Enough is enough...again
Just what do I mean?
Enough lightweights have tried their bit in the USA, and it is now affecting my life. They have simply failed in the effects on my life, though well intentioned I am sure. But there is no sympathy vote from me when they will adversely affect my life, like I will go cold and hungry. After all, I do have other courses of action.
It's time to vote for other people with other options in the USA, or even revolt if that is what it takes. Now I prefer the vote option, but for sure have become intolerant of do gooders who I think will do me in. Like this title suggests, enough is enough.
I still like the Churchhill comment that we Americans will always do the right thing, after we have exhausted all the other possibilities.
Now this post suggests lightweights are in charge. Here's my examples.
We elected some of them, and then they appointed others like them, mostly bureaucrats, to rule us. Many are at the federal level these days, but there are plenty more of these types existing at lower levels, like State, County, City, and even School Boards.
We still are the new world USA, which still advances the best of humanity, while acknowledging the worst of humanity.
To me this idea means having laws, policies, and practices that support the idea of humans doing well. Now this idea is not some construct of some academic idea of a perfect world, but just practical application of what is best for our new world USA humans. For example, why are not our elected politicians who rule us not building more jails and courts to handle our ever increasing population.
Two thoughts flow from this question.
If ones does A, then B will happen, eventually. So for example one reads that the State of California is releasing criminals back on the street for budget reasons. Well use your imagination as to what is going to happen in the next year or two.
I still believe in the idea of public governments at all levels that I still pay for, but dang it, they are supposed to serve our intents, and budget according to priorities that is still their income source.
So I guess we are going to have to change them, one way or the other. And depending on where you live, you may have to reinforce some of them, too.
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Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
You don't want to get Malaria
Right now, like in 2011, there is no known cure for the disease. Now there are many preventive measures which have been around for decades.
For the record, I don't have this disease. but I did take my preventive stuff.
Even our present publicly elected governments seem to be promoting wetlands preservation or even restoration , which basically breeds mosquitoes which give us humans malaria.
Even an old time grandma (to me) encouraged me to put oil in a pond for snapper turtles just to keep the mosquitoes down. She knew.
So what is it going to take? Be it trendy type things that may infect people, or something else?
My guess is the latter, that is we present USA humans will have enough relatives get sick to change our governments. What a shame, to me, that may have to happen to promote change.
I suspect our ancestors, dead and gone, may be disappointed.
Right now, like in 2011, there is no known cure for the disease. Now there are many preventive measures which have been around for decades.
For the record, I don't have this disease. but I did take my preventive stuff.
Even our present publicly elected governments seem to be promoting wetlands preservation or even restoration , which basically breeds mosquitoes which give us humans malaria.
Even an old time grandma (to me) encouraged me to put oil in a pond for snapper turtles just to keep the mosquitoes down. She knew.
So what is it going to take? Be it trendy type things that may infect people, or something else?
My guess is the latter, that is we present USA humans will have enough relatives get sick to change our governments. What a shame, to me, that may have to happen to promote change.
I suspect our ancestors, dead and gone, may be disappointed.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Utopia is not free
So far throughout thousands of years of history all utopian ideas have failed. Now why we can argue all we want, but alas, these ideas have all failed in the end. And by utopian ideas, I mean those imposed on others.
My guess about failure is the simple humanity of it all. The workers (and providers) eventually get fed up with the freeloaders, and move on to other alternatives, like the Family unit, and the bigger human world.
All this is just theory, spiced up with some experience throughout the world. In general all we humans are pretty much the same when it comes to hopes, aspirations, standards, and raising a Family. After all we are humans, one and all.
And continuing to generalize, we humans do have freeloaders, that is fellow humans who want to get something for nothing. One might say they are lazy or have a drug habit, and are willing to lower their standards as long as they get sex, and can eat and be warm. Some even become criminals and thugs. Now that is just an observation, not just where I live in the USA, but in other places throughout the world where I have been, too. It is a sad state of affairs, but that is just how we humans are, I believe.
Now it is upsetting seeing youngsters getting screwed over by the sins of their parents just where I live in the USA today. It is also upsetting seeing hard working people get frustrated, and even hacked off, and believing the freeloaders are getting by where I live. Said another way, why should I be cold and hungry so that they freeloaders can be even better off.
Now if I believed all this utopia stuff, then I would go and join one, and go from there. But alas, there are not many around. Perhaps others have arrived at this conclusion in their own way.
And in that vein, sometimes communal living makes sense to me, though at the small clan level, like in some remote region of the world where being warm and fed is hard. But communal living is not utopia, to me.
And I live in a bigger world than a small clan, like 20 to maybe 200. Along the way we humans have come up with towns and cities for some reason above the clan level.
So why do I object to those fellow humans who want to impose their utopian ideas on me. Mostly it is because it will make me cold and hungry, and when my assets and others like me with assets are run out, then all humans will be cold and hungry, and that is simply not a reasonable goal. What really bothers me is the impact on my Family.
We really don't have to do this utopian idea to ourselves. There are other courses of action that will both promote humanity, and our Families, to boot. The key point to me, is this...all of us are willing to work in our own way to advance our Families and their future Families; but not necessarily those of humanity in general, and freeloaders, specifically.
There is a better way, mostly because we humans are savvy about our future, and the best way to go forward. For example, most will sacrifice and pay to educate their kids in a college environment. And I suspect even our grandchildren will act in their own best interests, too. That includes the earth and where they live, too.
Now one can take this aforementioned example as that any utopia is not free, and if there is not enough money to go around to even help the freeloaders, then most will probably prioritize on their own Family.
Said another way, utopia is not free, and there are other courses of action to enhance our own Families.
Now that idea gets my vote here in the new world USA. It even gets my revolutionary spirit going, too, though I hope to avoid that for my own convenience. I would rather vote.
Dang I guess I am an old guy now. I even used to call my old man cheap, now I call him thrifty. Apply this idea to "utopia is not free", if you will.
So far throughout thousands of years of history all utopian ideas have failed. Now why we can argue all we want, but alas, these ideas have all failed in the end. And by utopian ideas, I mean those imposed on others.
