As I write this I am snowed in for the second time in a few days. This is not a regular occurrence. The last time was seven years ago and it caused the postponement of my birthday party (50). As I sit and ponder the great moisture that we are getting from it, I am sure that someone has figured a way to blame it on global warming. This is the largest snow totals in one hundred years. What do these people smoke?
I have already heard that this could be the end for the drought, don't take that to the bank. It is amazing how perceptions can be when we live such a short period of time. It is also amazing how many scientists jump to theories that they are not trained to make. Most of the figures have been proven and admitted to be wrong yet the effort to go on and ignore the truth for agendas still has seeming intelligent people carrying the banner of Global Warming.
Of course the term was changed to 'climate change' and now is being called something else. Climatologists that speak to the people most directly affected by weather, the farmer and rancher, talk about long term cycles and recognize that there is always changing climates. There is a reason we pick up sharks teeth in western Kansas. It was the bottom of an ocean. There is a reason for the rocks and terrain of NE Kansas, it was under a glacier.
It was pointed out to me that the last glacier on the lower 48 is about to melt away. I had to remind them that that is what glaciers do. In the 1970's the popular belief was we were entering a mini ice age and all the same predictions were made then that are being made now for global warming.
What about the facts? There are more trees on the North American Continent now than when Columbus landed. Trees use CO2 so higher amounts should stimulate tree and plant growth. Trees and plants manufacture oxygen.
The most hubris that the global warming crowd has is that man can really make a major difference in the content of the global air, or the ether that is was called in past centuries. One volcano and many forest fires and many other natural occurring processes put out more than mans presence on this earth.
So as I am getting ready to go get on the tractor and start digging out I am thankful that our prayers were heard. I will keep up hoping for more moisture but the pattern may not be broken, and this is not the first drought to occur on the plains.
And remember the next "expert" that blames the snow on Global Warming probably made the statement sipping Corona at a resort in Mexico.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
WORSHIP
WHAT IS YOUR BELIEFS? Who or what do you worship? Maybe this question shows more about how and why our nation and society is sliding into the abyss.
There was a meeting of the pastoral council last week in our community. This is where all our denominations gather to discuss common problems and cooperative efforts. It also happened to be the same day that our church had an extended finance committee meeting to discuss our congregations status. It seems that no matter what denomination the problems are the same. This is also true of the rest of the country.
The most obvious is that attendance is dropping, especially among younger members, and income is dropping to support the churches basic needs. It is a universal truth that 30% give and 70% don't. We have a Time, Talent, and Treasure program that allows the Sunday sermons to devote themselves to spiritual topics. When I was young it seemed that there was an inordinate amount of time spent asking for money.
Back years ago we had a pastor that offered to make a bet with any member of the church. He bet that if 10% was tithed that after a year if your circumstances were not better he would refund everything you gave. There was not one family that asked for their tithe back.
Later on another pastor created the Time, Talent, and Treasure program in a formal way and was so successful he presented it all over the nation to congregations.
In today's world we seem to realize that there are more distractions. Especially for the younger generations. But if your faith is focused these distractions can be dealt with. It comes down to what you worship. By seeming to be believers our priorities seem to have slipped and there is worship more of technology, pleasure, hoarding, and all the old sins the biggest being money.
When I was young we played war, cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, and spy (Man From Uncle). We had toy guns and dad had real guns for hunting and self defense. We did not end up shooting kids or theaters. We also did not see 40,000 graphic images of death before we were in high school through movies and games as today.
When a kid had problems in school you did not prescribe drugs to modify behavior. You tried to find out what the problems were and fix them.
The new great religion is the environment and mother earth has taken the place of God. The usage of radical laws and concepts now allow those who are trained and know how to utilize and protect the earth to be dominated by those with an agenda to have more power.
Another religion is technology. There is such an fast paced development of things we never dreamed of that are deemed essential today. The dependence is almost worship. Try taking that i-phone away from the kid and see what they believe in.
