Yes, we are talking about our esteemed congress critters. It would seem, that in this economic time of layoffs, cutbacks, and bailouts, they are taking yet another pay raise.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/with-economy-in-shambles-congress-gets-a-raise-2008-12-17.html
It was 'bad' when Enron and PG&E did it, but it's OK when it is congress...kind of like that illeagal Ponzy scheme we all know and love. If a person engages in it, it is bad, but if congress does it, and gives it a nifty little name like 'social security', it is OK.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
More of what we can expect from the new 'enforcement' arm.
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=83477
The new administration (The Department of Defence does fall under the Executive Branch), has started to flesh out the new involvement of the military in civilian matters. Chilling if I do say so myself.
Also, what does everybody think about the policy of requiring everyone from middle school through college to perform 'community service'. I thought we had gotten rid of slavery in this country...I guess all we really did is change who the master was.
The new administration (The Department of Defence does fall under the Executive Branch), has started to flesh out the new involvement of the military in civilian matters. Chilling if I do say so myself.
Also, what does everybody think about the policy of requiring everyone from middle school through college to perform 'community service'. I thought we had gotten rid of slavery in this country...I guess all we really did is change who the master was.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A confession of weakness
I confess, I have been unable to carry through with the actions that I outlined in my open letter to the rich people of America. I still maintain that it is a sound idea, and would be effective in its means.
I can not hold the rich of America in contempt for being enablers, when I can follow through with my end.
However right I may find the tactic and concept, I can not bring myself to those actions over my own moral hang ups.
I now fall back to my last line of defense.
I can not hold the rich of America in contempt for being enablers, when I can follow through with my end.
However right I may find the tactic and concept, I can not bring myself to those actions over my own moral hang ups.
I now fall back to my last line of defense.
Now serving number next!
Nancy Pelosi has now assured that her 'mark' has been placed on the auto industry bailout. The auto industry has agreed to bend to the will of the government on 'green technologies'. Now that they are playing nice, Pelosi will give them some money. Anybody notice a pattern here?
Next! Who wants some government money!? All you have to do to qualify is...everything we tell you!
What is your bet as to the next 'industry' bailed out? I have heard some grumbling out of the airline industry of late. I think Americans have grown weary of the airlines bailouts, but congress may just have a list of demads that will let them belly up to the trough one more time.
Here is an idea...how about the energy industry? Crude oil is dropping like a rock. The oil companies got black eyes when they announced 'record profits' while everyone was paying nearly $5 per gallon for gas at the pump. Surely, they are getting ready to squeal. Can you imagine the energy industry, em masse, with the federal government's meat hooks into it? I can, and it's not pretty!
Who do you think is next?
Next! Who wants some government money!? All you have to do to qualify is...everything we tell you!
What is your bet as to the next 'industry' bailed out? I have heard some grumbling out of the airline industry of late. I think Americans have grown weary of the airlines bailouts, but congress may just have a list of demads that will let them belly up to the trough one more time.
Here is an idea...how about the energy industry? Crude oil is dropping like a rock. The oil companies got black eyes when they announced 'record profits' while everyone was paying nearly $5 per gallon for gas at the pump. Surely, they are getting ready to squeal. Can you imagine the energy industry, em masse, with the federal government's meat hooks into it? I can, and it's not pretty!
Who do you think is next?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Redworm project...research update
That didn't take long.
The larvae I encountered were Black Soldierfly larvae. It would seem these critters are pretty handy to have around in vermicomposting operations in and of themselves.
Secondly, I saw some pics of the worm 'egg sacks', and am happy to report that I did see them in my worm bed. I did read that worms seem to be attracted to paper sludge for egg case laying. So now, I am tasked with adding sand and newsprint to my worm bed.
The larvae I encountered were Black Soldierfly larvae. It would seem these critters are pretty handy to have around in vermicomposting operations in and of themselves.
Secondly, I saw some pics of the worm 'egg sacks', and am happy to report that I did see them in my worm bed. I did read that worms seem to be attracted to paper sludge for egg case laying. So now, I am tasked with adding sand and newsprint to my worm bed.
The worm bed project
Today, I got around to taking a census of the worm bed. Over 3 months ago, I bought a container of redworms from a bait shop, and brought them home to my worm bed. The colony started with 31 worms. 'By the book', the worms should have doubled in population in three months. Here is what I found today.
My population did not double. My census was 45 worms. From this, I can see that my worms are reproducing, but not at the expected rate. While the population was not doubled, the majority of the 'herd' was huge! I uncovered one worm, and he was so big that I thought for a split second that he was a garden snake that had worked his way into my worm bed to hybernate!
