I have about had it! I have often likened my life to a movie. In the old days, sometimes it felt like I was in a Bruce Willis action movie; but these days, it is more like I wake up with the Three Stooges.
Where have some of our citizens been for the last two years? Have they not watched any television? Have they not heard any radio shows? Have they not read any newspapers? Do they not have any concept of what is happening in this country? For the past several weeks I have had conversations with some intelligent folks that just don't see where we are headed.
I am reminded of the former British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain who negotiated a peace treaty with Hitler, and told his people "We shall have peace in our time!" Then realized as the bombs were falling on London - Hitler lied.
Here are the points I would like to make:
1) President Obama, I find it interesting that your Attorney General thinks we're cowards and idiots. I give you full credit and points on being a great orator; however, I have dealt with politicians before that twist the news and lie about their actions.
2) Attorney General Eric Holder, I dare you to debate me or confront me at any place or time on the subject of cowardice. You know the most humble pick pocket realizes he should distract his victim during the act, not insult him.
3. I would say to all those in D.C. right now, "Pay attention to what you do and what you say, because we are and we will remember." I remember when the first Bush said, "Watch my lips, no more taxes!" It cost him an election. Remember when Slick Willie said, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."
4. We are finally seeing bi-partisanship working in D.C. What George W. Bush and the Republicans started; Barack H. Obama and the Democrats are going to finish.
There is a growing concept among what Will Rogers called "The Great Normal Majority". It is "Both parties have created this economic mess; the current political theater is going to change this country for all times and not in a good way!" People, you wanted change, here it is. You called for transparency, can you see through this yet?
Get this PLEASE!
A. This financial crisis did not simply evolve - IT WAS CREATED!
B. The people that created it are now in charge of fixing the problem - that ain't gonna happen!
C. The vast majority of politicians on both sides are not in touch with you and I, the common citizens - and don't want to be!
D. The very rights that our fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers and forefathers sacrificed and fought for, are about to go the way of the Dodo Bird (Raphus cucullatus). If you don't know what a Dodo Bird is, find out and you'll understand what I'm talking about!
As I have said before, I think both parties are to blame. I am equally upset at Republicans and the Democrats. I would go for a Third Party if someone could show me they have their head someplace other than where the "sun don't shine". No one has been able to do that yet. I would work to repair either party, but I don't believe they want repair. I think they want to fool us into thinking they're doing something positive, but in my opinion it's just the same old game.
Newt Gingrich spoke at CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) the other day and had this to say, "And so it is time to recreate the party of the American people and to recognize that that is a much bigger party than the Republican Party. In every major political speech Ronald Reagan reached out to Democrats and Independents as well as Republicans, and he understood to govern in America you have to bring people together in a tripartisan majority. We are bigger than the Republican Party, we stand for principles that transcend the Republican Party, and we’re going to fight for the principles that lead to economic growth and jobs.”
I like Newt, but several months ago I saw him sitting on a couch in front of the Capital doing a commercial with Nancy Pelosi on Global Warming; for Pete's Sake! When am I supposed to believe him - when he is sitting on the couch with Nancy, or when he is against her?
The problem as I see it is that most of the time, the leadership in neither party is bothering with the truth nor do they have a problem with shame!
Those of us that care about this country are looking for some leadership to emerge, it hasn't. Those of us that care about this country were asking for change, but this isn't it. You know if you can read this article, you could have read the Stimulus Plan. Did you? Did your elected representatives read it?
The President announced the other day that there were "no earmarks". Newt identified there were 8,000 in this Stimulus package. ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX agree that there are: "no earmarks, 8,000 earmarks, 2,000 earmarks, 9,000 earmarks or just 'several special projects'".
Come on folks, it's time to call a pig a pig!
Those of you that served in the infantry remember the old model, "Day One - dig your fox hole, each day after that - improve it." Here are some suggestions for when the train wreck happens!
1. Where our personal survival is concerned, we need to be looking at what it will take to survive not for days, but weeks if not months on your own; my guess is ninety days.
2. You better be able to grow your own food because the stores will be emptied out in less than two days.
3. Cell phones will be turned off because they can be used to trigger IEDs. All other forms of communication will be grossly limited if not stopped altogether.
5. Delivery trucks will stop within three days, which means: NO bread, bacon, food (of any kind, gas, diesel, light bulbs, toilet paper, prescription medicine, etc., etc.
6. Those that didn't plan ahead will be looking for those who did. As I mentioned in a previous article, remember what happened in New Orleans with hurricane Katrina. Neighbors became looters, thieves and brigands. Not only did many have to defend themselves from rising water, snakes and gators - but also from their neighbors!
Remember what Bruce Willis said in the Last Boy Scout? "The sky is blue, water is wet and Satan Clause is out there, so be prepared Son, be prepared."
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
It's Time For Personal Responsibility
Someone once said, "I love my country but I fear my government." Like you, I watched the nomination process and for two years politicians campaigned for the Presidency rather than handle business in Washington. Well, we have change.
One economist said that if we had spent a million dollars a day since Christ walked the earth; we would not have spent the amount of money our government just did. I can't count that high but thank goodness some folks can.
As I was flying home from Arizona Saturday, I watched as the country side slipped past as we zoomed along six miles above it. I thought "how small the foot print of man is." Had I been on the ground, I would have seen vehicles, homes and businesses that man has built. From that distance they looked like children's toys.
It was easy to think that the lives in that plane and those on the ground had no impact on each other, but they do. Today it is easy to think that what goes on in Washington does not affect Southwest Missouri, but it does.
A fellow wrote me the other day and said, "Most people refuse to believe that our 'Titanic' is sinking. They are rearranging the deck chairs rather than helping people get into the life boats. Even the leaders of our local and national community are wasting time looking for people to blame for the massive loss of jobs, economic meltdown and climate change. People are working so hard to pay the bills and keep the alligators out of the kitchen that they are too busy to look up at the clouds and see what's coming. Some will continue to play the blame game and complain about the failure of our government to help us."
I have watched natural disasters hit all over this country, and folks like you and me worked together, helped each other and did NOT wait on the government to help them. Then there was Katrina! Many people waited for the government to save them, and many died. Now we are waiting for the government to save us again, I'm not seeing much salvation yet. I hear a lot of folks talking and don't see many folks doing! The news depresses, especially the latest being that the United Nations wants part of our bail out money. I have said for over a year that we are headed for a train wreck, we're not there yet but we are rushing toward it as fast as we can.
So what do we do? We had better start thinking and we had better start acting! Insurance is an investment we make because something bad could happen. Seat belts are an investment we wear because something bad could happen. There has not been a news cast for weeks that does not trumpet, "SOMETHING BAD IS HAPPENING!"
