I received my survey in the mail a few days ago and have been mulling it over ever since. At this point I am leaning towards not filling it out. The questionnaire comes with a little pamphlet that portends to tell you why it is so important that you don't simply throw it in the trash. For instance it is used to determine your representation in the House of Representatives and is used for State redistricting purposes. This by the way is the only use outlined by law. It then goes on to say that it is used for the purposes of deciding where new schools and hospitals will be built. No it doesn't. First of all schools are decided on by the local school boards and hospitals are built by private entities. Unless of course our government is planning to take over both sectors of our workforce.
All that is fine and dandy, but all they really need to know is number of people in the house. Perhaps the sex of those living in the house and the ages. That is all, perhaps it would be good to know ethnicity, but I don't see the need.
Question to which I take exception:
House Hold Info:
#1 First and Last Name
Housing:
#1 What best describes this building? (mobile home, single family, apartment, etc)
#2 When was it built?
#3 When did you move in?
#4 How many acres?
#5 What were last year's agricultural sales from the land?
#6 How many rooms?
#8 Is there; hot water, flush toilet, tub or shower, stove, refrigerator, telephone?
#9 How many vehicles are kept at this home?
#10 What fuel do you use for heating?
#11 What is your electric/gas/water/other heating bills?
#12 Did anyone in your house receive food assistance last year?
#13 How much is your condominium fee?
#14 Do you own your home?
#15 How much is your rent?
#16 What is your dwelling worth?
#17 What are your property taxes?
#18 How much is your home owners insurance?
#19 Do you have a mortgage?
#20 Do you have a second mortgage?
PERSON 1:
#7 Where were you born?
#8 Are you a citizen?
#10 Have you attended school or college in the past 3 months?
#11 Education level?
#14 Does this person speak a language other than English?
#15 Previous address?
#16 Does this person have health insurance?
#17 Difficulty hearing or seeing?
#18 Have any physical, emotional, or mental conditions?
#19 Marital status?
#29 Last week did this person work for pay at a job?
#30 Where?
#31 How does this person get to work?
#32 How many people ride to work in the same vehicle?
#33 What time did this person leave for work?
#34 How long does it take to get there?
#41 What type of business did this person work in? (private, non-profit, Gov't, self)
#46 What were this persons duties at work?
#47 What was your income last year?
These are certainly not all the questions that are no business of the government, only the most egregious. A single individual would answer 72 very personal questions if they filled out this questionnaire. Am I the only whack job that has a problem with this? These questions do not serve the purpose of the census as described in the constitution.
Article 1; Section 2; Clause three of the constitution outlines that the census be taken every ten years for the purpose of determining the number of people living in each state. Here is the text if you wish to read it.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Creative Writing Assignment
The object of this exercise is to create a short story from a multitude of authors in a semi-fractured style. Write as much or as little as you like to take the original storyline and add your own take on the next events. Copy and Paste the previous chapters and then add your own. Label your chapter number and your name/moniker at the top and then tag 2 people to pass it on to, for them to continue the story and see how it can develop through those different paths. Do NOT tag it back to any previous author of your story’s chapters.
—————————————–
Chapter 1- by Mookie
It is summertime in the middle of the day. Moms and dads are at work, so my friend Jay and I, having nothing better to do, go down into the ravine behind my house. We have decided that today we will build a small fort and a campsite we can call our own. This small stretch of creeks running through the woods in the dead center of our town forms our own wilderness frontier.
We set to the task of grabbing fallen branches and sticks to create the walls of our fort at the base of a hill. While Jay begins construction on these walls, I move to my own litle task of creating a dam in the creek that runs through this section of the woods. An older creekbed that is usually dry, except for when the rain comes, has a variety of large rocks and broken concrete. These will be the materials for damming the creek up and creating a small ponding next to our campsite. Back and forth I lug rock after rock and concrete chunks as well. Once I feel I have a sufficient amount of rocks and concrete, I begin to set them into the small and shallow running stream. Soon the water level begins to rise and expand outward away from the bank, as I choke off the streams natural flow. As with any 10 year old, seeing the fruits of my labors, even in the early stages, makes me feel like a god in my own small world. By late afternoon we expect to have a sheltered fort, a bridge over the creek, a pooling of water to soak our feet in, or to use to put out the campfires we set from time to time when our parents don’t realize we’ve stolen a box of matches or a lighter. We even have a designated circle of rocks for our campfire along with some wood, twigs and dead leaves to fuel the fire.
While pushing through some high brush in search for more wood, we spook a doe. She runs off, along the creek, and with a graceful leap she jups down into a culvert pit, ad into the dark tunnel that goes underneath a neighboring road that runs along the top of the east end of the ravine. We followed her to see just where she went. But when we got to the tunnel, we were spooked. Rumors of the tunnel being the spot for Satan Worshippers abound through our heads. This was the one place we had never dared to venture into. Graffiti was scrawled all around the tunnels entrance on the concrete exterior. Older kids had scared us with stories of animal sacrifices, complete with evidence of blood soaked walls that lay within the interior of the tunnel. We look down to one corner and see some scattered small bones, which only further reinforced the validity of these rumors. Then suddenly out of nowhere the doe came running back out the tunnel toward us, veering away as she moved past us, a wild look in her eyes. what had caused her to be so scared and willing to run back in our direction? We had neither heard nor seen anything that might represent danger. The adventure in our little stretch of frontier wilderness was only beginning…
—————————————–
Chapter 2 by Renaissance Guy
“Do you want to go in?” asked Jay with a quiver in his voice.
“Maybe. If you do,” I answered.
“My cousin knew somebody who went in there. He was never heard from again.”
“That’s baloney!” I replied. “It’s just a dumb, ol’ cave.”
“Then you go in first,” Jay suggested.
What to do? Now that I had minimalized the dangers of the cave, I couldn’t show any fear. I’d look like a chicken for sure. Then it dawned on me. “It’s dark in there. We’ll need flashlights. Let’s come back another time with flashlights, so that we can see inside it.”
How could I have known that Jay had come prepared? Out of his pocket he produced not one, but two, flashlights. “Here you go,” he said. “Lead the way.”
I turned on the flashlight and pointed it into the cave. I swirled it around a bit to see if anything hideous was visible. Nothing at all but bare rock walls. Visions of human skeletons and bloody knives zoomed through my mind. I knew that I had to stop thinking and just move forward.
With Jay close at my heels I inched my way in. Drat! Not too far in there was a bend. It was impossible to see around it. My mind went frantic again: Perhaps this is the chamber of death. Perhaps I’ve seen Mom and Dad for the last time. “Hey, Jay,” I said, “I think that I should be heading home. My parents will wonder where I am if I stay gone too long.”
Jay didn’t answer. I turned around and shrieked–almost like a girl. Where was he?
---------------------------
Chapter 3 by Jay Burns
The sound emitting from mouth didn't sound like my own as it echoed through the tunnel. If Jay wanted to scare me his stunt had worked. I was petrified. My mind was racing with the possibilities that could have befallen my friend. Or worse what was about to happen to me. There I stood with the flashlight staring off into the darkness, lighting only a few feet in front of my path until the darkness swallowed it up. Boy these sure are cheap flashlights I thought. Then right on cue as if taking offense to my thought the flashlight flickered and went out.
I was now in full panic. I called out to Jay. I could hear an answer, but the sheer volume of his scream echoing off the concrete walls reverberated the words out of comprehension. I turned on my heels and ran in the direction I had come. I was feeling along the wall as I ran. It was cold and wet against my fingers. Just the feeling sent chills through my already terrified young body. I was running with all my might when suddenly my fingers could no longer feel the wall. Now I was longing for that slimy cold concrete. I felt lost in the middle of this tunnel, but I knew I was moving in the right direction. I must have hit the bend in the tunnel.
The sharp pain in my legs let me know that I had run into something. It was only about knee high, just enough to send me sailing through the air. I was screaming as I flew but I wasn't alone. I could hear Jay's familiar scream too. I couldn't believe it. I had tripped over Jay as he sat cowering in the tunnel. I knew the landing was going to hurt. Instinctively I tried to brace myself with my hands as I hit the ground, but it wasn't enough. My face skidded along the floor of the tunnel, and the water, which runs no more than an inch deep, was rushing into my mouth and up my nose. Close your mouth I thought to myself. During the fall the flashlight had come out of my hand and was clanking along the tunnel. Apparently, the jarring was enough to bring the dying batteries back to life and once again I could see a few feet.
Without missing a beat I was back on my feet running for the entrance which was now visible. I could hear footsteps splashing in the water right behind me. I thought it was Jay, but how could I be certain. All I could think of was that I had to out run whoever was chasing me. It wasn't long before we had reached the safety of the daylight. I could hear Jay laughing behind me, and soon we were both standing outside the tunnel bent over laughing and trying to catch our breath.
Nothing needed to be said. We had both been scared. There was no denying it. I was bent over gasping for air when I saw it. Jay's shoes were covered in something red. There were little drops of red on the bottoms of his jeans. I looked him square in the eye and could see only dread on his face. He was staring at me. Not really me, but my shirt. As I looked down, I understood the look. I was covered head to toe in what ever is on Jays shoes.
Don't let your mind go there I thought. It can't be true, but what else can it be. We didn't talk as we walked the few blocks back to our homes which butted right up against the ravine. How am I going to explain ruining my clothes? What was really going on in that tunnel? If there was something there, are they going to come after me?
The wrath of my father wasn't as bad as anticipated. For some reason I really thought he would one day have enough and kill me. Off to bed without dinner was punishment for ruining nearly new jeans and t-shirt. Not fun, but I knew that my mother would crack at the thought of her son starving to death, and would bring a plate to my room. It didn't matter. I wanted to be alone, and I certainly wasn't hungry.
As I lay in bed that night once again in the darkness I knew that if I lived through the night I was going to have to talk to Jay. I had a plan.
I tag: Becky and Godfather
—————————————–
Chapter 1- by Mookie
It is summertime in the middle of the day. Moms and dads are at work, so my friend Jay and I, having nothing better to do, go down into the ravine behind my house. We have decided that today we will build a small fort and a campsite we can call our own. This small stretch of creeks running through the woods in the dead center of our town forms our own wilderness frontier.
