One of the top stories in Friday's Midland Reporter-Telegram was headed with "Andrews Soldier's Funeral Uninterrupted." It is really disgusting to me that the big news was not the life and the untimely death of this young man but the fact that a certain group of idiots calling itself the Westboro Baptist Church did not, after all, appear at the funeral as they had threatened. This "church" is based in Topeka, Kansas, but apparently has the time and resources to appear at various functions around the country to "protest" by disrupting political rallies, state and local government meetings, and even high school graduations. And yes, they take great pride in disrupting the funerals of our young men and women who have been killed in the service of their country. The Westboro Baptist Church also protests or "pickets" any function related to homosexual rights. In fact, one of their websites is called "God Hates Fags." http://www.godhatesfags.com/wbcinfo/aboutwbc.html
This little group of hate-mongers, led by Pastor Fred Phelps, not only feels called upon (by GOD?) to protest at soldiers' funerals (selfishly exercising their right to free speech while ignoring common decency by allowing the families to mourn their loss in peace) but also, according to their own rhetoric, are the only church following the will of God. Mr. Phelps, who I refuse to refer to as Pastor, has condemned everyone to hell unless the person makes the "proper" confession of faith as required by Mr. Phelps. Personally, I believe any church has the right to their own religious beliefs, and of course, any church has the right to attempt to spread their religious beliefs. The Westboro Baptist Church, however, is like any militant religious group because the church hides its disgusting and obscene actions under the cloak of the United States Constitution. Not surprisingly, though, the Westboro Baptist Church derides the United States Constitution on their website. And, like a good hypocrite group, they utilized the resources of the American Civil Liberties Union to take their case to the Supreme Court, while at the same time denouncing the rights of homosexual Americans. The ACLU fights most stubbornly for the rights of homosexual Americans.
I must say that I was most proud of the people of Andrews and of other cities in the area as well, as those people attended Mr. Castro's funeral not only to pay their respects but also to counter-protest the Westboro group. As it happened, members of the Westboro church did not show up. Maybe they were busy with funerals closer to Kansas. And probably it was in their best interest that they did not show up, because there was a lot of talk around from people were going to give them a West Texas "welcome," whatever that might have entailed.
As with most hate-mongers that hide behind the United States Constitution, while denigrating it and the people who fought and died to give it its worth, the Westboro Baptist Church refuses to acknowledge, that but for the sacrifices made by the very people they are busy damning and condemning, and breaking the hearts of loved ones, but for their sacrifices, the Westboro Baptist Church would not be free to travel from Topeka to the places they intend to "picket." But for the blood of our soldiers the Westboro Baptist Church could not condemn these very soldiers and the government they served. But for the lives these men and women lay down for freedom, the Westboro Baptist Church would be outlawed by some truly Godless regime. Speaking of Godless, I read somewhere (1 John 4:8) that "He that loves not does not know God, for God is Love." And also in the same chapter, in verse :20 we are told "If a man says he loves God, and hates his brother, he is a liar."
My little blog will of course not have any effect on Mr. Phelps or any of his minions. Any person who believes he is the sole mouthpiece for God cannot hear anything but his own words. This category of people includes Reverend Jim Jones and Brother David Koresh. Mr. Phelps certainly fits well with this company. And, like those two, he has his group of brain-washed followers. Nonetheless, I hope that any of you who hear of Westboro Baptist Church protesting any function within driving distance of your locale will consider banding together with your friends and your neighbors that you may not know, and standing with your fellow Americans as a wall between Westboro Baptist Church and the families of our brave soldiers who deserve just a few final minutes to say goodbye to their loved ones.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
The Brown Sand Dune Lizard vs The People of West Texas
Just as the news about wildfires was winding down and the safety of several cities around the area was assured, another story broke on the West Texas news scene. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service decided that the brown sand dune lizard needed to be placed on the "endangered species list." This would mean for the oil industry that before any drilling in a given area of West Texas (apparently the counties adjacent to eastern New Mexico) could commence, the USFWS would have to assess the area and determine if this particular lizard would be endangered by drilling operations. Apparently the lizard is only found in a few locations in New Mexico and now in West Texas. Whether are not the lizard needs protection is not the point. No, the point is that a federal bureaucracy is so DEEPLY CONCERNED about this little animal that the bureaucracy could potentially halt all drilling operations where any sign of the lizard habitat is located. That such a ban would cause lots of economic hardships is fairly self-explanatory.
I personally am for the protection of any endangered species, even the little sand dune lizard. What I am upset about is that so much effort and money is being devoted to the protection of this animal from the pollution and environmental damage caused by oil exploration, yet several agencies, both federal and state, have approved the Waste Control Specialists (WCS) facility near Andrews. While it is possible that the sand dune lizard would be harmed by oil operations, I suspect the lizard (being fairly smart for an animal with a pea-size brain) would simply move to another sand dune. Yes, it would be inconvenient, but once the drilling was over and either the operation closed or a pump jack put in place, the sand dune lizard would then move back home and life would go on.
In the case of people, there appears to be very little concern on the part of the state and federal government that the hazardous and nuclear waste would DEFINITELY be harmful to people. By the way, something harmful to people would probably represent a hazard to the much endangered sand dune lizard as well. In the WCS facility, we see a private corporation that has received approval from governmental agencies to bring radioactive waste by the trainload (and truckload) from thirty-six other states into Texas. This load of waste does not include the waste we must by law bring import from Vermont (The State of Vermont is very concerned about the waste from so many states coming to Andrews because there might not be enough space for Vermont's continuing shipment of nuclear waste to Texas).
Again, it seems so strange, yet so frustratingly familiar, that we (the US) are more concerned with the endangered lizard than the endangered humans living in the same area. Maybe if the USFWS realized that the WCS facility ALSO endangered the brown sand dune lizard, the WCS operation would be halted immediately. We can only hope!
I personally am for the protection of any endangered species, even the little sand dune lizard. What I am upset about is that so much effort and money is being devoted to the protection of this animal from the pollution and environmental damage caused by oil exploration, yet several agencies, both federal and state, have approved the Waste Control Specialists (WCS) facility near Andrews. While it is possible that the sand dune lizard would be harmed by oil operations, I suspect the lizard (being fairly smart for an animal with a pea-size brain) would simply move to another sand dune. Yes, it would be inconvenient, but once the drilling was over and either the operation closed or a pump jack put in place, the sand dune lizard would then move back home and life would go on.
In the case of people, there appears to be very little concern on the part of the state and federal government that the hazardous and nuclear waste would DEFINITELY be harmful to people. By the way, something harmful to people would probably represent a hazard to the much endangered sand dune lizard as well. In the WCS facility, we see a private corporation that has received approval from governmental agencies to bring radioactive waste by the trainload (and truckload) from thirty-six other states into Texas. This load of waste does not include the waste we must by law bring import from Vermont (The State of Vermont is very concerned about the waste from so many states coming to Andrews because there might not be enough space for Vermont's continuing shipment of nuclear waste to Texas).
Again, it seems so strange, yet so frustratingly familiar, that we (the US) are more concerned with the endangered lizard than the endangered humans living in the same area. Maybe if the USFWS realized that the WCS facility ALSO endangered the brown sand dune lizard, the WCS operation would be halted immediately. We can only hope!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Blue (Almost) Skies Over The Desert
It is nice to finally be able to see a semi-blue sky over West Texas. The blue is a sort of faded, pale blue, but good to see nonetheless. Fires are still burning to the south of Midland, and possibly in the Panhandle. But the firefighters have finally gained the upper hand, and the smoke is tapering off accordingly.
For allergy and asthma sufferers, the cleared air is a blessing. The inhalers, decongestants, and benadryl can go back into the medicine chest for a few days. And hopefully some firefighters can rest for a little while. I doubt if the firemen will be able to rest more than one eye, though, because fire danger is still at the critical level across most of the state. In this area, the humidity is hovering at seven percent; meanwhile, no rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future.
I am praying for rain, and for a few days of no more fires, whether it rains or not. The firefighters need so me relief, their equipment needs to be checked, and possibly repaired. Firefighters from out of state are eager to get back to their homes. So lets all keep our fingers crossed. And lets do our part: No open fires, no tossing out cigarette butts, no parking out in the grass, no metal work near grass or weeds. Can you believe that one idiot from Odessa has been arrested for arson? As if there has not been enough property damage, and the potential for loss of life. This guy was actually firing bottle rockets into the grass near Midland International Airport. Luckily several people called the police and fire departments. This clown succeeded in burning a few acres before firefighters put out the intentional blaze.
Anyway, it was great to have blue skies once again, and I am hoping tomorrow that skies are even bluer and crisper than before. And that no new fires blaze up for at least a little while.
For allergy and asthma sufferers, the cleared air is a blessing. The inhalers, decongestants, and benadryl can go back into the medicine chest for a few days. And hopefully some firefighters can rest for a little while. I doubt if the firemen will be able to rest more than one eye, though, because fire danger is still at the critical level across most of the state. In this area, the humidity is hovering at seven percent; meanwhile, no rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future.
I am praying for rain, and for a few days of no more fires, whether it rains or not. The firefighters need so me relief, their equipment needs to be checked, and possibly repaired. Firefighters from out of state are eager to get back to their homes. So lets all keep our fingers crossed. And lets do our part: No open fires, no tossing out cigarette butts, no parking out in the grass, no metal work near grass or weeds. Can you believe that one idiot from Odessa has been arrested for arson? As if there has not been enough property damage, and the potential for loss of life. This guy was actually firing bottle rockets into the grass near Midland International Airport. Luckily several people called the police and fire departments. This clown succeeded in burning a few acres before firefighters put out the intentional blaze.
Anyway, it was great to have blue skies once again, and I am hoping tomorrow that skies are even bluer and crisper than before. And that no new fires blaze up for at least a little while.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Chernobyl: The 25th Anniversary - And WCS Andrews
Today marks the 25th Anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. The Unit #4 Reactor exploded that day, killing thirty-one people. The fallout from the explosion was estimated to be 200 times more potent than the radiation released in the Hiroshima bombing in 1945. Since this disaster many people in the Ukraine and Belarus, as well as other nearby nations, have died due to radiation sickness or cancer. After the blast, over 300,000 people were evacuated from the affected area as well as from areas in the path of the radiation cloud. One city had a population of over fifty thousand people. It remains a ghost town to this day. Thousands of people were never able to return to their homes.
