frighten everyone. This lexicon broadly describes so many belief systems that nearly everyone in America could find some portion of one of these groups that they would be in agreement with.

Dianne Feinstein Benefits From The Foreclosure Crisis

2009-04-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

Not surprisingly my California Senator who "represents" me is benefitting from the current mortgage foreclosure debacle. Her husband, Richard Blum is Chairman of the Board of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), a large commercial real estate firm. CBRE won the government contract to sell foreclosed properties that the FDIC had inherited. Feinstein sent a letter to the FDIC offering to help them secure funding to help stem the rise in home foreclosures just days before the FDIC determined that CBRE would be awarded the contract.

Around the same time as the contract award, Blum's private investment firm reported to the SEC that it and it's affiliates had purchased ten million new shares in CBRE. The shares were purchased at the going price of $3.77. Shares closed Monday at $5.14. Gosh, what great coincidental timing for that purchase. That makes a profit of nearly fourteen million dollars!

They're all a bunch of crooks in D.C. They need to be thrown out on their butts! Both sides of the aisle.

Click the post title for the full story at the Washington Times

Can You Tell I'm Bored?

2009-04-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

Two video posts in one day. Not healthy! I've been trying to "come down" after the birth of my Grandson. Today has really been low key.

Just For Fun

2009-04-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Just a video I found quite interesting from "Francis and the Lights". Makes me think of a hybrid of David Byrne (Talking Heads) and Kramer from Seinfeld.

The Top (Music Video) from Francis and the Lights on Vimeo.

2009-04-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Ethan Lucas Evans-Ratzman. Born April 7, 2009 at 10:28pm. Six pounds, one ounce, nineteen and three quarter inches long. Mom and baby are healthy and happy, just a bit tired! This picture was taken when he was just a few minutes old.

Obama Administration Pushing "Net Neutrality"

2009-04-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

They just ca't keep their regulatory paws off of free enterprise and the free market, can they? Here's a short article on how the fine print in the socialist porkulus bill that no one was allowed to read before it was voted on is bit by bit killing freedoms in this country.

The New Fifty Dollar Bill

2009-03-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the new fifty dollar bill that the Treasury is producing??

4.4 Earthquake 3/30/09

2009-03-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

We had an earthquake this morning at 10:40am. It's epicenter was about five miles southeast of where I live. At first I thought it was the wind rattling the windows since it's blowing pretty good today. When it kept rattling and I started feeling it sitting at the kitchen table I knew it wasn't the wind! It seemed to last for about 5seconds. While that doesn't seem like a long time, try counting to five (using the Mississippi counting style) and consider that during that period of time your entire house is shaking and rattling. That is a virtual eternity.

Fortunately 4.4 is a mild quake. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake was a 6.9 on the Richter Scale and lasted for fifteen seconds. Each incremental increase in the size of the quake is ten times stronger. For example a 4.0 quake is ten times stronger than a 3.0 quake. The jump from today's 4.4 quake to the 6.9 Loma Prieta quake is an increase in magnitude of about twenty five times in strength. Gotta love living in California!

A Fun Couple of Minutes

2009-03-30T08:51:00.001-07:00

Here's a short video from the band Hawk Nelson. It's not a music video it's just the guys having fun on the road in Sacramento. They are a Christian Pop-Punk band. I needed to post some fluff so my head doesn't explode from the government takeover of private industry and our continual march towrds socialism.

Simon Jester

2009-03-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

I think I've found a group of folks who are sympathetic to my viewpoints. Check it out. You might be surprised to find that you are Simon Jester, too.

Sick Of Hypocrite Bastards In Government

2009-03-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

All of this AIG bashing and hemming and hawing about the bonuses the company is paying it's executives is about to send me over the brink. Does anyone realize that these same lying, hypocritical, slimebag politicians who are crying their crocodile tears over the bonuses that AIG executives are receiving are the ones who wrote the legislation that specifically gave the company the legal right to give the execs their contractual bonuses when they would be receiving bailout money!

Read this if you don't believe what I am telling you

Bastards!!

Just Because....

2009-03-04T09:33:00.001-08:00

Must See TV!

2009-03-02T23:17:00.000-08:00

OMG! This is incredibly awesome! I poached it off of Joan Of Argghh!'s blog

I'm getting so sick and tired of sheeple all around me waiting for their share of the bailout. I keep telling them that they are PAYING for the bailout but they just don't get it. They continue grazing in an oblivious field of grass. I feel like I'm the Lone Ranger. I realize I am surrounded in a bastion of liberalism on the left coast of the continent but at some point SOMONE has to see the insanity happening around them!

Hats off to the folks in the video as they throw their hard earned dollars at Chuckie Schumer. He's the one who says the "American people don't care" about a little pork. You bastard! You work for us yet you spit in our faces as you laugh with contempt at us "regular" folk.

Mr. Schumer will surely reap what he sows in the afterlife.

Currently Applicable Jeffersonian Quotes - and a Mark Twain thrown in for good measure

2009-03-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe,
we shall become as corrupt as Europe."

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those
who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes.
A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the
government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

Unfortunately the following quote is a truism about the industry in which I work.

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed."
-Mark Twain

A Vintage Editorial Still Pertinent Today

2009-03-02T09:06:00.001-08:00

This editorial by Charlie Reese in the Orlando Sentinal was published about a year ago. It certainly is a timeless topic since things never change in D.C.

545 PEOPLE
By Charley Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash.

The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party.

She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red .

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charley Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

Who Sounded The Warning And Who Buried Their Heads?

2009-03-01T17:44:00.000-08:00

Insanity Abounds

2009-02-28T08:48:00.000-08:00

I never really understood the PETA folks and their desire to place animals above humans in the food chain. I can agree with the most basic tenet of their organization, the "Ethical Treatment" of animals. However, I have never been blind to their more radical agenda. After reading portions of Ingrid Newkirk's will (courtesy wnd.com), I realize this woman is literally insane. She wants "meat" from her body to literally be used for a barbecue!

Her funding of eco-terrorist Rod Conrado and many other whack jobs runs under the public radar. Many people think they are joining an organization that just seeks to "protect" animals without knowing what they are actually funding. It is not difficult at all to do a little research to find out the truly sinister activities of this organization.

Additional reading:
Eminent Domain blog

How The Obama Tax Structure Works

2009-02-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

A analogy courtesy of Stewie and Brian -

Since Dunce Hats Are Outdated

2009-02-25T10:43:00.000-08:00

I figured we could keep one of these handy for the person who isn't pulling their weight at work. They could wear it all day and the rest of us would be justified in calling them a $#@&head.

