Laugh, Smile?

 

Low Humor

Heartland mixed marriages. Bride comes from a farm family that runs John Deere. The Groom comes from a farm family that runs Case-New Holland. Later their daughter marries into a farm family running Massey Ferguson.

Meanwhile, in Yellowstone.

And Cheyenne Frontier Days.

(I’ll go to my room now)

Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus Train

Last run ever, 2017, headed to Denver. The locomotive is UP 3985 “Challenger” 4-6-6-4 on the last run it made. After that, the UP used a 4-8-4 “Northern” #844 until bringing back the Big Boy, currently on tour in the eastern states. The #844 is still operational though seldom used. It was the very last steam engine delivered to the Union Pacific and never retired.

Yes, I have a minor interest in steam engines.

Car Insurance

Colorado consistently has high car insurance rates (5^th highest in the country). The cost means more uninsured motorists (many are undocumented immigrants), perhaps a third on the roads daily, and the associated cost of accidents they are involved in. The following article is long and technical. My superficial take? The current system provides a lot of opportunities for attorneys, government functionaries and asset recovery companies (repo men). YMMV

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How Blue States Work

Nothing to see here folks, move on! 

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For perspective, the adult population of Colorado is approximately 4.7 million. Assuming all are taxpayers, this one nonprofit received approximately $1.40 from each taxpayer.

 From Google AI.

An estimated 2,111 nonprofits in Colorado receive federal, state, or local government grants. This figure is based on IRS Form 990 filings that track government grant funding. Overall, approximately 34,251 registered nonprofits operate in Colorado, meaning about 77.4% of the organizations that file detailed tax returns report receiving some form of taxpayer-funded government grants.

Immigrants

Legal immigrants historically were screened for health problems. The Biden mobs were not. 

The consequences are part of this article.

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Tuberculosis was a scourge in the 19th and early 20^th Century. Many came west hoping the clean air and dry climate would help. Notable examples include Ed Johnson who represented Colorado in the US Senate and as Governor.  Eventually, TB became a rare disease in the USA. Not the rest of the world as this article highlights.

 The facility in question is a Federal operated property. Just what power Colorado law has is a question for lawyers? What is apparent to this former Adams County resident is the deep blue functionaries aren’t going to pass up a chance to “fight ICE”.

Side note. 7/16 employees were trying to enter the facility to work. Protestors were blocking them. A protestor was shot and an employee was arrested. FAFO

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Car Story

This is from the way back machine.

“Sorry officer, you didn’t see the boot on your undercover car as you tore off in ‘hot pursuit’?”

Days after graduating from high school in 1961, I did what hundreds of rural young people did; I moved to Denver for opportunities. I wanted more than cutting brush in the summer for the Forest Service and plowing snow in the winter for the County. I arrived in time to witness the Denver Police Department scandal.

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This was just part of the corruption; perhaps a minor part. The Sheriff’s Department was involved at some level.

I came to know Deputy C----, who drove around in a station wagon immobilizing cars of drivers with unpaid tickets. To my knowledge, he never arrested anyone nor let himself become involved in any other police work. Execute the President in front of him? Shrug, but he would boot an ambulance parked in a red zone.

His second activity was dealing marijuana out of his official car. That was an open secret other cops must have known.

Back to the top. The undercover officers would use impounded cars.

Deputy C--- spotted a car on his list, booted the car, and drove off. When the officer came back to the car and attempted to drive off, hilarity ensued.

Later I learned in Paris they called the immobilizer, “the Denver Boot”.

For clarity, I never used nor was involved with drugs. They were around me but I stayed at arm’s length.

I worked a lot of different jobs, sometimes as many as three at a time. One was working security at professional wrestling shows, Denver Bears (AAA baseball) and Denver Bronco games for a Denver policeman’s side business. While he personally wasn’t corrupt, he knew what was going on and helped us steer clear of entanglements.

For a time I worked nights part time running a parking lot across from a hotel with a nightclub in the basement. Several hookers worked out of the hotel.  He strongly urged me to drop the job. Nothing dramatic to report but who knows what a dumb country boy might have been sucked into keeping that particular job.

The Denver Police Department was corrupt from day one, 1859. Does the Department still have an element of corruption? Does a bear………

As always, YMMV

Circling the Drain - Centennial State Edition

 

Gold Standard Mail Voting

(P)regressives claim Colorado’s Mail  Voting System is the “Gold Standard”. Of course, they are right by their standards (low bar, that).

