Friday, November 27, 2015

Soldier Blues


One of my sons challenged me to write a blues song.

Woke up early  this morning
  My bunk out in the sleet.
Snored so loud last night
   No one could get to sleep.

Went to the barracks door
   No one would let me in.
Cold and wet and shaking
   That’s how my blues began.

Yes I’ve got them soldier blues
  Drafted off the  street
From beer and women and cars
   To wearing out my feet.

Someday I’ll lose these blues
   When I get home for good.
I’ll whip ol’ Jody’s ass
  And start living like I should.



Don't think I will give up my day job.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Not All Are Home

Thanks to all that work to keep us safe.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Renewable Energy Lies


Headlines proclaim Aspen CO to be the third US city to be 100% renewable energy powered. Well lad di da.


Reading somewhat closer, we find:

Aspen receives its wind energy from about four wind farms in Nebraska and South Dakota, Dolan said, adding that the city also uses energy from Ruedi Reservoir, Maroon Creek and Ridgway Reservoir, which is a hydropower facility near Montrose. Aspen Electric Utility serves about half the community………

In other words, Aspen produces 0% of it’s energy, it buys from other producers. They decide what producers to whom they write checks. That energy flows to Aspen through the same power grid that carries power generated by many coal plants. No coal or gas fired plant, no power, or not enough to power the ski lifts. Can you separate those flowing electrons by producer? Don’t think so.

Oh WSF, you are so cynical.


No shit.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Would Make A Maggot Gag



Prostitution Arrests
After a month long investigation of alleged prostitution in the Hill-N-Park area, a search warrant was obtained and executed on the evening of November 18, 2015 in the 4000 block of Yosemite Dr., in Greeley. During the execution of the search warrant multiple sexual aids and devices consistent with acts of prostitution, a large amount of money, drugs and drug paraphernalia were located.
The Weld County Sheriff’s Office arrested Evelyn Klages and Tena White as a result of the investigation. Images of the arrested individuals can be found at the bottom of this release.
Evelyn Klages (11/17/57) was booked on 2 counts of keeping a house of prostitution, pimping, 2 counts of prostitution and possession of a schedule two controlled substance.
Tena white (09/09/65) was booked for prostitution and possession of schedule two substance.
All charges are merely accusations until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is asked to call the Weld County Sheriff’s Office at 970-356-4015 or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website atwww.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 from Crime Stoppers.
From the Weld County (CO) Sheriff Facebook Page

How desperate would you need to be to patronize these two?

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Pooped


These past two days have tuckered me out. Tuesday was 190 miles out of 490 miles in blizzard conditions. Today was a wind day with gusts in Wyoming of 65+ mph. All day was a “blizzard” of tumbleweeds blowing across the road with no way of avoiding them. Knocked a small 2x3” sensor cover off  the Prius.

Perhaps in the next four days will have enough energy to put up a good rant.
On a cheery note, a granddaughter is doing well in school and qualified for the Nation Junior Beta Club.



My daughter in law put it up on Facebook and I made an appropriate response. Then I put up my own post congratulating my daughter in law and son for supporting and encouraging my granddaughter. Too often we forget that good parenting leads to good human beings IMO.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Oppressing the Oppressed

Lifted entirely from Colorado Peak Politics.

http://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2015/11/13/oppressing-the-oppressed-cu-boulder-cancels-anti-racism-rally-because-black-students-felt-silenced-by-organizers/

OPPRESSING THE OPPRESSED: CU Boulder Cancels Anti-Racism Rally Because Black Students Felt Silenced by Organizers

800px-BoulderCityscapeLiberal on liberal hate is so gratifying. Earlier today, the University of Colorado canceled a rally in support of the entire racist student body at the University of Missouri because (wait for it), the rally organizers were silencing the black students. It’s almost like feeding dog to attendees of a Humane Society gala. It’s so rich.
A rally planned at the University of Colorado this afternoon to protest racism and show support for the University of Missouri, where demonstrations led to the resignation of campus leaders this week, has been canceled after the event drew complaints from African-American students on campus.
The rally, organized by a CU sociology class called “Whiteness Studies,” was set for 3:30 p.m. today outside the student center. But when event details went public, leaders of CU’s Black Student Alliance said they had not been consulted and felt as if they were being silenced by the class.
On Facebook, one of the event’s organizers posted an apology to black students at CU.
“We acknowledge that we should have contacted (Black Student Alliance) to see what they were already planning with regard to Mizzou,” wrote Azabe Kassa. “While we understand that this does not excuse our actions, we learned a lesson in proper allyship. We still hope to work with (Black Student Alliance) to support your efforts and to stand in solidarity with black students.”
No, we have no idea what a class called “Whiteness Studies” actually teaches; although, the article claims that the students are studying “racial inequalities”.  The protest was meant to be in solidarity with those traumatized by the University of Missouri racism.  Oops.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Some-days They Don't Pay Me Enough

Sorry for the quality of the cell phone picture. First winter storm of the season. 280 miles of my 490 miles were on roads like this. First 170 were in the dark. FedEx and UPS long haulers were doing 45 mph.

