Shucky Darn

Springtime in the Rockies. I look forward to putting away this snow rake I’ve had for nearly two decades.

Back in the day in the car biz, we would start with windshields. Every windshield of our 150-200 car inventory was cleared. This was to let the public know, “We are open, by God!”, in the words of one manager. Later one person stayed inside to answer the phone and everyone else was out clearing the inventory. Not sad those days are behind me.

Always found it ironic they were made in Florida. Wonder where the prototypes were tested?

This two day storm isn’t hitting us as hard as Wyoming. Wyoming has the potential to be “interesting” next Saturday.

The Union Pacific will be double heading two steam engines, a restored “Big Boy” 4014 and the ever popular UP 844 along with diesel electric engines and baggage, tool, generator and passenger cars from Cheyenne to Ogden, UT to commemorate the 150^th Anniversary Golden Spike Event.

The Central Pacific Railroad, built from California East met the Union Pacific built from Omaha West at Promontory, UT.

Called the Transcontinental Railroad, it wasn’t, but other railroads had reached Omaha so it was feasible to ship coast to coast.

Why will it be “interesting”? Wyoming mud and thousands of railfans trying to find good places to view the train from dirt roads may be a bonanza for tow truck operators.

The forecast is for clearing starting Thursday. Not enough time to dry the dirt tracks/roads enough for vehicles.

My tentative plan is to watch from near Tie Siding, WY where I watched the “Big Boy” being towed back to Cheyenne for restoration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7MOBSIdPuU&t=25s

 If that isn’t feasible then it is on to Medicine Bow or Ft Steele. Both will probably be crowded. Fallback location will be Sinclair, WY.

From there it is off to Maybell, CO via Baggs, WY for a family gathering during the Great American Horse Drive. Few of us care much about seeing 500+ horses but it is a good excuse for a get-together.  

https://www.visitmoffatcounty.com/great-american-horse-drive.php

My sister and her sister from another mother will be there and will try to take in a Ute Nation ceremony in the Sand Wash. Roads will probably be marginal but Sisty’s mighty F-150 is equipped to handle them.

https://wildhorsewarriorsforsandwashbasin.com/blessing-of-the-land

“Sis” feels a special affinity for Native Americans and Sisty has a big heart for all people. I may or may not join them.

All this can change based on my Thursday visit to the VA Urology Clinic in Cheyenne for “tests”. Another rant coming?

If not this Saturday, the steamers are scheduled back May 17^th. I do want to see them. Maybe twice?

On one of the Facebook groups someone asked why the UP spends what may be $1,000,000+ on steam engines. One responder said the steam engines are to the UP what the Clydesdales are to Budweiser.  Given the overall UP hardnosed approach to cost containment, he is probably correct. Whatever the reason, I’m glad they do it.

Back to the storm. Heavy, wet spring snow is great for vegetation and aquifers. A green Wyoming is always a treat for the eyes.

Recalls

A Colorado specific political rant.

The deep blue takeover of Colorado, and the subsequent passage of over 100 bills has sparked several recall efforts.

In the House District 50 (where I live) a recall effort for our recently elected representative is underway. Maybe she, and her owners, excuse me, supporters are getting nervous. Behold  the postcard I received.

I noticed the postmark, fifty miles away from Greeley.

The other side is interesting. Part of a large printed sheet?

A brief summation of our ‘Blue Wave’. Our current Governor is part of “The Gang of Four” wealthy trustfunders who started dumping money into Colorado politics around 2010. They have been, damnit, successful.

Since then outside money has been pouring in. Is Colorado a blueprint for (P)regressive takeovers in other States? How about New Mexico? Is Texas next?

Proof of outside interference?

http://westernwire.net/emails-reveal-polis-administration-taking-direction-from-outside-groups

Following controversial “Gun control” bills passed in 2013, two State Senators were successfully recalled, a first for Colorado. With true blue Jena now Secretary of State (her office controls the recall process) I’m not holding my breath the current efforts will succeed.

