Here is a few news articles from today that caught my attention and some brief observations on them.
A. Corporate Stupidity and Arrogance Will Cost Southland Plenty
It is clear this man was fired illegally and wrongfully. He will be getting plenty of money soon enough as intelligent attorneys will be successful in making Southland pay. Convenience stores love illegals as they are a demographic that they can easily exploit and take advantage of. Payback will be sweet revenge for this evil corporation's greed, arrogance, and stupidity.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5628425,00.html
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B. Coal to Liquids Plant Construction Nears
As America seeks alternative energy and fuel, particularly for transportation, the report of the impending construction of this plant is excellent news. Elk Mountain is about 75 miles NW of Laramie along I-80 at the northern tip of the Snowy Range Mountains and is a totally rural area. Hopefully the plant construction will be done in an esthetically and pleasing way and the plant will be not visible from the highway and spoil the views.
http://www.laramieboomerang.com/news/more.asp?StoryID=106841
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C. Health Care Must be Taken From the Private Sector
The information discussed in these articles clearly explain why the insurance industry and greedy medical professionals and employers must be eliminated by 2011 for the health and lives of all citizens, particularly those who are the neediest.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-ehrenreich/health-care-vs-the-profi_b_55941.html
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/13/2498/
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D. Cuban Looks to Purchase Chicago Cubs... May He Fail !
I, too, hope Mark Cuban is unsuccessful in his attempt to purchase the Chicago Cubs later this year. Then maybe he can purchase the Colorado Rockies and relieve the fans of this team throughout the Mountain Time Zone of the unbelievably terrible and laughable ownership group of the Monfort Brothers. These two Greeley boobs have really ran this club into the ground and many fans have deserted the team as a result. All the promise and goodwill that began before Opening Day 1993 and continued later into the decade is now largely gone and there are only Charlie and Dick to blame. The sooner they sell, particularly to a committed and passionate man like Cuban who possesses adequate resources for an enterprise like professional sports, the better off we will all be.
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1321&Itemid=42#jc_allComments
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E.
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F. Bush Junta Blocking Investigation of Death of Pat Tillman
As I believe, the Bush Junta is involved in the coverup of the facts surrounding the death of Pat Tillman. I believe Bush, Cheney, Rove, and/or Rumsfeld ordered officers and commanders in the field and theater to lie about the circumstances of this death in order to use it for political gain and propaganda. Hopefully the full truth will emerge and justice will be served on these traitors.
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/White_House_Pentagon_hold_up_documents_0713.html
http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=583
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G. A Link to a Little Known Part of Rocky Mountain Regional History Passes
Nearly a century has passed since the horror of this history occurred, and it is remarkable that so few know of this massacre. The date of this should be a state holiday in Colorado and should be commemorated in ceremonies to increase public awareness and enlarge the flickering memories. The citizenry has to be made aware of past excesses and crimes by corporations and their government agents that continues in even more tragic ways today.
http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1183703953/14
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H. The Failures and Sins of Richard Cheney
In time, the facts will come out. And there will be further consequences.
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2007/07/09/070709taco_talk_hertzberg
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I. The Fast-Sinking GOP and Their Impending Collapse in 2008
The Republicans are going down and going down hard in November 2008 and any Democrats that are not in opposition sufficiently enough to them are going to be joining the GOP in getting run out of elected offices with flames and smoke roaring out of their keisters in Washington and in many statehouses as well.
http://www.regressiveantidote.net/Articles/In_The_Last_Throes,_Judiciously.html
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J. Yet Another Issue That Needs Addressing in '09 After the Bush Junta and GOP are Ousted
Absolutely nobody should be paying more than 30 % of their net monthly income on housing rent. Legislation is desparately needed to address this growing widespread form of economic discrimination and injustice.
http://www.regressiveantidote.net/Articles/In_The_Last_Throes,_Judiciously.html
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K. Still Yet Another Report on Bush Junta Malfeasance to the Detriment of the Citizenry
It just keeps getting more and more widespread -- the treachery and corruption of these boobs running the country as if it only for wealthy corporations and greedy rich people.
http://scoop.epluribusmedia.org/story/2007/7/11/135218/740
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L. The Peril of the Growing Theocracy Movement
Very disturbing and troubling information is discussed in this article.
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/7/10/181013/686
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M. The Real Story About What is Happening in Iraq and the Looming Consequences
We do not get the real story about the war from any mainstream media and even most secondary sources at all.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/13/2509/
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N. And Finally, The Most Troubling and Frightening Report of the Day
Read this carefully, and then you will be shaking your head and be upset.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/13/2510/
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Friday, July 13, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Updated Odds to Win the '07 World Series
If one is in Las Vegas or Reno, here would be some teams to place a bet on to win the World Series this year. I put a few bucks on San Diego, Detroit, Anaheim, Boston, or Cleveland. A couple of good long shot bets would be Seattle, Arizona, Colorado, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Oakland, and, if you really feel wild and crazy, St Louis, Houston, or San Francisco.
Unfortunately, this isn't horse racing so longshots that could really pay off do not exist.
Boston 7-2 Seattle 18-1 Chi WS 150-1
Detroit 5-1 Atlanta 20-1 Houston 150-1
NY Mets 6-1 Philadelphia 25-1 SF Giants 150-1
Anaheim 7-1 Arizona 30-1 Pittsburgh 200-1
Cleveland 8-1 Minnesota 30-1 Baltimore 300-1
San Diego 8-1 Colorado 40-1 Cincinnati 1000-1
Milwaukee 10-1 Oakland 45-1 Kansas City 1000-1
Los Angeles 12-1 St Louis 65-1 Tampa Bay 1000-1
Chi Cubs 15-1 Toronto 65-1 Texas 1000-1
NY Yankees 15-1 Florida 100-1 Washington 1000-1
Unfortunately, this isn't horse racing so longshots that could really pay off do not exist.
Boston 7-2 Seattle 18-1 Chi WS 150-1
Detroit 5-1 Atlanta 20-1 Houston 150-1
NY Mets 6-1 Philadelphia 25-1 SF Giants 150-1
Anaheim 7-1 Arizona 30-1 Pittsburgh 200-1
Cleveland 8-1 Minnesota 30-1 Baltimore 300-1
San Diego 8-1 Colorado 40-1 Cincinnati 1000-1
Milwaukee 10-1 Oakland 45-1 Kansas City 1000-1
Los Angeles 12-1 St Louis 65-1 Tampa Bay 1000-1
Chi Cubs 15-1 Toronto 65-1 Texas 1000-1
NY Yankees 15-1 Florida 100-1 Washington 1000-1
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Baseball at the Halfway Pole
The Mid-Summer Classic, the MLB All-Star Game, traditionally marks the halfway pole of the long season along with Independence Day. With the season now past the midway point, one can draw sure conclusions about which teams will continue to thrive and be playing for the championshhip in the postseason.
In the American League, it would appear the four postseason participants are already likely in place: Boston, Detroit, Anaheim, and Cleveland. But Minnesota, Seattle, Oakland, and maybe even New York will make a run to be able to participate but should come up short.
In the AL East, the Redsox have had a double digit lead for weeks now and a solid pitching staff anchored by Beckett, a bullpen led by Pappelbon, and a steady starting lineup including Ortiz, Youklis, Pedroia, Ramirez, Varitek, and Lowell have Boston poised to win their first division title in over 15 years. The disappointing Yankees have been beset by injuries and evident underachievement throughout their roster and have yet to show any real stretch of consistency thus far. It appears NY will miss the postseason for the first time since '93. Toronto has been wracked with injuries as Halladay and Ryan most notably have been injured. Baltimore is a big disappointment as the inept Angelos ownership continues to bungle and err with this club that had a lot of tradition before he took over. Things are so bad the manager has already been dumped and an interim field boss is still running the show weeks later. Brian Roberts is the only Oriole having a good year. Tampa Bay has a young and exciting everyday lineup, but their pitching is just plain horrendous as they are on pace to give up over 1000 runs and their defense is uncomparably woeful.
In the AL Central, Detroit and Cleveland have been staging a good pennant race between them so far as both teams sport solid offenses and pitching staffs. The Tigers with all their sparking young pitching and solid everyday players like Monroe, Granderson, Guillen, Ordonez, Sheffeild, and Polanco seem to have a slight edge over the Indians which will carry the Motor City Kitties to the division title, relegating the Tribe to the wild card slot. Minnesota is a good team but clearly is a step back with their pitching but their offense is potent enough to be able to carry the Twins to perhaps as many as 88 wins but no postseason bid this season. Chicago has all but collapsed in less than a year and a half after winning it all, and their pitching is near the bottom of the league with a sputtering offense. They will probably finish last in the division as they will be unable to hold off the steadily improving Kansas City Royals, whom have made strides this season and resemble the Brewers of two-three years ago. KC may be a Milwaukee or Detroit in the making and be a contender next year or '09.
Out in the AL West, the league's best club, Anaheim, are headed for a division title and a slot in the ALCS. The Angels are solid throughout their roster and have the look of a potential champion. Seattle may keep things interesting but they lack the depth, experience, and talent to win the division. The Mariners should win around 86 games. Oakland has been crippled by injuries and has struggled to stay above .500 but this club has a history of playing superbly in the second half so they cannot be written off. The A's may challenge the Angels yet. Texas, on the other hand, is DOA and is certain to finish last with probably the worst record in the league.
The National League picture is not as clear, but there are some favorites that have positioned themselves well so far and some contenders who may have enough to overcome them and be surprise participants in the postseason.
The NL East should be won by New York, but the Mets are inconsistent and their pitching leaves a lot to be desired. These shortcomings may be enough for young Atlanta and veteran Philadelphia to have a good chance to overcome the Mets, but the Braves and Phillies both have pitching woes and noticeable holes in their lineups that will be a challenge in of themselves to overcome. Florida is competitive but does not have enough to overcome all these other three teams. Washington has played better than expected but the Nationals are still going to lose over 90 games and finish last.
In the NL Central, Milwaukee has strived as I expected, but needs to demonstrate greater consistency particularly in road games. The Brewers should win the division and hold off the Cubs and Cardinals who both will make a run at Milwaukee but come up short. Chicago has noticeable holes in their offense and their pitching leaves a lot to be desired. St Louis has basically been a one man team as Pujols is the only Cardinal playing well and with any consistency. The Cardinals' pitching will inevitably be their undoing. Young Pittsburgh is improved and could finish .500 but a 15th straight losing season is more likely. Houston has a lot of holes and will have their worst season after a good run of competitiveness. Cincinnati is the worst team in the National League and will finish last with over 95 losses. There are some rumors that St Louis GM Walt Jocketty and Mgr Tony LaRussa and their staffs are going to be headed to head the Reds after this season which would be a tremendous development for the fans of this traditional organization who have seem many struggles in recent seasons.
The NL West promises to have a barnburner of a race down the stretch involving three, perhaps even four teams. San Diego has baseball's best pitching by far and that should be enough to carry the Padres to the division title in spite of their offensive shortcomings. The Dodgers have good solid pitching, but their offense is lacking and they have an atrocious defense but may yet take the wild card. Young Arizona has surprisingly stayed at or near the top of the division race all season and may have enough yet to win. Even younger Colorado got off to a poor start but has come back strongly to be on the edge of the race and continued solid performances by this team's players will have the Rockies in the race into September although their pitching is still a step back of SD and LA. San Francisco is hosting this week's All-Star Game and, with one other exception, will have little else to cheer for and get excited about for this season as the Giants are headed for a last place finish and around 90 losses. There is, however, that little record being pursued by Barry Bonds that will keep the crowds coming and the fans engaged in the Bay Area and elsewhere as he is but 5 home runs away from surpassing Aaron and his record of 755. Look for the record to fall in the last week or so of August as Bonds is showing his age (43) this season in spite of being in good health and 775 and probably 765 are out of the question for this aging controversial slugger.
We have already seen some tremendous milestone accomplishments achieved this season with Trevor Hoffman getting his 500th save; Roger Clemens getting his 350th win; Greg Maddox getting his 340th win; Craig Biggio collecting his 3000th hit on the way to a five-hit night; Ken Griffey Jr moving to 6th on the all time HR list behind Aaron, Bonds, Ruth, Mays, and Sammy Sosa, who hit his 600 career HR; and Frank Thomas hitting his 500th home run. Tom Glavine will win his 300th game in the coming weeks and if Randy Johnson gets healthy he will get his 290th win. Alex Rodriguez will hit his 500th HR before July ends.
I will go with NY, MLW, SD, & LA as the NL postseason participants, but cannot rule out PHIL, ATL, CHIC, STL, ARIZ, and COLO surprising and sneaking in.
In the American League, it would appear the four postseason participants are already likely in place: Boston, Detroit, Anaheim, and Cleveland. But Minnesota, Seattle, Oakland, and maybe even New York will make a run to be able to participate but should come up short.
In the AL East, the Redsox have had a double digit lead for weeks now and a solid pitching staff anchored by Beckett, a bullpen led by Pappelbon, and a steady starting lineup including Ortiz, Youklis, Pedroia, Ramirez, Varitek, and Lowell have Boston poised to win their first division title in over 15 years. The disappointing Yankees have been beset by injuries and evident underachievement throughout their roster and have yet to show any real stretch of consistency thus far. It appears NY will miss the postseason for the first time since '93. Toronto has been wracked with injuries as Halladay and Ryan most notably have been injured. Baltimore is a big disappointment as the inept Angelos ownership continues to bungle and err with this club that had a lot of tradition before he took over. Things are so bad the manager has already been dumped and an interim field boss is still running the show weeks later. Brian Roberts is the only Oriole having a good year. Tampa Bay has a young and exciting everyday lineup, but their pitching is just plain horrendous as they are on pace to give up over 1000 runs and their defense is uncomparably woeful.
In the AL Central, Detroit and Cleveland have been staging a good pennant race between them so far as both teams sport solid offenses and pitching staffs. The Tigers with all their sparking young pitching and solid everyday players like Monroe, Granderson, Guillen, Ordonez, Sheffeild, and Polanco seem to have a slight edge over the Indians which will carry the Motor City Kitties to the division title, relegating the Tribe to the wild card slot. Minnesota is a good team but clearly is a step back with their pitching but their offense is potent enough to be able to carry the Twins to perhaps as many as 88 wins but no postseason bid this season. Chicago has all but collapsed in less than a year and a half after winning it all, and their pitching is near the bottom of the league with a sputtering offense. They will probably finish last in the division as they will be unable to hold off the steadily improving Kansas City Royals, whom have made strides this season and resemble the Brewers of two-three years ago. KC may be a Milwaukee or Detroit in the making and be a contender next year or '09.
Out in the AL West, the league's best club, Anaheim, are headed for a division title and a slot in the ALCS. The Angels are solid throughout their roster and have the look of a potential champion. Seattle may keep things interesting but they lack the depth, experience, and talent to win the division. The Mariners should win around 86 games. Oakland has been crippled by injuries and has struggled to stay above .500 but this club has a history of playing superbly in the second half so they cannot be written off. The A's may challenge the Angels yet. Texas, on the other hand, is DOA and is certain to finish last with probably the worst record in the league.
