Category: General

Posted on

A really nice morning in the mountains.

IMG 0172

Despite the fires burning, more or less in the area… it’s a nice comfortable day.

I’m sitting outside on the deck writing having my morning coffee.

According to the ‘net the Powerhouse fire has greatly increased in size over night and more evacuations have been ordered. I really feel for those people.

It’s no fun having to leave your house not knowing if you’re ever going to see it again. There’s no way to take all your possessions which leaves you trying to choose those items, & mementos that are most important.

I know, I’ve been there…

For me, it’s about grabbing the computer and backups first. Most of my pictures are digital anymore and to loose them would be as devastating as having lost all my negatives in 2008. Most of my books are digital and I can download them again. music is likewise mostly electronic. 

After the house burned, I consciously or subconsciously started making choices that led me to easy replacement of things like that. 

Sitting here typing my yard has been invaded by a covey of quail. Two parents and 4 to 6 chicks. A bunny has also come to the fence line eating tender shoots.  I do enjoy the mountain. 

IMG 0173

Friday night the winds were kicking up enough that we could smell the smoke from the Powerhouse Fire. Last night and this morning we couldn’t. Looking out towards Victorville it’s really hazy.

I had to relocate. The sun was finally clear of the trees and not yet high enough for the umbrella to be effective. I was starting to feel it on my arms & legs. Before I burned I figured I’d best get to some cover.

Yeah, I’m a little random today. Sundays are for randomness and quiet. 

I couldn’t get a camera to take pictures of the critters in the yard. It was funny, as long as I didn’t look at them I could hear that they were going about their business. Rustling in the bushes, cheeps and other sounds. But the moment I turned my head to look at them they all froze.

When I got up to come inside every critter scattered. 

I guess I’ll have to be better prepared tomorrow.

Obviously, I’m purposely ignoring the scandals in Washington, and the Stupidity in Sacramento today. I really don’t want to get worked up.

IMG 0174

I’m planning to handle a SMOG check on my truck this week and then I get to spend a ton of money on registrations for vehicles. OH JOY!

That’s business for tomorrow. My only business today is enjoying the birds in the trees.

I hope your Sunday is as restful and relaxing as mine is.

Posted on

On this Memorial Day…

NewImage

I know that it’s not Veterans Day but I think that we should say thank you to our warriors today nonetheless.

I want to thank my brother for his service. I love you bro, you’re a good man and I know Dad was prouder than shit of you.

To everyone else active duty or not,

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Thank you for believing in We The People.

NewImage

Thank you to my friends & family who are no longer with us for their service. I humbly pray that they rest in peace and are not forgotten. 

John, I miss you, love ya man. Keep the beer cold and the party hot I’ll see you again.

Dad, I miss you and I love you more than I said in life. I think of you often, and god knows I’m trying to be a good example of our family. A little nudge in the right direction from time to time would be appreciated.

NewImage

Grandpa E. You were like the Tanks that you drove in WWII big and rumbling. I didn’t understand you very well, But you loved me and that was all that mattered. 

For all those who have given all that I didn’t personally know.

Thank you for my freedom, my rights, and the thousand little things that I take for granted every single day. I may not know your names but you’re my heros anyway.

Have a very loving Memorial Day.

NewImage

Give a vet a long strong hug. They’re remembering lost friends and need to know they’re loved, respected, appreciated, and that we’re grateful to them.

Posted on

Alright many Liberal Democrats are officially Obscene!

I’ve seen more dumbass tweets and comments lately that directly say Republicans are the cause of everything from Tornadoes in OK to bridge collapses in Washington.

I’ve got news for you people… 

As a Republican I wish I had that kind of power… If the Republicans had that kind of power do you think President Obama would have won the election? Here’s a better question. If Republican had that kind of power… do yo think they’d unleash it on other Republicans? Uh… NO dumbass they’d have destroyed democratic strongholds!

Ok, So stop with the moronic diatribe. 

NewImage

I’m disappointed in, and ashamed of a lot of folks in this country.

In particular I’m ashamed of people who in the midst of a disaster, chose to comment along partisan lines making political points.

Need I remind you that 24 children DIED in Moore OK?

How is this any different from the tragedy of Sandy Hook? Oh yes, one was a tornado the other was an insane guy with guns.

I guess there is a difference… but not to the parents who buried their children.

