I can now envision some dates in the near future when I can take actions and continue to move and complete my move towards having an independent life in my own residence with my own belongings fully at my reach.
I plan to empty that storage unit out in Aurora next Saturday May 26 or Sunday May 27 after having gone nearly 31 months of having it full of my possessions. The only thing that could conceivably delay this action would be the lack of availability of a large U-Haul truck which could happen since next weekend is the Memorial Day Holiday and its also the last weekend of the month. Waiting until Saturday June 2 would not be an inconvenience if that were to be the case.
I already have an apartment arranged for in North Cheyenne that I will be able to move into within the next month as well. It is an upstairs one bedroom in a small four-plex. It is very simple and will more than meet my needs. I project I will be able to stay there for at least six months to a year as there will be no long term lease to consider. I would like a ground level unit and the only additional feature I would look to add would be a bathtub instead of a shower for me to soak these perennially aching bones and muscles in a couple of times a week. Its amazing what soaking in a tub of hot water can do for the continuous soreness I am plagued with. Besides that, I do not desire really anything else -- a dishwasher is something I do not need as washing dishes by hand in very warm water is therapeutic for my hands. I could care less about a fireplace, a private balcony, and air conditioning is just something not too common in residences here. Additional storage is always nice but is something that can be worked around.
I know the finances will be tight and I will have to be extremely thrifty particularly when it comes to food but I can live on less than $25-30 per week for a food budget and being in town will cut my gasoline budget by more than 80 %. I have three small debts to family and a friend I need to take care of in the coming months but I think I will have a little money to go to the $1 movies every so often and go out and have a coke and a burger at McDonalds while I read the Sunday paper.
I really need little in my life as my 49th birthday looms in 12 days. I think about all I need to pick up for myself in the coming months is a blender, a juicer, some new tennis shoes, and a chair to sit on at the kitchen table. I can get all these items for about $100 or less at Wal-mart.
I would also like to get my desktop computer repaired so I can use it to download music as it would have over 100GB of harddrive space which would be perfect for that use. But its not pressing and I do not have to get to this until farther down the road.
I know I have to focus funds on keeping my truck running good and saving money so I can purchase outright an early to mid 90s model of a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan sedan that is very fuel efficient and in very good condition in spite of having over 100K miles. Truck maintenance is always ongoing with oil changes, alignments, tire rotations, cooling systems checks, and other proactive maintenance tasks.
After having been homeless and largely not on my own for nearly 3 years, I am greatly anticipating these events occuring in the next month and the subsequent activities in the months following.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Saturday 19 May News Articles and Observations
I have been experiencing regular internet service outages where I am staying, so I am having to go into town and make avail of wireless hot spots such as at restaurants and coffee shops. Here are some news articles for today that captured my attention and some brief reactions to them by me.
A. Bush Junta Establishes Protocol and Procedure For Grabbing Absolute Power
This alarming information about this Executive Branch Directive was completely ignored by all media. I am deeply concerned about the language in this directive and the large amount of ambiguity and vagueness in its contents and how that may result in it being initiated for reasons that most would could consider and believe to be inadequate or largely minor.
http://progressive.org/mag_wx051807
-----
B. Capitulation and Cowardice by Democratic Legislators in Congress
It is foolish and out-of- touch actions by Democrats in Congress that anger, infuriate, and alienate citizens including me. Out of control trade agreements that blatantly and obviously tilt the field to foriegn countries at the expense of American wages, jobs, taxes for local government, and contribute to mass social problems on the family, neighborhood, community, and societal levels are destroying the middle class and communities in this nation. A third party campaign that is aware of this and carefully and strongly gets this message out could go a long way in '08.
http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20070604&s=editors
-----
C. The Right Wing Republican Destruction and De-Construction of Americas
Hopefully this 27 year trend is starting to draw near a close but what awaits beyond '08 is still to be determined and will include elements that will be distasteful and force compromise in some ways.
http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-radical-gop-divided-and-conquered.html
-----
D. GOP Split over Heinous Immigration Bill Now in Congress
My opinions strongly opposing this legislation have already been made known, and its somewhat comforting to see a few Republicans that can see the light, wake up, and smell the coffee.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/18/AR2007051801970.html?hpid=topnews
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/05/19/news/wyoming/e7c108d8f031f51e872572e000013ff8.txt
-----
E. A Growing Uneasiness and Reaction to Monopolistic Corporate Dominance of Media
This is yet another place where corporate greed, arrogance, and immorality has caused great and, in some cases, irreversible harm to the American citizenry.
http://www.thestar.com/article/215266
------
F. Unfairness in Recent Postal Rate Hikes
I want to see these unfair hikes which stifle democracy, exchange of ideas, free thought, and journalistic competition and enterprise immediately re-evaluated with fairness put into place and removal of blatant bias and favoritism towards big corporate media.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/19/1320/
-----
G. Atlantic Treasure Find Announced
Good for these explorers for hitting the jackpot. I know these efforts are very time consuming, risky, dangerous, and require enormous investments in specialized equipment and training.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0519Treasure-Split0519.html
-----
H. Snake River Headwaters Protection Bill
Having had the privilege and delight to see some of this country some years back, I am very happy to see this legislation moving forward in Congress. It is long overdue, and I hope to see more of this kind of conservation legislation introduced and signed into law in the coming years particularly in regard to river basins in the West that are under siege from growing urban corridors that are not pushing conservation and water thrift enough.
http://www.trib.com/articles/2007/05/16/news/top_story/55e4c6552b616cc1872572dc00827e08.txt
-----
I. As of Saturday, May 19: Only 611 days left of the Incompetent Corrupt Junta !
Unless they impliment the Executive Directive that I pointed out in my initial item in this post...
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/17240097.htm
-----
J. Recommended Site to Bookmark
http://www.freepress.org/index2.php
-----
A. Bush Junta Establishes Protocol and Procedure For Grabbing Absolute Power
This alarming information about this Executive Branch Directive was completely ignored by all media. I am deeply concerned about the language in this directive and the large amount of ambiguity and vagueness in its contents and how that may result in it being initiated for reasons that most would could consider and believe to be inadequate or largely minor.
http://progressive.org/mag_wx051807
-----
B. Capitulation and Cowardice by Democratic Legislators in Congress
It is foolish and out-of- touch actions by Democrats in Congress that anger, infuriate, and alienate citizens including me. Out of control trade agreements that blatantly and obviously tilt the field to foriegn countries at the expense of American wages, jobs, taxes for local government, and contribute to mass social problems on the family, neighborhood, community, and societal levels are destroying the middle class and communities in this nation. A third party campaign that is aware of this and carefully and strongly gets this message out could go a long way in '08.
http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20070604&s=editors
-----
C. The Right Wing Republican Destruction and De-Construction of Americas
Hopefully this 27 year trend is starting to draw near a close but what awaits beyond '08 is still to be determined and will include elements that will be distasteful and force compromise in some ways.
http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-radical-gop-divided-and-conquered.html
-----
D. GOP Split over Heinous Immigration Bill Now in Congress
My opinions strongly opposing this legislation have already been made known, and its somewhat comforting to see a few Republicans that can see the light, wake up, and smell the coffee.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/18/AR2007051801970.html?hpid=topnews
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/05/19/news/wyoming/e7c108d8f031f51e872572e000013ff8.txt
-----
E. A Growing Uneasiness and Reaction to Monopolistic Corporate Dominance of Media
This is yet another place where corporate greed, arrogance, and immorality has caused great and, in some cases, irreversible harm to the American citizenry.
http://www.thestar.com/article/215266
------
F. Unfairness in Recent Postal Rate Hikes
I want to see these unfair hikes which stifle democracy, exchange of ideas, free thought, and journalistic competition and enterprise immediately re-evaluated with fairness put into place and removal of blatant bias and favoritism towards big corporate media.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/19/1320/
-----
G. Atlantic Treasure Find Announced
Good for these explorers for hitting the jackpot. I know these efforts are very time consuming, risky, dangerous, and require enormous investments in specialized equipment and training.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0519Treasure-Split0519.html
-----
H. Snake River Headwaters Protection Bill
Having had the privilege and delight to see some of this country some years back, I am very happy to see this legislation moving forward in Congress. It is long overdue, and I hope to see more of this kind of conservation legislation introduced and signed into law in the coming years particularly in regard to river basins in the West that are under siege from growing urban corridors that are not pushing conservation and water thrift enough.
http://www.trib.com/articles/2007/05/16/news/top_story/55e4c6552b616cc1872572dc00827e08.txt
-----
I. As of Saturday, May 19: Only 611 days left of the Incompetent Corrupt Junta !
Unless they impliment the Executive Directive that I pointed out in my initial item in this post...
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/17240097.htm
-----
J. Recommended Site to Bookmark
http://www.freepress.org/index2.php
-----
Friday, May 18, 2007
The Unspoken Legacy of Jerry Falwell
Falwell had a profound influence and role in shaping public policy and government activity and focus for the last 30 years ago. He basically changed the Republican Party, at least on the surface for many, as the party that would protect and increase morals; while perpertually defining the Democrats as the party responsible for the decline in morality and the growth of social problems and societal dysfunction.
But the legacy of Falwell's influence and presence that is never talked about is the significant shift that occurred in government from a focus on economic issues and the well-being of the middle class and helping the poor and misfortunate to a profound focus on moral and character issues. This shift which really started with the inauguration of Reagan in 1981 has had a deep and powerful effect and cost on the nation as a whole, in states and communities, and in families and individually.
Income inequality has skyrocketed and wages and salaries have lagged enormously behind the increases in prices and costs of consumer goods, particularly housing, energy, health care, food and household goods, and automobiles, among others. Where a working class man could support his family on his income alone has all but disappeared in the last 25 years and compelled families to become dual income with both spouses working fulltime to make ends meet. This economic inevitability has come with an unimaginable and untold cost on families and children in so many different ways as well as for communities and society at large. There has been a noticeable and discernable decline and decay in the standard of living and the quality of life in many ways in the last 25 years and most Americans recognize this today.
And for a single person like me, the decline in wages and pay has resulted in a severe loss of standard of living and forced one to have to make difficult and painful sacrifices and really miss out on some of the great opportunities that life is supposed to offer. Instead, market capitalism and corporacy has run amok and destroyed much of what America was about in the recent past and resulted in a serious decline in most elements considered to be a part of the quality of life. A single person can no longer make it on their own in America today unless they are making $40-50,000 per year and I have never made even half that ever in a year in my life.
Ironically, Falwell's pressure and influence on government and forcing them to largely abandon economic issues resulted in the growth of the problems related to the moral issues he pontificated on and hounded government about.
One can conclude that because of Falwell and others, moral decay and the related problems caused were increased in numbers and stature and in the mindsets of many people; had he stayed out of the public limelight, the nation would have been so much better off as the basic family and community foundations and structures would have been better served and fostered by government and the growth in societal and moral problems would have not increased as greatly as they have these last 25 years. Corporations would not have been allowed to be so greedy, arrogant, irresponsible, powerful, tax evading, and monopolistic; and the wealthy would have constrained more greatly through tax and other public policy.
Lets hope 2009 begins the reversal and correction for all the mistakes and shortcomings that have occurred since 1981. If not, things are going to get so much more worse in almost unimaginable ways that one would say smacks of science fiction...
But the legacy of Falwell's influence and presence that is never talked about is the significant shift that occurred in government from a focus on economic issues and the well-being of the middle class and helping the poor and misfortunate to a profound focus on moral and character issues. This shift which really started with the inauguration of Reagan in 1981 has had a deep and powerful effect and cost on the nation as a whole, in states and communities, and in families and individually.
Income inequality has skyrocketed and wages and salaries have lagged enormously behind the increases in prices and costs of consumer goods, particularly housing, energy, health care, food and household goods, and automobiles, among others. Where a working class man could support his family on his income alone has all but disappeared in the last 25 years and compelled families to become dual income with both spouses working fulltime to make ends meet. This economic inevitability has come with an unimaginable and untold cost on families and children in so many different ways as well as for communities and society at large. There has been a noticeable and discernable decline and decay in the standard of living and the quality of life in many ways in the last 25 years and most Americans recognize this today.
And for a single person like me, the decline in wages and pay has resulted in a severe loss of standard of living and forced one to have to make difficult and painful sacrifices and really miss out on some of the great opportunities that life is supposed to offer. Instead, market capitalism and corporacy has run amok and destroyed much of what America was about in the recent past and resulted in a serious decline in most elements considered to be a part of the quality of life. A single person can no longer make it on their own in America today unless they are making $40-50,000 per year and I have never made even half that ever in a year in my life.
Ironically, Falwell's pressure and influence on government and forcing them to largely abandon economic issues resulted in the growth of the problems related to the moral issues he pontificated on and hounded government about.
