Have I committed a mortal sin?

Will John speak to me again? I was hoping to get him in person so I could give him a razzing about the C.U. - Nebraska game this weekend. All I get is voicemail. Oh, well!

Look, my life will go on if either team doesn't go to the championship (which they won't). However I SURE AS HELL wanted to show the neighbors I wasn't rooting for the Buffs! I think they shoot C.U. fans in Nebraska!!! At least in the off season when all the Denverites have gone home.

I think the Buffs won last year. Anyway, though the Flatiron trails are neat, there isn't much in Boulder that interests me. It's expensive there and too many spoiled college kids. This is not to say that John or Dad were spoiled, but a lot of them nowadays seem to be. I only stayed in Lincoln one time and enjoyed it. It's a nice Midwestern city. The vintage car show on Memorial Day weekend was cool.

He probably doesn't keep up with this Blog, but all I've gotta say John is:

GO HUSKERS!!!

Writer's Bloc!

OUCH!!! My brain hurts!

Too much e-bay! It's getting carried away. I need to spend more time writing the blog or doing something else creative.

Compendium of Significant Events

NONE...

The IMMORTAL Me!!!

This reminds me that I'd better groom my writing. This is how I will immortalize myself. I will be creating Time Capsules and dispersing them throughout the world. Well, at least in North America, anyway. The main content of the capsule will be a CD with this BLOG on it.

It would be nice the think e-blogger will be around for a long time, yet I don't think anything in cyberspace is permanent! In fact, perhaps I'd better download this collection relatively quickly.

All we ever heard about in the past is famous people. Now future generations will have the opportunity to see how a common man lives!

Keeping Spriits UP!!!

With this blood pressure and Toan taking off to go play Poker all night, I could get down. I could be a real BITCH today, but then nobody would care! So, I put my game face on and be the best, very BEST pathological lier I could be!!!

Not only that, but this is the season of giving! All I can do is sit here and act cheerful. That's my only gift. Make conversation and try and not talk about myself and be boorish! Give my best wishes for their happy holidays!

Actually, it's kinda funny but I think Vicki has her game face on today?

You know, I'd feel better if everyone is happy. Yet you can feel the undercurrents of discord in people's families. Even if it's just one "fly in the ointment", it seems like there's always one "Uncle Joe" who shows up and spoils things. It will NOT be Uncle Hank!!! Vic just gave me a good idea: put the foil over the turkey so two conspicuous spots don't brown, making it look like it has a bikini on it's breast.

GM Welfare State?

I listened to Pat Robertson on the 700 Club. He's talking about how GM has to pay out too many benefits because of the unions. Exactly! But would Pat have skilled workers without access to healthcare? Since when is it GM's responsibility to furnish health benefits, or since when is it Centura's (my employer) responsibility? Here's where we would differ. Take the burden off the employers and create a pool that everyone can buy into. Then GM (if they are still around) can concentrate on making cars! Duh! Hey, sure if costs are going up, the consumer should pay a share more. But don't break their backs. I suppose this is where Pat (Rev. Robertson) and I also differ. If the government was to somehow guarantee access, he would call it welfare. I DON't call access to healthcare welfare, I call it a basic human right!!!! And I talk to people every day who are without even the most basic coverage. Hey, nobody expects it to pay for cosmetic surgery unless the person is really scarred! But let's get at least a basic level, especially preventive care, to everyone.

On the rest of the segment he's talking about Bush's tax cuts and how wonderful they are for the economy. Yeah right! Along with that we plunge deeper into debt and the Chinese snap it up.

At least if Rev. Robertson is a Bush man, he could be talking about Bush's Allied Health Plans for small business. I haven't heard a thing about that since the debates of 2004...

GM to cut 30,00 Jobs!!!

Now there are WAY more GM employees in Canada. See, up there they don't have to furnish health benefits to employees. That's one big factor, but perhaps another is that the U.S. automakers are woefully behind in the hybrid market. Ford talks about some S.U.V. that will run on pure ethanol, yet no U.S. automakers has products with gas mileage anywhere close to that of Honda and Toyota.

Ethanol would be an o.k. fuel if they didn't have to grow so much corn to produce it. If it were 100 percent ethanol, it would take a vast amount of biomass to produce it.

Ooops!

