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.

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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


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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


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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


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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


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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

Good News in the Offing for the Boulder Turnpike

US Highway 36 or the Boulder Turnpike in Adams, Jefferson, and Boulder County is a highway in desparate need of improvements and upgrades. From I-25 to Federal Blvd the highway is in decent condition although the merge from northbound I-25 is poor and inadequate and the I-25 southbound merge is unbelievably bad. From Federal on to the west to where the highway terminates in Boulder is grossly terrible and inadequate.

For the most part, all citizens, commuters, travelers, and transportation experts would like to see the following added to the highway: additional lanes ( as many as four in both directions); exit to exit merge and accelerate lanes like the ones installed on I-25 between Dry Creek Road and University Blvd in the Central and South Denver area; dedicated HOV/bus lanes for busy commute times (5:30am to 9:30am and 3pm to 7:30pm weekdays and special times on weekends in coordination with special events like CU football, Broncos & Rockies games, etc.); installation of dense high quality lighting the entire length of highway for purposes of improved safety, better visability (particularly in inclement weather), and convenience; better signage for exits, traffic hazards ahead, and mileage marker information; possible installation of a high-speed express train from Boulder with stops at McCasland, Wadsworth/287, Sheridan/92nd, Federal, Pecos, Washington/70th, 58th and terminating at downtown Union Station; increased cameras and video surveillance to increase safety and reduce dangerous driving and road rage particularly by youthful and young adult drivers living near the highway and using the highway on a regular basis; photo radar to help keep speeding under control; and widespread implementation of cost effective landscaping and roadside art (the T-rex project down I-25 was a miserable failure in terms of landscaping) including hedges and flowering shrubs in the medians.

It would be nice and fantastic to see this vision realized by 2012 for this entire length of US 36 from I-25 to Boulder. Maybe the Feds will put their money where their mouth is and where the need is.

One day I will post about the Denver metro area's other inadequate and needy freeways: I-270 from York to I-70; I-76 from its onset near Wadsworth to north of Brighton; I-225 in Aurora from north of Colfax to I-25 in the DTC; Sixth Avenue Freeway from east of I-25 to Golden;
C-470 from I-25 to Golden; I-70 from the mouth of the Rockies west of Golden to east of E-470; Hampden/285 from I-25 west to C-470; and I-25 from Wellington (north of Fort Collins through metro Denver and south into Douglas County to the El Paso County Line. The information that would be discussed there would be quite lengthy. And there is the other ideas and visions I have about many other surface transportation arterials throughout the Front Range region...


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5573239,00.html

Anaheim Ducks Take the 2007 Stanley Cup

The 2006-2007 NHL Season concluded this evening as the Anaheim Ducks won their first Stanley Cup in their fourteenth season of existence in five games over the Ottawa Senators.
Anaheim was one of the best clubs throughout the regular season, finishing a close second in the overall Western Conference standings behind Detroit. In the playoffs, the Ducks ousted Minnesota, Vancouver, and Detroit before claiming the Cup over the feisty and hard-working Eastern Conference Champion Senators. Anaheim is first club in the Pacific Time Zone to claim the Cup, ahead of the rival Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Vancouver Canucks, as well as the defunct California Golden Seals who were based in the Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

I truly enjoy watching the postgame award of the Stanley Cup trophy following the always classy traditional exchange of handshakes between all members of both teams following the conclusion of each and every playoff series. The exuberation and pure thrill seen in each player's eyes and body language in accomplishing this achievement of a championship is a stirring time and makes my eyes well up with happiness. To see the joy in these players who have worked since they were young children to make this happen is incredible. The ordeal of winning a Stanley Cup starts each season in September right after Labor Day when training camps open and through a long over six and a half month season covering 8 preseason and 82 regular season games continuing through a grueling ordeal of nearly two months to win the sixteen postseason games necessary to capture the Stanley Cup is professional sports' most difficult and arduous challenge.