We set to the task of grabbing fallen branches and sticks to create the walls of our fort at the base of a hill. While Jay begins construction on these walls, I move to my own litle task of creating a dam in the creek that runs through this section of the woods. An older creekbed that is usually dry, except for when the rain comes, has a variety of large rocks and broken concrete. These will be the materials for damming the creek up and creating a small ponding next to our campsite. Back and forth I lug rock after rock and concrete chunks as well. Once I feel I have a sufficient amount of rocks and concrete, I begin to set them into the small and shallow running stream. Soon the water level begins to rise and expand outward away from the bank, as I choke off the streams natural flow. As with any 10 year old, seeing the fruits of my labors, even in the early stages, makes me feel like a god in my own small world. By late afternoon we expect to have a sheltered fort, a bridge over the creek, a pooling of water to soak our feet in, or to use to put out the campfires we set from time to time when our parents don’t realize we’ve stolen a box of matches or a lighter. We even have a designated circle of rocks for our campfire along with some wood, twigs and dead leaves to fuel the fire.
While pushing through some high brush in search for more wood, we spook a doe. She runs off, along the creek, and with a graceful leap she jups down into a culvert pit, ad into the dark tunnel that goes underneath a neighboring road that runs along the top of the east end of the ravine. We followed her to see just where she went. But when we got to the tunnel, we were spooked. Rumors of the tunnel being the spot for Satan Worshippers abound through our heads. This was the one place we had never dared to venture into. Graffiti was scrawled all around the tunnels entrance on the concrete exterior. Older kids had scared us with stories of animal sacrifices, complete with evidence of blood soaked walls that lay within the interior of the tunnel. We look down to one corner and see some scattered small bones, which only further reinforced the validity of these rumors. Then suddenly out of nowhere the doe came running back out the tunnel toward us, veering away as she moved past us, a wild look in her eyes. what had caused her to be so scared and willing to run back in our direction? We had neither heard nor seen anything that might represent danger. The adventure in our little stretch of frontier wilderness was only beginning…
—————————————–
Chapter 2 by Renaissance Guy
“Do you want to go in?” asked Jay with a quiver in his voice.
“Maybe. If you do,” I answered.
“My cousin knew somebody who went in there. He was never heard from again.”
“That’s baloney!” I replied. “It’s just a dumb, ol’ cave.”
“Then you go in first,” Jay suggested.
What to do? Now that I had minimalized the dangers of the cave, I couldn’t show any fear. I’d look like a chicken for sure. Then it dawned on me. “It’s dark in there. We’ll need flashlights. Let’s come back another time with flashlights, so that we can see inside it.”
How could I have known that Jay had come prepared? Out of his pocket he produced not one, but two, flashlights. “Here you go,” he said. “Lead the way.”
I turned on the flashlight and pointed it into the cave. I swirled it around a bit to see if anything hideous was visible. Nothing at all but bare rock walls. Visions of human skeletons and bloody knives zoomed through my mind. I knew that I had to stop thinking and just move forward.
With Jay close at my heels I inched my way in. Drat! Not too far in there was a bend. It was impossible to see around it. My mind went frantic again: Perhaps this is the chamber of death. Perhaps I’ve seen Mom and Dad for the last time. “Hey, Jay,” I said, “I think that I should be heading home. My parents will wonder where I am if I stay gone too long.”
Jay didn’t answer. I turned around and shrieked–almost like a girl. Where was he?
---------------------------
Chapter 3 by Jay Burns
The sound emitting from mouth didn't sound like my own as it echoed through the tunnel. If Jay wanted to scare me his stunt had worked. I was petrified. My mind was racing with the possibilities that could have befallen my friend. Or worse what was about to happen to me. There I stood with the flashlight staring off into the darkness, lighting only a few feet in front of my path until the darkness swallowed it up. Boy these sure are cheap flashlights I thought. Then right on cue as if taking offense to my thought the flashlight flickered and went out.
I was now in full panic. I called out to Jay. I could hear an answer, but the sheer volume of his scream echoing off the concrete walls reverberated the words out of comprehension. I turned on my heels and ran in the direction I had come. I was feeling along the wall as I ran. It was cold and wet against my fingers. Just the feeling sent chills through my already terrified young body. I was running with all my might when suddenly my fingers could no longer feel the wall. Now I was longing for that slimy cold concrete. I felt lost in the middle of this tunnel, but I knew I was moving in the right direction. I must have hit the bend in the tunnel.
The sharp pain in my legs let me know that I had run into something. It was only about knee high, just enough to send me sailing through the air. I was screaming as I flew but I wasn't alone. I could hear Jay's familiar scream too. I couldn't believe it. I had tripped over Jay as he sat cowering in the tunnel. I knew the landing was going to hurt. Instinctively I tried to brace myself with my hands as I hit the ground, but it wasn't enough. My face skidded along the floor of the tunnel, and the water, which runs no more than an inch deep, was rushing into my mouth and up my nose. Close your mouth I thought to myself. During the fall the flashlight had come out of my hand and was clanking along the tunnel. Apparently, the jarring was enough to bring the dying batteries back to life and once again I could see a few feet.
Without missing a beat I was back on my feet running for the entrance which was now visible. I could hear footsteps splashing in the water right behind me. I thought it was Jay, but how could I be certain. All I could think of was that I had to out run whoever was chasing me. It wasn't long before we had reached the safety of the daylight. I could hear Jay laughing behind me, and soon we were both standing outside the tunnel bent over laughing and trying to catch our breath.
Nothing needed to be said. We had both been scared. There was no denying it. I was bent over gasping for air when I saw it. Jay's shoes were covered in something red. There were little drops of red on the bottoms of his jeans. I looked him square in the eye and could see only dread on his face. He was staring at me. Not really me, but my shirt. As I looked down, I understood the look. I was covered head to toe in what ever is on Jays shoes.
Don't let your mind go there I thought. It can't be true, but what else can it be. We didn't talk as we walked the few blocks back to our homes which butted right up against the ravine. How am I going to explain ruining my clothes? What was really going on in that tunnel? If there was something there, are they going to come after me?
The wrath of my father wasn't as bad as anticipated. For some reason I really thought he would one day have enough and kill me. Off to bed without dinner was punishment for ruining nearly new jeans and t-shirt. Not fun, but I knew that my mother would crack at the thought of her son starving to death, and would bring a plate to my room. It didn't matter. I wanted to be alone, and I certainly wasn't hungry.
As I lay in bed that night once again in the darkness I knew that if I lived through the night I was going to have to talk to Jay. I had a plan.
I tag: Becky and Godfather
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thank You for Calling USCIS
I recently shared my experience while attaining a passport. The circumstance left me looking at government run agencies with nothing less than awe. Awe at how inept they can be run. I now bring you an even more compelling true story from the department of Immigration Services.
The story beings with a call to the 800 line for the department of Immigration customer service. You won't be surprised to find that when the line picked up it was an automated voice service. Annoying, sure but you have to kind of expect it. What I didn't expect was the short duration of the automated system. After affirming that I did in fact want to continue in English and making one other selection I was off to speak with a real live person. I know. I was excited too. To make matters even better, there was almost no delay from the transfer to the representative picking up. Just long enough to get the disclaimer about the phone call being recorded. Here is where the story starts to get weird.
A voice comes on the the other end. It sounds like a real person to me. I can hear breathing and everything. She says her operator ID number and says "according to the prompts you selected, It appears you have a question about a form you filed. Is that correct?" I respond with a quick, yes. I then get an odd listing of all possible forms I could have filed. Followed by a yes or no in the form of a question. For example; "Is your question regarding form 100?"...... "No". Is your question regarding form 101....102.... 103... 200..... 200A?".... "No." I was filing a form 600. So you could see how this would take a while. Finally she gets to my form. I'm so surprised by the hearing the number that I jump to my feet with an excited "YES!". Causing more than a few odd looks from those sitting near me.
Here is what confuses me. We could have saved 5 minutes with a simple, "What form did you file?". When I look back on the phone call, I begin to question myself. Was this really a person on the other end, or just a really good automated system? After establishing the form I filed I am told that all questions regarding form I-600A, must be made via email to the address she is about to provide. Okay. Great. I take down the address, and repeat it back. Yes that's correct.
I send the email, and within a couple moments I get a failure notice telling me the email address is undeliverable. Unbelievable. I call back. Confirm the email address again. There is no mistake. The email address they gave goes nowhere. Which I tell them. They then tell me that I'll have to make an appointment at my "local" office to discuss my questions with an agent.
"Where is the "local" office?".
"Cheyenne." (7 hours away.)
"Great! Lets make an appointment".
"Oh no, you can't do that with us."
"Okay, what's the number?"
"No, you can only make an appointment via the "InfoPass" system online. Here is how you do that."
"Thanks."
I go to the web address, click the link listed and put in my zip code. Up comes the following message.
INFOPASS IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA. PLEASE CALL 1-800 FOR MORE ASSISTANCE.
The story beings with a call to the 800 line for the department of Immigration customer service. You won't be surprised to find that when the line picked up it was an automated voice service. Annoying, sure but you have to kind of expect it. What I didn't expect was the short duration of the automated system. After affirming that I did in fact want to continue in English and making one other selection I was off to speak with a real live person. I know. I was excited too. To make matters even better, there was almost no delay from the transfer to the representative picking up. Just long enough to get the disclaimer about the phone call being recorded. Here is where the story starts to get weird.
A voice comes on the the other end. It sounds like a real person to me. I can hear breathing and everything. She says her operator ID number and says "according to the prompts you selected, It appears you have a question about a form you filed. Is that correct?" I respond with a quick, yes. I then get an odd listing of all possible forms I could have filed. Followed by a yes or no in the form of a question. For example; "Is your question regarding form 100?"...... "No". Is your question regarding form 101....102.... 103... 200..... 200A?".... "No." I was filing a form 600. So you could see how this would take a while. Finally she gets to my form. I'm so surprised by the hearing the number that I jump to my feet with an excited "YES!". Causing more than a few odd looks from those sitting near me.
Here is what confuses me. We could have saved 5 minutes with a simple, "What form did you file?". When I look back on the phone call, I begin to question myself. Was this really a person on the other end, or just a really good automated system? After establishing the form I filed I am told that all questions regarding form I-600A, must be made via email to the address she is about to provide. Okay. Great. I take down the address, and repeat it back. Yes that's correct.
I send the email, and within a couple moments I get a failure notice telling me the email address is undeliverable. Unbelievable. I call back. Confirm the email address again. There is no mistake. The email address they gave goes nowhere. Which I tell them. They then tell me that I'll have to make an appointment at my "local" office to discuss my questions with an agent.
"Where is the "local" office?".
"Cheyenne." (7 hours away.)