I don't care if you're Republican, Democrat or an Independent. I don't care if you voted for Obama, McCain or Ron Paul - I don't care. What I care about is that we are ALL going to be affected by both what our government has done and what it has not done.
Why are we relying on the very people that created this mess to get us out of it? It just doesn't make sense to me.
What makes sense is growing some of your own food, getting your personal economics more stabilized and reducing some of your expenditures. Saving is something we need to pay more attention to. We prepare for tornados and ice storms; doesn't it seem we should be preparing for more economic crunches?
I don't trust the government to prevent more layoffs, more failures, higher taxes and reduced services. I don't trust the government to take care of me and my family - that is my responsibility and that is what I working at.
For months I have had conversations with folks across the country that are very concerned about the state of affairs. They are waking up and becoming concerned about developing a more sustainable life style. They want to create a better world for themselves and the next generations.
This is not new. The plans are not new. The processes and plans have been around for years, but today they are becoming more relevant. The changes both in the direction of where our country is headed and in the attitudes of many citizens are massive - and mysterious.
The things I can do to help myself and my family are recognizable, predictable and within my ability to accomplish. As I prepare for the storms that hit the Ozarks, I am preparing for the storm that is hitting the country. It seems that most folks are saying that within just a few months the train wreck will be here. We still don't know what that looks like, but no one is saying everything will be fixed.
It is time to talk, it is time to plan, it is time to act. We're about out of time.
One economist said that if we had spent a million dollars a day since Christ walked the earth; we would not have spent the amount of money our government just did. I can't count that high but thank goodness some folks can.
As I was flying home from Arizona Saturday, I watched as the country side slipped past as we zoomed along six miles above it. I thought "how small the foot print of man is." Had I been on the ground, I would have seen vehicles, homes and businesses that man has built. From that distance they looked like children's toys.
It was easy to think that the lives in that plane and those on the ground had no impact on each other, but they do. Today it is easy to think that what goes on in Washington does not affect Southwest Missouri, but it does.
A fellow wrote me the other day and said, "Most people refuse to believe that our 'Titanic' is sinking. They are rearranging the deck chairs rather than helping people get into the life boats. Even the leaders of our local and national community are wasting time looking for people to blame for the massive loss of jobs, economic meltdown and climate change. People are working so hard to pay the bills and keep the alligators out of the kitchen that they are too busy to look up at the clouds and see what's coming. Some will continue to play the blame game and complain about the failure of our government to help us."
I have watched natural disasters hit all over this country, and folks like you and me worked together, helped each other and did NOT wait on the government to help them. Then there was Katrina! Many people waited for the government to save them, and many died. Now we are waiting for the government to save us again, I'm not seeing much salvation yet. I hear a lot of folks talking and don't see many folks doing! The news depresses, especially the latest being that the United Nations wants part of our bail out money. I have said for over a year that we are headed for a train wreck, we're not there yet but we are rushing toward it as fast as we can.
So what do we do? We had better start thinking and we had better start acting! Insurance is an investment we make because something bad could happen. Seat belts are an investment we wear because something bad could happen. There has not been a news cast for weeks that does not trumpet, "SOMETHING BAD IS HAPPENING!"
I don't care if you're Republican, Democrat or an Independent. I don't care if you voted for Obama, McCain or Ron Paul - I don't care. What I care about is that we are ALL going to be affected by both what our government has done and what it has not done.
Why are we relying on the very people that created this mess to get us out of it? It just doesn't make sense to me.
What makes sense is growing some of your own food, getting your personal economics more stabilized and reducing some of your expenditures. Saving is something we need to pay more attention to. We prepare for tornados and ice storms; doesn't it seem we should be preparing for more economic crunches?
I don't trust the government to prevent more layoffs, more failures, higher taxes and reduced services. I don't trust the government to take care of me and my family - that is my responsibility and that is what I working at.
For months I have had conversations with folks across the country that are very concerned about the state of affairs. They are waking up and becoming concerned about developing a more sustainable life style. They want to create a better world for themselves and the next generations.
This is not new. The plans are not new. The processes and plans have been around for years, but today they are becoming more relevant. The changes both in the direction of where our country is headed and in the attitudes of many citizens are massive - and mysterious.
The things I can do to help myself and my family are recognizable, predictable and within my ability to accomplish. As I prepare for the storms that hit the Ozarks, I am preparing for the storm that is hitting the country. It seems that most folks are saying that within just a few months the train wreck will be here. We still don't know what that looks like, but no one is saying everything will be fixed.
It is time to talk, it is time to plan, it is time to act. We're about out of time.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Be Ready If Disaster Strikes - Part 2
In last week's article I said to prepare to take notes. Well, here we go. This week's article is Part II of "Be Ready if Disaster Strikes"?
Let's get right into specifics. Here in the Ozarks, we are somewhat insulated from the initial turmoil and break down of society that many people are forecasting. What that means is we're better positioned to take care of ourselves IF we realize that we should prepare to take care of ourselves.
I was talking to a preacher friend the other day and he asked what my order for preparation was. I told him when the fruit cakes and gang members decide they have stripped the cities, where do you think they'll come next? My first consideration is weapons, ammo and accessories. My "basic" armory suggestion is a medium to long range rifle, 12 gauge pump shotgun, defensive handgun and a .22 rifle.
The Preacher asked, "How much ammunition for each one?" I said, "All you can buy!" Normally, that would just be a question of dollars, but there is already a move to pass a new gun ban as well as the Ammo Accountability Act which will greatly increase the cost of ammunition as well as substantially decrease its availability.
The rifle and shotgun are simple; most of you probably have a .22 rifle and a shotgun. As for the defensive handgun, a .45 or .40 caliber is best in my book. This might be a little too big for women, they may prefer a double stack 9mm - this is my wife's preference. More bullets are always better, go high-capacity if possible especially on the 9mm. Wheel guns are good (revolvers) but semi autos can carry up to three times the number of rounds.
With this basic armory you can defend your family and property if needed and feed them (hunting) if necessary.
Do you have a garden? Think about one and start now. Do you have a freezer? Do you have a generator? Do you have fuel for the generator? Do you know how to can? Do you know how to butcher? Do you know someone that does? Do you have fan belts for your vehicles, and oil, head light bulbs and fuses? Are you on good terms with your neighbors?
You need an axe, a fixed blade knife, a locking folding knife, a multi-tool, a hatchet and chain saw with fuel. You need flashlights and batteries for each vehicle and several rooms in the house. CB radios and walkie talkies may end up being a better than cell phones.
Do you have lamps and lamp oil should power go out? Candles? Matches or lighters? Do you have a pantry and is it well stocked?