Congratulations to the Ducks -- they are indeed (still)"Mighty" this year ! And the 07-08 season looms in less than 100 days --- GO AVALANCHE !!! Bring the Cup back to the Mountain Time Zone !!


http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=2895970


http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=frei_terry&id=2897840

Put on the Shelf by Left Knee Injury

I clumsily fell down some stairs and seriously whacked my left knee, leaving it swollen above the patella and me in severe pain. Walking was able to be done barely and climbing stairs was an adventure. Putting extra stress on my right hip to do more was not all that good either, as the dull chronic pain that is usually always there was more noticeable as well. Driving was a pain as engaging the clutch in my truck to shift gears was difficult with the loss of strength. There is a temporary loss of range of motion. Hopefully by Saturday or Sunday, the knee will be feeling at or near 100 % again so the other pains can retake the rightful places in the everyday hierarchy.

Names Surface to Fill Thomas Senate Seat

I already have mentioned four names under consideration to fill the US Senate seat left empty by the sudden death Monday, 4 June, of Craig Thomas: US Representative Barbara Cubin, retired US Senator Alan Simpson, former Governor Jim Gehringer, and Vice-President Richard Cheney. Today several other names were brought up additionally as possible replacements:

Lynne Cheney: Wife of the Vice-President; education activist; author.

John Barrasso: Casper physician, state legislator, local television news health commentator.

Colin Simpson: State legislator; son of Alan Simpson; grandson of the late Governor Milward Simpson.

John Mead: US Attorney for Wyoming; was recently in the news for being under consideration for being fired by the Bush Administration and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for not following administration policy closely enough.

Susan Thomas: the wife of the late Senator, long time special needs public educator.

The Wyoming State Republican Party Committee has until 19 June to provide Governor David Freudenthal with three names for him to consider in filling the seat. Susan Thomas would be a superb choice and lets hope the state GOP honors Thomas' legacy and accomplishments by including his wife among the recommendations for filling the seat.

Tuesday 5 June News Articles and Observations

Here are some news articles that caught my attention and some brief personal observations about them.


A. The Stagnant Sleepy American Economy of the Bush Years

These economic facts and statistics come as no surprise to anyone. The only ones who have seen any kind of improvement in their standard of living are corporate officials, directors, and management as well as their government hacks and muscle. Everyone else has taken it on the chin and seen a large hole grow in their wallets thanks to the disgraceful one-sided economic policies of the Bush Junta.


http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1059


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B. Rising Food Prices Becoming More Evident


This development is a long-coming consequence of the dramatic massive fuel prices that have occurred over the last 39 months. For example, Regular gasoline in the Front Range Region has gone from under $1.30 per gallon to $3.25 per gallon on average, an increase of 150 %. Growers, Suppliers, Processors, Manufacturers, Distributors, Venders, and Retailers can only absorb painful costs that increase that enormously for only so long before they have to start passing it on to the consumers. So more macaroni & cheese, soup, and other inexpensive staples are in all our diets more so from now on.


http://www.startribune.com/745/story/1220329.html


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C. And Why are Food Price Increases Hitting So Many So Hard ?


The disgraceful greed, arrogance, and pure selfishness of corporate officials, directors, and management in gouging citizens for their own wealth and gluttony at the expense of the health and welfare of the American citizenry is so out of control and enraging that nothing short of an electoral revolution like we saw in 1932 is of paramount importance before this nation's democracy, freedom, and liberty are lost to these Un-Christian cretins and evil disciples of Satan.


http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070611/ehrenreich


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D. The Cowardice and Loss of Heart and Soul by Congressional Democrats


A sad and sorry indictment of what is supposed to be the alternative to what we are enduring and trying to tolerate now.


http://counterpunch.org/rosenthal06042007.html


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E. Why the Anti-War Movement has Failed Thus Far


Unfortunately, the citizenry protesting the war are largely voices in the wilderness and have marginalized by mainstream corporate media. Virtually no acknowledgement of these concerned thoughtful individual citizens has been made at all. Why ? Because this war is being fought by military volunteers and mercenaries, not draftees.