"Great! Lets make an appointment".
"Oh no, you can't do that with us."
"Okay, what's the number?"
"No, you can only make an appointment via the "InfoPass" system online. Here is how you do that."
"Thanks."
I go to the web address, click the link listed and put in my zip code. Up comes the following message.
INFOPASS IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA. PLEASE CALL 1-800 FOR MORE ASSISTANCE.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Same Sex Marriage Fails Again
Same sex marriage still has a zero percent passage rate when put to a vote by the people of ANY state. Zero percent. That isn't very good. Is it?
(photo from AP story)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Hijacked
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This site has been hijacked by;
Mookie
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!for the crime of revisionist history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!for more on this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!visit http://mookieismike.blogspot.com/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mookie
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!for the crime of revisionist history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!for more on this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!visit http://mookieismike.blogspot.com/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Passport Update
After telling me my birth certificate and drivers license were "not sufficient for passport purposes" The United States Government requested more "proof" of citizenship. Among the list of acceptable forms of identification included;
passport (umm duh)
high school year book photo (because that is impossible to photoshop)
selective service card (what? - who carries that around)
birth certificate (I thought you said that wasn't sufficient)
Drivers License (refer to above thought)
Insurance Card (I was once rear ended by an illegal alien who had insurance)
... as well as a booklet to list every residence I have ever had, every job I've ever had, any schools attended, all living relatives including addresses and phone numbers.
As you may know, I am completely reasonable and patient person when dealing with inept government agencies. So, I thought I would make it easy on whatever poor sap was handling my case file. Yes, I filled out this book. Which is a story for another post. I gathered together paperwork such as my last 10 years of tax returns, college transcripts, probably 50 pay stubs, 10 insurance cards (including 9 expired ones) 3 voided drivers licenses, 2 full year books from high school with post-it notes to guide my handler to appropriate pages such as friends who may have listed may name and written something sentimental like "don't change". I sent childhood pictures, business cards, 12 banking statements from 1996 (these were the oldest I had on record), and a few other select items. I bundled up this "proof" of citizenship and placed it neatly in a shoebox and tied with a pink ribbon, and mailed it to the United States Passport Office in Seattle.
The post master assisting me in this endeavor said to me, "I don't think I've ever seen anyone be sarcastic by mail before". I'm not sure what he meant. I was too focused on the total price of this mailing at $6.66. Sure that could be a fluke, but if the shoe fits.... According to the Post Office tracking reciept my little box-o-sarcasm arrived on October 20th.
I was worried there for a bit, but as it turns out, I am not a terrorist. This according to the United States government who has now seen fit to give me a passport. Or at least that is what the passport confirmation website tells me. It should be in the mail now.
passport (umm duh)
high school year book photo (because that is impossible to photoshop)
selective service card (what? - who carries that around)
birth certificate (I thought you said that wasn't sufficient)
Drivers License (refer to above thought)
Insurance Card (I was once rear ended by an illegal alien who had insurance)
... as well as a booklet to list every residence I have ever had, every job I've ever had, any schools attended, all living relatives including addresses and phone numbers.
As you may know, I am completely reasonable and patient person when dealing with inept government agencies. So, I thought I would make it easy on whatever poor sap was handling my case file. Yes, I filled out this book. Which is a story for another post. I gathered together paperwork such as my last 10 years of tax returns, college transcripts, probably 50 pay stubs, 10 insurance cards (including 9 expired ones) 3 voided drivers licenses, 2 full year books from high school with post-it notes to guide my handler to appropriate pages such as friends who may have listed may name and written something sentimental like "don't change". I sent childhood pictures, business cards, 12 banking statements from 1996 (these were the oldest I had on record), and a few other select items. I bundled up this "proof" of citizenship and placed it neatly in a shoebox and tied with a pink ribbon, and mailed it to the United States Passport Office in Seattle.
The post master assisting me in this endeavor said to me, "I don't think I've ever seen anyone be sarcastic by mail before". I'm not sure what he meant. I was too focused on the total price of this mailing at $6.66. Sure that could be a fluke, but if the shoe fits.... According to the Post Office tracking reciept my little box-o-sarcasm arrived on October 20th.
I was worried there for a bit, but as it turns out, I am not a terrorist. This according to the United States government who has now seen fit to give me a passport. Or at least that is what the passport confirmation website tells me. It should be in the mail now.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Change Your Insurance Expectations
Lets think for a moment about insurance. What are things you pay to have insured? You want to make sure you have life insurance to protect against the unlikely event of your death. (assuming you are in good health. If not you couldn't afford the premiums.) You want to insure against the unlikely event that some natural disaster such as tornado or perhaps a fire destroys your home. So you need home owners or renters insurance. You insure your car against the unlikely event that you lose control of your vehicle and create a new drive through window at a local convenience store. Insurance is designed to protect you from liability should some unlikely, but financially devastating circumstance occur in your life.
Have you ever wondered why you don't buy tire insurance. Just pay the premiums and if your tires wear out you can just pay the co-pay. There will of course be a small deductible. You don't because it is not unlikely that your tires will wear out. In fact it is an absolute certainty that sooner or later you will need new tires.
Insurance should be treated the same way. You know with absolute certainty that you and your family are going to need to see the doctor for minor cases of bumps, bruises, coughs and colds. Yet for some reason we want to purchase insurance to cover the costs. It doesn't make financial sense. Let me break it down for you.
Seeing the doctor = x
If you see the doctor and pay the bill yourself :
Your Bill = x.
If you buy insurance to pay for routine office visits you will pay the insurance company via your premiums:
premiums = x+administrative costs+profits.
Face it insurance companies are not in the business of loosing money. They are in the business of making money. If they are going to pay for your routine office visits which you KNOW are going to occur, you will pay more than if you paid them on your own.
The obvious flaw here is that the doctors' offices agree to take a smaller percentage of payment from the insurance companies for a visit and for certain procedures in exchange for guaranteed payment. However, You can do that on your own. Doctors offices are willing to take less if you ask. But you have to ask, then make payment in full. Start a health savings account to pay for routine office visits for you and your family. Then purchase a catastrophic health insurance plan to insure you against the UNLIKELY event that someone in your family be diagnosed with something as costly as cancer.
If you buy your own insurance this will save you money. Do the math. Even if you have a broken arm it is still cheaper to pay for it on your own than pay the huge costs associated with the "pay-for-everything insurance plans".
Have you ever wondered why you don't buy tire insurance. Just pay the premiums and if your tires wear out you can just pay the co-pay. There will of course be a small deductible. You don't because it is not unlikely that your tires will wear out. In fact it is an absolute certainty that sooner or later you will need new tires.
Insurance should be treated the same way. You know with absolute certainty that you and your family are going to need to see the doctor for minor cases of bumps, bruises, coughs and colds. Yet for some reason we want to purchase insurance to cover the costs. It doesn't make financial sense. Let me break it down for you.
Seeing the doctor = x
If you see the doctor and pay the bill yourself :
Your Bill = x.
If you buy insurance to pay for routine office visits you will pay the insurance company via your premiums:
premiums = x+administrative costs+profits.
Face it insurance companies are not in the business of loosing money. They are in the business of making money. If they are going to pay for your routine office visits which you KNOW are going to occur, you will pay more than if you paid them on your own.
The obvious flaw here is that the doctors' offices agree to take a smaller percentage of payment from the insurance companies for a visit and for certain procedures in exchange for guaranteed payment. However, You can do that on your own. Doctors offices are willing to take less if you ask. But you have to ask, then make payment in full. Start a health savings account to pay for routine office visits for you and your family. Then purchase a catastrophic health insurance plan to insure you against the UNLIKELY event that someone in your family be diagnosed with something as costly as cancer.
If you buy your own insurance this will save you money. Do the math. Even if you have a broken arm it is still cheaper to pay for it on your own than pay the huge costs associated with the "pay-for-everything insurance plans".
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Uncle Sam Doesn't Trust Me
I am currently fighting to restrain an all too familiar feeling. I have had this feeling while sitting in the DMV office, post office, or pretty much any other pathetically run government agency.
A few weeks back my wife and I applied for our passports. We both went to the post office, the only place to take care of this in our county. We both presented birth certificates along with drivers licenses as proof of identification and citizenship.
Today we checked the mail to discover that while my wife received her passport no problem, I get a letter from the field office in Seattle. It reads, and I quote, "Unfortunately the identification you provided is not sufficient for passport purposes."
WHAT? Actually it must be, otherwise you wouldn't have issued my wife's passport. Or it isn't actually enough, and you issued hers anyway. Either way I have deemed your office inept.
Well, that is what I would like to say to them when I call tomorrow, but I won't. I'll call the office to see exactly what I can do to resolve this matter. I will do so in a polite and courteous manner. I will jump through all their hoops until they have deemed my lack of an Egyptian accent sufficient to be rewarded with a passport.
A few weeks back my wife and I applied for our passports. We both went to the post office, the only place to take care of this in our county. We both presented birth certificates along with drivers licenses as proof of identification and citizenship.
Today we checked the mail to discover that while my wife received her passport no problem, I get a letter from the field office in Seattle. It reads, and I quote, "Unfortunately the identification you provided is not sufficient for passport purposes."
WHAT? Actually it must be, otherwise you wouldn't have issued my wife's passport. Or it isn't actually enough, and you issued hers anyway. Either way I have deemed your office inept.
Well, that is what I would like to say to them when I call tomorrow, but I won't. I'll call the office to see exactly what I can do to resolve this matter. I will do so in a polite and courteous manner. I will jump through all their hoops until they have deemed my lack of an Egyptian accent sufficient to be rewarded with a passport.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Limiting Pay
What would happen if we limit the pay of top executives working for private companies? Why do we want to limit it? If you do limit their pay, Where does it go?
I'll start with why. Why do we want to limit pay? Simple. Anger and jealousy. The masses are angry that wall street executives made loans they new were not wise, made millions of dollars doing so, and then were bailed out by our tax dollars when things went south. The anger is righteous. The solution would have been to let them fail. We are jealous because we see the lifestyles they lead, and believe falsely that if those executives had less the rest of us would have more.
Where would that money go? These are privately owned companies. If the money doesn't go to the executive it would stay in the coffers of the company to be used for various other endeavors like building new offices, expanding services, or perhaps just stay on the books as profit in cash. BUT.... would that really be okay. I mean isn't the point here that these companies are making too much money at the expense of consumers. So, instead a windfall profit tax would be in order. Therefore instead of expanding their business and HIRING more employees, they will shelter it in foreign investments, or have it taken by the government to be given to others.