San Francisco Chronicle In Trouble

2009-02-25T05:54:00.000-08:00

Nothing new here. They have been bleeding red ink for years but when there is an Associated Press story that reads "San Francisco Chronicle May Close" you know things are near the bottom of the toilet tank for them. There is a remote possibility that the company that owns the San Jose Mercury News could be a potential buyer. The only way that could happen would be if no buyers stepped forward to purchase the paper and the alternative option of shutting down was the only other choice. Then MediaNews could step in and buy the ailing paper in order to keep the presses running. Maybe even pick it up at a firesale price.

MediaNews, the parent company of the San Jose Mercury news, borrowed $300 million dollars from the Hearst Corporation, which owns the Chronicle, to purchase the bay area newspapers that were put up for sale after the McClatchy company bought them from Kight Ridder. Follow that trail of bread crumbs!

I guess whatever the outcome may be could only bode well for the San Jose Mercury News. If the Chronicle shuts down that would be a tremendous opportunity to "poach" a subscriber base that no longer had a hometown newspaper. If they have a huge company restructuring with cutbacks/layoffs and downsizing it could affect the overall stability of their subscriber base and there could be some customer migration to the Mercury News.

Either way it will be interesting to watch and see the effects on the industry as a whole.

Federal obligations exceed world GDP

2009-02-14T19:03:00.000-08:00

Hey! Thanks for the "hopey changey" thing there! We have definitely "changed" the country forever. I don't say that in a good way. Click the post title to read the article. The US federal deficit exceeds the GDP (gross domestic product) of the entire world! Anyone feel a bit nervous about their future yet? Take a look at the citizens guide to the 2008 Financial Report of the United States Government. It's surely a depressing read so take your meds first!

We might hope to see the finances of the union as clear and intelligible as a merchant's books so that every member of Congress and every man of any mind in the union should be able to comprehend them, to investigate abuses and consequently to control them.

President Thomas Jefferson to Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin - 1802

Sharing Some Wisdom

2009-02-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

Today I'll not berate the sparse few who have meandered over to this diminutive corner of the series of tubes called the internets. I will take it upon myself to impart some wisdom. Unfortunately that wisdom is gleened from the minds of others. I know I have some but I think I misplaced it somewhere. A mind, that is.

I'll start with the quote below that is specifically intended to describe the current political atmosphere here in Amerika.

Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.

C. S. Lewis

For my buddy, Joe

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.

C. S. Lewis

and...

"Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning..."

--from "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis

Joe and I can probably agree on this one as well. Only we come from different perspectives.

"Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst."

--Reflections on the Psalms, C.S. Lewis

Assisting The Obama Administration With Their Promise Of "Transparency"

2009-02-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

I purposefully put the word transparency in quotations. The Obama administration has been in office for less than a month and the campaign "promise" of transparency has been all but ignored. In order to help the administration live up to the transparency promise I will, at my leisure, begin posting the details from the all important "emergency" stimulus (read: pork) bill. Let me cut the banter and get right to the crux of the matter.

Warning: individuals being treated for high blood pressure or other coronary disorders are advised against proceeding beyond this point. The author takes no responsibility for any adverse reactions to the information contained within.

The text excerpted below can be acessed at this link. Keep in mind that the stimulus bill is intended to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Pay close attention to where the money is going. You'll notice that a large percentage of the money allocated is for the government to spend money on itself. These sections will be highlighted for your easy reading pleasure! I will provide you with an equivalent for the proposed funding amount. The Obama administration has been generous enough to provide you a $400 "tax rebate" that will be spread out over the course of one year. $800 for couples. Over the year an individual will realize a whopping $7.69 per week reduction in their income tax witholding. Couples will be swimming in their extra cash as they will notice a net reduction of $15.38 per week in taxes. Where will you spend all that extra money you ask? Well, you won't have any to spend if you live in California! "Why is that?", you say. The below list has the proposed reasons why that is -

1. A 5% surcharge on what the tax filer owes (great! a tax on taxes!). Incrediby, they are trying to put a positive spin on this by saying, "The state income tax is deductible on the federal tax return". Whoppee!!

2. Increase the annual fee on the value of vehicles from 0.65% to 1.15%. Translation - if your car is worth $15,000, your annual DMV renewal tax would increase from $97.50 to $172.50. Oh, but wait, it's deductable from your federal tax return. How simple is that!

3. Increase the state sales tax by one cent on the dollar. That increases the state sales tax rate to nine cents.

4. Increase the per-gallon gasoline excise tax by 12 cents!.

5. Reduce the dependent income tax credit by two thirds from $309 to $103.

California is not the issue, it's just my pain (maybe yours as well). The issue is the federal "porkulus" bill. Without further ado, please indulge yourself in this disgusting, fraudulent, wasteful bill.

TITLE I-AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION,
AND RELATED AGENCIES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES AND RENTAL PAYMENTS

For an additional amount for "Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments", $24,000,000, for necessary construction, repair, and improvement activities.

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
For an additional amount for "Office of Inspector General", $22,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013, for oversight and audit of programs, grants, and activities funded by this Act and administered by the Department of Agriculture.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For an additional amount for "Buildings and Facilities", $176,000,000, for work on deferred maintenance at Agricultural Research Service facilities: Provided, That
priority in the use of such funds shall be given to critical deferred maintenance, to projects that can be completed, and to activities that can commence promptly following enactment of this Act.

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
For an additional amount for the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.c. 1751 et. seq.), except section 21, and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et. seq.), except sections 17 and 21, $100,000,000, to carry out a grant program for National School Lunch Program equipment assistance: Provided, That such funds shall be provided to States administering a school lunch program in a manner proportional with each States' administrative expense allocation: Providedfurther, That the States shall provide competitive grants to school food authorities based upon the need for equipment assistance in participating schools with priority given to school in which not less than 50 percent ofthe students are eligible for free or
reduced price meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.

Free school lunches create jobs and stimulate the economy?

GENERAL PROVISIONS-THIS TITLE
SEC. 101. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN BENEFITS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM. (a) :MAXIMUM BENEFIT INCREASE.-
(1) IN GENERAL.-Beginning the first month that begins not less than 25 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the value of benefits determined under section 8(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and consolidated block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa determined under section 19(a) of such Act shall be calculated using 113.6 percent of the June 2008 value of the thrifty food plan as specified under section 3(0) of such Act.