One can conclude that because of Falwell and others, moral decay and the related problems caused were increased in numbers and stature and in the mindsets of many people; had he stayed out of the public limelight, the nation would have been so much better off as the basic family and community foundations and structures would have been better served and fostered by government and the growth in societal and moral problems would have not increased as greatly as they have these last 25 years. Corporations would not have been allowed to be so greedy, arrogant, irresponsible, powerful, tax evading, and monopolistic; and the wealthy would have constrained more greatly through tax and other public policy.
Lets hope 2009 begins the reversal and correction for all the mistakes and shortcomings that have occurred since 1981. If not, things are going to get so much more worse in almost unimaginable ways that one would say smacks of science fiction...
New Immigration Bill is Terrible and Treasonous !!!
The Immigration Bill passed in the Senate is an utterly woeful sorry piece of legislation. It basically gives the nation away to criminals and further destroys economic vitality and security of working class Americans and their families.
In addition, the illegals get rewarded for lawbreaking, the nation gains people that will be a financial drain in so many ways on taxpayers, and more growth and more sprawl gets authorized and subsidized. I am in complete agreement with Representative Tancredo and his approach to deal with this enormous plague upon our land and home. Gather 'em up and get 'em all out for heavens sake.
There are already over 310 million people in this nation and the environments and ecosystems were not meant to be infested with this many people. The cost to us will be tragic and inevitably fatal before the end of this century. I sure hope the US House shoots down this pathetic piece of "legislation" for all Americans' sakes.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070518/ap_on_go_co/immigration_congress;_ylt=AhfaI59uBbb30_iWR4hwIz6s0NUE
In addition, the illegals get rewarded for lawbreaking, the nation gains people that will be a financial drain in so many ways on taxpayers, and more growth and more sprawl gets authorized and subsidized. I am in complete agreement with Representative Tancredo and his approach to deal with this enormous plague upon our land and home. Gather 'em up and get 'em all out for heavens sake.
There are already over 310 million people in this nation and the environments and ecosystems were not meant to be infested with this many people. The cost to us will be tragic and inevitably fatal before the end of this century. I sure hope the US House shoots down this pathetic piece of "legislation" for all Americans' sakes.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070518/ap_on_go_co/immigration_congress;_ylt=AhfaI59uBbb30_iWR4hwIz6s0NUE
MLB Channel Set to Launch in 2009
The new basic cable and satellite channel, the MLB Network, promises to be a great addition for viewing and will be the most successful channel launch ever. I just wonder how they will fill all the thousands and thousands of hours with worthwhile programming. The existing sports broadcast channels are nowhere at all near being able to do that as it stands now.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/316238_baseballtv18.html
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/316238_baseballtv18.html
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thursday 17 May News Articles and Observations
Thursday 17 May had some news articles that caught my attention, and below are some brief observations on my part about them.
A. News about the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act
I hope to see this legislation enacted in due haste, but I am convinced the Bush Gang will veto it. I look for it to be enacted in Summer 'o9, like numerous other positive pieces of legislation that are just awaiting for the turnover to occur at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The NREPA is very important to helping maintain wildlife and areas for them to live and prosper.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/106/story/84549.html
-----
B. New Colleges, Universities Eyed for Idaho, Wyoming, other Mountain Zone States
There can never be too many institutions of higher learning, and particularly ones in the private sector that are well-funded and well-endowed. As the population grows in the time zone, I would expect to see new schools established and in areas that have lacked these kinds of opportunities for their local citizenry.
http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A220273
-----
C. News on 21st Century Energy Development
I welcome this news and hope to hear more stories like this in the coming months and years.
There is enough wind energy capable of being generated in the High Plains to meet the energy needs completely for all the needs out there in the Mountain Time Zone and most of the western half of the Central Time Zone. Wind and solar are the wave of the future, and there better be no mention or thought about nuclear or additional coal and natural gas power plants ever again.
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_5913113
-----
D. More about Warren Commission Coverup and Missing Truth on JFK Assassination
The obvious facts completely run contrary to what the official version Americans were told and only fools, those with their heads buried in the sand, or with an agenda still believe the Warren Report.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/16/AR2007051601967.html?hpid=moreheadlines
-----
E. Hegel - Bloomfield in 2008 ?
The chances of this eventuating may be better than one might think -- I believe it would be a fantastic development for the 'o8 Campaign for the Presidency. The frontrunners in the GOP and Democratic Parties may end up being poorer choices if this third party team is created.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-third16may16,0,1834212.story?coll=la-home-center
-----
F. Everyone will be Voting for the President in the Winter and Snow
Will there be any state left that does not have their primary before the end of Winter ? It is easy to imagine primaries and caucuses for the 2012 election occurring in Autumn 2011...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-primary16may16,1,2259341.story
-----
G. Another Failure By Bush Administration Officials
With all of us getting gouged, robbed, and raped by the Oil Corporations on a daily basis -- don't we all just love gasoline being price over $3.00 per gallon and still rising every week -- its completely horrible, unexplainable, and irresponsible that the Feds have allowed this racketeering and organized crime to go on. Why does oil procured in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Wyoming, or North Dakota have to be priced the same as oil from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela, Indonesia, or Nigeria ? There is absolutely no reason gasoline being used by consumers in California that originated in California has to be priced over $4.00 per gallon. Why does domestic American oil HAVE to be priced the same as non-domestic oil ? Why do prices have to be matched ? This reckless price gouging must be stopped !
http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=386
-----
H. Growth and Water in Conflict in North and Central Arizona
Where do people expect to get the water needed in this area ? A millenium ago, another group of people were forced out because of a lack of water --- history will repeat itself unless a huge expensive infrastructural investment is made and maintained, particularly in light of the news the Southwest will become tremendously more drier and ridden with drought with no end in sight with the new Global Climate in place.
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=17001
-----
A. News about the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act
I hope to see this legislation enacted in due haste, but I am convinced the Bush Gang will veto it. I look for it to be enacted in Summer 'o9, like numerous other positive pieces of legislation that are just awaiting for the turnover to occur at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The NREPA is very important to helping maintain wildlife and areas for them to live and prosper.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/106/story/84549.html
-----
B. New Colleges, Universities Eyed for Idaho, Wyoming, other Mountain Zone States
There can never be too many institutions of higher learning, and particularly ones in the private sector that are well-funded and well-endowed. As the population grows in the time zone, I would expect to see new schools established and in areas that have lacked these kinds of opportunities for their local citizenry.
http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A220273
-----
C. News on 21st Century Energy Development
I welcome this news and hope to hear more stories like this in the coming months and years.
There is enough wind energy capable of being generated in the High Plains to meet the energy needs completely for all the needs out there in the Mountain Time Zone and most of the western half of the Central Time Zone. Wind and solar are the wave of the future, and there better be no mention or thought about nuclear or additional coal and natural gas power plants ever again.
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_5913113
-----
D. More about Warren Commission Coverup and Missing Truth on JFK Assassination
The obvious facts completely run contrary to what the official version Americans were told and only fools, those with their heads buried in the sand, or with an agenda still believe the Warren Report.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/16/AR2007051601967.html?hpid=moreheadlines
-----
E. Hegel - Bloomfield in 2008 ?
The chances of this eventuating may be better than one might think -- I believe it would be a fantastic development for the 'o8 Campaign for the Presidency. The frontrunners in the GOP and Democratic Parties may end up being poorer choices if this third party team is created.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-third16may16,0,1834212.story?coll=la-home-center
-----
F. Everyone will be Voting for the President in the Winter and Snow
Will there be any state left that does not have their primary before the end of Winter ? It is easy to imagine primaries and caucuses for the 2012 election occurring in Autumn 2011...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-primary16may16,1,2259341.story
-----
G. Another Failure By Bush Administration Officials
With all of us getting gouged, robbed, and raped by the Oil Corporations on a daily basis -- don't we all just love gasoline being price over $3.00 per gallon and still rising every week -- its completely horrible, unexplainable, and irresponsible that the Feds have allowed this racketeering and organized crime to go on. Why does oil procured in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Wyoming, or North Dakota have to be priced the same as oil from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela, Indonesia, or Nigeria ? There is absolutely no reason gasoline being used by consumers in California that originated in California has to be priced over $4.00 per gallon. Why does domestic American oil HAVE to be priced the same as non-domestic oil ? Why do prices have to be matched ? This reckless price gouging must be stopped !
http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=386
-----
H. Growth and Water in Conflict in North and Central Arizona
Where do people expect to get the water needed in this area ? A millenium ago, another group of people were forced out because of a lack of water --- history will repeat itself unless a huge expensive infrastructural investment is made and maintained, particularly in light of the news the Southwest will become tremendously more drier and ridden with drought with no end in sight with the new Global Climate in place.
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=17001
-----
Monday, May 14, 2007
Monday 14 May News Items and Observations
Monday 14 May had a few news articles which I noted and had opinions about.
A. Widespread Vast Corporate Exploitation of the Poor and Disadvantaged
These types of businesses need to be destroyed and their founders, executives, and management imprisoned for a long time. All interest of any kind needs to be capped at 15 % annually with no fees or other horse manure attached or added on no matter what kind of credit is being given.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_21/b4035001.htm
-----
B. Its Been Proven! Fox News Viewers are Extraordinarily Stupid and Dull
As if there was any doubt, it has been established that viewers vary in intelligence, sensibility, and consciousness which is reflected in their choice of "news" media they watch.
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37368
-----
C. The Horse Manure Myth and Legacy of Ronald Reagan
This site adds much to dispelling all the hype and hyperbole of the man who is at least somewhat responsible for starting the US on the road to where its at today. He should have chosen Laxalt of Nevada instead of Bush Senior back in '80 for the Veep -- It is almost unimaginable how much better things would have been instead for all of us !
http://ronbeas2.blogspot.com/2007/05/reagan-myth-tough-gunslinger-edition.html
-----
D. Site I Recommend to Bookmark
http://www.net.org/
-----
E. Pacific Northwest Online Newspaper
I came across this recently and it appears to be a good information source for the Northwest, much like http://www.headwatersnews.org and http://www.newwest.net are outstanding sources for Mountain Time Zone.
http://www.crosscut.com/
-----
A. Widespread Vast Corporate Exploitation of the Poor and Disadvantaged
These types of businesses need to be destroyed and their founders, executives, and management imprisoned for a long time. All interest of any kind needs to be capped at 15 % annually with no fees or other horse manure attached or added on no matter what kind of credit is being given.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_21/b4035001.htm
-----
B. Its Been Proven! Fox News Viewers are Extraordinarily Stupid and Dull
As if there was any doubt, it has been established that viewers vary in intelligence, sensibility, and consciousness which is reflected in their choice of "news" media they watch.
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37368
-----
C. The Horse Manure Myth and Legacy of Ronald Reagan
This site adds much to dispelling all the hype and hyperbole of the man who is at least somewhat responsible for starting the US on the road to where its at today. He should have chosen Laxalt of Nevada instead of Bush Senior back in '80 for the Veep -- It is almost unimaginable how much better things would have been instead for all of us !
http://ronbeas2.blogspot.com/2007/05/reagan-myth-tough-gunslinger-edition.html
-----
D. Site I Recommend to Bookmark
http://www.net.org/
-----
E. Pacific Northwest Online Newspaper
I came across this recently and it appears to be a good information source for the Northwest, much like http://www.headwatersnews.org and http://www.newwest.net are outstanding sources for Mountain Time Zone.
http://www.crosscut.com/
-----
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mothers Day
Here is a big wish of a Happy Mothers Day to all three of my sisters; my two sister-in-laws; all the women I have been acquainted with, known, and been friends to over so many years; all the women who have, are, and will be Moms someday; and most especially to my own Mom, whom did a great job inspite of enormous adversities, obstacles, and challenges to mold six children of her own into fine adults and sacrificed much on her part to do so much for so many. It truly is the hardest yet most rewarding and important job for anybody.
You are all owed a large number of "Thank Yous" for all you have done. You all did good.
You are all owed a large number of "Thank Yous" for all you have done. You all did good.
Sunday 13 May News Articles and Observations
Here are some news articles and my observations about them.
A. Restoring Economic Balance and Justice in the Workplace and Society
Another article about the impact the Employee Free Choice Act will have on so many of us Americans and a little background and history on what the corporacy and their government hacks and muscle have done to our society in the last 25 + years.... Lets hope this becomes a reality in the next two years after the '08 election.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/382217,CST-EDT-REF12.article
-----
B. More Rumblings about the Nearing and Imminent Iran War
I believe it is a just a matter of when and not if, for the Bush Junta to make this decision and have certain military forces act.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2007/May/middleeast_May166.xml§ion=middleeast
-----
C. Article on RFK and his Opinions on His Brother JFK's Assassination
What we were told by the Warren Commission about the JFK Assasssination were plainly bald-faced lies, but when and if the absolute truth will ever be known is probably uncertain at best, and will always be a matter of seroius controversy.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/383811,CST-CONT-kennedy13.article
-----
D. Is It Possible: A Military Coup in America ? ! ?
I would be stunned and surprised if military leaders would take steps to oust the Bush gang, but it just seems impossible that could ever occur, or is it ....?
