Kindness of Strangers - the Dog

 Dog Preparations

Easy prepping for Banner. Neighbors keep stopping by with dog treats. Blasted dog now has at least a two month supply. Last week, bringing a 40 lb bag of dog food past several neighbors gathered in the lobby, I had to stop and answer questions. Finally put an end to the interrogations by saving, “Banner can’t live by treats alone”.

Boondoggle Green Wet Dreams

5280: You’ve studied rail, in all its forms, for most of your adult life. Do you see benefits of high-speed rail in a place like Colorado?

Randal O’Toole: None, really. The benefit is to political egos. That’s it. These are ego projects

Long article Colorado Front Range specific.

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Right now Metro Denver light rail is losing money. The only passenger train that breaks even is the weekend Denver-Winter Park Ski Train. The only year around long term financial success is the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad.

Stirring the pot – a favorite pastime

We of the anti (P)regressive political spectrum are derided by the (P)regressives for our resistance to their agenda. The Supreme Court’s Bruen 2^nd Amendment decision has the (P)regressives feverishly passing firearm laws that even a non lawyer can see are unconstitutional, all in defiance of the Supreme Court, all the while screaming, “We won’t comply”.

Am I alone in seeing the irony?

Why yes, I’ve always been a malcontent

The A.I.T. Engineer Company we survived circa 1963 had a permanent party SP 4 who enjoyed messing with us trainees. He was among his other duties the Mail Clerk. Towards the end of the cycle we received our orders for our next destination. Said clerk, at Revile, made a speech about how we were to inform all our contacts of our new address. He emphasized he didn’t want to be forwarding our mail; his time was too important!

In the classified ads in some tattered magazine being passed around was an advertisement. For $2.00, they would get your name on 10,000 mailing lists. Two years later I was still getting junk mail forwarded from Ft Leonard Wood. Did I share my idea with others in my platoon? Does a bear………..

Another memory of that time were trainees designated acting NCOs. They wore a blue arm band with chevrons and had to be treated by the rest of us like they were real NCOs. Some let their egos get out of hand, forgetting once the cycle was over they went back to being privates. That was payback time. Were the permanent personnel going to take issue? Hell no! Just ship the malcontents out and let their next duty station deal with them. Army tradition.

In my time in the Green Machine, the only branch to approach engineers in mean, nasty, fuck you behavior were the cannon cockers.

Colorado Wolves

Long article in the Steamboat Springs, CO newspaper reporting a leap year day meeting.

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What caught my attention was Patrick Stanko’s name mentioned several times. That was no surprise. He comes from a long line of community leaders. His parents are some of my oldest friends.

“I have heard it all 100 times,” said Jackson County rancher Dave Gittleson after the meeting.

I doubt many minds were changed at that meeting! I was impressed by what I found to be a news article with no apparent agenda other than reporting the facts.

Related, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife have an ongoing and growing problem with mountain lions. Trust fund snot’s values vs reality when Fluffy disappears from their backyard. Long article here.

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$20 Happy Meal soon?

Jon Caldera examines the restaurant business in Denver. Soon,  Colofornia will share more wallet paMORE

Product Endorsement

A friend gave me this to try out. While not a miracle or a cure, it does ease my joint pains. One complaint. Getting the cap off was a bitch.

President Election

Nailed it.

As always, YMMV

ADDENDUM

My computer skills are lacking. Try these links.

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A Little Pot Stirring (Because I an't got much)

Robust Conversation – (P)regressive Definition

Shut up and listen to what we want (and demand).

New Mexico 2^nd Amendment Cluster***k

Things are getting interesting. Even a Biden appointed judge couldn’t stomach the Governor’s overreach. Down the road we Colorado residents may see relief from onerous laws.

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Pass the popcorn.

Moffat Tunnel

The tunnel is owned by the State of Colorado. The lease expires in January 2025. WSF predicts the new lease will be written to prohibit the transport of fossil fuels through the tunnel. This is a golden opportunity for the environazis to kill the coal industry in Colorado and cripple the oil industry, they think.