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G. The Endless 2008 Election Campaign


We still have 17 months of saturation media coverage of this campaign, so expect vast numbers of people to tune out and drop out, which only serves to further enrich and assist the corporacy in maintaining the status quo to the detriment of the citizenry.


http://kunstler.com/mags_diary21.html


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H. More on GOP Presidential Candidate Ron Paul


The more one reads and learns about this man, his ideas, and policy proposals, the more like he sounds as if he is the best Republican choice for the office he is campaigning for.


http://counterpunch.org/cockburn06022007.html


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I. Bill Moyers on Amok Corporate Bribery of Government


This distinguished thoughtful journalist always is able to define root problems and their causes and effects in and on our society and nation, and the problems he discusses here should be of grave and serious concern to all Americans.


http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/


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J. Recommended Book to Peruse


http://www.buzzflash.com/store/items/641


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K. Poverty: A Growing Widespread Problem Nationally


Public Policy on every level must be directed towards minimizing and then eliminating this chronic social disease for which it is ridiculous to exist in this nation with all the wealth and assets that are evident and not being shared by the corporacy and the wealthy elite.


http://www.suntimes.com/news/jackson/413809,CST-EDT-jesse05.article


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L. The Middle East: 40 Years of Israel's Decisive Victory in the Six Day War


The author makes some important historical conclusions which are very reasonable and logical.
I believe the strife, instablility, and violence in this region which has been going on for decades now will continue for many more decades to come in spite of efforts by well-intentioned people everywhere.


http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/martin_woollacott/2007/06/the_price_of_victory.html


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M. Greenland Ice Melt Occurring Much Faster


This news bodes quite ill for all of us, particularly those living near coastal areas and at elevations under 10' feet above sea level. The impacts of this icecap melt could be seen noticeably within a decade at this rate. Imagine the costs, sacrifices, and hysteria that will be coming (realistically, no one probably can).


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/06/02/MNG4VQ6A0B1.DTL&type=printable


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N. Vast Army Territorial Expansion on Tap for Arizona


Like what is already underway in Southeastern Colorado, vast amounts of largely unused land except for livestock grazing will be taken by the US Army for training and weapons testing. It is inevitable that this taking will occur despite protests and various legal actions in Arizona like anywhere else it is happening. The military will get their way and people will lose their homes, land, and heritage.


http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0605army0605.html


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O. Major Medical Technological Advance on the Near Horizon


One of the greatest things to look forward to in the 21st Century will be in the areas of medical advancements. Eliminating blindness is a significant step of progress, and I have to think that even I might be part of this exciting new idea, as my own vision is already deteriorating in tiny noticeable ways and I may be nearly blind in a literal sense within 20-25 years without advances in medical science for me and others to be able to take advantage of.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=460052&in_page_id=1965


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WY US Senator Craig Thomas, 1933-2007

Wyoming United States Senator Craig Thomas, a three-term conservative Republican who stayed clear of attention in Washington and largely worked hard behind the scenes for his constituents, died on Monday, June 4, 2007. He was 74.

A statement was issued stating he died Monday evening at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He had been receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia since early November 2006.

On the eve of the 2006 general national election, Thomas was hospitalized with pneumonia and had to cancel his last campaign stops in Wyoming. He was re-elected to a third term easily, but on November 9, two days after the election, Thomas surprisingly announced that he had just been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia but was determined to continue serving his Wyoming constituency in the Senate.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, will appoint a successor from one of three finalists chosen by Republican state legislators. Thomas's successor will serve through December of 2008. The Senate seat will be up for election in November 2008 and again in November 2012. Wyoming's other Senator, Michael Enzi, will also be up for election in November 2008, meaning voters in the Equality State will be choosing both Senators in one election as was done recently in California in the 1990s.

After his first round of chemotherapy, Thomas made an earlier than anticipated return to work in the Senate in December 2006. By March 2007, he said he felt better than he had in a long time. Thomas initiated legislation to protect the sensitive Wyoming Range along the western part of the state to be protected from further oil and gas drilling. However, he returned to the hospital for a second round of chemotherapy in mid-May 2007. He remained optimistic about his medical outlook but was realistic about how it was effecting his day to day life and his future.