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/13/generals-revolt/
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E. A Blog I Recommend to Look In On
I came across this blog and I will bookmark it and check it to read and review its content.
http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/
-----
F. Often The Benefits of Ideas Go Largely Unaccepted for a Long Time
Yes, the counterculture movement 30-45 years ago had its negatives and bad points, but many solid pluses and good points which are increasingly becoming accepted and recognized so many years after their origination.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2007/05/02/notes050207.DTL
-----
G. Another Blog Recommendation
http://www.progressivedailybeacon.com/more.php?id=1540
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A. Restoring Economic Balance and Justice in the Workplace and Society
Another article about the impact the Employee Free Choice Act will have on so many of us Americans and a little background and history on what the corporacy and their government hacks and muscle have done to our society in the last 25 + years.... Lets hope this becomes a reality in the next two years after the '08 election.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/382217,CST-EDT-REF12.article
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B. More Rumblings about the Nearing and Imminent Iran War
I believe it is a just a matter of when and not if, for the Bush Junta to make this decision and have certain military forces act.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2007/May/middleeast_May166.xml§ion=middleeast
-----
C. Article on RFK and his Opinions on His Brother JFK's Assassination
What we were told by the Warren Commission about the JFK Assasssination were plainly bald-faced lies, but when and if the absolute truth will ever be known is probably uncertain at best, and will always be a matter of seroius controversy.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/383811,CST-CONT-kennedy13.article
-----
D. Is It Possible: A Military Coup in America ? ! ?
I would be stunned and surprised if military leaders would take steps to oust the Bush gang, but it just seems impossible that could ever occur, or is it ....?
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/13/generals-revolt/
-----
E. A Blog I Recommend to Look In On
I came across this blog and I will bookmark it and check it to read and review its content.
http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/
-----
F. Often The Benefits of Ideas Go Largely Unaccepted for a Long Time
Yes, the counterculture movement 30-45 years ago had its negatives and bad points, but many solid pluses and good points which are increasingly becoming accepted and recognized so many years after their origination.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2007/05/02/notes050207.DTL
-----
G. Another Blog Recommendation
http://www.progressivedailybeacon.com/more.php?id=1540
-----
Friday, May 11, 2007
The White Knight Rides Again !
After going 5 days without the truck, I was able to get it repaired and running today (Friday 11 May 07). The White Knight would not start at the end of the work day last Monday and I had to leave it on the fourth and top floor of a parking tower near where I work in Cheyenne for four nights which was a little unsettling and worrisome while I waited to get paid.
The problem was in the wiring as I suspected as some ground wire had failed over time with the temperature extremes the vehicle has been exposed to over its near 30 year life and the solenoid and ICM/voltage regulator mounts were not as firmly mounted to the wall of the engine compartment as required. I had put in a new set of spark plugs on Wednesday morning (first time I have ever done that at 7:30 in the morning), gapping them at the recommended level of .44 ( I included this so I can refer to it again in the future), but that also failed to solve the problems like my earlier parts installations.
For around $200 I got the problem solved which only wiped out 43 % of my paycheck instead of the feared greater amounted that I believed loomed. At least the expense was offset by not having to use 80 % of a tank of fuel that would have been consumed during the work week commute which is about $40 with our gasoline at $2.90 per gallon here in Cheyenne with increases on the near term horizon. Thank goodness for Chad being able to take me into town and bring me back out as part of his daily trip back and forth to high school. I bought him and his brother some ice cream treats at Dairy Queen as a small token of my gratitude.
I sure hope that this will be the last unanticipated repair expense that occurs for several months; but I do need in the coming few months to get an alignment done, replace the temperature gauge sender unit, an oil and lube, and purchase a wheel as the one I got as my spare is flawed and causes the Ford to shake when at freeway level speeds. I also need to get some inside door handles, install my rear view mirror so I don't have to strain my constantly painful neck, and tighten up the passenger side view mirror so the wind does not keep knocking it loose. And it is about time for a truck wash which I usually get done about three times per year. Ah, the travails of vehicle ownership when the truck is going on 30 years old...
The problem was in the wiring as I suspected as some ground wire had failed over time with the temperature extremes the vehicle has been exposed to over its near 30 year life and the solenoid and ICM/voltage regulator mounts were not as firmly mounted to the wall of the engine compartment as required. I had put in a new set of spark plugs on Wednesday morning (first time I have ever done that at 7:30 in the morning), gapping them at the recommended level of .44 ( I included this so I can refer to it again in the future), but that also failed to solve the problems like my earlier parts installations.
For around $200 I got the problem solved which only wiped out 43 % of my paycheck instead of the feared greater amounted that I believed loomed. At least the expense was offset by not having to use 80 % of a tank of fuel that would have been consumed during the work week commute which is about $40 with our gasoline at $2.90 per gallon here in Cheyenne with increases on the near term horizon. Thank goodness for Chad being able to take me into town and bring me back out as part of his daily trip back and forth to high school. I bought him and his brother some ice cream treats at Dairy Queen as a small token of my gratitude.
I sure hope that this will be the last unanticipated repair expense that occurs for several months; but I do need in the coming few months to get an alignment done, replace the temperature gauge sender unit, an oil and lube, and purchase a wheel as the one I got as my spare is flawed and causes the Ford to shake when at freeway level speeds. I also need to get some inside door handles, install my rear view mirror so I don't have to strain my constantly painful neck, and tighten up the passenger side view mirror so the wind does not keep knocking it loose. And it is about time for a truck wash which I usually get done about three times per year. Ah, the travails of vehicle ownership when the truck is going on 30 years old...
Friday 11 May News Articles and Observations
These are some recent news articles that caught my attention and my reactions to them.
A. The Promise of the Employee Free Choice Act
This legislation being considered in Congress is one of the most outstanding pieces of legislation to be taken under consideration in many years. I hope it survives and is improved on before it is sent to the new President in two years as the greedy Bush junta is totally out of touch with the vast majority of the citizenry and would veto it if the bill was submitted to the president. I enthusiastically support this bill and believe the bill would be of tremendous benefit to many American citizens.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/05/10/labor_law_reform_not_just_for_unions.php
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B. Near Term Effects of Global Warming on US Temperatures
This study by NASA strongly forecasts a rise in average daily high temperatures across the eastern US within 70 years. One can safely conclude the same would be true across the western US as well with a good likelihood that the numbers will even be higher due to elevation, terrain, vegetation, rapid changes in topography over relatively short distances, and the ever expanding heat island effect.
What this means is that places like Phoenix will have average highs in the mid 70s in January and the mid 110s in July and August; Albuquerque will average in the upper 50s in January and over 100 degrees for daily highs in July; Denver will average in the mid 50s in January and near 100 in July and early August; Las Vegas will be around 70 degrees in January and in the low 110s in July and early August as average daily highs; and Cheyenne will be near 50 degrees in January and in the mid 90s in July and early August.
Of course high temperatures can often be as much as 25 degrees above the normals and averages any day so one can see the profound ramifications of such phenomena -- low 80s in Albuquerque, upper 90s in Phoenix, around 80 in Denver, 95 in Las Vegas, and 75 in Cheyenne on Christmas Day some year; and low 120s in Albuquerque, over 135 in Phoenix, 120 in Denver, 130 in Las Vegas, and low 110s in Cheyenne on Independence Day some year !!!
One can safely assume we will see some years spike to these levels on an isolated basis within the next 10 to 15 years and increasing in occurrence beyond that until it becomes the norm about the time todays youngsters are geezers.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-hot-future,1,1797473.story?coll=chi-news-hed
C. The Genius and Wisdom of Mike Marshall and MLB's Ignorance of It
It is truly a shame baseball and pitchers everywhere are ignoring the sage advice and scientific research done by this former standout major leaguer.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Apk10uwj8nzz0lVh14FxK3w5nYcB?slug=jp-marshall051007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
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D. The Haplessness of the Pittsburgh Pirates Ownership
The Pirates and their fans (including me and my brother HBL) have endured 14 consecutive losing seasons and there is little if any optimism that this embarrassing streak will end anytime soon. If the streak reaches 17 years, the record will be broken which is held by the Philadelphia Phillies of the 30s and 40s. If only Mark Cuban or someone else of the level of his ownership expertise could become the Pirates' owner...
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1108&Itemid=42
-----
A. The Promise of the Employee Free Choice Act
This legislation being considered in Congress is one of the most outstanding pieces of legislation to be taken under consideration in many years. I hope it survives and is improved on before it is sent to the new President in two years as the greedy Bush junta is totally out of touch with the vast majority of the citizenry and would veto it if the bill was submitted to the president. I enthusiastically support this bill and believe the bill would be of tremendous benefit to many American citizens.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/05/10/labor_law_reform_not_just_for_unions.php
-----
B. Near Term Effects of Global Warming on US Temperatures
This study by NASA strongly forecasts a rise in average daily high temperatures across the eastern US within 70 years. One can safely conclude the same would be true across the western US as well with a good likelihood that the numbers will even be higher due to elevation, terrain, vegetation, rapid changes in topography over relatively short distances, and the ever expanding heat island effect.
What this means is that places like Phoenix will have average highs in the mid 70s in January and the mid 110s in July and August; Albuquerque will average in the upper 50s in January and over 100 degrees for daily highs in July; Denver will average in the mid 50s in January and near 100 in July and early August; Las Vegas will be around 70 degrees in January and in the low 110s in July and early August as average daily highs; and Cheyenne will be near 50 degrees in January and in the mid 90s in July and early August.
Of course high temperatures can often be as much as 25 degrees above the normals and averages any day so one can see the profound ramifications of such phenomena -- low 80s in Albuquerque, upper 90s in Phoenix, around 80 in Denver, 95 in Las Vegas, and 75 in Cheyenne on Christmas Day some year; and low 120s in Albuquerque, over 135 in Phoenix, 120 in Denver, 130 in Las Vegas, and low 110s in Cheyenne on Independence Day some year !!!
One can safely assume we will see some years spike to these levels on an isolated basis within the next 10 to 15 years and increasing in occurrence beyond that until it becomes the norm about the time todays youngsters are geezers.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-hot-future,1,1797473.story?coll=chi-news-hed
C. The Genius and Wisdom of Mike Marshall and MLB's Ignorance of It
It is truly a shame baseball and pitchers everywhere are ignoring the sage advice and scientific research done by this former standout major leaguer.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Apk10uwj8nzz0lVh14FxK3w5nYcB?slug=jp-marshall051007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
-----
D. The Haplessness of the Pittsburgh Pirates Ownership
The Pirates and their fans (including me and my brother HBL) have endured 14 consecutive losing seasons and there is little if any optimism that this embarrassing streak will end anytime soon. If the streak reaches 17 years, the record will be broken which is held by the Philadelphia Phillies of the 30s and 40s. If only Mark Cuban or someone else of the level of his ownership expertise could become the Pirates' owner...
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1108&Itemid=42
-----
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Baseball at the Completion of 20 % of the Season
Most clubs have played 32 games which marks completion of about one-fifth of the regular season. There are some nice surprises so far.
In the American League East, Boston has opened a 7 game lead over Baltimore and New York. The Yankees have been surprising and pleasantly mediocre to this point as their pitching has been woeful, including the acclaimed reliever Rivera, "The Monkey". Baltimore and Tampa Bay have played a bit better than expected thus far. Toronto has been awful and is already 10 1/2 games back.
In the Central, Cleveland and Detroit are in a dogfight for the division lead with Minnesota and Chicago within striking distance still. Kansas City is already buried at 11 games out.
In the West, Anaheim, Oakland, and Seattle are neck and neck and neck with Texas just 4 1/2 back.
Over in the National League, things are much the same. Like the Redsox, Milwaukee has opened a 7 game lead in the NL Central over Chicago and the defending champion St Louis Cardinals find themselves 9 games out. Houston, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati are with the pack well behind the pace setting Brewers who have the best record at 24-10.
In the NL East, Atlanta and New York are staying right with each other while preseason favorite Philadelphia continues to lag at 7 games out and in fourth place, one behind Florida. The hapless Nationals are 9-25 and have fallen 13 games out already.
And out in the West, Los Angeles has a slim lead on Arizona, San Diego, and surprising San Francisco with punchless Colorado bringing up the rear but just 5 games back.
Top surprises so far include: the Red Sox having such a big division lead; Baltimore hovering near .500; Tampa Bay being more competitive than expected; Seattle staying in the race; Atlanta setting the pace in NL East; Milwaukee being in such a commanding position in the Central; Pittsburgh being more competitive than expected; and Arizona and San Francisco staying in the NL West race.