Whu-what?

I really have to stop before I hurl on my laptop. This is a conglomeration of liberal pet projects probably collected over the last 10 to 15 years. More than likely none were ever able to get out of committee. Now we have this fiscal "emergency" and we must act "urgently" to pass this bill. Translation: pass it before anyone figures out what's in it!

My Brain Itches!!

2009-02-12T01:41:00.000-08:00

If you can figure this out, let me in on it! I was tricked into visiting this blackhole of a time consuming, brain draining, blood pressure raising puzzle of a site by Vulgar Wizard.

Again I ask, "What Happened To My Country?"

2009-02-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

This is incredible that the parents in this article are being interrogated for sincerity in regards to their religious beliefs. The topper is that it was instigated by a school district! These people earn their living taking OUR hard earned MONEY!!

Bastards!

Some Tidbits From The Porkulus Bill

2009-02-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

The post title is a link to the text of the Porkulus Bill. I'll include some wonderful snippets here for your enjoyment. If you are taking blood pressure or heart medication, have your pills close at hand.

"special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (wic)
For an additional amount for the special supplemental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), $100,000,000, for the purposes specified in section 17(h)(10)(B)(ii) for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance to State agencies to implement new management information systems or improve existing management information systems for the program." - One Hundred Million Dollars! That equals twenty million Little Caesar's $5 pizza's. That's just for information management!

"periodic censuses and programs
For an additional amount for ‘Periodic Censuses and Programs’, $1,000,000,000: Provided, That section 1106 of this Act shall not apply to funds provided under this heading." - One Billion Dollars! That's equal to one million consumers buying a one thousand dollar flat screen TV. But the Census Bureau and programs create jobs!...? Well, technically yes, once every ten years!

"National Telecommunications and Information Administration
salaries and expenses
For an additional amount for ‘Salaries and Expenses’, $350,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2011: Provided, That funds shall be available to establish the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, as authorized by Public Law 110-385, for the development and implementation of statewide initiatives to identify and track the availability and adoption of broadband services within each State, and to develop and maintain a nationwide broadband inventory map, as authorized by section 6001 of division B of this Act." - This one speaks for itself. I shouldn't have to explain anything here for it to piss you off.

"National Institute of Standards and Technology
scientific and technical research and services
For an additional amount for ‘Scientific and Technical Research and Services’, $100,000,000." - Can we be any more vague than that?

"industrial technology services
For an additional amount for ‘Industrial Technology Services’, $100,000,000, of which $70,000,000 shall be available for the necessary expenses of the Technology Innovation Program and $30,000,000 shall be available for the necessary expenses of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership." - How is this not pork when specific recipients are named? Why is it we are funding every agencies "necessary expenses"?

"$6,200,000,000 shall be for the Weatherization Assistance Program under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.)." - Yes, that's six billion two hundred million dollars to give away to folks to weatherize their homes. Number of jobs created? (enter amount here____). That amount is about equal to one billion thirty three million McDonald's value meals or forty nine million six hundred thousand trips to the grocery store to spend $125 dollars.

"National Park Service
construction

(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for ‘Construction’, $1,700,000,000, for projects to address critical deferred maintenance needs within the National Park System, including roads, bridges and trails, and for other critical infrastructure projects: Provided, That funds may be transferred to ‘Operation of the National Park System’: Provided further, That $200,000,000 of these funds shall be for projects related to the preservation and repair of historical and cultural resources within the National Park System: Provided further, That $15,000,000 of these funds shall be transferred to the ‘Historic Preservation Fund’ for historic preservation projects at historically black colleges and universities as authorized by the Historic Preservation Fund Act of 1996 and the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Act of 1996, except that any matching requirements otherwise required for such projects are waived: Provided further, That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section 1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the percentage specified in such section" - What the heck? You tell me! One billion seven hundred million dollars! That would buy 425 million gallons of milk or 850 million loaves of bread or how about 68,000 Chevy Malibu Hybrids? At least they got really specific when describing the spending on "other critical infrastructure projects". That makes me feel much better. I also like how all of these articles allow for the transfer of funds to the "Operations of...". Dump it into their general funds and do whatever you want with it would be a more specific description. Porkulus, Porkulus, Porkulus!!

If you look at each article of the bill in the Department of the Interior section, for example, you will see that each expenditure is for "critical deferred maintenaince" projects. Isn't that an oxymoron? If it's critical it would not have been deferred. What were their budget expenditures that were more critical than critical?

I really have to quit digging into this because I am becoming more disillusioned and pissed off by the minute. These crooks are stealing your money and my money to give to their lobbyist buddies and anyone with their hand outstretched waiting for a "free" dollar.

Bastards!

You Hard Earned Tax Dollars Promoting Discrimination

2009-02-07T09:31:00.001-08:00

The soon-to-be-passed Congressional "Porkulus" Bill is an economic nightmare waiting to happen. Not only for the tiny clause that is cited in this article, but for it's entire socialist agenda. Have any of you paid attention to where the Bastards are planning on spending YOUR money? Maybe I can help you see what they are trying to do by ramming this through because it's so urgent.

$600 million dollars for more energy efficient government vehicles! - If you assume that the average car they are purchasing is around $25,000 dollars, that is a purchase of 24,000 cars. Government spending money on itself does not stimulate the economy.

It prohibits the use of funds for..."a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron and steel used in the project is domestic, except in certain circumstances." - Well that should ensure that we get the biggest bang for the buck!

"Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invest in the infrastructure necessary to allow for and promote the electronic exchange and use of health information for each individual in the United States, consistent with the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan developed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology." - Nope, not Big Brother. Really! All your information will be secure and encrypted so there is no way for there to be a security breach. I promise!

Requires the application of certain federal labor standards to projects financed with clean renewable energy and conservation bonds, zone academy bonds, school construction bonds, and recovery zone economic development bonds." - read: special favor to lobbyists.

"Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act or the HITECH Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Sets forth provisions governing the development and adoption of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure that allows for the electronic use and exchange of information. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to establish incentive payments for certain eligible physicians and hospitals that adopt and use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology meaningfully, beginning in FY2011." - Ok, so 2011 is two years away. This will help the economy right now, HOW? It creates a massive new bueracracy that will never go away! Oh, that must be how. New government agencies employing new government workers using your hard earned money. Bastards!