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 Between Emperor Polis and the left dominated Legislator it is a slam dunk for the environazis.

 The other player is the Union Pacific railroad who owns the rail right of way on either side of the tunnel. They may just shut it down. Precedent? They shut down the Tennessee Pass route after acquiring the Denver and Rio Grande.

Their options? Their historic route across Wyoming to Emeryville, CA and from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles. Closing the old D&RG route won’t put them out of business. They still have no restrictions from Bond, CO westward and can still haul Western Slop coal and petroleum over that route. Another option is to reopen the Tennessee Pass route.

Things may get interesting.

Just how ‘trackage rights’ might affect decisions is beyond my knowledge. Could the State rent trackage rights to, say, the BNSF?

A long explanation of trackage rights.

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Personal note. My father was the section foreman for the Moffat Tunnel in the early 1950’s and we lived in East Portal. I have an attachment to the place and I am pained to see the infrastructure deteriorate the way it has. Whether that is the responsibility of Colorado or the Union Pacific isn’t clear.

Ignored Threat

Disclaimer. I am not, and do not, advocate any action to accomplish what I am about to point out.

When the Moffat Tunnel was under construction a small pilot bore was the first phase. The tunnel bore was then dug next to the pilot bore. The pilot bore was enlarged and now caries Western Slope water for consumption by Denver and the Englewood suburb. That water tunnel is, IMO,  an easy target for sabotage.

As always, YMMV

 

 

Repeal the 2nd Amendment

Retired Supreme Court John Paul Stevens wrote in an op-ed in the New York Times. On that single point, he is correct. 

He goes on the regurgitate most of the (P)regressive gun grabbing talking points. Of course, the NRA takes a shot. For me, this takes him from a scholarly student of the law to a hack and besmirches whatever legacy he had heretofore.

There is a mechanism in the Constitution to repeal amendments. It has been used once, to repeal prohibition.  The bar, as it should be, is high.

To those who want to restrict or eliminate firearms, go for repeal. Convince the majority of the citizens your cause is just. Let the rule of law prevail. This is the honest approach, rather than your current efforts of death by a thousand cuts.

You will be vigorously fought but your opponents will respect your honest approach. In the unlikely event you prevail, the firearm owners, who are on the whole peaceable and respecters of the law, will grudgingly accept the outcome, IMO.

YMMV

Preaching To The Choir

Once again the uproar about “gun control” is at a fever pitch. There are some changes I would like to see, starting with a dose of honesty.

 The gun grabbers are terrified by firearms and want them confiscated but lack the courage to come out and say it. Instead, they use death by a thousand cuts. I actually admire Sen. Feinstein for being upfront.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj4AcjyuV38

With her we know where we stand.

Random thoughts.

“You are entitled to your opinion. You are not entitled to your own facts.”  Daniel Patrick Moynihan

From a blog.

 http://proudhillbilly-hillbilly.blogspot.com/

So. Just a Thought.

If you asked someone to give a detailed history of the geology of wherever you are, most people would have the honesty to say "I don't know" because most people don't study the details of geology.

But the same people, with the same level of knowledge of guns as they have of geology, will lecture you all day long about guns.

Something that can be done fairly easily.

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data. Any company that deals with protected health information (PHI) must ensure that all the required physical, network, and process security measures are in place and followed.

Modify portions of this act to let health professionals report people they deem mentally unstable to a review by the judicial system. As in, if they are bat shit crazy, disarm them. Potential for abuse? Damn right, but that can be addressed.

Next, vigorously enforce the laws we already have on the books! Duh.

Last, be grateful for what we have received, the Constitution, and strive to preserve and protect it.

Change coffee to firearms, and my “feeling” are these.

YMMV

Gone Legit?

In much of Colorado the worst thing to say about an elected official is they have “gone Denver”. Today I went through the process of meeting the state imposed legal requirements to do what I’ve been doing most of my adult life, carrying a concealed firearm. Wonder what that makes me?