Biggest Disappointments include the Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies, Cardinals. and Rockies.
I like what I am seeing from Boston, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, and the Mets; I cautiously am projecting them to be postseason bound at this time with both Western Division races to stay close and competitive into September. I am concerned about Colorado, Minnesota, Toronto, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia and delighted with the Yankees, St Louis, and both Chicago clubs having their struggles thus far.
My next outlook will come after Memorial Day, the traditional first pole or quarter mark of the season.
In the American League East, Boston has opened a 7 game lead over Baltimore and New York. The Yankees have been surprising and pleasantly mediocre to this point as their pitching has been woeful, including the acclaimed reliever Rivera, "The Monkey". Baltimore and Tampa Bay have played a bit better than expected thus far. Toronto has been awful and is already 10 1/2 games back.
In the Central, Cleveland and Detroit are in a dogfight for the division lead with Minnesota and Chicago within striking distance still. Kansas City is already buried at 11 games out.
In the West, Anaheim, Oakland, and Seattle are neck and neck and neck with Texas just 4 1/2 back.
Over in the National League, things are much the same. Like the Redsox, Milwaukee has opened a 7 game lead in the NL Central over Chicago and the defending champion St Louis Cardinals find themselves 9 games out. Houston, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati are with the pack well behind the pace setting Brewers who have the best record at 24-10.
In the NL East, Atlanta and New York are staying right with each other while preseason favorite Philadelphia continues to lag at 7 games out and in fourth place, one behind Florida. The hapless Nationals are 9-25 and have fallen 13 games out already.
And out in the West, Los Angeles has a slim lead on Arizona, San Diego, and surprising San Francisco with punchless Colorado bringing up the rear but just 5 games back.
Top surprises so far include: the Red Sox having such a big division lead; Baltimore hovering near .500; Tampa Bay being more competitive than expected; Seattle staying in the race; Atlanta setting the pace in NL East; Milwaukee being in such a commanding position in the Central; Pittsburgh being more competitive than expected; and Arizona and San Francisco staying in the NL West race.
Biggest Disappointments include the Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies, Cardinals. and Rockies.
I like what I am seeing from Boston, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, and the Mets; I cautiously am projecting them to be postseason bound at this time with both Western Division races to stay close and competitive into September. I am concerned about Colorado, Minnesota, Toronto, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia and delighted with the Yankees, St Louis, and both Chicago clubs having their struggles thus far.
My next outlook will come after Memorial Day, the traditional first pole or quarter mark of the season.
Thursday 10 May News Articles and Observations
Here are some recent news articles that caught my attention and some brief observations by me about them.
A. US Army Pinon Canyon In SE Colorado Expansion Opposition
The US Army is planning on claiming much of SE Colorado for expansion of the existing Pinon Canyon Military Training Reservation in the coming years and local opposition is organizing and increasing to this increasing threat to their homes and communities. This website has been established to provide information to all those interested about this. However, I think the US Army will get what it wants and will take it no matter what opposition, formal, legal, or whatever, arises.
http://www.pinoncanyon.com/
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B. "Free Trade": Pertinent Information for Better Understanding
This opinion column explains very clearly the costs and ramifications of "free trade" and why this terrible development is going to doom us as a people and society and force our children to pay a horrible, unimaginable, steep price when they reach adulthood.
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/how_free_is_free_trade_for_the_west/C37/L37/
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C. Alternative Fort Collins News and Information Source
I came across this site which should prove invaluable in the future as an alternative news and reference source for the Northern Front Range corridor.
http://www.rmchronicle.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
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A. US Army Pinon Canyon In SE Colorado Expansion Opposition
The US Army is planning on claiming much of SE Colorado for expansion of the existing Pinon Canyon Military Training Reservation in the coming years and local opposition is organizing and increasing to this increasing threat to their homes and communities. This website has been established to provide information to all those interested about this. However, I think the US Army will get what it wants and will take it no matter what opposition, formal, legal, or whatever, arises.
http://www.pinoncanyon.com/
-----
B. "Free Trade": Pertinent Information for Better Understanding
This opinion column explains very clearly the costs and ramifications of "free trade" and why this terrible development is going to doom us as a people and society and force our children to pay a horrible, unimaginable, steep price when they reach adulthood.
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/how_free_is_free_trade_for_the_west/C37/L37/
-----
C. Alternative Fort Collins News and Information Source
I came across this site which should prove invaluable in the future as an alternative news and reference source for the Northern Front Range corridor.
http://www.rmchronicle.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
-----
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
NHL Stanley Cup Conference Finals Outlook
The Conference Finals are now up in the 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and the two series look as if they will be great.
EAST: #1 Buffalo v # 4 Ottawa -- These two bitter Northeast Division rivals will take up where they left off in the regular season. This promises to be an intense, physical, emotional series and neither club has an obvious weakness. Buffalo may have an edge offensively and they are getting healthier and deeper as each week elapses. Ottawa probably has the edge defensively and in goal. The Sabres' home ice advantage will be the final difference...
.............SABRES 4-3
WEST: #1 Detroit v # 2 Anaheim -- The best squads arguably in the West have made it to the conference finals, but Anaheim appears to have an edge everywhere over the veteran Red Wings. The Ducks firepower and goaltending will carry them to their second franchise appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals...
.............DUCKS 4-2
I correctly forecast three of these four conference finalists, only missing out with San Jose as the Sharks played extraordinarily poor in their series against Detroit. We have less than a month until we see the champions skating around the rink with the Stanley Cup high in the air.
EAST: #1 Buffalo v # 4 Ottawa -- These two bitter Northeast Division rivals will take up where they left off in the regular season. This promises to be an intense, physical, emotional series and neither club has an obvious weakness. Buffalo may have an edge offensively and they are getting healthier and deeper as each week elapses. Ottawa probably has the edge defensively and in goal. The Sabres' home ice advantage will be the final difference...
.............SABRES 4-3
WEST: #1 Detroit v # 2 Anaheim -- The best squads arguably in the West have made it to the conference finals, but Anaheim appears to have an edge everywhere over the veteran Red Wings. The Ducks firepower and goaltending will carry them to their second franchise appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals...
.............DUCKS 4-2
I correctly forecast three of these four conference finalists, only missing out with San Jose as the Sharks played extraordinarily poor in their series against Detroit. We have less than a month until we see the champions skating around the rink with the Stanley Cup high in the air.
Not So Good News From Minnesota
Governor Tim Pawlenty, who has a dismal and woeful record of performance and results in Minnesota, will veto a progressive health measure and it would seem unlikely the legislature has the votes to overturn it. This is a very disappointing turn of events for working class Minnesotans and their children. Pawlenty has bungled plenty of times before so his ongoing ineptitude and insensitivity is not surprising when it comes to improving the quality of life and standard of living for the neediest and most fragile of the citizenry.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/05/07/hhs/?rsssource=1
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/05/07/hhs/?rsssource=1
Great News from Maryland
This is huge progress for working people in Maryland, but I cannot see much more than maybe 6-8 states across the nation doing this anytime soon and none in the Rocky Mountain West and High Plains.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/us/09wage.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/us/09wage.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Monday, May 7, 2007
Spiderman 3: A Great Movie I Highly Recommend
I was taken to see the new Spiderman 3 film last Friday night and I thoroughly enjoyed the film. There was continued development of the primary characters and introduction of additional well written characters, particularly the Sandman villain. The writers did a superb job of placing meaningful human drama into the film and the acting cast did a sensational job performing these dramatic roles, along with the light comedy also included. The action scenes were lightning fast and very original. With the film generating hundreds of millions of dollars globally at the box office, it is evident that the film is well liked by many others.
I hope that a fourth film in the series is eventually done as some storylines still can be further developed. The writing and casting is what has made these Spiderman films so successful and enjoyable. Jonah Jameson is a riot !
I hope that a fourth film in the series is eventually done as some storylines still can be further developed. The writing and casting is what has made these Spiderman films so successful and enjoyable. Jonah Jameson is a riot !
Monday May 7 News Articles and Observations
Today's news articles that caught my attention and a brief reaction to them.
A. How George Kennan Would Have Assessed the Bush Administration
George Kennan was one of the most important thinkers and designers of American foreign policy after World War II and he played a significant role in shaping all of our lives. What he would say about the bungling collection of power-drunk boobs and mental midgets functioning in the White House is what one might expect.
http://www.walter-c-uhler.com/Reviews/watercarriers.html
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B. Bush Administration Ineptitude and Incompetency also Spans the Economic Side of the Ledger
This report on the hapless futility of this administration to do anything positive for the working citizen class of this nation is hardly surprising, but to be as inept as the 1930s Hoover crowd is downright amazing ! And we still have over 600 days left of these boobs and rodents running the nation !
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/7/14503/28176
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C. John Edwards is the Lone Voice on the Growing Widespread Issue of American Poverty
The issue of poverty is completely ignored by all other candidates and the mainstream media.
Corporations have done nothing in recent years either to address and assist in solving this growing problem. The spirit of John and Robert Kennedy lives only, it seems, in John Edwards. I can understand Republicans being ignorant and oblivious to poverty: after all, they are only interested in people and institutions swollen with money; but the silence from the other Democrats, particularly Clinton, Obama, and Biden, is utterly disgusting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/06/AR2007050601322.html?nav=rss_politics
-----
A. How George Kennan Would Have Assessed the Bush Administration
George Kennan was one of the most important thinkers and designers of American foreign policy after World War II and he played a significant role in shaping all of our lives. What he would say about the bungling collection of power-drunk boobs and mental midgets functioning in the White House is what one might expect.
http://www.walter-c-uhler.com/Reviews/watercarriers.html
-----
B. Bush Administration Ineptitude and Incompetency also Spans the Economic Side of the Ledger
This report on the hapless futility of this administration to do anything positive for the working citizen class of this nation is hardly surprising, but to be as inept as the 1930s Hoover crowd is downright amazing ! And we still have over 600 days left of these boobs and rodents running the nation !
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/7/14503/28176
-----
C. John Edwards is the Lone Voice on the Growing Widespread Issue of American Poverty
The issue of poverty is completely ignored by all other candidates and the mainstream media.
Corporations have done nothing in recent years either to address and assist in solving this growing problem. The spirit of John and Robert Kennedy lives only, it seems, in John Edwards. I can understand Republicans being ignorant and oblivious to poverty: after all, they are only interested in people and institutions swollen with money; but the silence from the other Democrats, particularly Clinton, Obama, and Biden, is utterly disgusting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/06/AR2007050601322.html?nav=rss_politics
-----
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Corporate Capitalism and Its Costs to Nature Explained
This is an excellent article which explains the huge and vast cost on mankind and nature that the recent and current model American Corporate Market Capitalism has had and continues to.
http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/267
http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/267
A Good Plan to Help Reduce Poverty
Poverty is growing quickly across America and government at all levels is doing little to address this very serious social problem which has tremendous ramifications across the entire social spectrum. The article below proposes a number of policy recommendations to address this issue and I agree strongly with all of the proposals made.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/04/poverty_report.html
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/04/poverty_report.html
The Economy's Huge Ticking Time Bomb
When one reads articles like these, it is easier to understand why a recession is on the near horizon and the impact it will have on American Citizens in the middle class and the poor will be rather profound.
The Bush Administration's money and tax policy that has been and continues to be in a place will take a bloody toll on many, many ordinary people.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17627.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/06/1006/
The Bush Administration's money and tax policy that has been and continues to be in a place will take a bloody toll on many, many ordinary people.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17627.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/06/1006/
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Thursday 3 May News Articles and Observations
Some recent news articles and some observations about them.
A. Oklahoma to Drop the Hammer on Invaders
If only the Feds would do this and the other 49 states follow in line as well to this grievous threat to working class Americans, taxpayers, and society at large.
http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/articles/2007/05/02/news/state/news532.txt
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B. Change Blowing in the Wind
American citizens are getting more and more fed up with the corporacy and their government sponsors and muscle. 2009 cannot come soon enough so that many issues vital to the working class are addressed and the corporacy is mandated and compelled to be under control and restrained in its greed, corruption, anti-competitiveness, and societal destructiveness.
http://www.workingassetsblog.com/2007/05/capitol_hill_faces_people_part.html
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C. HOA's: A Huge Threat to Freedom and Liberty, and Personal Responsibility
This defacto form of government has grown vastly in the last two to three decades and basically all this entity does is sacrifice freedom, responsibility, individuality, creativity, and carefree and relaxed lifestyles all in the name of profit: the idea is the property you buy does not belong exclusively to you but to your neighbors as well; it is not about making an individual home of your own but maximizing real estate investment returns for your neighbors.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/51001/
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A. Oklahoma to Drop the Hammer on Invaders
If only the Feds would do this and the other 49 states follow in line as well to this grievous threat to working class Americans, taxpayers, and society at large.
http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/articles/2007/05/02/news/state/news532.txt
-----
B. Change Blowing in the Wind
American citizens are getting more and more fed up with the corporacy and their government sponsors and muscle. 2009 cannot come soon enough so that many issues vital to the working class are addressed and the corporacy is mandated and compelled to be under control and restrained in its greed, corruption, anti-competitiveness, and societal destructiveness.
http://www.workingassetsblog.com/2007/05/capitol_hill_faces_people_part.html
------
C. HOA's: A Huge Threat to Freedom and Liberty, and Personal Responsibility
This defacto form of government has grown vastly in the last two to three decades and basically all this entity does is sacrifice freedom, responsibility, individuality, creativity, and carefree and relaxed lifestyles all in the name of profit: the idea is the property you buy does not belong exclusively to you but to your neighbors as well; it is not about making an individual home of your own but maximizing real estate investment returns for your neighbors.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/51001/
-----
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Recent News Articles and Observations
Here are some recent news articles and my observations briefly about them.