These are just a few snippets from the nearly 700 pages of pork they are trying to sell to us. This is a crock and the Bastards know it. It's all of their pet projects rolled into a "porkulus" bill spurred by an "emergency" with an urgent request for action from the president. Did anyone happen to mention that this bill would increase your taxes by nearly $3,400 on average. Hmm, I guess we forgot to mention that.

I would urge everyone to at least skim through this monstrosity and see what the Bastards have been hard at work doing. They certainly have some stones. Unfortunately they believe we are all very stupid people. Well, we ARE stupid people for not voting them all out of office!

Bastards!

Hockey AND Politics!

2009-02-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

What more could you possibly ask for??

Well, well, well.....

2009-01-31T15:10:00.000-08:00

Hillary Clinton ineligible for the position of Secretary of State?

I'm sure the trial lawyers will get in on this one!

Bastards!

Relevant Quote

2009-01-31T14:54:00.000-08:00

In today's climate of Kool-Aide chugging Obamamania mainstream media groupies drinking from the deadly socialist fountain of "youth", this quote from Ronald Reagan is all too pertinent.

"The government's view of the economy can be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

--President Ronald Reagan, 1986

The supposed "stimulus" bill (read: pork scam) is going to prolong the economic woes of this country far longer than a few corporate failings would have. I would like to apologize right now to my grandchildren and their children for the actions of the criminals in Washington D.C. and their whores in the private sector willing bleed me dry of my hard earned money. I think my tag line for all my upcoming posts will be simply - "Bastards!"

What Has This Country Become?

2009-01-29T16:36:00.000-08:00

I don't know who we are anymore. The corrupt band of criminals in Washington D.C. have co-opted my children's children's future. These bastards spending money on their whore's like there's no tomorrow. Sorry for the language but that's how I equivocate this fiscal travesty that's happening. Feel free to see where some of YOUR hard earned income is going. Here I am working and trying to get by at my trivial "job" while these bastards are giving criminals BILLIONS of dollars so their companies won't fail. Somehow they are too big or too important to fail. Excuse me...if you are crooked and run your company into the ground, it should fail!! After it fails YOU should go to jail and get a maximum sentence in the general population. Then you can become Bubba's bitch and see how it feels to be a regular Joe. You can get it just the way the rest of us are getting it. Scum bags. I understand that this is not the "me" that you are used to reading. It IS the me that is incredibly pissed off!

I learned today that all the employees of our company are required to take one week off without pay before the end of March. Hello? Washington? Where's our bailout? I know that a week without pay is better than no job at all. However, why don't they give me my tax money back instead of spending "$150,000,000 to provide emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish to aid in the reduction of losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary".

Corrupt Bastards - Every one of them!!! You people need to wake up! You get what you vote for. If you voted for one single incumbent, I can only hope that you are looking back at your voting propensity with great dismay. The Founding Fathers are churning in their graves.

I'm signing off to go have a siezure in the quiet comfort of my padded room.

Cool Morning Sunrise

2009-01-21T19:57:00.001-08:00

Westbound Amtrak Capitol Corridor #523
Originally uploaded by sharkzƒan

Just wanted to share a sunrise with folks because I have really been neglectful of my blog as of late. We have a grandson on the way so we've been pretty busy with baby shower preparations and just general grandparent stuff. That sounds really wierd to be speaking of myself as a grandparent! Ack!

Maple Bacon Doughnut

2009-01-18T08:50:00.001-08:00

Maple Bacon dounut
Originally uploaded by ibison4

I know it sounds bizarre, but I think this would really taste good! You can get maple bacon or a donut so why not maple bacon on a donut? Homer Simpson should know about these treats!

Still Alive

2009-01-17T11:02:00.001-08:00

It's been a ridiculously long time since I've posted anything at all and I suppose there are rumors of my untimely demise. So I'm figuring something is better than nothing! So here's something I found amusing and entertaining as well as unique.

Anticipation Is The Key

2008-12-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

I have come to the realization that Christmas dinner in and of itself is enjoyable, but it's the preparation and anticipation of it that brings me the most pleasure.

This year we spent the GNP of a small third world country on a succulent cut of beef loin (filet mignon). Five and one half succulent pounds. It was daunting to say the least. I would be responsible for creating a masterpiece of culinary delight. I have cooked many a tasty steak on the barbie. I've flipped a darn good burger over an open flame, but never have I baked a loin in the oven. Certainly not five and one half pounds of anything!

I sifted through a plethora of recipes in countless cookbooks and Food Network links. I followed links of links to sites like Cooking Light , Allrecipes.com and Epicurious.com. I came to the conclusion that all recipes for cooking a beef loin have at least two ingredients in common;

1. Olive Oil
2. Spices

After you get past that epiphany, it's all downhill from there.

The only information I needed after my conversion on the road to Damascus was cooking times and temperatures. That was easy enough to find. All told I must have wasted two days fretting over "the recipe". They all had variations of the same ingredients. Some had butter, others had mustard, one had teriyaki. You get the picture. Pick your herbs and spices, load 'em on top and throw it in the fridge overnight. Iron Chef here I come! My choice of seasoning was a prepacked grilling/roasting "bouquet". It contained fresh sprigs of Thyme, Sage and Rosemary. Seemingly cliche, these herbs are truly a miraculous combination. Chop several cloves of garlic, which you can never have too much of, some salt and pepper and olive oil and you're off to the races.

Mrs. Farfromgruvin was intimidated with my choice of meat. Neither she nor I had ever attempted anything so brash, so outlandish a Christmas dinner. The usual ham or turkey was tossed out the window (figuratively of course). This pathway into the abyss was enough to have her hand the reigns of meat control over to me. She did not want to take the fall for a possible leathery, skunkweed smothered, disaster. Feeling rather emboldened I accepted the coronation, grabbed my sceptre and dove headlong into the task.

Our house was built in 1963. I believe only circus midgets and Amazonian pygmies dwelled in the United States at that time. The fabulous design and architecture of our kitchen allows nearly two people to be in the kitchen at the same time. Heaven knows there's only supposed to be one pregnant woman in there, in a pair of slippers if she's lucky. The close proximity of the confined quarters makes choreographing meal preparation a necessity. It goes something like this; I'll be doing task "A" on countertop "B" while Mrs. F uses countertop "D" to perform task "C". She will move stovetop item 1A to the sink for draining while I switch fresh chopped bowl of items 3D to pot on burner 4G. This frees up burner 5F for the incoming pan of sauteed items 6A and 7B. Once burners 4G and and 5F are vacant, tray 2C from the oven can occupy, temporarily of course, those burners during the turning and basting. Alerting one another to our next movements, we flawlessly (hmm) perform our ballet-like meal preparation throughout the day.