I slipped! I divulged that I despise the holidays! That raised a few hackles! I try to go with the flow, but I really REALLY get tired of all the ads!!! That's about the only part I despise. I never really understood why Christmas is so big and Easter so small. Why I get depressed this time of year is the fact that the days are short and the trailer in Nebraska has no water. Can't take the boat out if I can't wash it! That and my Right Wing Christian brother is shunning me because he thinks I hate Christians. Moi? Sheez, I'm just glad he didn't become an extremest Muslim who joins al-Quada!!! I wouldn't have put it past him! Jesus is fine and even Pat Robertson is o.k.. Pat is probably a decent humsn being, but I refuse to kiss his ass!

Well, o.k., George, you sure wanted to be my brother when you were facing staying in the homeless shelter! Now, you have everything you need so I guess you don't need a brother any more. I'm sure you wish to keep your son away from me as well as I am such a bad apple (and you are born agan so all past errors are washed away). But thanks for taking 2 seconds out of every day to mention my name in a prayer - I know it places a tremendous strain on you!

Momandi's Way! The new American way!

(Editor's note: This was relayed to us by his son at a memorial dinner!)
This guy hardly spoke a word of English. But he always waved and would help you with planting seeds or handed you a cucumber. He had a hard time when they first came to America to escape the Soviets in Afganistan. Their neighbors in Arvada would get up every morning, get in their cars and go to work without giving anyone nearby a wave or a hello. They thought him a bit strange when he went around the neighborhood dropping off vegtables on the front steps. His son told him to ring the doorbell and offer them the produce, instead. He was an activist trying to change the way things were here. He didn't really find his place here till they moved to Denver and joined a community garden. Here, diversity is more welcome and his fellow gardeners came up to him out of curiosity and introduced themselves. Mr. Momandi brought with him the rest of his family, a son (my age) who spoke fluent English and his two teenage sons (who grew up in America) to the garden.

In a way I miss him, though it was hard to look at his humped spine and labored walking in his last year! But he is going to be memorialized in the garden and we will all be able to cool off at the chair under the large tree next to the family plot where he used to sit. I'm not too sad because the family didn't just garden for his sake, it seems they enjoyed it too!

Unlike them, I like the cucumbers as a pickle and rhubarb in a pie. I'll have to try thinly sliced rhubarb in a salad the way they like it, however.

Speaking of Vietnam...

Now I hear Buddhist monks are immolating themselves again. This time, not in response to a repressive Catholic regime, but an even worse Communist regime clinging to power.

Too many Vietnamese have fled to western countries, but still keep in contact with family and others in country. The government has cracked down on the Internet and other means of communication with the outside. Yet they have United Airlines direct flights now so it's not exactly North Korea.

With this Bird Flu epidemic, they'll need all the help they can get. We can hope this won't cause any further isolation of that country. People there know there is a better way. They just need a little more time to oust the commies! Look for the Vietnamese Revolution within a decade!

The HAWK in me...

Vietnam was a shame and I always hoped it would not be repeated. Now I find my self to the right of a lot of people. Let me be clear here; the premise for the war was wrong! But we're there and have an obligation to try and get them over a couple more hurdles. We should also start communicating to them our ideas about exactly how we would work a phased withdrawl. Note, I said how and not when! But it will be soon.

They NEED to get through the election process and the Iraq Military still needs some work. But once again, that amount of time won't be that long in the scheme of things. I'd say in 2006 we could begin implementing a troop drawdown. My worry is when they begin to make a political football out of this as they did Vietnam. There's a LOT of rumbling about withdrawing and even a hawkish veteran democratic Congressman is calling for pullout. So, I have every confidence it will be soon! Just don't make it like the hasty exit from Saigon in 1975! And if we do finally withdraw, there are still many financial needs to be met. Don't leave 'em hanging!

Is our presence there fueling the insurgency? Undoubtedly! Any way they can lower American visability there would be desireable. Eventually, we may need to have their military recruits go out of country to train. Whatever it takes!

Look, this war wasn't my idea! The troops have worked hard and done their best. But their leaders have made lots of miscalculations. I can't believe how stupid some of them have been! It's time to wise up and get this nasty task wrapped up.

GIT-R-DONE!!!

p.s. - also please don't invade any other countries. We've got our hands full!!!!!

Waiting?