Troublesome facts only upset them.

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Where is the effort among elected officials to vigorously focus on these problems? Their disdain tells me they don’t care so long as the dysfunctional system keeps them and their cronies in power.

Colorado Republicans

They continue to be above wrestling in the (P)regressive mud. That should guarantee they won’t win any statewide races.

The primary winner for Governor, Victor Marks, hasn’t received endorsements from ‘mainstream’ Republicans. He is an “outsider” (unclean, unclean). His radical platform will ensure I vote for him.

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Should, by some divine miracle, he wins the (P)regressives still will have a majority in the Legislature, even a super-majority.

His words, as expected from any candidate.

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Various pundits are asking if the Republicans will unite behind him. Silly question, IMO.

Car Leasing

With prices of “a family sized SUV”  North of $80,000 and monthly stroke close to $1,000, leasing may soon be the only way to get new transportation.

I’m a fan of leasing in general when done properly. More on that later in this post.

This was the sales “pitch” I used. “Folks, when you buy a car, you put  money as a down payment and then make monthly payments. During that time, who owns the car?”

We agree that that the bank owns the car until the loan is paid off.

“With a lease, we turn the process around. You make much smaller monthly payments for the same number of months because you are not paying for the whole car, just the use. At the end you make the down payment. You do that only if you want. What you pay is called the residual”.

“The market value of the car in relation to the residual at the end of the lease will be one of three things, lower, higher, or about the same. If it is lower, walk away. If it is higher, that is money that can go in your pocket. If it about the same, you have the option to buy the car”.  Get acknowledgment.

“Say you decide to keep the car. Those of us in the business know people seldom trade in a perfectly good car. They either know or suspect bad things are happening. You know the car, so no surprises”.

Hopefully, this approach brought on more questions. In my time about 50% of my closes were leases.

Lease pitfalls. One, mileage. If you drive an average of 18,000 miles a year then don’t be stupid and lease for 10,000 miles to get a lower payment. That will bite you hard at the end of the lease. Second, know the capitalization cost (what to car is sold to the lease company) and, if possible, the buy rate (interest). Yes, you can arrange leases outside the dealerships and shop with that in your back pocket. You need to keep the car in good repair and, perhaps, have it professionally detailed before turning it in should you decide not to keep it.

Seldom mentioned lease benefit – liability. The lease company owns the car. He who owns the car owns the liability. They will require you to have higher insurance coverage because they, not you, are liable. Say you are in a bad accident and the other parties get hooked by the billboard lawyers. Your insurance company is obligated to defend you and pay up to the policy limits. They are not, repeat not, obligated to defend you the way you want to be defended. Do you think I’m wrong? Please read your policy.

You have $100,000 coverage. Your insurance company and Whiplash Charlie settle for $137,200. You have now become liable for $37,200. (Thing I’m wrong? Talk to a lawyer)

Take the same scenario with a lease. The lease company is liable, not you. Think Whiplash Charlie wants to take on Ford Motor Credit Corporation?

Yeah, but, you can still be sued yada, yada, yada. True, but you are no longer low hanging fruit.

One last point. You will enter the shark tank when you meet with the finance manager (known in the business as F&I). Next to parts and service departments, this is the greatest profit center in a dealership. 

Although I personally loath this father and son combination, they do a good job of showing how dealerships and sales work.

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Iran

Taken off a Facebook post.

 A reply.

The Daily Perspective

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We’re not dealing with sane people in Iran. They’re focused on world domination, they’re true believers in their cultic religion, and they truly believe their god is guiding them and won’t let them fail. They will lie about everything to achieve their goals, and they will never stop lying or attacking “the infidels”. The only way this ends is to completely eliminate the Islamic regime in Iran. Only then will the people be free and the region be safe.

Another example is Japanese bushido prior to WWII. Even after two atomic bombs, and the edict of the Emperor, some Japanese officers wanted to continue fighting.

Fanatics remain fanatics until they are dead or castrated.

John Denver

I’ve noticed John Denver mentioned in several places recently and thought to post a wee John Denver story. To be clear, I never personally met him but we were in Denver around the same time.