At some point you will have to decide if you worship things, ideas, or God. The survival of our nation and world depends on your answer.
There was a meeting of the pastoral council last week in our community. This is where all our denominations gather to discuss common problems and cooperative efforts. It also happened to be the same day that our church had an extended finance committee meeting to discuss our congregations status. It seems that no matter what denomination the problems are the same. This is also true of the rest of the country.
The most obvious is that attendance is dropping, especially among younger members, and income is dropping to support the churches basic needs. It is a universal truth that 30% give and 70% don't. We have a Time, Talent, and Treasure program that allows the Sunday sermons to devote themselves to spiritual topics. When I was young it seemed that there was an inordinate amount of time spent asking for money.
Back years ago we had a pastor that offered to make a bet with any member of the church. He bet that if 10% was tithed that after a year if your circumstances were not better he would refund everything you gave. There was not one family that asked for their tithe back.
Later on another pastor created the Time, Talent, and Treasure program in a formal way and was so successful he presented it all over the nation to congregations.
In today's world we seem to realize that there are more distractions. Especially for the younger generations. But if your faith is focused these distractions can be dealt with. It comes down to what you worship. By seeming to be believers our priorities seem to have slipped and there is worship more of technology, pleasure, hoarding, and all the old sins the biggest being money.
When I was young we played war, cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, and spy (Man From Uncle). We had toy guns and dad had real guns for hunting and self defense. We did not end up shooting kids or theaters. We also did not see 40,000 graphic images of death before we were in high school through movies and games as today.
When a kid had problems in school you did not prescribe drugs to modify behavior. You tried to find out what the problems were and fix them.
The new great religion is the environment and mother earth has taken the place of God. The usage of radical laws and concepts now allow those who are trained and know how to utilize and protect the earth to be dominated by those with an agenda to have more power.
Another religion is technology. There is such an fast paced development of things we never dreamed of that are deemed essential today. The dependence is almost worship. Try taking that i-phone away from the kid and see what they believe in.
At some point you will have to decide if you worship things, ideas, or God. The survival of our nation and world depends on your answer.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
TAKING THE OATH
There are several reasons to take the oath of office. I have taken it once for a Sheriffs Commission and once for an elected office. The meat and potatoes of the oath is the pledge is to UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION FROM ENEMIES BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. There has been much disturbing talk coming out of Washington for several years in including our president who views the Constitution as a hindrance and a negative document.
I would agree with the leader but in an opposite meaning. The Constitution is a hindrance to those in Government who would be restrained by a document that foresaw their tyranny. It is a negative document to the bloating of a government to control the lives of its people and restrain those in authority to lord their will over the people.
With most of the pretenses now abandoned for the protection of the individual and placing the state first, we now see how wise the fore-fathers who created this unheard of form of government.
"DEMOCRACY IS THE WORST FORM OF GOVERNMENT EXCEPT FOR ALL THE REST" Winston Churchill.
It has been a question that has gone around many times about the choice that sworn officials will make when ordered to enforce unconstitutional laws. Will those sworn to uphold the Constitution actually break down doors of law abiding citizens to confiscate their arms if ordered? Would the military fire on U.S. citizens if ordered to? An interesting question. Some believe that this question has been asked of the leadership and the turn over of officers reflects the outcome. I don't know, but I have not been comfortable with the retirements in the last few years of upper military command staff.
With reported orders of equipment and ammunition for Homeland Security and other agencies being greater than the military there is a wonder what it is all for? It is hard to sort stories of fact and fiction but the numbers turn up so often in such varied palaces there is some merit here.
I know people in local law enforcement spread out around the country and I know some of them will not follow and illegal order by a federal agency. I have heard positions from elected and non elected I will not go into. This is because that the advantage of a concealed weapon in the citizenry increases the uncertainty of a perpetrator. Just as much the opinion of those who intend to stand for the Constitution need the same advantage to raise the increase the uncertainty of the domestic enemy who would move to ignore the Constitution and the individual.