For those of you who either are, or are planning to start your own worm bed project, here are some more observations from this project:
- The worms seemed to congregate around clumps of grass clippings, and the waste apple/yeast 'sludge' left over from apple wine making. One word of caution...if you use chemicals on your lawn, do not put your grass clippings in your worm bed!!! They really seemed to like those two things. This spring, I will increase the percentage of grass clippings that go into the worm bed. When I added the wine making waste, I thought it may have been a mistake. Afterall, that stuff is pretty potent. My fears were without warrant. The worms seem to love it! I also found some larvae of some other critter concentrated around the apple wine waste. They looked kind of like maggots, but much larger. I wish the weather had been warmer, I would have taken them to the lake to see if the fish liked them! As I was going through the pile, I came across hundreds of these 'larvae'. Whatever left them, I couldn't help but wonder if they were competing with my worms so aggressively for food, that the competition was what kept my worm population down. I have more research to do here.
- My bed is sand deficient. This may also account for my less than ideal worm population. Worms ingest grains of sand to help them digest their food. I shouldn't have to add much, but I definately need to add some sand to the bed.
- The Really cool thing was the soil that the worms are leaving behind! That stuff is black gold! I could grab a handfull of that stuff and smell it. It was rich, dark, and very loose! I can't wait to harvest some of it this spring for planting!
Even though my herd didn't increase as predicted, I am still exceedingly pleased with the progress of this project!
My population did not double. My census was 45 worms. From this, I can see that my worms are reproducing, but not at the expected rate. While the population was not doubled, the majority of the 'herd' was huge! I uncovered one worm, and he was so big that I thought for a split second that he was a garden snake that had worked his way into my worm bed to hybernate!
For those of you who either are, or are planning to start your own worm bed project, here are some more observations from this project:
- The worms seemed to congregate around clumps of grass clippings, and the waste apple/yeast 'sludge' left over from apple wine making. One word of caution...if you use chemicals on your lawn, do not put your grass clippings in your worm bed!!! They really seemed to like those two things. This spring, I will increase the percentage of grass clippings that go into the worm bed. When I added the wine making waste, I thought it may have been a mistake. Afterall, that stuff is pretty potent. My fears were without warrant. The worms seem to love it! I also found some larvae of some other critter concentrated around the apple wine waste. They looked kind of like maggots, but much larger. I wish the weather had been warmer, I would have taken them to the lake to see if the fish liked them! As I was going through the pile, I came across hundreds of these 'larvae'. Whatever left them, I couldn't help but wonder if they were competing with my worms so aggressively for food, that the competition was what kept my worm population down. I have more research to do here.
- My bed is sand deficient. This may also account for my less than ideal worm population. Worms ingest grains of sand to help them digest their food. I shouldn't have to add much, but I definately need to add some sand to the bed.
- The Really cool thing was the soil that the worms are leaving behind! That stuff is black gold! I could grab a handfull of that stuff and smell it. It was rich, dark, and very loose! I can't wait to harvest some of it this spring for planting!
Even though my herd didn't increase as predicted, I am still exceedingly pleased with the progress of this project!
Obama's 2 year economic stimulus plan
“We’ll be working out the details in the weeks ahead,” Mr. Obama said, “but it will be a two-year, nationwide effort to jumpstart job creation in America and lay the foundation for a strong and growing economy. We’ll put people back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, modernizing schools that are failing our children, and building wind farms and solar panels, fuel-efficient cars and the alternative energy technologies that can free us from our dependence on foreign oil and keep our economy competitive in the years ahead.”
Does this sound a bit like FDR's New Deal, or am I mistaken. How do we elect leaders who refuse to learn from the past?
Does this sound a bit like FDR's New Deal, or am I mistaken. How do we elect leaders who refuse to learn from the past?
Saturday, November 22, 2008
This from the REPUBLICANS!!! Your money is not yours!!!
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=81485
The socialist/democrats have long held that your money is not really yours, now we see just how entrenched the socialist dogma is in the republican party. What do you ecpect from a party that would run John McCain as a candidate.
The socialist/democrats have long held that your money is not really yours, now we see just how entrenched the socialist dogma is in the republican party. What do you ecpect from a party that would run John McCain as a candidate.
US asking for foreign aid???
Could this be the depth of depravity we have slipped to as a nation???