Christmas music played in the living room. The smooth and silky voices of Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and other classic crooners hung in the air. The dog and cat lay patiently near the kitchen waiting for stray morsels to tumble onto the floor. The aroma from the stove and the oven infused the entire house. Fresh coffee, hot apple cider, herbs, scented candles. It was all so idyllic. We anticipated the arrival of family as we cooked. We talked, we laughed, we lived.

Dinner was grand. The meat turned out wonderful. The company was special.

Just as I anticipated

Christmas In The Nest

2008-12-22T18:37:00.000-08:00

The empty nest, that is.

While it is my favorite time of the year for friends and family, meals and drinks and gatherings, this year is very different than all the rest. This year I do not work Christmas morning. Only the fourth time in twenty one years that has happened.

This year I won't worry about rushing home from work as soon as I can after punching the clock. I will not quietly open the front door or step lightly down the hall avoiding the dog sleeping by the bedroom doors. This year there will be no delighted little ones scurrying to the fireplace to dive in to the goodies in their stockings. Actually those "little ones" haven't been around for years, but it's a pleasant thought anyway. This year I can sleep in if I want to, which I don't. This year it will be just me and Mrs. Farfromgruvin.

The morning will be quiet. We'll have the Christmas music on. The fresh, piping hot pot of coffee will be brewing in the kitchen spilling it's fragrant aroma throughout the house. Maybe there will be cinnamon rolls in the oven or eggs on the stove. Slices of cranberry orange bread on the table with a selection of jams and jellies. The tree with it's warm glow in the early daylight will complete the scene. Everything will be perfect. Perfect except for the absence of our kids.

Both son and daughter are out on their own now. Both starting new lives as independent adults. Doing the daily adult routines, working, paying bills, cooking meals (maybe not that one!). No matter the age they will always be "the kids".

It's been a sobering month. The realization that "the kids" will never again jump out of bed and scramble into the living room to see what Santa brought them has dampened spirits in the household. Not soaked, only dampened. There are still nice plans for Christmas dinner with my folks. My brother-in-law and his girls are coming as well. My son should be there for a short stay. He says he has plans with friends and can't stay too long. My daughter will be in Los Angeles with her fiance's family. In the end, it will still be a wonderful and memorable Christmas. They always are.

Reminiscing

2008-12-21T14:56:00.000-08:00

In 1978 my family took a trip to New Jersey to visit relatives. My father's side of the family was spread around the state. I believe we were there because my grandmother was going to have surgery on her optic nerve. She was very active with friends and traveled all over the world. Most of her travel was by rail and the majority of it back in the 1930's through the 1960's. The heyday of rail travel. It was extravagant and lavish. Service was the centerpiece of the experience. She knew I had a fascination with trains from a young age and gave me a number of documents and souvenir's from her travels. At the time I wasn't overly enthusiastic. I was a fourteen year old kid that just got a bunch of "old stuff" from his grandmother. Granted it was old train "stuff", but it just didn't have the pizazz that a fourteen year old boy is looking for. I do recall enjoying the look of the publications and the musty old smell of the pages. I really had no clue as to what they would eventually mean to me in the future.

A few months back while looking for something buried deep within the black hole that is most peoples garages (unless you are one of the sicko's that parks a car in there!!), I came across an expandable folder with an elastic closure. I recall having had a few of these style envelopes with keepsake type items inside. They were being discarded at my fathers office and I felt they had a few more miles in them before they were relegated to the trash heap. I knew one folder contained all of my Naval discharge paperwork. Assuming this was that envelope, I casually opened it just to confirm before it placed it back into it's makeshift tomb. The first thing that caught my eye was a large 9x12 envelope. It wasn't the envelope itself that caught my eye, but what was printed on the outside. A blue Nickel Plate Road logo! I knew I was in for a treat. Some 30 years ago, my grandmother gave me some memerobilia and souvenir's that were now in the envelope I held in my shaking hands. I recalled the mild disinterest when she gave them to me thirty years ago. I also remember thinking I would someday come to appreciate their meaning. "I suppose that someday is here", I thought. I had a slight sensation of giddyness. That Christmas morning as a child feeling. I was grateful that my grandmother was able to see the interest within me for railroads, to part with souvenir's of magnificent trips and memories of a lifetime. I slid the envelope out of the folder and saw this.

Some vivid memories came rushing back. I recall looking through this very envelope at the pictures from her trip to Promontory, Utah in May of 1969 for the centennial anniversary of the Golden Spike Ceremony. That celebrated the completion of the transcontinental railroad. There was a recreation of an original poster on the wall of that room with "old west" style fonts announcing the "Great Event".

"Through to San Francisco in less than four days, avoiding the dangers of the sea!"

The room had a reddish wallpaper with some sort of design, probably paisley. There were toys from her childrens youth and some from her parents. An old wicker baby carriage, handmade dolls and clothes. The poster was placed in a way that it was a centerpiece for the wall.

"Pullman's Palace Sleeping Cars run with all through passenger trains."

Opening the envelope I gingerly removed the contents. Just beneath the envelope there was a dated publication. It was a Burlington Escorted Tours summer 1935 tour book. It described 20 tours ranging from seven to twenty five days in length.

Inside the cover of the tour book was a pocket itinerary

On the front page is the name of the Burlington escort, T.W. Coover. The itinerary was for tour "P". I didn't put two and two together at first. Later I realized the tours in the tour book were given letters. The pocket itinerary matched that of tour "P" in the larger book. The itinerary description...

What I found amazing, this twenty day trip had a maximum price of $321. Folded up further inside the tour book was a passenger manifest as well as a Southern Pacific passenger ticket for August 29th.

I looked on Google calendar to see what day of the week August 29, 1935 was. It was a Thursday. Looking at the pocket itinerary, they would have arrived in in San Francisco by ferry from Oakland that day. It's possible she took the Southern Pacific commute train that went down the peninsula to some location for the evening. Her ticket was punched for one zone only meaning she didn't travel very far. CalTrain currently uses the same type of zone ticketing. Your fare is determined by the number of zones you will be traveling through.

Digging deeper into the stack of discovery, I found a Pullman brochure from the 1939 World's Fair in New York. This page showing the average fare for a three hundred mile overnight trip.

I wish I could post each page of every item I looked through. They brought back wonderful memories of my grandmother and enjoying the same pages as a child. Unfortunately there is not enough time in the day to blog about all of life's simple pleasures. More fond memories of relatives and childhood will have to wit until another day.