After World War II Japanese Generals and Admirals were asked why they did not press the invasion of the US Mainland. The answer was that "there would be a rifle behind every blade of grass". After the Cold War Russian Field Marshal's were asked the same question and the answer was the same.
The only way that we can be defeated is from the inside. I hope there is someone smart enough to recognise when that time is here.
I would agree with the leader but in an opposite meaning. The Constitution is a hindrance to those in Government who would be restrained by a document that foresaw their tyranny. It is a negative document to the bloating of a government to control the lives of its people and restrain those in authority to lord their will over the people.
With most of the pretenses now abandoned for the protection of the individual and placing the state first, we now see how wise the fore-fathers who created this unheard of form of government.
"DEMOCRACY IS THE WORST FORM OF GOVERNMENT EXCEPT FOR ALL THE REST" Winston Churchill.
It has been a question that has gone around many times about the choice that sworn officials will make when ordered to enforce unconstitutional laws. Will those sworn to uphold the Constitution actually break down doors of law abiding citizens to confiscate their arms if ordered? Would the military fire on U.S. citizens if ordered to? An interesting question. Some believe that this question has been asked of the leadership and the turn over of officers reflects the outcome. I don't know, but I have not been comfortable with the retirements in the last few years of upper military command staff.
With reported orders of equipment and ammunition for Homeland Security and other agencies being greater than the military there is a wonder what it is all for? It is hard to sort stories of fact and fiction but the numbers turn up so often in such varied palaces there is some merit here.
I know people in local law enforcement spread out around the country and I know some of them will not follow and illegal order by a federal agency. I have heard positions from elected and non elected I will not go into. This is because that the advantage of a concealed weapon in the citizenry increases the uncertainty of a perpetrator. Just as much the opinion of those who intend to stand for the Constitution need the same advantage to raise the increase the uncertainty of the domestic enemy who would move to ignore the Constitution and the individual.
After World War II Japanese Generals and Admirals were asked why they did not press the invasion of the US Mainland. The answer was that "there would be a rifle behind every blade of grass". After the Cold War Russian Field Marshal's were asked the same question and the answer was the same.
The only way that we can be defeated is from the inside. I hope there is someone smart enough to recognise when that time is here.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
POLITICS OF ENERGY
As the blame game goes around and everyone has a position about energy I have some random thoughts. Recently my budget had a short respite from insanely high gas prices. The reduction of gas to just under $3 dollars per gallon seemed to make a difference with a lot of things in the economy.
It seems that every side has an agenda and it is not hard to be just plain mad about what we are told. Maybe there are a lot of ignorant people in the populace, many would hold up the re-election of the president as an example. I know what the high cost of producing oil is and the infrastructure that is needed for it.
I know that the other alternative forms of energy are being developed and will reach a profitable state. You cannot stop the march of technology. We came so close to Hydrogen fueled vehicles until Big Brother put an end to that for now.
I was reminded yesterday of a story that has been told many times because it did happen. In the 1970's in a Ford dealership a customer was so happy with his new car that got over 30 miles per gallon. When in for service he bragged on it and the mechanics made a call to Ford and a hold was put on the car that included police and then security people holding the car until that carburetor, which was not supposed to be out of the factory, was removed and a standard carb was put on sending the mileage down to 12 MPG where it was supposed to be.
The same thing happened in a Chevrolet Dealership in Western Kansas in the 60's with the same result. I personally know a family friend who managed to make a big block Chevy engine installed in an old farm truck get over 25 MPG. When he tried to patent the design he was hit with a blizzard of lawyers and legal actions. He went to his grave a bitter man.
These stories are attributed to local legend yet there are people who witnessed all this first hand. It is like the irritation that so many who saw Cougars in Kansas were branded idiots by the State. Until there was photographic evidence.
Go into the back pages of the news over the last 50 years. Every time the auto industry was forced to raise MPG there was a great furor about the technology just not being able to meet the new standards, yet they made them. In the last 10 years when 30+ MPG was mandated the industry said they could not do it until 2050. Now we See ads for 30 & 40 MPG cars and they finally got a pickup up to 20. No surprise since Fords and Chevy's have been doing 50 & 60+ MPG in Europe, and Mercedes has a truck engine that will do 50+ over there.