Thomas entered the US Congress in a special election in 1989 to replace Congressman Richard Cheney when the future vice president was appointed Secretary of Defense by the President George Bush the Elder. Thomas was re-elected to the US House of Representatives in 1990 and 1992. In 1994, Thomas was elected to a first full term of office in the US Senate after incumbent Alan Simpson opted to retire. Thomas was re-elected for a second full term in the Senate in 2000.

Thomas had previously served five years in the Wyoming Legislature. He was born in Cody, Wyoming, east of Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming, and was raised on a working cattle ranch. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie with a bachelors degree in agriculture, then served four years in the United States Marines, rising to the Officers' Corps. He later served as vice president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau and general manager of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association prior to his entry into the Wyoming state legislature in 1984.

Craig Thomas is the fourth United States Senator from Wyoming to die while in office. The other thre were Francis E. Warren in 1929, John B. Kendrick in 1933, and Lester Hunt in 1954.


http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=t000162


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Thomas_(politician)


Freudenthal will choose a Republican to fill the seat from a list of three nominees submitted by the Republican-led state legislature, with Representative Cubin, former Senator Simpson, and perhaps recent former Governor Gehringer as the leading possibilities. It will be interesting to see who will else will under consideration. Maybe Dick Cheney will resign the Vice-Presidency and take the appointment for this lower profile, less stressful, and more rewarding political office. (Would not that be great and one of the biggest stunners in American History ! )




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The Fallacy of George Will and Conservatism

This article thoroughly explains why Conservatism is a doomed and failed philosophy as the guiding and steering mechanism for setting public policy for American citizens.


http://www.rockridgenation.org/blog/archive/2007/06/01/george-will-conservative-fairy-tale

My 2007 MLB All-Star Ballot

The midsummer tradition, the MLB All-Star Game, is now less than six weeks away. Voting is ongoing and is being sponsored by monster.com as the game is being played in San Francisco on Tuesday, 10 July, with first pitch around 6:25pm and the broadcast on FOX television and ESPN radio. I have been fortunate to have watched 36 of the last 38 All-Star games broadcast since 1969.

Here is my ballot:

American League

C: Victor Martinez, CLE; with Ivan Rodriguez, DET; Joe Mauer, MINN; Jason Veritek, BSN; & Jorge Posada, NY; as backup competitors: Go with Rodriguez, Veritek, & Posada.

1B: Justin Moreau, MINN; with Kevin Youkilis, BSN, Carlos Pena, TB; Travis Haffner, CLE; Jim Thome, CHI; & David Ortiz, BSN; as backup competitors; go with Ortiz, Youkilis, Ortiz, & Haffner.

2B: Placido Polanco, DET; with BJ Upton, TB; Brian Roberts, BLT; & Luis Castillo, MINN; as backup competitors; go with Upton & Roberts.

SS: Derek Jeter, NY; with Orlando Cabrera, ANAH; Carlos Guillen, DET; Johnny Peralta, CLE; & Miguel Tejada, BLT; as backup competitors; go with Cabrera & Peralta.

3B: Alex Rodriguez, NY; with Akinori Iwamura, TB; Adrian Beltre, SEA; Mike Lowell, BSN; & Troy Glaus, TOR; as backup competitors; go with Lowell & Beltre.

LF: Carl Crawford, TB; with Manny Ramirez, BSN; Craig Monroe, DET; & Shannon Stewart, OAK; as backup competitors; go with Monroe & Ramirez.

CF: Ichiro Suzuki, SEA; with Torii Hunter, MINN; Curtis Granderson, DET; Grady Sizemore, CLE; & Gary Matthews, Jr, ANAH; as backup competitors; go with Granderson, Sizemore, & Hunter.

RF: Vladimir Guerrero, ANAH; with Magglio Ordonez, DET; Alex Rios, TOR; Michael Cuddyer, MINN; & Mark Teahen, KC; as backup competitors; go with Ordonez, Rios, & Cuddyer.


National League

C: Paul LoDuca, NY: with Bengie Molina, SF; Johnny Estrada, MLW; Brian McCann, ATL; & Russell Martin, LA; as backup competitors; go with Estrada, Martin, & Molina.

