Well Seasoned Fool

Starbucks

2012-02-01T10:33:00.004-07:00

On Valentines Day I will buy coffee at Starbucks in support of their gun neutral policy and send a copy of the receipt to their headquarters.

Hat tip to Guffaw in Arizona
http://armedlaughing.blogspot.com/2012/02/starbucks-reminder.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GuffawInAz+%28Guffaw+in+AZ%29

I don’t like their coffee; don’t like the taste. Always a reminder of unpleasant times. Three things come to mind.

Pre cell phones, my business took me on two Washington State Ferry rides per week. With no telephones on board, I had thirty minutes to an hour of peace and relaxation to catch up on paperwork and savor a cup of coffee. Then Starbucks got the coffee concession. I didn’t like their coffee at all. There was no alternative. This wasn’t espresso, regular coffee, just their roast, and I didn’t like it. Still don’t.

Had dealings with one of Starbucks founders (not related to coffee) and found him to be an arrogant asshole.

When the espresso craze started in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, the machines were made in Italy and cost $3,500. Looked into setting up a business selling coffee, lottery tickets, and tobacco. Planned to call the business “Minor Vices”. I couldn’t build a business case that made sense to me. This ranks up there with some of my other brilliant decisions like “Forest for Trees.”

http://wellseasonedfool.blogspot.com/2011/10/forest-for-trees.html

Will go buy a cup anyway if only to thumb my nose at the gun grabbers. Yes, I know I’m shallow and superficial. Deal with it!

New Political Party

2012-01-29T11:05:00.005-07:00

Democrats plus Republicans for

NONE OF THE ABOVE

Hat tip to my sister, a Republican, whose message to the party is, "Is that the best your can do"?

Paranoid? Me? Yeah

2012-01-26T10:08:00.004-07:00

Older explanation of the Posse Comitatus Act has some good information

http://www.homelandsecurity.org/journal/articles/trebilcock.htm

taken in context with this official US Army release

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4DNXXJYQwE&feature=youtu.be

That is why I support Oath Keepers

http://oathkeepers.org/oath/

“I was just following orders”. The weasel excuse.

“[W]e prefer to use the power of persuasion, but if that doesn’t work we use the persuasion of power.” Andy Stern SEIU past president

The true mindset of the “Progressives”. All for our own good, of course.

But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place.
POTUS State of The Union Address 2012

Many of the pieces are in place to end our freedoms. The “spin doctors” are busy writing position papers. Ready for the next big push?

Cowboy Poetry

2012-01-22T11:14:00.005-07:00

Jimmy's Valentine Poem
by Hal Swift

Jimmy, a friend, of mine tells this story
of a poem that he once wrote.
It's for a girl he seen in a local parade,
ridin' the Kiwanis' float.

He says she looks like an angel come down
to bless ever'body on earth.
And he decides he'll tell 'er first hand,
just what her visit is worth.

He figures that writin' a Valentines poem
is maybe the best way to go.
So that's what he does, he takes pencil in hand,
and the words just literally flow.

"You are," he writes, "more beautiful than
a baby pig is to 'er mother.
Your face is sweeter than a fresh green onion,
when compared to any other.

"Your smile lights up the morning sky,
like a fire at brandin' time.
Your voice is softer than the belly of a calf,
whose parents have been judged prime.

"I gotta say, you're the purtiest gal
this cowpoke ever did see.
And, if you ever wanta go out on the town,
just put in a call to me."

Well, Jimmy, he sends his poem to the girl,
and waits by 'is phone for her call.
He just sets there, in front of 'er photo
that he's hung on the bunkhouse wall.

A week goes by, before the telephone rings,
but it's the beauty queen's mean ol' dad.
He says t'Jimmy, "Stay away from my daughter!
If ya don't I'm gonna hurt you bad!"

Well, Jimmy is no small amount dismayed,
by this unseen turn of events.
And it hurts 'im deep--so deep in fact,
he ain't wrote another poem since.

And I've heard tell, that this beauty queen
has taken a serious vow, boys.
That whatever happens the rest of 'er life,
she ain't never datin' no cowboys.

Courtesy of my friend, Hal Swift Nevada Poet

Ladies, watch out for cowboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeiT-JrcFGk

Horrid Sales Meeting

2012-01-21T07:22:00.003-07:00

“You are all a bunch of losers. What you need to do, is go to a pawn shop and buy a revolver, then shoot yourselves in the head, and rid the world of your sorry asses. Now, get a .22, not a .38, because a .22 will bounce around inside your thick skulls and do enough damage to kill you. A .38 will punch on through, leaving you brain dead. How would we be able to tell the difference ?” So started our sales meeting by the owner.

Sales meetings! The worst part of car sales are sales meetings. Usually overlong, repetitive and bladder stretchers. There are exceptions.

Dan King was noted for his brevity. “I’m going fishing. If you aren’t on pace to meet your goals, better not take any days off. Now git!” He also was noted for his way of terminating under performing sales people. “What are you doing in my meeting?”

Selling cars isn’t for wimps.

As a manager, I separated sales meetings and sales training. My meetings were under twenty minutes. Sales training was no more than thirty minutes. Training happened every day.

One place I worked had a Friday morning meeting and a Monday morning meeting. The weekend “spiff” checks were passed out on Monday. If you were with a customer, you could skip the meeting. I once went nine months without attending a Friday morning meeting. Appointments, baby! Mondays were different. “Gives me my money!”

The owner giving us the “rat whip” meeting had only himself to blame for his store losing money. His construction business took up a lot of his time. He had his brother, owner of race horses, running the store. The brother spent more time on the telephone with his trainers than he did on selling cars. In addition, the brother had little talent and no passion for the business. Although I was making good money there, I soon went to “down the road motors”.

Over and over, I’ve seen small business failures caused by having family members on the payroll. If they weren’t family, they would be fired. I’ve also observed superb performances from family members. Seems to be a crap shoot.

My “buddy”, Dirty Al, had his own way of handling meetings. The silent fart. He always claimed, “My farts don’t smell”. Al, your shit does stink.

Kiss My Keys II

2012-01-18T20:43:00.003-07:00

AmiMental.blogspot.com left a comment on the previous post about what a pain in the ass keys locked in a car can be. Reminded me of a keys locked in my car incident from the past.

1972 saw us on a combination business and vacation trip to Southern California. The business part was delivering a snowmobile to a high performance engine builder in Pasadena. While giving the snowmobile a wash down in a coin operated car wash, two older ladies, wearing tennis shoes, stopped by. “Is that a snowmobile?” one asked. When I gave an affirmative answer, she added, “I thought so, I saw one given away on the Price is Right.”

Our next stop was Long Beach to tour the Queen Mary. At the time it was a new attraction. My wife wanted to see it because her late father, a Norwegian immigrant, had crossed the Atlantic on her. We had a great time and our then only child was enjoying himself. Finally, his little legs tuckered out and we returned to our car, a Ford LTD four door hardtop, were I discovered my keys in the ignition and the doors locked.

The parking lot was new and the trees planted for landscaping were about six feet high and braced with three wires. I broke off a section of wire and used that to hook a lock button and get the car open. This took a few minutes.

While doing this, a policeman drove by the end of the parking lane. We made eye contact. What he saw was a large, red faced man with a piece of wire breaking into a car, a very unhappy brunette woman glowering at the man, and a squalling child (who only wanted a diaper change, a bottle, and a nap) on the car trunk. His head snapped forward and he accelerated out of my sight. Coward!

Must confess that isn’t the only time I’ve locked my keys in my car, or my house, or my office. And AmiMental is right, it is a pain in the ass.

Kiss My Keys

2012-01-15T20:01:00.004-07:00

Saturday, out and about, cell phone rings and it is my sister. Wants to give me something. I’m West, going East, then South. She is South, going North then East. Our paths will intersect so a meeting place is arranged. I get there first. As she drives up, her significant other in riding shotgun. Good thing, his keys are in the passenger door lock. Business is conducted through his open window with both of them staying in the truck cab. As they are about to leave, I remove his keys from the lock and hand them to him. Light razzing and mild hilarity follow; then they drove away.

What I didn’t bring up was an incident from a few years before when my office called. I was 400 miles from home and had been gone a day when the little five foot nothing from the office called. Seems the keys to one of my vehicles, parked in front of my house, were in the drivers door. Some good citizen saw advertising material with my employer’s information lying on the seat and called. Since I had extra keys, I requested the little shit from the office (we mutually detested each other) have the good citizen toss the keys on the floor and lock the door. The car would have been hard to steal as it had an anti theft device attached to the brake pedal. Same concept as the CLUB, but goes on the brake or clutch pedal arm. That key, and my house key, are always separate from my ignition and trunk key.

Luck, or chance, plays a big part in our lives. Over the years, I’ve had more than my share. Once I came out of my motel room in Fullerton, CA to find all four doors of my Lincoln Town Car open.
Older Town Cars and Crown Vics are easily started with a “slap” key. Seems the motel had been robbed and I suspect my car had been selected as an escape vehicle. The cost of the anti theft device paid for itself that day.

One of the never ending problems of car lots are keys. Lost keys. Keys locked inside a vehicle. Keys in a sale person’s pocket. (I would NEVER keep the keys to some desirable vehicle so other sales people couldn’t sell it. NO, NO, not me) Over the years you get proficient with a slim jim and other lock out tools. Some vehicles I can open as fast with a slim jim as most folks can with a key.

So, anyhow, I only lightly ribbed my sister’s S.O. No need to invite bad karma and, once again, prove this blog title is accurate.

Owl Story - Car Lot Story

2012-01-09T20:05:00.003-07:00

Another car lot story, told by a character I once employed. It may, or may not, be true.

At one time, my employer had me running off site sales. I would rent a suitable property, bring in a motor home to use as an office, 50 or so cars and trucks, and hold a five day sale. As part of the staffing, a Indiana couple would fly in and work the sale; George and Gina. George liked his beer, and liked telling stories. This is his Owl story.

George lived in a rural area. One night on the way to his favorite bar, he hit an owl with his truck. Stopping, he found the owl clinging to the truck grill with his talons. Removing his coat, he wrapped the coat around the owl, and put the owl in his truck.

At the bar, he took the owl inside, unwrapped him, and set the owl on the bar. The patrons knew George, and his ways, and accepted the situation as normal (for George). Per George, the owl seemed to accept the situation and started hopping around the bar. George said the owl didn’t want a beer.

Time passed and the Game and Fish folks, along with the county deputy, entered. The owl was removed and taken away to be treated for a damaged wing. George was arrested.

George was unhappy about one issue. He said the owl got out of jail before he did.

No Dog in The Fight But, WTF

2012-01-07T19:59:00.004-07:00

Article today about getting a tanker to Nome through ice. Article mentioned the tanker was following the Coast Guard's ONLY OPERATIONAL ICEBREAKER!

Subject is way beyond my personal knowledge, but......Seems to me this country needs more than one operational icebreaker. What happened to all the money spent on the two Polars?

Just Say No to Television

2012-01-05T19:51:00.005-07:00

People can’t believe I don’t watch television. About a year ago, Comcast jumped their rates. They were my Internet provider. I found a broadband connection and unplugged Comcast.

What I dislike about television are the commercials; too many in a row. My viewing was reality shows and sports. Television drama doesn’t interest me.
I would be watching a show and then the cut to commercials. Six to eight in a row. By the time the program was back, the continuity was gone along with my interest. I hate being manipulated.

Some time ago, I bought a yard sale DVD player. Same crap with the DVDs. Front loaded with commercials.

Haven’t been to a film in over a decade. It is not just the obnoxious patrons, it is the damn commercials before seeing the feature .

See a video that may interest me on the Internet. More damn commercials, I need to wait to play, before I see what I want.

I’m told there are alternatives; hardware that filters commercials. I just don’t see a favorable cost/benefit.

Books, magazines and print media I devour. My interest, my pace, and my choice.

Many people, including my ex, turn on the television first thing when they arise and the box stays on until they go to sleep. Not for me. Silence is to be enjoyed, not shunned.

Kiss My Veteran Ass, You MSM Fuckwads!

2012-01-03T14:27:00.005-07:00

Hit piece bashing soldiers and air force personnel.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/03/9923187-ex-soldier-in-mount-rainier-killing-stationed-at-deeply-troubled-base

Live in your insular little world. Don't be among the 1% of the population that protects YOU. Piss and moan when the men and women who protect your privileged ass occasionally (rarely) have problems and you feel uncomfortable.

Even though you wouldn't make a pimple on a service persons ass, you think you hold the moral high ground, so you feel free to judge.

Gloom, Despair, and "Progressive" Misery

2012-01-02T09:31:00.004-07:00

Learning opposing points of view is something I peruse. Call me a masochist. Closed minds may be satisfying to those who have them, and labeling people (socialist, gun grabber, gun nut, Tea Partier, commie bed wetter, etc.) avoids dealing with them as people. My belief is this polarization is very harmful to our society overall.

One place I go is a site called Common Dreams. It is a handy source, with their links, to all things leftist and “progressive”.

http://www.commondreams.org/

Since the Lightbringers election, the tone of this site has gone from euphoria to anger, and now, hostility. Excuse me for my weakness and hypocrisy, but I find this highly amusing. These intelligent people (maybe misguided but not dumb) are seething with disappointment. The only thing they now seem to have in common is the belief the Republicans and George W. Bush are to blame along with Wall Street and multi national corporations. Not far from many “right wing” points of view. Their champion is exposed for what he is, a corrupt Chicago politician.

These folks are still voting for Obama. Where else are they going? Still, like me in the last election, they will be holding their noses when they vote. They may well sit on their wallets, and their asses, come the next election. Just for them this musical interlude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ5ob9B9yD4&feature=related

Yes, Progressive Friends, I am razzing you. Deal with it.

Small, Small Town USA

2011-12-31T10:37:00.011-07:00

Some of what is best about this country is found in small towns. Seems a sense of community is lost as population density increases. Of course, privacy increases with population; hard to have a totally private life in a small town.

The internet now gives these small town a bigger voice. Economics have killed off many a small town newspaper. In place, we have blogs. I would direct your attention to a small town blog HERE.

http://www.maybellwomensclub.com

Nothing unique, just a sample of small town life. (Someday I will learn how to do hyperlinks.)

This little town looms large in my paternal family history. Various forefathers have roamed that part of the country since just after the Civil War (excuse me, The War of Northern Aggression) as both solid citizens and down and dirty outlaws. Maybe both at the same time.

The Ladies Club is today, and has always been, a potent force in the town and surrounding areas. It takes a fool hardy man to tell a Moffat County woman what she is going to do. Personally, I would rather play chicken with a coal train.

Thank God and Greyhound

2011-12-29T11:07:00.006-07:00

SUZ has started a Meme, “The top 25 on my play list”.

http://shiningpearlsofsomething.blogspot.com/2011/12/meme-no-really.html

My contribution? Just one. Roy Clark, “Thank God and Greyhound You’re Gone”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx8x3LCnYZw

This story starts when my wife of twenty two years left me for another man, and moved out of state, leaving me the two youngest to raise. My standard joke, in absolute seriousness, is I wanted to send him a thank you card but feared he would send her back.

