My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on December 13, 2009

A couple areas of interest to me merge one state over in Indiana. In an effort to help the endangered whooping cranes migrate safely from Wisconsin to their wintering grounds in Florida, Operation Migration had two disappointing moments this past week. In Vermillion County, Indiana, a staff member for the International Crane Foundation (ICF) found the carcass from the first crane to be successfully hatched in the wild in one hundred years near the town of Cayuga – it had been shot. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (I-DNR) are investigating the shooting.

“To kill and abandon one of 500 remaining members of species shows a lack of reverence for life and an absence of simple common sense,” said John Christian, FWS Assistant Regional Director for Migratory Birds. “It is inconceivable that someone would have such little regard for conservation.”

Operation Migration continued to proceeded south with their ultralight  and “top cover” Cessna 182 piloted by Don and Paula Lunsbury. Unfortunately the airplance experienced engine trouble over Illinois on December 4th and landed in a plowed field in southern Illinois. According to an aviation reporter, the freshly tilled ground was soft and caused the nose gear to dig-in flipping the C-182.  The two pilots from Canada were uninjured and the accident is still under investigation by the NTSB. No final report as to the cause has been release by the FAA.

According to another post on the subject, “this year’s assisted migration has been full of adversity as weather caused several long layovers” as the ultralight also had to make an emergency landing due to engine problems. Another unfortunate incident occurred prior to leaving as their aircraft and parts were vandalized.

According to an EAA article, “the remaining 18 cranes are, as of this writing, waiting out weather in Hardin County, Tennessee just north of the Mississippi-Alabama border. More information about how to support the migration including a fund to replace the aircraft damaged in the Wisonsin break-in can be found here.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a minimum reward of $2,500 to the person or people who provide information leading to a conviction. Anyone with information should call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources 24-hour hotline at: 1-800 TIP IDNR (800-847-4367), or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at 317-346-7016. Callers can remain anonymous.”

Category: Aviation, Environment | No Comments »
Tags: aviation, birds, cessna

Posted By RichC on December 11, 2009

After spending the week listening and grumbling over politics (and unfortunately blogging about it), I was ready for something to lighten my mood — How about Trackhoe waterskiing … or if you’re not from the south, it might be called Excavator waterskiing?

Whatever … its a recreation fitting for the NASCAR lover!

Category: Humor, Video | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on December 10, 2009

Although I’m not a John Birch Society focused guy,  a friend of mine forwarded a YouTube video from its founder Robert W. Welch, Jr. compiled from 1958 and 1974 speeches (embedded below). It is interesting that after our American Republic watched the Soviet Union’s heavy handed, centrally controlled communist government collapse in the 1980s, that another generation of Americans would be facing a leftist movement from within its own country just 25 years later …  of course it is semi-disguised as spreading the wealth, social justice, and compassion. Why haven’t we learn from the failed political experiments recorded in thousands of years of history?

It is puzzling how blind and accepting Americans have become to an expanding and heavy handed federal government, particularly one that is willingly to give governing power and our assets to foreign entities. What are we doing my fellow Americans — see previous post? Don’t let your freedom and liberty erode … our Republic is not in good hands.

“The American Republic was bound—is still bound—to follow in the centuries to come the same course to destruction as did Rome. But our real ground of complaint is that we have been pushed down the demagogic road to disaster by conspiratorial hands, far sooner and far faster than would have been the results of natural political evolution. … We are being insidiously, conspiratorially, and treasonously led by deception, by bribery, by coercion, and by fear, to destroy a republic that was the envy and model for all of the civilized world.”
– Robert Welch, Jr. (1899-1985)

Category: Politics, Video | 6 Comments »
Tags: john birch society

Posted By RichC on December 9, 2009

My goal is to have the home theater upgraded by the time my kids are home from college for their Christmas break. The new Optoma HD20 arrived and I anxiously replaced my older Sony 900U ceiling concealed projector. Besides ‘still’ having a ridiculous combination of remotes, the HD picture enhanced from a standard DVD from the LG Blu-ray player was excellent (photo 150 inch diagonal image above – click for larger – from Master and Commander). It will interesting to see what improvements will be noticed from a real high definition Blu Ray disc?