Perhaps the only real outcome will be the (P)regressive’s discomfort with all the resistance put up by the State’s deplorables. Already the (P)regressives are using distortion and outright lies when they dare to venture into rural areas and quell the uprisings.

https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/polis-faces-tough-questions-from-angry-ne-colorado-audience/article_47ba83e0-683c-11e9-ac4e-9792fb3d98b7.html

Perhaps the root of the problem is the (P)regressives live in their own bubble, networking with other like minded people, and cannot fathom the loathing, and outright hatred, their actions cause among the deplorables. Akin to Indian Agents trying to  pacify and ‘educate’ native American tribes  circa 1850s-1930s if you will.

The day may well come where the 2^nd Amendment is our savior. Hope not.

My biggest issue with (P)regressives? Their refusal to accept our government was created, in part, to protect minorities from the heavy hand of the majority. Only their view is worthy. Fuck’em!

Senseless

Senseless tragic events happen daily, everywhere, but we should try to not become blasé, IMO.

Here was a fireman on his way to work. A doper crosses into his lane and hits his motorcycle. The rider dies. The doper leaves the scene of the accident in his badly damaged SUV and flees to the open farmland. A senior LEO on his way to work learns of the incident on his radio, spots the SUV, and makes the arrest.

Until last February when I moved across town, I traveled that street frequently. In the place the accident occurred, the street is very wide even with curbside parking. Dry, sunny morning with no weather factors to contribute to problems and the SUV driver wasn’t headed into the sun. Conclusion? He was stoned.

In general, I mind my own business. You are free to go to hell in whatever manner you see fit. I do draw the line at assaults, child and/or spousal abuse, and impaired drivers. On all, I will drop a dime, snitch, whatever you want to call it. Cell phones make it easy.

The SUV driver is from a tiny town near where Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado meet. Residents of small towns are usually close knit and the impact of one of “theirs” involved in such a stupid act will cause a lot of pain and even shame to them. Not at the same level as the victim’s family and co-workers to be sure, but it will be there.

The young SUV driver? Such a wasted life. In this city and this county he will not get a sweetheart deal.

For those interested in more detail, the local rag covered the story.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/1-taken-to-hospital-after-hit-and-run-involving-motorcycle-in-northeast-greeley/

R.I.P.

Political Angst, (P)regressive Community

So maybe Slo Joe isn't completely dumb. Announced he asked the Lightbringer to not endorse him. Saves all those embarrassing questions later as to why the Lightbringer didn't endorse him.

Extreme angst. Assume you are a megadoner. You want to insure you have an entre to the new administration. Who, among the 21 announced candidates do you bribe? How do you time your donation(s)? 

Next up are the Congressional seats. Donate to the established Donkeys? Donate to the (P)regressive flamers who will probably win the primary but lose the general to someone sane? After all, bribe money only goes so far. How sure are you the politician(s) you bought, stay bought?

Finally, Crazy Bernie, the turd in the punchbowl.

Decisions, decisions.

Big Doings

Opened yesterday in our little burg with long lines and traffic jams. Very welcome. For years only one KFC in town, dirty and poorly managed or the usual grocery store deli chicken. Will check it out in a few days.

Wow! What next? Maybe a Waffle House?

Dallas, WTF?

Guess Dallas has joined Austin in becoming California lite. Behold, it is now ok to steal if you really, really need the money/goods.

http://www.unz.com/sbpdl/in-29-white-dallastx-new-black-district-attorney-reveals-plan-to-stop-prosecuting-thefts-under-750-to-help-people-of-color-from-being-arrested/

Far be it beyond me to tell others what to do but I do have a question.

What position will this DA take when some citizen uses a firearm to protect their property? Any guesses?

Gun Control

On a personal level I don’t use the word “gun” unless talking about smoothbore firearms. The recent Sol Pais episode and Red Flag legislation has been a hot topic here at grey and wrinkled headquarters, aka Peakview Trails.

I try to be informed and not let my feelings become facts when discussing the topic with others.

Poking around the internet leads one to all types of propaganda. Consider, “The Trace”.

https://www.thetrace.org/2018/12/gun-violence-facts-statistics-2018/

Don’t know to what choir they are preaching but they certainly are passionate.

That bastion of journalistic integrity, CNN delved deeply into the subject.

tps://www.cnn.com/2018/12/13/health/gun-deaths-highest-40-years-cdc/index.html

All kinds of neat charts and, oh my god, conclusions.