My guess about failure is the simple humanity of it all. The workers (and providers) eventually get fed up with the freeloaders, and move on to other alternatives, like the Family unit, and the bigger human world.
All this is just theory, spiced up with some experience throughout the world. In general all we humans are pretty much the same when it comes to hopes, aspirations, standards, and raising a Family. After all we are humans, one and all.
And continuing to generalize, we humans do have freeloaders, that is fellow humans who want to get something for nothing. One might say they are lazy or have a drug habit, and are willing to lower their standards as long as they get sex, and can eat and be warm. Some even become criminals and thugs. Now that is just an observation, not just where I live in the USA, but in other places throughout the world where I have been, too. It is a sad state of affairs, but that is just how we humans are, I believe.
Now it is upsetting seeing youngsters getting screwed over by the sins of their parents just where I live in the USA today. It is also upsetting seeing hard working people get frustrated, and even hacked off, and believing the freeloaders are getting by where I live. Said another way, why should I be cold and hungry so that they freeloaders can be even better off.
Now if I believed all this utopia stuff, then I would go and join one, and go from there. But alas, there are not many around. Perhaps others have arrived at this conclusion in their own way.
And in that vein, sometimes communal living makes sense to me, though at the small clan level, like in some remote region of the world where being warm and fed is hard. But communal living is not utopia, to me.
And I live in a bigger world than a small clan, like 20 to maybe 200. Along the way we humans have come up with towns and cities for some reason above the clan level.
So why do I object to those fellow humans who want to impose their utopian ideas on me. Mostly it is because it will make me cold and hungry, and when my assets and others like me with assets are run out, then all humans will be cold and hungry, and that is simply not a reasonable goal. What really bothers me is the impact on my Family.
We really don't have to do this utopian idea to ourselves. There are other courses of action that will both promote humanity, and our Families, to boot. The key point to me, is this...all of us are willing to work in our own way to advance our Families and their future Families; but not necessarily those of humanity in general, and freeloaders, specifically.
There is a better way, mostly because we humans are savvy about our future, and the best way to go forward. For example, most will sacrifice and pay to educate their kids in a college environment. And I suspect even our grandchildren will act in their own best interests, too. That includes the earth and where they live, too.
Now one can take this aforementioned example as that any utopia is not free, and if there is not enough money to go around to even help the freeloaders, then most will probably prioritize on their own Family.
Said another way, utopia is not free, and there are other courses of action to enhance our own Families.
Now that idea gets my vote here in the new world USA. It even gets my revolutionary spirit going, too, though I hope to avoid that for my own convenience. I would rather vote.
Dang I guess I am an old guy now. I even used to call my old man cheap, now I call him thrifty. Apply this idea to "utopia is not free", if you will.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Vagaries of life from the Cumberland Plateau
There is usually only one real reason, and many good reasons. Trying to figure out the real reason can be tough.
Advancing an argument with a degree of truth is much tougher to respond to than an outright lie.
Everyone is an expert on everything, from being an arm-chair general to a financial advisor to a earth science expert. Hence trust your own advice and counsel, too. And it sure is easier to give advice than follow your own advise.
Defrosting an old fashioned GE refrigerator (1928 I think) is easy, if you know how to do it. The design is pretty much like an icebox with a compressor substituted for the ice box on top.
Some people are speculators, some people are investors.
Life has more elements of a high school clique than most want to forget.
As bad as life seems here, the USA is still a good new world USA place to live and raise a family. Just try the alternatives.
The old fashioned ideas of food, shelter, and clothing are timeless. In the same vein, it is kinda embarrassing if we have to even think about it.
Thugs and other low lifes exist, and have always been around. And this is in spite of all the good efforts extended throughout history to reduce the numbers in terms of a percentage of population.
Most thugery is human based. All cultures and races seem to suffer from their thugs.
Now some human efforts to improve things have made this thugery problem worse, it seems by observation.
We USA humans have lost a lot of old time skills that might still help in our near future. We have not lost our humanity, though. My guess is the skills we have lost are more for our convenience; and of course, food, shelter, and clothing.
Just because you are born a male, doesn't mean you know how to drive a tractor, use a chain saw, or work on mechanical things like an engine or plumbing. Somebody still has to teach you, and most schools don't teach these kind of things. And why do many think females are born knowing how to cook?
Boys and girls are different. If predicting the weather is tough, try predicting how a fellow human of the opposite sex will act.
The old fashioned societal concept of shame has changed. Girl's having a child out of wedlock is no longer embarrassing. Like it or not, girls are still in charge of birth control in the new world USA.
The idea of it takes a village to raise a child is silly. Most adults appreciate having a mom and dad at home, as periodically painful as it probably was and is from both sides.
We humans need governments at all levels for traditional reasons, like our self-defense ( I even have a child at West Point right now); and the basics again, like food, shelter, and clothing. And this idea is at all levels, federal, state, county, city, and school board. I would add local government things like police (protection from our thugs), fire, clean water, and waste water things as a big deal that most will have as a consideration when they vote.
Last, and to reinforce what things are wherever you live, one will have to "work" just to do what you think is important. Often your Family will come into play. Go for it I would say, but also don't be surprised by the unexpected outcomes.
To many, I think, the idea of "work" sounds just like it is in the new world USA.
There are many truly poor, and then there those who filch off of the government programs.
A trip to the local big flea market shows a lot of obese, tattooed, and pierced people with a lot of kids, and new vehicles to boot.
I would rather have too many lawyers than a government that does not follow the rule of law.
Why do we humans generalize so much? I always resent being categorized by someone I don't even know.
Am I having puppies stolen or do they just otherwise disappear?
Why won't my postman walk the last 20 yards to my house (from his USPS car), while the maid, and UPS and FedEx people do the same? The postmaster suggests there are union rules involved. My having a heart attack doesn't count, it is suggested.
The population is growing, so why do governments not expand our police protection, to include the amount of police, jails and courts?
I bothers me when politicians and appointed bureaucrats announce what laws they will and won't enforce. I still believe our legislatures and our votes decide what laws we want to have. And if it turns out we have a crummy law, then it is the legislature's job to improve it, or get rid of it. If necessary, then the people change the politicians and the legislatures. Now this does take time.