Twenty-five years later, the clean-up has long since been accomplished, right? Wrong! There is a permanent evacuation zone around the areas most affected. And we (the US) are part of a multi-national effort to contain (yes, contain!) the damage to Unit #4. Millions of dollars have been spent in the ongoing containment and cleanup effort. The Ukraine alone spent $180 millions dollars during the first ten years after the disaster. So far I have found no accurate count of the millions of dollars contributed by other nations to contain the radiation and help with decontamination. Also, other millions have gone to pay for benefits to the people either sickened by the radiation or who lost their homes in the disaster.
Currently the Ukraine has received money or pledges for money totaling over $600 million dollars since 2005. This money will be used to build a "containment shell" around Unit #4. This shell will hopefully contain the radiation that is STILL leaking from the crippled reactor. Like I said, I have not been able to locate precise estimates of the monetary cost of this disaster, but some sources speculate that well over TEN BILLION DOLLARS have been spent since the accident occurred. This figure includes all the dollars spent to contain the radiation, decontaminate the land, treat or bury people, and provide medical or relocation benefits to the survivors. By the way, the damaged fuel rods are still there as scientists continue to try to come up with a satisfactory method of disposing of the fuel rods. So at least $10,000,000,000 have been spent, more millions are needed each year, and no solution to the problem, other than time, is in sight.
I bring the Chernobyl accident to mind because it helps me make a point. The Waste Control Specialist facility near Andrews is a facility that will store radioactive waste. Just as the scientists and engineers have not found a way to clean up the Chernobyl disaster, I do not believe the WCS people have a plan to clean up the Andrews facility should an accident happen there. Further, there is no provision, to my knowledge, in the WCS license that would require that corporation to maintain the WCS facility. There is, however, a provision in the license that allows WCS to abandon the Andrews facility, leaving it to the state (read YOU and ME) to maintain the integrity of the radioactive waste stored there.
Now, I realize that the Chernobyl disaster was, and continues to be, a great tragedy, and the WCS facility in now way compares to the Chernobyl situation, but there are lessons we should have learned from Chernobyl. First, unforeseeable accidents can happen. In the case of WCS, the accidents could involve truck and train accidents resulting in radioactive contamination of areas all across the United States, including across Texas. Second the WCS facility could leak (and in fact already is, according to state regulatory agencies) causing untold damage to the Ogallala Aquifer. In either scenario, WCS is limited to a $500,000 liability for accidents occurring on Texas soil. And they have no liability for cleaning and maintenance should the corporation abandon the Andrews facility. That leads to the final lesson: Cleaning up any accident or the WCS facility itself will cost untold millions of dollars, if not billions. But, as I write this, the WCS facility continues to take in more radioactive waste, and other states are gearing up to send their waste to Texas.
Yes, there were lessons to be learned on this, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Chernobyl, but so far, those lessons have fallen on deaf ears. We continue using nuclear energy though we have no workable means of controlling nuclear accidents, no practical means of remediating damage caused by nuclear accidents, and no safe means of disposing of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive wastes. Maybe there will be no accidents involving radioactive waste. Hopefully the WCS facility can be brought into compliance. But it only takes one accident to contaminate an area for thousands of years. It only takes one uncontrolled leak to render the Ogallala Aquifer lethal for generations to come.
Twenty-five years later, the clean-up has long since been accomplished, right? Wrong! There is a permanent evacuation zone around the areas most affected. And we (the US) are part of a multi-national effort to contain (yes, contain!) the damage to Unit #4. Millions of dollars have been spent in the ongoing containment and cleanup effort. The Ukraine alone spent $180 millions dollars during the first ten years after the disaster. So far I have found no accurate count of the millions of dollars contributed by other nations to contain the radiation and help with decontamination. Also, other millions have gone to pay for benefits to the people either sickened by the radiation or who lost their homes in the disaster.
Currently the Ukraine has received money or pledges for money totaling over $600 million dollars since 2005. This money will be used to build a "containment shell" around Unit #4. This shell will hopefully contain the radiation that is STILL leaking from the crippled reactor. Like I said, I have not been able to locate precise estimates of the monetary cost of this disaster, but some sources speculate that well over TEN BILLION DOLLARS have been spent since the accident occurred. This figure includes all the dollars spent to contain the radiation, decontaminate the land, treat or bury people, and provide medical or relocation benefits to the survivors. By the way, the damaged fuel rods are still there as scientists continue to try to come up with a satisfactory method of disposing of the fuel rods. So at least $10,000,000,000 have been spent, more millions are needed each year, and no solution to the problem, other than time, is in sight.
I bring the Chernobyl accident to mind because it helps me make a point. The Waste Control Specialist facility near Andrews is a facility that will store radioactive waste. Just as the scientists and engineers have not found a way to clean up the Chernobyl disaster, I do not believe the WCS people have a plan to clean up the Andrews facility should an accident happen there. Further, there is no provision, to my knowledge, in the WCS license that would require that corporation to maintain the WCS facility. There is, however, a provision in the license that allows WCS to abandon the Andrews facility, leaving it to the state (read YOU and ME) to maintain the integrity of the radioactive waste stored there.
Now, I realize that the Chernobyl disaster was, and continues to be, a great tragedy, and the WCS facility in now way compares to the Chernobyl situation, but there are lessons we should have learned from Chernobyl. First, unforeseeable accidents can happen. In the case of WCS, the accidents could involve truck and train accidents resulting in radioactive contamination of areas all across the United States, including across Texas. Second the WCS facility could leak (and in fact already is, according to state regulatory agencies) causing untold damage to the Ogallala Aquifer. In either scenario, WCS is limited to a $500,000 liability for accidents occurring on Texas soil. And they have no liability for cleaning and maintenance should the corporation abandon the Andrews facility. That leads to the final lesson: Cleaning up any accident or the WCS facility itself will cost untold millions of dollars, if not billions. But, as I write this, the WCS facility continues to take in more radioactive waste, and other states are gearing up to send their waste to Texas.
Yes, there were lessons to be learned on this, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Chernobyl, but so far, those lessons have fallen on deaf ears. We continue using nuclear energy though we have no workable means of controlling nuclear accidents, no practical means of remediating damage caused by nuclear accidents, and no safe means of disposing of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive wastes. Maybe there will be no accidents involving radioactive waste. Hopefully the WCS facility can be brought into compliance. But it only takes one accident to contaminate an area for thousands of years. It only takes one uncontrolled leak to render the Ogallala Aquifer lethal for generations to come.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
A Deputy's Last Watch: Clifton Taylor, Johnson County Sheriff's Office
On Saturday afternoon Deputy Clifton Taylor and two other officers responded to a domestic disturbance call in the small town of Venus, Texas. The suspect had threatened his relatives and then hid in a shed when someone called police. When the deputies entered the shed to arrest Wesley Davis, he opened fire, striking Deputy Taylor three times. The other two deputies returned fire and shot Davis dead.
Deputy Taylor was thirty-one years old and was to be married in three weeks. He lost his life in the performance of his duties, while engaged in one of the most dangerous situations an officer can face: domestic violence. Deputy Taylor's murder emphasizes another myth. Some people may think small town and rural police officers do not face "dangerous situations." In truth, a deadly confrontation can happen anytime, anywhere, whether the officer is alone or with backup officers.
Like many "shoot outs," Deputy Taylor and his fellow officers were engaged in a shoot out that lasted less than thirty seconds. The suspect fired and the officers returned fire. It was over in just a few heartbeats. Deputy Taylor left behind his family and his fiancee. May God comfort his family, his fiancee, and his fellow officers. Incidentally, one of the surviving deputies found that a bullet had penetrated the walkie-talkie on his Sam Browne belt. Life and death is indeed separated by only seconds and inches. I am proud and thankful for our men and women in blue or in brown, and for the job they do.
Deputy Taylor was thirty-one years old and was to be married in three weeks. He lost his life in the performance of his duties, while engaged in one of the most dangerous situations an officer can face: domestic violence. Deputy Taylor's murder emphasizes another myth. Some people may think small town and rural police officers do not face "dangerous situations." In truth, a deadly confrontation can happen anytime, anywhere, whether the officer is alone or with backup officers.
Like many "shoot outs," Deputy Taylor and his fellow officers were engaged in a shoot out that lasted less than thirty seconds. The suspect fired and the officers returned fire. It was over in just a few heartbeats. Deputy Taylor left behind his family and his fiancee. May God comfort his family, his fiancee, and his fellow officers. Incidentally, one of the surviving deputies found that a bullet had penetrated the walkie-talkie on his Sam Browne belt. Life and death is indeed separated by only seconds and inches. I am proud and thankful for our men and women in blue or in brown, and for the job they do.
Honoring A True Hero: Matt Clark of Gorman, TX
A few days ago a large fire broke out near the cities of Gorman and Eastland, Texas. This fire grew to immense proportions and eventually required the response of numerous fire departments. The ever-present hazard facing firefighters during a wildfire is being trapped by the flames. On April 16th this happened during the Gorman fire. A group of firefighters were forced to abandon their fire engine.
One of the fireman caught in this critical situation was Matt Clark, a volunteer fireman. At one point the flames actually caught him and he received third degree burns on his hands, face and legs. He saw a fellow firefighter collapse onto the burning ground. Clark, though injured, carried the fallen fireman to safety. Both were transported to the hospital. Matt Clark is still hospitalized as some of his injuries have become infected.
Let's all pray for Matt's comfort and a speedy recovery. Because of his actions, another fireman's name did not have to be added to the growing list of fallen heroes.
Incidentally, thirty-one fireman have lost their lives across the nation since January 1st while engaged in fighting fires. Some of the firefighters perished in intentionally set blazes. It is a dangerous job, yet there is not shortage of those men and women who still willingly put their lives on the line each time a fire alarm sounds. They are heroes in my eyes. I only wish no more of them would ever have to give the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of our safety.