The National League picture is not as clear, but there are some favorites that have positioned themselves well so far and some contenders who may have enough to overcome them and be surprise participants in the postseason.
The NL East should be won by New York, but the Mets are inconsistent and their pitching leaves a lot to be desired. These shortcomings may be enough for young Atlanta and veteran Philadelphia to have a good chance to overcome the Mets, but the Braves and Phillies both have pitching woes and noticeable holes in their lineups that will be a challenge in of themselves to overcome. Florida is competitive but does not have enough to overcome all these other three teams. Washington has played better than expected but the Nationals are still going to lose over 90 games and finish last.
In the NL Central, Milwaukee has strived as I expected, but needs to demonstrate greater consistency particularly in road games. The Brewers should win the division and hold off the Cubs and Cardinals who both will make a run at Milwaukee but come up short. Chicago has noticeable holes in their offense and their pitching leaves a lot to be desired. St Louis has basically been a one man team as Pujols is the only Cardinal playing well and with any consistency. The Cardinals' pitching will inevitably be their undoing. Young Pittsburgh is improved and could finish .500 but a 15th straight losing season is more likely. Houston has a lot of holes and will have their worst season after a good run of competitiveness. Cincinnati is the worst team in the National League and will finish last with over 95 losses. There are some rumors that St Louis GM Walt Jocketty and Mgr Tony LaRussa and their staffs are going to be headed to head the Reds after this season which would be a tremendous development for the fans of this traditional organization who have seem many struggles in recent seasons.
The NL West promises to have a barnburner of a race down the stretch involving three, perhaps even four teams. San Diego has baseball's best pitching by far and that should be enough to carry the Padres to the division title in spite of their offensive shortcomings. The Dodgers have good solid pitching, but their offense is lacking and they have an atrocious defense but may yet take the wild card. Young Arizona has surprisingly stayed at or near the top of the division race all season and may have enough yet to win. Even younger Colorado got off to a poor start but has come back strongly to be on the edge of the race and continued solid performances by this team's players will have the Rockies in the race into September although their pitching is still a step back of SD and LA. San Francisco is hosting this week's All-Star Game and, with one other exception, will have little else to cheer for and get excited about for this season as the Giants are headed for a last place finish and around 90 losses. There is, however, that little record being pursued by Barry Bonds that will keep the crowds coming and the fans engaged in the Bay Area and elsewhere as he is but 5 home runs away from surpassing Aaron and his record of 755. Look for the record to fall in the last week or so of August as Bonds is showing his age (43) this season in spite of being in good health and 775 and probably 765 are out of the question for this aging controversial slugger.
We have already seen some tremendous milestone accomplishments achieved this season with Trevor Hoffman getting his 500th save; Roger Clemens getting his 350th win; Greg Maddox getting his 340th win; Craig Biggio collecting his 3000th hit on the way to a five-hit night; Ken Griffey Jr moving to 6th on the all time HR list behind Aaron, Bonds, Ruth, Mays, and Sammy Sosa, who hit his 600 career HR; and Frank Thomas hitting his 500th home run. Tom Glavine will win his 300th game in the coming weeks and if Randy Johnson gets healthy he will get his 290th win. Alex Rodriguez will hit his 500th HR before July ends.
I will go with NY, MLW, SD, & LA as the NL postseason participants, but cannot rule out PHIL, ATL, CHIC, STL, ARIZ, and COLO surprising and sneaking in.
As Usual, The Answer for the Future is Found in the Past
The United States and its citizens face tremendous challenges in the coming years, and I am talking about in the next 5-10 years. Whether or not we are up for these challenges remains to be seen, but a blueprint for possible success in circumstances that were considered to be as dire and threatening was successfully executed not too long, during World War II in the late 1930's and early to mid 1940's by people who were of the same age as our grandparents and parents in some cases. Following this course and plan in a similar way may be the only road to survival for us, and particularly for the children of today.
http://www.alternet.org/environment/55925/
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http://www.alternet.org/environment/55925/
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Saturday, July 7, 2007
A Different Kind of a Routine Week
As this late evening wraps up the first full week of July, I have been engaged in getting moved into my new home and getting re-acquainted with personal property that I have not seen in many, many months. My strategy is to get the bedroom then the bathroom then the kitchen done largely with some overlap before starting on the office and the living room.
As I post tonight, strides have been made in the bedroom and bathroom and on Sunday my focus will extend to the kitchen with cookware, utensils, silver, dishes, and supplies to be located in the boxes or crates they are stored in, cleaned up, and appropriated storage identified. I will get the microwave and its cart brought up and cleaned. Cleaning supplies will be stored. And I will continue to work on the bedroom and bathroom as property is located that will be placed in those rooms. I project I can get most everything brought up and put into an appropriate place by July 15. I get Tuesday the 10th off this week so its another day early in the week to make progress although I need to locate a laundry so I can do the wash before the good socks inventory runs out.
I have come across clothing that I had forgotten about including shirts and pants. I still need to locate a box that has more of my shirts stored in it. After the 15th I can probably start to think about hanging pictures and decorating and getting my A-V center fully organized and arranged.
I have several pairs of jeans that I need to make a determination about as they are either way too big (some are sizes 44 and 46 waists and I am able to get into a 40 although its tight so a 42 is still best though they sag easily at the waist with any activity). I need to donate those unwanted pants along with socks and underwear to a charity in the coming months.
After I get settled in and as organized as possible, I will take some photos of the place and include them in this blog for my readers to be able to see. I will try to have enough so that one can get an idea about my new home and its size, layout, and colors (white walls, brown carpet, brown kitchen cabinets, and brownish yellow linoleum in the bathroom and kitchen. I would estimate the square footage at about 800 to 900 not including the garage below and the patio deck outside the front door. As expected, it is stuffy in the afternoons with the summer heat but open windows and deployment of fans provide relief and by sunset it is comfortable and then cool by morning. My front door faces south with windows in the bedroom and kitchen on the north and a window in the living room on the east. Thank goodness there are no west windows.
Work is busy as massive quantities of inventory of all kinds are arriving in preparation for Frontier Days which commences on 20 July and runs through 30 July. With the store's location right where many visitors will be, huge crowds and tremendous sales are certain. There will be some days where the store does over $75K in sales with total sales for the 10 days to be around $600-650K. I have never worked in a business where that much revenue was made in a month let alone in just a few days so this should be an interesting and exciting experience.
I look forward to meeting a lot more people from all over the planet as I already have. I have met people from every state except Delaware so far in the 100 days I have worked there and many nations in Europe such as Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Italy, Poland, Estonia, Spain, Luxembourg, Holland, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Switzerland, and Russia. Other nations include South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Its been very interesting to have been able to meet such a wide diversity of people from around the planet and have an ever so brief conversation with some of them.
I will probably get to work extra starting after the next ten days through the end of the month so some extra money can be made which will be welcome. But blogging may not occur as often as I will be busy and when not working greatly fatigued and nonfocused.
As I post tonight, strides have been made in the bedroom and bathroom and on Sunday my focus will extend to the kitchen with cookware, utensils, silver, dishes, and supplies to be located in the boxes or crates they are stored in, cleaned up, and appropriated storage identified. I will get the microwave and its cart brought up and cleaned. Cleaning supplies will be stored. And I will continue to work on the bedroom and bathroom as property is located that will be placed in those rooms. I project I can get most everything brought up and put into an appropriate place by July 15. I get Tuesday the 10th off this week so its another day early in the week to make progress although I need to locate a laundry so I can do the wash before the good socks inventory runs out.
I have come across clothing that I had forgotten about including shirts and pants. I still need to locate a box that has more of my shirts stored in it. After the 15th I can probably start to think about hanging pictures and decorating and getting my A-V center fully organized and arranged.
I have several pairs of jeans that I need to make a determination about as they are either way too big (some are sizes 44 and 46 waists and I am able to get into a 40 although its tight so a 42 is still best though they sag easily at the waist with any activity). I need to donate those unwanted pants along with socks and underwear to a charity in the coming months.
After I get settled in and as organized as possible, I will take some photos of the place and include them in this blog for my readers to be able to see. I will try to have enough so that one can get an idea about my new home and its size, layout, and colors (white walls, brown carpet, brown kitchen cabinets, and brownish yellow linoleum in the bathroom and kitchen. I would estimate the square footage at about 800 to 900 not including the garage below and the patio deck outside the front door. As expected, it is stuffy in the afternoons with the summer heat but open windows and deployment of fans provide relief and by sunset it is comfortable and then cool by morning. My front door faces south with windows in the bedroom and kitchen on the north and a window in the living room on the east. Thank goodness there are no west windows.
Work is busy as massive quantities of inventory of all kinds are arriving in preparation for Frontier Days which commences on 20 July and runs through 30 July. With the store's location right where many visitors will be, huge crowds and tremendous sales are certain. There will be some days where the store does over $75K in sales with total sales for the 10 days to be around $600-650K. I have never worked in a business where that much revenue was made in a month let alone in just a few days so this should be an interesting and exciting experience.
I look forward to meeting a lot more people from all over the planet as I already have. I have met people from every state except Delaware so far in the 100 days I have worked there and many nations in Europe such as Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Italy, Poland, Estonia, Spain, Luxembourg, Holland, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Switzerland, and Russia. Other nations include South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Its been very interesting to have been able to meet such a wide diversity of people from around the planet and have an ever so brief conversation with some of them.
I will probably get to work extra starting after the next ten days through the end of the month so some extra money can be made which will be welcome. But blogging may not occur as often as I will be busy and when not working greatly fatigued and nonfocused.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
All the Places I Have Lived
With the move into a new residence, I got to thinking about where and how many places I have lived in over the years. Heres the list, as complete as I can remember, and includes anywhere where a residence was maintained for at least a month.
7/07 - new in Cheyenne
12/06- 07/07 - BC & family/Cheyenne
12/06 -------- HBL & family/CR
6/06-12/06 - w/ Kelly in DTC Denver
4/06-06/06 - homeless; M6/Aurora
9/05 -04/06 - homeless; M6/GWV
11/04-08/05 - homeless; living in truck in Denver
10/04-11/04 - off Tower/Yale in Aurora
6/04-10/04 - w/ Kelly on Elmira Denver
11/99 -06/04 - Harvard in Aurora
11/97 -11/99 - Fairfax in Glendale
05/97 -11/97 - Stanford in FTC
06/96-05/97 - N 5th in Lar
04/96 -06/96- SC in Lar
o2/96-04/96 - Valencia in Alb
10/95-02/96 - Reno along Truckee River
02/94-10/96 - N 5th in Lar
01/94-02/94 - SC in Lar
08/93-12/93 - Fed Cir in Littleton
01/92-08/93 - Canby in Lar ( two diff units)
12/91- 01/92 - SC in Lar
08/91-12/91 - Cherokee in Casper
08/88-08/91 - Fetterman in Lar 1717
02/88-08/88 - Chelwood in Alb
03/87 -02/88 - Thunderbird in Phx (two diff units)
02/87 -03/87 - 35th/Thomas in Phx
02/87 --------- w/ VML at Pa/Montg in Alb
10/83-01/87 - #43 San Mateo Ln in Alb
08/82-10/83 - #49 San Mateo Ln in Alb
07/82-07/83 - Palo Duro in Alb
02/82-07/82 - w/ Larry at Montg/Carlisle
07/81-02/82 - at Eub/IS behind Dunkin Donuts
02/81- 06/81 - Wyom/Montg in Alb
01/81 --------- w/Dana at Trends Cand/Eub
11/80-12/80 - w/ Mom & sisters off Cand/Morr
08/80 -11/80 - w/ Bob K at Spain/Eubank 9600
04/80-07/80 - on Glorietta w/ Cliff & Bob 1428
02/80- 04/80 - three br in Trends w/ Cliff & Bob
09/79-02/80 - two br in Trends w/Cliff #80
05/79-08/79 - 300 Pa studio
02/79-04/79 - 200 Pa studio where I was mugged
12/78-01/79 - San Jacinto
08/78-12/78 - w/TC in NMSU dorms Las Cruces
07/78-08/78 - DMAFB at Tucson
05/78-07/78 - San Jacinto
08/77-05/78 - barracks at NMMI ( 4-5 different rooms)
05/77-08/77 - house off of Const/Morris
08/76-05/77 - barracks at NMMI (3-4 different rooms)
08/76 -------- Phoenix St
06/76-07/76 - barracks at Ft Knox KY
07/73-06/76 - 11008 Phoenix St
07/72-06/73 - 1828 Christine St
05/72-06/72 - camping across US, Bandelier, Santa Fe
12/70-05/72 - 11244B Walnut St MBAFB
11/70-12/70 - beachfront motel Myrtle Beach
08/64-11/70 - 4 Benson Av Newburgh
05/64-07/64 - Rock Cut Rd Orange County
04/64-5/64 - Holiday Inn, Newburgh off 17K & NY State Thruway
1963-04/64 - Geneva St Aurora w/white rail fencing, cellar, & wrap around deck
1962-1963- - Geneva St Aurora w/ steps and sloping hill in frontyard
1961-62 ---- - unknown and unremembered in Denver
02/60-1961-- Olive St/ E 8th Av Denver
6/58-01/60 - unknown number near AFB in W Germany
So this new place will mark at least my 65th residence ( some are repeats) in 590 months of life.