The myth here is that there is a limited amount of money in the economic pie. Each dollar I have in my pocket is a dollar not available for anyone else. This is only a myth. In reality profits grow the economy and make more jobs available. Deficits shrink the economy and make less jobs available.
It isn't difficult to see what will happen. You can't redistribute money to make all people equally wealthy. You can only redistribute money to make all people equally poor. Understand that if you took ALL the profits from Exxon Mobile at the peak of their profit, each tax payer could get 1 tank of gasoline. Whoopie.
I'll start with why. Why do we want to limit pay? Simple. Anger and jealousy. The masses are angry that wall street executives made loans they new were not wise, made millions of dollars doing so, and then were bailed out by our tax dollars when things went south. The anger is righteous. The solution would have been to let them fail. We are jealous because we see the lifestyles they lead, and believe falsely that if those executives had less the rest of us would have more.
Where would that money go? These are privately owned companies. If the money doesn't go to the executive it would stay in the coffers of the company to be used for various other endeavors like building new offices, expanding services, or perhaps just stay on the books as profit in cash. BUT.... would that really be okay. I mean isn't the point here that these companies are making too much money at the expense of consumers. So, instead a windfall profit tax would be in order. Therefore instead of expanding their business and HIRING more employees, they will shelter it in foreign investments, or have it taken by the government to be given to others.
The myth here is that there is a limited amount of money in the economic pie. Each dollar I have in my pocket is a dollar not available for anyone else. This is only a myth. In reality profits grow the economy and make more jobs available. Deficits shrink the economy and make less jobs available.
It isn't difficult to see what will happen. You can't redistribute money to make all people equally wealthy. You can only redistribute money to make all people equally poor. Understand that if you took ALL the profits from Exxon Mobile at the peak of their profit, each tax payer could get 1 tank of gasoline. Whoopie.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Big Brother Twisting Your Arm
Here it comes, employees of the government will no longer have control of their own bodies. According to this story from Newsday government health employees will not have a choice when it comes to the h1n1 vaccine.
I have mixed feelings about this because the entire premise is screwed up.
First, I believe the employee/employer relationship works like this; the employer has the right to demand their employees do anything that isn't against the law. For example, many employers do not allow their employees to smoke, and will fire them if they discover they are doing so. They do this based on the premise that smoking employees get ill more often and cause cost increases in insurance. This is fine. If you are not comfortable with what the employer requires then you are free to find employment elsewhere.
In a normal situation the government via the judicial system is there to stand between the employee and employer to ensure there are no breaches of the constitution.
In this case the employer is the government, and as the government gobbles up more and more of the private sector you may soon find yourself unable to escape employer demanded vaccines. Followed presumably by further intrusions into your liberty.
Despite a planned rally in Albany Tuesday to protest a state regulation
requiring health care workers be vaccinated against influenza — both seasonal
and swine flu — New York’s top public
health official predicts dissenters will ultimately extinguish their anger and
roll up their sleeves.
The regulation, which was approved in August, comes
with a stinging addendum: Get vaccinated or get fired.
I have mixed feelings about this because the entire premise is screwed up.
First, I believe the employee/employer relationship works like this; the employer has the right to demand their employees do anything that isn't against the law. For example, many employers do not allow their employees to smoke, and will fire them if they discover they are doing so. They do this based on the premise that smoking employees get ill more often and cause cost increases in insurance. This is fine. If you are not comfortable with what the employer requires then you are free to find employment elsewhere.
In a normal situation the government via the judicial system is there to stand between the employee and employer to ensure there are no breaches of the constitution.
In this case the employer is the government, and as the government gobbles up more and more of the private sector you may soon find yourself unable to escape employer demanded vaccines. Followed presumably by further intrusions into your liberty.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Admitting a Mistake
Directly following 9-11 I was filled with a flood of emotion. They were mixed. My initial reaction was one of fear, but within hours it was replaced with anger and pride. I was indignant that someone would come to my country with an intent of harming my fellow countrymen and women. I can only imagine that others felt the same. At that moment I was willing to hunt them down and string them up for all to see as an example to those who would plot harm against us in the future.
As a nation we reacted much the same way. We gathered up our warriors and sent them on a mission to hunt down those responsible. In addition we passed sweeping legislation nearly immediately granting our government the ability to bypass our bill of rights.
At the time I was on board. I was wrong. At the time I didn't see this as handing over our rights willingly, but rather as a tool to hunt down terrorist. In short I was trusting our government to use the powers it was granted by congress, and thus the people, wisely.
The Patriot Act which had a sunset, but continues to be renewed, says that the FBI need not show probable cause, nor even reasonable grounds to believe, that the person whose records it seeks is engaged in criminal activity. It also allows for further investigation by the FBI if they simply don't like the books you are checking out from the library, or what you are writing on your blog for that matter.
This was a mistake. It was passed through Congress based on our fear. We were wrong. We should have headed the warnings of those sounding the alarm that we were giving up our civil liberties.
Do I still believe in hunting down those responsible. Yes. I do not believe we should change who we are to do so.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Gun Toting Hate Mongers
Beginning late in the Clinton administration I've been noticing a growing gulf of ideals between the two major political parties in the United States. From Lewinsky to Bush Lied People Died, to now, town hall meetings with protesters carrying guns. Are these things just an example of citizens exercising their rights to disagree with government? Or, are we growing more and more divisive in our vision for this great country?
Maybe I'm the only right winger willing to be honest about this subject, but the carrying of guns to protest the health care bill is not a simple, "I'm carrying because it is my right to do so." It is instead, "I'm carrying this gun to remind you that the 2nd amendment exists to allow citizens to rise up against a corrupt government." And I'm a supporter.
Of course we don't want to say that is really what the "gun toting" is about. But it is. And that is okay. That is the purpose of the the right to bear arms, so that in the event of a government growing corrupt, the people have a means to remove them, forcibly if necessary, from their positions of power.
Imagine a world without this right. It really is the teeth in the constitution. Pretend if you will for a moment if all guns were removed from the people of this nation. Then imagine that legislators decide all on their own that they will no longer require an election to maintain power. How would you remove them? You couldn't. They would have the force of the military behind them and you would have no means of defense.
Are you okay with that?
Maybe I'm the only right winger willing to be honest about this subject, but the carrying of guns to protest the health care bill is not a simple, "I'm carrying because it is my right to do so." It is instead, "I'm carrying this gun to remind you that the 2nd amendment exists to allow citizens to rise up against a corrupt government." And I'm a supporter.
Of course we don't want to say that is really what the "gun toting" is about. But it is. And that is okay. That is the purpose of the the right to bear arms, so that in the event of a government growing corrupt, the people have a means to remove them, forcibly if necessary, from their positions of power.
Imagine a world without this right. It really is the teeth in the constitution. Pretend if you will for a moment if all guns were removed from the people of this nation. Then imagine that legislators decide all on their own that they will no longer require an election to maintain power. How would you remove them? You couldn't. They would have the force of the military behind them and you would have no means of defense.
Are you okay with that?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Cody Thunder Rally
Cody thunder rally is a motorcycle rally based out of Cody, WY. It was held this past weekend. Usually this poker run garners numbers around 150. Usually temperatures are higher than 55 degrees. Usually it isn't forecast to rain all weekend. This year there were only 35 riders up for the task.
The ride starts in Cody and runs over 250 miles over what is known as "top of the world", (the Beartooth highway) in Red Lodge Montana, to Cook City and back around to Cody. I should mention that just a few days prior it had snowed several inches on the bear tooth pass where we were headed.
All said it was a great ride. Just a little chilly at the top of the world. 42 degrees. We saw a little hail, a little rain, but had a great time. Here are a few of the pictures from our trip. 
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A Life All In
The first mission trip my wife ever took was to Mexico. Sponsoring that trip were Chris and Jackie Leggett. This was a transformational trip for my wife. Instrumental in that change were Chris and Jackie who truly exemplified living the life of a Christian.
Chris and Jackie were missionaries to Mauritania, Africa. Where they gave micro-business loans to locals to help build their economy, as well as teach the women trades such as sewing.
In addition whenever the opportunity arose they would share their faith in Christ with the people of this Muslim nation. As with most Muslim countries Christian proselytizing is strictly prohibited.
After marrying, my wife introduced me to the work of this couple, and suggested we support them financially whenever we could. A couple years ago they visited us in our home and spoke at our church. I’m sure we never told them, but they were a greater blessing to us in those few days than we were ever to them.
Chis was killed this June while arriving at his office in Mauritania. Apparently he was shot during an attempted kidnapping. Chris leaves behind a wife and 4 kids. Al Qaida has claimed responsibility.
Chris Leggett lived a life All In. He will be missed.
Chris and Jackie were missionaries to Mauritania, Africa. Where they gave micro-business loans to locals to help build their economy, as well as teach the women trades such as sewing.
In addition whenever the opportunity arose they would share their faith in Christ with the people of this Muslim nation. As with most Muslim countries Christian proselytizing is strictly prohibited.
After marrying, my wife introduced me to the work of this couple, and suggested we support them financially whenever we could. A couple years ago they visited us in our home and spoke at our church. I’m sure we never told them, but they were a greater blessing to us in those few days than we were ever to them.
Chis was killed this June while arriving at his office in Mauritania. Apparently he was shot during an attempted kidnapping. Chris leaves behind a wife and 4 kids. Al Qaida has claimed responsibility.
Chris Leggett lived a life All In. He will be missed.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Happy 100th to Me
I don't know why but for some reason when preparing to post a blog today I looked down and realized, "I'm about to make my 100th post". It is kind of like how when you look down at the odometer just in time to see it roll over the next major milestone.
I guess that means that I might be here to stay for a while. Sorry, to those of you whom I tend to irritate with my usually right wing thoughts. Condolences to my family members, usually my wife, who tends to be at least mentioned in many of the embarrassing stories I tell. And thanks to those of you who take the time to drop by and read my odd collections of writings now and again.
For those of you wanting to send gifts......
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
What REALLY happened
For those of you reading our facebook you are likely to think that my wife had to have a leg and half an arm amputated after our recent ATV accident. I'll clear the air. Yes we, or I, rolled it with her on the back. After reading her accounts you are likely to think we (read I) rolled this 4 wheel drive vehicle at a speed of roughly 75 miles per hour, causing us to be flung from the "vehicle of death" headlong until we collided with the ground causing injuries requiring immediate hospitalization.