A. Internet Spreads Code-Breaking Information
Nothing can stop people from doing things like this. The entertainment industry is fighting a losing battle in spite of laws and legal threats. Where there is a demand, a supply will be created no matter what limitations and controls are in place.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/technology/03code.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1178161215-lF+NFNYwWHj5LjTImoxZPA
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_rob_kall_070502_is_linking_protected.htm
-----
B. Recent Photographs and Information about the Planet Jupiter and its Moons
It is fascinating to read and see this material on this celestial body and its satellites.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=452130&in_page_id=1965
-----
C. A Humerous Look at Wasteful Types of Employment
All these jobs are a big waste of time, money, and effort; and yet many people earn a comfortable living doing these types of work.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/bing/0704/gallery.bing_50jobs.fortune/
-----
D. More on the Rising Price of Gasoline
It sounds like the price increases of gasoline are nowhere near being done. Most projections show another 15 cents to 25 cents per gallon increase before the peak is hit in June or July.
I would assume that means prices in the Mountain Time Zone will range from right around $3.oo to $3.75 per gallon of regular gasoline at the peak with the highest prices in the metropolitan southwest and the lowest prices in Montana and Wyoming. Of course, unforeseen events and circumstances could push prices even higher, perhaps even significantly.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2007-05-02T162356Z_01_N02342606_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-GASOLINE-AAA.xml&src=rss&rpc=22
-----
E. Destruction of a Native People by Meth
This sad tragic story is being seen in many Indian tribes across the West.
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/05/02/news/wyoming/7668db9bb0d1508e872572cc0020fd1a.txt
-----
F. Excellent News about Upcoming Highway Improvements in Southern Albany County, Wyoming
I have driven this long stretch of road hundreds of times in all kinds of weather and this planned improvement is long overdue particularly given the enormous amount of semi-truck trafffic seen on US 287. The planned improvements will enormously improve safety for travelers along this road. The frustrating thing is that the Colorado stretch of the highway ( approximately 35 to 40 miles from the WY border to the northern reachs of Fort Collins) will not see any improvements made in the next 30 years or more as the Centennial State is seriously way behind on upgrading and improving surface infrastructure all along the Front Range as well throughout Colorado including the Eastern Plains, the Mountains, Southwest Colorado, the Western Slope, the San Luis Valley, and Northwest Colorado. At some point in the future I will post a lengthy article about my observations about the shortcomings of surface infrastructure in Colorado and my recommendations on where and how improvements and upgrades should and must be made and as soon as possible in many if not most cases.
http://www.laramieboomerang.com/news/more.asp?StoryID=106572
-----
G. The Three Legs of the Republican Party are about to Collapse
It is beginning to look like the 'o8 elections are going to parallel the elections of 1964 and 1932
when the Democrats scored huge victories across the board. Worst case scenario for the GOP which is becoming increasingly likely: A Demo wins the Presidency, the Senate has at least 60 Democratic Senators ( a gain of at least nine seats), and the House sees a gain of 35-50 Democratic seats. If you are a GOP supporter, it is time to start growing afraid.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/02/907/
-----
H. The Laughable Hype over the Stock Market
Many in the media, government, and business are going ga-ga over the recent records being set by the Dow Jones Index. This index is as far as being irrelevant as can be imagined for almost every American. In no way do these kinds of indices reflect the American economy in an honest and realistic positive way. The US economy is shaky at best and a recession looms on the horizon, but Corporate America is completely out of touch and reality with the American workforce and the Dow Jones Index is perhaps the greatest indicator of that, so one can conclude that the better the Dow looks, the worse things are for the American worker !
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/02/909/
-----
I. Axis of Evil Grows by Only Three
It is a given the Bush Administration considers Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela as members of the "Axis of Evil" along with North Korea and Iran. Unfortunately, they are overlooking at least two nations that should be included as well: Saudi Arabia and Communist China. There will come a day, perhaps sooner than we imagine, when it will become apparent that we should have taken the threat of these two powerful nations more seriously.
http://www.atlargely.com/2007/05/us_names_terror.html
-----
J. Wikipedia: Good Knowledge and Information Source or Not ?
I use Wikipedia frequently and cite it as a primary reference or link when needing to expand on or further explain a topic. No source is always perfect, but I believe one can safely assume most of what is on Wikipedia is accurate, true, and unbiased. There will always be some extremely isolated exceptions like everything in life.
http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_5786064
-----
K. The Final Vote Comes in About 18 Months
As expected, George Bush vetoed the war spending limitation bill from Congress, and it is very doubtful enough votes will be found to override the veto. Thus, both side's positions on this issue of the Iraq War are now clearly staked out and the issue has gone as far it will legislatively for the near future. The American people now have the ball in their court and will decide the issue, among a number of others, probably quite clearly, in the Fall '08 General Election.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/02/IRAQ.TMP
-----
L. Cincinnati Reds headed for Cactus League and Arizona ?
With progress on a new multi-million spring training facility and stadium bogged down and dying, optimism is growing in Arizona that the Reds may join their cross-state rival Indians at a new facility being built in the far southwest Valley at Goodyear with an opening date of 2009. We will just have to wait and see if this becomes a reality, or if the Indians fly solo at Goodyear, or perhaps if they will be joined by some other team, such as Milwaukee, Houston, or even Baltimore besides the Reds.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070501/NEWS/705010333
-----
M. Gary Hart Addresses Mr. Shallow, Rudy Giuliani
The Guiliani Campaign is all style and no substance as any enlightened and thoughtful individual already easily knows, and Hart's open letter to Guiliani only further confirms the totally hollow foundations Guiliani and his campaign are all about.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-hart/an-open-letter-to-mayor-g_b_47140.html
-----
A. Internet Spreads Code-Breaking Information
Nothing can stop people from doing things like this. The entertainment industry is fighting a losing battle in spite of laws and legal threats. Where there is a demand, a supply will be created no matter what limitations and controls are in place.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/technology/03code.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1178161215-lF+NFNYwWHj5LjTImoxZPA
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_rob_kall_070502_is_linking_protected.htm
-----
B. Recent Photographs and Information about the Planet Jupiter and its Moons
It is fascinating to read and see this material on this celestial body and its satellites.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=452130&in_page_id=1965
-----
C. A Humerous Look at Wasteful Types of Employment
All these jobs are a big waste of time, money, and effort; and yet many people earn a comfortable living doing these types of work.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/bing/0704/gallery.bing_50jobs.fortune/
-----
D. More on the Rising Price of Gasoline
It sounds like the price increases of gasoline are nowhere near being done. Most projections show another 15 cents to 25 cents per gallon increase before the peak is hit in June or July.
I would assume that means prices in the Mountain Time Zone will range from right around $3.oo to $3.75 per gallon of regular gasoline at the peak with the highest prices in the metropolitan southwest and the lowest prices in Montana and Wyoming. Of course, unforeseen events and circumstances could push prices even higher, perhaps even significantly.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2007-05-02T162356Z_01_N02342606_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-GASOLINE-AAA.xml&src=rss&rpc=22
-----
E. Destruction of a Native People by Meth
This sad tragic story is being seen in many Indian tribes across the West.
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/05/02/news/wyoming/7668db9bb0d1508e872572cc0020fd1a.txt
-----
F. Excellent News about Upcoming Highway Improvements in Southern Albany County, Wyoming
I have driven this long stretch of road hundreds of times in all kinds of weather and this planned improvement is long overdue particularly given the enormous amount of semi-truck trafffic seen on US 287. The planned improvements will enormously improve safety for travelers along this road. The frustrating thing is that the Colorado stretch of the highway ( approximately 35 to 40 miles from the WY border to the northern reachs of Fort Collins) will not see any improvements made in the next 30 years or more as the Centennial State is seriously way behind on upgrading and improving surface infrastructure all along the Front Range as well throughout Colorado including the Eastern Plains, the Mountains, Southwest Colorado, the Western Slope, the San Luis Valley, and Northwest Colorado. At some point in the future I will post a lengthy article about my observations about the shortcomings of surface infrastructure in Colorado and my recommendations on where and how improvements and upgrades should and must be made and as soon as possible in many if not most cases.
http://www.laramieboomerang.com/news/more.asp?StoryID=106572
-----
G. The Three Legs of the Republican Party are about to Collapse
It is beginning to look like the 'o8 elections are going to parallel the elections of 1964 and 1932
when the Democrats scored huge victories across the board. Worst case scenario for the GOP which is becoming increasingly likely: A Demo wins the Presidency, the Senate has at least 60 Democratic Senators ( a gain of at least nine seats), and the House sees a gain of 35-50 Democratic seats. If you are a GOP supporter, it is time to start growing afraid.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/02/907/
-----
H. The Laughable Hype over the Stock Market
Many in the media, government, and business are going ga-ga over the recent records being set by the Dow Jones Index. This index is as far as being irrelevant as can be imagined for almost every American. In no way do these kinds of indices reflect the American economy in an honest and realistic positive way. The US economy is shaky at best and a recession looms on the horizon, but Corporate America is completely out of touch and reality with the American workforce and the Dow Jones Index is perhaps the greatest indicator of that, so one can conclude that the better the Dow looks, the worse things are for the American worker !
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/02/909/
-----
I. Axis of Evil Grows by Only Three
It is a given the Bush Administration considers Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela as members of the "Axis of Evil" along with North Korea and Iran. Unfortunately, they are overlooking at least two nations that should be included as well: Saudi Arabia and Communist China. There will come a day, perhaps sooner than we imagine, when it will become apparent that we should have taken the threat of these two powerful nations more seriously.
http://www.atlargely.com/2007/05/us_names_terror.html
-----
J. Wikipedia: Good Knowledge and Information Source or Not ?
I use Wikipedia frequently and cite it as a primary reference or link when needing to expand on or further explain a topic. No source is always perfect, but I believe one can safely assume most of what is on Wikipedia is accurate, true, and unbiased. There will always be some extremely isolated exceptions like everything in life.
http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_5786064
-----
K. The Final Vote Comes in About 18 Months
As expected, George Bush vetoed the war spending limitation bill from Congress, and it is very doubtful enough votes will be found to override the veto. Thus, both side's positions on this issue of the Iraq War are now clearly staked out and the issue has gone as far it will legislatively for the near future. The American people now have the ball in their court and will decide the issue, among a number of others, probably quite clearly, in the Fall '08 General Election.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/02/IRAQ.TMP
-----
L. Cincinnati Reds headed for Cactus League and Arizona ?
With progress on a new multi-million spring training facility and stadium bogged down and dying, optimism is growing in Arizona that the Reds may join their cross-state rival Indians at a new facility being built in the far southwest Valley at Goodyear with an opening date of 2009. We will just have to wait and see if this becomes a reality, or if the Indians fly solo at Goodyear, or perhaps if they will be joined by some other team, such as Milwaukee, Houston, or even Baltimore besides the Reds.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070501/NEWS/705010333
-----
M. Gary Hart Addresses Mr. Shallow, Rudy Giuliani
The Guiliani Campaign is all style and no substance as any enlightened and thoughtful individual already easily knows, and Hart's open letter to Guiliani only further confirms the totally hollow foundations Guiliani and his campaign are all about.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-hart/an-open-letter-to-mayor-g_b_47140.html
-----
Monday, April 30, 2007
A POW for Over Three Years Now
Few if any Americans are aware that there is a POW in the Iraq War and he has been in enemy hands unquestionably having endured incalculable torture for over three years now. Lets hope that very soon Keith Maupin of Ohio is found and can return to his family and have a good life after the unimaginable horrible ordeal he is undergoing.
http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=7290
http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=7290
Rising Seattle Skyline to Block Safeco Views
Although I have yet to attend a game at Safeco Field in Downtown Seattle, others who have tell me the views from the upper decks of the Puget Sound area, the Olympic Mountains, and the existing downtown Seattle skyline, particularly at night, are spectacular. Now news comes from the Emerald City that those magnificent sights may not be around too much longer as progress marches on.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003684691_safecoview28m.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003684691_safecoview28m.html
A Lost Ballpark in San Diego & My Idea to Restore It
The great old historical ballparks that were part of the Pacific Coast League during its glory days from the 1930s until the Major Leagues had franchises relocated to California or expansion occurred are truly lost treasures and historical landmarks. This article about Lane Field in San Diego is about just one of those old ballparks of yore. I would like to see in a perfect world the ballpark restored for community activities and just play for kids. The field could be put on the roof of a five to ten story building and be a real landmark for San Diego. The views from a ballpark of the surrounding downtown and coastal areas would be breathtaking. The facility could be used for such things as concerts, parties, gatherings, meetings, and other activities for kids. I hope someone has the vision to make this an exciting reality.