7/07 - new in Cheyenne
12/06- 07/07 - BC & family/Cheyenne
12/06 -------- HBL & family/CR
6/06-12/06 - w/ Kelly in DTC Denver
4/06-06/06 - homeless; M6/Aurora
9/05 -04/06 - homeless; M6/GWV
11/04-08/05 - homeless; living in truck in Denver
10/04-11/04 - off Tower/Yale in Aurora
6/04-10/04 - w/ Kelly on Elmira Denver
11/99 -06/04 - Harvard in Aurora
11/97 -11/99 - Fairfax in Glendale
05/97 -11/97 - Stanford in FTC
06/96-05/97 - N 5th in Lar
04/96 -06/96- SC in Lar
o2/96-04/96 - Valencia in Alb
10/95-02/96 - Reno along Truckee River
02/94-10/96 - N 5th in Lar
01/94-02/94 - SC in Lar
08/93-12/93 - Fed Cir in Littleton
01/92-08/93 - Canby in Lar ( two diff units)
12/91- 01/92 - SC in Lar
08/91-12/91 - Cherokee in Casper
08/88-08/91 - Fetterman in Lar 1717
02/88-08/88 - Chelwood in Alb
03/87 -02/88 - Thunderbird in Phx (two diff units)
02/87 -03/87 - 35th/Thomas in Phx
02/87 --------- w/ VML at Pa/Montg in Alb
10/83-01/87 - #43 San Mateo Ln in Alb
08/82-10/83 - #49 San Mateo Ln in Alb
07/82-07/83 - Palo Duro in Alb
02/82-07/82 - w/ Larry at Montg/Carlisle
07/81-02/82 - at Eub/IS behind Dunkin Donuts
02/81- 06/81 - Wyom/Montg in Alb
01/81 --------- w/Dana at Trends Cand/Eub
11/80-12/80 - w/ Mom & sisters off Cand/Morr
08/80 -11/80 - w/ Bob K at Spain/Eubank 9600
04/80-07/80 - on Glorietta w/ Cliff & Bob 1428
02/80- 04/80 - three br in Trends w/ Cliff & Bob
09/79-02/80 - two br in Trends w/Cliff #80
05/79-08/79 - 300 Pa studio
02/79-04/79 - 200 Pa studio where I was mugged
12/78-01/79 - San Jacinto
08/78-12/78 - w/TC in NMSU dorms Las Cruces
07/78-08/78 - DMAFB at Tucson
05/78-07/78 - San Jacinto
08/77-05/78 - barracks at NMMI ( 4-5 different rooms)
05/77-08/77 - house off of Const/Morris
08/76-05/77 - barracks at NMMI (3-4 different rooms)
08/76 -------- Phoenix St
06/76-07/76 - barracks at Ft Knox KY
07/73-06/76 - 11008 Phoenix St
07/72-06/73 - 1828 Christine St
05/72-06/72 - camping across US, Bandelier, Santa Fe
12/70-05/72 - 11244B Walnut St MBAFB
11/70-12/70 - beachfront motel Myrtle Beach
08/64-11/70 - 4 Benson Av Newburgh
05/64-07/64 - Rock Cut Rd Orange County
04/64-5/64 - Holiday Inn, Newburgh off 17K & NY State Thruway
1963-04/64 - Geneva St Aurora w/white rail fencing, cellar, & wrap around deck
1962-1963- - Geneva St Aurora w/ steps and sloping hill in frontyard
1961-62 ---- - unknown and unremembered in Denver
02/60-1961-- Olive St/ E 8th Av Denver
6/58-01/60 - unknown number near AFB in W Germany
So this new place will mark at least my 65th residence ( some are repeats) in 590 months of life.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
My Final 2007 MLB All-Star Roster
The Midsummer Classic is but 10 days away as June turns into July. Here are my choices for the rosters of the two teams.
American League
C: Victor Martinez, CLE starting; with Jorge Posada, NYY; Ivan Rodriguez, DET; & Jason Varitek, BSN; as backups.
1B: David Ortiz, BSN, starting; with Justin Morneau, MINN; Jim Thome, CHI; Mark Teixeira, TEX; & Casey Kotchman, ANAH; as backups.
2B: Placido Polanco, DET, starting; with Brian Roberts, BLT; Aaron Hill, TOR; & Mark Ellis, OAK; as backups.
3B: Alex Rodriguez, NYY, starting; with Mike Lowell, BSN; & Casey Blake, CLE; as backups.
SS: Orlando Cabrera, ANAH, starting; with Derek Jeter, NYY; Johnny Peralta, CLE; & Carlos Guillen, DET; as backups.
LF: Magglio Ordonez, DET, starting; with Manny Ramirez, BSN; & Carl Crawford, TB; as backups.
CF: Ichiro Suzuki, SEA, starting; with Torii Hunter, MINN; & Curtis Granderson, DET; as backups.
RF: Vladimir Guerrero, ANAH, starting; with Alex Rios, TOR; & Mark Teahen, KC; as backups.
P: Josh Beckett, BSN, starting; CC Sabathia, CLE; Dan Haren, OAK; John Lackey, ANAH; Johan Santana, MINN; Justin Verlander, DET; Jeremy Bonderman, DET; Roy Halladay, TOR; Gil Meche, KC; Francisco Rodriguez, ANAH; JJ Putz, SEA; Jonathon Pappelbon, BSN; Joe Nathan, MINN; as relievers
National League
C: Russell Martin, LA, starting; with Paul LoDuca, NYM; Johnny Estrada, MLW; & Bengie Molina, SF; as backups.
1B: Prince Fielder, MLW, starting; with Derrek Lee, CHI; Dimitri Young, WASH; Adrian Gonzalez, SD; & Albert Pujols, STL; as backups.
2B: Chase Utley, PHIL, starting; with Orlando Hudson, ARIZ; Dan Uggla, FLA; & Freddie Sanchez, PGH; as backups.
3B: Miguel Cabrera, FLA, starting; with David Wright, NYM; & Aramis Ramirez, CHI; as backups
SS: Jose Reyes, NYM, starting; with JJ Hardy, MLW; Edgar Renteria, ATL; & Jimmy Rollins, PHIL; as backups.
LF: Matt Holliday, COLO, starting; with Barry Bonds, SF; & Eric Byrnes, ARIZ; as backups.
CF: Aaron Rowand, PHIL, starting; with Carlos Beltran, NYM; & Alfonso Soriano, CHI; as backups.
RF: Ken Griffey, CINC, starting; with Brad Hawpe, COLO; & Jeff Francouer, ATL; as backups.
P: Jake Peavy, SD, starting; Brad Penny, LA; Chris Young, SD; John Smoltz, ATL; Ben Sheets, MLW; Brandon Webb, ARIZ; Jeff Francis, COLO; John Maine, NYM; Francisco Cordero, MLW; Jose Valverde, ARIZ; Billy Wagner, NYM; Trevor Hoffman, SD; & Takashito Saito, LA; as relievers.
The official rosters will be announced on Sunday 1 July at 2pm MDT on TBS and the game will be played on Tuesday 10 July starting around 6:20pm on FOX.
American League
C: Victor Martinez, CLE starting; with Jorge Posada, NYY; Ivan Rodriguez, DET; & Jason Varitek, BSN; as backups.
1B: David Ortiz, BSN, starting; with Justin Morneau, MINN; Jim Thome, CHI; Mark Teixeira, TEX; & Casey Kotchman, ANAH; as backups.
2B: Placido Polanco, DET, starting; with Brian Roberts, BLT; Aaron Hill, TOR; & Mark Ellis, OAK; as backups.
3B: Alex Rodriguez, NYY, starting; with Mike Lowell, BSN; & Casey Blake, CLE; as backups.
SS: Orlando Cabrera, ANAH, starting; with Derek Jeter, NYY; Johnny Peralta, CLE; & Carlos Guillen, DET; as backups.
LF: Magglio Ordonez, DET, starting; with Manny Ramirez, BSN; & Carl Crawford, TB; as backups.
CF: Ichiro Suzuki, SEA, starting; with Torii Hunter, MINN; & Curtis Granderson, DET; as backups.
RF: Vladimir Guerrero, ANAH, starting; with Alex Rios, TOR; & Mark Teahen, KC; as backups.
P: Josh Beckett, BSN, starting; CC Sabathia, CLE; Dan Haren, OAK; John Lackey, ANAH; Johan Santana, MINN; Justin Verlander, DET; Jeremy Bonderman, DET; Roy Halladay, TOR; Gil Meche, KC; Francisco Rodriguez, ANAH; JJ Putz, SEA; Jonathon Pappelbon, BSN; Joe Nathan, MINN; as relievers
National League
C: Russell Martin, LA, starting; with Paul LoDuca, NYM; Johnny Estrada, MLW; & Bengie Molina, SF; as backups.
1B: Prince Fielder, MLW, starting; with Derrek Lee, CHI; Dimitri Young, WASH; Adrian Gonzalez, SD; & Albert Pujols, STL; as backups.
2B: Chase Utley, PHIL, starting; with Orlando Hudson, ARIZ; Dan Uggla, FLA; & Freddie Sanchez, PGH; as backups.
3B: Miguel Cabrera, FLA, starting; with David Wright, NYM; & Aramis Ramirez, CHI; as backups
SS: Jose Reyes, NYM, starting; with JJ Hardy, MLW; Edgar Renteria, ATL; & Jimmy Rollins, PHIL; as backups.
LF: Matt Holliday, COLO, starting; with Barry Bonds, SF; & Eric Byrnes, ARIZ; as backups.
CF: Aaron Rowand, PHIL, starting; with Carlos Beltran, NYM; & Alfonso Soriano, CHI; as backups.
RF: Ken Griffey, CINC, starting; with Brad Hawpe, COLO; & Jeff Francouer, ATL; as backups.
P: Jake Peavy, SD, starting; Brad Penny, LA; Chris Young, SD; John Smoltz, ATL; Ben Sheets, MLW; Brandon Webb, ARIZ; Jeff Francis, COLO; John Maine, NYM; Francisco Cordero, MLW; Jose Valverde, ARIZ; Billy Wagner, NYM; Trevor Hoffman, SD; & Takashito Saito, LA; as relievers.
The official rosters will be announced on Sunday 1 July at 2pm MDT on TBS and the game will be played on Tuesday 10 July starting around 6:20pm on FOX.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
3000 Hits for Craig Biggio
Congratulations to 20 year Houston Astros veteran second baseman Craig Biggio on getting the 3000th hit of his baseball career. He achieved this milestone on a night where he had five hits, a first for any of the 27 members who have gotten at least 3000 hits. The Astros ended up winning the game 8-5 in 11 innings over the Rockies as Brian Fuentes gagged away his third game in less than a week for Colorado.
Completion of a Long Awaited Project
After 31 1/2 long months, I finally was able to empty my storage room in Aurora and transport my property to WY on Wednesday 27 June and end one long, frustrating, and at times seemingly endless chapter in my life. Over the next two weeks I will get fully moved into my new place and make myself a home again. Hallelullah...
The process actually went quite well. I caught a break in the weather as it was partly cloudy to cloudy for the most part and the temperature got no higher than the low 80s. I was able to catch a ride from Todd's wife Tascha and her son as they were already planning to see her sister in Denver so that worked out extra nice as it saved a round trip back and forth (about 3 1/2 hours) and a tank of gasoline. I was able to load the truck completely by myself in about 4 1/2 hours with only one glitch--while reaching for a coffee table that was stored on top of the mattresses, I slipped and fell off a short ladder. I cut the shin on my lower right leg above the ankle and broke a brace that holds the coffee table leg to the table. The damage is completely repairable. My big 36" Curtis Mathes TV was able to be put in and out of the truck rather easily as I used the center cabinet of my entertainment center to wheel the TV out of storage right up to the back of the truck and then lift the 175 pound beast about four feet for placement into the back part of the truck and brace it between the mattress and my recliner. After an uneventful drive up to WY, I then unloaded the vehicle in about 2 3/4 hours by myself in largely ideal weather conditions (cloudy and 65 degrees) into the garage that comes with my unit. Everything went into easily with room to spare as I carefully engineered the placement and stacking of furniture and boxes. I only had to repair about four boxes, but I plan on replacing about two to three dozens boxes that I store keepsakes, memoriabilia, and other items in as some of those boxes have been in use for those purposes going back to the 1980s when I moved from NM to AZ.
The U-haul took about 12-13 gallons of fuel for the trip which wasn't bad --- I ended getting right around 10 mpg for that big truck with all that weight aboard.
I drank lots and lots of water to keep hydrated and fresh. I probably drank about 4 gallons of water in total for the day, and my designated moving hat served its purpose well. It was totally soaked and drenched in perspiration but the absorption was excellent enough to keep perspiration from flowing onto my faces, into my eyes, and on my glasses. Add that to taking breaks about every 20-30 minutes and towelling down my head and neck thoroughly and the level of discomfort was minimal from that point of view. Workgloves as usual were very helpful in handling the materials and eliminating any external wear and tear on my hands and wrists.
Wearing shorts and a t-shirt along with socks and tennis shoes were excellent choices for the job, allowing for comfort and ease of movement.
I did work hard but having the hand cart helped out tremendously reducing physical labor and make things more efficient. I was quite sore and stiff by days end as expected, but I took about a 20 minute hot shower to soothe my bones and muscles and then generously applied Ben-Gay ointment across most of me before going to bed. I slept solidly and uninterrupted for over 9 1/2 hours. When I awoke this morning, there was some lingering stiffness and soreness but quite a bit less than I anticipated. And I then worked all day being on my feet with bending and stretching and made it through the day with surprisingly little discomfort. I do not feel a whole lot worse than I did when I started working again fulltime in April. I surmise I must be in the best shape I have been in a very long time, perhaps back to over 15 years ago. Working jobs that keep me on my feet for hours on end and having to go up and down stairs sometimes as much as 30 times a day obviously has helped plus having a decent but by no means perfect diet. I absolutely do not believe I could have done this project with as much time efficiency and minimalization of pain 2-3 years ago so thats some good news.
People that I go without seeing for 4-6 months do tell me I look better and have lost weight so, even though I do not see it so evidently, it must be happening. Maybe in the next year or two I can get back down to 220 lbs or less which I have not been around in about 25 years.
Quite a few projects and missions were accomplished in the last couple of months which is very gratifying personally after a long period of non-accomplishment and frustration. I still need to get a post office box, a new cell phone number, and determine if I need to make any replacements or additions to my household supplies. And the somewhat costly repair expenses loom for the White Night in the next several months. Plus I need to get another job that is higher paying, offers benefits, and is least a little more mentally challenging.
But it sure is very satisfying to have gotten this big project done after such a long period of time. I eagerly await using and enjoying these possessions again in the coming near time.
The process actually went quite well. I caught a break in the weather as it was partly cloudy to cloudy for the most part and the temperature got no higher than the low 80s. I was able to catch a ride from Todd's wife Tascha and her son as they were already planning to see her sister in Denver so that worked out extra nice as it saved a round trip back and forth (about 3 1/2 hours) and a tank of gasoline. I was able to load the truck completely by myself in about 4 1/2 hours with only one glitch--while reaching for a coffee table that was stored on top of the mattresses, I slipped and fell off a short ladder. I cut the shin on my lower right leg above the ankle and broke a brace that holds the coffee table leg to the table. The damage is completely repairable. My big 36" Curtis Mathes TV was able to be put in and out of the truck rather easily as I used the center cabinet of my entertainment center to wheel the TV out of storage right up to the back of the truck and then lift the 175 pound beast about four feet for placement into the back part of the truck and brace it between the mattress and my recliner. After an uneventful drive up to WY, I then unloaded the vehicle in about 2 3/4 hours by myself in largely ideal weather conditions (cloudy and 65 degrees) into the garage that comes with my unit. Everything went into easily with room to spare as I carefully engineered the placement and stacking of furniture and boxes. I only had to repair about four boxes, but I plan on replacing about two to three dozens boxes that I store keepsakes, memoriabilia, and other items in as some of those boxes have been in use for those purposes going back to the 1980s when I moved from NM to AZ.
The U-haul took about 12-13 gallons of fuel for the trip which wasn't bad --- I ended getting right around 10 mpg for that big truck with all that weight aboard.