Here is another statistic I like to quote.

United States Population 2019. According to the US Census Bureau's population clock, the estimated 2018 United States population (February 2018) is 327.16 million.Nov 21, 2018

When I get a chance to talk to people who might, just might, have an open mind, I point out that 40,000, 60,000 or even 100,000 deaths out of a population north of 300,000,000 won’t make a pimple on a statistician’s ass. Usually gets a laugh or two.

Going further, I do agree if you are caught in a firearms violence situation, or have family caught in that situation, numbers are of no comfort. The numbers of accidental injuries are harder to pin down.

Why is “gun control” so popular with (P)regressives? Many reasons but the number one reason, IMO, is it allows them to assume a perceived high moral ground, to make much noise, and obscure their lack of enthusiasm for tackling hard, even insoluble, problems. It is possible they even believe their own emotional bullshit.

Out there is someone who will say, “Just wait until it happens to you, WSF”.  My reply, it has. A cousin died from a .22 round to the head when his rifle went off while he was riding in a vehicle. His parents, his siblings, and his relatives were saddened but not one thought banning firearms was an answer.

On another occasion my co-worker and I were standing on either side of the cash register paying for our coffee to go. Dumb shit steps between us, points a semi-auto at the cashier and announces a robbery. He immediately got two hot cups of coffee in his face. While my co-worker grabbed the handgun and racked back the slide, I stomped on the dumb shit’s ankle. (400 block S Colorado Blvd, Denver, 1970).  The point? Two individuals (veterans) with knowledge of firearms who weren’t paralyzed when confronted with an armed individual didn’t become “victims”.

My NRA membership has lapsed. When we have both houses of Congress in GOP hands, plus a kick ass GOP President and National Reciprocity isn’t passed, I ask myself why support the organization? Yes, they do other important work in safety and education. They also have a president I dislike and several board members I consider buffoons. YMMV.

The insolence of (P)regressives across the country will hopefully provoke such revulsion in the general population that the next election will see many thrown out of office along with the go along, get along RINOs. Maybe we will see a resurgence of the Tea Party or something similar. I can only hope.

For me, it is all academic. All my firearms were lost in a boating accident on Horsetooth Reservoir and I’m too poor to replace them.  

The Short Saga of Sol Pais = Something Stinks

An 18 year old nut case “obsessed” with the Columbine High School Massacre buys three one way tickets for three separate days from Miami to Denver.

She uses a “ride share” to visit a firearms merchant near Columbine High School where she supposedly bought a pump shotgun and ammo.

The authorities are alerted, schools are locked down or closed, and‘massive’ law enforcement effort is started.

She again uses a “ride share” to take her to Echo Lake Campground. This morning her corpse if located there, dead from a reported self inflicted gunshot.

The conspiracy theorists will be working this for years.

What bothers me is the choice of Echo Lake Campground. A more obscure, hard to reach place that is still close to metro Denver would be hard to find. Just below the crest of the Continental Divide, it is closed and most likely snow covered this time of year. The only commercial establishment for miles around is the Echo Lake Lodge, closed until Memorial Day May 27^th. Not sure if anyone lives there year around. The Squaw Pass Highway (CO 103) has little traffic.

What will fuel the conspiracy theories is the recently passed, and signed by Gov. Polluted, “Red Flag Law”. She is part of a big setup to justify the law, maybe. The "Gang of Four" certainly have enough money to hire Shillary's crew.

One glaring question? Where does an 18 year old get the funds necessary to do all this? That answer may be interesting in itself.

I haven’t any conclusions and will wait for more information.

Right now all the “Recall Polis” sites on Facebook are exploding with speculation and acquisitions.  More fuel for the conspiracy theories or a diversion? 

Remember, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to fuck you over. 

Peakview Trails Follies

More Peakview Trails news. Seems the concrete contractor's people broke some plumbing already installed while pouring the first floor slab. Rather than having the plumbing contractor make repairs, their crew did it themselves.

The above picture is the plumbing contractor repairing the repair. The mind boggles. One guess as to who is the master plumber and who is the apprentice.

With summer coming, some residents are concerned about a/c. Seems it hasn't been hooked up. 