Most of the things that affect my quality of life are more local than federal. And so the votes will go, also. And the emphasis will go more towards the basic responsibilities of governments when not all good ideas can be funded.
Such are the present observations and thoughts from this new world USA person on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee.
There is usually only one real reason, and many good reasons. Trying to figure out the real reason can be tough.
Advancing an argument with a degree of truth is much tougher to respond to than an outright lie.
Everyone is an expert on everything, from being an arm-chair general to a financial advisor to a earth science expert. Hence trust your own advice and counsel, too. And it sure is easier to give advice than follow your own advise.
Defrosting an old fashioned GE refrigerator (1928 I think) is easy, if you know how to do it. The design is pretty much like an icebox with a compressor substituted for the ice box on top.
Some people are speculators, some people are investors.
Life has more elements of a high school clique than most want to forget.
As bad as life seems here, the USA is still a good new world USA place to live and raise a family. Just try the alternatives.
The old fashioned ideas of food, shelter, and clothing are timeless. In the same vein, it is kinda embarrassing if we have to even think about it.
Thugs and other low lifes exist, and have always been around. And this is in spite of all the good efforts extended throughout history to reduce the numbers in terms of a percentage of population.
Most thugery is human based. All cultures and races seem to suffer from their thugs.
Now some human efforts to improve things have made this thugery problem worse, it seems by observation.
We USA humans have lost a lot of old time skills that might still help in our near future. We have not lost our humanity, though. My guess is the skills we have lost are more for our convenience; and of course, food, shelter, and clothing.
Just because you are born a male, doesn't mean you know how to drive a tractor, use a chain saw, or work on mechanical things like an engine or plumbing. Somebody still has to teach you, and most schools don't teach these kind of things. And why do many think females are born knowing how to cook?
Boys and girls are different. If predicting the weather is tough, try predicting how a fellow human of the opposite sex will act.
The old fashioned societal concept of shame has changed. Girl's having a child out of wedlock is no longer embarrassing. Like it or not, girls are still in charge of birth control in the new world USA.
The idea of it takes a village to raise a child is silly. Most adults appreciate having a mom and dad at home, as periodically painful as it probably was and is from both sides.
We humans need governments at all levels for traditional reasons, like our self-defense ( I even have a child at West Point right now); and the basics again, like food, shelter, and clothing. And this idea is at all levels, federal, state, county, city, and school board. I would add local government things like police (protection from our thugs), fire, clean water, and waste water things as a big deal that most will have as a consideration when they vote.
Last, and to reinforce what things are wherever you live, one will have to "work" just to do what you think is important. Often your Family will come into play. Go for it I would say, but also don't be surprised by the unexpected outcomes.
To many, I think, the idea of "work" sounds just like it is in the new world USA.
There are many truly poor, and then there those who filch off of the government programs.
A trip to the local big flea market shows a lot of obese, tattooed, and pierced people with a lot of kids, and new vehicles to boot.
I would rather have too many lawyers than a government that does not follow the rule of law.
Why do we humans generalize so much? I always resent being categorized by someone I don't even know.
Am I having puppies stolen or do they just otherwise disappear?
Why won't my postman walk the last 20 yards to my house (from his USPS car), while the maid, and UPS and FedEx people do the same? The postmaster suggests there are union rules involved. My having a heart attack doesn't count, it is suggested.
The population is growing, so why do governments not expand our police protection, to include the amount of police, jails and courts?
I bothers me when politicians and appointed bureaucrats announce what laws they will and won't enforce. I still believe our legislatures and our votes decide what laws we want to have. And if it turns out we have a crummy law, then it is the legislature's job to improve it, or get rid of it. If necessary, then the people change the politicians and the legislatures. Now this does take time.
Most of the things that affect my quality of life are more local than federal. And so the votes will go, also. And the emphasis will go more towards the basic responsibilities of governments when not all good ideas can be funded.
Such are the present observations and thoughts from this new world USA person on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee.
Monday, August 15, 2011
I can live with the outcome
Mostly because I have to. This is what change is all about...and often the unexpected consequences.
Here in the new world USA the conventional wisdom is probably right. The two National Parties of the last century will try to go on, and any effort to "change" things may split the Republican vote, and allow a Democrat to have undo influence, like get elected. So be it for the time in the near term, like until the next election.
Change does take time, and the aforementioned is one example.
Another obvious example that upsets so many is that many of the "outs" during the change period will simply draw a retirement. So be it. But even these people will get old and die, and hence lose their retirement check. This example is just another example of why change takes time.
Of course those in a hurry might opt for the revolution method, which is certainly satisfying to the leaders, though in the long human run takes about as long to effect its ideas, again in my opinion.
So for the short term thinkers, go for it, and you may be satisfied during your time in power.
For the long term thinkers, settle back and advance at the snail's pace you might observe or think, as frustrating at it is. But for sure change is coming, and actually has already begun.
Anyway, I can live with the outcome, which is obvious and predictable; that is change will creep along. Though still today, the method and timing are not predictable, though many may try, mostly in their short term way of thinking.
My idea and vote is still to go for the future you think is best, and then live with the consequences, which will probably be middling to many.
And hope you live long enough to influence the action where you live, or even get wiser in the same time.
Mostly because I have to. This is what change is all about...and often the unexpected consequences.
Here in the new world USA the conventional wisdom is probably right. The two National Parties of the last century will try to go on, and any effort to "change" things may split the Republican vote, and allow a Democrat to have undo influence, like get elected. So be it for the time in the near term, like until the next election.
Change does take time, and the aforementioned is one example.
Another obvious example that upsets so many is that many of the "outs" during the change period will simply draw a retirement. So be it. But even these people will get old and die, and hence lose their retirement check. This example is just another example of why change takes time.
Of course those in a hurry might opt for the revolution method, which is certainly satisfying to the leaders, though in the long human run takes about as long to effect its ideas, again in my opinion.
So for the short term thinkers, go for it, and you may be satisfied during your time in power.
For the long term thinkers, settle back and advance at the snail's pace you might observe or think, as frustrating at it is. But for sure change is coming, and actually has already begun.
Anyway, I can live with the outcome, which is obvious and predictable; that is change will creep along. Though still today, the method and timing are not predictable, though many may try, mostly in their short term way of thinking.