Forward a year and half later, she is back visiting. She was staying with our oldest, who lived on his own. Her wealthy paramour turned out to be all hat and no cattle. She came to visit on Greyhound and had no money for a rental car. I had loaned her a car, which she started abusing, so I put and end to that. Finally, she decided to go back to whatever she called home.

I agreed to take her to the Seattle Bus Depot. By the time I got her disorganized self there, my tolerance factor had nearly been eclipsed by her nuisance factor.

The depot was the usual zoo. One individual caught my attention. He was wearing a leather vest over a bare torso and flexing his muscles. Maybe had 18 inch “guns”.

The bus was oversold. She had two metal trunks and miscellaneous soft bags. The bus driver, already late, didn’t want to board her. Said he had to have a least two empty seats. I pointed out her luggage. I told him I would follow him clear across Washington State. At some point he would have to let her on. Then he could load her luggage. As an alternative, he could let her on, and I would load the luggage. He liked my alternative. After loading her trunks, I could see her in the bus struggling to stuff her other bags in the overhead luggage rack. Boarding the bus, I went to her seat and stuffed the damn bags into the rack. Going up the isle, I passed the gentlemen with the leather vest sitting in an aisle seat. He made himself small as I passed. Hmm, a six foot 280 pound red faced Celt, in a T Shirt, with 22 inch “guns”, and a most unpleasant visage, might have prompted him to avoid a confrontation.

The bus departed and I followed. Once Eastbound on I-90, I passed him and then exited on I-405 but pulled onto the shoulder. I wanted to see the bus go by by. As I waited, I put “Thank God and Greyhound” in the tape deck. Enjoying the moment, I was whooping and pounding the dash as the bus rolled by. Right then a Washington State Patrolman was at my window.

After the license, registration, insurance formality, I explained the situation to the officer. His question, “Have you been drinking” brought the answer, “No, but in about fifteen minutes I will be”. He lost his professional demeanor, leaned against my truck, and started laughing. A few minutes later I was on my way and he on his. As promised, fifteen minutes later I was making sure a few cold Rainiers weren’t getting stale.

That song will probably always be my favorite.

The Sad Story of "Dead Dog" Fred

2011-12-23T19:51:00.005-07:00

Two readers have been asking for another car lot story. Decided to relate the sad fate of Freddy “Dead Dog” Dayo.

Freddy could make a very realistic sound of a hurt dog. He and another miscreant salesman had a routine when things got boring. Freddy would crouch down behind a row of cars and start yelping. His partner in mischief, Flea, would rush up and down calling, “Muffy, where are you"? Soon, the green peas would be helping find Muffy and lose focus, allowing the veterans to beat them to fresh “ups.” The managers started calling Fred “dead dog” (when they were in a good mood).

Freddy wasn’t know for his reliability. Once he broke his arm. When he called his sales manager to be excused from work, he was told, “Fuck you, Dayo. I want to see the X-rays, not the cast.” When he finally arrived at work, the owner sympathetically asked, “Hey Fred, want to arm wrestle.”?

His passion, aside from loose living, was steelhead fishing. He lived to fish.

One day his ship came in. While driving a T Top Firebird from one lot to another, the glass T Tops shattered, showering him with glass. He was so horrible injured, he couldn’t raise his arms above shoulder level. Happily, he was able to start drawing Workman’s Compensation.

About that time, the State Labor and Industries managers hired private investigators to start checking out the “injured” drawing tax free state money.
Freddy was the star of a video showing him lugging coolers, balanced on his shoulder, up and down steep river banks. The video showed his fantastic form casting lures.

Alas, his ship hit a reef. He was given six months to pay back every cent he had received from the state. When he put his mind to it, he was an effective salesman and paid the state back in the allotted time. Then the IRS hit him for the “tax free” money he received. Poor Freddy! For about ten months he had to work his butt off.

No moral here or purpose other than a requested story.

CleanSlateNow.org

2011-12-17T19:37:00.004-07:00

Please check out this site if you think deep pockets have too much influence on elections.

One of the founders, Ken Gordon, has walked the walk. I don't agree with him on all things but have the highest respect for him and what he has accomplished.

Cell Phone Madness

2011-12-14T19:43:00.007-07:00

This %$###@%^ nanny state bullshit just keeps flowing. Last statistic I could find was 2008. Per the Department of Transportation, there are over 196,165,666 licensed driver in the USA. Some will always be knuckleheads. Defensive driving, people. So here is the latest self important airhead wanting to further restrict our freedoms:

"According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents", said Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving."

"No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life."

Can we find people in government service who at least pass reality once or twice a day in the hall?

The fundamental problem is government people—pointy-headed bureaucrats—telling people what to do. There is an environment in this city of people unwilling to admit their mistakes and move ahead. The attitude toward rule-making has been so curtailed that common sense recommendations now take years and years.

— James Hall, NTSB, 1996

I am for hands free cell phone usage and no texting; even a scofflaw like me can change. Given the need, I will even learn to use the Bluetooth ear piece I bought four years ago.

Want to knock the economy down? Make people less productive and business less efficient. That time I’m in a vehicle, during business hours, is lost time. Any portion used productively is a boon. How well I remember the four D Cell pagers pulling down my pants, the frustration in finding a working pay phone, and the dangerous places I found a pay phone. Cell phones forever!

The illustration that accompanied the article with Ms. Hersman”s remarks? A black revolver on the left, a red blood splatter on the right with a black cell phone super imposed on the splatter.

Too bad this statistic wasn’t included:

The accidental gun death rate has been falling since 1930 and US accidental gun deaths per year were down to 613 by 2007, out of the 301,579,895 people in the USA, according to the CDC. For comparison, there were 29,846 accidental deaths by poisoning in 2007, again according to the CDC.

These are accidental deaths. Murder and suicide are not accidents. From Wikipedia:

The real percentage of suicides among car accidents is not reliably known; studies by suicide researchers tell that "vehicular fatalities that are suicides vary from 1.6% to 5%".[32] Some suicides are misclassified as accidents, because suicide must be proven; "It is noteworthy that even when suicide is strongly suspected but a suicide note is not found, the case will be classified an 'accident.'"[33]
Some researchers believe that suicides disguised as traffic accidents are far more prevalent than previously thought. One large-scale community survey (in Australia) among suicidal persons provided the following numbers: "Of those who reported planning a suicide, 14.8% (19.1% of male planners and 11.8% of female planners) had conceived to have a motor vehicle “accident”... Of all attempters, 8.3% (13.3% of male attempters) had previously attempted via motor vehicle collision."[34]

Might I suggest Ms. Twit and her staff focus on this? Oh, sorry; hard work involved.

A Christmas Poem

2011-12-13T18:02:00.005-07:00

From my friend Hal Swift, Nevada Poet

Christmas is a Birthday Party
R. H.Swift
12/17/87

Christmas is a birthday party
we celebrate every year.
And happy invitations call
our guests from far and near.

The party held in Bethleham
found shepherds the first to go.
Then wise men followed, gifts in hand,
to worship in the glow.

This Christmas, too, we celebrate,
sing carols of peace on earth.
Just as the joyful angels did
the night of Jesus' birth.