I had taken the required safety class and had the certificate. The process at the Sheriff’s office was efficient and pleasant. Cost? $100. I simply walked in and went to the window. Another 45 minutes and I was on my way.

The process would have been faster except for fingerprints. While I haven’t worked my fingers to the bone, have worn down the whorls to the point they are hard to print. It took several tries with one thumb and my right ring finger by the deputy with twenty years of experience.

Weld County, CO is about as red as it gets. Contrast this with the next county South, Adams, where a three term Sheriff allowed 25 permit applications only per day, two days a week, first come, first served. This in a county with a population North of 600,000.

So why haven’t I done this after many years? Family members will say it is because I’m too cheap. They say that like it is a bad thing!

It pisses me off I need to ask/pay for something that is my natural born right, self defense.

Age plays a part. I don’t care to deal with the hassle of fighting the legal system. More so, at age 73, I’m coming to grips with being, in fact, an “at risk” senior.

Privacy concerns played a part. In reality, with all the interconnected data bases privacy is gone. Does anyone believe the FBI purges background check reports after a certain time limit as prescribed by law? They seem to flout any law they find inconvenient, don’t they?

“So, Mr. White, where is the .22 rifle you purchased from XXX and picked up from an FFL in Brighton, CO in 2xxx? You passed a background check then. Oh, and the 20 gauge shotgun from an auction picked up from the same FFL?”

In two to three weeks will have the credit card sized permit with my picture and details. That, and a diminished scofflaw status. Oh well, life goes on.

Well Regulated Militia

Hoisted on my own petard, firearms control division per my last blog entry.

This morning sitting in a waiting room (car repairs) had a conversation with a couple of University of Northern Colorado graduate students. They have a sure fire idea for firearms control that respects the 2^nd Amendment.

All firearms owners must be members of a militia. The militia will operate an armory where all firearms will be kept locked up. Owners can check out their privately owned firearms for approved purposes. 

They were quite pleased with themselves and their brilliant plan.

I didn’t argue, just nodded my head. Didn’t feel like wrestling with pigs this morning.

Enforce the Law

Seems the people who hate firearms are all butt hurt  that restrictive laws passed are not being enforced. Examples include New York and Connecticut where owners are required to register their “assault weapons” (whatever the hell that is) and are not in huge numbers. Some estimates range as high as 90% non compliance. This cannot be allowed to continue!

Since the police are already stretched thin, and seem reluctant to enforce these laws, I recommend the firearm control proponents be drafted into formations along the lines of Sheriff Posses, given some training, and be sent door to door to check for illegal firearm possessions. This could be part time work and even be given a stipend.  Imagine how good they will feel about themselves after walking the walk instead of just talking the talk. Perhaps Bloomberg could put up some bucks to get this started and offer himself as a leader.

Yes, I think this is my best idea to date! After all, what could go wrong?

Gun Grabbers Wet Dream

From the (P)regressive mind, more gun control, and more government control, means less crime and more prosperity. There is one place in the United States where this is fully implemented, except for outright gun confiscation. I refer to the Virgin Islands of the United States. They are officially an unincorporated United States territory. The residents are United States citizens by way of Congressional statute. They cannot vote in Presidential elections and have one representative in the US House who can only vote in committee meetings, not on the floor. They are not self governing, rather, under the thumb of the Federal Government, more subjects than citizens. In reality they are Federal serfs.

The attitude towards firearms and concealed carry by those in power? From their website.

From the Firearms Bureau Bringing Firearms into the Virgin Islands The Firearms Bureau recommends that you Do Not bring your States side licensed firearm into our beautiful islands if you will only be visiting for a short while. If you bring firearms into the islands without contacting the Firearms Bureau, you can have your firearm(s) confiscated and be prosecuted in accordance to the laws of the US Virgin Islands.

You can read more here.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/usvirginislands.pdf

So how is that working out? One of the highest homicide rates in the world.