One of the fireman caught in this critical situation was Matt Clark, a volunteer fireman. At one point the flames actually caught him and he received third degree burns on his hands, face and legs. He saw a fellow firefighter collapse onto the burning ground. Clark, though injured, carried the fallen fireman to safety. Both were transported to the hospital. Matt Clark is still hospitalized as some of his injuries have become infected.
Let's all pray for Matt's comfort and a speedy recovery. Because of his actions, another fireman's name did not have to be added to the growing list of fallen heroes.
Incidentally, thirty-one fireman have lost their lives across the nation since January 1st while engaged in fighting fires. Some of the firefighters perished in intentionally set blazes. It is a dangerous job, yet there is not shortage of those men and women who still willingly put their lives on the line each time a fire alarm sounds. They are heroes in my eyes. I only wish no more of them would ever have to give the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of our safety.
A Fireman's Last Watch: Elias Jaquez
Unfortunately it is my privilege to honor another fireman who lost his life in the performance of his duties. Volunteer Firefighter Elias Jaquez and several of his fellow firefighters (Cactus VFD) went to the aid of the Dumas VFD, which was engaged in trying to control a wildfire near Dumas. As firefighters know, brush fires are very unpredictable. The speed of the fire and the direction of the burn can change in an instant. Fires can easily overtake and surround the brush fire trucks. In this case two fire engines were trapped by flames. Several fireman were burned but most were able to get away and escaped serious injury. Mr. Jaquez was overtaken by the flames and burned.
Over the next two weeks Firefighter Jaquez fought for his life in the burn unit at a Lubbock hospital. No doubt each day was an eternity of pain and suffering. On April 20th, Mr. Jaquez lost his battle for life. He received burns over sixty percent of his body and remained in the critical burn unit until he passed away. A benefit fund has been established in honor of Firefighter Elias Jaquez at the Happy State Bank at https://www.happybank.com
Once again, I say a big "Thank you!" to all firefighters, and I give Mr. Jaquez all praise due him for his willingness to serve his fellow man even as he walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. And my prayers to his family and his colleagues. May God cover all firefighters with his Hands.
Over the next two weeks Firefighter Jaquez fought for his life in the burn unit at a Lubbock hospital. No doubt each day was an eternity of pain and suffering. On April 20th, Mr. Jaquez lost his battle for life. He received burns over sixty percent of his body and remained in the critical burn unit until he passed away. A benefit fund has been established in honor of Firefighter Elias Jaquez at the Happy State Bank at https://www.happybank.com
Once again, I say a big "Thank you!" to all firefighters, and I give Mr. Jaquez all praise due him for his willingness to serve his fellow man even as he walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. And my prayers to his family and his colleagues. May God cover all firefighters with his Hands.
Friday, April 22, 2011
An Interesting Book About Viet Nam
I just read about a book that I have added to my "must read" list. It is called Bare Feet - Iron Will. Written by Lieutenant Colonel James Zumwalt, the book takes a rather daring course by viewing the "American War" from the eyes of North Vietnamese soldiers, South Vietnamese "rebels," and officers of the North Vietnamese Army, as well as the experiences of South Vietnamese soldiers who fought alongside US servicemen.
The book is daring because there are still strong feelings to this day about the war, the atrocities committed against US prisoners of war in Hanoi and other locations, and the resentment that some feel because they believe high ranking politicians in the United States prevented a US victory. Many American families lost their sons and brothers in this tragic war, but it is equally true that many families in North and South Viet Nam lost their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and sometimes all they owned as well.
This book is in the news because the Vietnamese translation has just been released in Ho Chi Minh City (the old Saigon). Many servicemen, including Mr. Zumwalt, have returned to Viet Nam over the years, and have overcome their own bitterness and hatred, as well as that of their former enemies. Many former enemies have become friends and closed the wounds that have hurt for so long. Mr. Zumwalt made of fifty trips to Viet Nam since 1994. He has made life-long friends there. He said that he had not planned on writing this book, but after talking with many Vietnamese veterans, both North and South, he realized that these people had stories to tell, and that former enemies could reunite as friends.
I think this book is worth the read. Maybe if one of you has already read it, you could comment on this blog and let me know what you thought about the book.
The book is daring because there are still strong feelings to this day about the war, the atrocities committed against US prisoners of war in Hanoi and other locations, and the resentment that some feel because they believe high ranking politicians in the United States prevented a US victory. Many American families lost their sons and brothers in this tragic war, but it is equally true that many families in North and South Viet Nam lost their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and sometimes all they owned as well.
This book is in the news because the Vietnamese translation has just been released in Ho Chi Minh City (the old Saigon). Many servicemen, including Mr. Zumwalt, have returned to Viet Nam over the years, and have overcome their own bitterness and hatred, as well as that of their former enemies. Many former enemies have become friends and closed the wounds that have hurt for so long. Mr. Zumwalt made of fifty trips to Viet Nam since 1994. He has made life-long friends there. He said that he had not planned on writing this book, but after talking with many Vietnamese veterans, both North and South, he realized that these people had stories to tell, and that former enemies could reunite as friends.
I think this book is worth the read. Maybe if one of you has already read it, you could comment on this blog and let me know what you thought about the book.
A Big Pat On The Back For Mexico National Police
In a story that finally brought some good news in Mexico's civil war (some call it the war on drugs), it seems that the Federales were pursuing two suspected criminals Tuesday in Reynosa, which is only a stone throw (or a gun shot!) south of McAllen, Texas. In catching the two criminals, the police went inside their residence and found sixty-eight people, most of them illegal immigrants, that were being held hostage by the Gulf Cartel. The hostages were rescued, and presumably deported to their respective nations.
Apparently the cartels, no longer content with drug profit and extortion of local business owners, are holding illegal aliens hostage and forcing the families back in the native countries to send money for ransom. Would they then release the hostages and let them go on their way? We could only hope...
The rescue of these hostages comes on the heels of a another mass grave discovery in San Fernando, Tamaulipas, Mexico, in which 145 bodies were found. It was the second massacre uncovered in San Fernando. Last year 72 bodies were found in a mass grave in the same city. These were all found to be Mexican citizens or illegal immigrants crossing Mexico to go on to the United States. Both massacres were believed to have been perpetrated by the Zeta Cartel. Sadly, sixteen police officers in San Fernando were arrested last week for protecting Zeta operations in the area, including looking the other way as these mass murders were committed, and obstructing the federal investigations into these killings.
It is some measure of the integrity and bravery of the police officers and justice agencies who persist in doing their jobs honestly and in trying to regain control of the cities from the drug cartels. The Federales still have their work cut out for them, but it is appropriate to acknowledge their successes and also to let the citizens of Mexico know that people outside their nation are praying for them and are concerned with their plight. No doubt the Mexican government still has a long road ahead, but these small successes must be an encouragement to the powers of justice as the war for control of Mexico continues.
Apparently the cartels, no longer content with drug profit and extortion of local business owners, are holding illegal aliens hostage and forcing the families back in the native countries to send money for ransom. Would they then release the hostages and let them go on their way? We could only hope...
The rescue of these hostages comes on the heels of a another mass grave discovery in San Fernando, Tamaulipas, Mexico, in which 145 bodies were found. It was the second massacre uncovered in San Fernando. Last year 72 bodies were found in a mass grave in the same city. These were all found to be Mexican citizens or illegal immigrants crossing Mexico to go on to the United States. Both massacres were believed to have been perpetrated by the Zeta Cartel. Sadly, sixteen police officers in San Fernando were arrested last week for protecting Zeta operations in the area, including looking the other way as these mass murders were committed, and obstructing the federal investigations into these killings.
It is some measure of the integrity and bravery of the police officers and justice agencies who persist in doing their jobs honestly and in trying to regain control of the cities from the drug cartels. The Federales still have their work cut out for them, but it is appropriate to acknowledge their successes and also to let the citizens of Mexico know that people outside their nation are praying for them and are concerned with their plight. No doubt the Mexican government still has a long road ahead, but these small successes must be an encouragement to the powers of justice as the war for control of Mexico continues.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Who Wants To Waste Texas? Our Own Senator Seliger From Amarillo
If you voted for Republican (yes, Republican!) Senator Kel Seliger, I wonder if you knew what you were getting. It turns out that one of the people who supposedly represents West Texans and who supposedly has the best interest of all Texans, particularly his own constituents, at heart, is in fact one of those very people who want to WASTE TEXAS.
Yes, it's true. Senator Kel Seliger not only voted for, but SPONSORED the bill (Senate Bill 1504), which passed the Texas Senate on April 13th. Senator Seliger is not only proud of this "accomplishment" but is loudly crowing on his website that he PASSED this bill. I mean, really, isn't this great deed something Seliger will proudly relate to his grandchildren and great-children down the road sometime. Grandpa Seliger could tell his decendants how he "passed" SB 1504 and opened the floodgates for radioactive waste to flow into Texas from at least thirty-six other states.
Oh, but SB 1504 does more than just allows interstate nuclear waste to flow like sewer into our great state. It allows (I am NOT making this up) Waste Control Specialists (WCS) to SET THE RATES that the other states would pay to dump their radioactive waste here. The state will not be regulate those rates. What a stupid rule, but what a BOON for WCS! I am probably not too far afield in assuming that WCS will collect a handsome fee for their services. But don't worry; the State of Texas will get its five percent, and the County of Andrews will get its five percent as well.
Here is what is so frustrating. No matter how many people around the state protested, no matter how many inspectors and scientists turned in negative reports about the WCS site near Andrews, and no matter that WCS has ALREADY failed to comply with various parts of their license, or failed to correct deficiencies, the project continues and grows in leaps and bounds. Remember the concept of "the majority rules?" In this case, the "majority" consists of approximately six hundred people from Andrews, the Andrews city council and the Andrews County commissioners, miscellaneous "civic leaders," two state commissions, and of course, Kel Seliger and the majority of the Texas Senate. From my count, this amounts to maybe one thousand people. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the state of Texas is listed as 24,782,302. The Texas Secretary of State website states that there are over 13 MILLION registered voters in Texas. It is outrageous that out of over 13 million voters, less than one thousand people, led by Senator Seliger, have the power to counteract the will of so many other Texans and allow the WCS disaster to continue unabated.