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/04/30/opinion/01freeman043007.txt
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/04/30/opinion/01freeman043007.txt
Predatory Corporate Capitalism -- The Greatest Evil Facing Americans Citizens and Their Children
I can never say or be firm enough in my strong convictions about the absolute widespread destruction that Corporate America and their government hacks and muscle have done, are doing, and will do in the future to what America is supposed to be all about and what America is supposed to represent. The betrayal and treachery by the corporacy all in the name of greed, power, arrogance, and repressiveness is the epitome of evil and at the root of all problems facing the citizenry.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/30/865/
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/30/865/
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Words None Dare Say: Nuclear War
This article on the Rockridge Institute website says it all.
http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/research/lakoff/the-words-none-dare-say-nuclear-war
http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/research/lakoff/the-words-none-dare-say-nuclear-war
Ghost Rider: An Awesome Fun Action-Filled Film
I went to the dollar movies Friday night the 27th with Brant and his son and we saw the film Ghost Rider, based on the comic series I read as a youth. It was excellent and I highly recommend it. I read that it will be out on DVD by mid-June and that also a sequel will be coming out in 2008 or 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Rider_%28film%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Rider_%28comics%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%28Ghost%29_Riders_in_the_Sky:_A_Cowboy_Legend
http://ingeb.org/songs/anoldcow.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Rider_%28film%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Rider_%28comics%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%28Ghost%29_Riders_in_the_Sky:_A_Cowboy_Legend
http://ingeb.org/songs/anoldcow.html
Recommended Blog to Regularly Read
With the ruthless income disparity reports and statistics being quite evident and corporate greed and corruption at all-time highs, this is a good site to visit in order to stay current on reports and facts about the consequences of this economic direction which effects many citizens, often cruelly and unjustly.
http://ehrenreich.blogs.com/barbaras_blog/
http://ehrenreich.blogs.com/barbaras_blog/
This is a Rare Politician Who Would Do This
You have to take your hat off and give credit to Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski for having the courage to try this. Even I have never tried to make it on just $21 for a week for all the food one would purchase and consume. You are basically looking at bread, water, bouillion cube soup, macaroni and cheese, and ramen. You get no meat, no fruit except maybe a couple of bananas, no vegetables, and your nutrition is a joke and dangerous to your health with this kind of constraint in place.
This says alot about this program and how the most fragile and needy in our society are summarily dismissed. Most corporations and their executives and management could very easily double or triple this program's financial resources with no sacrifice or effort if they were good caring compassionate people.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070425/ap_on_re_us/a_week_on_food_stamps
This says alot about this program and how the most fragile and needy in our society are summarily dismissed. Most corporations and their executives and management could very easily double or triple this program's financial resources with no sacrifice or effort if they were good caring compassionate people.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070425/ap_on_re_us/a_week_on_food_stamps
White Knight Ills Cause Frustrations, Hassles
After going many months without having to make any expenditures, the White Knight has been needing some attention and repairs, but the primary problem remains unsolved as of yet. When I place the key in the ignition, more often than not all I get is silence. During the last week I have replaced the solenoid, ICM/voltage regulator, and alternator. The battery was found to be underperforming so since it was still under warranty (having been purchased in mid July '06), I was able to get a completely new one at no cost. I also replaced the ignition switch where the ignition key lock cylinder is located but that did not solve the problem either. Battery cables are clean and look fine (they were also put in last July) so I am puzzled by this and where the problem is originating.
I am able to start the Ford by crossing the solenoid: putting a long screwdriver blade across the connection from the battery post on the side of the solenoid to the starter post on the front of the device. This results in activating the starter which usually starts the truck. This is of some danger as some sparks fly which is never a good idea when vaporous gasoline is possibly present, but I have to get to work and there is no transportation alternative when you live about 20 miles out of town. Hopefully I can continue to use this procedure for the next two weeks and then when I am paid again I can have the electrical system analyzed and tested by a professional mechanic at a garage. I was hoping to use that money for other purposes such as getting all my belongings out of CO but I probably will have to wait until later in May to do this.
More often than not, many things do not go as planned which tries even my legendary patience.
I am able to start the Ford by crossing the solenoid: putting a long screwdriver blade across the connection from the battery post on the side of the solenoid to the starter post on the front of the device. This results in activating the starter which usually starts the truck. This is of some danger as some sparks fly which is never a good idea when vaporous gasoline is possibly present, but I have to get to work and there is no transportation alternative when you live about 20 miles out of town. Hopefully I can continue to use this procedure for the next two weeks and then when I am paid again I can have the electrical system analyzed and tested by a professional mechanic at a garage. I was hoping to use that money for other purposes such as getting all my belongings out of CO but I probably will have to wait until later in May to do this.
More often than not, many things do not go as planned which tries even my legendary patience.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
NHL Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals Outlook
I correctly picked seven of the eight quarterfinal series, only missing New Jersey's 4-2 series win over Tampa Bay which I thought would be an upset. The semifinals should be closely contested and hopefully we will get at least a couple of series go the full seven games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
#1 Buffalo Sabres v #6 New York Rangers -- Buffalo worked a harder than expected to get by a determined and gritty New York Islanders squad in the quarters, so they know they will have their work cut out against the Rangers. New York played well down the stretch and has a lot of weapons, but the Sabre offense and powerplay should help carry the Presidents Cup Winners to a second consecutive conference finals appearance...
...BUFFALO 4-2
#2 New Jersey Devils v #5 Ottawa Senators -- This should be a close and low scoring series between two fine clubs. The Senators edge in offense should be enough to get them into the Eastern Conference Finals finally after several seasons of underperforming in the playoffs...
...OTTAWA 4-3
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
# 1 Detroit Red Wings v #5 San Jose Sharks -- Like Buffalo and Ottawa, this is will be the year that the Sharks get over the hump, but they face a monumental challenge in the Red Wings. Detroit seem to be the most complete team remaining but there seems to be a piece missing and that may be heart...
...SAN JOSE 4-3
#2 Anaheim Ducks v # 3 Vancouver Canucks -- The powerful Ducks have far too much firepower and an effective power play unit for the gritty Canucks to overcome in spite of better goaltending probably...
...ANAHEIM 4-2
If any of these series do end up as a sweep or near-sweep, I would guess it would be the Ducks and Canucks series or perhaps the Sabres and Rangers series.
Looking ahead at the calendar, it would look as if the Conference Championship series should begin on Friday 11 May or Saturday 12 May with the Stanley Cup Playoffs starting two weeks later in May.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
#1 Buffalo Sabres v #6 New York Rangers -- Buffalo worked a harder than expected to get by a determined and gritty New York Islanders squad in the quarters, so they know they will have their work cut out against the Rangers. New York played well down the stretch and has a lot of weapons, but the Sabre offense and powerplay should help carry the Presidents Cup Winners to a second consecutive conference finals appearance...
...BUFFALO 4-2
#2 New Jersey Devils v #5 Ottawa Senators -- This should be a close and low scoring series between two fine clubs. The Senators edge in offense should be enough to get them into the Eastern Conference Finals finally after several seasons of underperforming in the playoffs...
...OTTAWA 4-3
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
# 1 Detroit Red Wings v #5 San Jose Sharks -- Like Buffalo and Ottawa, this is will be the year that the Sharks get over the hump, but they face a monumental challenge in the Red Wings. Detroit seem to be the most complete team remaining but there seems to be a piece missing and that may be heart...
...SAN JOSE 4-3
#2 Anaheim Ducks v # 3 Vancouver Canucks -- The powerful Ducks have far too much firepower and an effective power play unit for the gritty Canucks to overcome in spite of better goaltending probably...
...ANAHEIM 4-2
If any of these series do end up as a sweep or near-sweep, I would guess it would be the Ducks and Canucks series or perhaps the Sabres and Rangers series.
Looking ahead at the calendar, it would look as if the Conference Championship series should begin on Friday 11 May or Saturday 12 May with the Stanley Cup Playoffs starting two weeks later in May.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
A Few Recent News Articles and Observations
Now that I am working fulltime with an hour and a quarter roundtrip commute daily, I do not get to study all the news articles out there as deeply and take the time to contemplate as many of them as I would like. But such is the tyranny and oppressiveness of American corporacy, and where and how I am in my life at this time and for the near future. And to think I am still actively looking for a second fulltime job to better position myself economically sooner (all this might end up doing is probably endangering my health, perhaps even fatally).
But I do get some time to do some reading and reflecting, and here are a few articles recently and my observations briefly on them.
A. The Hypocracy and Contradiction of the Flim-Flam Man Limbaugh as to Don Imus
Imus, of course, was ousted from his high-profile media jobs due to some language that was too politically incorrect even for him. While the end result was overkill, his schtick was getting to be passe and he will land on his feet and probably in better shape financially longterm. The fact that the fatman and mouthpiece for the junta, Limbaugh, regularly plays on his radio program a song based on the lyrics and music of the Peter, Paul, and Mary folk music classic, "Puff the Magic Dragon" titled "Barack, the Magic Negro" and not be subjected to the same outcry and punishment is utterly appalling and disgraceful. Limbaugh is even more passe and boring than Imus and his day has passed and his daily blather and wind is of no consequence and relevancy anymore. Limbaugh is nothing but a has-been huckster who should be put out to pasture to play golf in Costa Rica and spend his late afternoons drowning his ego in numerous glasses of various booze and nodding off to sleep after emptying into his voluminous rotund belly his daily pailful of various pharmaceutical substances, both legal and illegal. The EIB does not stand for "Excellence in Broadcasting" but instead "Evidently Its Bu____it"!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/24/10141/1844
-----
B. A Call for Impeachment for Vice-President Richard Cheney
I expect the number of voices making this call to grow tremendously in the coming months and there very will may be a formidable legislative effort initiated in the US House, although it will not go anywhere unless there is something far more serious that develops during this year and more Republicans defect from supporting Bush to save their own hides and keep their seats when the election in '08 occurs.
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0148.html
-----
C. Boris Yeltsin, 1931-2007
Undoubtedly, Yeltsin played an important role for a brief period in helping make sure the USSR would not make a comeback. Although he was a crude man and overall an ineffective leader, his place in history is one of significance and he helped ensure a period of relative peace after over a half-century of war and a wartime economy for the Russian people which really most knew only as well as the prior two to three generations of those people.
-----
D. Further Revelations Concerning the Friendly-Fire Death of Pat Tillman
Every week, more and more information comes out about this coverup by military officials. I would not be surprised if the trail of deceit and deception leads directly into the White House and Joint Chiefs. I would not put it past such "men" as Rove, Rumsfeld, or Cheney to have given the direct order to officers in the battlefield and in command to take this terribly wrong and immoral action. What a shame that such honorable and heroic man like Pat Tillman who took on a sacrifice and responsiblity NONE of his athletic peers in any professional sport have the courage and heart to do has had his name in the middle of all of this chicanary. Lets hope there are criminal consequences for those that initially ultimately gave the order for the coverup and lies.
-----
E. Nacchio gets what he deserved
Like so many other citizens here in the Rocky Mountain region, the Northwest, and the Northern High Plains, I was greatly pleased to learn of the conviction of former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio on numerous counts of various crimes. Hopefully he will spend most if not all of the rest of his life in a federal penitentary. His criminal behavior and ruthless cold greed has destroyed or damaged the lives of countless citizens. No punishment will ever be enough to atone for what he did to these folks, many of whom were elderly and suffered greatly beyond any reason. It is sad to think, however, that for every Nacchio and his ilk convicted and punished, there remains dozens, probably hundreds, of corporate officials, managers, and lackeys that have gotten away with and continue to get away with sins on a similar scale.
One day we will wake up and make the necessary adjustments and corrections that are so desparately needed to make our economy and society work for the best interests for many more of our citizens in respect to the runaway amok Market Capitalism and the corporacy which is setting the agenda for the nation and in so many wrong ways. The current model of American Capitalism is seriously broken and, if not corrected soon, will result in the destruction of the United States and the end of liberty and freedom for many citizens.