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/v-i-homicide-rate-still-among-world-s-highest-1.1434291

I’ve never visited the islands, don’t know anyone from there, and most definitely am ignorant of the specific conditions and culture. That won’t change as I have zero interest in visiting. Here comes the "but".

I can read, learn, and draw conclusions.

A benevolent Federal Government staffed by dedicated public servants (sarcasm font) should keep the place a model of governance, no? Oops!

http://www.militarycorruption.com/kennethalleyne.htm

 My point in writing this blog is to point out the (P)regressive mindset is flat ass wrong. This place, the Virgin Islands, is one clear example and may explain Baltimore, New Orleans, D.C., New York and Chicago with their “tough” gun laws and oppressive government.

The region is much more dangerous than the mainland USA and, for the most part, has stringent firearms laws.

http://gocaribbean.about.com/od/healthandsafety/a/CaribMurder.htm

Contrast this with the third largest mainland city, Houston. We all know the (P)regressives think Texas is the Wild West with their “lax” gun laws.

Houston is the only one of the five most populous cities in the state to place high on the list, at #3. The types of crimes reported in Houston are fairly different from what you’ll find out west, though: While Odessa and Lubbock both go heavy on assault crimes, Houston’s robbery rate, at 233 per 100,000, is nearly double that of the top cities on the list. Its murder rate, as mentioned above, is 5.9 per 100,000. 

More on Texas here.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/fbis-list-most-dangerous-cities-texas

From casual reading of site such as “Keep and Bear Arms” firearm laws are oppressive and 2^nd Amendment rights  scant in most of the USA territories around the globe.

This post is probably a waste of bandwidth as most who might read it already agree with me. It is offered up for the three or four Liberals who stop by to recharge their umbrage. YMMV

Down the Rabbit Hole

Where I compare anti gun (P)regressives with anti gay zealots.

A friend from high school days and I have coffee from time to time and discuss politics. While we seldom agree, we disagree without being disagreeable. In fact, I admire and respect the passion she brings to her points of view. She has literally put both her physical, social, and professional well being on the line many times. Once I was talking about firearms rights and she interjected, “What about my right to feel safe”?

That is precisely the problem. One person’s rights ends where someone else’s feelings begin. We are a nation of some 310,000,000 or so with a firearms death rate, minus suicides, of around 20,000 a year. That is statistically insignificant (unless you or a loved one is among the 20,000). Yet enormous funds and efforts are expended to ban firearms. Let us not delude ourselves, “common sense” firearm control measures are just a step towards outright bans.

Homosexuals make up about 3% of the population from what I read. From what I read, their orientation is hard wired; that is the way they are. Although I can’t find hard numbers, say another 10% of the population is gender ambivalent. Yet again enormous funds and efforts are expended passing laws that are not enforceable. Again, not to delude ourselves, religious beliefs are behind most of the anti homosexual efforts.

What is wrong with just leaving people the hell alone to get on with their lives? Answer?  Hate.

People seem to have a need to gather themselves into groups where hate is socially acceptable, even worthy of praise, within the group. They are not content unless forcing dominion over others and demanding everyone embrace their values and world view. Usually mixed into the brew is a financial benefit to some in the group or the ability to operate without getting shot.

An armed society is an egalitarian society. 

I cannot say homosexuals have directly impacted my life. Could be I’m just not that attractive. What has impacted my life through relations with family and friends are pedophiles. Strangely, most of the pedophiles were bent heterosexual.

I believe I have a right to defend my physical safety to include others who may be around me. I have no right to not feel uncomfortable when someone else’s rights are in question. Tolerance is the principal here.  YMMV

Those Pesky Fundamental Civil Rights

There is a current effort in the Colorado Legislature to eliminate jury trials for involuntary commitment for mental issues. There would still be a trial; in front of a judge. Already, jury trials have been eliminated for involuntary commitments for “substance abuse”. Since these are deemed “civil” rather than “criminal” cases, supposedly different rules apply. If you are committed, what is the difference, in real terms, then being incarcerated?