So remember, if you want to put a face on one of those who wants to WASTE TEXAS, your own Senator Kel Selinger is more than happy to be that face, the poster boy for WASTE TEXAS. Yes, Mr. Seliger, you must be so proud!
Yes, it's true. Senator Kel Seliger not only voted for, but SPONSORED the bill (Senate Bill 1504), which passed the Texas Senate on April 13th. Senator Seliger is not only proud of this "accomplishment" but is loudly crowing on his website that he PASSED this bill. I mean, really, isn't this great deed something Seliger will proudly relate to his grandchildren and great-children down the road sometime. Grandpa Seliger could tell his decendants how he "passed" SB 1504 and opened the floodgates for radioactive waste to flow into Texas from at least thirty-six other states.
Oh, but SB 1504 does more than just allows interstate nuclear waste to flow like sewer into our great state. It allows (I am NOT making this up) Waste Control Specialists (WCS) to SET THE RATES that the other states would pay to dump their radioactive waste here. The state will not be regulate those rates. What a stupid rule, but what a BOON for WCS! I am probably not too far afield in assuming that WCS will collect a handsome fee for their services. But don't worry; the State of Texas will get its five percent, and the County of Andrews will get its five percent as well.
Here is what is so frustrating. No matter how many people around the state protested, no matter how many inspectors and scientists turned in negative reports about the WCS site near Andrews, and no matter that WCS has ALREADY failed to comply with various parts of their license, or failed to correct deficiencies, the project continues and grows in leaps and bounds. Remember the concept of "the majority rules?" In this case, the "majority" consists of approximately six hundred people from Andrews, the Andrews city council and the Andrews County commissioners, miscellaneous "civic leaders," two state commissions, and of course, Kel Seliger and the majority of the Texas Senate. From my count, this amounts to maybe one thousand people. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the state of Texas is listed as 24,782,302. The Texas Secretary of State website states that there are over 13 MILLION registered voters in Texas. It is outrageous that out of over 13 million voters, less than one thousand people, led by Senator Seliger, have the power to counteract the will of so many other Texans and allow the WCS disaster to continue unabated.
So remember, if you want to put a face on one of those who wants to WASTE TEXAS, your own Senator Kel Selinger is more than happy to be that face, the poster boy for WASTE TEXAS. Yes, Mr. Seliger, you must be so proud!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
A Sour Green Apple Snowcone and Income Tax
In a strange, yet apparently cosmically fated turn of events, I stepped out of my comfort zone (which I rarely do) and bought a SOUR green apple snow cone at a local overpriced snow cone shop. The signage warned that the sour apple flavor was VERY SOUR, but I was not deterred. I bought that flavor anyway, and then bravely took that first bite...not a little chicken bite...nope, I took a loaded spoon full. Yes...it was sour!
At the same moment, I came across an interesting little bit in the local newspaper. It seemed that reporters for the Associated Press had polled last-minute income tax filers across several states. The question was this: Would you (the TAXPAYER) be willing to pay higher taxes to reduce the national debt? The answers were generally along two separate trains of thought. First, some late filers said that they were against higher taxes to reduce the debt. These people believed that cuts could be made in federal agencies and federal programs, and the debt could be controlled in that fashion. But, the second line of thinking was that taxes should indeed be raised so that the government could continue in operation and the national debt could be reduced.
Some of those who thought that taxes should be raised presented the following argument: Individual families could "default" on their debt and there was little national and international repercussion; however, the federal government could not default on its debt, particularly interest payments, or we (the US) would lose good standing with the international financial market.
True, a private person can default on his debt; however, a private person could not run up a billion dollars worth of debt if the private person's income were only one hundred thousand dollars. The banks, the credit unions, and even the Mafia would have long since cut off any access to credit. True, the person might never repay the debt, but he could not obtain any further loans, and he certainly could not (legally) print money to keep buying stuff and keep paying interest on the older debt.
On the other hand, the United States government is doing exactly that: the federal government continues to buy goods and services and run unsustainable programs while it is totally bankrupt, and continues to print more money to pay debts and interest. While this method of staying "financially sound" may "look good" to the international community (although I suspect it only looks good to those with their heads buried in the sand) it has brought the United States to the point of potentially no return, as far as paying off the debt and getting the federal budget under control.
About this time I took another bite of the extreme SOUR GREEN APPLE. It was so sour it made my lips pucker and my eyeballs pop. I tried to relieve the sourness by taking a BIGGER bite from the snow cone. Guess what, my friends? The sour apple snow cone did not get sweeter! So I took ANOTHER big bite. Once again, the snow cone did not get sweeter. No, I was just about to gag with this burst of sour apple coldness. And, in what was an obvious lesson, I realized that NO MATTER HOW MUCH MORE SOUR APPLE I ATE, THE SNOW CONE DID NOT GET SWEETER!
This rather simple observation has a practical application to the subject at hand. Just as taking bigger and bigger bites of sour apple shaved ice did not provide a sweet treat, no matter how much I ate and wished, it is equally obvious that bigger taxes will not reduce the national debt. How do we know this? Because the national tax rate has been raised so many times, but the national debt has continued to skyrocket. And now it is not an exaggeration to say that we (the US) are at the point that we cannot pay the national debt in the foreseeable future.
I hope my departure from my comfort zone was not in vain, and my little analogy was not wasted. I hope that people from all political persuasions, and all "parties" will see, from this very simple snapshot of my day, that higher taxes have never been the answer when agencies are not cut, when programs are not cut, when unsustainable (if well-intentioned) entitlements are not curtailed, and "government" goes on with business as usual. In this case, business as usual means digging that hole of national debt ever deeper, when the hole is already deeper than the tallest ladder available. We must bite the bullet. We must not raise taxes, which are already at a level that would long ago have cause our forefathers to revolt and through out the out-of-control government. Instead, we must understand that we have to make hard decisions, we must cut programs and entitlements, and then only spend the funds we have. Would this kind of sound economic practice make us "look bad" to the other nations? That's alright. Even if we appeared very ugly to our neighbors, we would have a balanced budget. And we could quit taking a bite from that sour snow cone.
At the same moment, I came across an interesting little bit in the local newspaper. It seemed that reporters for the Associated Press had polled last-minute income tax filers across several states. The question was this: Would you (the TAXPAYER) be willing to pay higher taxes to reduce the national debt? The answers were generally along two separate trains of thought. First, some late filers said that they were against higher taxes to reduce the debt. These people believed that cuts could be made in federal agencies and federal programs, and the debt could be controlled in that fashion. But, the second line of thinking was that taxes should indeed be raised so that the government could continue in operation and the national debt could be reduced.
Some of those who thought that taxes should be raised presented the following argument: Individual families could "default" on their debt and there was little national and international repercussion; however, the federal government could not default on its debt, particularly interest payments, or we (the US) would lose good standing with the international financial market.
True, a private person can default on his debt; however, a private person could not run up a billion dollars worth of debt if the private person's income were only one hundred thousand dollars. The banks, the credit unions, and even the Mafia would have long since cut off any access to credit. True, the person might never repay the debt, but he could not obtain any further loans, and he certainly could not (legally) print money to keep buying stuff and keep paying interest on the older debt.
On the other hand, the United States government is doing exactly that: the federal government continues to buy goods and services and run unsustainable programs while it is totally bankrupt, and continues to print more money to pay debts and interest. While this method of staying "financially sound" may "look good" to the international community (although I suspect it only looks good to those with their heads buried in the sand) it has brought the United States to the point of potentially no return, as far as paying off the debt and getting the federal budget under control.
About this time I took another bite of the extreme SOUR GREEN APPLE. It was so sour it made my lips pucker and my eyeballs pop. I tried to relieve the sourness by taking a BIGGER bite from the snow cone. Guess what, my friends? The sour apple snow cone did not get sweeter! So I took ANOTHER big bite. Once again, the snow cone did not get sweeter. No, I was just about to gag with this burst of sour apple coldness. And, in what was an obvious lesson, I realized that NO MATTER HOW MUCH MORE SOUR APPLE I ATE, THE SNOW CONE DID NOT GET SWEETER!
This rather simple observation has a practical application to the subject at hand. Just as taking bigger and bigger bites of sour apple shaved ice did not provide a sweet treat, no matter how much I ate and wished, it is equally obvious that bigger taxes will not reduce the national debt. How do we know this? Because the national tax rate has been raised so many times, but the national debt has continued to skyrocket. And now it is not an exaggeration to say that we (the US) are at the point that we cannot pay the national debt in the foreseeable future.
I hope my departure from my comfort zone was not in vain, and my little analogy was not wasted. I hope that people from all political persuasions, and all "parties" will see, from this very simple snapshot of my day, that higher taxes have never been the answer when agencies are not cut, when programs are not cut, when unsustainable (if well-intentioned) entitlements are not curtailed, and "government" goes on with business as usual. In this case, business as usual means digging that hole of national debt ever deeper, when the hole is already deeper than the tallest ladder available. We must bite the bullet. We must not raise taxes, which are already at a level that would long ago have cause our forefathers to revolt and through out the out-of-control government. Instead, we must understand that we have to make hard decisions, we must cut programs and entitlements, and then only spend the funds we have. Would this kind of sound economic practice make us "look bad" to the other nations? That's alright. Even if we appeared very ugly to our neighbors, we would have a balanced budget. And we could quit taking a bite from that sour snow cone.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Firefighter's Last Watch: Gregory Simmons
Firefighter Gregory Simmons of Eastland lost his life while fighting the fire near Carbon on Friday. He was apparently struck by a passing vehicle in near zero-visibility conditions. He and other firemen were forced to abandon a fire truck and run toward a highway to escape the fire. The other firemen were not injured. The Highway Patrol is now investigating the accident and attempting to locate any vehicle involved.