-----
But I do get some time to do some reading and reflecting, and here are a few articles recently and my observations briefly on them.
A. The Hypocracy and Contradiction of the Flim-Flam Man Limbaugh as to Don Imus
Imus, of course, was ousted from his high-profile media jobs due to some language that was too politically incorrect even for him. While the end result was overkill, his schtick was getting to be passe and he will land on his feet and probably in better shape financially longterm. The fact that the fatman and mouthpiece for the junta, Limbaugh, regularly plays on his radio program a song based on the lyrics and music of the Peter, Paul, and Mary folk music classic, "Puff the Magic Dragon" titled "Barack, the Magic Negro" and not be subjected to the same outcry and punishment is utterly appalling and disgraceful. Limbaugh is even more passe and boring than Imus and his day has passed and his daily blather and wind is of no consequence and relevancy anymore. Limbaugh is nothing but a has-been huckster who should be put out to pasture to play golf in Costa Rica and spend his late afternoons drowning his ego in numerous glasses of various booze and nodding off to sleep after emptying into his voluminous rotund belly his daily pailful of various pharmaceutical substances, both legal and illegal. The EIB does not stand for "Excellence in Broadcasting" but instead "Evidently Its Bu____it"!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/24/10141/1844
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B. A Call for Impeachment for Vice-President Richard Cheney
I expect the number of voices making this call to grow tremendously in the coming months and there very will may be a formidable legislative effort initiated in the US House, although it will not go anywhere unless there is something far more serious that develops during this year and more Republicans defect from supporting Bush to save their own hides and keep their seats when the election in '08 occurs.
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0148.html
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C. Boris Yeltsin, 1931-2007
Undoubtedly, Yeltsin played an important role for a brief period in helping make sure the USSR would not make a comeback. Although he was a crude man and overall an ineffective leader, his place in history is one of significance and he helped ensure a period of relative peace after over a half-century of war and a wartime economy for the Russian people which really most knew only as well as the prior two to three generations of those people.
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D. Further Revelations Concerning the Friendly-Fire Death of Pat Tillman
Every week, more and more information comes out about this coverup by military officials. I would not be surprised if the trail of deceit and deception leads directly into the White House and Joint Chiefs. I would not put it past such "men" as Rove, Rumsfeld, or Cheney to have given the direct order to officers in the battlefield and in command to take this terribly wrong and immoral action. What a shame that such honorable and heroic man like Pat Tillman who took on a sacrifice and responsiblity NONE of his athletic peers in any professional sport have the courage and heart to do has had his name in the middle of all of this chicanary. Lets hope there are criminal consequences for those that initially ultimately gave the order for the coverup and lies.
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E. Nacchio gets what he deserved
Like so many other citizens here in the Rocky Mountain region, the Northwest, and the Northern High Plains, I was greatly pleased to learn of the conviction of former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio on numerous counts of various crimes. Hopefully he will spend most if not all of the rest of his life in a federal penitentary. His criminal behavior and ruthless cold greed has destroyed or damaged the lives of countless citizens. No punishment will ever be enough to atone for what he did to these folks, many of whom were elderly and suffered greatly beyond any reason. It is sad to think, however, that for every Nacchio and his ilk convicted and punished, there remains dozens, probably hundreds, of corporate officials, managers, and lackeys that have gotten away with and continue to get away with sins on a similar scale.
One day we will wake up and make the necessary adjustments and corrections that are so desparately needed to make our economy and society work for the best interests for many more of our citizens in respect to the runaway amok Market Capitalism and the corporacy which is setting the agenda for the nation and in so many wrong ways. The current model of American Capitalism is seriously broken and, if not corrected soon, will result in the destruction of the United States and the end of liberty and freedom for many citizens.
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Poignant, Powerful, Ominous Words
This letter from the late David Halberstam was written to his daughter Julia in 1982 and he reflects back on his early days in Vietnam and what in hindsight he then began to understand and realize about that war and war in general. So much of what he says rings so true about what our nation, we citizens, and particularly the men and women serving and sacrificing in a strange land so far away physically and in our conscience are going through now are much the same things as before almost 40 years ago.
Read the letter carefully and more than once. The impact of the words will stir your heart, probably emotionally move you, and give pause to think and reflect about the magnitude of what it means to be serving your country in a wartime theater. The consequences of reading these words may further reinforce the realization of the emptyness, the waste, the foolishness, and the futility of what this nation's failing and floundering leadership of Bush, Cheney, Rove, and many others have done to our nation, America, and another people and nation, Iraq. The end results for this war are likely to be far worse than what resulted from Vietnam, which for many was only yesterday: yet, for so many others, is already lost and forgotten in history apparently.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/24/707/
Read the letter carefully and more than once. The impact of the words will stir your heart, probably emotionally move you, and give pause to think and reflect about the magnitude of what it means to be serving your country in a wartime theater. The consequences of reading these words may further reinforce the realization of the emptyness, the waste, the foolishness, and the futility of what this nation's failing and floundering leadership of Bush, Cheney, Rove, and many others have done to our nation, America, and another people and nation, Iraq. The end results for this war are likely to be far worse than what resulted from Vietnam, which for many was only yesterday: yet, for so many others, is already lost and forgotten in history apparently.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/24/707/
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Stench of Broadcast News on Cable Stations
The writer of this article captures my views about the news channels we have on cable and satellite. Fox News is utterly nauseating and full of Bush apologists with far too much focus on fluff and celebrity "news". MSNBC is in the same ballpark, and CNN has their moments also except when Lou Dobbs is airing. CNBC offers no critical analysis about the societal, community, and individual costs and sacrifices of the rampant runaway corporacy and market capitalism being forced upon us.
Overall, its better to get most news from the internet, with the newspaper providing state and local news. Use the three major networks for major breaking news (ABC is my preferrence) and avoid most "news" programs like what is broadcast on Fox News and the others.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_rob_kall_070422_cable_news__war_agai.htm
Overall, its better to get most news from the internet, with the newspaper providing state and local news. Use the three major networks for major breaking news (ABC is my preferrence) and avoid most "news" programs like what is broadcast on Fox News and the others.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_rob_kall_070422_cable_news__war_agai.htm
David Halberstam, 1934-2007
Very sad news came from the Bay Area this afternoon of the sudden death of the great historical author and Pulitzer Prize Winner David Halberstam due to an automobile accident in Menlo Park, south of San Francisco. David Halberstam authored numerous books on history as well as baseball, and I was fortunate to have read many of his works. Among his books I enjoyed and learned from include The Best and the Brightest; The Fifties; October 1964; Summer of '49; The Reckoning; and The Next Century. His contributions in his field are monumental and he will be sorely missed.
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBIT_HALBERSTAM?SITE=CODER&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-04-23-19-54-21
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-NY-Obit-Halberstam.html?hp
http://www.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/david_halberstam/index.html
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/103-3780588-6920609?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=David+Halberstam&Go.x=8&Go.y=14
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBIT_HALBERSTAM?SITE=CODER&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-04-23-19-54-21
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-NY-Obit-Halberstam.html?hp
http://www.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/david_halberstam/index.html
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/103-3780588-6920609?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=David+Halberstam&Go.x=8&Go.y=14
Sunday, April 22, 2007
High Speed Passenger Rail on the Horizon
It appears more likely as each day passes that a regional high speed rail corridor is going to be established along the Rocky Mountains corridor from Belen, New Mexico, through Colorado and up to Casper, Wyoming. Progress is being made on several fronts to get this exciting transportation alternative to become a reality, perhaps as early as 2015. The big challenges that remain beside securing matching funding from Congress is to relocate the industrial coal-carrying trains on to newer tracks farther east on the plains, particularly in Colorado.
New Mexico is quite far along with a passenger line already in operation in the Albuquerque corridor with an extension to Santa Fe to be operating in 2008 and the line extended on to Las Vegas and Raton by 2011. The promise of this high speed rail line would mean a trip from Cheyenne to Denver would take about an hour versus about an hour and a half via automobile. A trip from Denver to Albuquerque could be as short as three and a quarter hours. Cheyenne to Casper could be done via this high-speed train in a little over two hours instead of three and one-half by automobile.
Lets hope that this becomes a reality in the next decade and the rail lines are extended to Phoenix and Tucson to the south and Billings and Rapid City to the north by 2025.
http://www.rangerxpress.com/
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2007/04/22/opinion_2007/staff_editorials/ourview833.txt
New Mexico is quite far along with a passenger line already in operation in the Albuquerque corridor with an extension to Santa Fe to be operating in 2008 and the line extended on to Las Vegas and Raton by 2011. The promise of this high speed rail line would mean a trip from Cheyenne to Denver would take about an hour versus about an hour and a half via automobile. A trip from Denver to Albuquerque could be as short as three and a quarter hours. Cheyenne to Casper could be done via this high-speed train in a little over two hours instead of three and one-half by automobile.
Lets hope that this becomes a reality in the next decade and the rail lines are extended to Phoenix and Tucson to the south and Billings and Rapid City to the north by 2025.
http://www.rangerxpress.com/
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2007/04/22/opinion_2007/staff_editorials/ourview833.txt
A Wild Lonesome Guest on the Property
Normally the Pronghorn Antelope are in herds of at least 7-8 and sometimes up to 30 in number, but this fellow decided to go it alone for awhile it seems and took up residence on the property for a few hours. He basically snacked on the newly green prairie grass and then laid down and stared at the surrounding countryside. Darkness fell so I do not know if he is still out there or if he decided to get back to his "people". He was about 6o feet from the front door for the most part and he ignored the barking St Bernards and the twice-per-hour automobile that came by. There are literally hundreds, maybe thousands, of these critters on the prairie surrounding Cheyenne and they blend in quite well with the vegetation on the gently rolling plains. Maybe this fellow had spring fever and had to get out and away from the herd and see what was out there without being overseen by the boss.
Plans for New Taj Mahal for Minnesota Vikings Unveiled
The Minnesota Vikings became the latest pro team to announce plans for a spectacular magnificent building with all the bells and whistles. The stadium is to be built on the eastside of Downtown Minneapolis as part of a larger multi-use development with costs expected to be well in excess of $1 billion dollars. As one might expect, taxpayers in the Twin Cities and the Land of 10,000 Lakes will pickup the vast majority of the expense, probably around 80 % or more of it by the time everything is accounted for by the date of the building's projected opening in 2012.
While the design of the facility is quite beautiful and architecturally impressive, it probably is overkill. But it would mean the awarding of future Super Bowls, Final Fours, and other noteworthy conventions and events to the Twin Cities which would have a significant positive economic impact as there is no competition with a building and development of this size in that region and the cities of Detroit and St. Louis are the nearest areas with comparable facilities.
http://www.startribune.com/510/story/1131935.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2843492
While the design of the facility is quite beautiful and architecturally impressive, it probably is overkill. But it would mean the awarding of future Super Bowls, Final Fours, and other noteworthy conventions and events to the Twin Cities which would have a significant positive economic impact as there is no competition with a building and development of this size in that region and the cities of Detroit and St. Louis are the nearest areas with comparable facilities.
http://www.startribune.com/510/story/1131935.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2843492
Saturday, April 14, 2007
MLB: Observations after the Completion of the First Two Weeks of the Season
With the completion of tonight's (Saturday 14 April) games the season is one-thirteenth complete. While it is still too early to draw any strong conclusions, some observations and outlooks about what are the trends can be offered.
-- Weather: this April has been been very cold so offenses have noticeably suffered. This will be reversed to a large extent as we get into May. By season's end, what has happened this month will be forgotten and largely unrecognizable in the statistics. There have been a large number of postponements due to weather (just ask the Indians and Mariners). Scheduling is a challenge for the sport always this early in the season as teams everywhere prefer to be at home at a minimum in exchange for better drawing games in the summer and in September if in any kind of meaningful race. But MLB needs to focus more on intradivisonal games in April as they would be easier to schedule for makeups in event of weather-related postponements. Scheduling once a season trips to places like Cleveland, Chicago, and Boston for teams like Seattle, Texas, and Tampa Bay for example is just plain foolish. This is another strong reason for the American League to expand to sixteen teams as soon as possible so that scheduling can be done better for the benefit of all clubs and particularly the players and the fans. Lets see those new AL clubs by 2010 or 2011 in Portland, Sacramento, Las Vegas, or San Antonio.
-- Results: predictably, Tampa Bay and Kansas City have already started to fall behind in the AL, and Washington and San Francisco are doing the same in the NL. Surprises are not that many so far with Atlanta, Arizona, Seattle, Cincinnati, and Baltimore having their heads above water still at this point. The one standout disappointment is Philadelphia.
-- Outlook: As what usually happens, the next two to three weeks will establish the first cut between the contenders and pretenders. Clubs like Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Washington, and San Francisco could be around ten games out by then. Teams like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Texas could be 5-7 games out. The Yankees, Mets, Tigers, and Angels should be around .650 or better. Lets hope I am totally incorrect about this outlook and some of these perennial losers give their fans some reason for a little hope and the big money Yankees are underachieving and scuffling.