Christmas is a birthday party,
and you are invited in...
to celebrate with grateful joy
God's wondrous gift again.
~~~
Just a note to wish you
the MERRIEST CHRISTMAS
and HAPPIEST NEW YEAR
ever.

The Swifts
Ralph "Hal" and Carol
cjrhswift@pyramid.netevade Poet.

Remora Feeding Frenzy

2011-12-11T19:55:00.006-07:00

Received by snail mail from the Social Security Administration, Form SSA-4926-SM (1-2012), detailing my 2012 “Benefit Amount”. Nice, off the top they deduct $1,198.80 for Medicare medical insurance. Not mentioned is few mainstream medical practices are accepting new patients.

I am extremely fortunate my city has a good public health clinic. Copay visit is $15. The care is adequate. Kind of like Sick Call in the Military.

(Thanks, Sisty, for your many years as a board member)

Now, if I don’t have supplemental insurance then I pay more. I don’t understand it all, and don’t want the brain damage of learning. My sister, who does understand, and the insurance broker in her building, hand me forms and tell me what to do. All I know is I have United Health Care, the outfit that gave their founder a $1.5 BILLION Golden Parachute, and is so close to AARP I think they are the same. While I despise both organizations, my broker tells me this is the cheapest way to go. Ah, money beats principal once again.

The tangible “benefit” is my generic blood pressure placebos are costing pocket change at Walgreen.

I do keep my VA status up to date. My children have been instructed, in the event of my becoming incapacitated, to drop me off at the VA Hospital entrance like an unwanted pet, and drive off.

Even the mainstream press report massive Medicare fraud. Didn’t the Lightbringer, he of the most transparent administration ever, promise to go after the fraud? Wasn’t that a centerpiece of paying for Obamacare? Perhaps when the political donor dollars were tabulated, money beats principal once again.

Seems the Remora have been feeding so long, and so lavishly, they are now part of the “entitled classes”.

I’m getting my “entitlement”. Never mind I’ve been paying into the program since 1958.

Text Message Rant

2011-12-11T11:10:00.002-07:00

This Latter Day Luddite dislikes texting. Some text messages conveying information are useful. Phone numbers, status updates, information requests, and addresses are examples.

Relationships via text just piss me off. Want to dirty bitch me? Call. Don’t try to be in complete control by using your digits and a gizmo.

I tolerate it with my offspring. Others? Hell no.

The day I sign up for Twitter please shoot me.

As always, your mileage may vary.

HR, We Have A Problem

2011-12-06T19:27:00.002-07:00

Anarchy, OWC, and Soldier Posers

2011-12-05T14:57:00.003-07:00

Identifying problems isn’t hard. Solutions are hard. Recently came across this.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201112/4-psychological-processes-are-ruining-america

Discusses problems and offers solutions. Are the solutions possible? I don’t know. I do know I find it refreshing to read something that isn’t a bitch session pity party.

Murphy has an interesting post about the Occupiers and soldier posers.

http://lagniappeslair.blogspot.com/2011/12/another-military-poser-emerges-as.html

How hard is making it in today’s military? Probably no harder than in the past. Unless there has been a total change of focus, and my active duty son says not, the NCO’s at all levels are focused on success. Getting into the special ops units may be different. Seems most of the “veterans” at the Occupy sites fall into the loser category.

My experience started in the fall of 1963. Surprisingly, many of us served together throughout our time in the service, start to finish. Out of my basic training company, around twenty of us went to Combat Engineer training. When we went to Europe on the good ship Rose, we met up with many of our basic training members who had attended other specialty schools. About fifty from the Engineer AIT company went to Europe. Most ended up on the same Engineer Group; two battalions and four separate companies. We kept encountering each other at training sites, service clubs, and bars where we discussed the current status of soldiers we knew. Somewhere around one in fifteen didn’t make it. If there was one common denominator, it was laziness.
You could see it from the first few days of basic training. They were unwilling to work, to learn, to carry their share of the load. In my company, you could be a drunk, “civil” rights rabble rouser, get in fights, be stupid, etc., and the NCO’s would work to change you. Be a slacker, not do your job, and be lazy about your duty, and you were on your way out. Not just the command, but everyone would be unwilling to even acknowledge you. The common route out involved a Bad Conduct Discharge.

The 60’s 70’s anti war movement spawned some violent splinter groups. Bank robbers, kidnappers, etc. Between then and now, violent groups like Earth Liberation Front have formed. Watch for it; there will be organized attacks on the perceived 1%. The theory being, they can’t break the 1%, but they can insure the 1% don’t enjoy themselves. Golfers getting sniped? Bombs in exclusive area night clubs? Old generation, but still lethal, one man SAMS against private jets? Not hard to take the joy out of life and install fear.

No, I’m not advocating violence. Far from it; it is usually innocent bystanders that get killed or wounded. I just see a situation developing. Then the 1% use their wealth and power to protect themselves. How will that impact our liberties? Mix in a faltering economy, dysfunctional government, disappearing social “services” and we get perilous times.

Getting back to the start of this blog, I think all of us need to examine our approach to those we disagree with. The very first step is to vote. The second step is get involved with local politics at the local level. The third step is to find some common ground with your neighbors you disagree with. That starts the process.

As always, your mileage may vary.

BMW Modifier

2011-11-30T13:20:00.004-07:00

The picture is of a 4 pound sledge hammer I’ve had for over thirty years. It has been retired from work but sits on a shelf next to my front door as part of my home defense plan. As an “at risk” senior, I face less possible legal problems bludgeoning an intruder than shooting an intruder.

The time I used it to modify a BMW was in the 1970’s. My employer produced UBC compliant modular homes along with other construction activities and a new dealer was installing their first purchase from us. I was onsite for “tech support”. When we finished, it was late and dark. My route home was different from theirs. In a few miles, I hit dense fog.

For those who know Eastern King County, WA, my route home was on May Valley Road near Renton. At that time, the road was a rural narrow two lane road with no shoulders and a steep drop off. There may be darker places at night than Western Washington when there is an overcast and thick fog. Inside a mine comes to mind.

This vehicle comes up behind me. There were the headlights, driving lights, and auxiliary lights, all full blast. My speed was only 15 MPH, all the visibility would allow, and now the glare from this jerk blinded me. I pulled into the first driveway I came to and let him pass. Pulling in behind him, I kept my lights on park and left on my two yellow fog lights. Now he pulls into a driveway and then back in behind me. I stopped. After putting on my four ways, I walked back to the car, a decked out BMW with a couple in the front. The driver lowered his window a crack. I explained he was blinding me and requested he kill most of his lights. He wasn’t cooperative. He also had a lot to say including telling me what to do. OK. The sledge was in the back of my pickup. Very soon, the BMW had one only operating light. Priceless expression on the yuppies faces! As I drove off, they just at there.

No visits later from the police. Probably, they were too shocked to note my license number.

Recently, my daughter in law posted a comment on this blog.

FDIL said...
Forget the apple falling from the tree! I think they all grew on the same branch! The biggest difference between you, your dad, my hubby and my male children is that you, your dad and my hubby didn't have me running the show and raising you! LOL There is still hope for my young sons! (As long as they don't spend too much time around Grandpa!) :-)

Wonder why she would say something like that?

Quiet Sunday in My Hood

2011-11-27T14:04:00.006-07:00

Hostage situation two blocks away. SWAT, flash bangs, loud speakers, HAZMAT team and every off duty LEO in the area present to punch the overtime ticket. Film at eleven?

Unfortunate family trying to unload a truck one block away. Looks like they are moving in. Probably not the Welcome Wagon they were expecting.

Customer Service

2011-11-27T11:31:00.006-07:00

Rodeo contestants are unique group who put in unimaginable hours.

The owner of the car dealerships I worked at for many years was a former bull rider. We had many customers who were involved in professional rodeos. We went out of our way to accommodate them. Sometimes, this became interesting.

A repeat customer was a young Wyoming bull rider. As a committed Christian, he took his young wife and three children with him. They traveled in a crew cab pickup with a self contained camper. One night on his way to a rodeo he stopped by and they traded in their ¾ ton Ford for a one ton dually crew cab Ford. As part of the deal, we needed to move their self contained camper from the trade to the new vehicle.

Since he didn’t have camper jacks, we opened the shop and backed in the trade to one of the hoists. We were able to remove the camper by lifting it with the hoist and pull the trade out of the way. The problem now became backing the dually under the camper. Much less clearance and a much larger turning radius made for very tight squeeze. By now it was two hours after closing. The owner, another salesman, the customers, and I were still at the dealership. The other salesman, AKA, was by far the best driver in the group and was finally able to maneuver the dually into place. The camper was lowered and bolted down by the customer. While this was going on, the rest of us were transferring the contents of the trade to the dually. AKA maneuvered the dually out of the bay, the customer drove off, and the rest of us went home. The customers still had a seven hour drive in front of them.

Strange as it may seem, in our world, this was a normal transaction. Whatever the hour, whatever the situation, we dealt with it. The old Jackie Cooper axiom, “Winners do what losers won’t”, was a “core value” with us.

From where I look, the only place you can always find that commitment is in our professional military. Good reason to hire a recently discharged vet. They know how to work.

Latter Day Saints

2011-11-25T12:00:00.003-07:00

So Romney is a Latter Day Saint (Mormon) . So what? I’m far more concerned that he is a RINO.

I’m not LDS. I lived in Utah for a few years and have done business in “Mormon” country most of my adult life. Once worked for a company that had two Stake Presidents and one Bishop in management. Once had a customer who is a General Authority. Point is, I know more about LDS belief and history than most folks.

I can recall only two times religion was a factor in business. One time the folks involved didn’t know I wasn’t LDS and thought I was a backslider. When that was cleared up, the problem went away. In the other case, took the two brothers aside and explained to them they were acting like asses. The conversation got quite spirited but we came to an understanding. In fact, the Church’s doctrine forbids a Saint from discriminating against a Gentile. Against amoral pieces of shit, yes, to the extent of protecting oneself.

The most important thing to Latter Day Saints is family. I was a good family man. I didn’t just talk the talk, I walked the walk, all the time. My behavior, my wife’s behavior, and my children’s behaviors were noted. We were accepted and had no problems with our neighbors. Small things, like babysitters when we wanted an evening out, were never a problem.

So, do we disqualify a candidate who’s religion focuses on morals, integrity, self reliance, family and community service?

Doubt my party will even allow a primary challenger.

I hope we get a great candidate to oppose the Lightbringer. If Romney is the candidate, his being LDS won’t influence my decision. His damn flip flopping and past Second Amendment positions will.

Need To Be Able to Laugh at Ourselves

2011-11-22T19:59:00.004-07:00

A "Progressive" friend directed me to this Facebook site.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-survived-President-Bush-You-will-survive-President-Obama/109809872390221

I find this title hilarious. The author? Needs an enema.

Flattered

2011-11-21T18:56:00.004-07:00

According to the stat counter, this blog is drawing more page views every new posting. I see some new followers. Since I can't seem to figure out how to send you a welcoming email, welcome, and thank you.

This blog was started as a new way to run my mouth, to communicate with friends, and allow the members of my clan to have new material to "tsk, tsk" about, without having to expose themselves. Should you find anything of interest here, feel free to comment. I enjoy arguments! Some will think I'm a bubble or two off plumb. Feel free to say so; you will be right.

Again, to all who come back to read this blog, thank you. I am flattered.

Hunting With My Father

2011-11-19T20:09:00.004-07:00

From an early childhood, I was involved with hunting. I was part of the group, but it wasn’t until I was a senior in high school my father and I, alone, went hunting together.

For many years, he guided hunters and provided horses and gear. This was a critical component of the family finances. Hunting was, for me, work. Pack in gear and hunters. Pack out game, hunters, and gear. We were always subsistence hunters. Guiding hunters was simply an extension of food hunting. No one worked harder, and put in more hours, than my father. I was expected to keep up. Sometimes, it was just the two of us packing, and we “hunted” as we packed, but the packing took priority.

By my senior year, my father had found a good paying, steady job, at the power plant. My mother had a job with the Forest Service. We had a small ranch but it wasn’t large enough to provide a steady living. With the acquisition of the power plant job, my father quit guiding.

We were hunting elk and were sitting on a rock, on the South face of a scrub oak covered ridge, waiting for the pressure of other hunters to drive something past us. At that time in my life, I had acute hearing. I heard an animal moving quickly from our West and alerted my father. He didn’t believe me at first. I got into position, aiming where my hearing indicated I would get a clear shot, and waited with my Model 94, 30.-.30, open sights. The bull came into view, about 150 yards below us at a trot, with a downward angle of about 45 degrees, and 90 degrees to us, i.e, broadside. Now my pride got in the way. Wanting to impress my father with my skill, and not spoiling any meat, I aimed for a brisket shot. Just as I fired, the bull stopped. I saw hair fly, then he was gone. Had I aimed for a neck or shoulder shot, he would have been meat on the table. We checked for blood and only found a few spots. Nothing to indicate a serious wound.

That day some “Sportsmen” jumped a elk herd a few miles from us and started shooting. They wounded more than they killed. We came across some of the wounded and put them out of their misery.
I came across a gut shot yearling cow who was so exhausted she stood bleating and watched me shoot her from less than twenty feet. Made me feel like a mighty hunter - not.

The game wardens managed to catch and prosecute several of the “Sportsmen”.

Turned out my father and I never hunted together alone after that. We hunted with others, but that was the only time it was just the two of us.

I read about other folk’s hunting experiences and wonder if I missed something. I enjoyed the outdoors experience, enjoyed the successes, the tracking and stalking, but only in the context of putting meat on the table. Always, there was an underling tension of not wanting, not allowing, failure. Hunting just for the enjoyment of the hunt I can understand, at a mental level, but I’ve never felt it.

A Cop Created

2011-11-16T19:02:00.004-07:00

This is dedicated to the late Duane Laeger, Weld County Colorado Deputy, Chief of Police, Platteville, Colorado and all my PEACE OFFICER kinfolk. Received this as an email.

A Cop Created

When the Lord was creating peace officers, He was into His sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order? A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform."
"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day."
"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, May I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, You'll be all right ma'am, when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck." The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly. "Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop...and still keeps its sense of humor."
"This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crimes scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the peace officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear." What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.

Anonymous

And Another Evil Car Salesman Story

2011-11-15T21:25:00.006-07:00

Dirty Al has been bugging me for another car lot story, Too much politics, he says.

Car sales people all have common foes, the buying public, and management. While mainly self centered, they will defend their pack. One young jerk learned this the hard way.

He pulled on to the lot, parked, and got out of his car. One of the black salesmen, Dandy Man, approached him. The jerk said, approximately, “Look, I won’t buy a car from a N____. In fact, I don’t even want to sit in a car a N____ has sat in.”

“No problem”, said Dandy Man. “Hey Sam, come over here a minute.”

Sam, Celtic, freckles, red hair, and pale as a ghost, took over. Two hours later the jerk was driving off the lot in his new, to him, used car. Done deal, he owned it. Dandy Man spots him and shouts, “Shit Sam, you done sold him my uncles trade in”. The outraged look on the jerks face only intensified as every salesman (and woman) within ear shot started laughing.

Somehow, I doubt Sam got many referrals from that customer.

Another blast from the past. Just because I looked like the biggest redneck around, giving me a Klan handshake only meant I was going to hurt you financially to the best of my considerable evil salesman talents.

USMC Birthday

2011-11-10T08:59:00.003-07:00

Good friend is a former Marine. Each year I call him and wish him a Happy Marine Corp Birthday. The conversation usually goes like this:

"Happy Birthday, Jarhead".

"Thanks, Ditch Boy, now go spit shine your shovel".

Watch the Circus

2011-11-07T12:37:00.005-07:00

Link to a service that will send you emails on how your Congresscritters vote. You can specify your Congressional District and your Senators will also be reported.

What is interesting, to me, is how damn few votes are taken.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote/