We are awash in oil and gas. We could shut off the importation now if the will was there. We have allowed the government to make refinery construction come to a virtual stop. We have every interest group trying to stop one energy or another from being implemented.
On the other side we have refinery shut downs for maintenance happening right when the price is dropping to rebound the price. Shut downs of a majority of refinery's at the same time is not an accident.
So what I am ranting about is that lets stop the politics! It only encourages politicians and radical groups. I want the inventors to push the technologies and the cost of energy to get down to a reasonable level. I want to quit sending the best of our youth to fight wars in places that live in the 8th century and want to dictate how we live.
In other words I want everyone to quit shouting at each other and set down and talk.
It seems that every side has an agenda and it is not hard to be just plain mad about what we are told. Maybe there are a lot of ignorant people in the populace, many would hold up the re-election of the president as an example. I know what the high cost of producing oil is and the infrastructure that is needed for it.
I know that the other alternative forms of energy are being developed and will reach a profitable state. You cannot stop the march of technology. We came so close to Hydrogen fueled vehicles until Big Brother put an end to that for now.
I was reminded yesterday of a story that has been told many times because it did happen. In the 1970's in a Ford dealership a customer was so happy with his new car that got over 30 miles per gallon. When in for service he bragged on it and the mechanics made a call to Ford and a hold was put on the car that included police and then security people holding the car until that carburetor, which was not supposed to be out of the factory, was removed and a standard carb was put on sending the mileage down to 12 MPG where it was supposed to be.
The same thing happened in a Chevrolet Dealership in Western Kansas in the 60's with the same result. I personally know a family friend who managed to make a big block Chevy engine installed in an old farm truck get over 25 MPG. When he tried to patent the design he was hit with a blizzard of lawyers and legal actions. He went to his grave a bitter man.
These stories are attributed to local legend yet there are people who witnessed all this first hand. It is like the irritation that so many who saw Cougars in Kansas were branded idiots by the State. Until there was photographic evidence.
Go into the back pages of the news over the last 50 years. Every time the auto industry was forced to raise MPG there was a great furor about the technology just not being able to meet the new standards, yet they made them. In the last 10 years when 30+ MPG was mandated the industry said they could not do it until 2050. Now we See ads for 30 & 40 MPG cars and they finally got a pickup up to 20. No surprise since Fords and Chevy's have been doing 50 & 60+ MPG in Europe, and Mercedes has a truck engine that will do 50+ over there.
We are awash in oil and gas. We could shut off the importation now if the will was there. We have allowed the government to make refinery construction come to a virtual stop. We have every interest group trying to stop one energy or another from being implemented.
On the other side we have refinery shut downs for maintenance happening right when the price is dropping to rebound the price. Shut downs of a majority of refinery's at the same time is not an accident.
So what I am ranting about is that lets stop the politics! It only encourages politicians and radical groups. I want the inventors to push the technologies and the cost of energy to get down to a reasonable level. I want to quit sending the best of our youth to fight wars in places that live in the 8th century and want to dictate how we live.
In other words I want everyone to quit shouting at each other and set down and talk.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS
Don't it irritate you when someone is so convinced that their position is right that they will not argue with the facts? I don't know how many I know that hate Rush, Neal, Shawn, Glenn, and others and have never listened or watched a full show let alone a statement in full. All they ever get is the edited sound bites put out by competitors and taken out of context. Many times it is those that put out something that was originally a joke or in tended ironic humor.
I used to be one that advocated everyone vote no matter what. As the years and elections roll by I am abhorred by those who vote without even doing a little research. I am especially bothered by those loaded into buses and taken to precincts to cast votes.