Perhaps we remember this incident a bit differently as I ended up with no visible injuries, and she ended up with a couple bruises and a scraped arm. Here is how I would describe the incident.
From a complete stop we began to spin around in a donut. As we reached a 180 degree turn the vehicle began to tip. Unable to stop the momentum we fell off the side of the ATV from a height of approx. 3 feet. As we landed the vehicle continued to tumble and for a brief moment trapped my wife's leg under the metal roll bar. Which she easily pulled out from under vehicle. I was easily able to flip the ATV back onto it's wheels and we were motoring on in a matter of moments.
However, not wanting a good crisis to go to waste my wife is getting some really good "guilt mileage" out of the incident. Examples include; waking in the middle of the night, then waking me, pointing at the barely scratched elbow, making a pout face, and saying oh so sweetly, "will YOU get me a drink of water, It hurts too bad to get up."
Perhaps we remember this incident a bit differently as I ended up with no visible injuries, and she ended up with a couple bruises and a scraped arm. Here is how I would describe the incident.
From a complete stop we began to spin around in a donut. As we reached a 180 degree turn the vehicle began to tip. Unable to stop the momentum we fell off the side of the ATV from a height of approx. 3 feet. As we landed the vehicle continued to tumble and for a brief moment trapped my wife's leg under the metal roll bar. Which she easily pulled out from under vehicle. I was easily able to flip the ATV back onto it's wheels and we were motoring on in a matter of moments.
However, not wanting a good crisis to go to waste my wife is getting some really good "guilt mileage" out of the incident. Examples include; waking in the middle of the night, then waking me, pointing at the barely scratched elbow, making a pout face, and saying oh so sweetly, "will YOU get me a drink of water, It hurts too bad to get up."
Thursday, July 30, 2009
... and my wife thinks it's funny.
I will keep this post short as it requires very little explanation.
Mother buys underwear in a roll from Wal-mart.
Gets them home unrolls them. Doesn't like them.
My wife takes them... AND IS WEARING THEM!
I am NOT ok with this. Sure my mother never wore them, But she did own them.
Mother buys underwear in a roll from Wal-mart.
Gets them home unrolls them. Doesn't like them.
My wife takes them... AND IS WEARING THEM!
I am NOT ok with this. Sure my mother never wore them, But she did own them.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saturday evening my wife and I called some friends following a week long excursion working the county fair. Although we were a bit tired from working late each evening and a tad sluggish from all the corn dogs and funnel cakes, we were excited about spending time with our friends.Upon calling them we found that they were out in the hills just outside of town shooting. I'll admit I was a bit excited at this point, knowing my friend had recently purchased an AR-15. You can see a picture of one above. For those of you unfamiliar with this weapon, it is the quintessential assault rifle for home defense, or in our case defending the outskirts of our small town from watermelons that had somehow infiltrated our security. Town residents can sleep well at night knowing that there were 4 of us on the case. We were armed to the teeth with a semi-automatic .22 hand gun, .22 rifle, 20 gauge shotgun, .40 caliber handgun and of course the AR-15. The assault rifle made light work of the invaders. This weapon has only a slight recoil, but the compression is amazing. Standing 10 feet away I could feel the air compression from the explosion of the rounds.
It was a fun evening. I had always wanted to shoot one of these guns. Imagine we shot all those rounds and not a single liquor store was held up, and no one was killed. Weird.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Racism.... Yee Haw!
This past weekend my wife and I held another fundraiser to help us gather the 30 thousand dollars we'll need to adopt a pair of kids from Ethiopia. It was a garage sale held at our church. On Friday evening we brought our goodies for the sale. My mother also came along with a number of great garage sale items including a small portion of her magnificent doll collection. (I was a little sad to see her selling these, but I also knew she would rather ad her 7th and 8th grand kids to the foll than continue to look at dolls gathering dust). Then suddenly trailers began arriving from parishioners, loaded down with items to donate to our sale.
I will say I hate garage sales, no really, I hate them. This on the other hand looked more like a swap meet. I believe I counted 6 televisions and 4 stereos. There were 2 dining tables, 1 couch, 3 recliners, 2 complete dish sets, and hoards of other pieces of merchandises strategically marked down to garage sale prices, including a small increase to create the necessary room for bartering.
It was about 4 hours into the sale which opened at 6 am when I met an old codger we'll just call Hank. Hank approached us with a rack of some kind in one hand and a shiny new quarter in the other, Hoping I'm sure to work us off our 50 cent price tag.
Hank was wearing a US Navy Ball cap. I instantly thought I'd like this old guy. Then he asked why we were holding this sale. Promptly my mother holds up the donation can and explains that we are raising money to adopt from Ethiopia.
Immediately I see the old mans nose begin to curl.Perhaps I was wrong about liking this guy. Then from his mouth comes a word that sounded as though it had come from somewhere deep in his bowls. "You mean there gonna be "BLIICCK"." I think he meant black. After wiping the old man's spittle from my eye, I attempted to explain to him the orphan situation in Ethiopia. My attempt was for naught as he immediately interrupted me to launch into his tirade about having worked in law enforcement in the south. Where he had apparently "locked up" many-a-bliicck.
I've come to some of this with our interracial adoption, and the potential response from the ignorant, but experiencing it first hand was new.
All said it was a great yard sale. We raised over $1300. It was definitely more than I had anticipated. Tainted only by one old ignorant hack.
It was a good day.
I will say I hate garage sales, no really, I hate them. This on the other hand looked more like a swap meet. I believe I counted 6 televisions and 4 stereos. There were 2 dining tables, 1 couch, 3 recliners, 2 complete dish sets, and hoards of other pieces of merchandises strategically marked down to garage sale prices, including a small increase to create the necessary room for bartering.
It was about 4 hours into the sale which opened at 6 am when I met an old codger we'll just call Hank. Hank approached us with a rack of some kind in one hand and a shiny new quarter in the other, Hoping I'm sure to work us off our 50 cent price tag.
Hank was wearing a US Navy Ball cap. I instantly thought I'd like this old guy. Then he asked why we were holding this sale. Promptly my mother holds up the donation can and explains that we are raising money to adopt from Ethiopia.
Immediately I see the old mans nose begin to curl.Perhaps I was wrong about liking this guy. Then from his mouth comes a word that sounded as though it had come from somewhere deep in his bowls. "You mean there gonna be "BLIICCK"." I think he meant black. After wiping the old man's spittle from my eye, I attempted to explain to him the orphan situation in Ethiopia. My attempt was for naught as he immediately interrupted me to launch into his tirade about having worked in law enforcement in the south. Where he had apparently "locked up" many-a-bliicck.
I've come to some of this with our interracial adoption, and the potential response from the ignorant, but experiencing it first hand was new.
All said it was a great yard sale. We raised over $1300. It was definitely more than I had anticipated. Tainted only by one old ignorant hack.
It was a good day.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Life Minus Men
Apparently a world with out men is closer than you think. Scientists have now created human sperm from stem cells. Of course this brings up the concept of life without men. As the sperm can be created from any stem cell, including that of women. You could literally have a child with only a mother. This prospect doesn't scare me. Even if women are able to somehow wipe out men, they will always keep a few around. Likely in a warehouse somewhere, or maybe each woman would have one in the closet. Men would be something along the lines of a vacuum, coffee maker, or other appliance. Women would pull out the man on occasion for specific purposes such as changing the oil in their car, killing a spider, and opening difficult pickle jars. Don't worry men you'll still have a place in this world.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
4th of July Hawaii Vacation
Would you be willing to take your 4th of July holiday in Hawaii if it were totally free? Of course I ask the question because N. Korea is threatening to launch a nuclear weapons test in the direction of our Hawaiian islands. Well, I don't think I would take my family, but if I were a single guy I think my answer would be yes. While I'm not willing to take a chance with my family, I am quite certain that all N. Korea is doing is rattling it's sabres.
Imagine the consequences of launching a nuclear weapon on Hawaii. First we intercept the rocket with our own missile defenses, then we proceed to wipe the diaper wearing midget off the map. Oh... wait. That is what Bush would have done. Obama will go to the United Nations and get a resolution declaring N. Korea bad... bad rogue nation. On the other hand I think I'll stay home for the holiday. Have a great Independence Day.
Imagine the consequences of launching a nuclear weapon on Hawaii. First we intercept the rocket with our own missile defenses, then we proceed to wipe the diaper wearing midget off the map. Oh... wait. That is what Bush would have done. Obama will go to the United Nations and get a resolution declaring N. Korea bad... bad rogue nation. On the other hand I think I'll stay home for the holiday. Have a great Independence Day.
If I had Voted for Barack Obama
I can only assume people voted for Barack Obama because they agree with his policy statements. So, if I had voted for President Obama, would I be happy with his performance to this point?
Obama Policy: Pull out the troops from Iraq. Keep them in Afghanistan.
Result: Well, I'm not exactly happy. Obama kept the EXACT time table set forth by Bush. But what else could he do. The war in Iraq was all but over, and the pull out would have been very difficult to have pulled off any sooner. There is now a major thrust in Afghanistan. Just where President Obama said we should be.
Obama Policy: Ensure every American has health care insurance.
Result: He is certainly pushing for it. I'm happy that possibly by next year I will no longer pay for health care what so ever.
Obama Policy: Improve diplomatic relations through talk as opposed to force.
Result: This is certainly what he is trying to do, thought it seems he is alienating some of our closest allies (the Brits, Israel) in an effort to be nice to Iran, Venezuela and others. This is what he said he would do. I'd like it if he could do this without upsetting our long time friends.
Obama Policy: Force "green energy on the public.
Result: While there have been some rumblings about this on a large scale cap and trade doesn't seem to be close to a reality yet. There are vouchers to buy greener cars. That is a step in the right direction. I'd still like to see Obama push to rid the world of coal fire power plants.
Obama Policy: Set up a system that rids us of the old model of "bubble and burst".
Result: Giving money to those troubled companies, and setting up government programs to ensure they are run properly in the future. Using tools like, pay czar, car czar x2. Economy seems to be getting better. Credit goes to Obama.
I guess if I'm an Obama supporter I have to be happy with his performance. I would have to say that as far as campaign promises go, Obama seems to be more serious about keeping them than most presidents. Or perhaps he just has the majorities to get it done.
Obama Policy: Pull out the troops from Iraq. Keep them in Afghanistan.