How many women do you have in your home? Think TOILET PAPER and feminine hygiene products - very few people think of this. Remember guys, this is what we train for but most of the ladies will get pretty tired pretty quick. The easier it is on them, the easier it will be on us.
Now, I hope you have been making preparations and already are stocked up on these items and others you have thought of. Don't forget water. You can live for a couple of weeks without food, but only about three days without water. Are you on a well? Can you pump that well without electricity? Medicine, particularly prescription medications, is big consideration. I recommend having alternative over-the-counter medications on hand in case there's a delay in getting a prescription medication filled.
If you have not made any preparations yet, here are my suggestions:
Save two liter jugs and fill them with water to flush toilets.
Each trip to the grocery or Wal-Mart, pick a couple of extra items and store them separately.
Once a month or so, buy another box of ammo, extra toilet paper, paper towels, candles, etc.
Check your generator, if you don't have one - get one! Check your stored fuel to make sure it has been stabilized.
For every weapon you have that requires a magazine, have no less than four magazines for each.
Make sure you have cleaning equipment! You have to take care of your weapons if you expect them to take care of you.
Ammunition should be stored in ammo cans as they are designed to maintain the initial quality of your ammo. If you aren't sure where to find them, the Army Navy Surplus store on Sunshine in Springfield is a good place to find these, as well as cantines and other survival essentials.
Now, for the most important item on your checklist - your brain! Each morning check the news for signs of civil unrest and riots. Begin the process today. Talk to your family and have a plan. It is like wearing a seat belt. If you never need it, you're okay. If you do need it, you better already have it on, because there won't be time to buckle up. Plan ahead and try to anticipate everything you can. Extend the number of days and weeks you may have to survive without outside support or supplies. Prepare as though you are preparing for the worst ice storm possible and you should be in pretty good shape.
Talk to your neighbors; see what they are doing and if you can work together. That will be the secret in getting through a breakdown of society, should it come. Divide and conquer!
Let's get right into specifics. Here in the Ozarks, we are somewhat insulated from the initial turmoil and break down of society that many people are forecasting. What that means is we're better positioned to take care of ourselves IF we realize that we should prepare to take care of ourselves.
I was talking to a preacher friend the other day and he asked what my order for preparation was. I told him when the fruit cakes and gang members decide they have stripped the cities, where do you think they'll come next? My first consideration is weapons, ammo and accessories. My "basic" armory suggestion is a medium to long range rifle, 12 gauge pump shotgun, defensive handgun and a .22 rifle.
The Preacher asked, "How much ammunition for each one?" I said, "All you can buy!" Normally, that would just be a question of dollars, but there is already a move to pass a new gun ban as well as the Ammo Accountability Act which will greatly increase the cost of ammunition as well as substantially decrease its availability.
The rifle and shotgun are simple; most of you probably have a .22 rifle and a shotgun. As for the defensive handgun, a .45 or .40 caliber is best in my book. This might be a little too big for women, they may prefer a double stack 9mm - this is my wife's preference. More bullets are always better, go high-capacity if possible especially on the 9mm. Wheel guns are good (revolvers) but semi autos can carry up to three times the number of rounds.
With this basic armory you can defend your family and property if needed and feed them (hunting) if necessary.
Do you have a garden? Think about one and start now. Do you have a freezer? Do you have a generator? Do you have fuel for the generator? Do you know how to can? Do you know how to butcher? Do you know someone that does? Do you have fan belts for your vehicles, and oil, head light bulbs and fuses? Are you on good terms with your neighbors?
You need an axe, a fixed blade knife, a locking folding knife, a multi-tool, a hatchet and chain saw with fuel. You need flashlights and batteries for each vehicle and several rooms in the house. CB radios and walkie talkies may end up being a better than cell phones.
Do you have lamps and lamp oil should power go out? Candles? Matches or lighters? Do you have a pantry and is it well stocked?
How many women do you have in your home? Think TOILET PAPER and feminine hygiene products - very few people think of this. Remember guys, this is what we train for but most of the ladies will get pretty tired pretty quick. The easier it is on them, the easier it will be on us.
Now, I hope you have been making preparations and already are stocked up on these items and others you have thought of. Don't forget water. You can live for a couple of weeks without food, but only about three days without water. Are you on a well? Can you pump that well without electricity? Medicine, particularly prescription medications, is big consideration. I recommend having alternative over-the-counter medications on hand in case there's a delay in getting a prescription medication filled.
If you have not made any preparations yet, here are my suggestions:
Save two liter jugs and fill them with water to flush toilets.
Each trip to the grocery or Wal-Mart, pick a couple of extra items and store them separately.
Once a month or so, buy another box of ammo, extra toilet paper, paper towels, candles, etc.
Check your generator, if you don't have one - get one! Check your stored fuel to make sure it has been stabilized.
For every weapon you have that requires a magazine, have no less than four magazines for each.
Make sure you have cleaning equipment! You have to take care of your weapons if you expect them to take care of you.
Ammunition should be stored in ammo cans as they are designed to maintain the initial quality of your ammo. If you aren't sure where to find them, the Army Navy Surplus store on Sunshine in Springfield is a good place to find these, as well as cantines and other survival essentials.
Now, for the most important item on your checklist - your brain! Each morning check the news for signs of civil unrest and riots. Begin the process today. Talk to your family and have a plan. It is like wearing a seat belt. If you never need it, you're okay. If you do need it, you better already have it on, because there won't be time to buckle up. Plan ahead and try to anticipate everything you can. Extend the number of days and weeks you may have to survive without outside support or supplies. Prepare as though you are preparing for the worst ice storm possible and you should be in pretty good shape.
Talk to your neighbors; see what they are doing and if you can work together. That will be the secret in getting through a breakdown of society, should it come. Divide and conquer!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Be Ready if Disaster Strikes – Part 1
Since I like to keep my articles to a reasonable reading length; it will take two articles to deal with my current topic of dealing with the difficult situation in our country.
Let me begin by saying, I hope I'm wrong!
I've been saying for some time that we need to find out what the Obama definition of "is" is. I haven't figured it all out yet and probably won't for another couple of weeks or even months. Yes, you're right - I did not want Obama as President. However, McCain wasn’t my first choice either.
It has been reported on all news sources for the past several months that guns and ammunition are flying off the shelves at an unbelievable rate. I have verified this to be true, and not just in Missouri - it's happening in every state in America. The reason being is that most report a fear that President Obama's administration is preparing to take our guns. This is not my words, but the words of folks buying the guns.
Also, there has been an upswing of online purchases of Meals Ready to Eat (M.R.E.s) that has not been seen since preparations for Y2K, which we all know never happened.