My idea and vote is still to go for the future you think is best, and then live with the consequences, which will probably be middling to many.
And hope you live long enough to influence the action where you live, or even get wiser in the same time.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
I wish I had another choice
The first time I heard this expression was during the USA federal Presidential election in 2008. Back then we had two choices selected by the two USA National Parties.
Even my older brother, who I think is a savvy investor type person, asked me years ago what I thought. Even back in 2009 I predicted the rise of a third party, i.e., Americans wanted more choices than the two national parties provided. And to me, even the 2008 elections were about change, and change does take time in America, like about a decade.
In that time many political dinosaurs will go away. They may not be able to see change coming, or will resist it to the best of their ability. They are used to the status quo they grew up with, I guess. If you buy this idea, then it probably applies to all levels, from federal down to school boards.
I myself count on it, but that is just my opinion. In the inverse, if the two national parties fight back successfully, then that will postpone the inevitable American people's domination about what they and their families futures are here in the new world USA.
Yep the times they are a changin'. And you get to make it happen, wherever you live.
The first time I heard this expression was during the USA federal Presidential election in 2008. Back then we had two choices selected by the two USA National Parties.
Even my older brother, who I think is a savvy investor type person, asked me years ago what I thought. Even back in 2009 I predicted the rise of a third party, i.e., Americans wanted more choices than the two national parties provided. And to me, even the 2008 elections were about change, and change does take time in America, like about a decade.
In that time many political dinosaurs will go away. They may not be able to see change coming, or will resist it to the best of their ability. They are used to the status quo they grew up with, I guess. If you buy this idea, then it probably applies to all levels, from federal down to school boards.
I myself count on it, but that is just my opinion. In the inverse, if the two national parties fight back successfully, then that will postpone the inevitable American people's domination about what they and their families futures are here in the new world USA.
Yep the times they are a changin'. And you get to make it happen, wherever you live.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Mrs. Ravioli comes to visit her son, Anthony, for dinner. He lives with a female roommate, Maria.
During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty Anthony's roommate is. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Anthony and his roommate than met the eye.
Reading his mom's thoughts, Anthony volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Maria and I are just roommates.''
About a week later, Maria came to Anthony saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver
sugar bowl. You don't suppose she took it, do you?"
"Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure." So he sat down and wrote an email:
Dear mama,
I'm not saying that you "did" take the sugar bowl from my house; I'm not saying that you "did not" take it. But the fact remains
that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love, Anthony
Several days later, Anthony received a response email from his Mama which read:
Dear son,
I'm not saying that you "do" sleep with Maria, and I'm not saying that you "do not" sleep with her.
But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the sugar bowl by now.
Love, Mama
Moral: Never lie to your mama .
During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty Anthony's roommate is. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between Anthony and his roommate than met the eye.
Reading his mom's thoughts, Anthony volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, Maria and I are just roommates.''
About a week later, Maria came to Anthony saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver
sugar bowl. You don't suppose she took it, do you?"
"Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure." So he sat down and wrote an email:
Dear mama,
I'm not saying that you "did" take the sugar bowl from my house; I'm not saying that you "did not" take it. But the fact remains
that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love, Anthony
Several days later, Anthony received a response email from his Mama which read:
Dear son,
I'm not saying that you "do" sleep with Maria, and I'm not saying that you "do not" sleep with her.
But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the sugar bowl by now.
Love, Mama
Moral: Never lie to your mama .
Present day thoughts from rural America
I am beginning to think, really realize, a whole lot of Americans are thinking this way. Here's tidbits.
A wife recently approached me, an old male ex-Marine, about what do I think. She expressed concern about our future, and even she and her husband, a doctor, assumed things would get worse, and that they would have to defend themselves from raiding of their place by the riff raff who will come when they run out of their "low hanging fruit".
I am even making my own electricity (using gravity and spring water, which I have) anticipating when public electricity runs out. I won't live high on the hog, but will still be able to power my refrigerator/freezer, a couple of interior lights so I don't have to live like Abraham Lincoln, and one security light so I can take better aim at trespassers. I even have begun to put the word out that I am still a good aim, but sometimes I "can miss" since I don't want to really hurt somebody. You should have seen the eyes of probable riff raff look like saucers when I told this story. I assume they will talk and spread the word.
And last, as I even mentioned to the "wife" mentioned earlier, I assumed that public electricity would come back, but urban areas would get priority, so in the rural area where I live, I expect to go a year or more without public electricity. That's what I would do if I were in charge. After all, one does have to have priorities.
Imagine life without public electricity for an extended period of time. For example, gas stations can't pump gas without electric pumps, or grocery stores will fail for their perishable products. When my gas chain saw runs out, then I will have to cut wood the old fashioned way.
I have already enured myself to having to accept lower standards than I have become accustomed to. For example, I will have to use acorn flour vice grocery store food eventually. But in the same vein, I will still have wood floors and flush toilets, and my own independent water and waste water systems.
And I don't think of myself as a survivalist, either. Rather, I think I am just trying to anticipate, plan ahead if you will, if things turn south.
Let me say it another way. We humans will survive, though our standards will change. And many who cannot or do not want to change, will die early. Said in even another way, if all this dooms day kind of worry comes to pass, the new world USA is not a bad place to be.
In the near term future, like the next two or three years, I worry the most violent change will occur.
For example, I expect a lifetime of work, sacrifice, and savings will go down the tubes. I have even told one of my financial advisors I expect my own wealth to decrease by half. He assured me otherwise, by the way and a while back. He is young enough to have not lived through inflation of our money and expenses, though I am old enough to have lived through this period, which I did not like. Mostly it was the impact on my Family.
Just imagine if it you costs you and your Family more to be warm and fed for the same thing. In the meantime, your pay does not go up. That is one definition of inflation. Like the title says, this is a present day thought from rural America.
So now I wonder, think if you will, just what kind of change is going to happen in my near future. As a start I have government bought food in cans in my barn from my last charity failure, still sitting there and paid for by tax payers. Now I wonder when he, a 40 year old male with good skills who just simply does not want to work (but still got the aforementioned food), and has lived OK in his lifetime, suddenly has to change his style. Well in my mind the similarly low life women who also provide him sex, will be the types of riff raff who I have to defend from.