The Representative carrying the legislation is one Elizabeth “ Beth” McCann (Dem) CO 8^th District (Metro Denver).

From one of the voter education sites is the following biography

.

McCann's professional experience includes serving as Deputy Attorney General in the Colorado Attorney General's office, Director of the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses, Coordinator of the Denver Safe City Office and Manager of Safety for the Denver Department of Safety.

She had introduced this as HB.1253, shot down in committee. Undaunted, she reintroduced it as HB. 1386.

Now I’m sure prosecutors are much happier trying cases in front of judges, whom they can shop for favorable tendencies, then six to twelve average citizens that can see through their bullshit. When it comes to depriving citizens of their liberty, I want it to be harder, not easier, for the machinery of the state to function.

So why is this of any interest to anyone outside of Colorado? I will answer that shortly. Ms. Mcann is a koolaide drinking Progressive. Last election, she said her number one priority was integrating the Affordable Health Care Act “seamlessly” in Colorado. She has enthusiastically voted for every gun grabbing bill that has been introduced. She is part of the “Colorado Model” mob, which has (temporarily) turned Colorado blue.

Why does it matter to anyone outside of Colorado? Her ilk thinks anyone owning a firearm is, by definition, mentally ill. See where this is going?

I wouldn’t be surprised to see this type of legislation floating around in all the states; just one part of the overall progressive attack on the Second Amendment.

These progressives are relentless and ever so sneaky. As an example, after last session, 51 of the 54 Colorado Sheriffs said they wouldn’t enforce the new gun laws. Now, in Colorado, the only elected official that can remove a sheriff from office is the county coroner. It is part of the State Constitution. Very quietly last session a bill was introduced to “update and bring into modern practice” the function of county coroners. That piece of garbage died without a vote.

It is true; the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

As an addendum, this is from a Facebook posting. The poster is a retired teacher with a Masters in Education and a blind spot in history. One wonders how many minds she warped in her career.

Muhammad taught "love"? My ass.

Arapahoe High School

One confirmed dead, one seriously wounded, and one slightly wounded is about all the facts known right now.

Already Facebook has exploded with, "See, see, see, I told you so, I told you so, I told you so" postings.

Don't worry about facts, emotions and feelings are FAR more important. Once again it will be the firearms owner's fault. If we didn't insist on having our dangerous toys, something like this WOULD NEVER happen. What, you don't AGREE??? You vile person!

Here come the waves of smug self righteous and indignant posturing. How nice to target a group with spite and hate, and have it socially acceptable.

Kiss my ass, gun grabbers.

Silly Question? Maybe Not

I wonder how many adults who are all for gun control were, as children, bullies or "mean girls"? Just from my own youth, I can think of a few.

Think they miss the delicious feeling of power over others? Now, the once powerless have the means to balance the power? That enrages them?

Nah, WSF, you are getting dotty in your old age.

Miscellaneous Colorado Observations II

Foothills flooding is beyond serious. Authorities are talking in terms of 100 year and 500 year flooding. Starting at Coal Creek canyon, just West of Arvada/Golden and extending North to Lyons, all the streams are over their banks. Boulder County is especially hard hit. We are not out of the woods, yet. The above picture is looking NNW where Longs Peak, the highest 14,000' peak in Colorado sits. Looking East, lots of moisture, and the clouds at about 1,000' AGL are moving North. That is not our usual weather pattern.

Outside the flood areas, there are many flooded basements. People neglect their roof gutters, or have none, and the ground is becoming saturated. Few people in Colorado buy flood insurance.

The South Platte is still running high. West of Monument, CO, this river drains all of the Front Range. After a huge flood in 1965, two big dams were built in the drainages above Denver, and dikes were built along the river below Denver.