Why is this happening? Most report a fear they are going to have to "hunker down when the riots start." Riots, what riots?
I get a lot of email traffic where folks are fearful of door to door confiscation of weapons by law enforcement and the military.
Is the sky falling? How will we know? We have to study and be prepared. Parents, it is your responsibility to think about the unthinkable. You already have experience in that sort of planning. I don't know anyone that does have some plans for ice storms, tornadoes and other natural disasters. As you know, it may be necessary for you and your family to survive a few days or weeks without outside support should one of these disasters hit.
Every time there is a disaster, the good and the bad come out in people. The good comes out when people volunteer to help others. The bad is when you find folks who are taking advantage of a bad situation and steal your property. The good ones are usually your neighbors; the bad ones are usually predators from out of the area - but not always.
Maybe the disaster will be a natural one or maybe it will be man-made (such as 9/11/2001). Either way, the planning is basically the same.
When I was in Iraq, Houston Texas was hit with Hurricane Rita. Pam drove for 18.5 hours with three dogs, clothing and supplies - and didn't drive more than 25 miles. At one point her gas gauge was on empty. She drove off the highway into a remote area where she heard someone found gas. She found the place and yes it had gas; but was only available with a credit card. She told me that there were all types of people coming up to her begging her to let her use her credit card. She was scared and got out of there. She was carrying a gun, we're just thankful she didn't have to use it.
You cannot evacuate a major metropolitan area quickly. During every natural disaster you can count on price gougers increasing rent at motels, and the price of food, gas and oil. They know people will pay anything to get out of the affected area.
As we saw in New Orleans with hurricane Katrina, some of the neighbors became looters, thieves and brigands. Not only did many have to defend themselves from rising water, snakes and gators - but also from their neighbors! I do not blame Bush for Katrina, I blame the parents! The rhetoric about Democrats and Republican failures were nonsensical. These folks waited too long before trying to get out. They believed it was the government's job to rescue them. When did the government replace our God given sense?
They did not plan ahead and many died. Law Enforcement confiscated weapons from law abiding citizens. Idiots were shooting at helicopters and emergency responders - the very folks coming to help them! Remember- disaster will bring out the good in people, but don't forget about the bad.
That sort of stuff couldn't happen here in the Ozarks, could it? Under normal conditions, probably not. But are we going to be dealing with "normal" times? And if not, how can we see the trouble coming and what can we do about it and when do we need to start preparing?
Let me answer the last question first - NOW!
If the predictions of the Conservative Right are wrong, it won't hurt anything to have some insurance. If, on the other hand they are correct, you're about out of time.
100,000 charities are shutting down. We still don't know the full impact of the Barney Madoff swindle or the economical "bail out" debacle we're in. I can tell you this - guns and ammunition have escalated in cost and prices continue to climb. What would normally cost you a few hundred dollars is now several hundred dollars. My personal sources have cautioned against on-line or credit card purchases because these are "being tracked".
I remember when the new President announced his National Civilian Defense Force; some of you may not even be aware of this. President Obama said, "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
I for one would like to know what "national security objectives" he was speaking of. More than that, I want to know why "We cannot continue to rely on our military to achieve" them.
Now to the point of all of this! I believe it is possible that the country has created the "perfect political storm" with the current administration. I have not heard anything positive said where national security is concerned by this administration yet. However, where our borders are concerned, I have to say that they were no more secure on the last day of President Bush's administration than they were on Sept 10, 2001.
The reality is the Democrats control the power in Congress. They want more power and the probability is they will get it. The Republicans did the same thing under Bush II. A politician is a politician is a politician, but President Obama said, "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
That ain't politics as normal. This is good news if I'm wrong - no harm no foul. But if I'm right, the Ozarks is exactly where you need to be to survive a long term economic failure and the resulting civil problems. Next week, we'll get into the specifics - please take notes.
Let me begin by saying, I hope I'm wrong!
I've been saying for some time that we need to find out what the Obama definition of "is" is. I haven't figured it all out yet and probably won't for another couple of weeks or even months. Yes, you're right - I did not want Obama as President. However, McCain wasn’t my first choice either.
It has been reported on all news sources for the past several months that guns and ammunition are flying off the shelves at an unbelievable rate. I have verified this to be true, and not just in Missouri - it's happening in every state in America. The reason being is that most report a fear that President Obama's administration is preparing to take our guns. This is not my words, but the words of folks buying the guns.
Also, there has been an upswing of online purchases of Meals Ready to Eat (M.R.E.s) that has not been seen since preparations for Y2K, which we all know never happened.
Why is this happening? Most report a fear they are going to have to "hunker down when the riots start." Riots, what riots?
I get a lot of email traffic where folks are fearful of door to door confiscation of weapons by law enforcement and the military.
Is the sky falling? How will we know? We have to study and be prepared. Parents, it is your responsibility to think about the unthinkable. You already have experience in that sort of planning. I don't know anyone that does have some plans for ice storms, tornadoes and other natural disasters. As you know, it may be necessary for you and your family to survive a few days or weeks without outside support should one of these disasters hit.
Every time there is a disaster, the good and the bad come out in people. The good comes out when people volunteer to help others. The bad is when you find folks who are taking advantage of a bad situation and steal your property. The good ones are usually your neighbors; the bad ones are usually predators from out of the area - but not always.
Maybe the disaster will be a natural one or maybe it will be man-made (such as 9/11/2001). Either way, the planning is basically the same.
When I was in Iraq, Houston Texas was hit with Hurricane Rita. Pam drove for 18.5 hours with three dogs, clothing and supplies - and didn't drive more than 25 miles. At one point her gas gauge was on empty. She drove off the highway into a remote area where she heard someone found gas. She found the place and yes it had gas; but was only available with a credit card. She told me that there were all types of people coming up to her begging her to let her use her credit card. She was scared and got out of there. She was carrying a gun, we're just thankful she didn't have to use it.
You cannot evacuate a major metropolitan area quickly. During every natural disaster you can count on price gougers increasing rent at motels, and the price of food, gas and oil. They know people will pay anything to get out of the affected area.
As we saw in New Orleans with hurricane Katrina, some of the neighbors became looters, thieves and brigands. Not only did many have to defend themselves from rising water, snakes and gators - but also from their neighbors! I do not blame Bush for Katrina, I blame the parents! The rhetoric about Democrats and Republican failures were nonsensical. These folks waited too long before trying to get out. They believed it was the government's job to rescue them. When did the government replace our God given sense?
They did not plan ahead and many died. Law Enforcement confiscated weapons from law abiding citizens. Idiots were shooting at helicopters and emergency responders - the very folks coming to help them! Remember- disaster will bring out the good in people, but don't forget about the bad.