I needed to run a new HDMI cable from my equipment location since my previous cable was S-Video. It was disappointing to still see that the longer (25’) cables are still high priced; I paid $40 online for my cable, which seems expensive for a wire until comparing them with those found locally. As for audio, I’m still tweaking my older surround sound system and am anxious to get the subwoofer back in operation.

My initial impressions from the projector are good, although changing the image mode from ‘cinema’ to ‘user’ seemed to improve the brightness and contract for our room. This could have to do with my wife’s decorating with Christmas lights (always on), or just the fact that cinema lighting is just dimmer due to the darkness in a giant screened movie theater? About the only time I noted the H20’s fan was during shut down when it runs pretty loud for a few minutes of cool down, otherwise is not detectable during playback.

I also enjoyed and can recommend the LG BD370 Network Blu-ray Disc Player for those with Netflix accounts. It was quick and easy to navigate and streamed Netflix instant queued movies flawlessly and with very good quality. I’m sure the kids will enjoy watching movies this way. I’ll attempt to follow up with a ‘user’ review after the holiday workout!

I do have a perfectly good ‘non’ HD projector available for sale, but no guarantee on how much longer the bulb will last. If you are interested make me an offer – new it was over $2000 about 10 years ago.

 

Category: Entertainment, Movies, Personal, Technology | 6 Comments »
Tags: electronics, home theater, Movies, tv

Posted By RichC on December 8, 2009

As the politicians in Washington continue their borrowing and spending, President Obama pitches using $200B from borrowed TARP funds for yet another stimulus … money that wouldn’t even be asked to be paid back. At the same time, the Moody credit worthiness rating company warns of potential downgrades for U.S (and other nations) if fiscal deficits and heavy debts are not effectively managed.

How far are our politicians willing to mortgage US taxpayers ... and their children? We are talking ridiculously unsustainable rates of spending and deficits that grow our debt well in to the future. (video new clip below)

Category: Financial, News, Politics, Video-TV | 4 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on December 8, 2009

The Ohio News Channel produced a short news story on trapping coyotes in the suburban areas of  West Chester in Butler County, Ohio (see previous post).  Neighbor in the area have grown concerned enough as to hire a professional trapper (video below). Perhaps they’ll at least remove the boldest coyotes … although I wonder  just how many coyotes will be trapped?

I’ve heard story from neighborhoods around our house that at least a couple family pets have been attacked, although since a neighbor shot at the large coyote in my previous cellphone photo, I’ve haven’t seen or heard him again.

Columbus Dispatch video removed

Category: Local, News, Video-TV | No Comments »
Tags: coyote

Posted By RichC on December 7, 2009

Who would have thunk it … the first dusting of snow across the Cincinnati area that looks so harmless and traffic nightmare ensues. Good news for automotive body shops and tow truck operators … and probably far better than the “cash for clunkers” boondoggle forced on taxpayers by Washington this year?

I went out to feed the dog and pick up the trash cans this morning admiring the beauty of a first snow, but unfortunately didn’t realized that many  were already playing bumper cars on the roads. A couple of friends (and my wife) messaged or tweeted their frustration of slow travel as each pondered a better route to work … such is life at the beginning of winter.

8:55 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-275 WESTBOUND RAMP TO I-74 NO RAMP. MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT

8:54 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (WHITEWATER) I 74 EASTBOUND AT ST RTE 128 ACCIDENT REPORTED

8:52 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (SPRINGDALE) I-275 WESTBOUND AT PRINCETON PIKE ACCIDENT REPORTED . LEFT AND RIGHT LANES BLOCKED.