Take Diane Feinstein whose effort to take away guns is open and admitted. She made the most ignorant statement on Face The Nation and no one has called her on it. I quote, "the AR-15 can be equipped with a telescoping stock, this makes the gun a full automatic." DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS! The stock has nothing to do with the function of a gun. There is a add on part that the ATF has approved as legal.
The list of mass murderers in the last 30 years have one thing in common, each was on a drug for depression or was withdrawing from one. Drugs like, Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and others. Yet law abiding citizens and their legal guns are blamed. DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Chicago has the most rigid gun ownership laws in the country and not one gun store. Chicago has the highest murder rate in the nation. DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
According to the FBI Crime Statistics firearms crime has come from approx. 550 per one hundred thousand in 1995 to approx. 340 per one hundred thousand in 2012. Almost half. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Australia which the anti gun groups are so proud of has had a virtual ban and destruction of lawfully owned fire arms in the last few years. The firearm crime rate has gone up over 50% and a new category of crime was added to the nations list that never was there before. HOME INVASION. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS.
As I watch TV I see ads for new movies and everyone features gun violence and graphic images and yet the actors collect their money creating this virtual violent world and get up and lobby for gun control in real life. Yet, they are all protected with security people who are armed.
99% of Law Enforcement officers are required to carry an off duty firearm because they are on duty all the time not when just clocked in. One Sheriff Deputy in Texas prevented a mass shooting yet it was not reported in the main stream media. Many in the anti gun crowd want officers armed only when on duty. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS.
The highest per gun ownership per capita in the world has the lowest crime rate. Switzerland, where ever male between 18 & 64 are members of the military and required to keep their full auto weapons at home with adequate ammunition which is issued. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS.
England is always touted as safe because of gun control, yet the per one hundred thousand numbers of violent crime are on the rise. By the way the united Kingdoms detectives carry firearms and the SAS has been used in many of their countries to take out terrorists and dissident targets. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
If the gang violence was separated out from other types of gun violence our rate would be one of the lowest in the world. By the way, gangs don't abide by laws. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS.
In every state that has instituted lawful concealed carry the shooting statistics have all dropped. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Fully automatic weapons have been controlled since 1936. The amount of taxes, screening, and monitoring for lawful ownership has limited this to owners who can afford the hobby. Only one legally owned fully automatic gun has been involved in a crime since 1935. The claim that all these 'assault weapons' are fully automatic is a lie. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
When a sheriff came out with the advice that the police are not there to protect you and that each person is responsible for their own safety, the media quickly called him irresponsible. This from their studios with armed guards. Police take reports, investigate, and prepare cases for presentation to the district attorney. They do not stand guard outside your residence or business. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
In every government take over in history including Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, on and on has one common component. Disarm the people to avoid opposition. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
The fact is that the emotion used by those who would destroy our freedoms are using an emotional tragedy to further their ambitions. Instead of attacking the problem of mass murders with the truth, they are using the bodies of dead children and agonizing families to dismantle our rights. By the way they are attacking the first amendment also. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Look at the map as to where the Mexican Drug Cartels have gang influence and it will surprise you that they are in your area. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Mexican Farmers and common citizens are trying to gain the right to bear arms from their government because they are tired of the murders and atrocities that are being perpetuated against the populace all over the country. I one instance where only two illicit rifles were kept by the farmers were able to thwart an attack by over a dozen cartel members. The ability to fight back works. Did you even know about the 40 murdered and beheaded people they found on a bus a while back? BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Most of the US public did not hear about the Fast and Furious Program which was designed to create a problem that would give the excuse for our government to blame the traffic in weapons to the drug cartels. Blaming the source as legitimate gun dealers in the US. When the dealers were turning down and turning in these illegal sales they were told to go along with it. Now those guns have killed a US Border Patrol agent and many other innocent people. The main stream media needs to be embarassed that they set on this story for 2 years while Fox was reporting it. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
As many as a 1/3 to half of all high schools and Jr Highs in larger districts have armed school police resource officers and they have had few incidents. In the latest incident the shooter stopped and committed suicide when the first armed officer showed up. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
A history professor teaching in our universities was interviewed on TV saying that he believes we should get rid of the Constitution and remodel it to his way of thinking. With Video games, TV shows, movies, anti-depressant drugs, fetuses valued as no more than tissue. We are harvesting the effects of irresponsible politics and a moral core that is rotting.
BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!!
YOU SHOULD BE BOTHERED!!!!!
I used to be one that advocated everyone vote no matter what. As the years and elections roll by I am abhorred by those who vote without even doing a little research. I am especially bothered by those loaded into buses and taken to precincts to cast votes.
Take Diane Feinstein whose effort to take away guns is open and admitted. She made the most ignorant statement on Face The Nation and no one has called her on it. I quote, "the AR-15 can be equipped with a telescoping stock, this makes the gun a full automatic." DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS! The stock has nothing to do with the function of a gun. There is a add on part that the ATF has approved as legal.
The list of mass murderers in the last 30 years have one thing in common, each was on a drug for depression or was withdrawing from one. Drugs like, Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and others. Yet law abiding citizens and their legal guns are blamed. DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Chicago has the most rigid gun ownership laws in the country and not one gun store. Chicago has the highest murder rate in the nation. DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
According to the FBI Crime Statistics firearms crime has come from approx. 550 per one hundred thousand in 1995 to approx. 340 per one hundred thousand in 2012. Almost half. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Australia which the anti gun groups are so proud of has had a virtual ban and destruction of lawfully owned fire arms in the last few years. The firearm crime rate has gone up over 50% and a new category of crime was added to the nations list that never was there before. HOME INVASION. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS.
As I watch TV I see ads for new movies and everyone features gun violence and graphic images and yet the actors collect their money creating this virtual violent world and get up and lobby for gun control in real life. Yet, they are all protected with security people who are armed.
99% of Law Enforcement officers are required to carry an off duty firearm because they are on duty all the time not when just clocked in. One Sheriff Deputy in Texas prevented a mass shooting yet it was not reported in the main stream media. Many in the anti gun crowd want officers armed only when on duty. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS.
The highest per gun ownership per capita in the world has the lowest crime rate. Switzerland, where ever male between 18 & 64 are members of the military and required to keep their full auto weapons at home with adequate ammunition which is issued. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS.
England is always touted as safe because of gun control, yet the per one hundred thousand numbers of violent crime are on the rise. By the way the united Kingdoms detectives carry firearms and the SAS has been used in many of their countries to take out terrorists and dissident targets. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
If the gang violence was separated out from other types of gun violence our rate would be one of the lowest in the world. By the way, gangs don't abide by laws. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS.
In every state that has instituted lawful concealed carry the shooting statistics have all dropped. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Fully automatic weapons have been controlled since 1936. The amount of taxes, screening, and monitoring for lawful ownership has limited this to owners who can afford the hobby. Only one legally owned fully automatic gun has been involved in a crime since 1935. The claim that all these 'assault weapons' are fully automatic is a lie. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
When a sheriff came out with the advice that the police are not there to protect you and that each person is responsible for their own safety, the media quickly called him irresponsible. This from their studios with armed guards. Police take reports, investigate, and prepare cases for presentation to the district attorney. They do not stand guard outside your residence or business. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
In every government take over in history including Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, on and on has one common component. Disarm the people to avoid opposition. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
The fact is that the emotion used by those who would destroy our freedoms are using an emotional tragedy to further their ambitions. Instead of attacking the problem of mass murders with the truth, they are using the bodies of dead children and agonizing families to dismantle our rights. By the way they are attacking the first amendment also. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Look at the map as to where the Mexican Drug Cartels have gang influence and it will surprise you that they are in your area. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Mexican Farmers and common citizens are trying to gain the right to bear arms from their government because they are tired of the murders and atrocities that are being perpetuated against the populace all over the country. I one instance where only two illicit rifles were kept by the farmers were able to thwart an attack by over a dozen cartel members. The ability to fight back works. Did you even know about the 40 murdered and beheaded people they found on a bus a while back? BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
Most of the US public did not hear about the Fast and Furious Program which was designed to create a problem that would give the excuse for our government to blame the traffic in weapons to the drug cartels. Blaming the source as legitimate gun dealers in the US. When the dealers were turning down and turning in these illegal sales they were told to go along with it. Now those guns have killed a US Border Patrol agent and many other innocent people. The main stream media needs to be embarassed that they set on this story for 2 years while Fox was reporting it. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
As many as a 1/3 to half of all high schools and Jr Highs in larger districts have armed school police resource officers and they have had few incidents. In the latest incident the shooter stopped and committed suicide when the first armed officer showed up. BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!