I drank lots and lots of water to keep hydrated and fresh. I probably drank about 4 gallons of water in total for the day, and my designated moving hat served its purpose well. It was totally soaked and drenched in perspiration but the absorption was excellent enough to keep perspiration from flowing onto my faces, into my eyes, and on my glasses. Add that to taking breaks about every 20-30 minutes and towelling down my head and neck thoroughly and the level of discomfort was minimal from that point of view. Workgloves as usual were very helpful in handling the materials and eliminating any external wear and tear on my hands and wrists.
Wearing shorts and a t-shirt along with socks and tennis shoes were excellent choices for the job, allowing for comfort and ease of movement.
I did work hard but having the hand cart helped out tremendously reducing physical labor and make things more efficient. I was quite sore and stiff by days end as expected, but I took about a 20 minute hot shower to soothe my bones and muscles and then generously applied Ben-Gay ointment across most of me before going to bed. I slept solidly and uninterrupted for over 9 1/2 hours. When I awoke this morning, there was some lingering stiffness and soreness but quite a bit less than I anticipated. And I then worked all day being on my feet with bending and stretching and made it through the day with surprisingly little discomfort. I do not feel a whole lot worse than I did when I started working again fulltime in April. I surmise I must be in the best shape I have been in a very long time, perhaps back to over 15 years ago. Working jobs that keep me on my feet for hours on end and having to go up and down stairs sometimes as much as 30 times a day obviously has helped plus having a decent but by no means perfect diet. I absolutely do not believe I could have done this project with as much time efficiency and minimalization of pain 2-3 years ago so thats some good news.
People that I go without seeing for 4-6 months do tell me I look better and have lost weight so, even though I do not see it so evidently, it must be happening. Maybe in the next year or two I can get back down to 220 lbs or less which I have not been around in about 25 years.
Quite a few projects and missions were accomplished in the last couple of months which is very gratifying personally after a long period of non-accomplishment and frustration. I still need to get a post office box, a new cell phone number, and determine if I need to make any replacements or additions to my household supplies. And the somewhat costly repair expenses loom for the White Night in the next several months. Plus I need to get another job that is higher paying, offers benefits, and is least a little more mentally challenging.
But it sure is very satisfying to have gotten this big project done after such a long period of time. I eagerly await using and enjoying these possessions again in the coming near time.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Two News Articles
Briefly, these two news articles caught my attention and interest.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/24/magazine/24Style-t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=magazine&pagewanted=all
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/uhaul/la-na-haul24jun24,0,4383195.story
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http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/24/magazine/24Style-t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=magazine&pagewanted=all
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/uhaul/la-na-haul24jun24,0,4383195.story
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Sunday, June 24, 2007
Busy Big Week Looms... and Some Words of Care
As this last week of June is underway and the first half of 2007 wraps up, some big actions will occur for me personally.
After so, so long, I retake possession of my property and personal assets after having most of them in storage for 32 months. I will be loading a U-haul truck on Wednesday morning and then transporting them up here to WY to the new residence and settling in to the new place the end of this week and on into next week. I have a lot of sorting through to do and going through the process of recalling just what I have as I am sure I have forgotten some of what I have. I have been thinking and I do not believe I need anything to get established in the new place with the exception of some groceries and a sundry or two.
Also this week, I will be getting a new cellular telephone as the Kyocera I have had and been using for almost five years (next month would have gotten it to that mark) finally bit the dust. I have to order the phone from a special customer service department and have it shipped to me and then get it programmed. That probably means no phone service for 3-4 more days. Family can reach me at alternative numbers which LAC and HBL have. Friends will have to rely on email until I get back live again. I will also be getting a new phone number and I will notify those who need to know this by email after I get this change made.
With the upcoming Wednesday being the moving day, this means no day off until next Sunday, 1 July, as I will have to work on Saturday 30 June to make up for the day off. Today I enjoyed the day off and went out and wondered and strolled, looking at some retail shops in the mall including Spencers Gifts where I saw some interesting products being sold. I will need to get an A-104 tip for my new phone. I then went over to Todd's and visited and had a nice dinner.
Overall a quiet relaxing summer weekend before I undertake the task of making a house a home and getting organized.
And last, but not by certainly any means least, best wishes and prayers to VML and his family on the upcoming medical procedure he will undergo and the challenge of a lengthy difficult recovery that awaits and the successful change in lifestyle and habits for the future which will go a long way to helping with better health. After I get back into my own home, I have to buckle down and start eating more wisely and healthy again, drinking water exclusively, and exercising more again. It will be an effort in self-discipline but it is essential I do my best to continue and stay on a more healthy path in these respects for my own good and to show respect, love, and care to others who want me in their lives.
After so, so long, I retake possession of my property and personal assets after having most of them in storage for 32 months. I will be loading a U-haul truck on Wednesday morning and then transporting them up here to WY to the new residence and settling in to the new place the end of this week and on into next week. I have a lot of sorting through to do and going through the process of recalling just what I have as I am sure I have forgotten some of what I have. I have been thinking and I do not believe I need anything to get established in the new place with the exception of some groceries and a sundry or two.
Also this week, I will be getting a new cellular telephone as the Kyocera I have had and been using for almost five years (next month would have gotten it to that mark) finally bit the dust. I have to order the phone from a special customer service department and have it shipped to me and then get it programmed. That probably means no phone service for 3-4 more days. Family can reach me at alternative numbers which LAC and HBL have. Friends will have to rely on email until I get back live again. I will also be getting a new phone number and I will notify those who need to know this by email after I get this change made.
With the upcoming Wednesday being the moving day, this means no day off until next Sunday, 1 July, as I will have to work on Saturday 30 June to make up for the day off. Today I enjoyed the day off and went out and wondered and strolled, looking at some retail shops in the mall including Spencers Gifts where I saw some interesting products being sold. I will need to get an A-104 tip for my new phone. I then went over to Todd's and visited and had a nice dinner.
Overall a quiet relaxing summer weekend before I undertake the task of making a house a home and getting organized.
And last, but not by certainly any means least, best wishes and prayers to VML and his family on the upcoming medical procedure he will undergo and the challenge of a lengthy difficult recovery that awaits and the successful change in lifestyle and habits for the future which will go a long way to helping with better health. After I get back into my own home, I have to buckle down and start eating more wisely and healthy again, drinking water exclusively, and exercising more again. It will be an effort in self-discipline but it is essential I do my best to continue and stay on a more healthy path in these respects for my own good and to show respect, love, and care to others who want me in their lives.
Freudenthal Taps Barasso for US Senate Seat
Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal chose Casper physician and State Senator John Barrasso to fill the US Senate seat left vacant by the sudden death of Craig Thomas on 4 June. The choice of Barrasso was considered to be some as a surprise, but I think the governor believed that Barrasso would follow the spirit of Craig Thomas more closely than either of the other two options he was given. Additionally, Barrasso may move to the center more on certain critical votes and issues. I had thought the governor was going to go with former Thomas staff aide Tom Sansonetti as the choice. I believed Lummis had no chance whatsoever of being chosen as she largely had a mediocre legislative record, strived to be devisive and combative on many issues, and used the press in a war of words with the governor just a few years ago.
Barrasso serves for basically 18 months as the interim junior senator from the Equality State. A special election looms in November '08 for the remaining 4 years on the seat. I can see Barrasso winning the election then and winning two or three after that. He very well could be in the US Senate until 2031 when he will be in his late 70s. Being a doctor, however, and having an evident love of this state, he may opt to spend only a partial and a full term in the District and return home in 2019. Time will tell...
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/governor_appoints_dr_john_barrasso_to_fill_wyoming_senate_seat/C37/L37/
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/barasso_marvels_at_becoming_wyomings_newest_us_senator/C37/L37/
Barrasso serves for basically 18 months as the interim junior senator from the Equality State. A special election looms in November '08 for the remaining 4 years on the seat. I can see Barrasso winning the election then and winning two or three after that. He very well could be in the US Senate until 2031 when he will be in his late 70s. Being a doctor, however, and having an evident love of this state, he may opt to spend only a partial and a full term in the District and return home in 2019. Time will tell...
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/governor_appoints_dr_john_barrasso_to_fill_wyoming_senate_seat/C37/L37/
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/barasso_marvels_at_becoming_wyomings_newest_us_senator/C37/L37/
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Sadness of Loss of Old Pinedale and Sublette County
What was once an isolated, remote, sleepy town and surrounding county has changed immeasureably, and probably for the worst. Although some nice infrastructural additions have been achieved during this boom, unquestionably there has been a decline in the quality of life and a loss of innocence for this scenic community.
http://www.jhguide.com/article.php?art_id=1889
http://www.jhguide.com/article.php?art_id=1889
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tuesday 19 June News Articles and Observations
Here the news articles from Tuesday 19 June and some brief observations about them.
A. Many Believe That Gore is the Answer
I would agree that he is the best man out there for the enormous challenges and responsibilites that the next President will have, as the sewage spewed by the Bush Junta is thick, deep, and toxic to life across the planet and will require a real experienced leader to take on.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2105343,00.html
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B. Bloomfield Third-Party Presidential Candidacy Looming Greater
I believe it is all but but a certainly billionaire Mike will run perhaps with Hegel on the ticket. I wonder if discussions have been held with Ross Perot, who would have elected in '92 except for a two month lapse of judgement that summer.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070619/ap_on_el_pr/bloomberg_politics;_ylt=AoBjFAYffB8v3BlCriYxjGOs0NUE
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06182007/news/regionalnews/bloomys_travel_bug_regionalnews_david_seifman___city_hall_bureau_chief.htm
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C. Australia Sets the Pace for Solar Energy
I sure would like to see similar if not larger projects throughout the High Plains and Rocky Mountain West where sunlight is in abundance year round.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/01/technology/towerofpower0802.biz2/
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D. Brookings Institute Report on Woes of Poor Kentuckians and How Best to Make Improvements
Most of the policy plans and ideas discussed here should be recommended and implemented in all the Rocky Mountains and High Plains states to help the less fortunate here as well. This report by the Brookings Institute is outstanding and insightful.
http://www3.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20070618_kentucky.pdf
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E. Large Amounts of African Oil in Our Future ?
Yet another corrupt hapless part of the world that we will be relying on for our motor vehicle energy sources in the future.
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/lalumia/232
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F. Tragedy of Allowing Private Lenders to Give Student Loans
This was a grave horrible decision to have been allowed. Not only does it cause greivous financial harm to susceptible college students, but it also encourages universities and colleges to ramp up tuition and fees and not find ways to be more efficient and thrifty. Many state legislatures have also dropped the ball in a big way in not more adequately funding higher education. Student Loans should be a government function exclusively.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-oppri195261477jun19,0,6473310,print.story
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G. Surprise ! Supreme Court Remembers the Fourth Amendment
This unanimous decision by the High Court was greatly welcome, as many recent court decisions have given too much power to police, particularly in regards to procedures when private vehicles are concerned.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2007/06/18/national/w071630D56.DTL
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H. Shi'ites v Sunnis v Iranians v Americans
It is a complicated and deadly pool we have put ourselves into.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070702/toensing
-----
I. The Challenge and Promise for Thoughtful American Citizens
The vision for a better nation for ourselves, families, children, neighborhoods, communities, working people, and society as a whole is there. More citizens need to understand and appreciate its possibilities.
http://commonsense.ourfuture.org/take_back_america_our_time?tx=3
-----
J. Wyoming GOP Chooses Three Finalists to Fill Late Thomas Senate Seat
These were three names that were believed early on to be among the favorites. I would predict Sansonetti will be chosen by the governor to fill the seat, perhaps as early as Thursday, 21 June.
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/06/19/news/top_story/doc4677ebe616901321216413.txt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sansonetti
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_Lummis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barrasso
-----
K. Major Blighted Downtown Denver Block to be Redeveloped
This small downtown block was among the most ugly and least safe areas in the downtown Denver grid. I am pleased to see another underutilized area of property about to be developed rather than see property elsewhere in the Metro area. The sooner the entire area of downtown from Wewatta to Grant and from Speer to Park Avenue is fully redeveloped to its full potential with the complete elimination of surface parking lots the better. It remains a possibility that someday I will move into a downtown apartment in downtown Denver as I would welcome the livestyle that exists there and not having to drive everywhere would be nice.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/real_estate/article/0,1299,DRMN_414_5592856,00.html
-----
L. Another Key Denver Area Real Estate Redevelopment Awaits
With the impending movement of the St Anthonys Hospital Campus to a Denver Federal Center site about 6 miles away where mass transit will be a focus, another area not far from downtown can be brought out of its long standing urban malaise. The area to the south and east of the hospital in Denver is seriously blighted and poorly developed with dumpy housing, rotting motels, convenience stores, used car lots, and substandard commercial properties. Gang activity, litter, seriously substandard infrastructure, grafitti, crime, muffler-less motor vehicles, and rap music are common evident evil in abundance in and around this area. Lakewood off to the west is much the same, although Colfax has been spruced up some. The challenge of city and community leaders will be to do something special and redeeming for that long downtrodden area in West Denver and NE Lakewood.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6178617
-----
M. Drought Continues to Build Nationally
It is really bad across most of the West except farther east on the High Plains and in SE and Southern New Mexico. Here in Wyoming, we are in extreme statewide except the Bighorn Basin and far NE Wyoming northwest of the Black Hills, where things are about normal. The only states worse off than Wyoming are California and Arizona (both entirely in severe and extreme drought) Most of the Southeast, including Tennesssee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Arkansas, and West Virginia; as well as Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio, are in moderate to severe drought with widespread pockets of severe status in these areas where agriculture and crop production is vital. Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana also have wide areas of severe or exteme drought also.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/palmer.gif
-----
N. Streamflow Reports Fair to Good Across the Rocky Mountain West
Levels are subnormal for many west flowing stream and river basins while most east flowing basins are fair to good.
http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/
-----
O. Recommended Site to Bookmark
http://www.mongabay.com/news-index/water1.html
-----
A. Many Believe That Gore is the Answer
I would agree that he is the best man out there for the enormous challenges and responsibilites that the next President will have, as the sewage spewed by the Bush Junta is thick, deep, and toxic to life across the planet and will require a real experienced leader to take on.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2105343,00.html
-----
B. Bloomfield Third-Party Presidential Candidacy Looming Greater
I believe it is all but but a certainly billionaire Mike will run perhaps with Hegel on the ticket. I wonder if discussions have been held with Ross Perot, who would have elected in '92 except for a two month lapse of judgement that summer.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070619/ap_on_el_pr/bloomberg_politics;_ylt=AoBjFAYffB8v3BlCriYxjGOs0NUE
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06182007/news/regionalnews/bloomys_travel_bug_regionalnews_david_seifman___city_hall_bureau_chief.htm
-----
C. Australia Sets the Pace for Solar Energy
I sure would like to see similar if not larger projects throughout the High Plains and Rocky Mountain West where sunlight is in abundance year round.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/01/technology/towerofpower0802.biz2/
-----
D. Brookings Institute Report on Woes of Poor Kentuckians and How Best to Make Improvements
Most of the policy plans and ideas discussed here should be recommended and implemented in all the Rocky Mountains and High Plains states to help the less fortunate here as well. This report by the Brookings Institute is outstanding and insightful.
http://www3.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20070618_kentucky.pdf
-----
E. Large Amounts of African Oil in Our Future ?
Yet another corrupt hapless part of the world that we will be relying on for our motor vehicle energy sources in the future.