1B: Prince Fielder, MLW; with Adrian Gonzalez, SD; Todd Helton, COLO; Derrek Lee, CHI; & Dmitri Young, WASH; as backup competitors; go with Gonzalez & Lee.

2B: Chase Utley, PHIL; with Orlando Hudson, ARIZ; Brandon Phillips, CINC; Dan Uggla, FLA; & Kelly Johnson, ATL; as backup competitors; go with Hudson & Uggla.

SS: Edgar Renteria, ATL; with JJ Hardy, MLW; Jose Reyes, NY; Hanley Ramirez, FLA; Troy Tulowitzki, COLO; Omar Vizquel, SF; & Jimmy Rollins, PHIL; as backup competitors; go with Reyes, Vizquel, & Hardy.

3B: Miguel Cabrera, FLA; with Chipper Jones, ATL; Aramis Ramirez, CHI; David Wright, NY; & Ryan Zimmerman, WASH; as backup competitors; go with Ramirez & Jones.

LF: Matt Holliday, COLO; with Carlos Lee, HTN; Jason Bay, Pgh; Geoff Jenkins, MLW; Eric Byrnes, ARIZ; & Barry Bonds, SF; as backup competitors; go with Bay, Jenkins, Bonds, & Byrnes.

CF: Carlos Beltran, NY; with Aaron Rowand, PHIL; Chris Young, ARIZ; & Ryan Church, WASH; as backup competitors; go with Rowand & Church.

RF: Ken Griffey, Jr, CINC; with Jeff Francoeur, ATL; Randy Winn, SF; & Xavier Nady, PGH; as backup competitors; go with Francouer & Winn.


I will list my selections for pitchers later in June, as well as any substitutes in the starting eight required due to injury or deep slumps or giant positive streaks.

Jim Williams, 1915-2007

It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of legendary Colorado State University Head Basketball Coach Jim Williams. I first started following WAC basketball almost 35 years ago and appreciated the hard work and complete preparedness that the Rams teams coached by Williams exhibited whenever I got to see them play. Most of all, sportsmanship and good fundamental play were the hallmarks of his teams. I certainly hope officials at CSU see fit to name the court at Moby Arena in Fort Collins as Jim Williams Court as New Mexico has similarly done in naming the court "Bob King Court at University Arena" at the Albuquerque college.


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/ncaa/article/0,2777,DRMN_23932_5565146,00.html

Friday 1 June News Articles and Observations

Welcome to June. Here are some news articles that caught my attention today and some brief reactions to them.


A. Expansion Possibilities for the National Park Service ?

Widespread expansion and growth of National Parks is long overdue. Little acreage has been added in the last quarter century plus. In the Mountain Time Zone alone, 12-15 new National Parks could be added with nearly that number or more for each other time zone. I would first, however, like to see a substantial increase in funding for the existing national parks, monuments, forests, grasslands, seashores, historical sites, and other national properties so they may be in superb condition with excellent maintenance, upkeep, staffing, and visitor and user services. I would think an increase of $35 to 60 billion dollars a year would be great for this agenda. Once again though, I would firmly believe no action on any of this will occur until after the '08 elections occur and we have more intelligent, progressive, and thoughtful leadership and policy making in both the Executive and Legislative branches.


http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6035209


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B. The Future of Mankind by Mid-Century


I would not be surprised if the great-grand children of my siblings come into life as a result of this. I am certain the practice of women carrying a fetus in utero will end on a large scale by 2075 or so as technology will allow for artificial wombs which will result in healthier, stronger, and better babies being born.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=459075&in_page_id=1879


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C. Accurate, Concise View of Bush Destruction of the Republican Party


There are a vast number of Republicans seriously unhappy and angry with Bush and his policy team, and this does not bode well for the GOP across the board in the '08 elections.


http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/


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D. The Greed, Arrogance, and Cost of the American Ruling Class

This article is very much an eye-opener and so very true. Corporations and the wealthy elite work very hard every day to the detriment of middle class and poor Americans all for their own greed, selfishness, and evil.


http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_kirby1_06-01-07_935PDFG.1c2eb61.html