For what, I have no idea. In this society you are constantly bombarded with religion. I really, REALLY want to believe that there's an afterlife. I'm also a little anxious to go find out.

For me, I'd like to perhaps go to another civilization. A more advanced one, please. NO war, no raging emotions, and equality for everyone. Everyone would be accepted and loved - NO OUTCASTS!!!

Well, o.k., I'll hold off on ending it all. The biggest fear for me is botching it and ending up like Terry Schivo. I'm sure my pro life brother George would be eager to come in and pet me and kiss me on the forehead! YEAH RIGHT!!! She might have been so loved that people wanted to do that, but I think if others got my medical bills they would be REALLY, REALLY quickly removing the tube! As well they should!

The problem with that is when you hang on and die slowly. If I was in that state, I'd rather be given cyanide to hasten the process. Probably, with me it'll be a massive cerebial hemorrhage and it'll be over quickly anyway! I don't want to be lying there, like a catfish out of water, moving my gills and nobody knowing whether I'm alive or not!

Enough of this morbidity already!

Michael Jackson Stirs Controversy Entering Bathroom

He says he couldn't read the Arabic when entering the ladies bathroom. I'm surprised the ladies knew *it* was a man!

I guess he's considering making Dubai his home. I thought those Arab countries were morally strict? This proves you can go anywhere if you've got money! I'm sure his hosts will give him a quick kick in the ass out of there when all the money is gone!

I'm sorry but that *guy* just gives me the creeps. I don't particularly like his songs, either!

CU contributions down?

Donations to Colorado University are down. Really? I can't imagine why... Could this have anything to do with the scandals and Ward Churchill? I hope Hank Brown can get their financial house in order.

Then we have that other notorious institution in Colorado; the Air Force Acadamy! Lots of proseletyzing! Rape scandals! What really burned me is hearing that an Air Force chaplain encouraged his Evangelical Christian cadets to go and talk to (harass) their roomates about converting. I heard some really nasty things were said to some Jewish cadets. Look, if Jews haven't converted to Christ after thousands of years, there's no sense lecturing them now! They're smart people and I'm sure if they hear something about Jesus they like, they'll listen! Don't be so pushy!

Most importantly, both these institutions get their funds from taypayers. C.U. from state funds and the Acadamy from federal funding. So if you live in Colorado, you are helping to pay for both. I don't like some radical nut-job on the payroll of our State University and I don't like a Federal institution allowing the promotion of a particular religion. Knock it off!

Unfortunately, the Nebraska Huskers football team aren't doing too well this season. I only hope they can rise to the occassion and kick C.U.'s ass (sorry John!)...

They're coming to take me away!

UFO's are massing under these clouds and will soon be beaming me up! (I wish!!!)

Actually, this is a picture of some Lenticular clouds over the springs taken by Uncle Chuck.

(Photo courtesy Ann and Charles Harris)

Bush forcefully attacks Iraq critics...

He makes a good point that the majority of Democrats supported the war. At that post 9-11 time, it was considered unpatriotic NOT to do so! The only part I'm aware of is the State of the Union speech, where the President talked about yellow cake uranium in Niger. I took him for his word and was convinced of the problem. Guess I was wrong. I also was elated when a Fox News imbedded reporter said they had finally found a chemical weapons stash at a chemical plant. Wrong again.

I can remember telling my brother in the autumn before; "Well, George, I guess we're going to war in Iraq!" I can remember hearing "rumblings" from news sources as far back as the spring of '02 about going to war there.

Here's what I believe: Bush sincerely believes in this cause and whatever intelligence he recieved. Saddam Hussein was a festering problem that needed attention sooner or later. We're there, we have an obligation to wrap it up there AND to look at any mistakes that were made so they won't be repeated.

There are a LOT of "festering" problems left, such as Iran, Syria and North Korea. At one point or another they will reach a critical point. I believe in taking necessary measures, but invasion and occupation should be the VERY LAST option. You break it, you fix it! America needs to mend it's international partnerships and repair the reputation of being the world's bully!

There he goes again...

I don't have the details, but I heard of Pat Robertson predicting a catastrophe for a Pennsylvania town that voted out the school board who supported the teaching of intelligent design. Let me be clear here, though I'm no fan of Robertson, I have nothing against teaching I.D.. I think it's only fair.