Last, and against all the animal rights and PETA stuff over the last decades, I still have yard dogs. They provide me and this place better biological alarms than modern day wireless infrared detector stuff which I also use. What really upsets me is what happened to last litter, when all three golden puppies disappeared at the same time. That occurrence gave me a hint that maybe thieving is still going in today's times. Plus the surviving dogs do seem happy, as I imagine dogs might think.
So what is the local rural idea today. Mostly it is just to influence future things in your way and where you live, be it the vote, or Lord helps us, a revolution.
I am beginning to think, really realize, a whole lot of Americans are thinking this way. Here's tidbits.
A wife recently approached me, an old male ex-Marine, about what do I think. She expressed concern about our future, and even she and her husband, a doctor, assumed things would get worse, and that they would have to defend themselves from raiding of their place by the riff raff who will come when they run out of their "low hanging fruit".
I am even making my own electricity (using gravity and spring water, which I have) anticipating when public electricity runs out. I won't live high on the hog, but will still be able to power my refrigerator/freezer, a couple of interior lights so I don't have to live like Abraham Lincoln, and one security light so I can take better aim at trespassers. I even have begun to put the word out that I am still a good aim, but sometimes I "can miss" since I don't want to really hurt somebody. You should have seen the eyes of probable riff raff look like saucers when I told this story. I assume they will talk and spread the word.
And last, as I even mentioned to the "wife" mentioned earlier, I assumed that public electricity would come back, but urban areas would get priority, so in the rural area where I live, I expect to go a year or more without public electricity. That's what I would do if I were in charge. After all, one does have to have priorities.
Imagine life without public electricity for an extended period of time. For example, gas stations can't pump gas without electric pumps, or grocery stores will fail for their perishable products. When my gas chain saw runs out, then I will have to cut wood the old fashioned way.
I have already enured myself to having to accept lower standards than I have become accustomed to. For example, I will have to use acorn flour vice grocery store food eventually. But in the same vein, I will still have wood floors and flush toilets, and my own independent water and waste water systems.
And I don't think of myself as a survivalist, either. Rather, I think I am just trying to anticipate, plan ahead if you will, if things turn south.
Let me say it another way. We humans will survive, though our standards will change. And many who cannot or do not want to change, will die early. Said in even another way, if all this dooms day kind of worry comes to pass, the new world USA is not a bad place to be.
In the near term future, like the next two or three years, I worry the most violent change will occur.
For example, I expect a lifetime of work, sacrifice, and savings will go down the tubes. I have even told one of my financial advisors I expect my own wealth to decrease by half. He assured me otherwise, by the way and a while back. He is young enough to have not lived through inflation of our money and expenses, though I am old enough to have lived through this period, which I did not like. Mostly it was the impact on my Family.
Just imagine if it you costs you and your Family more to be warm and fed for the same thing. In the meantime, your pay does not go up. That is one definition of inflation. Like the title says, this is a present day thought from rural America.
So now I wonder, think if you will, just what kind of change is going to happen in my near future. As a start I have government bought food in cans in my barn from my last charity failure, still sitting there and paid for by tax payers. Now I wonder when he, a 40 year old male with good skills who just simply does not want to work (but still got the aforementioned food), and has lived OK in his lifetime, suddenly has to change his style. Well in my mind the similarly low life women who also provide him sex, will be the types of riff raff who I have to defend from.
Last, and against all the animal rights and PETA stuff over the last decades, I still have yard dogs. They provide me and this place better biological alarms than modern day wireless infrared detector stuff which I also use. What really upsets me is what happened to last litter, when all three golden puppies disappeared at the same time. That occurrence gave me a hint that maybe thieving is still going in today's times. Plus the surviving dogs do seem happy, as I imagine dogs might think.
So what is the local rural idea today. Mostly it is just to influence future things in your way and where you live, be it the vote, or Lord helps us, a revolution.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Order versus chaos
I've been thinking this for decades, and now offer my opinion about our future courses of action. Like many, I have been quiet for a long time.
First it will get worse before it gets better, and then it will get better, like in ten or twenty years. The reason I think it will get better is because we
humans want it to, and will sort it out to our advantage, both foreign and domestic.
Now to put things in perspective, I think of myself as an investor, vice a speculator. Take this idea into your account, too. I also have time in the Marines, so I think I understand why any country has a military, and the underlying human instincts of our political leaders. One old time expression is that war is just politics by another means has some validity, at least to me.
So why do I think it will get worse before it gets better, which it will, I believe.
Others have already predicted this idea, but I expect regional wars to erupt, like Iran nuking Israel. Maybe there will just be other escalations, like the whole region going nuclear. And then there are ideas about civil wars, like in China when the bubble there bursts, and when it goes nuclear and the probable downwind contamination occurs in Japan and even Hawaii, what are we to do? One old time expression bothers me. It goes, for lack of knowing what to do, we do what we know.
Three thoughts.
Hopefully where ever you live in the world, we have future leaders who do the best they can, mostly in policy kind of things that help the situation. Along the way, I sure hope they also help our progeny, like our kids, since they are our future.
My expectation is introducing order, not chaos. After all we humans do have a minority of our population who are criminals, thugs, and just anarchists. And like normal, one cannot tell people what to think, but we can sure dictate behavior. Hence some of these people just need to be shot, like go away. After all, I have a family to protect, too.
Last thought. Where ever you live, the status quo of the past is going to change, mostly because of the past performance of our politicians. If that is the case, then I encourage all, whether they live in Sri Lanka, or Romania, or Nebraska in the USA, to be more like investors than speculators when you do change the status quo in your way.
My encouragement is to go with order versus chaos, as difficult as it might be in promoting your family's future.
And I think it will take years, really decades. But one has to start somewhere and sometime.
I've been thinking this for decades, and now offer my opinion about our future courses of action. Like many, I have been quiet for a long time.
First it will get worse before it gets better, and then it will get better, like in ten or twenty years. The reason I think it will get better is because we
humans want it to, and will sort it out to our advantage, both foreign and domestic.