Country Folk (Redneck) Funeral

2011-11-04T15:13:00.008-06:00

Recent humorous emails themed “Etiquette for Rednecks” sparked a conversation about how my sister, late brother in law, and I acted like we didn’t have “proper fetchins”.

ETIQUETTE FOR REDNECKS...

DRIVING ETIQUETTE:

5. Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession

Our extended family has a history of taking care of funerals for our members. Professional mortuary service are usually not used except for preparing the body and placing the remains in a casket, or boxing the cremains. A section of the old family homestead West of Craig. CO., has been set aside for a family graveyard.

My father had remarried at the time of his death and his wife wasn’t coping too well. Various family members prepared the grave. I conducted the services at the Community Church, while an aunt played the music.

A step brother and I picked up the body, in a coffin, at a Craig Mortuary in my late father’s GMC pickup for his last ride. We stopped in the small town of Maybell, CO for the service. That is where the trouble began.

The widow’s sister in law tried to take over. We damn sure didn’t need her “help.” My sister could see I was, quite literally, ready to kill. She got between us and put the sister in law in her place, with a hovering throng of kinfolk standing by, and we started and finished the service.

The ten mile procession to the homestead was outstanding. There were nearly forty vehicles. Strangers going Eastbound stopped their cars and trucks, stepped out, and paid their respects (love the Old West people). After a brief Odd Fellows graveside service conducted by a cousin, we closed the grave and everyone left except my sister, brother in law, and myself. We stayed there about an hour, talking quietly, and trying to calm down.

I had borrowed a cousin’s S-10 4x4. As we left, I started roaring around the sagebrush, kicking up dust, and generally raising vehicular hell, i.e. laying down rubber. My sister was whooping and hollering. My brother in law was silently and grimly holding on for dear life. If our father was watching, he was laughing and whooping and hollering too. That is just the kind of irreverent people we are. You can be sober, prim and proper, and solemn for only so long. In fact, I needed to decompress, before going back to town and the post funeral pot luck. I still wanted to kill that bitch.

We Have A WHITE President????

2011-11-01T16:09:00.006-06:00

Sure seems Mr. Obama is getting paler. Look at the four pictures.

Received my Democratic Membership letter. For the forth years, didn't send any money.

Like the slogan, "Winning the Future." Easy shorthand, WtF. Brilliant!

Travel Essentials

2011-10-30T10:13:00.003-06:00

Off to Sin City at O Dark 100. Driving what is called a "High Security" vehicle so it is straight through. No overnight parking. Fly back the next day.

Miss the days when my "kit" was a small shaving kit and some clothes in an AWOL bag.

Redneck Woman

2011-10-28T04:20:00.002-06:00

PROBLEM: Snow laden trees branch in danger of breaking. Two story house. 1/10 pitch roof too dangerous to climb

REDNECK WOMAN‘S SOLUTION. Five rounds of 12 gauge Pheasant loads into the snow laden branches, thereby removing the snow.

PROBLEM: Solved.

Don’t mess with my sister. She will hurt you!

Obama"s Fault?

2011-10-26T16:40:00.004-06:00

We have been enjoying 80 degree weather along the Front Range. Yesterday, a storm came through dropping 8 or more inches of wet, almost cement, snow. Today Obama visited Denver. I'm blaming him for the mess.

Other than catching trees still with leaves, a heavy moisture storm like this is good for our parched soil. Going from 80 to snow kills off a lot of grasshoppers, etc., which will be helpful next summer.

Nothing Runs Like a Deere

2011-10-25T10:47:00.001-06:00

My evil twin made me post this.

THIS is a CADILLAC

2011-10-23T08:31:00.004-06:00

We were swapping stories at the early morning senior coffee McDonalds meeting.

The topic was winter driving and inept and ignorant drivers. Everyone at the table was, of course, a total professional. My contribution.

Prior to Interstate 70, going west from Denver you had two choices, US 6 or US 40. They merged from just East of Idaho Springs to just West of Downeville where they split. Drivers could then choose 11,990 foot Loveland Pass US 6 or 11,307 foot Berthoud Pass US 40.

Downeville had a large and prosperous gas station with a large service shop and wrecker service. Many drivers would stop there and have their tire chains installed. The workers would put the vehicle on lifts making installation easier and faster.

One winter evening in 1968, I stopped in Downeville for coffee, before going West over Berthoud Pass, and noticed a shinny black Eldorado up on a lift. The mechanic was putting chains on the rear tires. The owner was closely watching.

Being a helpful sort of smart ass, I pointed out the Eldorado was front wheel drive.

“Young man”, said the owner, “THIS is a CADILLAC!” Behind the owner, I could see the mechanic give a slight shrug. “Oh,” I said and kept on walking, leaving the damn fool on his own.

Advice for those who have never used tire chains. If you have access to an air hose, or a station with one is nearby, let some air out of your tires. Put on the chains as tight as you can by hand then air up the tires.

Oh, and know which of your wheels are powered!

The "My First Car" Meme

2011-10-20T16:00:00.009-06:00

OK, I’ll play.

Ranch kid, so I grew up driving in fields and country roads. If the deputies happened to see you, and it was a farm vehicle, they would just wave.
Driving something else into town was different.

A great uncle I worked for in the summer had a ex Marine Corps M-2-4-233 one ton 4x4, no top, and no seat upholstery left. At some point, surplus 24 ply aircraft tires had been mounted. The plies were slowly peeling off but there were so many plies the tires held air. My great uncle would send me to “town” to get a load of bailing wire. Coming back one day with a load, a Colorado Courtesy Patrol officer (State Trooper) pulled along side me as I chugged along at 35 mph or so with tire cords flapping. Here was a 12 year old kid, sitting on two boards over a seat frame, no license plates, no windshield, and most certainly no current safety sticker, operating a motor vehicle. We made eye contact. He just shook his head and accelerated up the highway.

At the time, at age 14, you could get a license to ride a powered scooter. Two cousins had one they didn’t ride because they were old enough to drive cars.
Early 1950 vintage Sears Allstate, probably built by Cushman. Ah, freedom. Not practical for Colorado winters unless you are very stubborn and 14.

First car, 1951 Ford. Flathead V-8, manual 3 speed with overdrive. The previous owner had damaged the right front fender. I didn’t care, drove it for three years, and sold it for more than I paid. I could fix anything that went wrong with it with help from my father or uncles.

When I got it, the rear end was lowered, the shift lever had been moved to the left side of the column (allowing you to keep your arm around your date) and the dome light painted with nail polish. Nice pink glow! Got rid of the lowering blocks to improve the handling. Kept the other modifications. The one serious problem was the vacuum powered windshield wipers. They only got enough vacuum at low rpm. Fitted an electric fuel pump which had a vacuum boost on one side and fuel pump on the other side. Took at little plumbing to get everything working but I could both drive fast and see; a good thing!

Push button AM radio. All buttons set to KOMA, OKC, or XELO, Chihuahua, MX, the only stations we could receive at night that had good (teenager) music.

"Yes indeed folks, get your 3D framed wall mounted picture of our savior. His eyes follow you everywhere. Just send $5 to XELO, Chihuahua, Mexico for a 3D picture of our savior autographed by he himself! Yes, $5, XELO, Chihuahua, Mexico."

BULLSHEET!!!

2011-10-17T18:46:00.001-06:00

All this with a straight face?

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/17/8368771-study-says-obama-the-victim-of-negative-press-coverage

Forest for Trees

2011-10-17T04:20:00.002-06:00

One blogger I follow sends out occasional humor emails. A recent one had some huge business blunders which reminded me of a not so major blunder I participated in.

When the US Navy started building Sub Base Bangor on Hoods Canal in Washington State, one of the first projects was 100+ units of family housing. Basically, a condo project.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Base_Kitsap

Like forty or more bidders, my company was a player. When the bids came out, Morrison Knudsen, Boise, ID was low bidder by 5%. MK??? Highways, bridges, airports, big projects were what they were known for.

Turned out we all over looked the timber rights. We saw all the damn trees that needed to be removed. Someone from MK saw a prime stand of old growth Douglas Fir.

You can guess the rest. MK sublet the entire project to us dumb shits, including the logging (there are a few logging companies in the Pacific Northwest), shuffled paper, and made a fat profit. We took the crumbs.

In later years, MK fell victim to their own mistakes.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982764,00.html

Hope I never forget the lesson of not seeing the forest because all the trees are in the way.

Jiggle Joint

2011-10-14T17:02:00.004-06:00

The Situation. Three men, all seniors, in a Southern City, with six hours to kill.

The Solution. Bass Pro Shop.

One man’s wife calls him on his cell phone. Conversation goes much like this.

Man, “Hello honey” (Caller I.D.)

Wife, “Where are you? What are you doing?”

Man, “We are waiting on the client, have some time to kill, so we are walking around a Bass Pro Shop.”

Wife, “You are in a Bass Pro Shop with OUR credit card!”

Man, “We drove by three titty bars on the way here. It was Bass Pro Shop or one of them.”

Wife, “The titty bars would be a lot cheaper than you loose in a Bass Pro Shop!”

Yeah, age has caught up with us.

Dems Respond to Fast and Furious

2011-10-14T14:31:00.003-06:00

Both my United States Senators and my District Congressman are Democrats. I've written all three, by email and snail mail, about this issue and have received zero response. What a surprise!

Why We Care

2011-10-12T18:59:00.003-06:00

Forced to spend part of the last two days with the grandkids. Two of the younger ones made this "art" for grandpaw. Now on a filing cabinet in my office area.

At my stage in life, my main concern is the world passed on to my children and their children.

FEMA Prison Camp Voucher

2011-10-07T13:19:00.006-06:00

WARNING: Long Rant

December 2008 was the start of this blog.

http://wellseasonedfool.blogspot.com/2008/12/forced-humility-sucks.html

To date, there have been 299 postings. Number 300 must be, to the best of my ability, memorable. Should I not already be on numerous shit lists, this should put me over the top. Or not; maybe I’m flattering myself and am not, in the overall scheme of things, important enough to notice! Just a trivial, bitter, clinger living in a flyover state.

http://www.sianews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1062

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/54475.htm

The Lightbringer, he of the most transparent administration, seems determined to use class warfare to get reelected. This may well work because it has a huge amount of truth to draw upon. Set aside for a moment, his ethical lapses, flip flops, Chicago style politics, etc., please, and look at the target, the financial industry. (We will ignore the money he has taken, and continues to take, from them).

Under George W. Bush, we citizens got royally fucked. The principal regulatory agency, FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp) staff was reduced from 21,000 to 6,000.

Bair's FDIC – 106 Banks Down, 400 To Go! | OnlineForexTrading.com
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You +1'd this publicly. UndoOct 27, 2009 – The FDIC's staff was trimmed from 21000 employees to 6000 during the Bush presidency. Meanwhile the agency's capital funding is sorely ...

The FDIC wasn’t alone. One trick to gut a regulatory agency is to not fund portions of their operations.

http://www.nasaa.org/issues-and-advocacy/legislative-agenda-1/

Now I know we are over regulated, yada, yada, but the Great Depression was caused, in large part, by crooked bankers. I maintain the bulk of all regulations in this country STARTED in response to crooked dealings. Once in place, the self generating and self sustaining interests of the administrative staff starts distorting things.

The Bush family are no strangers to financial shenanigans. Ever hear of the Savings and Loan mess, circa 1980-1990?

http://rationalrevolution.net/war/bush_family_and_the_s.htm

Some say George W. Bush was the most scandalous president ever. Stiff competition there. For those who have the time, 400 scandals from his administration are here.

http://www.netrootsmass.net/hughs-bush-scandals-list/

I’m Colorado country. Damn all sleazy Texas slickers!

Now along comes the Tea Party. Great stuff! Then comes the money folks. Congresscritters elected with the help of the Tea Party activists slide over to Grover Norquist. Who elected this asshat? Not you and I. He works for the moneyed interests, not you and I. Still, look at all the newby politicians breaking a leg to get in line to sign the pledge (and get the money). Oh, WSF, you exaggerate. Really, about Jack Abramoff’s old buddy? Fuck me running!

http://www.atr.org/taxpayer-protection-pledge

Colorado produced one politician I greatly admire, Ken Gordon. I certainly don’t agree with all of his politics. I certainly think he is honest, courageous, and will stand by his principals and promises. He has some advice to those who aspire to public office.

http://thinkoutsidethecage2.blogspot.com/2008/05/ken-gordon-signs-off-with-rules-of.html

He lost his last two tries. I think most voters said, “Yeah, boy, Go! Go! Go!” then voted for Rudy Russo.

Rudy Russo, Kurt Russell’s character from my favorite movie, USED CARS, explaining to his boss why he wanted to be in politics (sorry, no YouTube):

There's an opening for state senate. The machine's looking for a fresh face, somebody with no axes to grind - - who wants to tell the people what they want to hear. They're looking for me! I talked to the party chairman last week. Sixty grand buys me the nomination.

Sixty grand, huh? That's all it takes nowadays?

No, that's like a down payment. Once I’m in, i go fifty-fifty on all the graft i take in. Politics, luke!

In total sincerity, I ask if there is anyone in Congress that would stand up to Gordon’s criteria?

Let us look at another grenade with the pin pulled, Social Security. First, be clear that FDR and the Democrats DID NOT CREATE SOCIAL SECURITY! The Republican Party created Social Security and shoved it down FDR’s throat. LBJ raided Social Security to pay for the Vietnam War.

http://romanticpoet.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/liberal-nightmare-lyndon-johnson-started-the-raid-on-social-security-for-other-government-programs-jimmy-carter-expanded-big-government-obamas-got-the-shovel/

He got away with it and his model has been used to raid trust funds every since. There are your crumbling infrastructures, your antiquated air traffic control system, etc., as a result.

George W. wasn’t the first to suggest privatizing Social Security. That towering figure of moral principals, Bill Clinton, floated the idea. So far, it hasn’t happened. Some in the financial world are saying, “Damn, there goes the second Beaver Creek trophy house!”

Another grenade with the pin pulled, the Post Office. Turns out the Post Office is really in the black. The revenue produced is misused.

http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/07/8191425-twisted-government-accounting-behind-postal-service-woes

Do any of you see a parallel between the Wall Street protesters and the Vietnam War protesters? Is this the left’s Tea Party? Good to see Oath Keepers and others getting involved in trying to reach out to the protestors and not try to marginalize them as hippies, etc. Now, the protestors aren’t sure what they want but they are sure their country’s financial institutions, most assuredly including the Federal Reserve, has been fucking them and their parents forever. Don’t discount the impact they can have on this country.

Those of us old enough to have come of age in the Vietnam era know this country was changed by protestors. Many of those same protestors are now in the Obama Administration.

Back to the upcoming election. The Lightbringer has a huge war chest and a solid target. Things will get interesting.

What am I personally going to do? Not join any “woe is me” pity parties. Will do what I always do. Work the local political structure and keep pushing my views. Donate a little money, here and there.

OK, WSF, is there anyone you like? I liked and voted for Gerald Ford. For a time, I was a John Edwards supporter - appealed to the Populist side of me. (As did a lady who was a huge Edwards fan. Politics does make bed fellows. Yes, I‘ve low standards). Today’s group? Megh.

Thank you, should you have persevered this far with this rant. STAT counters tell me many people look at my blog from all over the world. I thank each and everyone of you. I write this for me, some family members, and a few friends. If you enjoy it, or are outraged, etc., thank you for reading.

The photo? Look which hand is “over the heart”. Photoshoped? Damn good job of changing the suit buttons and wedding rings!

Electrons - Friend or Foe?

2011-10-06T16:46:00.004-06:00

My daughter in law (FDIL) keeps telling me electrons are my friends. She is my go to person for tech stuff. Electrons may be my friends but I’m very suspicious of the wisdom in molesting them.

Past postings have referred to a Honda store where I sold used cars in the mid 90’s.

This store was built to mimic a Nordstrom store. Every conceivable upgrade and computer system was built in. The service department operated 24/7. The place cost $80,000 a month to operate.

The sales staff were recruited along the Yuppie college graduate profile and were expected to dress accordingly. The owners still had used cars to sell; the dark side of the dealership. They recruited (with substantial cash incentives) a few proven hard nosed used car salesmen, among them, myself. I didn’t fit in well but invested in the wardrobe and cleaned up my language.

Everything revolved around the computer system. At every turn, you logged on and updated your status. First problem, I was issued employee number 666. May have been appropriate but put off some customers. Was told the computer wouldn’t allow them to change the number. My response, terminate me and then rehire me with a different number. After much bitching by the administration, this was done.

Some genius decided all of us needed to be computer operators. You had to take, and pass, periodic tests, on the computer. If not, you couldn't’t log on.