That sort of stuff couldn't happen here in the Ozarks, could it? Under normal conditions, probably not. But are we going to be dealing with "normal" times? And if not, how can we see the trouble coming and what can we do about it and when do we need to start preparing?
Let me answer the last question first - NOW!
If the predictions of the Conservative Right are wrong, it won't hurt anything to have some insurance. If, on the other hand they are correct, you're about out of time.
100,000 charities are shutting down. We still don't know the full impact of the Barney Madoff swindle or the economical "bail out" debacle we're in. I can tell you this - guns and ammunition have escalated in cost and prices continue to climb. What would normally cost you a few hundred dollars is now several hundred dollars. My personal sources have cautioned against on-line or credit card purchases because these are "being tracked".
I remember when the new President announced his National Civilian Defense Force; some of you may not even be aware of this. President Obama said, "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
I for one would like to know what "national security objectives" he was speaking of. More than that, I want to know why "We cannot continue to rely on our military to achieve" them.
Now to the point of all of this! I believe it is possible that the country has created the "perfect political storm" with the current administration. I have not heard anything positive said where national security is concerned by this administration yet. However, where our borders are concerned, I have to say that they were no more secure on the last day of President Bush's administration than they were on Sept 10, 2001.
The reality is the Democrats control the power in Congress. They want more power and the probability is they will get it. The Republicans did the same thing under Bush II. A politician is a politician is a politician, but President Obama said, "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
That ain't politics as normal. This is good news if I'm wrong - no harm no foul. But if I'm right, the Ozarks is exactly where you need to be to survive a long term economic failure and the resulting civil problems. Next week, we'll get into the specifics - please take notes.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
These Are The Good Old Days
"Mess over me once, shame on you. Mess over me twice, shame on me!" You have probably heard some version of this saying, and that version may have been more profound or more profane.
The saying makes complete sense. If someone knowingly sets out to take unfair advantage of you, or steal from you, or lie to you or cheat on you - I think we could all agree the individual is not a "nice" person. I think we could expand that to say they are not ethical or honest either.
Most pastors would agree that this person is not following the dictates of our Judeo-Christian heritage. Most psychologists would agree the individual might have a personality disorder; maybe the individual could be narcissistic or even sociopathic. Most Law Enforcement Officers would identify the individual had exhibited criminal tendencies. Most folks would just determine this is someone we don't want to be around or have around us.
You, on the other hand, would simply be classified as a victim. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary says this about the word victim.
It is a noun; it comes from the Latin word victima. A victim could be Top of Form 1: a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious rite. 2: one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent (the schools are victims of the social system): as one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions (a victim of cancer), (a victim of the auto crash), (a murder victim) or one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment (a frequent victim of political attacks) or one that is tricked or duped (a con man's victim). In other words, it was not your fault.
We covered the first part of the saying, but now let's deal with part twp. The second says, "Mess over me twice, shame on me!" Maya Angelou once said, "When someone shows you what they are - believe them."
Yes, people make mistakes. They can realize their mistakes, they can repent, and they can make amends.
Some folks however, confuse an isolate incident of bad judgment, bad thinking, stupidity or ignorance with a pattern of misbehavior. Notice I said a pattern of misbehavior - not a pattern of behavior. Behavior often has isolated incidents of bad judgment, bad thinking, stupidity and ignorance.
Misbehavior however; most often is based on purposeful acts intended to hurt or subvert another person. It also has the intent of providing some benefit to the misbehavior. The benefit could be financial, sexual, emotional or power based.
Why then if you are again victimized is it your fault? Because you knew the scorpion!
There are several versions of a Native American proverb dealing with trust. Sometimes the villain is a scorpion, sometimes a snake, sometimes a coyote. Usually, the hero is a young Indian boy on a vision quest. The weather turns cold and the young boy is freezing. The scorpion, snake or coyote asks to share the blanket of the young boy; but the young Indian says, "No, you will sting me, bite me or eat me!"
The beast assures the boy that it would not make sense to do any of those things. If they shared warmth, they would both benefit. Convinced, the young Indian agrees; but after only a few minutes, he is attacked by the beast. "Why?" the boy screams knowing he had been betrayed. The beast smiles and says, "But you knew what I was before I attacked you." In some stories the victim is a rabbit or turtle swimming across a river. The bottom line is the victim is betrayed by the beast.
Now let's relate this to our lives today. Do you have someone in your life that continues to cause you problems? Do you have someone in your life that continues to use and abuse you? Do you have someone in your life that continues to steal from you? Do you have someone in your life that continues to spread drama and unnecessary conflict throughout your life? That is your fault - not theirs!
People are usually pretty smart on a one-to-one basis. Societies, on the other hand, have a tendency to lose their minds. For example, the current economic crisis occurred because of a lack of oversight, criminal behavior and a complete disregard for the welfare of their clients, companies and even the country. That was the fault of the people in charge. That was their fault and shame on them. Shame on the folks and Fannie and Freddie! Shame on the Big 3, shame on the UAW, shame on those in Congress that purposely failed to do their jobs - SHAME ON THEM!
Shame on those that criminally conspired to milk their companies, mismanage retirements and pension funds; that lied to the public; that created this "bail out" mentality and told us it was necessary and had to be implemented IMMEDIATELY. SHAME ON THEM!
They were like the scorpion or snake or coyote; unfortunately, we were the young Indian boy! That means now it is our fault. We put those that were in charge - back in charge. We put the foxes right back in the hen house. We have allowed those that created the problems to go unpunished. We are being told some companies are too big to fail.
How many times do we have to be lied to before we call someone a liar? How many times do we have to be cheated, before we call someone a cheater? How many times do we have to be bamboozled before we call a spade a spade and a thief a thief?
I know, we're not supposed to say things like that. We could hurt someone's feelings; damage their legacy. We could be called radicals or even racists. Certainly, it will be obvious that we are not as smart, progressive or as high thinking as those individuals.
We accept false science (Global Warming); we accept false accounting (the Bail Outs). We accept social programs that don't work (welfare for illegal aliens) while ignoring facts and figures that show us these and other programs don't work. Illegal immigration is not even considered to be illegal by many of those we just watched run for our highest office.
If you think it is bad now, if you think you have lost monies from your retirement funds or your investments, if you think things are crazy - be of good cheer! In the months and years to come, these will be the "good old days"!
The saying makes complete sense. If someone knowingly sets out to take unfair advantage of you, or steal from you, or lie to you or cheat on you - I think we could all agree the individual is not a "nice" person. I think we could expand that to say they are not ethical or honest either.