Gregory Simmons was a volunteer firefighter, who with his fellow firefighters, was fighting a dangerous blaze that had forced the evacuation of the town of Carbon. Firefighters always face hazards while doing their job. It is a shame that these hazards were compounded by a driver who felt the need to continue his/her trip even though conditions were less than favorable for safe travel. I only hope that state troopers will locate the driver and file charges if such are warranted. In the meantime, my prayers go out to Mr. Simmons' family, and I give him my deepest respect and gratitude for his desire to serve his fellow man, even when such service could, and ultimately did, cost Fireman Simmons his life.
Gregory Simmons was a volunteer firefighter, who with his fellow firefighters, was fighting a dangerous blaze that had forced the evacuation of the town of Carbon. Firefighters always face hazards while doing their job. It is a shame that these hazards were compounded by a driver who felt the need to continue his/her trip even though conditions were less than favorable for safe travel. I only hope that state troopers will locate the driver and file charges if such are warranted. In the meantime, my prayers go out to Mr. Simmons' family, and I give him my deepest respect and gratitude for his desire to serve his fellow man, even when such service could, and ultimately did, cost Fireman Simmons his life.
A Book Signing for Bailey Black
I have to admit I was unsure what it would be like...the book signing, I mean. I wondered if anyone would actually show up. I wondered if I would be a good host. Would anyone really want my book? Stage fright?
The Coryell Museum and Historical Center, under the direction of Billy Byrom, graciously hosted the event, providing the room, the staff, and refreshments. Not only that, but the museum staff prepared flyers and a news article prior to the event. It was so great to have people coming in even before the book signing "started." Several school mates and class mates attended, as well as many relatives, and a few people I had never met. It was really nice to have people who were strangers to me come and tell me how they liked the book and could not wait for me to write another one. And a really great thing happened. Mrs. Lee (GISD Librarian) asked for copies of the book to place in the Gatesville school libraries. I was so happy and proud.
Just a few minutes into the event I had lost all my stage fright and was having the time of my life. If I never have another book signing again, I will never forget this one! Billy Byrom and the rest of the staff made my wife and me feel welcome, which made it all so much easier. By the time it was over, I doubt if Stephen King felt any happier than I did at that moment. My box of Bailey Black copies was empty. I had pictured myself having to leave with a bunch of extra copies. That was not the case. In fact some people were not able to get all the copies they wanted.
One highlight of the day was when I met Mrs. Black, who is married to...that's right...she is married to Bailey Black. Of course he has not robbed as many banks as the main character of my book. Mrs. Black bought a copy of the book for sentimental reasons. I remembered her relatives who had operated Black's Grocery Store on the square in Gatesville so many years ago. In that day, when a person asked for ground meat (hamburger) the butcher grabbed a cut of beef and ran it through the grinder while the customer waited, then wrapped the meat in white "butcher's paper." The meat was never frozen. I don't remember if it tasted any better then, but a trip to the grocery was a lot more fun.
I would like to thank all my friends for making the book signing a success. I especially want to thank the Coryell Museum and Historical Center, and Billy Byrom, for making this signing a success. I urge those of you who live in Texas to get by the Coryell Museum. It only takes a short while to view all the exhibits but it is such an interesting and educational facility. By the way, you should also visit your own local museum at least once. These museums do not only preserve the past, but they preserve the past of your own family or those that you may know personally or through your parents. It is a worthwhile activity.
Well, I will no longer have to keep nagging the reader about Bailey Black. It is time to move on to the next project(s). Just remember that Bailey Black is available through Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble. Also Kindle users can get Bailey Black in that format. Happy reading!
The Coryell Museum and Historical Center, under the direction of Billy Byrom, graciously hosted the event, providing the room, the staff, and refreshments. Not only that, but the museum staff prepared flyers and a news article prior to the event. It was so great to have people coming in even before the book signing "started." Several school mates and class mates attended, as well as many relatives, and a few people I had never met. It was really nice to have people who were strangers to me come and tell me how they liked the book and could not wait for me to write another one. And a really great thing happened. Mrs. Lee (GISD Librarian) asked for copies of the book to place in the Gatesville school libraries. I was so happy and proud.
Just a few minutes into the event I had lost all my stage fright and was having the time of my life. If I never have another book signing again, I will never forget this one! Billy Byrom and the rest of the staff made my wife and me feel welcome, which made it all so much easier. By the time it was over, I doubt if Stephen King felt any happier than I did at that moment. My box of Bailey Black copies was empty. I had pictured myself having to leave with a bunch of extra copies. That was not the case. In fact some people were not able to get all the copies they wanted.
One highlight of the day was when I met Mrs. Black, who is married to...that's right...she is married to Bailey Black. Of course he has not robbed as many banks as the main character of my book. Mrs. Black bought a copy of the book for sentimental reasons. I remembered her relatives who had operated Black's Grocery Store on the square in Gatesville so many years ago. In that day, when a person asked for ground meat (hamburger) the butcher grabbed a cut of beef and ran it through the grinder while the customer waited, then wrapped the meat in white "butcher's paper." The meat was never frozen. I don't remember if it tasted any better then, but a trip to the grocery was a lot more fun.
I would like to thank all my friends for making the book signing a success. I especially want to thank the Coryell Museum and Historical Center, and Billy Byrom, for making this signing a success. I urge those of you who live in Texas to get by the Coryell Museum. It only takes a short while to view all the exhibits but it is such an interesting and educational facility. By the way, you should also visit your own local museum at least once. These museums do not only preserve the past, but they preserve the past of your own family or those that you may know personally or through your parents. It is a worthwhile activity.
Well, I will no longer have to keep nagging the reader about Bailey Black. It is time to move on to the next project(s). Just remember that Bailey Black is available through Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble. Also Kindle users can get Bailey Black in that format. Happy reading!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The TSA CAN Grope Our Children!
I write this blog with mixed feelings. It is about the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), an agency of the Office of Homeland Security. This particular blog is too short to go into my opinion of the Office of Homeland Security, so I will limit my thoughts today to the TSA. Specifically, I am addressing the TSA's policy of requiring airline passengers to submit to possibly unsafe radiation levels by walking through the X-ray machines or to submit to the very degrading and humiliating pat-down body searches normally reserved for criminal suspects. (Free tidbit: By definition one can only be a "suspect" if a reasonable police officer believes that probable cause exists to indicate the particular person committed a PARTICULAR crime.) I believe reasonable security measures are prudent, but the "security" we have now is out of control.
I first would like to say that I believe the TSA, like any organization, is manned mostly be conscientious employees who are working within the parameters of the organization's policies. I hope that is the case. But the TSA, like any other organization with police-like powers, also has those employees who are less than conscientious. Some may work there because of the power they have over passengers trying to board planes. But there could be more sinister reasons for working as a TSA screening agent. Those people who have evil intent can find rather rewarding work at the TSA. Suppose a person has the desire to fondle other persons. Suppose, even worse, that a person has the desire to fondle children. The screening agent position is tailor-made for these people.
Now a video is circulating on YouTube and other online media in which the "pat-down" of a very young girl is recorded. While the TSA agent conducting the pat-down is apparently "just doing her job" the young girl is clearly frightened, and the parents are upset. Unfortunately, the family could not proceed through the screening area unless the young girl was searched. Remember, citizens suspected of nothing more than wanting to exercise their rights against unreasonable search and seizure can be arrested for not complying with the TSA screening requirements.
I would like to ask one question: Do you, as a passenger, feel one bit safer with the current security requirements than you did with the immensely less intrusive pre-9/11 airport security measures? And one more question: Have the new TSA security measures stopped bombing attempts or other attempts at terrorism? The answer to the first question is subjective, that is, each person must answer it for himself or herself. The second question has been answered by reality. There have several bombing attempts since 9/11. Were the suspects apprehended by the TSA? Nope. Actually the would-be bombers were caught ON the airplanes by alert and courageous passengers who acted to prevent the attempted bombings. (You may also recall that the terrorists in the 9/11 attacks were armed AFTER they were on board the airplanes by accomplices who were in place as ground crew members.)
Now, what is my point? My point is that TSA agents routinely and (supposedly) legally violate our civil rights be subjecting passengers to unreasonable searches. Remember? In the United States we are free from unreasonable search or seizure. So what is reasonable? It is reasonable to expect that our luggage be scanned for bombs or explosives, since these can most easily be transported in luggage rather than on one's body. Also, X-rays are less damaging to material than people. Therefore, since scanning luggage is logical and is not harmful to people, it is reasonable. Similarly, a person appearing very nervous and wearing several layers of bulky clothing COULD be concealing a dangerous object. In this PARTICULAR case, that person is obviously acting in a suspicious manner that can be articulated by a police officer, or even a TSA agent. Therefore, a bodily search or "pat-down" of THAT person would be warranted. Bodily search of a six year old girl? Not so much.
I wonder now how long we, the American people, will tolerate this blatant violation of our civil rights? Again, we would not allow trained, competent police officers to simply stop people and demand to conduct bodily searches. Why are we allowing this to go on in our airports? Worse, why are we allowing TSA agents to grope our children? Does this sound reasonable to anyone? I hope the American people will act with the power granted to them by the Creator and demand that these unreasonable and misguided efforts on the part of the government to keep us safe be abandoned, and that we return to reasonable precautions as in the pre-9/11 era.
I first would like to say that I believe the TSA, like any organization, is manned mostly be conscientious employees who are working within the parameters of the organization's policies. I hope that is the case. But the TSA, like any other organization with police-like powers, also has those employees who are less than conscientious. Some may work there because of the power they have over passengers trying to board planes. But there could be more sinister reasons for working as a TSA screening agent. Those people who have evil intent can find rather rewarding work at the TSA. Suppose a person has the desire to fondle other persons. Suppose, even worse, that a person has the desire to fondle children. The screening agent position is tailor-made for these people.
Now a video is circulating on YouTube and other online media in which the "pat-down" of a very young girl is recorded. While the TSA agent conducting the pat-down is apparently "just doing her job" the young girl is clearly frightened, and the parents are upset. Unfortunately, the family could not proceed through the screening area unless the young girl was searched. Remember, citizens suspected of nothing more than wanting to exercise their rights against unreasonable search and seizure can be arrested for not complying with the TSA screening requirements.