So one day I am taking a test and came upon baud rates. WTF? Called over one of the managers. “What is this b__s___”? “Well, if the computer goes down you need to know how to restart it.” My response. “If the ____ computer goes down, I’ll call some computer nerd. I’m done, I’m not doing anymore tests.” “But you have to finish! You have the computer tied up and nobody can use it until you finish.” “Yeah, you better get somebody here to finish the test, I’m done.” And so it was. Never took another test.

Why wasn’t I fired? Try 20 cars sold per month with an average gross profit of $1,500 after pack. Was I resented by most managers? Probably, but didn’t care.

One wonderful day the best money making psycho manager I ever worked for called. “Yeah, I’m back from Montana, and running ________ Ford. Get your ass over here.” Ah, old school, trucks, Fords, Ford Red Carpet Leases, huge used inventory, and a manager with his shit together, drug/alcohol issues under control, and a deal working machine! Hog heaven.

For your amusement, my favorite scene from my favorite movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUs1HZIrMMQ&feature=related

With computers, I wanted to be able to do two things. One, work deals (price, trade, down payment, monthly payment) and two, enter information and print paperwork. On those occasions I was forced at gun point to be the finance manager, learned what I needed. As to the rest, we could hire competent computer operators fair easier (and cheaper) than good salespeople. As the years passed, I learned more. Internet advertising, web sites, etc., made learning a necessity. I still am not a fan; just a user. I still don’t know baud rates from gigashits, nor do I want to.

The last time my cell phone died, I was en route to see youngest son, FDIL, grandkids, and grand dog (not necessarily in that order; it is a package deal). FDIL took me to the Verizon store and selected a phone for me. Took a few minutes until the salesman got it through his arrogant head his sole function in the transaction was paperwork. Phone is still in service and I can actually use 15% of it’s capabilities, thanks to FDIL’s torture, er, tutoring.

Bringing in the Hay

2011-10-03T15:47:00.005-06:00

This past weekend my sister’s “daughter’ (once married to her step son - still a daughter to my sister) asked my sister to help her put up hay bales. All that was required was driving the truck. A request with a dangerous lack of knowledge and history regarding my sister.

Our father would bale our hay and then leave it for me to haul to the barn. This was my welcome home after a summer away working hay for my great uncles. Our equipment was a flat bed Ford pickup. I would put the truck into the “granny” gear and let it roll along the line of bales, loading as we traveled. As necessary, adjust the track. Starting at about age seven, my sister would steer. Little shit would slide down until her foot was on the gas and then ever so slowly speed up. I would start at a brisk walk, then a trot, and then would be running. Then yelling. Fifteen minutes later it would all start again.

As she grew and could reach the pedals easily, she lobbied (cried, pouted, etc. as girls are born knowing how to do) to drive to the barn. The close fields were ok but the far field had a big dip between the fields. Giving in, I let her drive across the dip where she “goosed it” and half the load fell off. I do believe she exited the truck and took off at a run for the house.

My sister was a true ranch girl. Stack hay, drive equipment, break and train horses, then put on a dress and be drop dead gorgeous.

As a young man dating ranch girls, one learned to be careful with your hands. Most had a strong enough grip to crush bones.

Times are Tough

2011-10-02T13:55:00.003-06:00

My old buddies tell me times are tough in the car business.

Fun Two Day Trip

2011-09-30T17:10:00.003-06:00

Before hitting the TSA checkpoint, I empty all my pockets and put the contents inside my bag. Before getting on the plane, bought a cup of coffee and discovered my keys, still in my pocket. Had the same thing recently occur with a couple dollars worth of change at Ft Meyers. Good to know TSA is on top of their game.

Getting on a flight to Las Vegas via Phoenix some jerk tried to put his oversized bag sideways over the row I was to sit in. Called him on it; told him to move his bag. He said something about no space where he was sitting. Told him I didn’t care; I paid for my ticket same as him. He moved the bag.

Flying to Phoenix was interesting as the aspen are turning colors. Quite a sight from 29,000 feet.

Exiting the restroom at Phoenix, the man with the bag was waiting for me. Started running his mouth. I stepped away from my carryon, extended my hands palm up, and made a “come on” motion with my fingers. Turns out he was all mouth and decided he had other places to be.

Must have been a spectacle; two senior citizens chest puffing in the entryway to an airport restroom. To hell with these jerks that think the world revolves around them. The airline employees won’t do much about the carryon problem because they know their management won’t back them up.

Later, talking to youngest son, he pointed out the man probably steamed the whole two hours from Denver. Bet the outcome to his confrontation with me didn’t go the way he envisioned. Probably steamed the rest of the day. Being the perverse asshole I am, I rather enjoyed the rest of my day.

My boss goes to Expedia and buys the cheapest flight possible. I don’t care, I get paid whether I’m in an airplane, sitting at a terminal, or driving a vehicle. The company isn’t getting paid if wheels aren’t turning on the test vehicles. Not my problem, but old management habits are hard to discard.

Nice drive from Las Vegas to Denver. Tourist season is over as is a lot of construction. Did earn my pay nursing the vehicle. Pre production stuff isn’t always reliable. Guess that is why the manufacturers test them.

Evil Car Salesmen - Ongoing

2011-09-26T19:10:00.003-06:00

As requested, another car sales story.

Mid 90’s, upscale HONDA dealership, still needed to sell their used car trade ins. The used car department was staffed by six throat rippers recruited from other stores. In walks a Japanese couple, fresh off an airplane. They wanted a Japanese car, only, at a stupid low price, for cash. Ah, a challenge.

We did have a 1990 Mercury Tracer Hatchback. This was a Mazda 323 clone. After explaining this was really a Mazda 323 (and showing them some parts under the hood with Mazda on them) we went for a test drive.

This couple had limited English. Seems they were heart surgeons, married, and were doing a year long training program at a local hospital. The woman was in charge.

After driving them off the lot to a low traffic area, I parked on the right side of the street and let the lady drive. She promptly pulled over to the left and away we go! After a short, but intense, discussion about which side of the road is used in the USA, we finish the test drive and complete the sale.

A few days later, and two days off for me, the sales manager called me over after I logged in. The Japanese woman had called the store and he had taken the call. As he explained, the call went like this.

Customer “Ah, no RIKE car.”

Sales Manager “OK, no problem. We will have your salesman find you another car.”

Long silence

Customer “Ah, NO RIKE SALESMAN.”

They came in and bought another car. The sales manager wanted me to know why I wasn’t on the second deal. Like I cared.

I didn’t lie to them. A Mazda 323 was a decent car. A Mazda 323, assembled in Mexico and sold by Ford’s Mercury Division, not so much.

For several days, had to listen to, “Ah, no rike Tank.” On the bright side, if her driving had given me a heart attack, she and her husband could have saved my life. Probably not; even in Japan they know car salesmen don’t have hearts.

Offensive and Rude Stereotyping

2011-09-24T17:25:00.005-06:00

Traffic offenses I would like to see enacted and enforced.

DWA
Driving while Asian

DWM
Driving while Mexican

DWA
Driving while African

DWE
Driving while elderly

DWCP
Driving while Cell Phoning

DWG
Driving while gansta

DWHUA
Driving with Head Up Ass

MDBF
Mountain Driving by Flatlander

DTTinMA
Driving Turnip Truck in Metro Area

DMVLMV
Driving minivan like a minivan

DLDH
Driving like a Dirt Hauler

DLM
Driving like me

Feel free to add your own.

Obama Press Conference

2011-09-19T19:10:00.003-06:00

When you drive prototype and pre production vehicles, you can end up on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. Such was the case this morning so I listened to the Lightbringer's press harrange. (Silly me, I thought press conferences included questions from the press). Heard it on Sirius POTOUS.

Good speach. Better if it had come a month or two after his inaguration but a hint that he is starting to "get it".

What hasn't changed is the arrogance/ineptitude. His speech started twenty six minutes late. This is his pattern. Total disrespect for other's time.

I've worked for a few, "The meeting doesn't start until I get there" types. I never worked for them very long. While I was working for them, I didn't respect them or much care for what they wanted. I can't remember one whose business prospered.

Tea Party

2011-09-18T09:54:00.006-06:00

Recently got into a political argument (surprise, surprise) with a "progressive" who challanged me to explain the Tea Party. I don't consider myself a Tea Party member (maybe a fellow traveler) but this is what I sent her.

What Fuels the “Tea Party”

Arrogance! Those who consider themselves intellectual elites, who assume they hold the moral high ground, who should be in charge, and who know best what are the common good needs, and really don’t care to hear dissenting opinions. They "fuel" the Tea Party.

Tea Party? How about folks who are saying, not only no, but Hell No.

We will raise, mold, and install our values and beliefs in our families.

We will keep our property.

We will keep our privacy.

We will keep the tools that defend us without interference.

We will choose, not you.

You don’t care to listen to us? Then we will take your power from you.

The Tea Party is an idea, not a monolithic party. It may well be the Civil Rights movement of the 21st Century. And, just as Dr. King and others had the Deacons for Defense and Justice standing in the wings, this is an armed and organized movement.

Her response? I'm a right wing nut job! Ah, civil discourse and respectful exchange of ideas lives, somewhere.

Sunset All Laws

2011-09-17T08:46:00.003-06:00

The continued growth of our Federal government is what is stifling our economy. What is needed is to make every law ever passed subject to expiration, i.e., Sunset, every ten years. Five years? Seven years? Timed to off election years?

This will force the bureaucrats to defend their “turf”. Congress, with all their sub committees, will focus on what we’ve got rather than creating even more new laws.

Before Sunset, you have sunshine. As Michelle Malkin points out, sunshine is the best disinfectant.

http://michellemalkin.com/

Imagine, if you will, all the lobbyists, special interest groups, etc. having to justify their existence. Some will make their case and others will go away.

The alternative? The whole damn system collapses.

Holler

2011-09-09T20:50:00.005-06:00

Our country has a rich tradition of citizens speaking up. This results in someone being pissed off, usually a public official or politician. Contempt of cop comes to mind. Down at city hall dealing with some busybody who just wants you to go away is another. Politicians at town hall meetings nattering about "civility" are discomforted.

TSA? A couple I know have a child with medical problems. This child has been exposed to numerous x-rays in a short period of time. They refused to allow their child to go through a backscatter scanner. TSA went off on them and the mother went off on TSA. When I heard this, my response was, "Good for you"!

The old counter culture cry of "Resist Authority" still has validity. Whenever and wherever we encounter abusive authority, we need to holler. We need to support others who holler. We defeat abuse by standing up to it. Don't be bullied!

I'm not suggesting you be vulgar or engage in personal attacks. I do encourage going up the chain of command and putting the heat on those who are normally insulated from the "unwashed masses". Remember, you attract more flies with honey than vinegar.

The most effective person I know at doing this is my little sister. She starts out, "Honey, you don't get paid enough to get yelled at by me. Who in this place does"? Believe me when I say super important corner office occupant is about to have their day disrupted.

Most folks want to avoid conflict and just live their lives in peace and quiet. Sorry, I don't think that works. Don't be a sheeple. Suck it up and start hollering!

For a variety of reasons, MSN is my browser. Their liberal bias is blatant. Imagine my surprise to read a very negative view of the Lightbringer’s jobs speech.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44449392/ns/politics-white_house/

Is it possible reality is setting in? No matter how much you may like the man (or not), he is in over his head. Unfortunately, we are all with him.

Different subject. A young friend is again blogging. Sometimes a younger perspective is interesting. Check him out if you will.

http://beamanifyoucan.blogspot.com/

On the road for a week; light or no blogging or comments. Still working on getting another laptop or getting back one of two “loaned” to offspring.

And now advice from my friend Hal Swift.

Never carry soda pop in your saddle bags.
And, if y'do, always let the New Guy open the first one.

My cowboy friend, Dave P. Fisher, added to my observation about not carrying soda pop in your saddle bag. He said, "Don't open it on horseback, either. It sounds like a big snake."

Stay safe - see you in a week.

What's in My Bookshelves

2011-09-08T21:39:00.005-06:00

Question started by Brigid at Home on the Range

http://mausersandmuffins.blogspot.com/2011/09/whats-on-your-book-shelf.html

Lots of books but this is a favorite. Published in 1999. Per the price tag, paid $28.88 plus tax. This book has given me many hours of enjoyment. Sits adjacent to Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche.

Drinking with Dirty Al

2011-09-07T14:01:00.004-06:00

Dirty Al appears in many blog entries, because he is both a good friend and a character. He resembles the late actor Lionel Jefferies (Grandpa Potts - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNpWBMNyC0w

When we started working together, he was a widower so I never knew him as anything but a single man quite interested in women. Lets see, there was “the widder”, Joanne, Lisa (a subject of a past blog), and others.

He was back in the car business after a spell as a bail bondsman. One night, after closing, he invited me out for a beer. Off we go to the various places around Auburn, WA. Each place presented a problem. In the parking lot he would recognize a vehicle. Oops, someone’s husband’s car - can’t go in there. Enter a place. No, there are two brothers over there playing pool; revoked bonds on both of them, can’t stay here. This happens about five times. Finally I tell him to find a 7-11, I will get a six pack and we’ll drink in the parking lot. Please understand Al wasn’t afraid of a fight. He is ex Special Forces and was a very good light heavyweight boxer. Our employer was intolerant about salesmen’s extra curricular activities becoming public knowledge (also looking down his wife’s shirts). Ended up that evening without a beer.

Since Al is tired of reading about politics, I guess I could blog about his renting from a daughter’s ex mother in law, hot tubs, the mother in law’s daughter, the mother in law’s male friends, Christmas parties, and large cut glass ashtrays. Maybe not. Probably no general interest in those subjects. We could cover his commercial fisherman days; rescuing people too dumb to turn their fuel spigots on. Perhaps a tattoo, “Marche ou creve” is blog fodder.

Fall is approaching so he will soon, health permitting, be headed South in his Prevost. Should make for some good blogging entries. “Stuff” happens to Al; it is like he is a magnet. I just worry about “Princess”. He works that poor dog night and day. You can see her here

http://wellseasonedfool.blogspot.com/search?q=princess

Car salesmen spend a great deal of time busting each other. As an example, I was recognized by the staff in a grocery store I hadn’t shopped for several years, having moved from the area. Al pipes up, “You mean they still let you in here after being a shoplifter”? My reply, “Al, quit stalling. We still need to get you register as a Sex Offender today”. That shut him up for a few minutes!

Al is fun to be around. Don’t know if he ever met a stranger. Go into any bar or restaurant with him and watch the energy level start rising. He is a good friend, deeply kind and caring, and the best car salesman I’ve ever known. Al sold over 400 Subaru Justy’s, a wretched little shoe box with a three cylinder engine. Seeing his 6’4” frame shoehorned into the back seat of a two door Justy was like something in a clown circus. Didn’t matter the customer had come in looking for a ¾ ton pickup. Subaru paid a tidy bonus directly to the salespeople (bypassing pesky IRS liens and wage garnishments; W-4’s to be dealt with next year). Al was a fan.

So, I am picking on him. Larn him not to have a blog. Hope he has a winter free of propane purchases.

The picture isn’t random; wonder who will pick up on it.

Tough Shit

2011-09-06T13:50:00.002-06:00

MSNBC tear jerker story about Muslim travelers clearning immigration.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44334738/ns/us_news-9_11_ten_years_later/

My gut reaction? Fuck'em.

Labor Day

2011-09-05T17:47:00.000-06:00

Let Us Not Forget What This Day Honors

Mary Harris Jones
• Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.

http://www.lutins.org/labor.html

"Progressives" Waking Up

2011-09-03T08:30:00.003-06:00

Recommend this

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/08/30-3

Confesses to being a biased journalist and duped by the Lightbringer.

Would like to laugh but the gallows humor is too grim.

Sorry Dirty Al, Political Rant Ahead

2011-09-02T19:50:00.013-06:00

Sorry, Dirty Al, more political rant.

My political view is a mixture of populism, anarchists, and libertarian. The populist side comes out when I see economic inequities. While in no way excusing Obama and his fellow travelers, George W. Bush’s watch saw a huge financial swindle of this countries population. Bankers, of all varieties, ran wild. I was saying this long before Obama’s election.

Interesting piece about the state of North Dakota in the leftist Common Dreams by an Ellen Brown.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/09/01

North Dakota has their own state bank that focuses on the needs of the state’s citizens. State tax revenues are deposited in that bank and don’t leave the state. The state has the lowest unemployment in the USA and the highest growth. The state has run a surplus for years and is lowering taxes.

As a child, I listened closely to my elders. I wanted to know what they had seen and experienced. They lived with the Irish discrimination. They lived the Great Depression, crooked bankers, corrupt sheriff’s, strikes and strikebreakers. These pictures are what is left of a Moffat County, CO homestead dugout where my father and four brothers slept.