You can see all of the scanned items on my Flickr page!

Remiss In My Duties

2008-12-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

It's been 10 days since I posted. I've been on vacation so I guess I really have no valid excuse. I will say that I have the Christmas tree finally completed. Now it's a battle to keep the cat from destroying it.

I haven't been completely devoid of doing anything meaningful. Sunday 12/7 Mrs. Farfromgruvin and I went down to the Santa Clara CalTrain station to see the holiday train. It was a nice change of pace.

The station was open so families had their kids inside looking at the model railroad display in the historic building. Coffee, hot chocolate and cider were for sale. The Salvation Army had carolers and a band playing. Toys For Tots had a big toy drive going on.

Wide eyed kids all over the place. They were expending energy at a phenominal rate of speed. It's been awhile since we've been around a cluster of young'uns like that.

It was just brisk enough to have a wintery feel to it. It has been uncommonly mild this December (NOT due to global warming). I will definitely be placing this activity on my annual Christmas event schedule. More importantly, we have dibs on the grandbaby!! Probably not this next year since he will only be about seven months old. But Christmas 2010...

Atheist Plaque Next to Nativity Scene in Washington

2008-12-04T12:14:00.000-08:00

The post title links to the article of the same name posted at OneNewsNow.com. The paragraph that jumped out at me and makes an incredible amount of sense is the following;

“I don’t believe in unicorns, so I just go about my life as if there are no unicorns. You’ll notice that I haven’t written any books called The End of the Unicorn, Unicorns Are Not Great, or The Unicorn Delusion, and I don’t spend my time obsessing about unicorns. What I’m getting at is that you have these people out there who don’t believe that God exists, but who are actively attempting to eliminate religion from society…There has to be more going on here than mere unbelief.”

That's a quote from Dinesh D'Souza in an interview for Salvo magazine. My buddy Joe would disagree with the premise if I'm not mistaken.

My Job Needs Resuscitating

2008-11-29T11:21:00.000-08:00

Back in April, the job that I was doing for the paper that I work for was eliminated. I ended up taking an entirely new job just created that no one else had done before. I would be replacing three soon to be former employees. I received a grand total of about one hour worth of training from the outgoing guy who had all the single copy sales responsibilities. That's the papers that are sold in stores and in the vending machines. I received zero hours of training from the slacker who was responsible for the home delivery distribution. She decided to call in sick her last week of work rather than stick around to help out the poor schlep who was booting her out the door. The warehouse guy was really the only reasonable one to work with for the last week that they were employed. At least he didn't bail and stick it to the new guy. Well, not actually a "new guy". I have 21 years in circulation, just not the circulation they were responsible for.

The first month as the big cheese, I worked seven days a week around 12 to 14 hours a day. I was essentially training myself. I had to learn everything about this new position on my own. To top things off, one of the home delivery dealers had given a 30 day notice that was effective the day before I took over the area. Making matters worse, he had a carrier who quit on him two days before that. I was throwing a route that took about 2 and a half hours to deliver. It was nasty...apartments, condos, businesses. I couldn't take a day off until someone knew how to do my job. Even if they knew the job, I couldn't leave them to throw the route. It would take them about 5 hours if they didn't know the delivery.

My "swing man" who works for me on my two days off could only be trained by me on overtime on my days off! He worked other districts his other three days. After about three weeks of training, (that's my 2 days off each week) he was able to have enough knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the job to at least let me have my days off. There were still things that he could not do that were necessary to the operation. I had to do these when I got back from my off days. This usually caused my Monday to be excessively long. I had become a zombie of sorts. Eat, sleep, work. Eat, sleep, work for weeks on end. My wife wasn't real pleased either. I missed some birthday's, doctor appointments, and various other promises of "I'll be home by....." all for the job. I felt obligated. I couldn't NOT be there and let the district blow up. How foolish to have such concern for a job well done. I could have easily taken the route of a slacker and been none the worse for wear. But that's not me.

Well the story goes along for a few months and I get the operation fine tuned. The operation is purring like a kitten and quite manageable. The home delivery dealers are doing a good job and I'm making sure they get paid. The single copy distribution is still a hassle for paperwork but that's the nature of that beast.

I get a call from my Teamsters Local Business agent. He says he has a meeting with the company the next day and he's planning a general meeting with the membership. This is never good news when those two events occur in close proximity. The news can only be bad and it generally costs us money or benefits. After his meeting with the company the rumors are flying. Layoffs, consolidations, cut backs. You name it we heard it from one source or another.

The next week I'm sitting in the union hall at the preordained meeting reading the informational page that was handed out and lo and behold, my district is being eliminated. The plan was to have my operation folded into the Mercury News operation in the same warehouse. In other words, I did too good of a job starting from scratch taking over from three people and making the thing work with just the one of me. Now I've worked myself out of a job.

The most galling part of all of it is the line that was fed to me by my supervisor. He had been on vacation the week prior when all this went down. He met with me and asked me what was happening like he hadn't been in the loop. I may have been born at night but I wasn't born last night. He said he just heard about it Monday when he came back to work. Yeah, ya lying sack of fertilizer. Nothing happens in his warehouse that he doesn't know about. He always sends some type of email when he's on vacation. He follows up on things even when he's gone, leaves voicemail, etc. Then he asks me what I thought would be the best way of implementing the "plan" for my area. I sat there thinking, "You've got to be kidding me!"

He was handing me rope hoping I would hang myself by telling him how to eliminate my own job. I don't get paid enough to create or eliminate jobs. The company can post the job description and I'll bid on it if I like it. If I don't, I'll bump into another department. The nerve of this guy. The longer I sat there the more upset I became. After repeatedly asking me what I thought I would do he came up with a scenario where I could keep my San Mateo Times district AND pick up the Mercury News circulation in Palo Alto. Let me see, here. That means I would have two jobs. San Mateo Times AND Mercury News. Along with that comes Wall Street Journal, Barron's IBD, Financial Times. Let me check the pay scale. Oh, right. Twice the work, same pay....sorry about that.

Never again will I assume that this or any other company has even a speck of gratitude at all for the work that the employees provide. For twenty one years I have worked Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, birthdays and anniversaries. I have missed countless family functions because of the ridiculous hours I work. I've gone to bed before my kids their entire lives. I work when the rest of the city is sleeping. I understand I chose freely to remain with the company all these years. The pay and benefits were just good enough to keep me from leaving. That has taken a turn for the worse as well. We have consistantly been diverting our raises to our health and welfare plan for several years now. This past September we actually took a pay cut to maintain our healthcare coverage levels. While we still have exceptional healthcare coverage, the company is moving closer and closer to eliminating the union. My hope is that they will stay afloat until I can secure a new career path. The newspaper industry is in dire straits with circulation in a free fall.