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/lalumia/232
-----
F. Tragedy of Allowing Private Lenders to Give Student Loans
This was a grave horrible decision to have been allowed. Not only does it cause greivous financial harm to susceptible college students, but it also encourages universities and colleges to ramp up tuition and fees and not find ways to be more efficient and thrifty. Many state legislatures have also dropped the ball in a big way in not more adequately funding higher education. Student Loans should be a government function exclusively.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-oppri195261477jun19,0,6473310,print.story
-----
G. Surprise ! Supreme Court Remembers the Fourth Amendment
This unanimous decision by the High Court was greatly welcome, as many recent court decisions have given too much power to police, particularly in regards to procedures when private vehicles are concerned.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2007/06/18/national/w071630D56.DTL
-----
H. Shi'ites v Sunnis v Iranians v Americans
It is a complicated and deadly pool we have put ourselves into.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070702/toensing
-----
I. The Challenge and Promise for Thoughtful American Citizens
The vision for a better nation for ourselves, families, children, neighborhoods, communities, working people, and society as a whole is there. More citizens need to understand and appreciate its possibilities.
http://commonsense.ourfuture.org/take_back_america_our_time?tx=3
-----
J. Wyoming GOP Chooses Three Finalists to Fill Late Thomas Senate Seat
These were three names that were believed early on to be among the favorites. I would predict Sansonetti will be chosen by the governor to fill the seat, perhaps as early as Thursday, 21 June.
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/06/19/news/top_story/doc4677ebe616901321216413.txt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sansonetti
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_Lummis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barrasso
-----
K. Major Blighted Downtown Denver Block to be Redeveloped
This small downtown block was among the most ugly and least safe areas in the downtown Denver grid. I am pleased to see another underutilized area of property about to be developed rather than see property elsewhere in the Metro area. The sooner the entire area of downtown from Wewatta to Grant and from Speer to Park Avenue is fully redeveloped to its full potential with the complete elimination of surface parking lots the better. It remains a possibility that someday I will move into a downtown apartment in downtown Denver as I would welcome the livestyle that exists there and not having to drive everywhere would be nice.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/real_estate/article/0,1299,DRMN_414_5592856,00.html
-----
L. Another Key Denver Area Real Estate Redevelopment Awaits
With the impending movement of the St Anthonys Hospital Campus to a Denver Federal Center site about 6 miles away where mass transit will be a focus, another area not far from downtown can be brought out of its long standing urban malaise. The area to the south and east of the hospital in Denver is seriously blighted and poorly developed with dumpy housing, rotting motels, convenience stores, used car lots, and substandard commercial properties. Gang activity, litter, seriously substandard infrastructure, grafitti, crime, muffler-less motor vehicles, and rap music are common evident evil in abundance in and around this area. Lakewood off to the west is much the same, although Colfax has been spruced up some. The challenge of city and community leaders will be to do something special and redeeming for that long downtrodden area in West Denver and NE Lakewood.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6178617
-----
M. Drought Continues to Build Nationally
It is really bad across most of the West except farther east on the High Plains and in SE and Southern New Mexico. Here in Wyoming, we are in extreme statewide except the Bighorn Basin and far NE Wyoming northwest of the Black Hills, where things are about normal. The only states worse off than Wyoming are California and Arizona (both entirely in severe and extreme drought) Most of the Southeast, including Tennesssee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Arkansas, and West Virginia; as well as Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio, are in moderate to severe drought with widespread pockets of severe status in these areas where agriculture and crop production is vital. Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana also have wide areas of severe or exteme drought also.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/palmer.gif
-----
N. Streamflow Reports Fair to Good Across the Rocky Mountain West
Levels are subnormal for many west flowing stream and river basins while most east flowing basins are fair to good.
http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/
-----
O. Recommended Site to Bookmark
http://www.mongabay.com/news-index/water1.html
-----
Monday, June 18, 2007
Some Ways I Try to Follow to Save Money
MSN had a list today of some ways to save money and be thrifty. Many of them I have used for many years. Their list is at this link:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/Devote15MinutesADayToBeingCheap.aspx
Some others I use include:
1) Never purchase national brands for the most part. Store brands are manufactured or processed by the same firms that make the national brands, so there is largely no difference in taste or quality (catsup is one noticeable exception). There are a few other isolated exceptions to this as with some products there is no store brand alternative.
2) Plan all activities or errands for one trip. I never make additional trips and strive to only have one, maybe two of those errand trips per week. Always be aware of the fuel stations where fuel prices generally run less and make avail of them. The oil corporations and convenience stores love to play this silly little game of having varying prices in locations that are fairly close together just to gouge consumers. I would dearly love to see a law that mandates same gasoline prices for the same brand name within a zip code so this childish foolishness ceases and we can have even pricing like we do when we purchase other consumer goods (food, clothing, household goods, meals, etc.) at like businesses.
3) Never buy magazines. Read or scan them for free at a bookstore, and read them more deeply online. Use newspapers in place of paper towels for cleaning duties. Generic or store brands of most chemicals used in household cleaning tasks are just fine instead of the higher costing national brands where you are paying for advertising, corporate waste, and fat corporate executive salaries. I am considering purchasing online electronic subscriptions for newspapers that run less 60 cents per week while hardcopy subscriptions are over $2 and newstand purchases end up being $6 per week. Plus it is environmentally prudent.
4) Try to only eat out once per week, maybe twice at the most. Allow yourself only one meal out per month where the individual cost exceeds $6.00.
5) Be very careful with your clothing, apparel, and linens. Strive to not get them dirty and sweaty. This will result in minimizing having to do laundry.
6) Clean as you go in the kitchen and bathroom. Rinse the sink during and after each use. Do not use soap in the shower as it causes a buildup that needs to be attended to. Use a body wash sparingly instead.
7) Re-use plastic and metal containers for other uses and storage. Whatever else you cannot use again at home, recycle at your local recycling center or dropoff depot. Do not purchase trash bags; instead use the paper or plastic ones you get at the store from grocery purchases.
8) Keep thermostats at 57 degrees during the winter when your home is largely inactive. Use 6-10 blankets to stay warm while sleeping. When showering, do not turn on the bathroom fan as that keeps the steam in and really warms the bathroom and adjacent areas. Keep it at 63 degrees when you are active. Wear sweaters and sweatshirts and double socks to stay warm. In summer, fans are better than a/c to keep cool. Put them in windows to ventilate to bring in the cooler outside air after sunset. Wear minimal clothing while at home, no matter how disgusting you will look. Take cool showers in hot weather with minimal warm water. Only use heat from November 1st or later and not after April 1. Limit your showers to seven minutes except for one time per week.
9) Drink lots of water and try to minimize purchases of pop. Buying skim milk is always cheaper than 2% or whole milk. The more water you drink, the less hungry you will be. When you do choose to buy a pop, get it from the store brand machine out front or just inside the store. Those tasty 12 ounce cans are just 25 cents each instead of paying well over $1 for the 16 ounce cups at the fast food joints or the convenience stores.
10) Try not to eat food after 7pm or 3 hours before you go to bed. Skip supper at least a couple of nights a week. Doing this will result in better, longer, and deeper sleep that night. And its an easy way to help lose weight.
11) Hookup electronics to power strips that you can switch off so you are not giving away money to the greedy immoral electric corporations when you are not using them.
12) When available, shop at farmers markets. The produce is fresher and far less expensive than at the grocery store. Plus it is very satisfying to buy directly personally from the grower.
I am sure there are other things I do that are of a thrifty nature and I am not even aware of them. I will ponder other attitudes and behaviors I have and follow and will add them to this list.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/Devote15MinutesADayToBeingCheap.aspx
Some others I use include:
1) Never purchase national brands for the most part. Store brands are manufactured or processed by the same firms that make the national brands, so there is largely no difference in taste or quality (catsup is one noticeable exception). There are a few other isolated exceptions to this as with some products there is no store brand alternative.
2) Plan all activities or errands for one trip. I never make additional trips and strive to only have one, maybe two of those errand trips per week. Always be aware of the fuel stations where fuel prices generally run less and make avail of them. The oil corporations and convenience stores love to play this silly little game of having varying prices in locations that are fairly close together just to gouge consumers. I would dearly love to see a law that mandates same gasoline prices for the same brand name within a zip code so this childish foolishness ceases and we can have even pricing like we do when we purchase other consumer goods (food, clothing, household goods, meals, etc.) at like businesses.
3) Never buy magazines. Read or scan them for free at a bookstore, and read them more deeply online. Use newspapers in place of paper towels for cleaning duties. Generic or store brands of most chemicals used in household cleaning tasks are just fine instead of the higher costing national brands where you are paying for advertising, corporate waste, and fat corporate executive salaries. I am considering purchasing online electronic subscriptions for newspapers that run less 60 cents per week while hardcopy subscriptions are over $2 and newstand purchases end up being $6 per week. Plus it is environmentally prudent.
4) Try to only eat out once per week, maybe twice at the most. Allow yourself only one meal out per month where the individual cost exceeds $6.00.
5) Be very careful with your clothing, apparel, and linens. Strive to not get them dirty and sweaty. This will result in minimizing having to do laundry.
6) Clean as you go in the kitchen and bathroom. Rinse the sink during and after each use. Do not use soap in the shower as it causes a buildup that needs to be attended to. Use a body wash sparingly instead.
7) Re-use plastic and metal containers for other uses and storage. Whatever else you cannot use again at home, recycle at your local recycling center or dropoff depot. Do not purchase trash bags; instead use the paper or plastic ones you get at the store from grocery purchases.
8) Keep thermostats at 57 degrees during the winter when your home is largely inactive. Use 6-10 blankets to stay warm while sleeping. When showering, do not turn on the bathroom fan as that keeps the steam in and really warms the bathroom and adjacent areas. Keep it at 63 degrees when you are active. Wear sweaters and sweatshirts and double socks to stay warm. In summer, fans are better than a/c to keep cool. Put them in windows to ventilate to bring in the cooler outside air after sunset. Wear minimal clothing while at home, no matter how disgusting you will look. Take cool showers in hot weather with minimal warm water. Only use heat from November 1st or later and not after April 1. Limit your showers to seven minutes except for one time per week.
9) Drink lots of water and try to minimize purchases of pop. Buying skim milk is always cheaper than 2% or whole milk. The more water you drink, the less hungry you will be. When you do choose to buy a pop, get it from the store brand machine out front or just inside the store. Those tasty 12 ounce cans are just 25 cents each instead of paying well over $1 for the 16 ounce cups at the fast food joints or the convenience stores.
10) Try not to eat food after 7pm or 3 hours before you go to bed. Skip supper at least a couple of nights a week. Doing this will result in better, longer, and deeper sleep that night. And its an easy way to help lose weight.
11) Hookup electronics to power strips that you can switch off so you are not giving away money to the greedy immoral electric corporations when you are not using them.
12) When available, shop at farmers markets. The produce is fresher and far less expensive than at the grocery store. Plus it is very satisfying to buy directly personally from the grower.
I am sure there are other things I do that are of a thrifty nature and I am not even aware of them. I will ponder other attitudes and behaviors I have and follow and will add them to this list.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Dead or Alive: Which Baseball Teams are Which...
This article looks about right on with the assessments given.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6916072?MSNHPHCP>1=10136
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6916072?MSNHPHCP>1=10136
Animal Stories
Both bad and funny here. On the funny side, it is truly unbelievable and hilarious to see a housecat attempt to "capture" an antelope by climbing on the back of one that was just lying down on the prairie grass and take a ride for several dozen yards before either falling off or getting thrown by the probably irritated antelope. The Leopard Cat, Niles, did just that and lived to have more days with possibly even greater adventures awaiting.
We also saw an antelope go to great extents to protect its young from potential predators. A fox was in the area and nearing where some antelope were grazing. Suddenly, the boss male antelope took off at a full bore and chased the fox for several hundred yards to clear it from the area where the young antelope were. One would not have expected such aggressive and forceful behavior from a critter that looks and acts largely docile. But anything can happen in the wild, even here on the lonesome high prairie.
On the bad side, this was destined to happen eventually. While on the deck Monday evening, the four St Bernards got fired up and excited and the 650 pounds of beastdom got going in a big way and knocked me down resulting in a rolled right ankle and twisted foot that is quite sore and tender. Putting on my boots has been quite painful the last two mornings but I can walk okay and better than last week when it was my left knee's turn to have gotten lightly injured. It was a wonder that it took nearly six months for the livestock to get me. As I sit here and write, the four beasts are all soundly asleep surrounding me and the volume of the snoring is quite apparent as these kinds of dogs sleep on their backs with their four legs in the air which is quite the sight with four huge dogs looking this way, oblivious to the light and the noise of the TV movie I am watching, "Running Scared" from 1985. Once I get my camera back I will have to take some pictures of the fourteen critters here and put them on this blog and ringo.
I sure hope next week does not continue this mini-streak of injuries as in fourteen days (Wednesday 27 June) I have a day of box moving and weight lifting ahead of me between two trips of 130 miles each or four trips totalling 520 miles moving my property.
We also saw an antelope go to great extents to protect its young from potential predators. A fox was in the area and nearing where some antelope were grazing. Suddenly, the boss male antelope took off at a full bore and chased the fox for several hundred yards to clear it from the area where the young antelope were. One would not have expected such aggressive and forceful behavior from a critter that looks and acts largely docile. But anything can happen in the wild, even here on the lonesome high prairie.
On the bad side, this was destined to happen eventually. While on the deck Monday evening, the four St Bernards got fired up and excited and the 650 pounds of beastdom got going in a big way and knocked me down resulting in a rolled right ankle and twisted foot that is quite sore and tender. Putting on my boots has been quite painful the last two mornings but I can walk okay and better than last week when it was my left knee's turn to have gotten lightly injured. It was a wonder that it took nearly six months for the livestock to get me. As I sit here and write, the four beasts are all soundly asleep surrounding me and the volume of the snoring is quite apparent as these kinds of dogs sleep on their backs with their four legs in the air which is quite the sight with four huge dogs looking this way, oblivious to the light and the noise of the TV movie I am watching, "Running Scared" from 1985. Once I get my camera back I will have to take some pictures of the fourteen critters here and put them on this blog and ringo.
I sure hope next week does not continue this mini-streak of injuries as in fourteen days (Wednesday 27 June) I have a day of box moving and weight lifting ahead of me between two trips of 130 miles each or four trips totalling 520 miles moving my property.
Wednesday 13 June News Articles and Observations
13 June 2007 had some news articles that I observed and had a brief opinion about.
A. Words of Wisdom from Gary Trauner
Trauner is a thoughtful observer who lost by less than 1000 votes for the US House seat from Wyoming in November 2006. I posted an earlier commentary from him which was quite insightful. I hope he opts to run for public office again in the future as he would be a great voice for Wyoming.