Result: Well, I'm not exactly happy. Obama kept the EXACT time table set forth by Bush. But what else could he do. The war in Iraq was all but over, and the pull out would have been very difficult to have pulled off any sooner. There is now a major thrust in Afghanistan. Just where President Obama said we should be.
Obama Policy: Ensure every American has health care insurance.
Result: He is certainly pushing for it. I'm happy that possibly by next year I will no longer pay for health care what so ever.
Obama Policy: Improve diplomatic relations through talk as opposed to force.
Result: This is certainly what he is trying to do, thought it seems he is alienating some of our closest allies (the Brits, Israel) in an effort to be nice to Iran, Venezuela and others. This is what he said he would do. I'd like it if he could do this without upsetting our long time friends.
Obama Policy: Force "green energy on the public.
Result: While there have been some rumblings about this on a large scale cap and trade doesn't seem to be close to a reality yet. There are vouchers to buy greener cars. That is a step in the right direction. I'd still like to see Obama push to rid the world of coal fire power plants.
Obama Policy: Set up a system that rids us of the old model of "bubble and burst".
Result: Giving money to those troubled companies, and setting up government programs to ensure they are run properly in the future. Using tools like, pay czar, car czar x2. Economy seems to be getting better. Credit goes to Obama.
I guess if I'm an Obama supporter I have to be happy with his performance. I would have to say that as far as campaign promises go, Obama seems to be more serious about keeping them than most presidents. Or perhaps he just has the majorities to get it done.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
How do you Spell Chutzpah
The dictionary defines this word as a slang noun coming from the Yiddish vernacular, meaning:
1.unmitigated effrontery or impudence; gall.
2.audacity; nerve.
Today on Drudge I read a story (original story on Reuters) about Barney Frank, once again, asking Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac to relax lending restrictions on condominiums. Here are my problems with this.
1. Making loans to risky buyers (along with mark to market accounting) is what got us into the mortgage melt down.
2. Barney Frank sits on the Banking Committee and got a sweetheart deal.
3. Barny Frank lied to the American People about the viability of Fanny and Freddie just weeks before they collapsed.
4. Barney Frank pushed for more lenient loaning practices for low income buyers.
If that were all perhaps I could look past it.... BUT then when the melt down happens Frank acts as though he were just a spectator in the whole affair and blames the meltdown on Bush. Spouting lies that it was the Bush administration that deregulated the banking industry. While he was pushing for over site. YOU ARE THE OVER SITE, BARNEY. And yet you did nothing to stop this. As a matter of fact, you said all was well with Fanny and Freddie. Now when the spotlight is off, You are once again pushing for deregulation. Asking Fanny and Freddie to make loans that you know are risky. Barney Frank have you no honor.
The classic definition of chutzpah is that given by Leo Rosten: "that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan."
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Government to Monitor Your Blog
Watch what you are saying boys and girls on the blogosphere, Uncle Sam wants to make sure you are on the up and up. According to reports from the AP, The Federal Trade Commission is set to monitor blogs to ensure any product review you make, is not made in exchange for compensation. According to the FTC many bloggers have received $500 gift cards or even thousands of dollars for a 200-word post. Apparently under the new regulations which are expected to be approved latter this summer a simple graphic ad with link for which you receive compensation, would be enough to trigger oversight.
Is this really necessary? Are there really throngs of people out there buying products based on anonymous reviews. Where is the personal responsibility? Are we really going to pay people to read and monitor blogs to make sure you aren't getting paid?
If you follow this trail to it's logical conclusion it does not end well for the individual. Imagine you tell your friend to shop at Wal-Mart because they always have the lowest price. (or so they claim) But soon you are being sued by the federal government because you own stock from Wal-Mart from back when you worked there in college. Sure you had forgotten all about it, but never the less, you have an interest in the company.
Perhaps I'm being a bit overly dramatic, but maybe not.
Is this really necessary? Are there really throngs of people out there buying products based on anonymous reviews. Where is the personal responsibility? Are we really going to pay people to read and monitor blogs to make sure you aren't getting paid?
If you follow this trail to it's logical conclusion it does not end well for the individual. Imagine you tell your friend to shop at Wal-Mart because they always have the lowest price. (or so they claim) But soon you are being sued by the federal government because you own stock from Wal-Mart from back when you worked there in college. Sure you had forgotten all about it, but never the less, you have an interest in the company.
Perhaps I'm being a bit overly dramatic, but maybe not.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
How does Obama Differ from Chavez Again?
I'm sure they're different. I just can't seem to remember how at the moment. Apparently Obama not wanting to be out done by his friend in the southern hemisphere is seeking more power to seize the companies that he has deemed necessary for the American Economy. Here is more from the story written in the LA Times.
Under the plan, expected to be released Wednesday, the government would
have new powers to seize key companies -- such as insurance giant American
International Group Inc. -- whose failure jeopardizes the financial system.
Currently, the government's authority to seize companies is mostly limited to
banks.
So, just to clarify. Chavez bad for seizing privately held companies. Obama good. Hmmm. So I guess Obama gets to decide which companies would jeopardize the financial system if they fail. Or maybe we should appoint a czar for this task. After all Senate approval and over site of something of this magnitude is not really necessary. No, as with all the czars he will answer directly to Obama. I guess we didn't really need the separation of powers, as dictated in our constitution.
Under the plan, expected to be released Wednesday, the government would
have new powers to seize key companies -- such as insurance giant American
International Group Inc. -- whose failure jeopardizes the financial system.
Currently, the government's authority to seize companies is mostly limited to
banks.
So, just to clarify. Chavez bad for seizing privately held companies. Obama good. Hmmm. So I guess Obama gets to decide which companies would jeopardize the financial system if they fail. Or maybe we should appoint a czar for this task. After all Senate approval and over site of something of this magnitude is not really necessary. No, as with all the czars he will answer directly to Obama. I guess we didn't really need the separation of powers, as dictated in our constitution.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
I was pondering our constitution today and had a thought that I've continued to roll around in my head. As the constitution reads;
"that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
It has occurred to me that these are placed in this sentence very intentionally, not just that these exist, but that they are listed from greatest to least. Do you agree?
Life - We have a right to this above all else. You do not have the right to take the life of someone else.
Liberty - Your freedom. You have freedom as long as exercising this freedom does not take the life of another individual or interfere with the liberty of another.
Pursuit of Happiness - You have the right to pursue your happiness anyway you see fit. Just so long as it does not deprive another individual of their life or freedom.
This is how I believe we should make judgements regarding our laws and our lives. It makes complex issues much more simple.
When looking at the abortion issue we all agree that murder is wrong, and we all agree that a woman has right to do what she wishes with her body. So how do you make the decision. Well according to what I believe our founders were trying to tell us. Your liberty does not extend beyond the life of another.
What about drugs. I think I might be on a limb here, but as long as you are not depriving another of their freedom (liberty) or their life, you should be free to do so.
"that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
It has occurred to me that these are placed in this sentence very intentionally, not just that these exist, but that they are listed from greatest to least. Do you agree?
Life - We have a right to this above all else. You do not have the right to take the life of someone else.
Liberty - Your freedom. You have freedom as long as exercising this freedom does not take the life of another individual or interfere with the liberty of another.
Pursuit of Happiness - You have the right to pursue your happiness anyway you see fit. Just so long as it does not deprive another individual of their life or freedom.
This is how I believe we should make judgements regarding our laws and our lives. It makes complex issues much more simple.
When looking at the abortion issue we all agree that murder is wrong, and we all agree that a woman has right to do what she wishes with her body. So how do you make the decision. Well according to what I believe our founders were trying to tell us. Your liberty does not extend beyond the life of another.
What about drugs. I think I might be on a limb here, but as long as you are not depriving another of their freedom (liberty) or their life, you should be free to do so.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Ahh... To be a Man
We were rushing out the door this past Sunday as we were meeting the rest of our family 30 miles away to attend the baptism of a long time friend. My wife's father is also in town. He's been here roughly 3 weeks. It has been a blast and I'm sad to say he is leaving next Sunday. But I digress.
We had gotten moving a little later than we should have and Naomi was scrounging around the kitchen for something to eat on the way. Finally we gave up and decided to grab something on the way. We hopped in our pickup and took off down the road. Naomi had jumped int he back seat to give her taller father more room in the front seat. I enjoyed this as I could make eye contact with my good looking wife in the rear view mirror.
We were making eyes at one another as we were driving through town when suddenly her entire demeanor had changed. Something was wrong. Normally it doesn't take long for me to figure out what the problem happens to be, for usually it was something that I or someone else had said. But instead the vehicle was quiet when the change occurred. I was genuinely perplexed, and attempted to make eye contact with my wife, she was having none of it.
As we arrived in the Cody where we were meeting up with my folks for the final 30 mile drive, I finally caught her eye. She was saying something. Mouthing it voicelessly. I was excited that I now had an opportunity to resolve this obvious misunderstanding, but I could not make out what she was trying to say. I asked her to repeat it. She did. I still couldn't understand. I knew this was obviously something she wanted to keep between us, so I smiled as sweetly as I could to her in the mirror and shook my head yes. This obviously didn't alleviate the problem.
A few miles later as we were pulling into the parking lot where we were meeting it suddenly came to me like a pile of bricks falling from a multi-story building. My wife was hungry. I promised her we would stop somewhere in town before we left, but instead I drove right on by each restaurant. Then as we approached the next restaurant she looked at me in the mirror and mouthed the words, "Am I too fat?"
I was replaying it in my mind and yes.... I had shaken my head yes, all the while grinning like a dope.
Not good.
We had gotten moving a little later than we should have and Naomi was scrounging around the kitchen for something to eat on the way. Finally we gave up and decided to grab something on the way. We hopped in our pickup and took off down the road. Naomi had jumped int he back seat to give her taller father more room in the front seat. I enjoyed this as I could make eye contact with my good looking wife in the rear view mirror.
We were making eyes at one another as we were driving through town when suddenly her entire demeanor had changed. Something was wrong. Normally it doesn't take long for me to figure out what the problem happens to be, for usually it was something that I or someone else had said. But instead the vehicle was quiet when the change occurred. I was genuinely perplexed, and attempted to make eye contact with my wife, she was having none of it.
As we arrived in the Cody where we were meeting up with my folks for the final 30 mile drive, I finally caught her eye. She was saying something. Mouthing it voicelessly. I was excited that I now had an opportunity to resolve this obvious misunderstanding, but I could not make out what she was trying to say. I asked her to repeat it. She did. I still couldn't understand. I knew this was obviously something she wanted to keep between us, so I smiled as sweetly as I could to her in the mirror and shook my head yes. This obviously didn't alleviate the problem.