KUWAIT CITY (AFP) – The United States has asked four oil-rich Gulf states for close to 300 billion dollars to help it curb the global financial meltdown, Kuwait's daily Al-Seyassah reported Thursday.
Quoting "highly informed" sources, the daily said Washington has asked Saudi Arabia for 120 billion dollars, the United Arab Emirates for 70 billion dollars, Qatar for 60 billion dollars and was seeking 40 billion dollars from Kuwait.
The borrower is slave to the lender.
Nuff said
KUWAIT CITY (AFP) – The United States has asked four oil-rich Gulf states for close to 300 billion dollars to help it curb the global financial meltdown, Kuwait's daily Al-Seyassah reported Thursday.
Quoting "highly informed" sources, the daily said Washington has asked Saudi Arabia for 120 billion dollars, the United Arab Emirates for 70 billion dollars, Qatar for 60 billion dollars and was seeking 40 billion dollars from Kuwait.
The borrower is slave to the lender.
Nuff said
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
An open letter to the 'rich' people of the United States of America
Dear 'rich' people,
First and foremost, I declare that I do not hold you in contempt. I do not envy your wealth, no matter how you got it. I hold no claim over your wealth.
We have elected a class of politicians who DO hold you in contempt. They DO envy your wealth, and they DO hold claim over you and the product of your God given talents and abilities. They have incited class warfare against you. Without you, they can not exist or function. It is this last point that I wish to hold council with you on.
This class of politician has risen to power, and plans to stay there my taking from you, and giving to everybody else. Three things must remain in place for them to continue to implement that plan successfully. First, you must continue to be there to provide them with the cash. Second, they must have the cash to redistribute. Third, there must someone to give the money to. Let us examine these in greater detail.
The third point is beyond our control. There will always be leeches eager to take that which they have no title to. There will be countless excuses for their 'need'. One excuse that will never be proposed for their need, however, will have anything to do with their own faulty actions. The number of this third element is a direct function of the availability of money to be taken. The more money, the more leeches. The less money, the fewer leeches. We can minimize them, but we can not eliminate them.
Now, let us examine you - the first element. For years now, you have stood by and watched politicians on both sides of the aisle, increasingly legislate you to shoulder larger and larger tax loads. This is money that you could have hired more people in your businesses with. You could have spent it on research and development. I'm sure some of it would have wound up in some very worthy charitable causes. Instead, it went to taxes, and a great deal of it wound up in the hands of the leeches. I personally know of one person that took her last 'economic stimulus check' and bought herself breast augmentation. I ask you, was that the most effecient use of your money? Think how much of your money went to buy beer, cigarettes, and big screen TV's that cost more than the apartment's monthly rent. Personally, I find it exceedingly ironic that money that may have gone to finding a cure for lung cancer, instead bought thousands of packs of cigarettes. That one makes you think, does it not? Some of you see what is ahead, and are acting accordingly. For the rest of you, how long will you enable this system to operate like this? Make no mistake, you are the enabler. Without you, they have no money to redistribute. Am I asking you to quit? No, not exactly. Have you thought of going on strike? Stop generating income. Stop creating the very environment that the socialists need to live. Some of you can afford to take a 4 year vacation. I hear the Bahamas are nice. However you deem it most effecient for you, I beg of you.....stop enabling the system. You are the 'good guy' giving the alcoholic a beer to 'take the edge off'. Stop.
The second element, the politicains, is where I come in, and the real reason for this letter. Even if you decide to continue to enable the system. It only works as long as there is money to go around. Either you choke off the supply, or they will bleed you dry. My intent is to do everything in my power to bankrupt them from the inside out. When the 'economic stimulus packages' come around, I will gladly take mine, and I will use it to make myself more independent of the system. I have come to the conclustion that the return to fiscal responsibility in government is now impossible, so they need to be bankrupted. I will vote for socialized medicine (even though I know the private sector handles it better), I will vote for increased social security benefits (even though I know it is a Ponzy Scheme). I will support everything that has the government spending money that they, in turn, have to get from you. I will do so, not because I think it is OK for them to take your money and give it to the likes of me, but because this is the power I have in fixing the system. I ask you to use your power to do the same. If we both exercise our powers, their socialist dream would collapse under its own weight in a matter of weeks to months and we could get back to the business of making things better through personal responsibility.
Now, I would like to address the 'non rich' who may happen upon this letter and read it. I ask you to join me. We are doing nothing illeagle. Take every 'government benefit' you are 'entitled' to, and help us bankrupt the system. Be carefull though! Do not become dependent of the 'benefits'! Use them to make yourself more independent of the corrupted system, lest you be hurt when it goes bankrupt!