Now to put things in perspective, I think of myself as an investor, vice a speculator. Take this idea into your account, too. I also have time in the Marines, so I think I understand why any country has a military, and the underlying human instincts of our political leaders. One old time expression is that war is just politics by another means has some validity, at least to me.
So why do I think it will get worse before it gets better, which it will, I believe.
Others have already predicted this idea, but I expect regional wars to erupt, like Iran nuking Israel. Maybe there will just be other escalations, like the whole region going nuclear. And then there are ideas about civil wars, like in China when the bubble there bursts, and when it goes nuclear and the probable downwind contamination occurs in Japan and even Hawaii, what are we to do? One old time expression bothers me. It goes, for lack of knowing what to do, we do what we know.
Three thoughts.
Hopefully where ever you live in the world, we have future leaders who do the best they can, mostly in policy kind of things that help the situation. Along the way, I sure hope they also help our progeny, like our kids, since they are our future.
My expectation is introducing order, not chaos. After all we humans do have a minority of our population who are criminals, thugs, and just anarchists. And like normal, one cannot tell people what to think, but we can sure dictate behavior. Hence some of these people just need to be shot, like go away. After all, I have a family to protect, too.
Last thought. Where ever you live, the status quo of the past is going to change, mostly because of the past performance of our politicians. If that is the case, then I encourage all, whether they live in Sri Lanka, or Romania, or Nebraska in the USA, to be more like investors than speculators when you do change the status quo in your way.
My encouragement is to go with order versus chaos, as difficult as it might be in promoting your family's future.
And I think it will take years, really decades. But one has to start somewhere and sometime.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Balancing one person's smarts comes into question
Said another way, one does not have to be smart to be a leader. More likely traits like perseverance and hard work count, too. Even recognizing this is a big deal to me, and I speak of the leaders we either elect or they appoint.
Even back during the Vietnam War, our President appointed a West Point Army General to lead our war effort in Vietnam. Well look what happened, and make up your own mind if you like the results. And he was a sharp good looking and well dressed person, to boot.
Now I wonder just how do American elected officials at all levels (federal, state, county, city, and school board) sort things out, like they have always done in the last decades. Mostly I think in my election decisions do they want to rule the world, or just my little place where I live? And what if a fellow who still gets county money for his food (which I pay for in the end) causes my local firefighters or police to provide me less service that truly does affect my life?
Well this kind of thinking does truly affect how one votes in American these days. Now if we lose our ability to vote, then it is time to revolt, however you choose how to do it where you live.
But in the meantime, being smart or dumb doesn't count much, to me.
What does count is principles, and knowledge of them, and willingness to do one's best to enforce them. The old days of propaganda, now called spin, and even speeches, is passé.
Now that idea doesn't take much education or smarts, but it does take one's idea of the way things ought to sort out, for all interests of course.
My guess is the USA World is changing, and I encourage everyone to vote, and let it sort out. And it will not take necessarily smart people to rule in the future, but for sure being an honest and hard working leader is a good start.
Said another way, one does not have to be smart to be a leader. More likely traits like perseverance and hard work count, too. Even recognizing this is a big deal to me, and I speak of the leaders we either elect or they appoint.
Even back during the Vietnam War, our President appointed a West Point Army General to lead our war effort in Vietnam. Well look what happened, and make up your own mind if you like the results. And he was a sharp good looking and well dressed person, to boot.
Now I wonder just how do American elected officials at all levels (federal, state, county, city, and school board) sort things out, like they have always done in the last decades. Mostly I think in my election decisions do they want to rule the world, or just my little place where I live? And what if a fellow who still gets county money for his food (which I pay for in the end) causes my local firefighters or police to provide me less service that truly does affect my life?
Well this kind of thinking does truly affect how one votes in American these days. Now if we lose our ability to vote, then it is time to revolt, however you choose how to do it where you live.
But in the meantime, being smart or dumb doesn't count much, to me.
What does count is principles, and knowledge of them, and willingness to do one's best to enforce them. The old days of propaganda, now called spin, and even speeches, is passé.
Now that idea doesn't take much education or smarts, but it does take one's idea of the way things ought to sort out, for all interests of course.
My guess is the USA World is changing, and I encourage everyone to vote, and let it sort out. And it will not take necessarily smart people to rule in the future, but for sure being an honest and hard working leader is a good start.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Whites Ferry Landing
First here one a link to read about it: http://www.howderfamily.com/travel/maryland/whites_ferry.html
And then there is nostalgia, which old people like me think about ( I am age 63 and have been there a lot). My nostalgia includes bike trips down the C&O canal towpath, back when it was pretty rough to me, a 10th grader on an Explorer Post trip (did it twice, like 184.5 miles). I learned a lot, including ideas like tow path trance that even came in handy decades later in Saudi Arabia. Even back then I learned other things that also helped me later.
Even more recently than the 1960's, back in the mid 1980's, I met a fellow who had paddled by canoe with his brother the whole way from the South Platte River (near Denver as I recall), unto the Missouri River where they learned to dodge river barges that sucked up the river when they were paddling, and then onto the Mississippi River and down to New Orleans. Well, I was impressed, and we shared stories, and it was all around Whites Ferry Landing. Back then I was leading a Scout Troop from Harpers Ferry down to Georgetown. They were pretty much in canoes.
Even back then (in the 1960's it was roughly about 100 years from the USA Civil War). I even learned the names of Battles, depending on one's heritage. Simply said the northern tradition is to name about a creek, like Antietam, and the southern tradition is to name it after the local town, like Sharpsburg. Even I went to local commercial museums back then to find out there were still body parts being uncovered (then called preserved or petrified). I was grossed out, but that is just my personality. So we biked back to the campground about 5 miles away, and the rest of trip to D.C. proceeded later.
So what is my point? Mostly it is remind all that other Americans have been around, too.
First here one a link to read about it: http://www.howderfamily.com/travel/maryland/whites_ferry.html
And then there is nostalgia, which old people like me think about ( I am age 63 and have been there a lot). My nostalgia includes bike trips down the C&O canal towpath, back when it was pretty rough to me, a 10th grader on an Explorer Post trip (did it twice, like 184.5 miles). I learned a lot, including ideas like tow path trance that even came in handy decades later in Saudi Arabia. Even back then I learned other things that also helped me later.