8:52 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CINCINNATI) NORWOOD LATERAL (562) WESTBOUND BEFORE PADDOCK RD ACCIDENT REPORTED

8:51 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CINCINNATI) I-71 NORTHBOUND AT DANA AV ACCIDENT. RIGHT LANE BLOCKED

8:44 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 WESTBOUND AFTER MONTGOMERY RD ACCIDENT ON THE LEFT SHOULDER

8:43 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-71 NORTHBOUND AT I-275 ACCIDENT. LEFT LANE BLOCKED

8:43 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CINCINNATI) I-71 NORTHBOUND AT DANA AV ACCIDENT. RIGHT LANE BLOCKED

8:41 a.m.: ODOT ROAD CONDITION UPDATE – WET AND ICY ROADS ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. ODOT HAS CALLED FOR SALT TRUCKS

8:40 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (ERLANGER) I-75 (I-75/I-71) NORTHBOUND AT I-275 ACCIDENT. TWO LANES BLOCKED. UNDER THE OVER PASS

8:40 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CRESTVIEW HILLS) I-275 WESTBOUND AFTER TURKEY FOOT RD ACCIDENT. LEFT LANE BLOCKED

8:38 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-74 EASTBOUND AT I-275 ACCIDENT REPORTED

8:38 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-275 WESTBOUND RAMP TO I-74 NO RAMP. MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT

8:38 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 WESTBOUND AFTER MONTGOMERY RD ACCIDENT. LEFT LANE BLOCKED

8:35 a.m.: ACCIDENT – NORWOOD LATERAL (562) WESTBOUND BEFORE PADDOCK RD ACCIDENT REPORTED

8:33 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (SPRINGDALE) I-275 WESTBOUND AT PRINCETON PIKE ACCIDENT REPORTED . LEFT AND RIGHT LANES BLOCKED

8:23 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 EASTBOUND BETWEEN PETERSBURG RD AND AIRPORT RD NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS REPORTED MULTIPLE LANES BLOCKED

8:20 a.m.: ACCIDENT -(CINCINNATI) I-74 WESTBOUND AT I-75 REOPENED . TRAFFIC GETTING BY IN RIGHT LANE ONLY

8:18 a.m.: ACCIDENT –  (MILFORD) I 275 SOUTHBOUND AT MILFORD PARKWAY ACCIDENT INVOLVING A TRACTOR-TRAILER . SEMI ON ITS SIDE IN THE MEDIAN

8:12 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 EASTBOUND BETWEEN PETERSBURG RD NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS REPORTED . MULTIPLE LANES BLOCKED

8:11 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CRESTVIEW HILLS) I-275 WESTBOUND AFTER TURKEY FOOT RD ACCIDENT. LEFT LANE BLOCKED

8:10 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (ERLANGER) I-75 (I-75/I-71) NORTHBOUND AT I-275 ACCIDENT. TWO LANES BLOCKED. UNDER THE OVER PASS

8:09 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 NORTHBOUND AFTER KILBY RD CLOSED DUE TO ACCIDENT . DUE TO JACKKNIFED TRACTOR TRAILER

8:09 a.m.: (DENT) I-74 WESTBOUND AFTER HARRISON AV REOPENED

8:08 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-275 SOUTHBOUND RAMP TO I-74 EB EASTBOUND RAMP. ACCIDENT ON THE LEFT SHOULDER

8:07 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-275 NORTHBOUND RAMP TO I-74 EB EASTBOUND RAMP. ACCIDENT REPORTED

8:07 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-74 EASTBOUND AT I-275 ACCIDENT REPORTED

8:07 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-275 WESTBOUND RAMP TO I-74 NO RAMP. MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT

8:06 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CRESTVIEW HILLS) I-275 WESTBOUND AFTER TURKEY FOOT RD ACCIDENT. LEFT LANE BLOCKED

8:03 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (KENWOOD) I-71 SOUTHBOUND AT MONTGOMERY RD ACCIDENT. LEFT LANE BLOCKED

7:49 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-75 (I-75/I-71) NORTHBOUND BEFORE RT 338 ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:48 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (MONFORT HEIGHTS SOUTH) I-74 EASTBOUND AT NORTH BEND RD CLOSED DUE TO ACCIDENT