It is time for the economic revolution. Let Freedom Ring!
First and foremost, I declare that I do not hold you in contempt. I do not envy your wealth, no matter how you got it. I hold no claim over your wealth.
We have elected a class of politicians who DO hold you in contempt. They DO envy your wealth, and they DO hold claim over you and the product of your God given talents and abilities. They have incited class warfare against you. Without you, they can not exist or function. It is this last point that I wish to hold council with you on.
This class of politician has risen to power, and plans to stay there my taking from you, and giving to everybody else. Three things must remain in place for them to continue to implement that plan successfully. First, you must continue to be there to provide them with the cash. Second, they must have the cash to redistribute. Third, there must someone to give the money to. Let us examine these in greater detail.
The third point is beyond our control. There will always be leeches eager to take that which they have no title to. There will be countless excuses for their 'need'. One excuse that will never be proposed for their need, however, will have anything to do with their own faulty actions. The number of this third element is a direct function of the availability of money to be taken. The more money, the more leeches. The less money, the fewer leeches. We can minimize them, but we can not eliminate them.
Now, let us examine you - the first element. For years now, you have stood by and watched politicians on both sides of the aisle, increasingly legislate you to shoulder larger and larger tax loads. This is money that you could have hired more people in your businesses with. You could have spent it on research and development. I'm sure some of it would have wound up in some very worthy charitable causes. Instead, it went to taxes, and a great deal of it wound up in the hands of the leeches. I personally know of one person that took her last 'economic stimulus check' and bought herself breast augmentation. I ask you, was that the most effecient use of your money? Think how much of your money went to buy beer, cigarettes, and big screen TV's that cost more than the apartment's monthly rent. Personally, I find it exceedingly ironic that money that may have gone to finding a cure for lung cancer, instead bought thousands of packs of cigarettes. That one makes you think, does it not? Some of you see what is ahead, and are acting accordingly. For the rest of you, how long will you enable this system to operate like this? Make no mistake, you are the enabler. Without you, they have no money to redistribute. Am I asking you to quit? No, not exactly. Have you thought of going on strike? Stop generating income. Stop creating the very environment that the socialists need to live. Some of you can afford to take a 4 year vacation. I hear the Bahamas are nice. However you deem it most effecient for you, I beg of you.....stop enabling the system. You are the 'good guy' giving the alcoholic a beer to 'take the edge off'. Stop.
The second element, the politicains, is where I come in, and the real reason for this letter. Even if you decide to continue to enable the system. It only works as long as there is money to go around. Either you choke off the supply, or they will bleed you dry. My intent is to do everything in my power to bankrupt them from the inside out. When the 'economic stimulus packages' come around, I will gladly take mine, and I will use it to make myself more independent of the system. I have come to the conclustion that the return to fiscal responsibility in government is now impossible, so they need to be bankrupted. I will vote for socialized medicine (even though I know the private sector handles it better), I will vote for increased social security benefits (even though I know it is a Ponzy Scheme). I will support everything that has the government spending money that they, in turn, have to get from you. I will do so, not because I think it is OK for them to take your money and give it to the likes of me, but because this is the power I have in fixing the system. I ask you to use your power to do the same. If we both exercise our powers, their socialist dream would collapse under its own weight in a matter of weeks to months and we could get back to the business of making things better through personal responsibility.
Now, I would like to address the 'non rich' who may happen upon this letter and read it. I ask you to join me. We are doing nothing illeagle. Take every 'government benefit' you are 'entitled' to, and help us bankrupt the system. Be carefull though! Do not become dependent of the 'benefits'! Use them to make yourself more independent of the corrupted system, lest you be hurt when it goes bankrupt!
It is time for the economic revolution. Let Freedom Ring!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The homemade wine project
I racked the apple wine tonight. It is very interesting. I won't lie and say that is the best thing ever made, but it certainly has its own merits.
It is quite dry with a 'sweet-tart' character to it. It is a white, so I think it will be better chilled. I am interested to see how this one ages.
I'm not sure what food it would go well with. I think it would be a good desert wine, without being sickeningly sweet.
It is quite dry with a 'sweet-tart' character to it. It is a white, so I think it will be better chilled. I am interested to see how this one ages.
I'm not sure what food it would go well with. I think it would be a good desert wine, without being sickeningly sweet.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The next 'bailout'?