Most pastors would agree that this person is not following the dictates of our Judeo-Christian heritage. Most psychologists would agree the individual might have a personality disorder; maybe the individual could be narcissistic or even sociopathic. Most Law Enforcement Officers would identify the individual had exhibited criminal tendencies. Most folks would just determine this is someone we don't want to be around or have around us.
You, on the other hand, would simply be classified as a victim. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary says this about the word victim.
It is a noun; it comes from the Latin word victima. A victim could be Top of Form 1: a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious rite. 2: one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent (the schools are victims of the social system): as one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions (a victim of cancer), (a victim of the auto crash), (a murder victim) or one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment (a frequent victim of political attacks) or one that is tricked or duped (a con man's victim). In other words, it was not your fault.
We covered the first part of the saying, but now let's deal with part twp. The second says, "Mess over me twice, shame on me!" Maya Angelou once said, "When someone shows you what they are - believe them."
Yes, people make mistakes. They can realize their mistakes, they can repent, and they can make amends.
Some folks however, confuse an isolate incident of bad judgment, bad thinking, stupidity or ignorance with a pattern of misbehavior. Notice I said a pattern of misbehavior - not a pattern of behavior. Behavior often has isolated incidents of bad judgment, bad thinking, stupidity and ignorance.
Misbehavior however; most often is based on purposeful acts intended to hurt or subvert another person. It also has the intent of providing some benefit to the misbehavior. The benefit could be financial, sexual, emotional or power based.
Why then if you are again victimized is it your fault? Because you knew the scorpion!
There are several versions of a Native American proverb dealing with trust. Sometimes the villain is a scorpion, sometimes a snake, sometimes a coyote. Usually, the hero is a young Indian boy on a vision quest. The weather turns cold and the young boy is freezing. The scorpion, snake or coyote asks to share the blanket of the young boy; but the young Indian says, "No, you will sting me, bite me or eat me!"
The beast assures the boy that it would not make sense to do any of those things. If they shared warmth, they would both benefit. Convinced, the young Indian agrees; but after only a few minutes, he is attacked by the beast. "Why?" the boy screams knowing he had been betrayed. The beast smiles and says, "But you knew what I was before I attacked you." In some stories the victim is a rabbit or turtle swimming across a river. The bottom line is the victim is betrayed by the beast.
Now let's relate this to our lives today. Do you have someone in your life that continues to cause you problems? Do you have someone in your life that continues to use and abuse you? Do you have someone in your life that continues to steal from you? Do you have someone in your life that continues to spread drama and unnecessary conflict throughout your life? That is your fault - not theirs!
People are usually pretty smart on a one-to-one basis. Societies, on the other hand, have a tendency to lose their minds. For example, the current economic crisis occurred because of a lack of oversight, criminal behavior and a complete disregard for the welfare of their clients, companies and even the country. That was the fault of the people in charge. That was their fault and shame on them. Shame on the folks and Fannie and Freddie! Shame on the Big 3, shame on the UAW, shame on those in Congress that purposely failed to do their jobs - SHAME ON THEM!
Shame on those that criminally conspired to milk their companies, mismanage retirements and pension funds; that lied to the public; that created this "bail out" mentality and told us it was necessary and had to be implemented IMMEDIATELY. SHAME ON THEM!
They were like the scorpion or snake or coyote; unfortunately, we were the young Indian boy! That means now it is our fault. We put those that were in charge - back in charge. We put the foxes right back in the hen house. We have allowed those that created the problems to go unpunished. We are being told some companies are too big to fail.
How many times do we have to be lied to before we call someone a liar? How many times do we have to be cheated, before we call someone a cheater? How many times do we have to be bamboozled before we call a spade a spade and a thief a thief?
I know, we're not supposed to say things like that. We could hurt someone's feelings; damage their legacy. We could be called radicals or even racists. Certainly, it will be obvious that we are not as smart, progressive or as high thinking as those individuals.
We accept false science (Global Warming); we accept false accounting (the Bail Outs). We accept social programs that don't work (welfare for illegal aliens) while ignoring facts and figures that show us these and other programs don't work. Illegal immigration is not even considered to be illegal by many of those we just watched run for our highest office.
If you think it is bad now, if you think you have lost monies from your retirement funds or your investments, if you think things are crazy - be of good cheer! In the months and years to come, these will be the "good old days"!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Takers and Givers
I was talking to my friend "Bill" the other day listening to the litany of "terrible and devastating" things going on in his life. I yawned! I wasn't bored, I was disinterested!
See, the first two or three times I listened to this litany I was horrified, I was flabbergasted, I was seriously concerned and worried about his survival and the survival of his family. However, it didn't long to realize that each of these catastrophes was created by bad decisions my friend had made and continued to make.
Let's go back in time a few years. First, he had been stuck in a job where he was't getting promoted and it seemed like newer folks to the organization kept being promoted over him. His Bosses were idiots, unethical, unprincipled idiots - and besides that, they weren't fair! Then he got fired.
He was able to land another job very quickly; but in short order, it became obvious that his new bosses were just as bad as his old bosses. It seemed like an incredible bunch of bad luck - a black cloud had come over him like the little guy in the old Little Abner comic strip. The harder he "tried", the worse it got.
Now, I've worked for idiots. I've worked for lazy leaders that couldn't lead, managers that couldn't manage and supervisors that couldn't supervise; so I could identify with him. I guess I was slow but I bought his stories hook line and sinker. I had known Bill for years, we had "come up together" - we were pals.
Then one day, another friend of mine had an opening at his company. I had known "Jim" for a long time and had worked with him - this could be a marriage made in heaven I thought. So I called Bill, he interviewed and bingo got the job. For about six months everything was wonderful, but at the end of the first six months Bill started calling me to complain about Jim. That is when I started smelling a rat in the rutabagas. Do you remember the scene in The Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls back the curtain and we learn that the Great Wizard Oz was just a man manipulating machines?
Well, that's what happened that day to Bill and me. Then, because I would no longer "side" with him in his battles, he began attacking me. Because I knew Jim well enough to know that Bill's complaints had no foundation in reality, it became Bill against everyone - just as it had really always been.
Once I could "see behind the curtain" it all fell into place and made sense. Bill lost his jobs. Why? Because he was a jerk who thought he knew more than his boss and wasn't afraid to tell his boss that fact. Bill did not get promoted. Why? Because he was long on ideas, but short on doing what was necessary to get those ideas working.
No matter where he worked or what he did, there were always problems that began surfacing at about the six month mark. Why? It took folks about six months to "see behind the curtain". Bill did not have problems, Bill was the problem. I've known a lot of folks like Bill, but now they are easier to spot - thanks to Bill. I call these type of people "Takers".