In light of the latest catastrophe's throughout the world, I think this dire prediction is kind of sick! Nor would I have the arrogance to predict what GOD would do. I'm sure there are people on both sides of the Intelligent Design debate in that town. And they are probably all decent people.

Even if I gain a LOT more spiritual knowledge, I hope to not be one to pretend to know God's mind. Maybe I'll know his mind as it relates to me, but it's a big universe and a lot is going on. I just hope to be humble enough to trust in god and let him make the decisions. Rev. Robertson is just another televangelest!

Acetone update....

It did not work. In fact on the way back the gas mileage was lower. I think some of the lower mileage might have been because an oil change was needed. To be fair, it's almost impossible to get non ethanol added gas in Denver here. They say it doesn't work with that in the gas.

Absolute idiocy!

(editor's note: Now the day after they found that two American citizens were killed.)

I'd like to know exactly who in Jordan is happy about the recent bombings at the hotels! I know King Abdullah isn't, the people at the wedding party who survived aren't, nor were the pro-King demonstrators caught on CNN. I haven't heard yet that any Americans perished. So the only symbolic part of this act was that the hotels were American chains. The Days Inn was a franchise hotel owned by a Jordanian businessman.

In reality this senseless act, said to be planned by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was an attack against fellow Muslims. It is exactly the same in Iraq, where the majority of people killed by these attacks are Iraqis. While we don't want these kind of attacks to happen, perhaps they have the hidden blessing that the people will turn against Mr.al-Zarqawi and al-Qaeda.

What we and everyone against them needs to do is try and reduce unwanted civilian casualties and destruction of property that follow our war on terror. We need to clean up mis-treatment of prisoners and do a better job working with the local people to understand their needs. We've made our share of stupid mistakes and now the other side had made a huge one!

What to do with Andrea?

I'd probably get chewed out by these women at work, but I have a degree of compassion for Andrea Yates. Now, I see she is getting a new trial. I'd hope the woman never has any more children to care for, yet I know she is a tormented soul.

In this case, a strong penalty won't act as a deterrent. The woman was insane; obviously anybody who would do THAT would be. What I'd like to know is what could have been done for her BEFORE this horrible incident!

Surely, we can't get to every poor soul tormented by mental illness, but we could do a better job!

Toxic Bush!

So the last minute stump speach by the President failed. I wouldn't read too much into it, but at least it doesn't send a message that the Repubs are strong going into next year. I don't think either party is really strong, but since things aren't going too well, why increase the strength of the status quo?

It promises to be a nasty campaign season next year, with even more money being spent. We have to ask ourselves if the best people are running? You have to admire those who willing to subject themselves and their families to all the vindictive attack ads. On the other hand, some of these fools will stand there and say anything to anyone just to get elected.

What I hate is that it isn't even election season and they are still airing political ads! These are mostly to get us to support or oppose the Supreme Court nominee and to call our Senators. I can't ever remember those kind of ads on tv in the past... I won't be listening to all the testimony or voting for or against Alito!!!! Why are you guys telling me all this stuff??? I'm sure Allard and Salazar can make up their own minds!!! They're the ones that get to meet him!

The Independant View....

O.k., the election was boring as they often are during off years. I hate to root for Democrats I really don't know, yet I want there to be more balance between the parties. So it looks like in a couple of states Democrats have gained.

I don't know about Schwarzenegger 's ballot initiatives or anything else in California. Yet I can't help but wish Arnold well. What's not to like about him? But I'm sure he is not a Super Hero as in his films. California was a basket case. Hang in there, Arnold!

Texas voted in a ban on gay marriage (yawn...), or as I call it a refined definition of marriage. I still maintain that the states are the place to do this and that it is none of the Federal government's business. I suppose there will be one coming for Colorado for '06,

I'm not hearing a lot from the Salazar brothers. I think next year John is up for re-election. Sometimes, I feel a little disapointed that we hear so little from them. Yet one has to realize that Ken is last in senority in the Senate, behind Barak Obama.

I probably CAN be defined as a Democrat locally. This is only because this is a fairly solidly RED state. In Massachusetts, I think I was a Republican. For President, it is the person that counts.