Get the paddles out, start an IV and CPR.

Terrorists Are Wussies

2008-11-29T05:33:00.000-08:00

From an article title "Soldiers Kill A Very Feminine Commander" posted at Military.com.

Six women and 12 children left the building, but while Soldiers were questioning the women they discovered one was actually a man dressed in a burqa, the traditional all-encompassing dress that most Afghan women wear. The man, later identified as the targeted commander Haji Yakub, tried to attack the Soldiers and was killed, the military said.

This is from The Australian

LONDON: A male suspect in a major anti-terrorist investigation in Britain escaped capture by allegedly disguising himself as a Muslim woman dressed in a burka.
The man, who was wanted in connection with serious terrorist offences, evaded arrest for several days as police searched for him across the country.
The fact that a fugitive remained at large after disguising himself in an Islamic dress that covered his face will further fuel the debate sparked by Jack Straw, the Leader of the House of Commons, about the wearing of the veil.

It is the first time a male suspect has allegedly disguised himself as a Muslim woman in Britain.

However, the tactic has been used frequently by Islamist fighters - including suicide bombers - in Iraq and Afghanistan. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the former leader of al-Qa'ida in Iraq, often dressed in a burka to evade American forces hunting him.

This from the BBC News

A suicide bomber, wearing a woman's burka, has killed at least 15 people in an attack at a busy police checkpoint in north-west Pakistan, officials say.

Police officials said the bomber was wearing a burka, a woman's garment which covers the body from head to toe.

The list goes on. Just do a Google search using the search terms "terrorist hiding burka" and you will see what I mean.

If you want to pick a fight you should at least man up.

Critiqued

2008-11-27T05:59:00.000-08:00

My wife was reading my blog the other night while I was at work. She mentioned how she used to enjoy reading it (oops!). It used to be funny, she said. Now it's all anti-Obama posts.

OK, I get the hint. I'll knock off the politics. Nothing is more devisive than talking about politics and religion. Folks have their mind made up from very early on in life and it is nearly impossible to sway them from their beliefs. That's not to say that dialogue and vigorous debates are not encouraged. It just means I would be pretty hard pressed to cite an actual case where my opinion changed another persons mind on a particular subject.

So...to be be more apolitical and nonreligious I'll share this bit of humor with you!

Domino's Scientists Test Limits Of What Humans Will Eat

Frightening

2008-11-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

This would be hilarious if it were not so frightening. The people that are intervied in this video have NO CLUE as to who or what they are voting for!! They drank the Kool-Aide, they ate up the sound bites and fed at the slop trough of the mainstream media. Regurgitating the lies and obfuscations as truth and fact. America, I can proudly say with convistion and honor that I did NOT vote for the president-elect! If you did vote for the president elect I hope you get everything you wish for with his administration because at the end of his first term I will not be saying "see, I told you so." The country will be in such disrepair it will not be necessary.

Watch the video

I'm Corn-fused (what's new?)

2008-11-19T10:30:00.000-08:00

I tweaked my layout to have the new Blogger "reaction" buttons added to my posts. They are a single word response button similar to those used in an online poll. Well, an esteemed blogger buddy over at Irrelephant who generally maintains only the highest standards in posting, tested my theory of Blogger functions.

The theory goes something like this.

You edit your layout to include a nifty new gadget that will wow all your readers. You write a post informing them of the nifty new functionality giving them the impression that you are some sort of code wizard and can produce a myriad of really cool fluff. Your readers will then stop by and implement this nifty new functionality and be amazed at your fluffiness. Your accolades will be spread across the series of tubes known as the internets.

I persued this righteous goal and failed miserably thanks to the demons at Blogger command. I followed their every instruction down to the last step. Their diabolical plan worked perfectly. I have been shamed in front of the whole of my audience (right Mom?). I must now crawl back into the hole from whence I came and ponder the injustice of what has transpired.

Oh, and I'll see if I can get if fixed, ok?

Layout Tweak

2008-11-18T09:38:00.000-08:00

I added the new Blogger "reaction" buttons to my posts. They are customizable so I chose my own text. This way you can share your reaction to the post without necessarily leaving a comment. Try it out!

Marine Base Bans Anti-Islam Bumper Stickers

2008-11-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

This one should stick in the craw (whatever those are) of my buddy, Joe. Being staunch defenders of the first amendment, we disagree on things at times but we both agree that we should not be censored in any way. This story is political correctness at it's evil worst. Regardless of your position on the war on terror, the actions of this military installation are heinous!

Click the post title for the full story

Hilarious!

2008-11-16T11:35:00.001-08:00

Well, actually it should make you cry because it's so doggone true!

In The Know: Should The Government Stop Dumping Money Into A Giant Hole?

Big Thanks To Joe!

2008-11-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

My buddy Joe posted this for me on his blog. I just had to share it. Gotta love The Onion!!

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Big Brother Is Watching

2008-11-06T08:39:00.001-08:00

I loathe photo radar and photo traffic lights. Not because I could be caught by them, but because there is unmanned monitoring of activities. The idea that your every step (or mis-step in these cases) is monitored on a video screen for the purpose of collecting revenue for the municipality is a travesty.

The Washington Times has an article titled "Street Sweepers Turning To Spies". It's almost too Orwellian to believe. I suppose that statement in itself is incorrect in that a large portion of the fictional activities in the book "1984" have come to fruition. The sheeple mindlessly allow it to happen right under their grazing noses.

Democrats/Leftists - The Inclusive Folks, Open Minded

2008-11-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

They always claim to be tolerant and openminded. Including all and nonjudgemental...except when it comes to dissenting opinions.

Amazingly Eerie, Large Marionette

2008-11-06T07:44:00.000-08:00

I poached this video from my Flickr buddy, gentlemanrook who blogs at Irrelephant. It's giant marionette that is so surreal it's almost scary!

Philadelphia Voter Intimidation

2008-11-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

No I Wouldn't

2008-11-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

Pict -O- Game Is A Fun Little Website

2008-11-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

I used a picture I had of my Brother-in-law goofing around to personalize the game.