Where is the wailing and gnashing of teeth? Where is the 24 hour news coverage? Where’s the indignation? Wheres the outrage that a public building wasn’t safe for children to be attending school?

NewImage

Within hours of the tornado touching down there were people making comments publicly on Twitter that implied, or directly said somehow a red state like OK was deserving of a tragedy BECAUSE they were a RED state. 

Worse yet were comments saying that because the Republican party had voted against a bill (apparently loaded with pork) to allocate more money for victims of hurricane Sandy, Oklahoma was somehow Karmic payback. 

Frankly, one dumbass comment I could overlook as someones village idiot getting access to a computer.

However, the torrent of similar comments on Twitter and even being posted on major news sites covering the tornado simply made me want to vomit.

I was offended, sickened, and honestly wanted nothing more than to backhand the lot of these people. Including some people I call friends. I haven’t decided yet If I’ll still call them friends… Time will tell.

NewImage

How the hell do you figure anyone was deserving of a MILE WIDE tornado?

In a disaster there are no Democrats or Republicans, there are just people who have in many cases lost it all. They’re Americans and they’re hurt and their community is in shambles.

The only thing we as Americans should be saying is “How can we help? How do we get them supplies and medical aid?” Costs be damned! Let the accountants figure it out later. 

Glen Beck, whom I don’t listen to… I know he’s a media personality, I know he’s a conservative, I suspect from what I’ve heard him quoted as saying that he & I will probably not agree on too many points… called on his listeners for unloaded 18 wheelers to load up emergency supplies an hour after the tornado touched down.

He used his fame and media connections to start coordinating relief efforts.

He could have been taking pot shots at FEMA. He could have started flinging shit at the Obama administration. I don’t know if he did.

What I do know is that a Tweet that came from him and was retweeted, gaining momentum and that more and more people were saying great idea! How can we help?

That’s what Americans are supposed to do. 

Political posturing, grandstanding, and bullshit are supposed to evaporate when it comes time for us to pull together.

Maybe we All should remember that.

I’d suggest that the Ultra Liberal Democrats take note…

I’m a Republican who’s not pleased with the Republican party. But I will never switch to the Democratic party if this is what passes for acceptable behavior.

I will however redouble my efforts to help the Republican party repair itself and grow.

Posted on

Not a good morning.

IMG 0091 1

Because last night I didn’t sleep very well.

What can you expect when you’re in a sleeping bag on the floor? I guess I’m getting too old for “roughing it”

Why was I sleeping on the floor?

Well, the older of the two dogs had some sort of seizure last night about 10PM. The only thing I could do was hold him and talk to him.

The seizure passed after maybe two or three minutes but the dog was still panicked by it. I laid with him on one of the dog cushions just talking to him and petting him. 

The other dog who is normally such a jealous guy seemed to know something was wrong. He let me cuddle and talk to Butch without interference.

Around 3 hours later Butch decided he wanted to get up. He walked around tentatively but as obviously still weak.

By around 1:30 I’d decided that I wasn’t going to leave him alone, so I pulled my sleeping bag out and had just settled down when Butch laid down beside me and drifted off.

That’s when I discovered a couple of things.

One, fat as I am I have no padding on my hips and Two, the carpet I was sleeping on has some kind of lump right in the small of my back.

I’m not moving, I don’t want to disturb the dog. I cat napped through the night.

This morning the dog is moving slow but according to the web that’s not completely unexpected. He’s going to the Vet this morning to see if there’s anything that can be done or if this is simply a function of him being an old dog.

Then I’m going to do Poo patrol in the yard and some weed whacking (Which is overdue). That will give me to opportunity to see if there’s anything in the yard that may have acted like a poison. I’m concerned about one or two of the neighbors who may have indiscriminately used poison trying to control moles or other rodents.

If one of those came to my yard to die that could be a source of poisoning as well.

Sounds strange that I’m hoping it’s poisoning… But that’s something that time, care and plenty to drink can repair. There’s not much I can do about it if its just old age. 

I hate making end of life decisions, but don’t want the Dogs who have been my loyal friends for so many years to suffer. 

Posted on

Scandal in Washington OMG!!!

Images

I’ve been watching with considerable amusement Twitter feeds about the spate of scandals rocking Washington.

The folks on Twitter are coming up was some witty comments and in an epic demonstration of freedom of speech many of these comments are directed squarely at the White House, and various representatives.