A few miles later as we were pulling into the parking lot where we were meeting it suddenly came to me like a pile of bricks falling from a multi-story building. My wife was hungry. I promised her we would stop somewhere in town before we left, but instead I drove right on by each restaurant. Then as we approached the next restaurant she looked at me in the mirror and mouthed the words, "Am I too fat?"
I was replaying it in my mind and yes.... I had shaken my head yes, all the while grinning like a dope.
Not good.
Friday, May 29, 2009
2nd Amendment - What is your purpose?
What is the purpose of the second amendment anyway? In many countries they have no second amendment. No right to bear arms. So what was it our forefathers were trying to do when they established this most controversial amendment? Which of the following views do you espouse?
1. They were trying to protect the right of the military to protect us from foreign threats. Since there was no full-time army at the time, soldiers were made of citizens and often times their personal firearms.
Since the government has taken over that roll with a full time military, and provides the soldiers with firepower, there is therefore no need for this antiquated amendment.
2. They were protecting the right of the people to hunt for their food. At the time this was written many families relied on hunting as one of their main sources of food. The founders were attempting to protect that and as such placed it in prominence in the constitution.
Since we now have farm raised beef and other meats readily available at your local grocer there is no longer a need for you as a citizen to stalk off into the woods to bring home a meal for your family. Now you are able to do the same thing in flip flops and t-shirt. Drop your gun off to be disposed of at your local law enforcement office.
3. As the founders had found even the best of governments can grow corrupt over time. They wanted to provide the citizens of this new country a way to rise up against the leaders of this country if they themselves become corrupt.
If you drop by your local gun dealer you will find that firearms are selling quicker than they can be put on the shelves and ammunition is even more scarce. It can be very hard to find certain calibers of bullets. I can only wonder why there are so many people buying these rounds as soon as they are placed on the shelves.
1. They were trying to protect the right of the military to protect us from foreign threats. Since there was no full-time army at the time, soldiers were made of citizens and often times their personal firearms.
Since the government has taken over that roll with a full time military, and provides the soldiers with firepower, there is therefore no need for this antiquated amendment.
2. They were protecting the right of the people to hunt for their food. At the time this was written many families relied on hunting as one of their main sources of food. The founders were attempting to protect that and as such placed it in prominence in the constitution.
Since we now have farm raised beef and other meats readily available at your local grocer there is no longer a need for you as a citizen to stalk off into the woods to bring home a meal for your family. Now you are able to do the same thing in flip flops and t-shirt. Drop your gun off to be disposed of at your local law enforcement office.
3. As the founders had found even the best of governments can grow corrupt over time. They wanted to provide the citizens of this new country a way to rise up against the leaders of this country if they themselves become corrupt.
If you drop by your local gun dealer you will find that firearms are selling quicker than they can be put on the shelves and ammunition is even more scarce. It can be very hard to find certain calibers of bullets. I can only wonder why there are so many people buying these rounds as soon as they are placed on the shelves.
Quick Adoption Update
Today while I was working my wife headed to Billings for an all church garage sale to benefit those adopting from Ethiopia. We had been under the impression that it would take a LONG time to get a placement from the agency we are working with. As it turns out, that has not been the case for a few other families.
Just as soon as they turned in their cash to the agency they were given placements. What does that mean? Well, we may be able to have pictures of our kids soon. Of course we are not exactly swimming in cash, so it may take us a bit longer than some of the other families, but we are still very excited about this news.
I don't normally use this as place to talk about our adoption, but well, I'm excited. So deal with it.
Just as soon as they turned in their cash to the agency they were given placements. What does that mean? Well, we may be able to have pictures of our kids soon. Of course we are not exactly swimming in cash, so it may take us a bit longer than some of the other families, but we are still very excited about this news.
I don't normally use this as place to talk about our adoption, but well, I'm excited. So deal with it.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Yellowstone on the Holiday Weekend
This is a small lake just south of Yellowstone lake. Most of Yellowstone lake was frozen over. This lake on the other hand was created when magma and water combined under the surface of the earth... exploded from the steam pressure and is constantly refilled from the underground stream..... or so the info describing the lake claimed.
This is taken right on the edge of Yellowstone lake. One of the few spots of the lake not completely frozen over at this point. I'm not sure what kind of bird/duck this is. It has webbed feet like a duck, but a beak like a bird. Any help here...
See... I told you it was still frozen over. And you didn't believe me.
Elk. Taken near one of the many steam pots.
Obligatory shot of a bison. They are in abundance in Yellowstone. This was about 15 feet from the side of our vehicle.
This picture of a moose was not taken inside Yellowstone but about 30 miles outside the park. About an hours drive from our place.
This is a picture of my wife attacking me completely unprovoked, with a big ball of snow and ice. She would like you to believe I had thrown a snowball at her first. She is not to be believed. She lies... a lot.
Friday, May 15, 2009
My Friend Val a Long Time Coming
A friend of mine Val Geissler called to tell me this week that he couldn't run from a relationship with God any longer. I love this man, but had wondered if I would ever see this day. I could not have more joy than this news gave me.
Val is a charactor and America's Favorite Cowboy Entertainer. Val has since given up the show circuit but still puts on a funny show. If you have a few moments check out this link. It is about 15 minutes, but you won't regret it. It's the cremation of Sam McGee.
Val is a charactor and America's Favorite Cowboy Entertainer. Val has since given up the show circuit but still puts on a funny show. If you have a few moments check out this link. It is about 15 minutes, but you won't regret it. It's the cremation of Sam McGee.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Not About Starbucks... just a story.
We pulled up to the drive through and ordered our food. We were on our way home from a great mothers day weekend with my mom. Our stomachs could not endure the wait, so Dairy Queen it was.
I like Dairy Queen. They are all that is good about America, burgers, fries, ice cream; What more could a person want. Sorry, back to the story.
So, we ordered our food. I ordered a burger. My wife orders the chicken strips. As we are unable to decipher the words coming out of the magical box we confirm our order on the screen. Looks great. We pull forward.
In less than a minute we were at the window and quickly paid our tab, receiving our drink. It was a coke. We also received our desert. A medium sized blizzard with Reese's peanut butter cups blended inside. Ah what a great country.
Surely the remaining food will be out in a moment. We wait. I take a drink of soda. We wait. Naomi begins to nibble on our desert. We wait. They must be making fresh fries. I take a bite of ice cream. We wait. We waited about 10 minutes. Suddenly the window flies open and there is our food. Fresh, hot and warm. I'm excited.
Naomi leans across me to see the gal in the window. Shakes her now empty soda so that you can hear the ice shaking liquidless on the inside. "Can I get a refill?"
Friday, May 8, 2009
My Blog Family
Sometimes as I'm reading the collection of blogs that I frequent I can't help but get the feeling that we are all just one big family. No not the kind with crooked DNA, but more of just a regular, run of the mill dysfunctional family. So, in honor of this very random train of thought I have put together who in this hypothetical dysfunctional family you represent to me.
Shirley - Matriarch. Grandmother. Yours is the first blog I can ever remember reading, then afterwards feeling that I must post a response. Yes, I'm blaming you for this addiction. You are the Grandmother of my blogging family. Your words always seem thoughtful and wise. I have never seen a harsh word flow from your fingertips.
Helen - The Aunt who used to be normal, but moved off to Berkley and drank the cool-aid. Whenever she comes over for Sunday dinner you are sure to get a lecture on why the spoon is keeping the black man down. Sure her views seem a little wacky, but she has a great sense of humor and never fails to make me chuckle.
Mookie - Ah Mookie, The middle child. Always attempting to stir up the pot. Loves to get the tempers flaring and then sits back, sips his ginger ale, and marvels at the master piece he has created.
RGuy - Cousin, but much older. Nobody in the family knows how but RGuy is much more refined that the rest of us. He enjoys the finer things of life. For some reason he wears a sports jacket to the family dinner when everyone else is in flip flops and wife beaters. That doesn't mean however that he doesn't have his redneck vice. Pro wrestling.
Scott Erb - Older Brother. Always the most accomplished of the brothers Scott is intrigued by mystery. He investigates even mundane daily activities with the same Joe Friday flare for "just the facts ma'am". He always has the answer and if he doesn't, he'll make it up. Don't worry, he'll use enough "big" words that you'll simply take what he says at face value. After all he's always been smarter than you.
Jesurgislac - Step-parent. Because I will not agree with anything you say even if it sounds like something that would have come out of my own mouth. I wouldn't give you the satisfaction of having agreed with me. Sure, we kids act like we can't stand you, but in the end we are glad to have you around.
Godfather - Brother. Actually we don't hear from you that much anymore accept for a post card now and again from strange places on the planet. After all when you joined the motorcycle gang it just didn't seem right to bring the girl on the back home to meet mom.
American Elephant - Uncle. But more importantly, insurance salesman. You never miss a chance to tell us the value of a whole life insurance policy. I mean after all isn't protecting those you care about the most important thing to us all. And I can hook you up with a great deal.
We all get together for family meals and yes there may be a food fight or two, (likely to have been started by the Godfather), but we are all glad to be there and wouldn't want it any other way.
I'm sure I forgot some of our family. So feel free to add them, make corrections, and if you must include me as well. Thanks for being a good sport. I hope no one is offended, but even if you are... it's okay... we're family.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Bear Pic
I don't have a bunch but here is a photo of the bear trapped a couple days ago. It was relocated about 30 miles away after turning a chicken coup into a Sunday afternoon snack. This 8 year old grizzly weighs about 500 pounds.
Monday, May 4, 2009
America Gets a Pay Day Loan
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that pay day loans are a bad, I mean really bad idea. I was having a conversation with a co-worker today who told me she is still trying to pay off a pay day loan she had taken out... OVER A YEAR AGO. The loan itself was for 4 thousand dollars, since that time she has paid almost 8 thousand dollars in interest and still has more than 2 thousand remaining on the balance. While my co-worker was wringing her hands trying to figure out how to pay this down, the loan officer at this establishment was wringing his hands trying to figure out where to spend the money.
Will the United States ever pay off the loans we are currently taking out. Can we see anything other than debt on the horizon. Don't get me wrong, I blame Obama, the debt has sky rocketed under him. However, Bush was no Scrooge McDuck.
I imagine a good parent is willing to suffer now in hopes their children will have a better life. Instead we are getting a credit card in our children's name and maxing it out. This is unacceptable.