Unusual doings this morning, an Amtrack train on the Union Pacific rails to Cheyenne. Passengers were aboard. The only scheduled service is the California Zephyr, which runs on the BNSF trackage.
This picture was taken around 10 a.m. The Zephyr goes Westbound around 6 a.m. and Eastbound around 7 p.m.

On the other hand, the neighbor's chickens were busy putting their feathers into place.

Once again, the Denver Post has given space to as vile an attack on 2nd Amendment supporters as you are likely to read. MSNBC has linked it.
 http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_24081847/columns

The article says he is a businessman. Bullshit, he is a professor at the University of Denver School of Business. He inherited his business, that he has someone else run and has had two jobs in the private sector. One was for a firm run by a relative.

And this just in.
https://www.facebook.com/BoulderCounty/posts/10151878339068545

"Gun Culture"

I keep seeing the term “gun culture” in the press, usually in something negative about firearms use and ownership.  Being unsure just what “gun culture” means went with Google and found this in Wikipedia.

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

If you look for other “cultures” involving tools, about the only thing is chainsaws, and that is mainly involving films.

Seems to be a handy phrase to suggest negative connotations without having to explain or defend anything. It assumes the writer is in some way in control of the moral high ground and expects uncritical acceptance of the writer’s points.

I’m not sure how to combat it other than calling them out on their shit when an opportunity presents itself.

Meanwhile, In the Peoples Republic of Boulder

The "gun control" laws they cheered bite them in the ass.

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_23717880/organizers-cancel-boulder-gun-buyback-at-request-sheriff?source=most_viewed

And me, being of low character, this tickles the shit out of me.

Rule of Law? Why is There A Question?

Where rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule making or legislation which would abrogate them.

-- Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 US 436 p. 491

Nuff Said

Taken from Facebook.

Profanity Laced Political Rant

WARNING: Profane political rant to follow. I can write without using profanity; choose not to.

Politically, I’m fucked; a Blue Dog Democrat with no place to go. The Democrat Party has moved so far left, I’ve been left behind.

Have always been a Populist. What is a Populist? From Wikipedia:

The terms "populist" and "populism" are commonly used for anti-elitist appeals in opposition to established interests and mainstream parties.

The bedrock goal of a Populist is a level playing field. Until Obama, the Democrat Party was the closest to the Populist ideals. Not very close, to be sure.

The GOP? The party of, “I’ve got mine, fuck you, and I’ll get yours if I can”. Can’t go there.

Tea Party? Eh, maybe, without the religious bunch wanting their doctrines and practices codified into law.

What has become apparent to me (I’m a slow learner) is that the tradition of give and take in this country is gone. Respect and consideration for the other person’s position is gone. I’m referring, of course, to the Progressives. They prefer we all go along with them, or at least shut the fuck up, but it doesn’t matter in the end. They will do what they want, and the hell with the rest of us. They simply don’t care about anything but their agenda; that they hold the moral high ground, and have all the good ideas.

Are we at the end of their “Long March”? Got to give  grudging admiration to their tactics; it is working for them. They recruit using Craigslist and other social media. Bring in the young, dumb, and energetic youth. Pay them a pittance, motivate them with bullshit, and burn through them like a boiler room phone operation,  because there is a ready supply of new bodies. The rest of us are too busy trying to make a living to notice.

Their one miscalculation is the belief they will prevail in any civil war because they will control the military. That is willful, blind, arrogant stupidity.  Sooner or latter they will over reach and something like Waco or Ruby Ridge will occur. I think that is as inevitable as the coming economic collapse. Then they will learn what the 2nd Amendment is all about.

Dangerous times ahead.

Pro Choice

From a slightly twisted friend.

Fighting Against Gun Control Update

On 1/3/13 posted about a letter sent to my State Senator. Here is her reply. Not everything I had hoped for. Overall, believe it was worth the effort.

The Colorado Constitution has an even stronger 2nd Amendment. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

My name/address is blocked out to cut down on the amount of  unsolicited mail and visits by person or persons unknown.  I'm comforted by the knowledge the police are just minutes away!