-- Colorado Rockies: my favorite team has their difficiencies and strengths as does everybody.
On the positive side, the starting pitching has been very solid as has been the defense. On the minus side, the hitting has been largely sorry, the bullpen has been poor and shaky, and there has been no power to speak of so far. Lets hope the bats warm up quickly and the bullpen starts to develop a greater rhythm and consistency in the coming weeks, if not days.
The upcoming schedule for Colorado includes a seven game home stand starting Monday 16 April with a pair of games each against the Giants and Dodgers and a weekend three game set against the Padres; then its on the road for a quick three game trip to play the Mets at Shea followed by a three game weekend set back home against the Braves then back out on the road for three at San Francisco, three at Cincinnati, and three at St Louis before starting another homestand Thursday, 10 May. Lets hope these next 23 games starting Sunday the 15th of April has the Rockies win around 13 to 16 of them to position themselves as a contender for the coming months.
-- Weather: this April has been been very cold so offenses have noticeably suffered. This will be reversed to a large extent as we get into May. By season's end, what has happened this month will be forgotten and largely unrecognizable in the statistics. There have been a large number of postponements due to weather (just ask the Indians and Mariners). Scheduling is a challenge for the sport always this early in the season as teams everywhere prefer to be at home at a minimum in exchange for better drawing games in the summer and in September if in any kind of meaningful race. But MLB needs to focus more on intradivisonal games in April as they would be easier to schedule for makeups in event of weather-related postponements. Scheduling once a season trips to places like Cleveland, Chicago, and Boston for teams like Seattle, Texas, and Tampa Bay for example is just plain foolish. This is another strong reason for the American League to expand to sixteen teams as soon as possible so that scheduling can be done better for the benefit of all clubs and particularly the players and the fans. Lets see those new AL clubs by 2010 or 2011 in Portland, Sacramento, Las Vegas, or San Antonio.
-- Results: predictably, Tampa Bay and Kansas City have already started to fall behind in the AL, and Washington and San Francisco are doing the same in the NL. Surprises are not that many so far with Atlanta, Arizona, Seattle, Cincinnati, and Baltimore having their heads above water still at this point. The one standout disappointment is Philadelphia.
-- Outlook: As what usually happens, the next two to three weeks will establish the first cut between the contenders and pretenders. Clubs like Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Washington, and San Francisco could be around ten games out by then. Teams like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Texas could be 5-7 games out. The Yankees, Mets, Tigers, and Angels should be around .650 or better. Lets hope I am totally incorrect about this outlook and some of these perennial losers give their fans some reason for a little hope and the big money Yankees are underachieving and scuffling.
-- Colorado Rockies: my favorite team has their difficiencies and strengths as does everybody.
On the positive side, the starting pitching has been very solid as has been the defense. On the minus side, the hitting has been largely sorry, the bullpen has been poor and shaky, and there has been no power to speak of so far. Lets hope the bats warm up quickly and the bullpen starts to develop a greater rhythm and consistency in the coming weeks, if not days.
The upcoming schedule for Colorado includes a seven game home stand starting Monday 16 April with a pair of games each against the Giants and Dodgers and a weekend three game set against the Padres; then its on the road for a quick three game trip to play the Mets at Shea followed by a three game weekend set back home against the Braves then back out on the road for three at San Francisco, three at Cincinnati, and three at St Louis before starting another homestand Thursday, 10 May. Lets hope these next 23 games starting Sunday the 15th of April has the Rockies win around 13 to 16 of them to position themselves as a contender for the coming months.
Recent News Articles and Observations
Here are some recent news articles and opinions and my observations briefly on them.
A. Brutal Honesty from the Man Who Really Should be the Next President
I strongly maintain that Senator John McCain remains the most ably qualified candidate for the Presidency in 2008 and stands head and shoulders above all the other candidates, announced or unannounced. He has a strong grasp on foreign and domestic policy and clearly knows and demonstrates what a leader is and can be, unlike virtually all the other presidential candidates.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/us/politics/15mccain.html?ei=5065&en=8db1136256412d6d&ex=1177214400&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print
-----
B. Thompson Poised to Join Race for Presidency
Longtime dramatic actor and retired two-term Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson will join the race for the GOP nomination for the Presidency later this summer, and his entry into the field will result in the inevitable and eventual failure of the candidacies of Rudy Guilianni and Mitt Romney, among others.
http://townhall.com/Columnists/RobertDNovak/2007/04/14/rove_left_out
-----
C. Amok Capitalism in the 21st Century
This article points out the serious flaws and shortcomings that exist in our Capitalist economic system that have largely emerged in the last generation and the peril and risk that such activities and pursuits to every citizen. What ever happened to ethics in the business world? Oh, I forget -- thats something that is bad for business, the profits they lustily crave, and the fat wallets and perks that business management demands and expects.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.capitalism15apr15,0,3938278.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines
-----
D. Globalization's Bitter Price for American Citizens
Anyone with any kind of intelligence and compassion could see this coming 20-25 years ago. Ross Perot was not blowing smoke when he was talking about the consequences of globalism on the American citizenry 11-18 years ago. American citizens are paying a harsh price, especially older Americans, rural Americans, and people who are quiet, soft-spoken, and reserved. Many people are not cut out psychologically to be salesmen, hucksters, and hustlers for corporations.
Creating and making something that people need is a far more desirable occupation.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070430/greider
-----
E. Another Strong Reason for Breaking Up the Telecommunications Oligopoly
I firmly believe that Telecommunications corporations, like utility corporations, be restricted to be strongly regulated and broken up. These entities must not be allowed to do business in more than about 6-7 states. They operate as a public service and must remain small enough to be attentive to the needs of the citizenry and to allow maximum freedoms and choices for citizens at the most minimal cost. Beasts like AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Time-Warner Cable, Qwest, and Verizon are at the top of my targeted hit list for corporations to be broken up and shrunken to more manageable and responsible business for the citizens to choose from among many others that could be created to provided choice and competition with more reasonable and sensible pricing.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/15/532/
-----
F. Another View about What is Happening in Iraq
I do not believe things are getting much better in Iraq, but I will remain patient for next several months and give the ongoing mission time to succeed and make progress. There simply is no other logical alternative at this time and in the near future.
http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=186275
-----
G. Looking Ahead to Unemployment Trends for the Upcoming Recession
When the recession this year kicks in this summer, one demographic that will suffer enormously will be the older worker, those over age 45. Along with Blacks, rural citizens, and women, this upcoming recession and economic downturn will be quite cruel to the older worker, which includes me and many others I have known and continue to know.
http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/bp162
-----
H. The Psychology of Conservatives?
Can these kinds of people possess a serious personality flaw that can be identified. My thought would be no...
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Society/Conservatives_Deconstruct.html
-----
I. Frightening Terror from the Deep Attacking Mankind & Pets !
A. Brutal Honesty from the Man Who Really Should be the Next President
I strongly maintain that Senator John McCain remains the most ably qualified candidate for the Presidency in 2008 and stands head and shoulders above all the other candidates, announced or unannounced. He has a strong grasp on foreign and domestic policy and clearly knows and demonstrates what a leader is and can be, unlike virtually all the other presidential candidates.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/us/politics/15mccain.html?ei=5065&en=8db1136256412d6d&ex=1177214400&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print
-----
B. Thompson Poised to Join Race for Presidency
Longtime dramatic actor and retired two-term Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson will join the race for the GOP nomination for the Presidency later this summer, and his entry into the field will result in the inevitable and eventual failure of the candidacies of Rudy Guilianni and Mitt Romney, among others.
http://townhall.com/Columnists/RobertDNovak/2007/04/14/rove_left_out
-----
C. Amok Capitalism in the 21st Century
This article points out the serious flaws and shortcomings that exist in our Capitalist economic system that have largely emerged in the last generation and the peril and risk that such activities and pursuits to every citizen. What ever happened to ethics in the business world? Oh, I forget -- thats something that is bad for business, the profits they lustily crave, and the fat wallets and perks that business management demands and expects.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.capitalism15apr15,0,3938278.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines
-----
D. Globalization's Bitter Price for American Citizens
Anyone with any kind of intelligence and compassion could see this coming 20-25 years ago. Ross Perot was not blowing smoke when he was talking about the consequences of globalism on the American citizenry 11-18 years ago. American citizens are paying a harsh price, especially older Americans, rural Americans, and people who are quiet, soft-spoken, and reserved. Many people are not cut out psychologically to be salesmen, hucksters, and hustlers for corporations.
Creating and making something that people need is a far more desirable occupation.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070430/greider
-----
E. Another Strong Reason for Breaking Up the Telecommunications Oligopoly
I firmly believe that Telecommunications corporations, like utility corporations, be restricted to be strongly regulated and broken up. These entities must not be allowed to do business in more than about 6-7 states. They operate as a public service and must remain small enough to be attentive to the needs of the citizenry and to allow maximum freedoms and choices for citizens at the most minimal cost. Beasts like AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Time-Warner Cable, Qwest, and Verizon are at the top of my targeted hit list for corporations to be broken up and shrunken to more manageable and responsible business for the citizens to choose from among many others that could be created to provided choice and competition with more reasonable and sensible pricing.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/15/532/
-----
F. Another View about What is Happening in Iraq
I do not believe things are getting much better in Iraq, but I will remain patient for next several months and give the ongoing mission time to succeed and make progress. There simply is no other logical alternative at this time and in the near future.
http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?pid=186275
-----
G. Looking Ahead to Unemployment Trends for the Upcoming Recession
When the recession this year kicks in this summer, one demographic that will suffer enormously will be the older worker, those over age 45. Along with Blacks, rural citizens, and women, this upcoming recession and economic downturn will be quite cruel to the older worker, which includes me and many others I have known and continue to know.
http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/bp162
-----
H. The Psychology of Conservatives?
Can these kinds of people possess a serious personality flaw that can be identified. My thought would be no...
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Society/Conservatives_Deconstruct.html
-----
I. Frightening Terror from the Deep Attacking Mankind & Pets !
Horror of Horrors, a killer beast terrorizing the local population and their pets ! Get every cop from a one-hundred fifty mile radius on this case ! Mobilize the National Guard (oops, I forget, they are all in Iraq and Afghanistan dealing with a different kind of terror) ! I know, Get the Govern-nator, Arnold, since it is happening in his state and have him pulverize the threat !
http://www.mercurynews.com/weirdnews/ci_5670526?nclick_check=1
-----
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Outlook
The 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs began today with the eventual Stanley Cup Champion being crowned somewhere around Memorial Day.Here are some predictions on the conference quarterfinals matchups.
West:
#1 Detroit v #8 Calgary: As much as I would like to see the Red Wings go down, I do not think it will happen in the first round against a #8 seed for the second consecutive year...
..............Detroit 4-2
#2 Anaheim v #7 Minnesota: The Ducks have too much firepower and talent for the Wild to pull the upset, but all the games will be close...
.............Anaheim 4-2
#3 Vancouver v #6 Dallas: This should be a very entertaining series between two largely evenly matched squads, but the Canucks edge in the goal will be the difference...
.............Vancouver 4-3
#4 Nashville v #5 San Jose: This should be the best series in the first round in either conference with two excellent complete teams fighting it out in what will be a very close series with probably more than a few sudden death overtime games to occur...
.............San Jose 4-3
East:
#1 Buffalo v #8 New York Islanders: The Sabres should dominate the outmatched Islanders rather easily; a sweep is not out of the question.......
.............Buffalo 4-1
#2 New Jersey v #7 Tampa Bay: This should a close hardhitting low scoring series and I am calling for a Lightning upset because in this round there is always one that happens....
.............Tampa Bay 4-2
#3 Atlanta v #6 New York Rangers: With Colorado and Toronto out of the playoffs, I am holding the torch for my beloved Rangers, my childhood favorite team almost 40 years ago. So I am going to pick the Blueshirts to outlast the playoff debuting Thrashers who are led by Coach Bob Hartley, the former Stanley Cup winning coach for Colorado, whom I met at a Dairy Queen in May 2001....
.............New York Rangers 4-3
#4 Ottawa v #5 Pittsburgh: The playoffs most dangerous darkhorse team, the Senators, will have their hands full with the young and upcoming Penguins, but Pittsburgh is still a year away and the Sens pose the greatest challenge to the seemingly destined Sabres...
.............Ottawa 4-1
My picks for the finals continue to be Buffalo and San Jose, but Ottawa and Anaheim are my second choices and loom as conference finals opponents for the Sabres and Sharks. I am still calling for Buffalo to skate away with the Cup for a first time and somewhat avenge their stolen opportunity back in 1999 when Dallas beat them due to at least one powerfully missed call by the officials in the Finals that Spring.
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