I would like to ask one question: Do you, as a passenger, feel one bit safer with the current security requirements than you did with the immensely less intrusive pre-9/11 airport security measures? And one more question: Have the new TSA security measures stopped bombing attempts or other attempts at terrorism? The answer to the first question is subjective, that is, each person must answer it for himself or herself. The second question has been answered by reality. There have several bombing attempts since 9/11. Were the suspects apprehended by the TSA? Nope. Actually the would-be bombers were caught ON the airplanes by alert and courageous passengers who acted to prevent the attempted bombings. (You may also recall that the terrorists in the 9/11 attacks were armed AFTER they were on board the airplanes by accomplices who were in place as ground crew members.)
Now, what is my point? My point is that TSA agents routinely and (supposedly) legally violate our civil rights be subjecting passengers to unreasonable searches. Remember? In the United States we are free from unreasonable search or seizure. So what is reasonable? It is reasonable to expect that our luggage be scanned for bombs or explosives, since these can most easily be transported in luggage rather than on one's body. Also, X-rays are less damaging to material than people. Therefore, since scanning luggage is logical and is not harmful to people, it is reasonable. Similarly, a person appearing very nervous and wearing several layers of bulky clothing COULD be concealing a dangerous object. In this PARTICULAR case, that person is obviously acting in a suspicious manner that can be articulated by a police officer, or even a TSA agent. Therefore, a bodily search or "pat-down" of THAT person would be warranted. Bodily search of a six year old girl? Not so much.
I wonder now how long we, the American people, will tolerate this blatant violation of our civil rights? Again, we would not allow trained, competent police officers to simply stop people and demand to conduct bodily searches. Why are we allowing this to go on in our airports? Worse, why are we allowing TSA agents to grope our children? Does this sound reasonable to anyone? I hope the American people will act with the power granted to them by the Creator and demand that these unreasonable and misguided efforts on the part of the government to keep us safe be abandoned, and that we return to reasonable precautions as in the pre-9/11 era.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
They Want To Raise The National Debt "Ceiling"
Our leaders, the first being President Obama, want to raise the national debt "ceiling." At stake is the credibility of the United States, financially speaking, meaning that other nations will no longer regard the United States as a safe investment if the US government should fail to meet obligations such as debt interest payments. By the way, President Obama did not initiate the national debt; in fairness to him, he has only raised the national debt by about three trillion dollars in his first term. And part of that was not really his fault. The War on "Terror" was initiated by his predecessor.
Actually there is something so very much more important at stake. If the debt ceiling is raised again, we (the people of the United States) will no longer have even a chance to rein in the national debt. I believe the financial stability of this nation is much more important in the long run than is our "good credit" in the short run.
My stance on bringing the national debt under control will not be acceptable to many people, probably not to the majority, in fact. My stance is simple. The only way to bring the national debt under control is not to spend more than we (as a nation) bring in as revenue. We (the people of the United States) are NOT UNDER TAXED. No, we the people are paying taxes at the highest rate in United States history. Granted, the tax system is unfair, and granted, there are some individuals and corporations are not paying their fair share of taxes. Nonetheless, clearly MORE and HIGHER taxes are not the answer. How do we know this, class? It is because the tax rate has grown but the national debt has climbed steadily anyway.
So does the complainer have a solution? Yes, but like I said, my solution will be much more practical than popular. First, though, let us forget Democrat and Republican. Both parties are to blame, and I guess in a sense we, the voters, are to blame for not demanding a balanced budget. And that is my solution. We must have the character and the fortitude to balance the budget. That means, class, we can only spend that sum of money that we actually have (i.e. - one year's worth of income tax revenue). You do not have to be brilliant to see that this solution will not be popular.
First, I suggest that each and every single program operated by the United States government needs to be cut by fifty percent across the board. Tonight! Right now!
Second, since I am now the most unpopular person in the United States, I submit that each and every program operated by the United States government be objectively examined and those not absolutely necessary be thrown out.
Third, all federal politicians and bureaucrats, from the President to the White House lawn manager must take an immediate fifty percent wage cut. Many federal employees are unionized. Too bad. ALL federal officials and employees must be included.
Fourth, the military must be reined in. All of our nation-building and our occupations of foreign countries must be halted immediately. Only those essential foreign-located military bases and forces should be maintained. In Europe, NATO is fully capable (without US assistance) of handling that continent.
Fourth (A) the "War on Terror" must be stopped now. It has gone on since 9/11 and there is still terror, still world-wide violence.
Fourth (B) the pay for active duty military personnel must be raised to actual living wages, and all promised benefits must be granted without question. Wounded veterans must receive all aid promised them without fail. They were willing to give their lives for us, we owe them no less than fair treatment.
Fifth, foreign aid must go (save disaster aid) until we are once again a solvent nation. Infrastructure building for other nations must wait. Our own infrastructure is failing at an alarming rate. Why are we building roads in Central and South America when our own highways are crumbling.
Sixth, agricultural subsidies must go. If these giant corporate farms can't make it, they will be replaced by smaller, sustainable operations.
There really is no need to go further. I would never get elected with these kinds of solutions as my platform. No matter what program, what budget item, what agency, is reviewed and slated for elimination, there will be a loud outcry from either those effected by the programs or those profiting from the programs. If social programs are cut, of course there is outcry from the various segments of society and the various organizations that support those segments of society.
The point is that balancing the budget will be a very painful operation. Social security (which is insolvent), Medicare (insolvent), if cut, would place people in the position of having to make hard decisions, food over medicine, one medicine instead of fifteen, etc. Just think, if the government were not in the position to care for us, we would have to care for ourselves, and help care for our aging parents or our extended family. Maybe even help out our friends every now and then.
Only if we, whether Democrat, Republican, Independent, Tea Party, Communist, whatever, can bring ourselves to take drastic, painful, and to some, inhumane action, can we bring the national debt under control. The only way is to hold politicians accountable, and to demand that the budget be balanced. I don't believe that it is a stretch to say that, if this runaway national debt is not controlled, we will go the way of the former Soviet Union. There may always be a United States, but will it be the "Land of the Free?"
EPILOGUE
Don't worry, I'm okay. I woke up from my dream of a balanced budget. But like the Beach Boys once sang, "Wouldn't it be nice...?"
Actually there is something so very much more important at stake. If the debt ceiling is raised again, we (the people of the United States) will no longer have even a chance to rein in the national debt. I believe the financial stability of this nation is much more important in the long run than is our "good credit" in the short run.
My stance on bringing the national debt under control will not be acceptable to many people, probably not to the majority, in fact. My stance is simple. The only way to bring the national debt under control is not to spend more than we (as a nation) bring in as revenue. We (the people of the United States) are NOT UNDER TAXED. No, we the people are paying taxes at the highest rate in United States history. Granted, the tax system is unfair, and granted, there are some individuals and corporations are not paying their fair share of taxes. Nonetheless, clearly MORE and HIGHER taxes are not the answer. How do we know this, class? It is because the tax rate has grown but the national debt has climbed steadily anyway.
So does the complainer have a solution? Yes, but like I said, my solution will be much more practical than popular. First, though, let us forget Democrat and Republican. Both parties are to blame, and I guess in a sense we, the voters, are to blame for not demanding a balanced budget. And that is my solution. We must have the character and the fortitude to balance the budget. That means, class, we can only spend that sum of money that we actually have (i.e. - one year's worth of income tax revenue). You do not have to be brilliant to see that this solution will not be popular.
First, I suggest that each and every single program operated by the United States government needs to be cut by fifty percent across the board. Tonight! Right now!
Second, since I am now the most unpopular person in the United States, I submit that each and every program operated by the United States government be objectively examined and those not absolutely necessary be thrown out.
Third, all federal politicians and bureaucrats, from the President to the White House lawn manager must take an immediate fifty percent wage cut. Many federal employees are unionized. Too bad. ALL federal officials and employees must be included.
Fourth, the military must be reined in. All of our nation-building and our occupations of foreign countries must be halted immediately. Only those essential foreign-located military bases and forces should be maintained. In Europe, NATO is fully capable (without US assistance) of handling that continent.
Fourth (A) the "War on Terror" must be stopped now. It has gone on since 9/11 and there is still terror, still world-wide violence.
Fourth (B) the pay for active duty military personnel must be raised to actual living wages, and all promised benefits must be granted without question. Wounded veterans must receive all aid promised them without fail. They were willing to give their lives for us, we owe them no less than fair treatment.
Fifth, foreign aid must go (save disaster aid) until we are once again a solvent nation. Infrastructure building for other nations must wait. Our own infrastructure is failing at an alarming rate. Why are we building roads in Central and South America when our own highways are crumbling.
Sixth, agricultural subsidies must go. If these giant corporate farms can't make it, they will be replaced by smaller, sustainable operations.
There really is no need to go further. I would never get elected with these kinds of solutions as my platform. No matter what program, what budget item, what agency, is reviewed and slated for elimination, there will be a loud outcry from either those effected by the programs or those profiting from the programs. If social programs are cut, of course there is outcry from the various segments of society and the various organizations that support those segments of society.
The point is that balancing the budget will be a very painful operation. Social security (which is insolvent), Medicare (insolvent), if cut, would place people in the position of having to make hard decisions, food over medicine, one medicine instead of fifteen, etc. Just think, if the government were not in the position to care for us, we would have to care for ourselves, and help care for our aging parents or our extended family. Maybe even help out our friends every now and then.
Only if we, whether Democrat, Republican, Independent, Tea Party, Communist, whatever, can bring ourselves to take drastic, painful, and to some, inhumane action, can we bring the national debt under control. The only way is to hold politicians accountable, and to demand that the budget be balanced. I don't believe that it is a stretch to say that, if this runaway national debt is not controlled, we will go the way of the former Soviet Union. There may always be a United States, but will it be the "Land of the Free?"
EPILOGUE
Don't worry, I'm okay. I woke up from my dream of a balanced budget. But like the Beach Boys once sang, "Wouldn't it be nice...?"