Even more recently than the 1960's, back in the mid 1980's, I met a fellow who had paddled by canoe with his brother the whole way from the South Platte River (near Denver as I recall), unto the Missouri River where they learned to dodge river barges that sucked up the river when they were paddling, and then onto the Mississippi River and down to New Orleans. Well, I was impressed, and we shared stories, and it was all around Whites Ferry Landing. Back then I was leading a Scout Troop from Harpers Ferry down to Georgetown. They were pretty much in canoes.
Even back then (in the 1960's it was roughly about 100 years from the USA Civil War). I even learned the names of Battles, depending on one's heritage. Simply said the northern tradition is to name about a creek, like Antietam, and the southern tradition is to name it after the local town, like Sharpsburg. Even I went to local commercial museums back then to find out there were still body parts being uncovered (then called preserved or petrified). I was grossed out, but that is just my personality. So we biked back to the campground about 5 miles away, and the rest of trip to D.C. proceeded later.
So what is my point? Mostly it is remind all that other Americans have been around, too.
Sunday, August 07, 2011
I do not want to be a serf
I enjoy my public electricity, and my internet stuff, and going to the grocery store for my food. Our local governments and fellow Americans do a good job at providing these services. So I guess that makes me weird these days since I know it does not happen by itself. I even like being warm in the winter, and even I wear long johns inside my house to boot. Of course I do try to keep the temperature for the pipes above freezing, just to keep them from bursting if they freeze. I use a combination of wood stoves (and I cut and stack fallen wood), and public electricity. That makes me living like a deployed soldier and Marine, like many Americans do. Yet I am living in east Tennessee. Like I said I don't want to be a serf.
Now what does it take these days to be an environmentalist? Mostly my observation is just to hang out a sign saying that is what I am and care about. Even lawyers get involved, and hire lobbyists to boot on their noble effort. How all this gets financed is still beyond me. But land owners like me also believe I can be a good steward of the land, without any coercion, to boot. Not that I am idealistic, mostly it just makes me happy if I do good for myself and the land, and make some money to boot to help pay my energy bills and my taxes for the foreseeable 50 year future. Like I said, I just want to be a good steward of the land I live on, about a square mile by the way.
So what is going to happen to people like me. Right now I do not know. I have already worse cased things, and am pretty sure I can survive, kinda like a serf.
But I choose not to be a serf.
There are better courses of action.
I enjoy my public electricity, and my internet stuff, and going to the grocery store for my food. Our local governments and fellow Americans do a good job at providing these services. So I guess that makes me weird these days since I know it does not happen by itself. I even like being warm in the winter, and even I wear long johns inside my house to boot. Of course I do try to keep the temperature for the pipes above freezing, just to keep them from bursting if they freeze. I use a combination of wood stoves (and I cut and stack fallen wood), and public electricity. That makes me living like a deployed soldier and Marine, like many Americans do. Yet I am living in east Tennessee. Like I said I don't want to be a serf.
Now what does it take these days to be an environmentalist? Mostly my observation is just to hang out a sign saying that is what I am and care about. Even lawyers get involved, and hire lobbyists to boot on their noble effort. How all this gets financed is still beyond me. But land owners like me also believe I can be a good steward of the land, without any coercion, to boot. Not that I am idealistic, mostly it just makes me happy if I do good for myself and the land, and make some money to boot to help pay my energy bills and my taxes for the foreseeable 50 year future. Like I said, I just want to be a good steward of the land I live on, about a square mile by the way.
So what is going to happen to people like me. Right now I do not know. I have already worse cased things, and am pretty sure I can survive, kinda like a serf.
But I choose not to be a serf.
There are better courses of action.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Conflicts of interest
I was motivated today to hear this idea is still alive and well.
At the local girls camp where my kid goes this summer, mothers are not allowed to go camping with their daughters. For obvious reasons I would say. Such was the report I got today.
Even three decades ago, as a federal purchasing person, I had to sign an annual statement that I understood what a conflict of interest was, and would avoid it.
Even back then we all took oaths, and actually applied them.
Words mean things, and still do.
And a conflict of interest was against the best interests of our Country. Business is business, one can think and say, especially when in a position to look out for the best interests of our Country, or even in the case of the local girl's camp; growing our young daughters compared to their Family influence most of the year. I suspect most Mom's and Dad's will be surprised when their kid is not in their making.
Now I also accept that elected politicians, and those who even run for elected office, go through this moral dilemma, too.
But my vote will be influenced by what I think is their moral turpitude. So be it. And there are many I think who think this way, too.
I was motivated today to hear this idea is still alive and well.
At the local girls camp where my kid goes this summer, mothers are not allowed to go camping with their daughters. For obvious reasons I would say. Such was the report I got today.
Even three decades ago, as a federal purchasing person, I had to sign an annual statement that I understood what a conflict of interest was, and would avoid it.
Even back then we all took oaths, and actually applied them.
Words mean things, and still do.
And a conflict of interest was against the best interests of our Country. Business is business, one can think and say, especially when in a position to look out for the best interests of our Country, or even in the case of the local girl's camp; growing our young daughters compared to their Family influence most of the year. I suspect most Mom's and Dad's will be surprised when their kid is not in their making.
Now I also accept that elected politicians, and those who even run for elected office, go through this moral dilemma, too.
But my vote will be influenced by what I think is their moral turpitude. So be it. And there are many I think who think this way, too.
Friday, August 05, 2011
Quid pro quo
Just copying from some emails today.
The subject, to me, is about the future of our country.
Here's the two posts.
Do you think it's possible to have a limited government and also meet the needs of minorities, environmental issues, and social services along with as much socioeconomic equality as possible?
Quick answer...of course.
Let me expand on one of your subjects, the needs of minorities, just to provide an example.