First, the banks (and that one worked out real well didn't it?), now the auto industry. I can't help but wonder...how exactly, will throwing cash at the auto industry help them? Perhaps they can pay their bills for a month or two more...then what? It's not like they are going to magically start selling cars in a weak economy again. Maybe the unions are going to outlaw the unions that have been bleeding the automakers dry for decades...right, that's going to happen too, right?
So how? I'll tell you how. They are going to start sending them money...with strings attatched. #1 string, they will not be able to lay anybody off (union jobs saved). #2 string, the government will want concessions on how the automakers are to do business in the future. To do this, they will insist on stock transfer to government 'safe holding'. Once again, government ownership of private business. First the banks, now the automakers. Who is next?
So, let's play a little game. Who will be the next bailout victim...er, I mean, beneficiary? Drug makers? Airline industry? Trucking? The railroads? Ahhhh...the railroads...Anybody read Atlas Shrugged?
Next question: Where is the money coming from? Come on...we all know the answer to this don't we? All together now... we the taxpayers. How long do you think the money will hold out? When will the taxpayers be bailed out? Oh, that's right, they are talking about another 'government stimulus package'. Where is that money coming from? Will Obama instruct the Treasury Department to start printing more of it? Be prepared for hyper-inflation. Don't know what that is? Google it.
Stay tuned boys and girls. The toilet has been flushed, and there is a hole in the Tidy-Bowl man's boat.
So how? I'll tell you how. They are going to start sending them money...with strings attatched. #1 string, they will not be able to lay anybody off (union jobs saved). #2 string, the government will want concessions on how the automakers are to do business in the future. To do this, they will insist on stock transfer to government 'safe holding'. Once again, government ownership of private business. First the banks, now the automakers. Who is next?
So, let's play a little game. Who will be the next bailout victim...er, I mean, beneficiary? Drug makers? Airline industry? Trucking? The railroads? Ahhhh...the railroads...Anybody read Atlas Shrugged?
Next question: Where is the money coming from? Come on...we all know the answer to this don't we? All together now... we the taxpayers. How long do you think the money will hold out? When will the taxpayers be bailed out? Oh, that's right, they are talking about another 'government stimulus package'. Where is that money coming from? Will Obama instruct the Treasury Department to start printing more of it? Be prepared for hyper-inflation. Don't know what that is? Google it.
Stay tuned boys and girls. The toilet has been flushed, and there is a hole in the Tidy-Bowl man's boat.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Blueberry wine batch #2
Last weekend, I racked the second batch of blueberry wine. Racking also affords me the oppurtunity to sample ;-)
This batch is turning out much drier than the first batch. Those who typically do not like wine, which includes most of the people who tried the first batch, will probably not like this batch. This one is a wine lover's batch. There were a couple of things done differently here. I am not going to get keyed up over 'batch consistancy'. Whatever God turns out of it is what I will bottle. My friends who have been badgering me for more of the 'sweet' blueberry wine will just have to wait until God brings that one around again.
This weekend, I am slated to rack the apple wine. I can't wait to sample this one the see what kind of taste/character God has in store for this one!
This batch is turning out much drier than the first batch. Those who typically do not like wine, which includes most of the people who tried the first batch, will probably not like this batch. This one is a wine lover's batch. There were a couple of things done differently here. I am not going to get keyed up over 'batch consistancy'. Whatever God turns out of it is what I will bottle. My friends who have been badgering me for more of the 'sweet' blueberry wine will just have to wait until God brings that one around again.
This weekend, I am slated to rack the apple wine. I can't wait to sample this one the see what kind of taste/character God has in store for this one!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Obama and the stock market drop...why?
Well, this one is pretty simple. A basic understanding of economics explains this one quite clearly.
Wall Street is the ultimate in free market capitalism. You might even call it extremist capitalism in liberal-speak...after all, anything extremist is bad, right?
Obama is a socialist. Don't believe me, listen to his past speeches yourself. If you listen to him, and still don't believe he is a socialist, you don't know what socialism is. I suggest you reading the Communist Manifesto. It is not very long. One good evening curled up by the fire should do the trick.
Now, if you read the Communist Manifesto, listen to Obama, and still don't believe him to be a socialist, you are an idiot. Ignorance can be fixed. You can't fix idiot/stupid. Go away.
O.K. Wall Street = Capitalism; Obama = socialism. Not only that, but he will have a socialist leaning congress to work with. Guess what is happening. Capitalists are heading for the hills, so to speak. You didn't think that people were going to leave money where they knew it would be in danger, did you?