Here are some tips on how to spot Takers and keep them from impacting your life:
If someone is having a problem, chances are it's the other person who is at fault. If that person has a problem with everyone - chances are THEY are THE problem.
If a person complains all the time, it is not that their life is so bad - they just like complaining.
Soap operas are for TV, not real life.
There are smart people, but there are also smart people who believe their own BS to the point they have become stupid. I call this the Rule of Ego.
Most folks belong to an organization, a fraternity, a church because they wish to be a part and contribute. Takers join an organization, fraternity or church because they want to benefit from that association.
Takers take. When they do give - you never hear the end of it. Like someone said, "He'll give ya the shirt off his back and remind ya of it every day."
Takers have to be the center of attention.
Takers are usually poor listeners, because they are already thinking about what they are going to say next.
They are great thinkers, but lousy doers.
They can figure out what's wrong. But fixing it? That is something they would rather delegate to someone else - "less important than them" to handle.
Being a Taker is not restricted to a gender, a profession, a race or an ethnic origin; although I have identified one profession that seems to attract them - Politics.
Takers are often bullies, but it is not the threat of physical harm they use. They try to intimidate you with emotion or the power of their genius. Usually, they don't have the courage for a direct confrontation.
Now, here are some ways to tell that you are NOT a Taker:
When you're knocked down, do you get up?
When faced with problems do you start with "What should I change in me?" rather than "How can I change them?"
You listened and understood President Kennedy when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
When the National Anthem is played, you stop talking, you stand and place your hand over your heart.
At a funeral, you are respectful.
When a funeral passes on the highway, you pull over out of respect - even when you don't have to.
You believe that challenges and difficulties - not TV- forge character.
You rather see kids on the play ground than playing Wii.
You are smart enough to realize what you don't know, and are humble enough to ask for help when it is needed.
When you're screwed over, you operate under the dictate that "Living well, really is the best revenge."
Someone once said "You can't appreciate happiness unless you have been unhappy. You can't recognize love unless you have been hated. You must have turmoil to understand peace and tranquility. You must be alone to appreciate a friend. You must be lost to be found."
You must have a "Taker" every now and then to remind you to be a "Giver".
See, the first two or three times I listened to this litany I was horrified, I was flabbergasted, I was seriously concerned and worried about his survival and the survival of his family. However, it didn't long to realize that each of these catastrophes was created by bad decisions my friend had made and continued to make.
Let's go back in time a few years. First, he had been stuck in a job where he was't getting promoted and it seemed like newer folks to the organization kept being promoted over him. His Bosses were idiots, unethical, unprincipled idiots - and besides that, they weren't fair! Then he got fired.
He was able to land another job very quickly; but in short order, it became obvious that his new bosses were just as bad as his old bosses. It seemed like an incredible bunch of bad luck - a black cloud had come over him like the little guy in the old Little Abner comic strip. The harder he "tried", the worse it got.
Now, I've worked for idiots. I've worked for lazy leaders that couldn't lead, managers that couldn't manage and supervisors that couldn't supervise; so I could identify with him. I guess I was slow but I bought his stories hook line and sinker. I had known Bill for years, we had "come up together" - we were pals.
Then one day, another friend of mine had an opening at his company. I had known "Jim" for a long time and had worked with him - this could be a marriage made in heaven I thought. So I called Bill, he interviewed and bingo got the job. For about six months everything was wonderful, but at the end of the first six months Bill started calling me to complain about Jim. That is when I started smelling a rat in the rutabagas. Do you remember the scene in The Wizard of Oz when Toto pulls back the curtain and we learn that the Great Wizard Oz was just a man manipulating machines?
Well, that's what happened that day to Bill and me. Then, because I would no longer "side" with him in his battles, he began attacking me. Because I knew Jim well enough to know that Bill's complaints had no foundation in reality, it became Bill against everyone - just as it had really always been.
Once I could "see behind the curtain" it all fell into place and made sense. Bill lost his jobs. Why? Because he was a jerk who thought he knew more than his boss and wasn't afraid to tell his boss that fact. Bill did not get promoted. Why? Because he was long on ideas, but short on doing what was necessary to get those ideas working.
No matter where he worked or what he did, there were always problems that began surfacing at about the six month mark. Why? It took folks about six months to "see behind the curtain". Bill did not have problems, Bill was the problem. I've known a lot of folks like Bill, but now they are easier to spot - thanks to Bill. I call these type of people "Takers".
Here are some tips on how to spot Takers and keep them from impacting your life:
If someone is having a problem, chances are it's the other person who is at fault. If that person has a problem with everyone - chances are THEY are THE problem.
If a person complains all the time, it is not that their life is so bad - they just like complaining.
Soap operas are for TV, not real life.
There are smart people, but there are also smart people who believe their own BS to the point they have become stupid. I call this the Rule of Ego.
Most folks belong to an organization, a fraternity, a church because they wish to be a part and contribute. Takers join an organization, fraternity or church because they want to benefit from that association.
Takers take. When they do give - you never hear the end of it. Like someone said, "He'll give ya the shirt off his back and remind ya of it every day."
Takers have to be the center of attention.
Takers are usually poor listeners, because they are already thinking about what they are going to say next.
They are great thinkers, but lousy doers.
They can figure out what's wrong. But fixing it? That is something they would rather delegate to someone else - "less important than them" to handle.
Being a Taker is not restricted to a gender, a profession, a race or an ethnic origin; although I have identified one profession that seems to attract them - Politics.
Takers are often bullies, but it is not the threat of physical harm they use. They try to intimidate you with emotion or the power of their genius. Usually, they don't have the courage for a direct confrontation.
Now, here are some ways to tell that you are NOT a Taker:
When you're knocked down, do you get up?
When faced with problems do you start with "What should I change in me?" rather than "How can I change them?"
You listened and understood President Kennedy when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
When the National Anthem is played, you stop talking, you stand and place your hand over your heart.
At a funeral, you are respectful.
When a funeral passes on the highway, you pull over out of respect - even when you don't have to.
You believe that challenges and difficulties - not TV- forge character.
You rather see kids on the play ground than playing Wii.
You are smart enough to realize what you don't know, and are humble enough to ask for help when it is needed.
When you're screwed over, you operate under the dictate that "Living well, really is the best revenge."
Someone once said "You can't appreciate happiness unless you have been unhappy. You can't recognize love unless you have been hated. You must have turmoil to understand peace and tranquility. You must be alone to appreciate a friend. You must be lost to be found."
You must have a "Taker" every now and then to remind you to be a "Giver".
Thursday, January 8, 2009
What Can You Do Something About?