Editor's Note

I've used a few pictures downloaded from various sources on the internet. Pictures such as the last one (which was a good shot, eh?) come from picturequest.com and am not sure of the proper legal use for them. Right now this is a private BLOG, but should it become more widely viewed, I suppose it would be prudent to remove them. I welcome feedback from anyone reading this blog about how to proceed. Also, I probably should do some research on how to properly give credit for photos.

Somebody SLAP that look of his face! Please!

Photographer: Friedman,Rick

I don't believe George Bush is stupid. But, please, those looks! That's what creates the image. He looks like he could use a good SMACK!

Guest Workers?

I have a LOT of reservations about a Guest Worker program! That said, I think it might be part of a solution on immigration if done right. First of all, NOTHING should be given to people here illegally. We should take away their incentive to come here illegally, as well. Start with better enforcement for employers; which is not an easy task! If you can discourage the hiring of illegal aliens, it should take some pressure off the border. I still say NO to driver's licenses and government benefits to those here illegally.

These steps should be countered by creating a more efficient process for those willing to come here legally. Time SHOULD be taken to do a criminal search, fingerprinting and detailed photographs of these people. But this amount of time should not be in years. I'm not sure, but I believe most Mexicans would prefer to have a short wait versus crossing hundreds of miles of hot unsafe desert! They say that the overwhelming percentage of them are decent, hardworking people. Most of these people just want to send a few bucks to their families in Mexico. I suppose we'll find out when they are documented!

The most important thing is to furnish these people with a taxpayer ID number. If they are using our services, they should help to pay for them. Perhaps, they should be required to pay into a fund for guest worker services.

Not good!

It's amazing the mess a few nuts can cause. Look, there's a lot of people in Latin America that don't like Bush. But why destroy your own country? I understand there were peaceful protesters a few blocks away, but nobody cares about them. The riot police, the smashed windows and smoke caught the camera's eye.

I'm with Bush on expanding a hemispheric trade zone, but I think there are a lot of relationships to be mended before we can do that. We turned our eyes away from this hemisphere to focus on the Middle East, yet lots of oil comes from places like Venezuela. But it's about a lot more than oil! These countries, particularly Mexico, are our neighbors! Think of how much more secure our country would be if we had a true "good neighbor policy" and helped Mexico along with other Latin American countries attain a better standard of living. That's the way to secure the borders!

Tis the season!

The weather outside is more like spring. I think it will get up to around 70 today. Yet these fools are talking about the the holidays. O.k., it's post Halloween, so I guess tis the season. Less than two months to go! Whoopee!

After the interview...

Fortunately, they always replay Larry King at ten, so I didn't miss it. I wasn't disappointed by Senator McCain. His answers were good and he still looks young enough to be president. He makes a good point that the religious conservatives are to be admired for getting out and participating in the political process. He also adds that if the rest of us want to have OUR voice heard, we should get out out there and participate. Don't worry, John, we will!

Just like I want fair-minded and objective judges, I want a President who will hear my voice. What I like about the Senator is that he has somewhat of a maveric reputation. He voted against that constitutional amendment on marriage, which indicates he isn't in the pocket of the religious right.

Sure, they deserve a voice. But so do I!!!! John, just as you say you need some time to think about running for President, I need to find out if I can vote for you. My criteria for voting will be how independant you remain. Many of us feel betrayed by the Republican party and it's controlling interests.

I will be more inclined to jump in as a (temporary) Republican for the '08 primary (or caucus) to give John a hand up if he runs. There is a lot of time between now and then. One thing I am certain of, considering his background, I have confidence that he will do his best to get to the bottom of these prisoner abuse problems.

Finding the right answer....

The recent riots in the suburbs of Paris speak volumes of the issues affecting the poor immigrants in that country. Particularly poor Muslims. Meanwhile in neighboring Spain the picture is brighter. First of all, we all thought they were making a mistake giving in to terrorists by changing presidents and pulling troops out of Iraq. Those actions, if done alone, probably would have been a mistake.

But they are also are remembering a time when Christians, Jews and Muslims lived together before the Crusades. Improving relations involves understanding your history and learning from it's mistakes. Those three religions really have a lot in common if people weren't so pig-headed. Getting rid of Muslim immigrants in Europe would be like America trying to oust all Mexican immigrants. It ain't gonna happen. Some of the modern day Muslims have generations in their countries. They speak the language and are part of the countries fabric.