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/trauner_information_is_power_democracy/C37/L37/
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/search/results/8537ea532377b3820adcb039b7d62c42/
-----
B. Wesley Clark on Joe Lieberman
The retired General and recent candidate for President is certainly of greater wisdom concerning Iraq and the Middle East than the Connecticut Senator.
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11980
-----
C. Progressive Wave to Consume Conservatives ?
I sure hope the view of what the near future public policy direction most Americans want to take is what is expressed here.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/06/13/americas_progressive_majority.php
-----
D. The Rampant Epidemic of Corporate Crime
This is a far greater problem in America than most citizens are aware of, and in urgent need of being given a greater priority by law enforcement officers, district attorneys, and the grand jury system. There has been far too much emphasis by those people on crimes by citizens that are of far lesser importance than those being done by corporations and their executives and management.
http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/13/1859/
-----
A. Words of Wisdom from Gary Trauner
Trauner is a thoughtful observer who lost by less than 1000 votes for the US House seat from Wyoming in November 2006. I posted an earlier commentary from him which was quite insightful. I hope he opts to run for public office again in the future as he would be a great voice for Wyoming.
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/trauner_information_is_power_democracy/C37/L37/
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/search/results/8537ea532377b3820adcb039b7d62c42/
-----
B. Wesley Clark on Joe Lieberman
The retired General and recent candidate for President is certainly of greater wisdom concerning Iraq and the Middle East than the Connecticut Senator.
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11980
-----
C. Progressive Wave to Consume Conservatives ?
I sure hope the view of what the near future public policy direction most Americans want to take is what is expressed here.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/06/13/americas_progressive_majority.php
-----
D. The Rampant Epidemic of Corporate Crime
This is a far greater problem in America than most citizens are aware of, and in urgent need of being given a greater priority by law enforcement officers, district attorneys, and the grand jury system. There has been far too much emphasis by those people on crimes by citizens that are of far lesser importance than those being done by corporations and their executives and management.
http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/13/1859/
-----
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
A Delightful Step Back in Time
I made a pit stop into a Safeway store just north of downtown yesterday and was surprised to see a grocery store so small and quaint. The design was clearly vintage 1950s with only about 12 aisles about 30 feet long, a relatively low ceiling, a tiny bakery and produce section, and just 5 checkout register counters. I would have thought these size stores, particularly from a giant like Safeway, would be all gone, particularly in a small city like this. I would have to think this relic from the past's days are numbered as the massive superstores with 30 or more aisles;huge bakery, produce, meat, and frozen food sections with delis, floral departments, and pharmacies; ceilings that are 50' above the floor; and at least 15 check out lanes with some that are self serve have become the norm everywhere. This recent experience I had was very cool.
The Treachery and Evil of American Corporations
They are robbing citizens blind and then asking the taxpayers for handouts. They pay their officials and executives pornographic amounts of money. They contribute little to the benefit and well being of our society and the communities they do their dirty work in. And only the intelligent insightful citizens like yours truly is aware of this. Let the work of Ralph Nader and others continue and grow with great success...
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/12/1828/
http://taxjustice-usa.org/
And here is a publication that sheds even more light on this evil shadow that is so harmful to so many.
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-History-American-Empire-Corruption/dp/052595015X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-4808519-4794825?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181707863&sr=1-1
http://www.buzzflash.com/store/items/650
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/12/1828/
http://taxjustice-usa.org/
And here is a publication that sheds even more light on this evil shadow that is so harmful to so many.
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-History-American-Empire-Corruption/dp/052595015X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-4808519-4794825?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181707863&sr=1-1
http://www.buzzflash.com/store/items/650
Monday, June 11, 2007
Great Blog to Bookmark
This looks to be a good reference to check in on with news that is pertinent for the future.
http://www.cleantechblog.com/
http://www.cleantechblog.com/
Monday 11 June News Articles and Observations
Here are Monday 11 June's news articles that caught my attention and some brief reaction to them.
A. Loss of Honeybees: Colony Collapse Disorder Growing
The ramifications of this development are indeed grave and of great concern for all of us.
http://www.alternet.org/environment/53491/
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-bees10jun10,0,4460235.story?coll=la-home-center
-----
B. City of Denver Plans Widescale Attack on Local Sources of Global Warming
I like what I read here, but it is rather ambitious and will require a major change in the consciousness of many of the locals there and corporations and business. During my ten years working there, I must have thrown into the trash about three tons or so of cardboard being scrapped by braindead employers that I worked for. I wonder if this waste will be included in the program. And what about all the waste generated by retailers and restaurants ? The quantity those businesses waste is incredible. And most of it will have not decayed in a couple of thousand years or more.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5580343,00.html
-----
C. Changes in Suburban Planning
News that is certainly for the better, as it will keep more people from giving their money indirectly to terrorist Arabs who are killing our soldiers.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070611/a_transitvillage11.art.htm
-----
D. Lieberman Urges War on Iran; Israelis Eager and Ready to Join
The only questions are when and to what extent...
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003596777
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181228588702&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
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E. This Should be the Case for All Transportation
Hopefully, Salt Lake is at vanguard of an inevitable universal trend that grows extremely fast.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6108450
-----
F. Does Bill Richardson Have the Right Stuff ?
Despite his upbeat message in his campaigning so far, the New Mexico governor has done little to capture the imagination of the electorate thus far. His record on the all important issue of health care is so-so, and he has offered little to deal with the reality of Iraq beyond the blind cries of most liberal Democrats. He better come up with some new ideas and policy proposals because it looks like he will a goner in the race by the end of next February based on what we know today.
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/62841.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070610/ap_on_el_pr/on_the2008_trail;_ylt=AlJb7H.HRtrNzrMklkX_rjys0NUE
-----
G. Irradicating Poverty: America Must Do This Soon !
A good indepth article in the New York Times with a couple of supporting ones that say much about this serious growing problem that should not exist with all the wealth in this nation. John Edwards remains my choice for President because of his aggressive stand on this issue, among others.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/magazine/10edwards-t.html?em&ex=1181707200&en=92b80d973b9eb6e6&ei=5070
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/magazine/10payne-t.html?em&ex=1181707200&en=14090a6e40af6b56&ei=5087%0A
http://mytown.ca/zepp/
-----
H. Republicans Salivate over Open Wyoming Senate Seat
Not too many names that create any enthusiasm. We will find out next Tuesday, 19 June, who makes the finalists list.
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/06/11/news/wyoming/doc466d857723a40632393851.txt
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/republicans_will_crowd_for_open_wyoming_senate_seat/C37/L37/
-----
I. Signifiant Energy Infrastructure Investment on the Horizon
This is indeed more good news that will be of great benefit to citzens as we try to diversify sources for energy.
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/06/11/news/wyoming/d85b65da65541233872572f7000336bd.txt
-----
J. More Wisdom and Insight from Professor Krugman
He is always right on target with his editorials.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/11/1798/
-----
K. Progress on Wilderness Expansion Bill in Idaho
Any growth in wilderness areas in Republican-dominated Idaho is good news, but so much more is needed there as in other Western states.
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2007/06/08/opinion/editorials/113774.txt
-----
L. Republicans Support Sinking Everywhere
What will be the impact on GOP candidates including incumbents in the November '08 elections ? This poll does not paint a good picture at all.
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/poll_republicans_losing_ground_in_rural_america/C37/L37/
http://www.ruralstrategies.org/default.html
-----
M. College Degrees are not the Ticket to Success and Prosperity
Many individuals, including my brothers, among others, know this is true and I certainly am well aware of it as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/11/opinion/11mon3.html?em&ex=1181707200&en=4316131177e885aa&ei=5070
-----
N. A Not So Welcome Milestone Looms for Sports Fans in the City of Brotherly Love
On a lighter note, its been tough to be a Phillies fan. At least some can see the humor and achievement in being one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/sports/baseball/12phillies.html?hp
http://celebrate10000.com
-----
A. Loss of Honeybees: Colony Collapse Disorder Growing
The ramifications of this development are indeed grave and of great concern for all of us.
http://www.alternet.org/environment/53491/
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-bees10jun10,0,4460235.story?coll=la-home-center
-----
B. City of Denver Plans Widescale Attack on Local Sources of Global Warming
I like what I read here, but it is rather ambitious and will require a major change in the consciousness of many of the locals there and corporations and business. During my ten years working there, I must have thrown into the trash about three tons or so of cardboard being scrapped by braindead employers that I worked for. I wonder if this waste will be included in the program. And what about all the waste generated by retailers and restaurants ? The quantity those businesses waste is incredible. And most of it will have not decayed in a couple of thousand years or more.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5580343,00.html
-----
C. Changes in Suburban Planning
News that is certainly for the better, as it will keep more people from giving their money indirectly to terrorist Arabs who are killing our soldiers.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070611/a_transitvillage11.art.htm
-----
D. Lieberman Urges War on Iran; Israelis Eager and Ready to Join
The only questions are when and to what extent...
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003596777
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181228588702&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
-----
E. This Should be the Case for All Transportation
Hopefully, Salt Lake is at vanguard of an inevitable universal trend that grows extremely fast.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6108450
-----
F. Does Bill Richardson Have the Right Stuff ?
Despite his upbeat message in his campaigning so far, the New Mexico governor has done little to capture the imagination of the electorate thus far. His record on the all important issue of health care is so-so, and he has offered little to deal with the reality of Iraq beyond the blind cries of most liberal Democrats. He better come up with some new ideas and policy proposals because it looks like he will a goner in the race by the end of next February based on what we know today.
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/62841.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070610/ap_on_el_pr/on_the2008_trail;_ylt=AlJb7H.HRtrNzrMklkX_rjys0NUE
-----
G. Irradicating Poverty: America Must Do This Soon !
A good indepth article in the New York Times with a couple of supporting ones that say much about this serious growing problem that should not exist with all the wealth in this nation. John Edwards remains my choice for President because of his aggressive stand on this issue, among others.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/magazine/10edwards-t.html?em&ex=1181707200&en=92b80d973b9eb6e6&ei=5070
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/magazine/10payne-t.html?em&ex=1181707200&en=14090a6e40af6b56&ei=5087%0A
http://mytown.ca/zepp/
-----
H. Republicans Salivate over Open Wyoming Senate Seat
Not too many names that create any enthusiasm. We will find out next Tuesday, 19 June, who makes the finalists list.
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/06/11/news/wyoming/doc466d857723a40632393851.txt
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/republicans_will_crowd_for_open_wyoming_senate_seat/C37/L37/
-----
I. Signifiant Energy Infrastructure Investment on the Horizon
This is indeed more good news that will be of great benefit to citzens as we try to diversify sources for energy.
http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/06/11/news/wyoming/d85b65da65541233872572f7000336bd.txt
-----
J. More Wisdom and Insight from Professor Krugman
He is always right on target with his editorials.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/11/1798/
-----
K. Progress on Wilderness Expansion Bill in Idaho
Any growth in wilderness areas in Republican-dominated Idaho is good news, but so much more is needed there as in other Western states.
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2007/06/08/opinion/editorials/113774.txt
-----
L. Republicans Support Sinking Everywhere
What will be the impact on GOP candidates including incumbents in the November '08 elections ? This poll does not paint a good picture at all.
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/poll_republicans_losing_ground_in_rural_america/C37/L37/
http://www.ruralstrategies.org/default.html
-----
M. College Degrees are not the Ticket to Success and Prosperity
Many individuals, including my brothers, among others, know this is true and I certainly am well aware of it as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/11/opinion/11mon3.html?em&ex=1181707200&en=4316131177e885aa&ei=5070
-----
N. A Not So Welcome Milestone Looms for Sports Fans in the City of Brotherly Love
On a lighter note, its been tough to be a Phillies fan. At least some can see the humor and achievement in being one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/sports/baseball/12phillies.html?hp
http://celebrate10000.com
-----
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Insane, Immoral Pay of Corporate Officials
The pay of corporate officials is truly wrong. Tax and other public policy must be reformed to stop this destruction of American capitalism. I will ponder over the coming weeks some of the public policy actions that must be employed and implemented as quickly as possible to get this under control and reduced. For the American economy and our democracy to be in balance and working properly for as many citizens as possible, all publicly traded and held corporations must pay their executives, officials, and management no more than 15 times that of what the lowest paid employee in that corporation is paid. One can look back in history 40-45 years ago and more to see that was the case in America. And by no coincidence, this was the perioid of the greatest success for the working class and when family life in the US was in balance.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/money/article/0,2777,DRMN_23908_5577618,00.html
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/money/article/0,2777,DRMN_23908_5577618,00.html
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Some things That are Now Gone That Were Reality When I was Born and an Infant
Some of the big changes that have occurred on a more visible level during my long lifetime:
-- there were only 48 states when I was born, and most of Africa and Asia were still under colonial control of Britain and France.
-- there was no such thing as an imported automobile being sold and driven in the US for the most part, and we had six domestic automobile manufacturers.
-- the Interstate Highway system was barely in existence, so most drivers had to take two lane roads when driving anywhere.
-- there was no such thing as fast food, microwaves, color television, frost-free freezers, flourescent lighting, electric dishwashers, air conditioning, digital watches, and unleaded gasoline.
-- most automobiles still had manual transmissions, bias ply tires, and no power accessories.
-- nobody had contact lenses, and all containers were made of glass and metal as nothing was constructed of plastic or aluminum for products to be contained in.
-- Baseball was the national sport and pastime but there was only 16 teams, and the two new teams in California, the Giants and Dodgers, had only been playing in the Golden State for a few months, being the first teams west of the Central Time Zone.
-- not many people paid attention to pro football, as there were only 12 teams. Nobody watched or heard of pro basketball or pro hockey except for a very small number of fans in the largely Northeastern cities where the 16 teams were located (10 in the NBA and only 6 in the NHL).
-- there was no such thing as a Zip Code, and US postal mail was delivered twice daily including Saturdays, and there was once daily mail delivery on Sundays. First Class Postal Stamps cost 2 or 3 cents each.
-- telephone service was quaint and of no technological sustance. Telephones had rotary dials, were always black in color and owned by AT&T, the one and only phone company in existance. Phone numbers consisted of only five numbers, and most people shared their phone service with others nearby in what was called a party line. No long distance calls were ever made except in case of extreme emergencies and important holidays, and the average monthly telephone bill was between $2 and $3.
-- there were only three or four television stations to watch at the most, and they went off the air around midnight at the latest and were not back on the air until 6:30am at the earliest. In most places there were only 3-5 radio stations that could be heard, and most signed off at sunset and played only music with news on the top of every hour.
-- many people only wore one set of a clothing throughout the week, and on Sundays they wore their nicest clothing for church and stayed in them through the whole day, especially for the all-important Sunday Dinner which was the best and most elaborate meal of the week in which Mom worked long and hard to prepare and the time when all family gathered together.
-- for many people, baths and showers were only taken once per week, usually on Saturday nights.