Wall Street is the ultimate in free market capitalism. You might even call it extremist capitalism in liberal-speak...after all, anything extremist is bad, right?
Obama is a socialist. Don't believe me, listen to his past speeches yourself. If you listen to him, and still don't believe he is a socialist, you don't know what socialism is. I suggest you reading the Communist Manifesto. It is not very long. One good evening curled up by the fire should do the trick.
Now, if you read the Communist Manifesto, listen to Obama, and still don't believe him to be a socialist, you are an idiot. Ignorance can be fixed. You can't fix idiot/stupid. Go away.
O.K. Wall Street = Capitalism; Obama = socialism. Not only that, but he will have a socialist leaning congress to work with. Guess what is happening. Capitalists are heading for the hills, so to speak. You didn't think that people were going to leave money where they knew it would be in danger, did you?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division U.S. deployment
O.K. I have been commenting on this event for a few days now. So far, I have been pretty tame with it, because I have not had the time to track down the actual story from the Department of Defense. It's not that I didn't believe what I was reading, but I do know how things can be changed from story to story, and key pieces left out. Well now I have the story from Army Times.
Here is the link:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/army_homeland_090708w/
Some of what I read is a bit discouraging, some lightened my concern some. Would you like to read along with me?
Helping ‘people at home’ may become a permanent part of the active Army
This is a bit frightening. An Army is for combat. We should have learned in the African campaigns that the Army is not a very effective 'meals on wheels' program. Armies fight. Armies kill. Armies take and hold ground. Period. So, what is their idea of 'help', and what if I don't want their brand of 'help'? Now they are telling us that this is now a permanent mission of our Army. Hmm. Interesting, to say the least.
But this new mission marks the first time an active unit has been given a dedicated assignment to NorthCom, a joint command established in 2002 to provide command and control for federal homeland defense efforts and coordinate defense support of civil authorities.
Coordinate defense support of civil authorities? How, exactly, is that mission accomplished. Combat brigades are not 'support' units. They are combat units. So, it stands to reason that civil authorities will have the 'support' of combat troops. How does that work? Well fortunately for us, we have some pretty recent history to help us understand this one. Unfortunately, we have an overdeveloped sense of not learning from our history. What happened when WW II Germany deployed SS troops in law enforcement capacities throughout Germany? Tell me....think of all of the images you have ever seen of WW II Germany. In so far as internal affairs are concerned, (You know, rounding up the Jews, confiscating firearms, policing the streets, ect, ect,) have you ever seen a photograph of a police officer? My recollection is of always seeing the enforcer in a Nazi uniform with a rifle.
In the meantime, they’ll learn new skills, use some of the ones they acquired in the war zone and more than likely will not be shot at while doing any of it.
So, they will be using some of the skills they acquired in the war zone, will they. What, exactly, are those skills? And, here is a laughable little nugget, more than likely not being shot at while doing it! More than likely? Do US Citizens have a history of shooting at combat troops? We have to turn back in out history books to the Whiskey Rebellion, and the Revolution for precedent here. Is this what our combat troops are expecting?
They may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control or to deal with potentially horrific scenarios ...
Here we start getting into the chilling part of things. Read that one more time and close your eyes and picture it. Is that pretty? Do you see a positive outcome from that? Combat troops for crowd control? The last time I checked, that is kinda like martial law.
Training for homeland scenarios has already begun at Fort Stewart and includes specialty tasks such as knowing how to use the “jaws of life” to extract a person from a mangled vehicle; extra medical training for a CBRNE incident; and working with U.S. Forestry Service experts on how to go in with chainsaws and cut and clear trees to clear a road or area.
This brought the warm and fuzzies back a little bit. An image of a soldier in full combat gear with an M-16 slung over his shoulder, using the Jaws of Life on a mangled car. Now there's a Norman Rockwell moment. The Commanding Officer yells, "Get him out alive son, we need to water board him!"
...1st BCT commander Col. Roger Cloutier said, referring to crowd and traffic control equipment and nonlethal weapons designed to subdue unruly or dangerous individuals without killing them.
Interesting, who gets to decide who is unruly or dangerous? Under the right circumstances, I can be both, as I'm sure you can too. Seriously, who's decision is this?
The package is for use only in war-zone operations, not for any domestic purpose
This straight from the Colonel, yet they are training to use this 'package' here at home. So, either the Army sees US soil as a battle ground, or the Colonel is not being truthful when he says it is not for domestic purpose. Which do you think it is?