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E. Insight on the Recent History of the Growth of the Corporacy


Excellent article about a recent writing that helps explain these highly detrimental economic, political, and social developments.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/01/1594/


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F. Bush Junta Out to Wipe Out Owls in Pacific Northwest

Not a surprising development as we all know what fiends and fools these boobs are.


http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/118048476135780.xml&coll=7


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G. No Child Left Behind Law Consequences


It is so very simple; repeal this law as it has had terrible and wasteful effects on public education. Get the Feds out of public education -- let it be under local control with even funding completely from state sources. NCLB has been an unmitigated disaster for students, parents, and teachers everywhere.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/31/1558/


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H. Well Explained and Analyzed Recent History

The author hits the nail on the head clearly, succinctly, and powerfully.


http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/2007/05/good-bye-america-how-gop-subverted.html


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I. The Democrats in Congress: Soulless, Heartless, Mindless, and Hopeless


What a fine set of choices we have to look forward to in '08 as of today.


http://www.progressivedailybeacon.com/more.php?page=opinion&id=1561


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J. John Edwards' Energy Plan for America


Some of it sounds good, but increasing ethanol is a double-edged sword as it causes noteworthy increases in food prices and contributes substantially to air pollution and smog. I would strongly recommend investments and tax incentives for coal-dieselfication plants to convert coal to diesel fuel which would result in a reduction on foriegn oil and be a cleaner burning fuel as well. As for launching an investigation into oil corporations and their quite evident price gouging, it would be nice, but the real answer is to set market share limitations in every state of no more than 5 % for any and all oil corporations and their subsidiaries; producers; distributors; and retailers. This sector of the economy must see an enormous substantial increase in meaningful competion so as consumers and small entrepenuers can see and experience noticeable benefits.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_gas_prices;_ylt=Arjn3JJZBytWaN16eKz2jvzMWM0F


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K. 122 American Soldiers Die in Iraq in May 2007


The saddest and most frustrating thing though is that one can expect greater numbers of casualties in the coming months, with perhaps 200-300 or more lives lost in a one-month period alone soon.


http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/060107J.shtml


L. Bush Hatred towards Working Americans Amazing and Pathetic


Thank Goodness we now have less than 600 days left of this woeful, awful, inept, greedy, arrogant, wasteful, foolish junta that is clearly out to destroy the American worker.


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Unions-Veto-Threats.html?_r=1&oref=slogin


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M. The Cold Hard Truth About the Iraq War


This scenario written about here is probably correct unfortunately. There will remain a lot of very long term consequences for our actions in Iraq, and future presidents may not get us out of Iraq and the Middle East completely from a military standpoint for many, many years.


http://welcome-to-pottersville.blogspot.com/2007/05/iraq-50-years-war.html


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N. Bush Becoming a Serious Out of Control Nutcase !?!

It would not be the first time an American President went insane while in office. Previous Presidents who exhibited and demonstrated signs and behaviors indicative of insanity include Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Franklin Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Warren Harding, Woodrow Wilson, William Taft, Benjamin Harrison, Ulysses Grant, and Abraham Lincoln.


http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/2618


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O. Barack Obama Campaign Gathering Major Grassroots Youthful Support


Parallels are starting to be made between this campaign and the JFK 1960, RFK and Eugene McCarthy 1968, George McGovern 1972, and Ross Perot 1992 campaigns.


http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/2617



P. Four States so Far Reject Sorry Real ID Federal Legislation


This sorry unconstitutional piece of legislation passed by a gutless Congress being intimidated by a berserk President and his inner circle of miscreants is being rejected completely by four states so far and hopefully by many more states in the next few years.


http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=212719


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Q. I Think We can All See the Future Headlines That are Coming


Once this news gets out and the stupid, naive, impressionable, desparate, and gullible men catch wind of it, one can only imagine the crazy and amazing things that are going to happen and what we will hear and read about. Comedians such as Jay Leno are going to have a lot more fodder.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18984762/wid/11915773?GT1=10109


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Nadar Dead-on about the Heart of all Mankind's Problems

As usual, Ralph Nadar clearly understands and identifies the root of all problems in our society today: the massive ever-growing corporation and the extent and domination of its tentacles in everyday life. Until this deadly beast is contained, controlled, and reduced in size, scope, and influence, the quality of life for everyone will continue to noticeably diminish.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/30/1518/


http://www.tamethecorporation.org/

MLB Reaches the First Quarter Pole

Traditionally, Memorial Day marks the completion of the first one-quarter of the baseball season, although nowadays most teams are past the 30 % mark having played 48-50 games.