What I believe, to my core, is the money people in this country, and the world, are perfectly happy with the idea of me, mine, and yours living this way. They are fine with reducing all of us to Adam Smith’s unit value of labor.

"The real price of every thing, what every thing really costs to the man who wants to acquire it, is the toil and trouble of acquiring it. What every thing is really worth to the man who has acquired it, and who wants to dispose of it or exchange it for something else, is the toil and trouble which it can save to himself, and which it can impose upon other people." (Wealth of Nations Book 1, chapter V)

Specifically, the minimum resources needed to keep one worker producing.

This always creates opposition. Molly Maguires in West Virginia. Black Panthers in Oakland. Think they are that far apart? That is why the Soros’s and Bloomberg’s want us disarmed. This why we need to keep our arms. And this is why we need to own and control our banks. At a personal level, I bank with a local co-op. Maybe it is just a gesture, even a futile gesture, but is what I can do here and now.

The politician who can tap into the seething resentment existing in this country will prevail. The Democrats are trying; tax breaks for the wealthy, big oil, corporate jets, beating the drums. They are themselves so damn phony the populous sees right through them.

What would happen if many states followed North Dakota’s lead? Maybe get the country going again?

Oh, Canada II

2011-09-01T19:11:00.008-06:00

Middle son reminded me of a two day trip he and his younger brother (17 and 14) made with me to Canada. They hadn't been to Canada since they were little. My sales were far ahead of schedule so I decided to take two days off and take them to the Vancouver area.

My sons were aspiring rock musicians and looked the part. Their band, THE LUCKY SPERM, was important to them. They loaded their guitars for the trip and off we went. The Canadian Customs folks got all in a twitter; took us nearly an hour to cross.

We had no planned itinerary; just cruising. We stopped at a mega store where an ugly situation developed. They went exploring one way while I went another. I saw them leave the store and go to the car. As I started to leave, I observed four security types watching them and making comments. I confronted them and insisted they accompany me to our car and check my kids on the spot for shoplifting. No way was I driving away and then being stopped by the police. Now my kids were never thieves. They would flat kick your ass but they wouldn't steal from you. The situation was settled with a few choice words from both sides and off we went.

My youngest had a strong desire to obtain foreign currency and buy something. I stopped by a bank where he went in to change two US $20 bills into Canadian. The bank employees refused to wait on him. He came back to the car frustrated and embarrassed. Then papa bear went into the bank. Shortly, he came back to the car with Canadian money.

We stopped to eat and I started looking for a motel. Then the kids said, "Dad, can we just go home"? Which we did.

One thing I miss about living in Western Washington is the Abbotsford airshow. It is worth all the hassle and expense to attend; the organizers do a fine job.

A short side trip on raising kids. I made mine do for themselves as training for when they would be on their own. Having my youngest go into a Canadian bank alone to exchange currency, first time ever doing that, was part of making them into strong adults. Being papa bear and showing them how to deal with people giving them shit was part of the process. Always be polite and respectful but don't take any shit from anyone at anytime.

Oh, Canada

2011-08-31T09:10:00.004-06:00

Canadian Customs doesn’t like me. I’ve never had a smooth crossing. Why, I don’t know. I’m always polite, always have my car papers in order, always have I.D. Almost always get sent to a parking spot and my vehicle checked. Aargh!

In the early 80’s, my employer had an assembly operation in Chilliwack, BC that was part of my responsibilities. The required two or more visits a month from our Seattle area base seemed to always be a hassle.

A client was hosting a meeting at the Empress Hotel in Victoria the January 1982 Super Bowl weekend. Decided it was a good idea to arrange child care for the weekend and bring my wife. Not my best idea, as it turned out, but the intentions were good.

One of her less endearing traits was finding great amusement in my minor trials and tribulations.

We arrived at the Blaine crossing with time in hand to cross and make the ferry sailing at Tsawwassen for Vancouver Island. Traffic was very light. There we met the bitch from hell. For an hour we walked around my car. Everything was checked, to the point of removing the spare tire, while I waded around in the slush in street shoes. Finally, it was decided I needed to post bond on some brochures and samples. A value was established in Canadian dollars and the paperwork filled out. I asked them if they accepted US currency. With an affirmative answer, they met my loud Ugly American persona. “How much is it in Real Money?” “Can’t you find more things to waste my time?” Suddenly, they wanted me gone. While all this was going on, the wife sat in the car and giggled behind her hand. Onward to the ferry terminal in time to see the ferry sailing away. Next ferry, ninety minutes. Ninety minutes, wet shoes, restaurant closed, sitting on a wind swept rainy parking lot with someone to whom my feelings were not fond and loving at that moment.

Fast forward to the hotel. She didn’t like the room. “Dear, the damned place was built in 1903. Our stay is an adventure in yesteryear. British Empire and all that, pip, pip, pip.” Yeah, right.

The hotel was hosting a hockey convention. These guys had all played years before but were having a great time replaying the games out in the hall, late at night, loudly. A call to the desk didn’t receive a satisfactory response. My personal tactful request that they, “Haul your drunk beaver fucking asses somewhere else; I’m trying to sleep.” wasn’t accepted with good cheer. In fact, they seemed offended. Again, the wife was amused.

Enjoyed the hotel “tea” and brunch; great food. The city was wonderful. Even better, in later years, sharing it with someone I liked. The meeting went well, order books were filled. At the border, checking my items against the bond was fast and smooth, Of course, the BF’s made the refund by check three weeks later (in Canadian dollars).

Would have been better if the Niners hadn’t won. My employer was headquartered in San Francisco. A year of listening to how great the Niners were got old in a hurry.

My last crossing into Canada was three years ago from North Dakota. SSDD.
Over the years I’ve crossed many borders. Never a problem, except Canada. I’ve rarely had a problem with US Customs.

One of the more amusing aspects of living in Western Washington was the ongoing salmon wars with British Columbia.

http://www.discovery.org/a/365

In 1994 the British Columbia Premier had national aspirations. He engineered a scheme where USA fishing boats transiting Canadian waters would be required to pay a $1,500 fee. The only other option was a long trip out to the Pacific Ocean and around Vancouver Island. He hadn’t counted on Mike Lowry.

Mike Lowry was the Governor. He was a long term Congressman who only served one term as Governor due to a little head thinking for the big head problem. He was a liberal Democrat who never backed down. What you saw was what you got. He was highly respected by all as a man who kept his word. You may not like where he stood but you knew where he stood.

Lowry’s response was to turn the Washington State Patrol loose on the Canadian truckers hauling lumber to California. Every truck was inspected and turned back to Canada if even one light was out. Soon the border crossings were jammed. In addition, the county deputies got involved. Canadian speeders no longer got to sign a promise to appear; they got to post a bond. DUI and Canadian? Think Tijuana Jail.

Lowry was catching heat from the US State Department, both US Senators, and others but he held his ground. Very soon the Canadians dropped the $1,500 fee and refunded the ones already paid.

I never had a dog in that fight but I ever so much enjoyed those Canadian Customs folks dealing with that mess.

For the most part, I like Canadians. I do find them to be just a bit full of themselves.

What do Canadians think of me? Do you think I really care?

Pale Horse, Pale Rider

2011-08-29T21:12:00.006-06:00

My buddy, Dirty Al, is complaining about too many political postings. Due to ongoing statue of limitation restrictions, I can't tell more Dirty Al stories.

A family friend is a gifted writer and poet. He wrote this poem to commemorate the death of my brother-in-law.

Behold a Pale Horse
by Hal Swift

My buddy, Duane Laeger, just took off an' went
without even sayin' a word.
It just isn't like him to mount up an' ride.
You'd think that somebody'd have heard.

Then all of a sudden I hear a wild shout.
I look all around for the source.
An' here comes ol' Duane just a whoopin' it up,
and ridin' a borried pale horse.

It must've been borried because I've not seen
a horse like that here on this spread.
His mane flowed like honey, his tail did the same.
Ol' Duane had just give 'im his head.

Duane rides that there pony for straight where I stood.
He looks like a horse that I knew.
I hollars, "Hey Duane! Where'd you find that there stud?"
An' he says, "You don't, he finds you!"

That's when I knew where I'd once seen this horse.
Old Death had been ridin' him then.
An' that's when Duane hollered, "Be seein' ya, boy!'
And then he rides off on the wind.

I know that pale horse is out grazin' somewhere,
just waitin' for someone to bid.
Then he'll come an' get 'em, an' they'll ride away,
the same as ol' Duane and him did.

--0--

And I looked and behold a pale horse;
and his name that sat on him was death.
Revelation 6:8

You can learn more about the poet at

http://nphs.us/swift47.html

and

http://www.cowboypoetry.com/halswift.htm

Come to think of it, there are some potential blog posting involving Duane. Will check with my sister.

Amazing Airline Story

2011-08-29T18:30:00.004-06:00

Flew from Atlanta to Denver via Chicago today. Went through TSA in Atlanta in eight minutes. Flight left Atlanta on time; landed at O'Hara early. Flight to Denver pushed back from the gate two minutes early. Arrived in Denver early. Both legs had the seat I reserved. Room in the overhead for my carry on by my seat. Stopped and bought lottery tickets on the drive home.

One complaint; chronic in nature. WHY IN THE HELL CAN'T AIRLINES HAVE A JETWAY OPERATOR IN THE JETWAY WHEN THE DAMN PLANE PULLS INTO THE GATE?

DC-3 Crash

2011-08-25T17:25:00.003-06:00

A recent discussion with an old flying friend about a fatal crash we observed started some research. We watched a Frontier Airlines DC-3 stall and spin December 21, 1967 at Denver Stapleton Airport, killing two. This was the original Frontier. The name lives on but three different organizations have used it (bankruptcy, merger, etc.).

This accident was the end result of many miscalculations; the worst being a takeoff with a control lock still in place. You can read the official report.

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19671221-0

One glaring error in this report is the removal of the passenger seats. They were not removed and the cargo sacks were not installed over the seats.

I was working for TWA at the time as a cargo handler (attending college). Our airfreight facility was next door to Frontier and they had the DC-3 parked in the cargo area. This was unusual as most loading was done at the gates. Being an all cargo flight was also unusual. This meant I watched the plane being loaded. Being a pilot, I was interested and stuck my head inside.

At that time, the Denver area was home to several carnation flower growers. The carnations were packed in 3’x3’x5’ heavily waxed boxes. The DC-3 was loaded with mail tossed between the seats. Boxed flowers were placed in the aisles. Nothing was tied down. The pilot and co-pilot had to clamber over all this to get to the cockpit.

The following is for non pilots so the rest of this makes more sense. The movable controls on aircraft have smaller movable controls generally called trim tabs. These are adjusted to balance the controls so the pilot isn’t constantly working against pressure on the yoke/stick and rudder pedals. The small horizontal wing at the rear of a DC-3 is called the elevator and controls the pitch of the aircraft; that is, nose up or down. The elevator has a fixed section in the front and movable section in the rear. In the case of the DC-3, the fixed section has a limited range of adjustment. This give the pilot far more options in trimming the aircraft. The way weight is distributed within the aircraft is important, being referred to as weight and balance or center of gravity. This must be within certain limits or the controls won’t have enough force to control the aircraft.

My friend and I were at the TWA and Western gates facing North, he at the Western gates just West of TWA, when the DC-3 took off on Runway 35. Pilot can’t help watching takeoffs and landings. You could plainly see they were in trouble. In fact, the tower already had the fire trucks alerted as the DC-3 pitched up, then dropped the left wing and went in on the West side of 35 just North of the I-70 underpasses. The flames were enormous. One of the bravest things I’ve ever witnessed was the first fire truck on scene. Spraying foam, the driver went off the steep side of the taxiway directly into the wreck. They had the fire out almost immediately.

What I think happened was the flower boxes slid to the tail due to the high nose up attitude. The pilot may have been able to save it with the elevator trim had the cargo not shifted. Way too much rear CG to overcome.

The photograph in the paper the next day was taken from the rear of the wreck. Covered with foam, you could plainly see the gust lock.

I have no intention of judging the crew. The facts speak for themselves. The man in the left seat was a very senior pilot with management responsibilities. How much that clouded his thinking we can’t know but is alluded to in the official report.

So Hal, this is how I remember it.

On the road Saturday so limited blogging. Flying back from Atlanta (oh, joy).

Barry

2011-08-22T10:21:00.004-06:00

Part of being open minded is listening to opposing opinions.

(Full Disclosure: Functioning heterosexual male still interested in the opposite sex)

The supporters of our current President give themselves away by calling him “Barry”, usually with a soft, fluttery tone, and a fond smile. They have a ready excuse for any and all his shortcomings.

Next election, they will still vote for him and work for his campaign. From where I sit, they will have far fewer Democrats working with them. My ward is home to both a state senator and a state representative, both Democrats. In recent weeks, both have referred to him as, “President Obama”, and, both with stiff upper lips.

I hope the GOP can come up with a worthy candidate. So far, the only one I like is Ron Paul.

In the end, the election will come down to votes, especially Electoral College votes. The Obama machine will carry the big cities, by fair or foul means. Small towns, medium cities, and rural areas must get out in force to counter the fraud. Please, register to vote. Get an absentee ballot if necessary. Consider becoming an election judge. As an alternative, reconcile yourself to four more years of “Barry”.

Sleep Apnea

2011-08-18T09:49:00.004-06:00

A relative suggested I write about my experiences with obstructive sleep apnea. You can find more information at

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea

I have always been a heavy snorer. This caused many personal problems with other people trying to sleep in my vicinity (camping trips, house guest, military barracks) and was a huge negative in my marriage.

My father died in his sleep at age 64. He was very fit. His Levi’s waistband was probably within one inch from his twenties. In later years, with better information, we now realize he showed all the signs of classic sleep apnea. He was a loud snorer. If you know someone who snores, who stops breathing for a minute or two, then snores again, they need to be checked. That minute or two is the only time they are completely asleep.

By 1995, my problem had grown so bad I fell asleep at red lights. I once fell asleep on a test drive; my customers woke me up. My general manager called me in. He pointed out we had HMO health coverage. He flat put it to me, get tested NOW or get fired.

Boring, but typical story, navigating Seattle Group Health’s rat maze, finally got me to the sleep order clinic. Much arguing led to me taking the equipment home, attaching the various leads, etc. and returning the equipment the next day (hint: Do shave the area the stickum adheres to).

Later the next day I start getting calls from the lab; they want to see me now. I’m busy and try to stall them. They finally call my boss. He explodes, tells me, “You damn mule, get your ass over there.”

At the lab, I meet the MD who is in charge. He starts off nice, showing me video screens with colored line and explains what they represent. He sees I’m not convinced so he smacked me with a 2x4 with the following.

“Mr. ______, I can tell you, with absolute certainty, that within six months you will have a major medical event. It may be today, next week, next month, but within six months it will happen. If you are lucky, it will kill you. Otherwise, you will be an invalid. You do have available to you, don’t you, constant nursing care for years to come? No, well you will require it.” Silence. (As a salesman I admired his closing skill) Finally, I said, “And my options would be?

Two days later I was using a CPAP. Other than one trip where I forgot it, one trip where I forgot the power cord, and a few nights when the power has been out, I’ve slept with a mask on my face and air blowing up my nose every since.

CPAPs and masks are a pain. You nose itches and sweats. Moving around the bed is restricted. You must make up your mind that you will use it, period, no excuses or rationalizations. CPAPs add new considerations for travel. Security check points, weight and space problems, and where is an outlet? I pack a 25’ drop cord to insure reaching an outlet. As an aside, I end up looking behind night stands and under beds for outlets. Rarely are those areas clean in the motels. Camping, or sleeping anywhere with out power, is a problem. Most CPAPs are set up to run on 12 volts. How far do you want to pack a battery? After one night, how do you recharge it?

For me, the biggest hassle has been dealing with the medical folks and, especially the medical appliances folks. Need a replacement anything? We want a prescription. Prescription? Need a new sleep study (at about $5,000 or so).

I love Craigslist, Google, and Ebay. All of my replacement CPAPs I’ve found on Craigslist. Those oh so secret adjustment manual the respiratory techs use are on Ebay. Now, I would happily pay the techs for their expertise if it didn’t come with the whole “need a prescription” deal. I can hear them saying now, “But we are required …………”. You are, I’m not. I’m a scofflaw.