I used to teach at Atlanta University for three years, and truly believe in the diamond in the rough idea. The key idea is “harvesting diamonds”. But decades ago even the USMC had dual standards for qualifying, and the result was more minorities that could not compete with their peers, and got real frustrated, and bitter to boot. They told me as much, since I can connect. Now even I assumed they had been screwed in education because of their race. But in the same vein, all I wanted to do was defend the USA. On another occasion a Morris Brown college graduate (Morris Brown is part of the Atlanta University Complex) failed the ASVAB test to be a private in the Marines. Well I coached him on how to cheat the test, and you know what, he failed on the second test, too (there was a six month wait between tests). And he ended up crying in my office. I took it as an example of the college ripping off his parents as one consequence, and he was a bitter young man.
Later the USMC went back to one standard, and that worked better in the short term, the medium term, and the long term I think (since the long term is still happening around us).
One more thought. Why is government even involved in ideas like socioeconomic equality? You and I have one common knowledge of a person who filches off of the poor, in my opinion. His name is Adam Henry. I think there are better ways to help him, like keep him from starving and forcing him to work at minimum labor rates. And I don’t think the government is the best way to do this. There are alternatives I prefer. I even have some of government provided food saved as cans for when he ever comes back here.
Last I was already thinking about all this in composing my often daily post to my blog about my beliefs, based on my observing history as a history nut.
When things change, like the various future governments run out of money, and priorities change, then it might be a good time to review all this. What I predict for the next 10 to 15 years is that the various government services (school board, city, county, state, and federal) will have impacts that the voters, or revolters if it comes to that (I hope not) will make the changes. For one example, schooling our kids. To me the 3R’s are more important than teaching social theories, given that there is only so much time in the day, and school year. And I have lived other places that think this way, and even kids wear uniforms in public schools, which are 5 and 1/2 days a week to boot.
So nothing personal, but your exposure is somewhat limited, both in age, experience, and where you have lived.
Just copying from some emails today.
The subject, to me, is about the future of our country.
Here's the two posts.
Do you think it's possible to have a limited government and also meet the needs of minorities, environmental issues, and social services along with as much socioeconomic equality as possible?
Quick answer...of course.
Let me expand on one of your subjects, the needs of minorities, just to provide an example.
I used to teach at Atlanta University for three years, and truly believe in the diamond in the rough idea. The key idea is “harvesting diamonds”. But decades ago even the USMC had dual standards for qualifying, and the result was more minorities that could not compete with their peers, and got real frustrated, and bitter to boot. They told me as much, since I can connect. Now even I assumed they had been screwed in education because of their race. But in the same vein, all I wanted to do was defend the USA. On another occasion a Morris Brown college graduate (Morris Brown is part of the Atlanta University Complex) failed the ASVAB test to be a private in the Marines. Well I coached him on how to cheat the test, and you know what, he failed on the second test, too (there was a six month wait between tests). And he ended up crying in my office. I took it as an example of the college ripping off his parents as one consequence, and he was a bitter young man.
Later the USMC went back to one standard, and that worked better in the short term, the medium term, and the long term I think (since the long term is still happening around us).
One more thought. Why is government even involved in ideas like socioeconomic equality? You and I have one common knowledge of a person who filches off of the poor, in my opinion. His name is Adam Henry. I think there are better ways to help him, like keep him from starving and forcing him to work at minimum labor rates. And I don’t think the government is the best way to do this. There are alternatives I prefer. I even have some of government provided food saved as cans for when he ever comes back here.
Last I was already thinking about all this in composing my often daily post to my blog about my beliefs, based on my observing history as a history nut.
When things change, like the various future governments run out of money, and priorities change, then it might be a good time to review all this. What I predict for the next 10 to 15 years is that the various government services (school board, city, county, state, and federal) will have impacts that the voters, or revolters if it comes to that (I hope not) will make the changes. For one example, schooling our kids. To me the 3R’s are more important than teaching social theories, given that there is only so much time in the day, and school year. And I have lived other places that think this way, and even kids wear uniforms in public schools, which are 5 and 1/2 days a week to boot.
So nothing personal, but your exposure is somewhat limited, both in age, experience, and where you have lived.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Welcome to our future, and the coming changes
Imagine this. Inflation kicks in in a year or two, and we cannot borrow enough money to finance our various debts. Inflation has happened even in my lifetime, so it can happen again. Then we may have to live within our means, like our tax collections, which are considerable. In the meantime we have a lightweight President who has hired fellow lightweights to advise him.
Now I worry about the consequences for our future, and what they might do.
I have often thought our present President is not too smart, in spite of all the prognostications otherwise. There are plenty of reasons to think this, but I add in why does his position seem to change a lot? One good guess is that he is responding to the latest brief he got. But I really don't know, of course. It appears to me he is a classical case of affirmative action gone bad.
In the same vein, are his lightweight advisors trying to take advantage of him, and impose their own will or ideas about what is best for the USA?
Even more I fear if we have serious national problems, or international problems. What will this lightweight President and his hired minions do?
So I am now into "fears", like letting my imagination take hold. I normally do not do this, since it is mostly a waste of time.
But these days I do worry about our future, and the possibility that many humans may die because of what is going on these days. Actions have consequences, as they say.
For example, and to conclude, what do you think our President and his hired minions will do if North Korea launches a nuclear armed Musudan ballistic missile onto Guam?
Imagine this. Inflation kicks in in a year or two, and we cannot borrow enough money to finance our various debts. Inflation has happened even in my lifetime, so it can happen again. Then we may have to live within our means, like our tax collections, which are considerable. In the meantime we have a lightweight President who has hired fellow lightweights to advise him.
Now I worry about the consequences for our future, and what they might do.
I have often thought our present President is not too smart, in spite of all the prognostications otherwise. There are plenty of reasons to think this, but I add in why does his position seem to change a lot? One good guess is that he is responding to the latest brief he got. But I really don't know, of course. It appears to me he is a classical case of affirmative action gone bad.
In the same vein, are his lightweight advisors trying to take advantage of him, and impose their own will or ideas about what is best for the USA?
Even more I fear if we have serious national problems, or international problems. What will this lightweight President and his hired minions do?
So I am now into "fears", like letting my imagination take hold. I normally do not do this, since it is mostly a waste of time.
But these days I do worry about our future, and the possibility that many humans may die because of what is going on these days. Actions have consequences, as they say.
For example, and to conclude, what do you think our President and his hired minions will do if North Korea launches a nuclear armed Musudan ballistic missile onto Guam?
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