-- electric or gas dryers for clothing were unheard of, and everywhere you could see clothes hanging to dry on clotheslines.
-- most fabrics and materials in clothing and household products were made completely of cotton or wool, as artificial fabrics were still in their infancy for everyday use. Clothes were repaired and kept up and not viewed as disposable and changeable.
-- nobody except teenagers wore tennis shoes, and adults were always dressed impeccibly, with hats, suits, and shoes. No one over age 18 wore sandals, shorts, or tshirts except at the beach. Most people had only one or two pairs of shoes and they were expected to last a long time and were often resoled or repaired to accomplish just that. Blue jeans were only worn by farmers and cowboys.
-- all men kept their hair cut very short and visited the barber shop monthly, and all women made trips monthly or bimonthly to beauty shops to keep their hair looking good.
-- the only sports on television was one baseball game on Saturday afternoons, one college football game on Autumn Saturday afternoons, and one pro football game on Autumn Sunday afternoons. There was no basketball or hockey televised, and only limited amounts of golf and tennis. Televised auto racing did not exist, but boxing, wrestling, and trotting and horse racing were broadcast even on evening slots.
-- the only businesses that were open after 5pm or so were the odd gasoline station and liquor stores. Most restaurants closed by 7 and all stores by 6. Movie theatres and drive in theatres always started their last showing before or at dusk except in the biggest cities. Nearly every business was closed on Sundays to honor the Sabbath and to provide for quality and quantity family time.
-- airlines were only flown by the few wealthy people, government officials, and celebrities. Everyone else took the train or buses to get around outside of their immediate areas, which were considerably smaller than what is normal today -- nobody had any kind of a commute to their workplace, shopping, or other activities regularly done in ones daily life.
-- atomic and nuclear power was considered safe and viewed as an important part of the future in many different ways and applications, including energy, medicine, transportation, communications, and electronics.
-- virtually all oil being refined, used, and consumed originated from domestic sources, resulting in gasoline being priced around 8 cents to 15 cents per gallon. Most homes were heated with firewood, coal, heating oil, or steam heat, as natural gas usage was still in its infancy.
-- most shopping was still done in small neighborhood stores where there was a personal connection and intimacy as the shopping center was still a new phenomena. Sears, Woolworths, Montgomery Wards, and Gimbles were the retail giants of the day, and they were tiny in size, both physically and in number of outlets as compared to the Wal-Marts, Targets and other big box retailers that rule today
I will add more to this list as things come to me, or I will make a new post with those new entries. Contributions, comments, suggestions, and items I have overlooked are greatly welcome.
-- there were only 48 states when I was born, and most of Africa and Asia were still under colonial control of Britain and France.
-- there was no such thing as an imported automobile being sold and driven in the US for the most part, and we had six domestic automobile manufacturers.
-- the Interstate Highway system was barely in existence, so most drivers had to take two lane roads when driving anywhere.
-- there was no such thing as fast food, microwaves, color television, frost-free freezers, flourescent lighting, electric dishwashers, air conditioning, digital watches, and unleaded gasoline.
-- most automobiles still had manual transmissions, bias ply tires, and no power accessories.
-- nobody had contact lenses, and all containers were made of glass and metal as nothing was constructed of plastic or aluminum for products to be contained in.
-- Baseball was the national sport and pastime but there was only 16 teams, and the two new teams in California, the Giants and Dodgers, had only been playing in the Golden State for a few months, being the first teams west of the Central Time Zone.
-- not many people paid attention to pro football, as there were only 12 teams. Nobody watched or heard of pro basketball or pro hockey except for a very small number of fans in the largely Northeastern cities where the 16 teams were located (10 in the NBA and only 6 in the NHL).
-- there was no such thing as a Zip Code, and US postal mail was delivered twice daily including Saturdays, and there was once daily mail delivery on Sundays. First Class Postal Stamps cost 2 or 3 cents each.
-- telephone service was quaint and of no technological sustance. Telephones had rotary dials, were always black in color and owned by AT&T, the one and only phone company in existance. Phone numbers consisted of only five numbers, and most people shared their phone service with others nearby in what was called a party line. No long distance calls were ever made except in case of extreme emergencies and important holidays, and the average monthly telephone bill was between $2 and $3.
-- there were only three or four television stations to watch at the most, and they went off the air around midnight at the latest and were not back on the air until 6:30am at the earliest. In most places there were only 3-5 radio stations that could be heard, and most signed off at sunset and played only music with news on the top of every hour.
-- many people only wore one set of a clothing throughout the week, and on Sundays they wore their nicest clothing for church and stayed in them through the whole day, especially for the all-important Sunday Dinner which was the best and most elaborate meal of the week in which Mom worked long and hard to prepare and the time when all family gathered together.
-- for many people, baths and showers were only taken once per week, usually on Saturday nights.
-- electric or gas dryers for clothing were unheard of, and everywhere you could see clothes hanging to dry on clotheslines.
-- most fabrics and materials in clothing and household products were made completely of cotton or wool, as artificial fabrics were still in their infancy for everyday use. Clothes were repaired and kept up and not viewed as disposable and changeable.
-- nobody except teenagers wore tennis shoes, and adults were always dressed impeccibly, with hats, suits, and shoes. No one over age 18 wore sandals, shorts, or tshirts except at the beach. Most people had only one or two pairs of shoes and they were expected to last a long time and were often resoled or repaired to accomplish just that. Blue jeans were only worn by farmers and cowboys.
-- all men kept their hair cut very short and visited the barber shop monthly, and all women made trips monthly or bimonthly to beauty shops to keep their hair looking good.
-- the only sports on television was one baseball game on Saturday afternoons, one college football game on Autumn Saturday afternoons, and one pro football game on Autumn Sunday afternoons. There was no basketball or hockey televised, and only limited amounts of golf and tennis. Televised auto racing did not exist, but boxing, wrestling, and trotting and horse racing were broadcast even on evening slots.
-- the only businesses that were open after 5pm or so were the odd gasoline station and liquor stores. Most restaurants closed by 7 and all stores by 6. Movie theatres and drive in theatres always started their last showing before or at dusk except in the biggest cities. Nearly every business was closed on Sundays to honor the Sabbath and to provide for quality and quantity family time.
-- airlines were only flown by the few wealthy people, government officials, and celebrities. Everyone else took the train or buses to get around outside of their immediate areas, which were considerably smaller than what is normal today -- nobody had any kind of a commute to their workplace, shopping, or other activities regularly done in ones daily life.
-- atomic and nuclear power was considered safe and viewed as an important part of the future in many different ways and applications, including energy, medicine, transportation, communications, and electronics.
-- virtually all oil being refined, used, and consumed originated from domestic sources, resulting in gasoline being priced around 8 cents to 15 cents per gallon. Most homes were heated with firewood, coal, heating oil, or steam heat, as natural gas usage was still in its infancy.
-- most shopping was still done in small neighborhood stores where there was a personal connection and intimacy as the shopping center was still a new phenomena. Sears, Woolworths, Montgomery Wards, and Gimbles were the retail giants of the day, and they were tiny in size, both physically and in number of outlets as compared to the Wal-Marts, Targets and other big box retailers that rule today
I will add more to this list as things come to me, or I will make a new post with those new entries. Contributions, comments, suggestions, and items I have overlooked are greatly welcome.
Corporations Gone Wild
Taxes and regulatory reform is what is necessary and essential to get these amok businesses entities reined in and in their proper place in a citizen democracy. A great first start would be a complete and extensive implementation of an across the board 2% revenue tax on all corporate revenue in excess of $180,ooo annually. Additional revenue taxes need to be accessed on the one hundred largest corporations, revenue emanating from sources outside the United States and Canada, and on those who pay any officer, official, or manager income that exceeds that of the President of the United States or is greater than 15 times that of that corporation's lowest paid worker.
We can reclaim the Golden Age of the American Worker and the Middle Class than existed in the 1950s and 1960s here in the United States if we get the corporacy and big business and their evil soulless leadership and management reined in and under firm hard knuckle control.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/06/08/taming_corporations_gone_wild.php
We can reclaim the Golden Age of the American Worker and the Middle Class than existed in the 1950s and 1960s here in the United States if we get the corporacy and big business and their evil soulless leadership and management reined in and under firm hard knuckle control.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/06/08/taming_corporations_gone_wild.php
Continuing to Be Harnessed by Truck Repair Expenses
The White Knight continues to require largely unanticipated maintenance to be done and yet more still probably awaits. On Friday, 8 June, I had to take the truck into the shop for some new repairs. The starter suddenly died on Tuesday, 5 June, forcing me to have strategically park so I could push start the vehicle for three days. Not a pleasant proposition considering I had a bum knee. Fortunately the wind was blowing like all get out so all I had to do was disengage the truck out of gear and release the brake and the wind would push the truck down a low grade slope so it could be started. I also had an ongoing issue with the temperature guage sender unit which required replacement. The guage was reading completely inaccurately which is not good in the summer months and anytime for that matter as one has to be able to be aware of the engine system temperature.
I also had to have the tires rotated and the tire that was my spare had to be moved to the wheel that was on my front passenger side as I have a bad wheel that I only keep as a spare to use temporarily. My right front passenger tire was going bald on the outside with the metal belt already showing throught the rubber. This was of a great danger as I could have had a blowout easily with my 50-mile round trip commute which is primarily done at speeds in excess of 65 mph. The reason for the tire damage and wear is due to bad kingpins in the front suspension. The kingpins are original equipment on the truck and keep the tires and wheels at the proper cant. When kingpins are going bad, the wheels and tires invert inward in an ever so small way which puts additional stress, pressure, and wear on the outside of the tire surface.
While not a pressing safety matter, the replacement of the kingpins is something I need to attend to before years end for also reasons of maximizing the cost of investing in tires which are around $65 each. Replacing the kingpins on both front wheels and the suspension system is about $550, largely for labor which takes about six hours to do the job with all the disassembly and reassembly and making sure it is down with exact precision and alignment.
Another sizeable expense for the vehicle that also awaits will be installing a new clutch and replacing and aligning the flywheel. I suspect I will have to get this done also before years end. The clutch in the truck now has been in there since 1999 so I have gotten an excellent amount of time from this critical part. In the past, some clutches that were installed lasted less than 24 months so it was nice to have a correct and excellent installation done last time. I believe that in the 21 years I have had the truck there has been five or six clutches installed. The new starter I had installed today does not line up correctly with the existing flywheel so I will have to deal with a painful metal cutting grinding sound when engaging the clutch while turning the ignition key for a few weeks until the flywheel cuts a groove on the starter housing. The starter I got has a lifetime warranty so I should be okay with any future problem that may arise in the future. This clutch/flywheel repair job is also around $550 to get done. I need to bankroll funds so as I can be prepared if this expense happens suddenly.
Other expenses that I need to get done some day include replacing the entire exhaust from the manifold on back; getting those mirrors replaced; new rocker gaskets; a new power steering system as leakage occurs while driving at freeway speeds for a lengthy period of time during warm months; and the perennial practical and cosmetic issues that need addressing such as the inside door handles, the tailgate release assembly which is missing a plastic coupler, and paint and body work. Something annoying that has just happened is right turn signal indicator light on the instrument panel burning out -- it never occurred to me that this could happen so now I never really know if my signal to turn right is on since I see no visual evidence inside that it is engaged except for the turn signal arm being put into the proper position. I will have to keep an eagle eye on the bulbs to make sure they are in working order.
There are two choices for most people about motor vehicle transportation: have a newer vehicle and make car loan payments that are usually in excess of the vehicle's real value or have an older vehicle that is completely paid for and have to make regular and sometimes expensive maintenance and repair expenses. I have opted for the latter option which I think has made sense for me in most ways over the last two decades given my overall failure and ineptitude in most of the other areas in life. At least when one has the vehicle for as long as I have, generally I am completely aware and understanding what is going on and what the problem is when something arises, although I can still get stumped as what happened in late April and early May when rotting wiring that was not evident left me perplexed about why the Ford would not start.
At least I basically will get a free oil change and lube on Monday 11 June as the result of having spent over $250 on Friday 8 June for all the other repair and maintenance work I had done and availing myself of coupons that the repair garage had placed in the local Cheyenne newspaper.
Fortunately I will be moving into town in the next three to four weeks or so and then I can walk to work ( it will be about a 1.5 mile journey each way) saving alot of money and wear and tear on the truck. Living in a small city like Cheyenne will enable me to be able to walk to most places unlike if I had stayed in Denver. I will have to drive only to go to the grocery store, bookstore, and to visit my friends. I had hoped to get my property from Colorado by this weekend but once again circumstances will force a delay. The targeted day now for moving the property here is Wednesday 27 June. Apologies to HBL for having to continue to make adjustments to this timetable and having you continue to hold those 12-15 items in your garage for an even more longer period of time than you would like and trying your patience on this matter.
I also had to have the tires rotated and the tire that was my spare had to be moved to the wheel that was on my front passenger side as I have a bad wheel that I only keep as a spare to use temporarily. My right front passenger tire was going bald on the outside with the metal belt already showing throught the rubber. This was of a great danger as I could have had a blowout easily with my 50-mile round trip commute which is primarily done at speeds in excess of 65 mph. The reason for the tire damage and wear is due to bad kingpins in the front suspension. The kingpins are original equipment on the truck and keep the tires and wheels at the proper cant. When kingpins are going bad, the wheels and tires invert inward in an ever so small way which puts additional stress, pressure, and wear on the outside of the tire surface.
While not a pressing safety matter, the replacement of the kingpins is something I need to attend to before years end for also reasons of maximizing the cost of investing in tires which are around $65 each. Replacing the kingpins on both front wheels and the suspension system is about $550, largely for labor which takes about six hours to do the job with all the disassembly and reassembly and making sure it is down with exact precision and alignment.
Another sizeable expense for the vehicle that also awaits will be installing a new clutch and replacing and aligning the flywheel. I suspect I will have to get this done also before years end. The clutch in the truck now has been in there since 1999 so I have gotten an excellent amount of time from this critical part. In the past, some clutches that were installed lasted less than 24 months so it was nice to have a correct and excellent installation done last time. I believe that in the 21 years I have had the truck there has been five or six clutches installed. The new starter I had installed today does not line up correctly with the existing flywheel so I will have to deal with a painful metal cutting grinding sound when engaging the clutch while turning the ignition key for a few weeks until the flywheel cuts a groove on the starter housing. The starter I got has a lifetime warranty so I should be okay with any future problem that may arise in the future. This clutch/flywheel repair job is also around $550 to get done. I need to bankroll funds so as I can be prepared if this expense happens suddenly.
Other expenses that I need to get done some day include replacing the entire exhaust from the manifold on back; getting those mirrors replaced; new rocker gaskets; a new power steering system as leakage occurs while driving at freeway speeds for a lengthy period of time during warm months; and the perennial practical and cosmetic issues that need addressing such as the inside door handles, the tailgate release assembly which is missing a plastic coupler, and paint and body work. Something annoying that has just happened is right turn signal indicator light on the instrument panel burning out -- it never occurred to me that this could happen so now I never really know if my signal to turn right is on since I see no visual evidence inside that it is engaged except for the turn signal arm being put into the proper position. I will have to keep an eagle eye on the bulbs to make sure they are in working order.