Will the United States ever pay off the loans we are currently taking out. Can we see anything other than debt on the horizon. Don't get me wrong, I blame Obama, the debt has sky rocketed under him. However, Bush was no Scrooge McDuck.
I imagine a good parent is willing to suffer now in hopes their children will have a better life. Instead we are getting a credit card in our children's name and maxing it out. This is unacceptable.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Bears are Out!
The bears are now out of their dens and on the hunt for food here in Wyoming. There was one caught today. It was trapped because it had been tearing up chicken coups and such. While it was being caught a motion sensing camera caught a second bear along with it.
If you come to visit me in the next few weeks you'll want your bear mace for our hike. I'll try to get some pictures up for you.
If you come to visit me in the next few weeks you'll want your bear mace for our hike. I'll try to get some pictures up for you.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Firing the Cable Company
As of yesterday afternoon my wife and I no longer subscribe to cable television. When we were first married we went with out cable for the first year. During that time we read, I worked in my wood shop, and we found other things to do as well.
Our cable bill went up to 120 dollars this past month and finally we said enough already. It isn't that TV is the devil or anything, it is just a time killer. Here are the shows I will continue to watch on-line.
House
Hell's Kitchen
Lie to Me
I will miss out on American Idol...but will watch football with my folks when the season picks up again this fall. In the mean time I will save $1440 a year. All while still able to watch my favorite shows with no commercials. Why didn't I do this sooner. That will be an additional $1440 to go towards our adoption.
The line item veto, your best friend when doing the family budget.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Is the Sky Really Falling?
For days now, every time I see or hear the news all I hear about is how we are all going to die from this swine flu pandemic. Is it really that bad? I suspect not. There has been 1 death thus far from swine flu in the United States. Meanwhile since the first of the year there have been over 10 thousand deaths from the regular old boring flu. You know the kind you already had back in February.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we don't need to take a look at this strain, however I suspect it is only a slightly more dangerous version that the one I seem to get twice a year anyway.
If I were to venture a guess, I would think the only people at serious risk are the very young, very old, and those whose immune systems are compromised. So, the exact same people who need to be concerned about any strain of the flu.
Lets take a look at a segment from this article....
A 6 to 7 percent death rate would make the Mexican swine flu nearly three times
deadlier than the worst flu pandemic in the last 100 years — the 1918 Spanish
flu, which killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million people worldwide.
Seriously. Really. You gotta be kidding me. The swine flu which has killed less than 200 people worldwide is now worse than a flu which killed almost 50 million people. What world am I living in. I can only shake my hand at what passes for journalism.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Garage Sale Phenomenon
I don't know if it is a chemical found somewhere in the recesses of the female brain, or simply a symptom of cabin fever, but just as quickly as the first few days of spring hit the garage sale signs begin to appear. It's almost as if they spring right up out of the ground as a result of the spring showers.These garage sales I mention are a great love for my wife. I on the other hand loath them. I shouldn't. My wife is the queen of the garage sale and can sniff out a bargain from many blocks away. She gets that look in her eye and God help me if I'm in the car, for surely I will be her hostage until she has satisfied her addiction to the beast.
It isn't that I don't see the value of the garage sale. I can see their purpose, and the value associated. I just don't care for digging through the debris to find the possible treasure at the bottom.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
While I Wasn't Paying Attention in Church
While I would like to pretend that I am the ideal parishioner, I confess that often I am not. This past Sunday while the preacher was speaking on the topic of.... well I forgot that too, I was thinking of something else. Although this time I can say it was Jesus who was occupying my thoughts.
If Jesus were to arrive today in the United States, not to take us to heaven, but if His first coming were to be today, I would love to just sit and pick His brain. I found myself wanting to ask about what we as a nation should do regarding the "War on Terror". What we as a nation should do about our economy, or poverty or gun laws. If He came today, I would ask Him and surely he would tell me, and probably agree with what I believed all along.
It was then that it hit me. Those are exactly the thoughts the pharisees were having. They thought Jesus would come as a reigning king. He would ride in, destroy the roman oppressors and lead Israel back to her promised glory. Instead He came and spoke to individuals.
If Jesus were to have come for the first time, and I saw Him, maybe I would have asked those questions. If I had, I believe Jesus would have answered cryptically because I would have been asking the wrong questions.
The right questions are. What should I do about the killing in my town? What should I do about my neighbor who needs help? What should I do about the poverty around me? What should I do? That is the question.
Thankfully I don't have to wonder. He already told me.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Shame on you, Associated Press.
What is the Associated Press trying to prove with this story?
The Headline reads, "For Somalis, Piracy Road to Power, Prosperity". That's right ladies and gentlemen the Somali people can not be faulted for taking over a ship and holding it's crew hostage for millions of dollars. What choice do they have? This is the same argument liberals have been using to justify gang violence for years.
The story goes on to say, "For young Somalis, piracy offers a life of adventure and money: At sea, they are armed with automatic weapons, rockets and grenades. On land, they are a cross between a town official and a gangster rapper — with grand houses, luxury cars and beautiful wives." Do you notice how the writer of this story attempts to glamorize the life of a hostage taker, and how you are almost encouraged to sympathize with the plight of the pirate?
Shame on the AP for writing this story, and shame on Fox News for running it. These are terrorists. Or should I say were terrorists.
3 out of the 4 hostage takers were killed by snipers this Easter morning. The 4th surrendered. And yet the headline says that the hostage was "released". No he wasn't released, he was rescued heroically.
I'm so tired of the way the news organizations vilify our military all the while sympathizing with our enemies.
The Headline reads, "For Somalis, Piracy Road to Power, Prosperity". That's right ladies and gentlemen the Somali people can not be faulted for taking over a ship and holding it's crew hostage for millions of dollars. What choice do they have? This is the same argument liberals have been using to justify gang violence for years.
The story goes on to say, "For young Somalis, piracy offers a life of adventure and money: At sea, they are armed with automatic weapons, rockets and grenades. On land, they are a cross between a town official and a gangster rapper — with grand houses, luxury cars and beautiful wives." Do you notice how the writer of this story attempts to glamorize the life of a hostage taker, and how you are almost encouraged to sympathize with the plight of the pirate?
Shame on the AP for writing this story, and shame on Fox News for running it. These are terrorists. Or should I say were terrorists.
3 out of the 4 hostage takers were killed by snipers this Easter morning. The 4th surrendered. And yet the headline says that the hostage was "released". No he wasn't released, he was rescued heroically.
I'm so tired of the way the news organizations vilify our military all the while sympathizing with our enemies.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Adoption Blog
My wife had asked me if I'd want to simply use my existing blog to become our adoption blog. Well the answer is no. I am far to indulgent to give up my home of political and religious rants to give this one up.
So, in light of that fact, Here is the link to our new blog where you can follow our adoption process, and find out a little bit more about us.
So, in light of that fact, Here is the link to our new blog where you can follow our adoption process, and find out a little bit more about us.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Let the fund raising begin. A few moments ago my wife and I submitted our application to adopt a child (possibly 2) from Ethiopia. This is one of the poorest countries in the world and some estimates have as many as 4 million children under 18 orphaned. Many of those orphans are living with other relatives and friends, but far too many have noone to care for them.
Costs are likely to run us between 25 and 30 thousand dollars. By almost anyone's estimate that is a staggering number that truely gave us pause. We don't have that kind of money, but we are believing that God will provide the funds.
A number of questions come to mind. Just a couple of those include; Why outside the United States when there are so many kids needing loved here in our own country? Why would it cost so much money?
First I'll address why so many couples go outside the United States. I know you are thinking we made this decision in order to be seen as trendy like Jolie or Madonna. In a word it is due to lawyers. If my wife and I adopt within the United States the costs would be slightly less, but birth parents rights would allow them to claim parental rights in some cases up to years after the adoption. Depending on the State. In addition we were told we would likely be on a waiting list for 4 years or more. Why, when apparently there are so many kids needing a good home? All I know is that is what happens when the government does anything. Overseas the process can be done in as little as 6 to 9 months. More likely 15 months, but still far sooner than 4 years.
Second is the issue of costs. While I don't like that it would cost so much to adopt I do understand that there are staff both in the United States and the country where the child resides. In addition Christian World Adoption (the organization who we are using) actually provides care for both children destined for adoption, and those who will not. This costs money. In addition flight costs are not exactly inexpensive. We are expecting (estimating high for safety)up to 8 thousand dollars in airline costs.
We are very excited and will be putting up a separte blog for those of you wishing to follow our process.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Am I a Republican?
I don't consider myself a Republican. I consider myself a conservative. Obviously much of the time that means I lean to the Republican party, which more closely matches my convictions. Am I ready though to join the ranks of a party to which I become more disillusioned with each passing day?
The cause for this self examination is the chair of my county's Republican party who continues to petition me to not only join, but to serve as a treasurer on the county board. I will admit that I am torn. I hesitate to become part of a group (as a national party, not on the county level) that has disappointed me more often than not in the past 6 years or so.
On the other hand this would give me the opportunity to help guide the direction of the party at a grass roots level.
The cause for this self examination is the chair of my county's Republican party who continues to petition me to not only join, but to serve as a treasurer on the county board. I will admit that I am torn. I hesitate to become part of a group (as a national party, not on the county level) that has disappointed me more often than not in the past 6 years or so.
On the other hand this would give me the opportunity to help guide the direction of the party at a grass roots level.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Getting Fired!
I never thought getting fired might be the best thing that could happen. Last fall I began working at a job that while I enjoyed, was extremely stressful for my family as my schedule was very hectic. Often times I would leave the house at 6am and return as late as 9pm. As you can imagine after scarfing down a meal I was soon off to bed. Apparently my wife was wanting a little more time than that.I knew she was wanting more time, but who quits a job in this economy without one to replace it. Didn't seem smart to me. Long story short, on March 15th I was informed that my services would no longer be needed. That's how you say, "You're Fired!, when you don't want your former employee to arrive on the company doorstep with a gun. I was without a job. For the first time in my life I had been fired.
I had imagined I would be upset by the news. I wasn't. I had imagined that I would be worried about how I would provide for my family. I wasn't. Instead I found that I had peace about the situation.
I start my new job tomorrow. I didn't really even have to look. It fell into my lap. I will be earning at least the same amount, quite possibly more. I will have insurance that was previously unavailable. And I will have more time to spend with my wife... and this blog. Both of which have been neglected.
The word of the day boys and girls is providence.
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