Lucky me, I live on the third floor. Some insulation wasn't up to the winter temperatures and several pipes froze and broke. The damage was confined to the fourth floor. My upstairs neighbor had a few nights in a motel while her apartment was repaired. She was not a happy camper!

One bright spot is the resident building maintenance man. He does a great job and is quick to respond to any problem. He did fray my "man card" by having to show me how to reset a circuit breaker. My excuse? I've never seen the type used in this building.

Had a business trip to Sterling, CO in NE Colorado last week the day after a spring blizzard come through. Had to bypass on of my favorite places.

Mud. Even the gravel county roads are treacherous when soaked. Best to have good mud tires and 4wd, neither that equip my Taurus.

Ah, summer will be here soon enough.

Petty Bureaucrats

For the 1st time since being in the military I'm living in government owned/operated housing. Overall, the experience has been drama free. That now seems to be changing.

The common area above stretches from the entry to the elevators. Not shown in the photo are three tall tables with chairs that were added, then removed. This has angered some of the residents and seems to be a petty decision by the petty complex manager. A meeting is scheduled with the big cheese for this coming Thursday. I probably won't be there but I've written a letter, at the request of another resident. A portion of the letter follows.

Dear Sir,

Certain changes have occurred in the common areas that are not enhancing the enjoyment of the residents. This saddens me.

Most of us have lived here less than five months, in my case, since February. I’ve been impressed by the voluntary effort of several residents to build a feeling of community, even family. One challenge facing elderly, as you probably recognize, is loneliness and isolation. That has been mitigated by some of the residents coming together and building a community.

The table and chairs between the entrance and elevators is utilized as a gathering place and I, for one, like it. It is so nice to walk in and be greeted warmly but others. I must add I’ve never seen trash or clutter left when the “group” disperses. Further, I’ve never seen any shunning of anyone; just the opposite. I’ve never felt unwelcomed, and I’ve never heard any malicious gossip or disparaging references to any resident save early on when one group were evicted after destroying their apartment on the 1^st floor.

I urge you to not disturb the positive chemistry building at Peakview.

Not a biggy, right? Not now, but what about the future? I applaud the (mainly) women who are taking a stand. A small spat now may well prevent a bigger blowout in the months and years ahead. Unchecked power is destabilizing, IMO.

I think of some of my acquaintances dealing with Home Owner Associations and see similarities.

In any case, I live here and want to be on the best terms with my neighbors. Want I don't want is the toad in the corner office screwing things up to feed his ego.  

Butthurt

Recent posts have been on the warm and fuzzy side. Back to a rant.

After reading the editorials posing as news reporting by the AMM (h/t BZ) about the current ‘turmoil’ in the White House and Homeland Security, you get the impression the AMM still doesn’t get President Trump. 

He is a businessman. In business, if you can’t get the job done the way the boss wants it done and you are not shielded by a union, you shouldn’t be surprised to be fired.

Maybe the AMM’s hatred of President Trump comes from having to learn a new viewpoint and challenge to their entrenched mindset.

I remember vividly to this day a lesson, as a smart ass thirty something, I was taught by a sales manager when I worked for a major outboard motor manufacturer. Sitting on top of every performance chart, I made the mistake of telling the big boy, “I sure would be hard to replace”.

“Listen, jack off”, he replied. “When I replace you one of three things will happen. Your replacement will do a worse job, or as good a job, or a better job. In any case, the odds are two to one in my favor and I’ll go to Vegas with those odds any day”.

Not too long afterwards, I moved on, realizing corporate America wasn’t for me. Kind of like being a zebra in a herd of unicorns if you will. Blame it on my land pirate genes (h/t  LL).

To get back to the point, a hard nosed businessman, or businesswoman, won’t tolerate mediocrity. Get the job done the way they want it done or vete, irse a, vamoose. Turmoil? Part of the necessary process.

Do I pity the poor reporter having to develop a new perspective on reporting the news? Please! Suck it up cupcake.

Cue the “Yeah, but” choir. “That is the way we’ve always done it. All it needs is a few tweaks (which won’t cause me brain damage) to keep on working”.

On a personal level I don’t like President Trump. That said, I think he is doing a great job against huge obstacles and hope he will run again in 2020.

As always, YMMV.