The hardened terrorist you can't do anything but fight. But the millions of disaffected people who are ripe for recruitment, you can! So the approach in Spain has been a bit different. So what? Heck, for all I know Osama is dead and just being kept alive through fake recordings and what not. It's the new recruits you've got to worry about and not their leaders. Without the fools to go blow themselves up and set bombs, the leaders would be powerless.

First, find out what the legitimate grievances are. Then work on a fair solution. There's a lot of Muslims around here, but I don't see them going around trying to force their views on others. Most are peaceful, respectful and law abiding. We should treat them with the same respect. Live and let live is what I say.

People act STUPID under stress!

They really aren't that way! If something appears to be poorly written here, wait a while and I will edit the post. More effort goes into this BLOG than my work, but standards here are low! I'd put in some effort to improve my job efficiency, but then they would probably either think I was trying to be the boss or things would improve here to the point where my services are no longer needed!

His heart is in the right place.....

Jimmy Carter was on Larry King promoting his new book; "Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis". I agree with most of what he said, but perhaps the book should have been titled: "The Declining Moral Values of the American Presidency". That was pretty much what he talked about.

Let us be perfectly clear here, both men - Carter and Bush appear to have fine personal morals. Carter's presidency was plagued by problems and, sadly, Bush's administration as well. It didn't sound like Carter had a lot of scandals, just problems and malaise. Scandals are beginning to surface in the Bush Administration, yet isn't the ultimate scandal going to war under false pretenses???

Leakgate may or may not prove to be a serious part of this falsehood. We certainly know that there were NO weapons of mass destruction of any importance. We also know that this prisoner dention and torture stuff is not "moral" under most American's values.

I think Carter has a lot of good ideas. He's a scientist and a Christian, who dismisses fundamentalism. That gained points with me from the beginning!!! He seems more involved in world advocacy than the Democratic Party, but I wish he would infuse some ideas into the brain-dead Democrats. They need all the help they can get!

One of those days!

Nobody is satisfied! The guy claims that the Honeywell Zone Valve is to have two extra blue wires to the "Solenoid". Isn't a solenoid a electromagneticly operated plunger? These valves operate via motor! The spring loaded motor is to slowly open and gently close the valve!

Then again, I could be halucinating and the blue leads could have disappeared! I'm resting my faith in the guy's integrity and we'll see what happens. I'll bet he wants his money back and for me to kiss his ass! He'll get the first item only. Sorry the guarantee only goes so far!

Hopefully my cynacism on human nature is wrong and the sarcasm was not warranted.

An ounce should do the trick!

Now I will be able to possess up to an ounce of the stuff. Problem is, where do I get it???

Oh yeah, looks Ref C passed and maybe D. Voters haven't veered to the right yet!

In a generous mood!

The way I figure it is if the Republican Governor and Democratic Mayor are for those amendments C & D, they must be needed. I don't know much else about them except that all the states have been strapped for cash since 9/11 and the Tabor Amendment has limited states ability to attain revinue. Like I said, I don't pay that much in income taxes. It is everything combined.

I also wanted to vote for that pot initiative. Will Colorado's swing to the left continue? I am skeptical, but I hope so!

Getting to the important stuff....

I see the there is a panel exploring revamping the tax code. It's about time!!! There is one important caveat to add here: make sure revenues keep coming in to the treasury at the same rate! With all the rebuilding in the hurricane areas and our wars and everything else, the country can't afford to plunge deeper into debt.

Does this mean they couldn't cut spending in a lot of areas? NO! But if any tax plan is to be brought forth, let it be revenue neutral, please!!! The IRS spends hundreds of billions processing tax returns and collecting taxes. If the tax code becomes simpler, then hundreds of billions could be saved.

The taxes aren't too much for me and I think I'm paying the correct amount. But I can't be certain!!! A lot of it, such as capital gains basis from stock trades, seems to be quite subjective. In the end, the amounts paid aren't that outrageous on the income taxes alone. But when you add in all the other kinds of taxes, like sales tax, the total burden is a lot more than we think.

Yes, I certainly want tax reform to keep revenues coming in. But any major revisions would involve working from projections. They won't know for sure until it is tried! I can just see the fear mongers and special interests trying to sink any major revisions before they are tried. At that pace there will never be any reform!