I’ve added my 2 cents from time to time but for the most part I’ve just been reading the comments.

On the one hand nothing happening in Washington is anything new. Abuse of power comes with the territory. Kennedy, Nixon, Clinton, Roosevelt, Bush, all of them abused power to greater or lesser degrees. I suspect that part of the sitting Presidents problem is that regardless of political affiliation. 

We All HOPED it would be different.

Unknown 1

In that regard, even those who have axes to grind with President Obama were hoping they were wrong. For them now I’d bet that they feel doubly betrayed even though they’ve been proven correct.

That dichotomy really pisses some people off.

The IRS has in my opinion been an abusive, hostile organization from it’s inception.

“PAY UP! You don’t have money? We’ll put a lean on your home, YOUR WHOLE FAMILY WILL SUFFER!”

“Your wife works? We’ll garnish Her paycheck too. Your kids are going hungry? Not our problem, pay your taxes!”

“Oh your company made a mistake in your W2 reporting. We owe you money? Yeah… Uh we’ll get around to that refund in 6 -9 months.”

“Interest? HAHAHAHA NO Dumbass! YOU pay US Interest… We don’t pay you interest!”

Unknown

That people are just NOW realizing the IRS is a corrupt entity who uses strong arm Mafia collection tactics is astounding to me.

Wiretaps on AP phones?

That surprises anyone?

Did you bother to even skim The Patriot Act? You know… The act that should have expired but that President Obama signed the extension on? 

When you have laws on the books that allow wiretaps without warrant if any remote case can be made that national security is threatened, are you really surprised that power was abused?

Really folks? 

If the President calls you a terrorist YOU’RE a TERRORIST! If you spoke with or worked with someone from the MiddleEast you meet the national security requirement to have your phone records monitored. 

Monitoring isn’t necessarily listening to your conversations… it appears this is more like being able to see the numbers you’ve dialed and received calls from on your phone bill. It’s still a violation of privacy. My concern isn’t that the government can do this. 

My concern is that the bar that allows this kind of monitoring is set way too low. 

EC 130516 breen620x413

Of greater concern is that it’s just now an issue to our lawmakers.

Benghazi?

Uh Hello?

All you had to do was listen to the news coverage during the event. The story changed before our eyes. It was obvious some kind of spin was being applied. The question is WHY?

Why was it somehow inappropriate to say terrorists attacked the embassy? Who cares if those terrorists were motivated by a dumb, poorly acted, less than complimentary film about Muhammed, or as Hillary said “They just wanted to kill Americans?” Terrorists they were, are and will remain.

So why not use the word? It’s descriptive and accurate.

More importantly are little issues;

An attack on an embassy and the murder of an Ambassador has traditionally been an act of war.

We should have treated this attack as such. Yes we’re spread thin, but move special forces in immediately if they’re available. Start hunting the perpetrators down and leave them dead in the streets as an example to others. The Libyan government was doing all in it’s power to assist us until we publicly humiliated that government with our UN ambassador telling the world a fiction about a movie.

It made the Libyan government appear to have no control over their population and further, bringing worldwide attention to the movie sparked riots all over the place.

The truth was a better more stabilizing and compelling story. Ambassador Rice could have said something like;

“This was a terrorist attack, the Libyan government has provided us with excellent intelligence and while the information is still coming in, we are impressed with and appreciate the assistance the Libyan government has give to us in this matter.”

That simple acknowledgement would have opened many doors and allowed everyone to do their jobs.

That the State Department didn’t get it worries me more than the apparent obfuscation. 

I find myself wondering what else the State Department has overlooked or misinterpreted. 

Fast & Furious?

Obama Scandals

Why the hell does Holder still have his job?

Really? In what universe does it make any sense to sell guns to known criminals to find out where those guns go?

How about a simpler method? collect all the serial numbers of guns stolen from law aiding citizens and then compare how many of those stolen weapons end up being used in crimes… The percentage that end up in Mexican Drug Cartel hands will tell you how much of a problem gun trafficking is.

You’re still having to track the serial number of the gun(s)… RIGHT?

The Obama administration is a world wide joke.

It’s time for the President to get his ducks in a row, put and end to rogue elements in his administration and get to the business of being The President.

The first step is prosecuting every single person that’s been involved in wrong doing.