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Maybe It Was Mitchell Moore Who Said It....Maybe Not
I think Mitchell Moore posted this on Facebook earlier today or yesterday:
"We smelled the smoke. Others lost everything."
I thought about his words and realized this was a subtly profound statement. The threat of fire, the possibility of loss of life or property, and the fear of the unknown, were carried on the wings of the wind. But while some people only experienced the fear, others had to come to grips with the total loss of all they owned. Several dwellings on the south side of Midland burned down. Most of the owners lost everything except what they were wearing. Others who lived nearby did not lose their homes, but had to wait in suspense at a local shelter until the neighborhoods were declared safe. Only then did these luckier ones learn that their homes had been spared.
In Marfa and Fort Davis, the scene was repeated several times as fire ravaged parts of those towns as well as dwellings in the country side. Compounding the disaster was the failure of the water system there after a power substation was destroyed by the wildfire. Many homes were lost there, as well as outbuildings and other property. Fire threatened the McDonald Observatory. Fortunately that facility was spared. But the fire continues to burn in Jeff Davis County, and is within miles of Balmorhea.
Now many people are watching and waiting, living in fear of what may be. The people in the area have smelled the smoke for days as the fire moved closer to their own property. While reports say the fire
is now sixty percent contained, for those in the flame's path, the fear is still very real, the uncertainty still growing. I am certain many people have a new and more profound respect for the firefighters who stand between them and the racing fire.
So some smelled the smoke...other lost everything. When the flames are finally extinguished, there will be those whose homes were miraculously spared, while others will return to only ashes and memories. These events are no longer something that we saw on TV, that happened to "someone else." No, many of us have friends or relatives who were (or will be) effected in some way by this disaster. For those of us outside the danger zone, this is a great opportunity for us to share our blessings with those who are in need.
"We smelled the smoke. Others lost everything."
I thought about his words and realized this was a subtly profound statement. The threat of fire, the possibility of loss of life or property, and the fear of the unknown, were carried on the wings of the wind. But while some people only experienced the fear, others had to come to grips with the total loss of all they owned. Several dwellings on the south side of Midland burned down. Most of the owners lost everything except what they were wearing. Others who lived nearby did not lose their homes, but had to wait in suspense at a local shelter until the neighborhoods were declared safe. Only then did these luckier ones learn that their homes had been spared.
In Marfa and Fort Davis, the scene was repeated several times as fire ravaged parts of those towns as well as dwellings in the country side. Compounding the disaster was the failure of the water system there after a power substation was destroyed by the wildfire. Many homes were lost there, as well as outbuildings and other property. Fire threatened the McDonald Observatory. Fortunately that facility was spared. But the fire continues to burn in Jeff Davis County, and is within miles of Balmorhea.
Now many people are watching and waiting, living in fear of what may be. The people in the area have smelled the smoke for days as the fire moved closer to their own property. While reports say the fire
is now sixty percent contained, for those in the flame's path, the fear is still very real, the uncertainty still growing. I am certain many people have a new and more profound respect for the firefighters who stand between them and the racing fire.
So some smelled the smoke...other lost everything. When the flames are finally extinguished, there will be those whose homes were miraculously spared, while others will return to only ashes and memories. These events are no longer something that we saw on TV, that happened to "someone else." No, many of us have friends or relatives who were (or will be) effected in some way by this disaster. For those of us outside the danger zone, this is a great opportunity for us to share our blessings with those who are in need.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Smoke Over Midland This Weekend
Only a month ago, a series of grass fires broke out across the Permian Basin, from Midland to Andrews to Big Spring, and to points beyond. Tragically, one of the Midland fires resulted in the death of a little girl after smoke covered Interstate 20, bringing visibility to zero. A car stopped in the road and was then struck by the following vehicle. Eventually five or six cars and a heavy truck were involved in the crash.
Today, once again fires are burning around the area, including the fire burning just south of Midland. I (who suffer with severe smoke allergies) went for a short walk. I thought...I know this is crazy...but I thought the white and gray clouds were rain clouds closing in from the south and west. By the time I was about one/quarter of the way to the mailbox I realized that the clouds did not really look so much like rain clouds. By the time I was halfway to the mailbox, I was beginning to realize the folly of mistaking the "clouds" for rain clouds. By the time I reached the mailbox I was basically using the Braille System to locate my mailbox as my eyes watering and my vision was just about kablitzed. By the time I struggled back to the house, it was time to head for the benadryl locker!
It is strange to be in the midst of "fire season" and summer is still months away. Firefighters and other emergency personnel are already exhausted and resources are already being taxed to the extreme, but the fire season is young. Already at least one person has died and over fifty residences throughout west and northwest Texas have burned as result of these fires. I, being a new native to West Texas, was somewhat skeptical of the dangers of these kinds of fires. The past few years have been educational. While the terrain here is not what firefighters in forest lands experience, the grass fires are deceptively dangerous. When I was a "fresh" transfer to West Texas, I never dreamed that a fire in this country could generate the heat and the tender to burn down a home. Or to endanger the lives of firefighters and those caught in the path of the advancing flame.
In a "past life" I myself was a volunteer firefighter. In that capacity, it was my privilege to experience a near-death experience when the pumper truck ran out of water at the exact moment that the fire surrounded us. The driver made a mad dash through flames that were as high as the burning mesquite trees around us. We made it through the flames but the truck sustained some heat damage. This same situation can happen in the desert when the grass, tumbleweeds, and cactus erupt like TNT. The heat generated can indeed ignite a vehicle tire, and the spreading, blowing embers can easily set a house afire. Unlike firefighters in greener areas, water is serious concern when fighting fires in remote areas of the Permian Basin. Tankers may be miles away from point of initial attack on the fire.
So we are in the middle of another fire-filled weekend. I would like to go on record to show my appreciation to the firefighters, both here in the desert, as well as firefighters everywhere. They all have a dangerous job and do it well. My hat is especially held high to the volunteers that man about eighty-five percent of the fire departments around Midland and Odessa. These firefighters face the same risk as paid fireman, often without the same level of equipment and training.
As thick white and gray smoke blots out the beautiful West Texas sunset, I think of the firefighters even now engaged in protecting the rest of us from the dangers of these wildfires and I have a new respect for the job they do. May they rest under God's covering hand till that last flame is extinguished.
Today, once again fires are burning around the area, including the fire burning just south of Midland. I (who suffer with severe smoke allergies) went for a short walk. I thought...I know this is crazy...but I thought the white and gray clouds were rain clouds closing in from the south and west. By the time I was about one/quarter of the way to the mailbox I realized that the clouds did not really look so much like rain clouds. By the time I was halfway to the mailbox, I was beginning to realize the folly of mistaking the "clouds" for rain clouds. By the time I reached the mailbox I was basically using the Braille System to locate my mailbox as my eyes watering and my vision was just about kablitzed. By the time I struggled back to the house, it was time to head for the benadryl locker!
It is strange to be in the midst of "fire season" and summer is still months away. Firefighters and other emergency personnel are already exhausted and resources are already being taxed to the extreme, but the fire season is young. Already at least one person has died and over fifty residences throughout west and northwest Texas have burned as result of these fires. I, being a new native to West Texas, was somewhat skeptical of the dangers of these kinds of fires. The past few years have been educational. While the terrain here is not what firefighters in forest lands experience, the grass fires are deceptively dangerous. When I was a "fresh" transfer to West Texas, I never dreamed that a fire in this country could generate the heat and the tender to burn down a home. Or to endanger the lives of firefighters and those caught in the path of the advancing flame.
In a "past life" I myself was a volunteer firefighter. In that capacity, it was my privilege to experience a near-death experience when the pumper truck ran out of water at the exact moment that the fire surrounded us. The driver made a mad dash through flames that were as high as the burning mesquite trees around us. We made it through the flames but the truck sustained some heat damage. This same situation can happen in the desert when the grass, tumbleweeds, and cactus erupt like TNT. The heat generated can indeed ignite a vehicle tire, and the spreading, blowing embers can easily set a house afire. Unlike firefighters in greener areas, water is serious concern when fighting fires in remote areas of the Permian Basin. Tankers may be miles away from point of initial attack on the fire.
So we are in the middle of another fire-filled weekend. I would like to go on record to show my appreciation to the firefighters, both here in the desert, as well as firefighters everywhere. They all have a dangerous job and do it well. My hat is especially held high to the volunteers that man about eighty-five percent of the fire departments around Midland and Odessa. These firefighters face the same risk as paid fireman, often without the same level of equipment and training.
As thick white and gray smoke blots out the beautiful West Texas sunset, I think of the firefighters even now engaged in protecting the rest of us from the dangers of these wildfires and I have a new respect for the job they do. May they rest under God's covering hand till that last flame is extinguished.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Andrews, Texas And Her Sister City - Forsmark, Sweden
The Swedish city of Forsmark could be considered the sister city to Andrews, Texas. There have been no ceremonies, of which I am aware, to mark this great sisterhood, and the mayors have not exchanged keys to their respective cities. Nevertheless, these two cities, across the sea from each other, share common ground. Are they both desert cities? No, we all know Sweden has rain and snow, and greenery. Both oil producing cities? Nope...the area around Andrews is saturated with Texas Tea; Forsmark, not so much.
No, my friends, the great binding cord of sisterhood for these two cities is that they are both being turned into dumping grounds for nuclear waste. In a similar situation to the origin of the Waste Control Specialists facility near Andrews, much of the Swedish population (80 %) is against this facility, BUT, the "leadership" of the community understands the need for this facility as well as the economic boon the facility would bring to Forsmark. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14935527,00.html And, like Waste Control Specialists, the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) has researched the selected disposal site for thirty years and (BIG surprise here!) declared the disposal site completely safe for the 100,000 years necessary for radiation to dissipate to less than lethal levels.