There are two choices for most people about motor vehicle transportation: have a newer vehicle and make car loan payments that are usually in excess of the vehicle's real value or have an older vehicle that is completely paid for and have to make regular and sometimes expensive maintenance and repair expenses. I have opted for the latter option which I think has made sense for me in most ways over the last two decades given my overall failure and ineptitude in most of the other areas in life. At least when one has the vehicle for as long as I have, generally I am completely aware and understanding what is going on and what the problem is when something arises, although I can still get stumped as what happened in late April and early May when rotting wiring that was not evident left me perplexed about why the Ford would not start.
At least I basically will get a free oil change and lube on Monday 11 June as the result of having spent over $250 on Friday 8 June for all the other repair and maintenance work I had done and availing myself of coupons that the repair garage had placed in the local Cheyenne newspaper.
Fortunately I will be moving into town in the next three to four weeks or so and then I can walk to work ( it will be about a 1.5 mile journey each way) saving alot of money and wear and tear on the truck. Living in a small city like Cheyenne will enable me to be able to walk to most places unlike if I had stayed in Denver. I will have to drive only to go to the grocery store, bookstore, and to visit my friends. I had hoped to get my property from Colorado by this weekend but once again circumstances will force a delay. The targeted day now for moving the property here is Wednesday 27 June. Apologies to HBL for having to continue to make adjustments to this timetable and having you continue to hold those 12-15 items in your garage for an even more longer period of time than you would like and trying your patience on this matter.
A Record Cold 8 June Morning Throughout the High Plains Region
It was a frosty morning across the Front Range Region on Friday, 8 June. Here in Cheyenne, an official low of 31 degrees was observed for a new record, but out where I stay it got down to 27 degrees.
In Denver, the official low was also 31 degrees, the second coldest morning low ever recorded and the latest sub-freezing temperature observed in any June day.
There were dozens of other communities across the region that also set new records, and in Castle Rock, where my brother's family resides, the low was 28 degrees.
I know Summer will get here eventually...and this global warming crisis sure has not been evident in this part of the world since early last November !
In Denver, the official low was also 31 degrees, the second coldest morning low ever recorded and the latest sub-freezing temperature observed in any June day.
There were dozens of other communities across the region that also set new records, and in Castle Rock, where my brother's family resides, the low was 28 degrees.
I know Summer will get here eventually...and this global warming crisis sure has not been evident in this part of the world since early last November !
39 Years Later: A Deep Loss That Still Hurts for So Many
If there was ever a crossroads in history in my early life, the assassination of Senator Robert F Kennedy was one of the most significant. The loss of this man destroyed much of the promise, the hope, and the idealism of America, and it has never returned.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/08/1745/
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/08/1745/
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Noteworthy Changes That Have Occurred in My Lifetime
With less than 360 days until I cross the half-century mark of my life, I have some perspectives on my experiences and surroundings and what they have been and are about.
Here is a brief, incomplete list of some of the changes that I have observed during my life. Any additional suggestions and insights are most welcome, and I look forward to discussions about my list and others' suggestions and opinions.
1. Collapse of Nuclear Family:
The modern American family is anything but nuclear as social forces, economic realities, and vast political manueverings has changed much since I was born and a youth. Science has also contributed to this change in a number of ways. The societal effects and psychological consequences individually and in families and communities are most certainly incalculable.
2. Loss of American Industrial Manufacturing Might and Employment:
The massive shift in the American Economy from one of self made self sufficiency and competitiveness to one overwhelmingly dominated by imports, oligopolies in most sectors, and service sector and sales jobs is incredible and largely unfortunate. The consequences of this radical distortion and mutation are yet to be fully realized and payment will be harsh and overwhelming for Americans in the not so distant future.
3. Vast Growth of Technology, particularly in Communications and Medical Care:
Most of the changes that have occured have been for the better, but one could argue with certainty that for what we have gained, there has been a significant loss in what we were as people and how we interacted and communicated with others. There has been a noticeable decline and loss in civility, courtesy, and neighborliness in everyway for most everyone. I do not believe we talk with others as easily and fully as we once did just a few years back. I would also suggest that this trend has actually led to greater inefficiency and waste.
4. Vast Divergence of Culture, with Large Numbers of Subcultures -- Loss of American Cultural Hegemony and Homogeneity:
There are so many of us now going in so many different directions and being influenced and controlled by so many divergent entities. This is quite the contrast to the America of my youth where we all largely went about our lives with much in common. Changes in communication choices and technology are partly to blame for this, along with major increases in immigration, and the decline and collapse of influential and leading institutions that set the agenda and led by example for all the citizenry.
5. Birth of Environmentalism and Growth of it as a Consciousness and Mindset:
There absolutely was no kind of environmentalism when I was a lad. Wastefulness, inefficiency, and pollution of all types and kinds were the norm then. In the last 35 years or so this mindset has been reversed, but we remain a long ways away from the ideal needed to make this world the place it should be for all its peoples, wildlife, and ecosystems.
6. Change in Transportations Choices:
We have gone from trains, one-car families, and walking out of necessity to a society dominated by multi-automobile individuals and families, airplanes, and a rebirth in urban areas with growing mass transit options due to an epic change in fuel prices. And technology has made everything faster, safer, and with more gadgets. Simplicity is gone.
7. The Widespread Growth of Convenience and Ease of Lifestyle Choices:
We ate all our meals at home prepared from raw materials. Most work required physical exertion when cleaning and maintaining our homes and businesses. Now it is a prepackaged pre-prepared world with widespread applications of unpronounceable chemicals in foods and everything that makes up our lifestyle;, and use of time has become more efficient, yet we have less time thanever to do what all what we want. In gaining convenience, we have lost simplicity.
8. Polarization and Hostility in Politics:
It is always existed to an extent, but what we have now in the public sector and the airwaves is the worst it has ever been as hardened positions have been deeply staked out; words and language are coarse, crude, and harsh; and a largely negative media culture only perpetuates and exacerbates these alarming developments. Compromise and conciliation are all but gone in our society, particularly in the political realm, in recent years.
9. Explosion of Sports and Recreation in Everyday Life:
The growth, power, and influences that these industries have on our society on individual, community, and societal levels has been astronomical and in some ways been catastrophic and deeply harmful to many; yet it can also be argued that much of the change has been beneficial and healthful for many. Professional sports now dominates the consciousness of most Americans on a deep daily basis at the expense of much more vital subjects.
10. Changes in Everyday Culture -- Smoking, Drinking, Sex, Drugs, Corruption, Greed, Arrogance, Cheating, Dishonesty, Crime, and Immorality:
All these basic human behaviors have seen enormous growth during my lifetime in all types and kinds of people including those who would never have been considered for this in the not so distant past with the exception of one of the items listed above: smoking. There has been an epic decline in smoking and tolerance of the habit during my lifetime.
-----
Here is a brief, incomplete list of some of the changes that I have observed during my life. Any additional suggestions and insights are most welcome, and I look forward to discussions about my list and others' suggestions and opinions.
1. Collapse of Nuclear Family:
The modern American family is anything but nuclear as social forces, economic realities, and vast political manueverings has changed much since I was born and a youth. Science has also contributed to this change in a number of ways. The societal effects and psychological consequences individually and in families and communities are most certainly incalculable.
2. Loss of American Industrial Manufacturing Might and Employment:
The massive shift in the American Economy from one of self made self sufficiency and competitiveness to one overwhelmingly dominated by imports, oligopolies in most sectors, and service sector and sales jobs is incredible and largely unfortunate. The consequences of this radical distortion and mutation are yet to be fully realized and payment will be harsh and overwhelming for Americans in the not so distant future.
3. Vast Growth of Technology, particularly in Communications and Medical Care:
Most of the changes that have occured have been for the better, but one could argue with certainty that for what we have gained, there has been a significant loss in what we were as people and how we interacted and communicated with others. There has been a noticeable decline and loss in civility, courtesy, and neighborliness in everyway for most everyone. I do not believe we talk with others as easily and fully as we once did just a few years back. I would also suggest that this trend has actually led to greater inefficiency and waste.
4. Vast Divergence of Culture, with Large Numbers of Subcultures -- Loss of American Cultural Hegemony and Homogeneity:
There are so many of us now going in so many different directions and being influenced and controlled by so many divergent entities. This is quite the contrast to the America of my youth where we all largely went about our lives with much in common. Changes in communication choices and technology are partly to blame for this, along with major increases in immigration, and the decline and collapse of influential and leading institutions that set the agenda and led by example for all the citizenry.
5. Birth of Environmentalism and Growth of it as a Consciousness and Mindset:
There absolutely was no kind of environmentalism when I was a lad. Wastefulness, inefficiency, and pollution of all types and kinds were the norm then. In the last 35 years or so this mindset has been reversed, but we remain a long ways away from the ideal needed to make this world the place it should be for all its peoples, wildlife, and ecosystems.
6. Change in Transportations Choices:
We have gone from trains, one-car families, and walking out of necessity to a society dominated by multi-automobile individuals and families, airplanes, and a rebirth in urban areas with growing mass transit options due to an epic change in fuel prices. And technology has made everything faster, safer, and with more gadgets. Simplicity is gone.
7. The Widespread Growth of Convenience and Ease of Lifestyle Choices:
We ate all our meals at home prepared from raw materials. Most work required physical exertion when cleaning and maintaining our homes and businesses. Now it is a prepackaged pre-prepared world with widespread applications of unpronounceable chemicals in foods and everything that makes up our lifestyle;, and use of time has become more efficient, yet we have less time thanever to do what all what we want. In gaining convenience, we have lost simplicity.
8. Polarization and Hostility in Politics:
It is always existed to an extent, but what we have now in the public sector and the airwaves is the worst it has ever been as hardened positions have been deeply staked out; words and language are coarse, crude, and harsh; and a largely negative media culture only perpetuates and exacerbates these alarming developments. Compromise and conciliation are all but gone in our society, particularly in the political realm, in recent years.
9. Explosion of Sports and Recreation in Everyday Life:
The growth, power, and influences that these industries have on our society on individual, community, and societal levels has been astronomical and in some ways been catastrophic and deeply harmful to many; yet it can also be argued that much of the change has been beneficial and healthful for many. Professional sports now dominates the consciousness of most Americans on a deep daily basis at the expense of much more vital subjects.
10. Changes in Everyday Culture -- Smoking, Drinking, Sex, Drugs, Corruption, Greed, Arrogance, Cheating, Dishonesty, Crime, and Immorality:
All these basic human behaviors have seen enormous growth during my lifetime in all types and kinds of people including those who would never have been considered for this in the not so distant past with the exception of one of the items listed above: smoking. There has been an epic decline in smoking and tolerance of the habit during my lifetime.
-----
Sorry Treasonous Immigration Bill Goes Down in Flames !
Excellent news out of the Capital tonight with the evident defeat of the horrible Bush Adminstration proposed immigration legislation. I believe the bill may still be resurrected though later this summer or in the autumn so we are not out of the woods yet. But it is very gratifying to see widespread and concentrated citizen action and lobbying towards our elected officials about this poor piece of legislation was effective and led to a victory for all citizens and a defeat for the Bush Junta, special interests, corporations, and criminals (the illegals themselves).
I smell the winds of change blowing and it is an aroma to savor.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/washington/10oppose.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/washington/07cnd-immig.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Immigration-Congress.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0608/p01s02-uspo.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070606/ap_on_go_co/immigration_business;_ylt=Aj9SLULfwce2.l.aMOOiiDWs0NUE
-----
I smell the winds of change blowing and it is an aroma to savor.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/washington/10oppose.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/washington/07cnd-immig.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Immigration-Congress.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0608/p01s02-uspo.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070606/ap_on_go_co/immigration_business;_ylt=Aj9SLULfwce2.l.aMOOiiDWs0NUE
-----
Thursday 7 June News Articles and Observations
First, its the 63rd anniversary of one of the greatest and heroic military operations in history, the launch of the invasion of Nazi-occupied France by Allied Forces as Operation Overlord was focused on the Normandy Coast by a troop force of 1.4 million men. The courage,heroism, and sacrifice by these men and their families should always be remembered and honored and its truly a shame more recognition and commemoration does not occur for the anniversary of D-Day each year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Overlord
If this mission had failed, I and many others would have never been born and the world would have become a much different place.
Here are some news articles for Thursday 7 June 2007 and some brief observations about them.
A. Massive Electrical Transmission Investment Announced
This is fantastic news for alternative energy sources providers, as this investment will allow for construction and integration of wind energy resources into the electrical grid. The eventual beneficiaries of this development will be residents and families living in over 1.2 million homes in the Mountain West, the High Plains and the Pacific Coast.
http://www.trib.com/articles/2007/06/07/news/top_story/055086987abf6d62872572f200816bfe.txt
-----
B. The Wisdom and Insight of Garrison Keillor
I very much like what is said in this editorial.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.keillor07jun07,0,417667.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines
-----
C. Shortcomings in the American System of Presidential Elections
All of the reforms and changes suggested here should be implemented, although constitutional action would be required for much of the recommendations.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_steven_h_070607_political_science_10.htm
http://p3books.com/books/10_steps.html
-----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Overlord
If this mission had failed, I and many others would have never been born and the world would have become a much different place.
Here are some news articles for Thursday 7 June 2007 and some brief observations about them.
A. Massive Electrical Transmission Investment Announced
This is fantastic news for alternative energy sources providers, as this investment will allow for construction and integration of wind energy resources into the electrical grid. The eventual beneficiaries of this development will be residents and families living in over 1.2 million homes in the Mountain West, the High Plains and the Pacific Coast.
http://www.trib.com/articles/2007/06/07/news/top_story/055086987abf6d62872572f200816bfe.txt
-----
B. The Wisdom and Insight of Garrison Keillor
I very much like what is said in this editorial.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.keillor07jun07,0,417667.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines
-----
C. Shortcomings in the American System of Presidential Elections
All of the reforms and changes suggested here should be implemented, although constitutional action would be required for much of the recommendations.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_steven_h_070607_political_science_10.htm
http://p3books.com/books/10_steps.html
-----
NHL Expansion in the Offing
It looks as if the National Hockey League will be expanding by two teams to a total of 32 clubs. The outlook is for teams to be placed in Kansas City and Las Vegas, probably in time to play in the 08-09 or 09-10 seasons. Kansas City already has a brand new state of the art arena ready to use, while Las Vegas still needs one constructed, although there is a temporary arena available at the Orleans Casino that seats around 12,ooo that could be used until one is constructed in downtown Las Vegas which would take about 15-18 months in the Southern Nevada weather and climate.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/7880671.html
http://www.lvrj.com/news/7880671.html
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