Colorado once had 3.2 beer for those 18-21 and Denver had several 3.2 night club/bars. One, the Eastway, was on East Colfax near Colorado Blvd and John Denver was playing in a band there. He was not yet a headliner and may have still been John Deutschendorf. He was the proud owner of a three tone Thunderbird. A big fight broke out in the parking lot and he was trying to keep people off his car. He had courage, not size, and was getting his ass kicked. My friends and I waded in and helped him. End of story. The police arrived and we made a strategic retreat.

Sanctuary City

Car Story

Repo Man

From time to time we needed to get a sold vehicle back because the financing fell through. This is one of the hazards of “spot” delivery” for aggressive dealers. Usually it wasn’t a big problem but a few were memorable.

Recently a Facebook idiot posted about putting his truck behind a locked gate with some kind of printed notice attached to the lock. Fool, few in the repo biz would let that stop them.

Laws vary but police attitudes are consistent. Going through a gate onto private property, in the moment, is criminal. Once the collateral is on a public street the police regard it as a civil matter. That saves them a ton of paperwork. As a courtesy to the police, you want to repo the vehicle with as few witnesses as possible.

My General Manager tasked me with retrieving a Ford Ranger. The buyer parked it in his back yard with a high wood fence. He had elaborate locks and chains securing the gate.

What to do? Pull the pins on the gate hinges, push the gate far enough open to drive the Ranger out to the street, and then beat feet.

Regretfully, we didn’t take time to put the pins back in the hinges.

As always, YMMV

 

Droning?

 

A Yeah, But

Drones

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Recommendations?

Of Interest to Colorado Voters

Republicans haven’t won a statewide race since 2016. Will they adapt?

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Living in Renton, WA during the 1990’s I was the Democrat Precinct Committeeman for six years. I’ve some experience with the strong results of “boots on the ground”.

King Lysen was the GOP committeeman. After each election we would meet with other volunteers and gather campaign signs off public right-of-ways, load them in my old Dodge pickup, and haul them away. Politics were civil then.

How Colorado Citizens Fight Back

Initiatives. Of course the (P)regressives use them too.

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Why Would PDJT Do This?

Move the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Headquarters to Salt Lake City and Grand Junction, CO.

Colorado River Water Fights

This year’s drought has intensified the regional fight. Always “climate change” is a talking point.

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What is seldom mentioned, and in passing, are invasive plants. How much water is taken by these plants in the greater Colorado system?

I’ve seen estimates as high as 30%.

They are:

Tamarisk

Russian Olive

Russian Knapweed

Purple  Loosestrife

There is a solution, camels and goats. Tamarisk, aka salt cedar, leaves have high concentrations of salt that native animals can’t tolerate. Goats will eat about any kind of weed. Camels seem to love Tamarisk leaves.

Currently, Northern Tamarisk Beetles, imported from Eurasia, are somewhat effective. Our native fauna will eat them and their larvae which seems to be a safe invasive insect to introduce to our ecosystem.

Will we see camels along our Western rivers? Someone will see the opportunity if the government agencies will get on board.

The idea isn’t new and has mixed success. An example.

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Fifty Three Years

Military training that sticks. Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood in 1963 every physical training exercise ended with, “One more for Airborne!” Today I found myself doing one extra pull on my rowing machine.

Soccer

Soulless apartment complexes seem to be everywhere, often far away from parks and recreation centers. Kids growing up there have few places to just be kids. Usually there is some kind of “park” amenity where kids can play soccer. The only equipment needed is a ball. Not every kid is able to play basketball. Long term? Maybe the USA becomes more of an international power.

Find a Need and Fill It

I admire entrepreneurs.  

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Amateurs, as anyone who has seen the contents of my trunk will attest.

Car Story 

Not a car lot story.

One time going North on Hwy 93 from Salmon, ID to Missoula, MT I came around a corner and saw a pickup truck with a camper off in the ditch and against the bank. The driver was frantically waving out his window.

I stopped and started to approach when he warned me a bear was stuck under his truck, directly under his door. One leg was sticking out and the paw was hitting the driver door.

“My rifle is in the camper. If I give you my keys, will you get it and shoot this bear”, asked the driver?

The truck had a Handyman (high lift) jack bolted to the front bumper.

After getting it off the bumper I started jacking up the pickup. When the pickup was high enough, the bear freed himself, ran across the road, and down the hill, post haste.