Happy New Year! What did you resolve to do or not to do this year? A recent study showed most Americans were going to resolve to lose weight, exercise more, curse less, quit smoking, etc.; you know the same ole' stuff. I have resolved to not watch as many news shows and to focus on the good things we have - while we have them.
See, I have it figured like this. Israel will continue killing Hamas, until Hamas stops killing Israelites. Pakistan and India may or may not go to war (that has been a threat since I was young). In just a few days we will inaugurate our next President and find out what change is really going to be about. The Russians and the Venezuelans are still playing house down south, but no one seems to notice.
We still have open borders. We are going to bail out everyone in a leaky boat. The economy is collapsing or has collapsed. The bailout will either fix the problem or make it worse. To some God is dead; to others he is fixing to initiate the rapture. I have talked about crooked politicians who have no interests above their own and how Congress no longer cares what we the people think - and we just sent most of them back to Washington.
The Mayans, the Islamic terrorist and now Nostradamus have all predicted that 2012 will be the end, and I can't do much about any of it. See I have stood against tyranny, but we still have tyrants. I have spoken out against racism but we still have racists. I have fought for freedom, but freedom ain't free and it can be taken away at any time.
At my home however, I have a loving wife who keeps me centered. Recently, the economy hit us. We had a credit card with about four grand on it; we have never missed a payment, had it on auto pay and were even paying additional payments. Bang, we get a notice saying they were changing our interest rate from 6 percent to over 26 percent - for no reason - they were just doing it because they could. Pam fixed them and we no longer do business with them.
See that's the secret of where we are today. We have to take control, we have to get involved, we have to regain the power and we have to work together. We have to be a team; a team at work, a team at home, a team at school, a team at church. I know a lot but I don't know everything - that's why I married Pam - she does. If you don't believe it ask her, haha. Seriously, I made a good decision with her and that is part of the secret to success - making good decisions.
Someone once said, "If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you always have gotten." If you don't believe it look at Congress today. I am tired of the drama. I am tired of folks no smarter than me telling me how I should act and feel. I grew up in a world where I knew I did not understand every serious incident that occurred and that I didn't know everything but I had faith that somewhere in our government were people that did understand and did know. I've grown out of that.
I'm waiting for someone to get straight with the American people, someone that actually cares about this country.
I'm waiting for someone to say things like this again:
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so. I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."
"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
Or someone that would say things like this: "Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. Hell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against. We'd all like to vote for the best man, but he's never a candidate."
"All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field. Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."
In the 2010 election cycles watch CNN, ABC, CBS and even FOX and you are liable to hear something like this, "An election is coming. Universal peace is declared, and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry."
American politics had degenerated to the point that, "Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right."
See here's the problem, "There are always too many Democratic congressmen, too many Republican congressmen, and never enough U.S. congressmen."
Please note, none of the statements in quotes are mine - although I do agree with them. Some are decades old, some centuries old - it has all been identified and talked about before - it just hasn't done any good. I don't care if you're Democrat or Republican - I'm looking for a real American.
Till I find one, I'm going to take care of my wife, my three dogs, one cat and the duck we have living in our lake - we call her Daffy. I'm focusing on what I can influence not on what I can't do anything about. I'm focusing on taking care of what I can take care of. Think about it, might be a good idea. I'll end with a few quotes to ponder.
I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them. ~Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952
Every two years the American politics industry fills the airwaves with the most virulent, scurrilous, wall-to-wall character assassination of nearly every political practitioner in the country - and then declares itself puzzled that America has lost trust in its politicians. ~Charles Krauthammer
See, I have it figured like this. Israel will continue killing Hamas, until Hamas stops killing Israelites. Pakistan and India may or may not go to war (that has been a threat since I was young). In just a few days we will inaugurate our next President and find out what change is really going to be about. The Russians and the Venezuelans are still playing house down south, but no one seems to notice.
We still have open borders. We are going to bail out everyone in a leaky boat. The economy is collapsing or has collapsed. The bailout will either fix the problem or make it worse. To some God is dead; to others he is fixing to initiate the rapture. I have talked about crooked politicians who have no interests above their own and how Congress no longer cares what we the people think - and we just sent most of them back to Washington.
The Mayans, the Islamic terrorist and now Nostradamus have all predicted that 2012 will be the end, and I can't do much about any of it. See I have stood against tyranny, but we still have tyrants. I have spoken out against racism but we still have racists. I have fought for freedom, but freedom ain't free and it can be taken away at any time.
At my home however, I have a loving wife who keeps me centered. Recently, the economy hit us. We had a credit card with about four grand on it; we have never missed a payment, had it on auto pay and were even paying additional payments. Bang, we get a notice saying they were changing our interest rate from 6 percent to over 26 percent - for no reason - they were just doing it because they could. Pam fixed them and we no longer do business with them.
See that's the secret of where we are today. We have to take control, we have to get involved, we have to regain the power and we have to work together. We have to be a team; a team at work, a team at home, a team at school, a team at church. I know a lot but I don't know everything - that's why I married Pam - she does. If you don't believe it ask her, haha. Seriously, I made a good decision with her and that is part of the secret to success - making good decisions.
Someone once said, "If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you always have gotten." If you don't believe it look at Congress today. I am tired of the drama. I am tired of folks no smarter than me telling me how I should act and feel. I grew up in a world where I knew I did not understand every serious incident that occurred and that I didn't know everything but I had faith that somewhere in our government were people that did understand and did know. I've grown out of that.
I'm waiting for someone to get straight with the American people, someone that actually cares about this country.
I'm waiting for someone to say things like this again:
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so. I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."
"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
Or someone that would say things like this: "Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. Hell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against. We'd all like to vote for the best man, but he's never a candidate."
"All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field. Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."
In the 2010 election cycles watch CNN, ABC, CBS and even FOX and you are liable to hear something like this, "An election is coming. Universal peace is declared, and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry."
American politics had degenerated to the point that, "Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right."
See here's the problem, "There are always too many Democratic congressmen, too many Republican congressmen, and never enough U.S. congressmen."
Please note, none of the statements in quotes are mine - although I do agree with them. Some are decades old, some centuries old - it has all been identified and talked about before - it just hasn't done any good. I don't care if you're Democrat or Republican - I'm looking for a real American.
Till I find one, I'm going to take care of my wife, my three dogs, one cat and the duck we have living in our lake - we call her Daffy. I'm focusing on what I can influence not on what I can't do anything about. I'm focusing on taking care of what I can take care of. Think about it, might be a good idea. I'll end with a few quotes to ponder.
I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them. ~Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952
Every two years the American politics industry fills the airwaves with the most virulent, scurrilous, wall-to-wall character assassination of nearly every political practitioner in the country - and then declares itself puzzled that America has lost trust in its politicians. ~Charles Krauthammer
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