So far there have been quite a few surprises as there is a greater parity now than perhaps ever before. There are no really bad teams and overall most teams are .070 either side of .500 with the exception of the Redsox so far.

In the AL, four teams are already positioning themselves for a postseason appearance. In the East, the Redsox have played superbly and opened a double-digit lead over all their division rivals, including the surprisingly disappointing Yankees. The Yankees pitching has been crushed by injuries and underacheivement, and their bats and defense has also underperformed. To be 13 1/2 games back at this point is shocking and unimaginable for New York. Toronto has been hit hard by injuries as well, while Baltimore is showing improvement and young Tampa Bay is taking strides forward.

Over in AL Central, a big dogfight is underway between the Tigers and Indians. Both teams have excellent lineups and pitching staffs and the close race between these two should continue for the remainder of the season. The Whitesox are a step back in every way, while the Twins have endured some tough injuries that has pushed them back out of the race a little more than what was projected. The Royals are vastly improved, but still quite a ways behind the other four clubs and that will continue this season.

Out in the AL West, after a slow start, the Angels have put it together and opened a comfortable lead over the Mariners and A's. Seattle is playing better than projected while the A's have been decimated by injuries and just hope to stay near .500 until they get healthy. Surprisingly, Texas is the worst team in the league and looks to be a cellar dweller for the entire season with their woeful pitching.

In the National League, there looks as if there will be good close races throughout the season in all three divisions. In the East, the Mets look to be the best team in the league so far with a good mix of strong hitting, good pitching, and nice defense. The Braves are a very good team and will stay in the race as will the Phillies, who are rebounding after a slow start. Florida is competitive but will not be a factor, and rebuilding Washington is already out of it.

In the Central, young Milwaukee got off to a good start and, despite some recent struggles, have a comfortable lead over the other five teams in the division. All five other teams have shortcomings and will struggle for the most part. Chicago has problems with pitching and offense, Pittsburgh is young with pitching issues, Houston has a lot of holes everywhere, St Louis is having a hangover from their title last season, and Cincinnati is not very talented for the most part.

Out in NL West, it looks much like the AL Central with four, maybe five teams, fighting it out throughout the season. The Dodgers have the best team on paper, but they have problems with their offense and their pitching is not as good as advertised. The Padres probably have the league's best pitching, but they have issues with their offense as well. Arizona is young and unproven and prone to inconsistency, while the Giants have gotten alot out of their pitching thus far which has helped make up for their offensive inadequacy. The Rockies have been inconsistent on offense and in their bullpen, but have shown signs of turning that around in the last week which may mean having them stay in the race as well for a longer period than originally believed.

My picks remain as Boston, Detroit, Cleveland, and Anaheim in the AL; and New York, Atlanta, Milwaukee, and San Diego in the NL.

2007 NHL Stanley Cup Finals Outlook

The Stanley Cup Finals began tonight, Monday, 28 May, between the Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks. I feel the series is fairly even and there very well may at least a couple of games that go into overtime. Ottawa has an edge on defense, while Anaheim has the edge offensively, in goal, and overall team speed and talent. Ottawa has the better special teams and powerplay. Like Calgary in '04 and Edmonton in '06, the recent trend of Canadian teams making it to the Finals and coming just a little short will continue so my forecast for the 2007 Stanley Cup finals is.....