The principal benefit to using the CPAP is, I’m still alive. Within the first six months, I lost over a 100 lbs. My blood pressure normalized (for me, 170/95 - bite me). My energy level zoomed. My sex drive became stronger; horny as a teenager (bit of a problem as I was divorced). According to those who had to deal with me, my personality went from “Impossible” to “Aggravating”.

I’ve never used things like humidifiers and supplemental oxygen. My nose won’t tolerate Nasal Pillows. I see ads for non CPAP solutions but have never perused them. What I have works for me.

Hope this can help anyone dealing with sleep problems, themselves or people in their lives. The machines have improved, and their size and weight are down. For some, surgery can help.

For those without health insurance, you may need to go the self help route. Google is your friend. Don’t fear it. My experience is the machines won’t produce enough pressure to harm your lungs. Crank it up till the mask starts fluttering then turn it down a notch or two.

Wisdom

2011-08-15T19:52:00.001-06:00

Wise words from my 80 year young aunt.

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

Can I Irritate an Engineer?

2011-08-13T20:41:00.002-06:00

“An engineer can only be in one of two conditions” an engineer friend once told me, “Approximately right or absolutely wrong.” He was a retired aerospace engineer who had started with a slide rule and ended up doing CADCAM. Expounding further, he stated, “The ones with the courage to be approximately right are rare. The ones who can only be absolutely wrong are common, and only good for padding a ‘cost plus’ contract.” Harsh word, to be sure.

In my late twenties, I had the good fortune to work for a weird, off the wall, engineer who was also a Harvard MBA. No slack allowed.

He was fired from an aircraft maker for a project gone wrong. He devised a system, using compressed air, to fire fowl at aircraft windscreens. His system worked, but was a public relations disaster, as he used live fowl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SphwjDru8Fw&NR=1

The Russians may not have cared.

He wasn‘t tightly wrapped. Allegedly, at home, he liked to watch television with a unloaded revolver at hand. When there was a gun fight on TV, he would dry fire at the screen. He would use binoculars to examine cracks in his ceiling. He bought a house based on the location of the sun during his commute. Salesmen calling on us would be worn down but the unending questions he could generate. He was also very familiar with distilled spirits.

Many people who worked for him were not happy campers. We got along. I’ve always believed that every day I put my job on the line. He liked that. I gave him accurate information. Often the information was negative. Not all projects were successes and our business was high risk construction. There would be yelling, then decisions made, and we would go forward. I learned many valuable business lessons from him, especially diligent planning. He also gave me near impossible assignments. One was collecting accounts receivables from those lying sacks of shit at Boeing. Another was finding month to month renters for our excess warehouse space. We ended up storing parts for the Unlimited Boat Teams based in Seattle, PACCAR (Kenworth Trucks), and the LSofSs at mother _______ Boeing. Some of my more extreme collection methods were discussed behind close doors and greatly modified.

He might rip me in private but he always backed me publicly. When he and the new stockholders got sideways, I soon followed him out the door.

His replacement was an engineer of the second type. After bankrupting the company in less than two years, he went on to greater glory by screwing up the propulsion program for a new class of state ferries.

There are six steps to a project.

1. Initial enthusiasm.
2. Disillusionment.
3. Panic
4. Search for the guilty.
5. Punishment of the innocent.
6. Praise and honors for the non participants.

Today, my part time job involves working for several engineers. From where I sit, little has changed. You just wait them out as they get tired from running their mental hamster wheels. The good part is the general manager has the courage to be approximately right.

Despite all the barbs, I have a lot of respect for engineers. Takes brains and dedication just to get through the schools. Way smarter people than me. Their problem in dealing with me was decision making. I would make more decisions in the first two hours of a day than they would in two days. As an example, we were vacuum forming a different plastic than usual. The exhaust from the vacuum tank was in the center of the vacuum tank and was distorting the plastic. While they were standing there discussing the problem (at $37 per minute), I grabbed an electrical double wall box, placed it over the vent, and viola!, no more problem. I must have spent at least ten minutes on that. Onward we went, on a six figure project, that, By Gawd, stayed on schedule.

The engineer quoted at the start of the posting taught me a painful lesson. I didn’t want to take the time to learn computer stuff, DOS, whatever. He created a one of a kind program, just for me, that I could use without brain damage. Using that program for preparing bids, we went from apparent low bidder 32% of the time to apparent low bidder 78% of the time. Smack me with a 2x4!

For an endeavor to succeed, all types need to contribute (even bean counters and lawyers). I most admire those individuals whose leadership can blend it all together. They, if not hobbled by the absolutely wrong rules enforcers, can make this country grow and prosper.

During one of the many construction slumps, I started selling cars. The intention was to do that until business conditions improved. Guess they didn’t improve again for the next twenty five years. What I learned from my MBA Engineer boss was to plan, keep records, measure results, and plan again with better data. Worked for me, even thought I did it (and still do) with the willing grace of a pig on ice skates.

Blinded by Arrogance???

2011-08-12T11:57:00.003-06:00

My sister says I think to much during the hours I spend driving. She may be correct. The only time the radio is on is when I get sleepy.

So I got to thinking about Fast and Furious. The “smart” set that thought this one up, continue to pedal along their predetermined path, even when the whole thing is blowing up around them. The impression I get is they think they are so smart and we are so dumb, they can still pull it off. As a possible alternative, they mainly talk to people who already agree with them. Thus, they don’t fathom the problems catching up to them.

Next spurious thought it this cluster fuck may be typical of all the grand schemes the Lightbringer’s accomplices have created. This gives me hope that all their schemes will ultimately fail.

They have, and will continue, to create a lot of pain, debt, waste, and time consumed to fight, stop, then reverse the country’s course but it is doable.

Then again, I probably think too much, and not too clearly.

A Citizen's Duty

2011-08-07T18:34:00.001-06:00

Received a complaint my blog has become too serious; that there are too few “foolish” postings.

When my mother became unable to handle her affairs, I started receiving her mail.

One day a summons for jury duty arrived. Since I had already ignored several, decided I had best do my duty and put the date on my calendar.

Arrived, signed in, sat down and waited. Waited some more. Finally, heard my mother’s name called. Yep, I had answered her summons.

MYOB????

2011-08-05T08:07:00.004-06:00

Westbound on I 76 overtaking a car hauler with a huge cloud of white smoke coming from the right rear of his trailer. Pull along side the truck and try to attract the drivers attention. He is on a cell phone. He ignores me.
*CSP - hit Send.

"Colorado State Patrol, how may we help you"?

"Calling to report a truck going Westbound on I-76 at Mile Marker 36 with a lot of smoke coming from the right rear of the trailer. The truck is a blue car hauler with a sleeper cab."

"What is a car hauler."

"An automobile transport truck."

"Have you tried to attract the driver's attention"?

"Yes, he didn't pay any attention to me; he is on a cell phone."

INSERT Dispatcher gets my name and number.

"Well, what do you want us to do about it"? !!!!!!!!

"How about you dispatch your guys with the blue and red lights; bet they can get his attention. Hell, he will be in Hudson in two minutes. Call Hudson PD."

HANG UP and start cussing.

Maybe my friends and family are right. Maybe I need Anger Management Classes.

Nothing to see here? Just a brake and/or axle fire directly below a gasoline powered vehicle's fuel tank. Said vehicle is sitting on perforated steel ramps. What could go wrong?

Pesky citizen should just mind his own business.

Bullshit Squared

2011-08-02T13:37:00.006-06:00

The Lightbringer, in addition to transparency, promised to attack waste and fraud. One of his speeches highlighted the issue.

http://www.mainjustice.com/2010/03/10/obama-speech-on-health-care-waste-and-fraud/

Tedious to wade through, I assure you, but if the lying crook directed the agencies under his control to accomplish a fraction of what he promised, we would see some help for our economic crises. How much? Try $23.7 billion in 2007 alone.

http://www.insurancefraud.org/medicarefraud.htm

How about the Defense Department? Billions upon billions.

http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20110203/ACQUISITION03/102030303/

John McCain, has said we can’t, won’t, and don’t, attack fraud and waste. Bloviating Zeppelin posted one McCain’s speeches where McCain says as much, about 2 minutes into his speech.

http://bloviatingzeppelin.blogspot.com/2011/07/down-to-wire-its-tea-partys-fault.html

May be the only honest thing he has said in years.

Medicare and Medicaid fraud has been documented and exposed over and over. Why is nothing done? Like wise the Defense Department. Yes, I understand $800 toilet seats are a way of funding “black” programs.

May I suggest, campaign contributions? During the Roaring 20’s, the bootleggers paid off the police and judges. Still happens. Want to bet the big operators in the fraud industry are also big campaign contributors?

When the honest men and women in government service raise the issue (Whistleblowers) they get hammered.

Great. The ones thieving from us, payoff the ones who should be looking out for our interests, so all of them can profit.

Term limits, damnit! Vigilantes, anyone?

Delta IS NOT my Favorite.

2011-07-31T17:20:00.005-06:00

Flying out of DIA last week. The airplane in the computer, used for seat assignments, was a different model than the airplane parked at the gate. Huge C.F. Late into Atlanta. Connecting flight at a different concourse. Worked out well; got a good cardio workout and made my connecting flight with seven minutes to spare. Seat back wouldn't lock "in the upright position." Attendant said I had to move. I agreed, to another aisle seat. We only have center seats. NO. Upgrade to First Class. How nice for the gentleman who paid the money for his upgrade. Seated next to a sweaty, overweight man with an attitude. Happy travels! (Did I mention my carry on was halfway to the rear in an over head bin? Who was the last one off the plane?)

Rode in a 757 from Denver. I know the fit/finish wasn't what Boeing delivered. Had to be from Delta's crack crew removing panels for inspection. Not a huge confidence builder. Second leg was in a MD 88. Always liked a DC9 but they are getting long in the tooth.

Will be sending a comment or two to Delta when I get back. Something along the lines of, "Fuck You! Strong memo to follow.". And take your "Fortune's Most Admired" sticker at the hatch and put it where........

Felt sorry for the cabin attendants. Lots of apologies. Not their fault; why should they take the heat?

Question for experienced travelers. Is there any airport less user friendly than Atlanta?

Most Police Officers Are OK

2011-07-27T09:37:00.003-06:00

Watching the video of Officer Matt Lyons, Oceanside PD, handling “Jeremey” made me appreciate once again how skillful most officers are at dealing with tense situations, including one involving me.

http://lagniappeslair.blogspot.com/2011/07/police-officer-meets-armed-citizen.html

My employer had me running off site car sales around Colorado. We did sixty or so in many different locations. The permit requirements were different in every municipality. The local dealers hated us and would try to sabotage our sales.

In one town where we had already held a sale, I overlooked one minor permit. Towards the end of our first day, a police officer pulled up and told us to shut the sale down; we were operating illegally. My first assumption was some dealer had put him up to shutting us down. I was hot. My boss had $35,000 spent to hold the sale. My six man crew was paid on sales only. Getting shut down was a huge personal, financial, and professional disaster.

The officer kept his cool. He also stayed back about six feet from me. The five minute conversation was quite animated on my part. He stayed cool but never backed down. I shut the sale down. Two of my crew thought I was going to jail.

This officer had courage. He was a lot smaller than me. He was alone and there were seven of us. He didn’t call for backup, reach for his pepper spray, or put his hand near his handgun.

Our corporate lawyer came up that night and we went to City Hall the next morning. One $50 check for the permit and we were good to go. Seems the clerk was behind the shut down. Seems her brother was a car dealer. We stopped downstairs at the police department and did a little apologizing, etc.

My budget took a huge hit for the lawyer’s fee but it could have been much worse had the officer involved been as much a hot head as me. This was truly a case where the officer was much better than the citizen. I believe the majority of police/citizen events go down like this.

I’ve had a few encounters over the years that involved “badge happy” officers making the law instead of enforcing it. That is why we have courts. This officer was more of a “peace officer” than a policeman. We need more peace officer and fewer policemen who look like Army Rangers or Marine Recons.

Work tomorrow. Delta to Florida by way of Atlanta. I’m just quivering with anticipation. Ugh!

Poor People Have Poor Ways

2011-07-25T17:11:00.003-06:00

These "Geezer Goggles" fit over regular eyeglasses. Work well for me on my job. They are about $20 a pop. Quality control, eh, not so much. Second pair the ear piece has broken while taking them off.

Epoxy is the sophisticate's duct tape. After it cures, will use a file and sandpaper to dress it up a little. Hollywood I'm not.

Does Rosetta Stone Cover This?

2011-07-23T20:47:00.003-06:00

Atlanta airport, two and a half hours between flights, looking for something to eat. Willing to pay double the street price but not triple. Find a Burger King. Young lady, Lathisa, at the register. Problems begin.

Lathisa speaks a language something like English, speaks rapidly, and has what my Toastmistress mother calls lazy lips. She is very up tempo, busy, busy, busy, keep the line moving. I speak Rocky Mountain. We don’t understand each other. I assume she is asking for my order, so I ask for a #3. Did not ask for it “my way”, just a #3. OK, next comes a series of questions. Not understanding a damn thing, but being a Burger King vet, I think she is asking, small, medium or large? We get past the “small”. Now for the drink. “Tea”. Silly me; hot tea, iced tea, sweet tea. She finally accepts my order and I pay. I don’t know what I ordered until the bag was tossed my way and the cup put in front of me.

Ah, travel. Broaden your horizons and enrich your experiences. Bite me.

Hoppe's No. 9 Saved Me

2011-07-21T13:35:00.002-06:00

My mother would get together with friends and relatives in order to give each other permanents. The smell would gag me. Worse, the participants would want me to stay and “talk to us.” Horrible thing to inflict on a teenage boy.

My mother hated the smell of Hoppe’s No. 9. When the permanent solutions came out, I would start cleaning all the firearms in the house. This would swiftly bring about a command to take my activity out to the shed. Ah, family values.

In time, my parents gained a degree of affluence. I was happy for them, especially when my mother started using the hair salon in town.

Now the product is available as an air freshener. Perhaps I should order one just for the nostalgia value. Probably not. A drop, from the cleaning kit, on a cotton ball, should work as well.

Time - Who Rules You?

2011-07-20T10:47:00.003-06:00

Lightning took out our electrical power yesterday. Took Xcel about two hours to get it back. Started checking and resetting clocks. Amazing, to me, how many clocks I have:

1. Stereo
2. DVD Player
3. Alarm clock. Battery backup but it doesn’t keep accurate time on backup.
4. Two battery powered atomic clocks.
5. One atomic alarm clock with battery backup. It has a projector feature, putting a large enough readout on the ceiling I don’t need my glasses to see. The blasted thing is complicated, with small buttons, that I don’t care to cope with at 0400.
6. The computer.
7. Super duper all in one fax/scanner/copy/printer expensive ink eater. Puts time stamp on faxes.
8. Cell phone.
9. Thirty year old quartz movement battery powered wall clock.
10. Mission critical coffee maker.
11. DSLR camera.
12. Two digital viewfinder type cameras.
13. Two travel alarm clocks.
14. Microwave oven.
15. Two heirloom railroad type pocket watches.
14. Four wristwatches - rarely worn. Cell phone takes care of that need.
15. Wrist mounted pulse monitor that also has a digital clock.
16. MP3 player. Clock has never been set. I would need to read the instructions.
17. GPS

This list doesn’t include the vehicles. Makes me ponder just who is in control of my life.

Wonder Dog

2011-07-18T14:54:00.003-06:00

Deuce, the wonder lab, belongs to my youngest son. My daughter in law calls him “Dumb Dumb”. It was a true case of, “Love me, love my dog”. They are off to Disneyland, so once again he is my house guest for a few days.

This dog is a typical lab except he is a wuss. I’m accustomed to ranch dogs who think riding in the back of a pickup is wonderful. We put him in my import pickup with the rear sliding window open so my son could keep hold of his leash. Deuce cried and howled so piteously my son had me stop and brought him into the cab. Great, one 285 lb man, one 210 lb man, and one 60 lb dog inside a compact pickup cab. Comfy.

He will chase rabbits and squirrels. Little do they realize he would turn tail and run if they confronted him. The neighbor’s cat chases him. I let him run in a overgrown river bottom nearby. He encountered a turkey. Turkey put him to flight, crying and yelping as he ran back to the Tracker.

He changes 180 degrees in his family protection mode. He will protect his pact against all comers. When the adults need to discipline a child, Deuce must be taken to another room and the door closed. While my son was in Afghanistan, I was comforted that Deuce was on guard in their home. Of course, my daughter in law can stand down a squad of Rangers. Not a good home invasion target, that house. With an active or retired service family in every third house, probably not a neighborhood the wise criminal seeks out.