This was eastbound on US 26 from I-25 (just North of Wheatland, WY).

Did I mention the wind? 30-35 mph and gusting.

Now to find some cheese to go with my whine.

My Aching Knees

A cousin has been battling MS for years. He was telling me the benefits of coconut oil and then sent me a book. OK, I'm open to alternative therapy.

For the past two weeks, I've added some coconut oil to my diet. Three days ago the pain in my knees diminished. Still there, but I can now walk without "cowboying up". Since I've made no other changes in diet or supplements, I'm giving credit to the coconut oil.

In the book, the author talks about coconut detoxifying the body and warns you may feel worse before you feel better. Says the process takes about a month. I hope he is correct as I'm not feeling at all perky.

Given how my knees feel, I'm going to continue with the coconut oil and hope the rest of the body stops feeling like I've stacked hay for a week.

When it comes to doctors, dentists, and medical procedures, I freely admit to being a gutless wonder.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Fake Suicides

A coworker and I recently were discussing the threat of suicide as a manipulative tactic. A person in her circle recently went on a three day bender in the mountains after leaving a suicide note. After his vehicle became disabled, he started calling people for a ride.


This post is not making light of suicide. It is cruel and hateful toward the survivors and the meanest act I can think of under most circumstances. Those faced with incurable and debilitating health issues, to me, get a free pass. It is the fakers that get my scorn.

Basic Training, Ft Leonard Wood, MO, circa 1963 wasn’t a pleasant experience. My squad had the top floor of a dilapidated WWII “temporary” barracks with exposed studs and rafters. Two private rooms at the head of the stairs were occupied by Sergeants. One was from Cuba, and his command of English was marginal.

One of the trainees was desperate to get out of the Army. In that era of the draft, the institution wasn’t keen on letting anyone go. Wearing panties might have worked. His solution was to fake a suicide. He stacked footlockers, tied his tent rope to the rafter, fashioned a noose, and slipped it over his head. My buddy, Tom, had the bottom bunk and this joker the top bunk. Tom loathed the little pansy. Once the noose was in place, Tom kicked the footlockers from under the pansy who now was desperately trying to climb a small wax covered cotton rope. Enter the Cuban Sergeant. As he topped the stairs, he saw an entire two squads going about their business of shining shoes and writing letters as the pansy tried to climb the rope. Shouting orders in Spanish, which no one obeyed, he finally got the fool down.
Fast forward a few days. It is a Saturday night and the Sergeant was, as all good Sergeants of the day, getting buzzed at the NCO Club. The pansy cut one of his wrists (disregarding the, “It’s down the tracks, not across the tracks) and carefully hung his arm outside his bunk. Tom, sees this fool dribbling blood on Tom’s dust cover, jerks him from his bunk, and starts beating him. Poor Sergeant. Reaching the head of the stairs, he sees one soldier bleeding while getting his ass kicked. Of course, his arm was flailing, splattering blood all over. More excited orders, in Spanish, which we all ignored.

The pansy got hauled off never to be seen in our unit again. Tom was ordered to clean up the mess but we all pitched in. As a side note, after leaving the Army, Tom used the GI Bill to finish his education as a psychiatrist. Probably needed the “professional courtesy” as he wouldn’t have afforded regular care. Yeah, bat shit crazy. Since we were tight buddies, what did that make me?

With no disrespect intended to the sufferers of PTSD, saw a lot of fucked up people in the Army. The majority were fucked up before they joined. Some, the Army helped. Other didn’t change. One that comes to mind hung by his finger tips off the stern of the troopship taking us to Germany. Thought he was being funny. We all went through Combat Engineer training together and about nine of us ended up in the same company in Germany. 

Is there any way to spot the manipulative fakers from the real risks? I don’t know how.

The officers and senior NCOs that dealt with these jokers had my profound respect and sympathy. Once I became a squad leader, my solution was kicking their asses until they changed. Of course, some of them could kick back real well. My tactic, while officially frowned on, was often ignored by the powers that were. Fuck up my plans for the evening? No, maggot, fuck you.  Per my youngest son, such behavior` isn’t tolerated in today’s Army.

Their loss. I believe today’s soldier is much better than in my day (hey, it is a much smaller and select service today) but some of the toughness has been lost.

Sorry to ramble on. Where this post started, and where it ended up, surprises me. Hope you weren’t bored. Offended? Oh, well.