A history professor teaching in our universities was interviewed on TV saying that he believes we should get rid of the Constitution and remodel it to his way of thinking. With Video games, TV shows, movies, anti-depressant drugs, fetuses valued as no more than tissue. We are harvesting the effects of irresponsible politics and a moral core that is rotting.
BUT DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS!!
YOU SHOULD BE BOTHERED!!!!!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
THE LITTLE TRAIN THAT COULD
I love to visit small towns that really get things right. When dealt a blow they regroup and go on better and stronger than before. When an opportunity comes by they seize the moment and are better for it. I had the opportunity, once again, to visit a town like this yesterday. It is Anthony Kansas. I will even expand it to Harper Kansas and all of Harper County.
The growth and vitality of these people are amazing especially in this economic climate and the state of rural America. To expand on the down side Anthony had a major fire in 2009 that took out most of a block of historic buildings and successful shops. The race track, Anthony Downs, closed after its 100th year and was torn down. buildings were starting to become vacant and there was turmoil about what to save and what to demolish. The county has always had a fierce rivalry between it's towns which sometimes stood in the way of progress. I call it the Mason Dixon line.
There have been some great opportunities and this whole area did not set on it's collective backside and ignore it. There is manufacturing that is expanding and creating jobs. The oil and gas boom has come to town creating the need for housing, food, and everything else associated with an influx of workers. The worlds largest single construction wind farm starts north west of Harper and extends clear back to Barber County. This created 100's of construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs.
There is a new 45 room Cobblestone Inn hotel in Anthony and another under construction in Harper. Both 1 million dollar projects with 8 full time jobs. Anthony has two new housing additions, one middle to upper scale.
There are new industrial businesses and three 1 million plus buildings going up on the North side of town. You will find new churches, and small business in a vibrant downtown district. Harper is adding housing and business also.
As we drove into Anthony for a tourism meeting you could feel the attitude of the town. The representatives who hosted the meeting were energetic and enthusiastic. It gave you a good feeling to be there. Attitudes are a great asset and have tendency to be passed on.
Driving around town there were businesses that many rural towns no longer have and we wondered why they were doing so well. Then it occurred to us. There is no Wal Mart. Fortunately either they have not come into the Wal Mart sights or they have managed to hold them off. Consultants will tell you that when Wal Mart moves in there are seven home owned businesses that usually shut down. These were all the businesses we found thriving downtown. They support families and create jobs.
The labor needs for the region probably contribute to the fact that the new jobs are higher paying and have benefits as opposed to the part time jobs with no benefits that Wal Mart brings.
I hope that the prosperity continues and that the Harper County towns stay as examples for the rest of rural America.
I give the HEE HAW salute to Anthony, Harper, Attica, and all Harper County---SAAALLUTTE!!!!!!!!!!
The growth and vitality of these people are amazing especially in this economic climate and the state of rural America. To expand on the down side Anthony had a major fire in 2009 that took out most of a block of historic buildings and successful shops. The race track, Anthony Downs, closed after its 100th year and was torn down. buildings were starting to become vacant and there was turmoil about what to save and what to demolish. The county has always had a fierce rivalry between it's towns which sometimes stood in the way of progress. I call it the Mason Dixon line.