Why not shoot the bear first? The pickup would still need jacking up and then the carcass drug out. Authorities might have been involved.

Did I have a plan if the bear didn’t run? Yes, climb up on the pickup and then the camper.

As always, YMMV

We're F**ked in Colorado, No Surprise

 

Once again our Secretary of State is found out.

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She is the (P)regressive’s candidate for Attorney General. In her first term as Secretary of State, she had a 200% staff turnover in her first year. That won’t happen now as her predecessor, now candidate for governor, had eight years to weed out anyone competent with a shred of ethics.

 In my CO-8 district, the socialist easily won over the true blue mainstream candidate in the primary.

Senator Incompetent lost the Governor primary so will have two more years sucking the D.C. tit.

The drunk in CO-1 (Denver), been there forever, lost to the Democrat Socialists. 

Her opponent boasted, in her victory speech,

“Denver voters of all ages, of all races, of all religions sent a clear message: We will not wait,” said Kiros, who was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders late in the race.  “We will not wait to take the fight to Donald Trump and the oligarchy, we will not wait to abolish ICE and pass Medicare for all. We will not wait to put an end to the politics of the past, to get big money out of our politics.” 

Welcome to the new Democrat Party whose “big money” supporters hide behind PACs.

And the Republicans?

Fourth of July

As much fun as watching fireworks are setting them off, IMO. A memorable 4^th was 1965, Campo Pond, Hanau Germany. The NCO club spent thousands on fireworks. Campo Pond was about 40 acres of flat sand and scrub with a paved road across it.

50°06’41.39”N  8°57’43.75”E

Our 1^st Sgt, Nick Womac, was in charge with the assistance of several senior NCOs from various units. Step and fetchers were needed; enter the 1^st Sgt’s “Volunteer After Hours Work Party”, with yours truly and Tom O’Connor, my partner in crime, and others.

It took four full days to set up the fireworks. Rather complicated. Extra guards from the normal guard duty at the ammo bunkers were assigned over night.

Around 2200 the show started and lasted for over an hour. Those of us involved in putting on the show didn’t have time to sit back and watch. Still, being part of the crew was a memorable experience.

With access open to the public, the local German newspaper estimated the crowd to be over 2,500.

Two days were spent cleaning up. An artillery battalion swept the 40 acres picking up trash. The fucking Rads were the worst litterbugs ever.

During my time there, the show wasn’t repeated. 1Sgt Womac was later promoted to Sgt Maj and went to the 37^th Engineer Group Headquarters. Hated to see him go; perhaps the best NCO I knew and the reason I never received an Article 15. If the Army had a medal for cat herding, Combat Engineer NCO’s would qualify.

Nanny State

My betters have decided I need to help “The Less Fortunate” with their gas bill. Trivial amount and I can opt out by jumping through hoops.

This is something I probably would have done voluntarily if asked.

Cynical me wonders how many good paying position will be needed to administer the program, what political flavor those employees will be, and how much will be left for those truly in need.

Car Story

Not a car sales story.

Roush Industries employed me for around three years as a test driver. This event occurred in 2009. I wasn’t present but did hear the story that became part of “teachable moments”.

One route ran from Commerce City over Loveland Pass to Fairplay then back to Commerce City over Kenosha Pass. All the cars were camouflaged and we covered the dashes when we left them for lunch, potty breaks, etc. Usually up to four cars ran together.

 On this route a good place to stop for lunch was the Wendy’s at Aspen Park. When the crew came back to the cars there was a pool of coolant under a super secret Mustang. Concerned, the crew opened the hood.

A man with a camera slid up, started taking pictures of the engine compartment, and then beat feet. One guess as to how the coolant got under the Mustang.

The job started out as something to do. When I proved myself, it became interesting. Example:  Manager, “This is one of two prototypes in the world. We need it taken to the Hyundai plant in Montgomery. It must arrive with no dents, scratches, marks or blemishes. Take your time if you run into hail or highway repaving”. Normally a two day trip, it became a three day trip.

The employees with the most fun were in Las Vegas where a select few tested on the Las Vegas NASCAR track. For the rest of us it was strict adherence to speed limits with GPS tracking installed in every vehicle. Kansas, I-70 at 65 mph, gah! When Kansas finally raised the speed limit to 70 mph, it saved 24 minutes crossing the state.

As always, YMMV