“We’ve been all over the world during this time of conflict, but now our mission is to take care of citizens at home ... and depending on where an event occurred, you’re going home to take care of your home town, your loved ones.”
This quote reminds me of the the bumper sticker that has the picture of the gun pointing at you and says, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." Yeah, the Army is going to 'take care' of us and our loved ones...that's what I'm afraid of.
Then, at the very bottom of the article, this is printed:
Correction:
A non-lethal crowd control package fielded to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, described in the original version of this story, is intended for use on deployments to the war zone, not in the U.S., as previously stated.
Hmm, sorry, given the tone of the rest of the article, this strikes me as damage control, and not a truthful response.
Obviously, I have snipped and clipped the parts of the article that pique my interest. It was not my intent to mislead in doing so. Please, read the whole article for yourself and make up your own mind about what this means to you.
Here is the link:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/army_homeland_090708w/
Some of what I read is a bit discouraging, some lightened my concern some. Would you like to read along with me?
Helping ‘people at home’ may become a permanent part of the active Army
This is a bit frightening. An Army is for combat. We should have learned in the African campaigns that the Army is not a very effective 'meals on wheels' program. Armies fight. Armies kill. Armies take and hold ground. Period. So, what is their idea of 'help', and what if I don't want their brand of 'help'? Now they are telling us that this is now a permanent mission of our Army. Hmm. Interesting, to say the least.
But this new mission marks the first time an active unit has been given a dedicated assignment to NorthCom, a joint command established in 2002 to provide command and control for federal homeland defense efforts and coordinate defense support of civil authorities.
Coordinate defense support of civil authorities? How, exactly, is that mission accomplished. Combat brigades are not 'support' units. They are combat units. So, it stands to reason that civil authorities will have the 'support' of combat troops. How does that work? Well fortunately for us, we have some pretty recent history to help us understand this one. Unfortunately, we have an overdeveloped sense of not learning from our history. What happened when WW II Germany deployed SS troops in law enforcement capacities throughout Germany? Tell me....think of all of the images you have ever seen of WW II Germany. In so far as internal affairs are concerned, (You know, rounding up the Jews, confiscating firearms, policing the streets, ect, ect,) have you ever seen a photograph of a police officer? My recollection is of always seeing the enforcer in a Nazi uniform with a rifle.
In the meantime, they’ll learn new skills, use some of the ones they acquired in the war zone and more than likely will not be shot at while doing any of it.
So, they will be using some of the skills they acquired in the war zone, will they. What, exactly, are those skills? And, here is a laughable little nugget, more than likely not being shot at while doing it! More than likely? Do US Citizens have a history of shooting at combat troops? We have to turn back in out history books to the Whiskey Rebellion, and the Revolution for precedent here. Is this what our combat troops are expecting?
They may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control or to deal with potentially horrific scenarios ...
Here we start getting into the chilling part of things. Read that one more time and close your eyes and picture it. Is that pretty? Do you see a positive outcome from that? Combat troops for crowd control? The last time I checked, that is kinda like martial law.
Training for homeland scenarios has already begun at Fort Stewart and includes specialty tasks such as knowing how to use the “jaws of life” to extract a person from a mangled vehicle; extra medical training for a CBRNE incident; and working with U.S. Forestry Service experts on how to go in with chainsaws and cut and clear trees to clear a road or area.
This brought the warm and fuzzies back a little bit. An image of a soldier in full combat gear with an M-16 slung over his shoulder, using the Jaws of Life on a mangled car. Now there's a Norman Rockwell moment. The Commanding Officer yells, "Get him out alive son, we need to water board him!"
...1st BCT commander Col. Roger Cloutier said, referring to crowd and traffic control equipment and nonlethal weapons designed to subdue unruly or dangerous individuals without killing them.
Interesting, who gets to decide who is unruly or dangerous? Under the right circumstances, I can be both, as I'm sure you can too. Seriously, who's decision is this?
The package is for use only in war-zone operations, not for any domestic purpose
This straight from the Colonel, yet they are training to use this 'package' here at home. So, either the Army sees US soil as a battle ground, or the Colonel is not being truthful when he says it is not for domestic purpose. Which do you think it is?
“We’ve been all over the world during this time of conflict, but now our mission is to take care of citizens at home ... and depending on where an event occurred, you’re going home to take care of your home town, your loved ones.”
This quote reminds me of the the bumper sticker that has the picture of the gun pointing at you and says, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." Yeah, the Army is going to 'take care' of us and our loved ones...that's what I'm afraid of.