......ANAHEIM 4 games to 3 games over OTTAWA

Reflections on Change as the First Half Century of My Life Starts its Final Year

In this next week or so I am going to publish some reflections and ideas on what has happened during my so brief life and what awaits and looms down the road. This will be the beginnings of the foundation for another blog which I will embark on in the comings months which will be an autobiography of my life. The internet gives us the opportunity to record personal histories of ourselves for all of time in cyberspace. As long as technology survives, these writings will survive, and I also plan to print them so they can be preserved for future generations to read. I do not pretend to be of any importance or to have any amazing revelations to make or note, but personal oral histories are the basic foundation of sharing and understanding lives and would not it be so great to have had these available for those living ordinarily in the past. I think I will name my new blog "THE_BIG_J_autobiography" or something to that effect. But before I begin to work on that, I will make a few posts here with some of my observations and insights about what I have seen, witnessed, and experienced in my life on a more macrolevel.

On another note, I had hoped to get my property out of CO this weekend or next, but I believe it is more rational and logical to do it farther into June, perhaps on Sunday the 17th or 24th. Incredibly, U-haul charges an extra $55 to rent vehicles on Fridays and Saturdays and also within 10 days of a planned date so it behooves one to look a little farther out timewise even though there is a strong likelihood gasoline prices will go up another 20 to 25 cents. I do, however, plan to get the 10-15 items that HBL has been so generously been storing for me in his garage these past six months and perhaps as soon as Monday, 28 May, and certainly before this week ends accomplish that.

Poignant Thoughts and Words for Memorial Day 2007

The true Memorial Day is this coming Wednesday, 30 May, but government treachery moved it (this year on 28 May) to be part of a three day weekend for government and upper income workers which has resulted in a steady loss in the importance and significance of this day for many, if not most, Americans. Most younger Americans under age 40 have no relevant or meaningful understanding or appreciation for this day, as well as many high level corporate and government officials who merely view it as a day to go make thoughtles purchases of consumer goods and market and hype it as such.

The words in the link below are very stirring and give cause for one to pause to think and reflect on the sacrifices by so many in the past, today, and in the near future that allows so many to live so well in a prosperous nation and not dwell on how and why we are where we are as individuals, families, neighborhoods, communities, regions, and a nation.


http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/25/1444/

Sunday 27 May News Articles and Observations

Here are some news articles from Sunday 27 May 2007 and my brief observations on them.





A. Further Information about the Consequences of Globalization on Democracy



The bottom line is that international corporate capitalism is imperiling and endangering democracy, not only in the US, but in other nations as well. This rapidly growing menace and threat must be addressed, brought under control, and moved towards elimination and extinction.





http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/25/1439/





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B. US Housing Market Continues to Tank



This development is only intensifying across the nation and will contribute to the looming recession along with several other factors. The housing market slump and collapse is only going to get worse, although here in the Central Rockies and High Plains the impact will be somewhat less.





http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2584331.ece





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C. Democrats Capitulate and Concede to Bush Agenda





They were elected to stand up to Bush and force a change in policy, in particular Iraq, and they have waffled and failed. The voters will remember this, and anti-incumbent Democrats will take advantage of this in caucuses and primaries in Spring '08.





http://www.workingassetsblog.com/2007/05/we_gave_them_our_hearts_they_g.html





http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorials/137





http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/25/1440/


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D. The Legacy of Rachel Carson

Carson was one of the planet's most influential people in history. Can anyone imagine what our world would be like if environmentalism never took off in the consciousness of so many people ?
We have come so far, yet we have so, so far to go, and most of us will not be around to see if we can ever reclaim the ideal again.


http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1180146338297390.xml&coll=7


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E. Detailed Information on Impact and Future of Energy Industry in and on Wyoming

Today, Sunday, 27 May, the local Cheyenne paper ran a special 18 page section on the energy industry in Wyoming. Unless one lives in the state, one cannot fully grasp the size, scope, and impact this economic sector has across the board here. Basically, it is all this state has in terms of economic development and the economic impact has been and will continue to be enormous. It is why this state ranks number six in per capita income nationally and why state and local governments are swimming in money from tax revenues, allowing for sizeable investments in infrastructure and social services. With a population of just over 500,000, there is plenty to go around.


http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2007/05/27/featured_story/01top_05-27-07.txt


http://www.buyorsellcheyenne.com/news/projects/energy_project/introduction.html


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