The first time he stayed with me, we had dominance issues. He is both strong and stubborn. Past those issues, I really enjoy him. Not, FDIL, well enough for a full time situation!

Take Back Our Country

2011-07-15T08:25:00.006-06:00

For those of you who have never visited Oath Keepers, please do.

http://oathkeepers.org/oath/

There is a current controversy in Quartzsite, AZ. Towards the end of the post, there is a section "Additional Note From Stewart". This is the best call for action I've ever read and a clear cut way for the individual citizen to make a difference.

http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2011/07/12/quartzsite-police-officers-association-letter-regarding-police-chief-jeff-gilbert/

From my personal experience, this is how the "Progressives" push their program and gain control. Also, from personal experience, this can be as exciting as pulling KP or Guard Duty.

Bitching is a lot more satisfying from the inside, instead of staying out of the fray and having a pity party - just saying.

Shamless Plagiarism

2011-07-13T20:59:00.003-06:00

A collection, from blogs, Facebook, and emails of things that made me snort, or shake my head. Some of you may recognize this as your material. My apologizes if I don't credit you. Only one of these is my creation. Hope you all enjoy!

Think I'd better go do some cleaning. Just saw a segment on the Today program about a person who hadn't cleaned their house for some 17 years. Guess, I'm not so bad even if Good Housekeeping will only let me have their magazine in my home without the cover.

Big Steve has all the personality (and personal aroma) of curdled milk, and the welcoming mien of a semi-rabid stoat with inflamed hemorrhoids.

And here is the weather forecast. Tomorrow will be muggy. Followed by Toogy, Weggy, Thurgy and Frigy.” - Unknown

Sipsey Street joins White House in objecting to Mark Halperin's characterization of Obama as "a dick."
Nothing could be further from the truth. He is, in fact, dickless.

I think the plan worked. The extra guns, Mexicans shoot each other and less illegals crossing the border.

I don't hate obama because of his race. There are too many other good reasons to hate him .

Based on Weis' vast amount of experience as a law enforcement officer... He will be able to add nothing to this group.

You might think good transportation is the key to prosperity, but Colorado doesn't work that way.

President Obama’s approval ratings are so low now, Kenyans are accusing him of being born in the United States ...”

It’s pretty difficult to preach against sin without offending the offenders.

the advice retired Detroit Police Department cop Evan Marshal once gave: “Continue shooting until your sight picture is degraded by a lack of target.”

, 'sweetheart, the world is large and you're insignificant so do whatever the hell ya want because no one will give two hootin' shits about it tomorrow!'

Don’t be in a place where you will have to defend yourself.
If trouble comes your way, run.
If you can’t run, grab the closest thing you can and use it as a weapon.

She and reality pass each other in the hall twice a day.

Of all the things I have to deal with at work, I NEVER imagined projectile vomiting would be one of them. That all changed today. Nasty
Well that's one thing to check off of the life experiences list.

So anyone who has been trying to reach me may have noticed I have been unresponsive. No, I am not playing hard to get. Silly smart phone thought it could swim.
There isn't an app for that?
Yes..its called "Insurance"..sigh

What a Woman

2011-07-12T10:48:00.004-06:00

My favorite daughter in law FDIL was complaining about shopping for a dress. Seems her husband plans to attend some formal affair. He will wear his Class A uniform. She needs a dress. OK, big deal. During this same conversation she was explaining how she replaced the starter on one of the family cars and how she planned to replace the radiator. No complaints about the repairs, only about shopping for a new dress.

Hope TO Change

2011-07-09T17:59:00.004-06:00

Many of you have probably received this as an email and been asked to pass it on. Will try to use the VAST readership of this blog to do just that.

THE PRESIDENCY
SOME WILL APPRECIATE THIS AND SOME WILL NOT.
HOWEVER, ALL OF IT IS TRUE.

After two years of Obama ...
Here's your change!
January 2009 TODAY % chg Source
Avg.. Retail price/gallon gas in U.S. $1.83 $3.44 84% 1
Crude oil, European Brent (barrel) $43..48 $99..02 127.7% 2
Crude oil, West TX Inter. (barrel) $38..74 $91..38 135.9% 2
Gold: London (per troy oz.) $853.25 $1,369.50 60.5% 2
Corn, No.2 yellow, Central IL $3.56 $6.33 78.1% 2
Soybeans, No. 1 yellow, IL $9.66 $13..75 42.3% 2
Sugar, cane, raw, world, lb. Fob $13..37 $35..39 164.7% 2
Unemployment rate, non-farm, overall 7.6% 9.4% 23.7% 3
Unemployment rate, blacks 12.6% 15.8% 25.4% 3
Number of unemployed 11,616,000 14,485,000 24.7% 3
Number of fed. Employees 2,779,000 2,840,000 2.2% 3
Real median household income $50,112 $49,777 -0.7% 4
Number of food stamp recipients 31,983,716 43,200,878 35.1% 5
Number of unemployment benefit recipients 7,526,598 9,193,838 22.2% 6
Number of long-term unemployed 2,600,000 6,400,000 146.2% 3
Poverty rate, individuals 13.2% 14.3% 8.3% 4
People in poverty in U.S. 39,800,000 43,600,000 9.5% 4
U.S.. Rank in Economic Freedom World Rankings 5 9 n/a 10
Present Situation Index 29.9 23.5 -21.4% 11
Failed banks 140 164 17.1% 12
U.S.. Dollar versus Japanese yen exchange rate 89.76 82.03 -8.6% 2
U.S.. Money supply, M1, in billions 1,575.1 1,865.7 18.4% 13
U.S.. Money supply, M2, in billions 8,310.9 8,852.3 6.5% 13
National debt, in trillions $10..627 $14..052 32.2% 14

Just take this last item: In the last two years we have accumulated national debt at a rate more than 27 times as fast as during the rest of our entire nation's history.
Over 27 times as fast. Metaphorically speaking, if you are driving in the right lane doing 65 MPH and a car rockets past you in the left lane.
27 times faster, it would be doing 7,555 MPH!
Sources:
(1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. Of Labor;
(7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC;
(13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury
So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 29 months -- so you'll have one year and five months to come up with an answer. Every statement in this email is factual and directly attributable to Barrack Hussein Obama. Every bumble is a matter of record and completely verifiable.
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS...
I WONDER HOW MANY WILL FORWARD THIS ?

Followers - Thank You

2011-07-07T10:00:00.003-06:00

Very flattering to have new followers of my blog. If I haven't sent you a personal "thank you", it is because of my poor computer skills. As they say in Texas, "Preciate you."

Dumb Officers

2011-07-05T19:07:00.003-06:00

Credit, or blame, Old NFO http://oldnfo.blogspot.com/, for this entry. One of his Mondaze Humor jokes prodded some reminiscing about Ensign Montgomery’s cousin.

Lt. Stanley C_____ was the worst officer, perhaps worst soldier, I ever met. He was inflicted on the US Army by the University ROTC program. He was devoid of any common sense. Our West Point graduate Company Commander was often beside himself trying to make something of Lt C______. As a member of the enlisted swine, I simply sat back and watched. Once, when he was inspecting the Guard Mount, I deliberately mixed up my General Orders. He didn’t notice. For civilian readers information, nothing in any branch of the military is more basic than General Orders.

He arrived with his new bride, S______, whose morals soon became the talk of the post. I picked up a few dollars showing films, mainly old TV Shows, at the Officers Club, on the weekends we were in garrison. Seems I was invisible as nobody curbed their tongues around me.

One story had Major A_____ seeing Lt C______ sitting on the steps of his quarters, crying. Seems he came home to find a brother officer in bed with S______. Brother officer kicked Lt C______ out of his own quarters then went back to his activities with S______.

Once, during our three day Combat Proficiency Test, about a half dozen Special Forces types pulled up to our perimeter. They had borrowed a forestry crew tractor pulling a trailer and were trying to drive into our area. We pointed out to Lt C______ these “civilians” were ringers. Got chewed out for our efforts and order to allow them to pass. When the umpires found all the chalk marks on our generators and water trailers, we were flunked, and had to repeat the damn test.

After several instances where his orders nearly got people killed, and one Bridge Erection boat sunk, a job was created for him, Assistant Post Coordinator. Which he screwed up. Somehow, the powers that were managed to boot him back to CONUS (along with S_______).

Lt C_______, and the Army, was fortunate the balloon never went up. He would have been our first casualty, guaranteed.

I’ve never kept track of him but suspect he is now a czar in the Obama Administration.

Cowboy Poet

2011-07-03T10:32:00.003-06:00

New poem by Hal Swift, noted Cowboy poet and a close friend of my sister and late brother in law.

http://www.cowboypoetry.com/halswift.htm

Experience
by Hal Swift

Some time back, they's a sweet young thing,
with a look both wise an' bold,
sez, "You got the wrong idea 'bout age!
Yer experienced, you ain't old!"

I asked if she remembered Colonel Tim McCoy.
She sez, "Now none a yer tricks!"
I sez, I reckon you'd say the same thing
if I ask ya about Tom Mix.

Then I sez, Okay, take the Model A Ford.
Does 'rumble seat' make ya smile?
No, she sez, "But you'll tell me why,
if I jist wait around fer a while."

I sez, Do y'know what a bread line is?
She figgers it's to do with cattle.
She sez, "You'd know a lot more about that,
from alla yer time in the saddle."

Okay, I sez, Colonel Tim an' Tom Mix
was actors on the movie screen.
All of us boys tried to be like them,
the two finest cowpokes you've seen.

Two couples'd date in a Model A Ford,
an' the boy up front would drive it.
The other couple, back in the rumble seat,
could talk about love in private.

A bread line's where a lotta city folks went
to git a meal in the Great Depression.
They'd stand in line t'git some soup an' bread.
Cuz the "Great" was jist a expression.

A lotta these things folks my age has seen.
It's nothin' that we've been told.
To use yer words, we've 'Been there, done it.'
Experienced? Yeah, and we're old!

Back to the Ghetto

2011-07-02T21:03:00.004-06:00

Last July the blog theme was prairie dogs finding a new place to live; fresh landscaping.

http://wellseasonedfool.blogspot.com/2010/07/achieving-success.html

Seems the property owners got tired of the problem. A drastic solution that works. So for the dogs it is back across the street to the ghetto.

Man Rules - Shameless Plagiarism

2011-06-23T13:22:00.003-06:00

The Man Rules
At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down

Finally , the guys' side of the story.
( I must admit, it's pretty good.)
We always hear " the rules"
From the female side....

Now here are the rules from the male side.

These are our rules!
Please note.. these are all numbered "1 "
ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers. (First & foremost rule)

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports, It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it , just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as Football or Hockey.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight.

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh.

Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh.

Received this in an email. Deleted all leads to the guilty. Apologies to the original author.

Duct Tape Needed - Exploding Head

2011-06-23T10:55:00.002-06:00

Ah, the City and County of Denver, inspired by Looney Tunes.

8:15 am meeting at Denver District Court. Found a parking meter just two blocks away. Pleased to see the parking meter accepted credit cards. Except, credit card didn’t work. OK, feed quarters. Rejected. WTF? Oh well, a parking ticket is $20 and my meeting is worth much more. The private lots are unattended, and $9.

Leaving City Hall, I see a Parking Enforcement worker writing a ticket for some poor soul who parked in a construction zone. When he was finished, asked him about the meter.

He asked where I parked. He then explained parking is free at night but the meters won’t accept money until 8 a.m. The good news he shared was my parking spot was on his route but he had yet to cover that block - no ticket.

Most Court functions require you check in by 8:15. Can’t pay for public parking until 8 a.m. Still trying to bend my mind around the “thinking” that created this system.

For inquiring minds, the Court matter was of a civil nature.

Cowboy Humor

2011-06-19T17:55:00.007-06:00

My great uncle Len was negligent in maintaining his vehicles. He had a 1958 Plymouth with the biggest engine available and the push button transmission. The performance had suffered to the point he would floorboard the gas then hit drive. My father was the opposite. Appearance didn’t matter to him. I don’t remember him ever washing any vehicle. Under the hood a NASCAR team would have a hard time improving the performance.

One day Uncle Len left the Plymouth in our yard while one of his nephews took him on a three day trip. My father, who couldn’t resist a strange vehicle, drove it to town. Appalled by the car’s condition, he stopped at the auto parts store for new points, plugs, plug wires, oil and filters, etc. After a long afternoon, the Plymouth was freshly tuned and serviced. By good fortune he left it parked facing out our lane.

The lane was a straight half mile of a narrow two rut gravel road. It crossed a railroad track, an irrigation ditch, and a large canal before joining the paved state highway.

Uncle Len returned to pick up his car. After starting it, he floored it and punched drive. We watched as he fishtailed up the lane, sawing the steering wheel back and forth, until he got it slowed down. Pulling onto the paved highway he spun the tires and got the Plymouth sideways.

About two hours later he returned. My father was trying hard to keep a straight face. Finally Uncle Len said, “Damn it Bob, when you shoe a man’s horse, you might at least warn him.”

My father was a great horse farrier. That picture is circa 1956. Not me holding the horse; I never had that nice a hat.

Homecoming

2011-06-16T14:24:00.003-06:00

Youngest son is home from Afghanistan. I am a happy camper. Please note the individual in formation wearing denim pants and a T shirt. Once everyone was in formation, this soldiers name was announced and we were told he was rejoining his unit. Very slowly, flanked by two other soldiers, he shuffled his way the length of the auditorium to his reserved place in formation. Not many a dry eye in that building.

Not a long function. Troops marched in. Soldier took his place in formation. National Anthem. Short welcome home speech. Short recap of the mission. Presentation of unit colors with campaign streamers. Army song. Another short speech. Then, "ATTENTION". "Dismissed". Then the families rushed them. Glad I attended.

Post #250

2011-06-14T08:47:00.002-06:00

Dialog

Bill the Intimidator, chewing on his ever present cigar (never lights them), looking across the desk at my little sister, “Yeah, I know they cause cancer. When I can no longer put one in my mouth, I’ll shove it up my ass”.

Replied Battalion strength little sister, “Bill, that one looks like it has already been there.”

And big brother just sat there, silent.

Homeward Bound

2011-06-11T15:22:00.006-06:00

Wednesday should be the day the Medic will be home from Afghanistan, Army officials have informed FDIL (favorite daughter in law), when she called to invite me to the Welcome Home ceremony.

It is my deepest desire every person with a loved one in harms way will be able to feel what I am feeling. Thank you everyone for your prayers for his well being.

The future? At the current level of commitment, he will go back in a little over a year. Right now, we will enjoy having him home.

Won’t go weasely and say words can’t………..Etc. I AM PROUD OF HIM.

They See What They Want to See

2011-06-08T21:29:00.004-06:00

Guffaw in AZ write some interesting security posts.

http://armedlaughing.blogspot.com/2011/06/hormone-laden-world-of-private-security.html.

This got me to thinking about two things, my buddy, Dirty Al, and the not so subtle art of looking for repossession vehicles.

People see what they want to see, and they don’t want to see what makes them uncomfortable. Given some plausible reason, they don’t want to become involved.

In recent years, Al has worked as a security guard. His office, and home, for a few years was a ¾ ton, extra cab Ford pickup, with a large self contained camper. Somewhere along the line he acquired large magnetic signs for the doors reading "SECURITY". In practice, the guarding and security was provided by “Princess”, a wonderful Golden Cocker Spaniel. She would alert Al to situations requiring him to get off his ass and actually do something. Al got tired of paying to park in campgrounds. He found putting his SECURITY signs on the doors allowed him to park nearly anywhere without being bothered. Being his nature, he pushed it to the point he was parking in police department lots.

Doing repossession work requires walking around areas “looking”. Many areas are leery of, or hostile to, strangers. My “uniform” is a hard hat, safety vest, a laminated ID Card with my picture on a neck chain, a plastic clipboard that holds papers and drafting tools, several official looking computer printouts and a camera. The ID identifies me as an insurance investigator. Rarely am I asked what I’m doing and only once have I been turned away. Since I’ve done insurance reports it isn’t too difficult to be convincing.

Posts by others over the years have pointed out how easy it can be for criminals and terrorists to survey an area without interference. I don’t see that changing.

No computer for a few days; another road trip.

Political Payback???

2011-06-05T08:46:00.004-06:00

John Edward’s prosecution is puzzling. Many of the “experts” think the government’s case is weak and may even be tossed by a judge. Whatever the outcome, he is feeling some pain. One wonders if this isn’t some payback from the Obama camp for being a candidate or other political transgressions? Could it be a warning to others considering opposing Obama? Could cause some to rethink their plans.

I was an early Edwards supporter. Part was the “lesser of several evils” position. More likely, a personal interest in an ardent Edwards supporter. This was when I was active in the Democratic Party - pre Obama.

Another line of thought. What would be the outcome if the MSM looked at Obama with the same intensity of the check stand tabloids? Think that will ever happen?

I still admire anyone who has the guts to run for public office, knowing they will face a shitload of aggravation, as part of the process.

An addition from a recent email. Stark reminder of the kind of person that is our president.
http://caucusforamerica.com/