Then, at the very bottom of the article, this is printed:
Correction:
A non-lethal crowd control package fielded to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, described in the original version of this story, is intended for use on deployments to the war zone, not in the U.S., as previously stated.
Hmm, sorry, given the tone of the rest of the article, this strikes me as damage control, and not a truthful response.
Obviously, I have snipped and clipped the parts of the article that pique my interest. It was not my intent to mislead in doing so. Please, read the whole article for yourself and make up your own mind about what this means to you.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The homemade wine project
It was bound to happen sooner or later, but I have had my first goof. What is kind of funny, is that even a goof has a good end.
This one deals with the last batch of apple wine that I started. I hesitated to start it, for fear that the cooler weather coming up would hinder fermentation, but I decided to go with it anyway.
Since the weather was turning cooler, I didn't check my primary fermentation as often as I should have. I came into the office, and noticed a 'smell'. It wasn't an unpleasant smell, but certainly strong and different. A couple of seconds of investigation, and my nose led me to the fermentation bucket of this latest batch of wine. It's not wine any more.
I allowed it to stay in primary fermentation too long, and it turned into vinegar! So now, I have made a batch of apple cider vinegar! Oh well, you can't quite drink it like wine, but it is good, and good for you!
This one deals with the last batch of apple wine that I started. I hesitated to start it, for fear that the cooler weather coming up would hinder fermentation, but I decided to go with it anyway.
Since the weather was turning cooler, I didn't check my primary fermentation as often as I should have. I came into the office, and noticed a 'smell'. It wasn't an unpleasant smell, but certainly strong and different. A couple of seconds of investigation, and my nose led me to the fermentation bucket of this latest batch of wine. It's not wine any more.
I allowed it to stay in primary fermentation too long, and it turned into vinegar! So now, I have made a batch of apple cider vinegar! Oh well, you can't quite drink it like wine, but it is good, and good for you!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The economy....Recession/Depression
Let's face it. The economy has tanked. And to make matters worse, not only is it not over yet, but it will get worse before it gets better. And the getting better part, is AT LEAST 2 years in the future; probably longer.
We have been hearing words like 'fear' and 'worry'. Why? Are you fearful? Are you worried? Why? Spend some quite time with this question. Really, why are you worried? Worried about loosing the house? Worried about putting food on the table? Worried about this winter's heating bill? Car payment? What?
Perhaps I should avoid preaching here. Suffice it to be said that God will take care of those who love him....PERIOD!
As a nation, we have a solid foundation and framework, but we have allowed problems to seep in. We turned away from God, and when we did, the enemy was more than happy to step in.
Perhaps I will have more to say on this later. I just felt compelled to get this off of my chest. Let that which is corrupted around us fall, and rejoice in its falling. God is in the process of making some things right. We will all fill pain to one degree or another, because we have all bought into the lies of the enemy to one degree or another. Rejoice in the corrupt being torn down, and look forward to what God has planned to build in its place!
We have been hearing words like 'fear' and 'worry'. Why? Are you fearful? Are you worried? Why? Spend some quite time with this question. Really, why are you worried? Worried about loosing the house? Worried about putting food on the table? Worried about this winter's heating bill? Car payment? What?
Perhaps I should avoid preaching here. Suffice it to be said that God will take care of those who love him....PERIOD!
As a nation, we have a solid foundation and framework, but we have allowed problems to seep in. We turned away from God, and when we did, the enemy was more than happy to step in.
Perhaps I will have more to say on this later. I just felt compelled to get this off of my chest. Let that which is corrupted around us fall, and rejoice in its falling. God is in the process of making some things right. We will all fill pain to one degree or another, because we have all bought into the lies of the enemy to one degree or another. Rejoice in the corrupt being torn down, and look forward to what God has planned to build in its place!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
So, here I am. I was on MySpace. That was also the home base for my blog. After maintaining both MySpace, and Facebook for a few weeks, Facebook won. I don't write prolificly, but enough that setting up this blog was a prudent measure.
I also tried to publish an electronic newsletter titled, "The Urban Homestead Project". I found that I had just a bit too much going on in my life to devote to the publication of a monthly newsletter, and maintain any reasonable quality. My endeavors along that line will find their publication here.
On with the train wreck!!!
I also tried to publish an electronic newsletter titled, "The Urban Homestead Project". I found that I had just a bit too much going on in my life to devote to the publication of a monthly newsletter, and maintain any reasonable quality. My endeavors along that line will find their publication here.
On with the train wreck!!!
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