SKB plans to build a facility similar to the WCS Andrews facility. The SKB facility will manufacture copper capsules which will then be used to encase the spent nuclear fuel rods. The storage capsule would then be lowered into a pit some 500 meters underground in a large granite formation. This formation is the mechanism by which the surrounding land will be protected from the nuclear waste. SKB assures us that no radiation would be able to leach through the granite barrier because A) the copper capsules will remain in tact for several thousand years, and B) the granite barrier will prevent radiation from deteriorated capsules from passing through to the water tables below the granite. Does this sound similar to a certain company's claims about the WCS Andrews facility? I wonder if the average Swedish citizen feels any safer than residents of Texas living near the WCS facility or anyone who lives along the disposal truck and train routes through Texas?
Of course other scientists dispute the SKB findings: "In our experiments, we saw that corrosion was 1,000 to 10,000 times faster than SKB assumes in its safety analysis," said Peter Szakalos, materials researcher at the Royal Technical University in Stockholm, who conducted the studies. The citizens of Sweden voiced their opposition to the proliferation of nuclear power in the 1980's, and in fact voted to phase out nuclear-powered electricity generating plants. And as usual the politicians (similar to their Texas counterparts) found ways to overturn the public will. Nuclear power grew to the point that over fifty percent of the electricity produced in Sweden came from nuclear energy-powered generation plants.
With the proliferation of nuclear reactors comes the proliferation of nuclear waste. With the proliferation of nuclear waste comes the inevitable problem of waste disposal. And in steps SKB with its "final solution" which consists of bringing all the nuclear waste in Sweden to Forsmark for "safe disposal." Here I would like to insert a tidbit from history that will cost the reader nothing: Hitler called his plan for Jews "the final solution." It is a little unsettling that SKB borrowed Hitler's term for human holocaust and applied it to what could someday become another kind of holocaust.
So, Andrews has a sister city in Sweden, but not for any good reasons. Like the Andrews WCS site, the Forsmark SKB site has been declared "safe," and like the Andrews site, independent scientists have declared the SKB site to be unsafe. Both studies are backed with scientific "proof." And most unfortunately, the will of the people of Sweden was ignored by political leaders, just as occurred in Texas. It can be a great thing to have a "sister city." In this case, not so much.
No, my friends, the great binding cord of sisterhood for these two cities is that they are both being turned into dumping grounds for nuclear waste. In a similar situation to the origin of the Waste Control Specialists facility near Andrews, much of the Swedish population (80 %) is against this facility, BUT, the "leadership" of the community understands the need for this facility as well as the economic boon the facility would bring to Forsmark. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14935527,00.html And, like Waste Control Specialists, the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) has researched the selected disposal site for thirty years and (BIG surprise here!) declared the disposal site completely safe for the 100,000 years necessary for radiation to dissipate to less than lethal levels.
SKB plans to build a facility similar to the WCS Andrews facility. The SKB facility will manufacture copper capsules which will then be used to encase the spent nuclear fuel rods. The storage capsule would then be lowered into a pit some 500 meters underground in a large granite formation. This formation is the mechanism by which the surrounding land will be protected from the nuclear waste. SKB assures us that no radiation would be able to leach through the granite barrier because A) the copper capsules will remain in tact for several thousand years, and B) the granite barrier will prevent radiation from deteriorated capsules from passing through to the water tables below the granite. Does this sound similar to a certain company's claims about the WCS Andrews facility? I wonder if the average Swedish citizen feels any safer than residents of Texas living near the WCS facility or anyone who lives along the disposal truck and train routes through Texas?
Of course other scientists dispute the SKB findings: "In our experiments, we saw that corrosion was 1,000 to 10,000 times faster than SKB assumes in its safety analysis," said Peter Szakalos, materials researcher at the Royal Technical University in Stockholm, who conducted the studies. The citizens of Sweden voiced their opposition to the proliferation of nuclear power in the 1980's, and in fact voted to phase out nuclear-powered electricity generating plants. And as usual the politicians (similar to their Texas counterparts) found ways to overturn the public will. Nuclear power grew to the point that over fifty percent of the electricity produced in Sweden came from nuclear energy-powered generation plants.
With the proliferation of nuclear reactors comes the proliferation of nuclear waste. With the proliferation of nuclear waste comes the inevitable problem of waste disposal. And in steps SKB with its "final solution" which consists of bringing all the nuclear waste in Sweden to Forsmark for "safe disposal." Here I would like to insert a tidbit from history that will cost the reader nothing: Hitler called his plan for Jews "the final solution." It is a little unsettling that SKB borrowed Hitler's term for human holocaust and applied it to what could someday become another kind of holocaust.
So, Andrews has a sister city in Sweden, but not for any good reasons. Like the Andrews WCS site, the Forsmark SKB site has been declared "safe," and like the Andrews site, independent scientists have declared the SKB site to be unsafe. Both studies are backed with scientific "proof." And most unfortunately, the will of the people of Sweden was ignored by political leaders, just as occurred in Texas. It can be a great thing to have a "sister city." In this case, not so much.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
My Own Letter from Maummar Gaddafi!
That's right! I got my own email from President Gaddafi today. Now mind you, I don't know HOW Mr. Gaddafi got my email address, but that did not diminish my extreme pleasure one bit. No, sir. In fact I was so elated to be the recipient of this email that I was literally unable to think about another subject for this blog. I mean, the Colonel Himself sending me a message! How honored I feel!
The gist of the email was that President Gaddafi had come to realize that his position as President for Life and Colonel in Chief of the Libyan Army was no longer tenable. For this reason, Mr. Gaddafi needed my help to secure $98,000,000.00 that is apparently locked away in some bank and not yet "frozen" by the United Nations. All I had to do was email another address (apparently Mr. Gaddafi is hiding under the name of Mac John Seere @att.net) to get instructions as to how to collect my share of the fortune and transfer the remainder to Mr. Gaddafi.
The only thing that disturbed me about this letter was the similarity between this letter and what some refer to as the Nigerian Letter Scam. Now of course I know Mr. Gaddafi would not be involved in any such dishonesty; however, since I was not able to personally help Mr. Gaddafi, I was more than happy to forward his email to the FBI. I believe that agency would surely be able to help "the embattled President" complete his exodus from Libya. Thank you so much for keeping me in mind, Mr. President!
The gist of the email was that President Gaddafi had come to realize that his position as President for Life and Colonel in Chief of the Libyan Army was no longer tenable. For this reason, Mr. Gaddafi needed my help to secure $98,000,000.00 that is apparently locked away in some bank and not yet "frozen" by the United Nations. All I had to do was email another address (apparently Mr. Gaddafi is hiding under the name of Mac John Seere @att.net) to get instructions as to how to collect my share of the fortune and transfer the remainder to Mr. Gaddafi.
The only thing that disturbed me about this letter was the similarity between this letter and what some refer to as the Nigerian Letter Scam. Now of course I know Mr. Gaddafi would not be involved in any such dishonesty; however, since I was not able to personally help Mr. Gaddafi, I was more than happy to forward his email to the FBI. I believe that agency would surely be able to help "the embattled President" complete his exodus from Libya. Thank you so much for keeping me in mind, Mr. President!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
One of the Best Armchair Bull Riders Ever!
As I sit here eagerly awaiting 7:00 P.M. (West Texas Time Zone) I finally realize that I have become (largely through osmosis) one of the foremost Armchair Bull Riders the world has ever (not) known. Well, at least I am one of the best armchair bull riders in my residence. I now know many of the bulls on a first name basis, while only remembering a few of the cowboys if I see their faces with their names plastered under the photograph.
My favorite bull at the moment is...oops, first let me say that my favorite bull of all time was, of course Bodacious, the big yellow bull that made mincemeat out of several riders. You may recall that Bodacious nearly ended Tuff Hedeman's career several years ago. To Tuff's credit, he got back on Bodacious one last time. But, I digress...
My favorite bull at the moment is, of course, Bushwacker, the current bane of the cowboys on the 2011 PBR circuit. As I watched previous PBR events, I made perfect armchair rides while every last one of those real bull riders went airborne or were tossed to the earth in an undignified heap. Had I been on Bushwacker's back, I am sure I would have made the whistle and scored 92. That is if Bushwacker could be ridden from the armchair. But he is so exciting to watch. He has extended his buck-off streak to 0 for 16 rides. He is the top scoring bull as well, averaging 46 points per ride.
There are so many bulls that are a blast to watch and that challenge the bull riders with new tricks every time the chute opens. I can't mention all of these bulls at the moment (I need a refill of a certain refreshment) but I would like to register my disappointment that Hawaiian Ivory, for all his tricks and cunning, is rated only 32 in the Top 100 PBR bull standings. He is always a thrill to watch.
Well, I will get back to my armchair bull riding practice in anticipation of tonight's event. Is tonight the night someone will stick on Bushwacker for eight? I hope you will join me in watching the PBR tonight, but be prepared for silence on my end. I will be too busy perfecting my 92 point armchair ride to make trivial conversation!
My favorite bull at the moment is...oops, first let me say that my favorite bull of all time was, of course Bodacious, the big yellow bull that made mincemeat out of several riders. You may recall that Bodacious nearly ended Tuff Hedeman's career several years ago. To Tuff's credit, he got back on Bodacious one last time. But, I digress...
My favorite bull at the moment is, of course, Bushwacker, the current bane of the cowboys on the 2011 PBR circuit. As I watched previous PBR events, I made perfect armchair rides while every last one of those real bull riders went airborne or were tossed to the earth in an undignified heap. Had I been on Bushwacker's back, I am sure I would have made the whistle and scored 92. That is if Bushwacker could be ridden from the armchair. But he is so exciting to watch. He has extended his buck-off streak to 0 for 16 rides. He is the top scoring bull as well, averaging 46 points per ride.
There are so many bulls that are a blast to watch and that challenge the bull riders with new tricks every time the chute opens. I can't mention all of these bulls at the moment (I need a refill of a certain refreshment) but I would like to register my disappointment that Hawaiian Ivory, for all his tricks and cunning, is rated only 32 in the Top 100 PBR bull standings. He is always a thrill to watch.
Well, I will get back to my armchair bull riding practice in anticipation of tonight's event. Is tonight the night someone will stick on Bushwacker for eight? I hope you will join me in watching the PBR tonight, but be prepared for silence on my end. I will be too busy perfecting my 92 point armchair ride to make trivial conversation!
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