Make a game | Share | Free games | Pictogame

Senator Obama's Four Tax Increases for People Earning Under $250k

2008-10-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Incredibly easy to understand article about the proposed Obama tax increases and the subsequent lies about those making under $250,000 a year not getting a tax hike. I have not read or heard a better description of the Obama obfuscation and outright lying regarding his tax policies.

Click the post title to read the full story.

Judge Rules Ohio Homeless Voters May List Park Benches As Addresses

2008-10-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Amazing...simply amazing. This in no way would lead to any type of voter fraud would it? No, probably not. Better to err on the side of allowing someone to vote than to actually verify that they are eligible to vote.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A federal judge in Ohio has ruled that counties must allow homeless voters to list park benches and other locations that aren't buildings as their addresses.

Click the post title for the full story.

It's Only A Matter Of Time

2008-10-29T05:06:00.001-07:00

My job for the last 22 years has been in the print media. Specifically circulation. While the circulation of the paper I work for has declined exponentially over the last few years, it remains afloat through a series of sales/mergers/acquisitions. There has been an increased effort to promote the "eEdition", an online version of the paper that looks identical to the print version. The difference being you can click on links such as advertising or articles or you can download coupons, etc. This "eEdition" is just another step in the progression away from a "manufactured" product distributed by employees and contractors. The Christian Science Monitor has announced that they will no longer print their daily newspaper and become an online only publication. This does not bode well for my future in this line of work.

The Death Star Over San Francisco

2008-10-28T08:41:00.001-07:00

2008-10-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

The problem is, this is not far from the truth!!

THIS IS HILARIOUS!

2008-10-25T03:19:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Funny Stuff From John Stewart and The Daily Show

2008-10-25T03:09:00.000-07:00

Early Prep For Lawsuits

2008-10-24T05:47:00.000-07:00

From Salon.com, a piece by Mike Madden that is laying more groundwork for spurious charges of voter disenfranchisement. 72 year old Ted Ravelo worries that his daughters won't be able to vote because they have to work.

-- who have to work on Nov. 4, and who sent him to scout out the wait time -- might not get to vote at all.

Here we go with the laying of the foundation...

and once again, there's a very real possibility that a lot of people who support the Democratic candidate could have trouble voting.

Why is that? If there are no problems with the people who support the Republican candidate why should there be specific troubles with the Dems?

The idea that Republican operatives are somehow tampering with polling places is just ludicris. What affiliation does the group ACORN have? It certainly isn't Republican. They are under FBI investigation for fraud regarding voter registration. The article goes on to say that the group "Election Protection" will have lawyers roaming from polling place to polling place ready to help voters who can't find their precincts, etc. Strangely enough, ACORN just happens to be a member of Election Protection.

"Voter suppression is something that anybody who has any sense of commitment to democracy or civil rights would want to fight against," said Weeden, a criminal defense lawyer who also helped monitor election sites in 2004. Back then, he and other volunteers encountered people who had been called and told their polling places had changed, or found suspicious characters lurking outside precincts with clipboards, asking people if they had met rigorous requirements to vote that went above and beyond what the law says.

Those "suspicious characters lurking outside precincts" were obviously flown in by the right-wingers on their black helicopters.

Further into the article there is a ridiculous assertion that is pure speculation. Giving it print space is merely adding to that "disenfranchisement" foundation of sand they are trying to build.

Bill Richardson told Salon prior to appearing at an early-vote rally for Latinos in Kissimmee, Fla., on Wednesday. He noted that he's heard reports of rumors about voting problems among Hispanic communities in Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico as well.

Who is it that benefits from spreading baseless rumors? The Democrats, of course. This way they can charge that they warned before the election that there were reports of voter problems.

But, he said of expected record turnouts, "It's very healthy for our democracy, and we should take advantage of it, not engage in negative tactics and voter suppression."

Referring of course, to the evil Republicans who are lurking at polling places.
The final paragraph of the article had me ROTFLMAO. What a self incrimination!!

Obama's most passionate supporters, meanwhile, say they're ready to show up no matter what they hear. "We're smart," said Sherrie Kendrick, a retired phone operator from Miami, who will turn 54 on Election Day. "We may not look it, but we're smart."

Good Read From The Canada Free Press

2008-10-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

Aaron Goldstein from the Canada Free Press wrote an excellent commentary distinguishing between the actions of the left and right leaning electorate in this election cycle as it pertains to the losing side. His predictions of an Obama win with those on the right being unhappy yet resolved to win the next election and a McCain win sparking violence in the streets from those on the left is well founded (IMHO). Take a look, see what you think, decide for yourself.

Click the post title for the link to the full story.

John Bolton On Obama/Biden Foreign Policy

2008-10-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

John McCain POW Video

2008-10-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

Today's Quotes

2008-10-22T06:42:00.000-07:00

This first quote from Samuel Adams is aimed specifically at Barack Obama and his associations that are rightly being called into question -

"He who is void of virtuous attachments in private life is, or very soon will be, void of all regard for his country. There is seldom an instance of a man guilty of betraying his country, who had not before lost the feeling of moral obligations in his private connections." --in a letter to James Warren, Nov. 4, 1775--

This too, is directed at Obama in regards to his "spread the wealth" viewpoint he expressed to Joe the Plumber

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
- Thomas Jefferson

This one can definitely be said of most of the recent sitting Congress'

In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.
- John Adams

The next two just happen to be for Joe. I know he'll give me a bucket of chum in return. I expect it and welcome the banter.

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.
- John Adams

It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.
- Patrick Henry

An appropriate quote in regards to the current financial meltdown throughout our country and the world.

History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling the money and its issuance.
- James Madison

Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.
- Noah Webster (the father of public education in America)

A Wonderful Storyteller

2008-10-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Trying to shy away from the political pulp that has been sticking to the bottom of my shoe, I'll point you in the direction of one of my Flickr buddies, gentlemanrook. He has a blog that is a real treat to peruse. His fabulous stories build a landscape rich in imagery. I tend finish the stories with a sense of having been there. His sense of humor is a bit tweaked as is mine. That may be one of the reasons I enjoy it so much.

You should certainly judge for yourself, but please...take a look. You won't regret it. Visit Irrelephant now!

This Does NOT Make Me Feel Safe!!

2008-10-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

After watching the video, got to The Return of Scipio and read the post. It certainly made me think even harder about my future.

My outlook for the future is:
	Rosey with these glasses
	Where's my Windex
	Anyone seen my contacts
	Ouch! There's an ice pick in my eye!
	Future? What Future?

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