There have been some great opportunities and this whole area did not set on it's collective backside and ignore it. There is manufacturing that is expanding and creating jobs. The oil and gas boom has come to town creating the need for housing, food, and everything else associated with an influx of workers. The worlds largest single construction wind farm starts north west of Harper and extends clear back to Barber County. This created 100's of construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs.
There is a new 45 room Cobblestone Inn hotel in Anthony and another under construction in Harper. Both 1 million dollar projects with 8 full time jobs. Anthony has two new housing additions, one middle to upper scale.
There are new industrial businesses and three 1 million plus buildings going up on the North side of town. You will find new churches, and small business in a vibrant downtown district. Harper is adding housing and business also.
As we drove into Anthony for a tourism meeting you could feel the attitude of the town. The representatives who hosted the meeting were energetic and enthusiastic. It gave you a good feeling to be there. Attitudes are a great asset and have tendency to be passed on.
Driving around town there were businesses that many rural towns no longer have and we wondered why they were doing so well. Then it occurred to us. There is no Wal Mart. Fortunately either they have not come into the Wal Mart sights or they have managed to hold them off. Consultants will tell you that when Wal Mart moves in there are seven home owned businesses that usually shut down. These were all the businesses we found thriving downtown. They support families and create jobs.
The labor needs for the region probably contribute to the fact that the new jobs are higher paying and have benefits as opposed to the part time jobs with no benefits that Wal Mart brings.
I hope that the prosperity continues and that the Harper County towns stay as examples for the rest of rural America.
I give the HEE HAW salute to Anthony, Harper, Attica, and all Harper County---SAAALLUTTE!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, January 21, 2013
INAUGURATION DAY
My intent for this week was to talk about a fun experience at a small cafe off the beaten path where I used to sing every Thursday night in a local jam session. Also to give those weary of political opinions that I give on a regular basis a rest. But dog gone it the TV is full of inauguration news and I just can not help it.
The Constitution demands that inauguration is on the 20th of January, which technically they did do. But to put on a show and use the symbolism of the 21st, millions of dollars (privately raised) are going through the motions. Maybe I am just a sore loser but to me this is typical of an administration who has done nothing but chaff against the Constitution and wants to free itself of it.
To me the respect of our heritage is following the instructions to the letter and celebrating this. However it would have put a crunch on the NFL playoffs broadcast. We have to keep our priorities straight.
There is enough dread on the actions of government from the last fifty years to disgust me on symbolism and promises made that were never intended to keep. When there is a down play of facts and increase of talk and symbols I am wary.
There is enough agendas by everyone in Washington and those who pull the strings, and provide the money, that I am disillusioned with all of them. It is time for the states to call a Constitutional convention and those in Washington be reigned in and mandatory reforms be instituted.
So for those tired of politics, join me being nauseated. For those who are delighted with the way things are going, have a party.
I have to agree with several including my religious leaders that what we have left is to pray and hope God will smile on this country again. Lets hope we won't have to wander in the desert for 40 years this time.
The Constitution demands that inauguration is on the 20th of January, which technically they did do. But to put on a show and use the symbolism of the 21st, millions of dollars (privately raised) are going through the motions. Maybe I am just a sore loser but to me this is typical of an administration who has done nothing but chaff against the Constitution and wants to free itself of it.
To me the respect of our heritage is following the instructions to the letter and celebrating this. However it would have put a crunch on the NFL playoffs broadcast. We have to keep our priorities straight.
There is enough dread on the actions of government from the last fifty years to disgust me on symbolism and promises made that were never intended to keep. When there is a down play of facts and increase of talk and symbols I am wary.
There is enough agendas by everyone in Washington and those who pull the strings, and provide the money, that I am disillusioned with all of them. It is time for the states to call a Constitutional convention and those in Washington be reigned in and mandatory reforms be instituted.
So for those tired of politics, join me being nauseated. For those who are delighted with the way things are going, have a party.
I have to agree with several including my religious leaders that what we have left is to pray and hope God will smile on this country again. Lets hope we won't have to wander in the desert for 40 years this time.
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