Grief

The Greeley Grief Center is a community resource my niece, sister, and my sister’s numerous adopted daughters have encouraged me to use. My niece threatened grievous bodily harm if I didn’t.

I’ve started the process. It consists of six monthly classes each centered around a particular aspect of the grieving process. The first one I’ve attended is titled, “You Are Not Going Crazy”. The moderator is a pastor who spent many years working in hospices. This is a classroom setting.

A second part is a weekly semi formal meeting, chairs arranged in a circle, with each participant speaking about their particular situation. The experiences I heard others speak ranged from unexpected (heart, stroke), lingering  (Lou Gehrig disease), suicides, and accidents. No young child deaths in this group. Several participants spoke about having the make the, “pull the plug” decision when no DNR was in place.

Do I need this? Don’t think so but it does no harm. People who care about me think I do need this. On the offhand chance they are right, I’ll continue the process.

What I do need to do is get my own affairs in order. I’ve done this in the past but it is time for a review and update.

Now it is time to prepare for an April blizzard on the horizon due late this afternoon. I remember one when I was in sixth grade that filled the roads bank to bank and it was days before we could travel anywhere.

Rainbow Bridge

No, not that Rainbow bridge. This one.

Located just off I-76 in Ft Morgan, CO. Built in 1923 it has withstood the many South Platte River floods. 

Note the metal thieves have taken one small plaque but haven't managed the whole plaque.

A new wider and stronger (and ugly) bridge has replaced it for Highway 52 traffic.

A favorite spot of mine to stop and stretch when I was running the medical courier route, it never fails to make me smile.

What, you were expecting a political rant? Stand by.

Personal Bleg

My oldest cousin, the late Lee Hoth, created art from used horseshoes. His descendants have followed in his path.

You can find them on Facebook.

P&J’s horseshoe art for sale

Please give them a look if you have an interest. Good people needing another income stream with the war on coal soon to put them 'on the street'.

Arrogant Tyrants

Want a foretaste of this country if the (P)regressives win control of the Presidency, Senate, and House of Representatives? Look no further than ‘deep blue’ Colorado.

Last election the (P)regressives dumped massive money to swing the election their way. Worked! With a small army of otherwise unemployed paid $15 an hour to campaign, they gained control of every elected State office and both the Senate and House. Governor ‘Polluted’  Polis spent $20 million of his own money. (He will make this back on his Canadian Oil investments once he kills the oil business in Colorado – much like his creating a medical tourist company after voting in Obamacare as a Congressman).

These shifty assholes are now using a wrinkle in the state constitution called the ‘safety clause’ to make their passed laws exempt from citizen recall/referendum actions.

https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/safety-clauses-and-effective-date-clauses.pdf

Long court fight is ahead. Their mindset, “We don’t care about any stinking Constitution” despite this:

From Wikipedia

In the United States the right to petition is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which specifically prohibits Congress from abridging "the right of the people...to petition the Government for a redress of grievances".

Although often overlooked in favor of other more famous freedoms, and sometimes taken for granted,^[1] many other civil liberties are enforceable against the government only by exercising this basic right.^[2] The right to petition is regarded as fundamental in some republics, such as the United States, as a means of protecting public participation in government.^[1]

The very first right under the very first Amendment.

Lots of social media chatter about recalls. Most are not creditable IMO.

In 2013 after a noxious gun control bill was passed two State Senators lost recall elections, the first time in Colorado. The (P)regressives now have just a one vote edge in the Colorado Senate.

 IMO, the effort should focus on recalling select Senators. The resulting gridlock will at least slow our descent into the Tyranny of the left.  

Make no mistake; Colorado is a blueprint for the left’s national goal. 

Thankfully, President Trump beating Shillary and the RINO control of the Senate has slowed their progress.

As always, YMMV.

Milestones

Tomorrow, April, 1942, my parents were married in Reno, NV. My father was stationed nearby.

When asked why they didn’t marry on April Fool’s Day, they always answered, “We’ve always been a day late and a dollar short”.

My sister and I say we are the product of a mixed marriage, a Colorado cowboy and a Wyoming sheepherder, whose marriage often resembled a range war.

They loved to dance and were better than good dancers.

(Generic photo)