7:47 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (ERLANGER) I-75 (I-75/I-71) NORTHBOUND RAMP TO I-275 NO RAMP. INJURY ACCIDENT

7:46 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (ERLANGER) I-75 (I-75/I-71) NORTHBOUND AT I-275 ACCIDENT. TWO LANES BLOCKED. UNDER THE OVER PASS

7:43 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-275 EASTBOUND AT I-74 NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS REPORTED

7:42 a.m.: ACCIDENT- I-275 EASTBOUND BETWEEN PETERSBURG RD NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS REPORTED

7:39 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-74 WESTBOUND AFTER HARRISON AV CLOSED DUE TO ACCIDENT. NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS

7:37 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 NORTHBOUND AFTER KILBY RD CLOSED DUE TO ACCIDENT . DUE TO JACKKNIFED TRACTOR TRAILER

7:30 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-71 SOUTHBOUND BEFORE FIELDS ERTEL RD ACCIDENT. CENTER LANE BLOCKED

7:26 a.m. – WEATHER: WET AND ICY ROADS ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. ODOT HAS CALLED FOR SALT TRUCKS

7:24 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CINCINNATI) I-74 WESTBOUND AT I-75 CLOSED DUE TO ACCIDENT

7:23 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CINCINNATI) NORWOOD LATERAL (562) WESTBOUND AFTER READING RD MULTI-VEHICLEACCIDENT . 3 CARS INVOLVED.

7:20 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CINCINNATI) NORTH BEND RD AT COLERAIN AV ACCIDENT REPORTED.

I-74 WESTBOUND AFTER HARRISON AV CLOSED DUE TO ACCIDENT . DUE TO
NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS

7:15 a.m.: ACCIDENT (CRESCENT SPRINGS) BUTTERMILK PIKE RAMP TO 75/71 NB NORTHBOUND RAMP. DISABLED VEHICLE . CAR INTO A DITCH.

7:14 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (WHITEWATER) I 74 AT ST RTE 128 MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT . THREE CARS INVOLVED

7:14 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 SOUTHBOUND RAMP TO I-74 EB EASTBOUND RAMP. ACCIDENT ON THE LEFT SHOULDER

7:13 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-74 EASTBOUND AT I-275 ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:13 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-275 NORTHBOUND RAMP TO I-74 EB EASTBOUND RAMP. ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:12 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (DENT) I-275 WESTBOUND RAMP TO I-74 NO RAMP. MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT

7:11 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (WHITEWATER) RT 128 AT US 50 ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:11 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (CINCINNATI) I-75 SOUTHBOUND AT I-74 ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:11 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 WESTBOUND BEFORE CAROL CROPPER BRIDGE ACCIDENT REPORTED. BRIDGE IS SLIPPERY

7:11 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (HEBRON) I-275 WESTBOUND AT HWY 237 ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:11 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-275 EASTBOUND AFTER RT 8 ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:11 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (ERLANGER) I-75 (I-75/I-71) NORTHBOUND RAMP TO I-275 NO RAMP.

7:11 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (MOUNT HEALTHY) RONALD REAGAN HWY EASTBOUND AT HAMILTON AV ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:10 a.m.: ACCIDENT – CINCINNATI) I-75 SOUTHBOUND AT MITCHELL AVE ACCIDENT. RIGHT LANE BLOCKED

7:09 a.m.: ACCIDENT – I-75 (I-75/I-71) NORTHBOUND AFTER RT 338 ACCIDENT REPORTED

7:09 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (FRANKLIN) I 75 SOUTHBOUND AT ST RTE 73 INJURY ACCIDENT

7:06 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (KENWOOD) I-71 NORTHBOUND AFTER KENWOOD RD ACCIDENT. LEFT LANE BLOCKED

7:05 a.m.: ACCIDENT – (FORT WRIGHT) I 275 EASTBOUND AFTER HWY 17 OVERTURNED VEHICLE . VAN FLIPPED INTO THE MEDIAN

Category: Local | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on December 6, 2009

We’re not all going to agree on how much involvement we want from our federal government, but I’m sensing that most Americans are concerned that their voices over an invasive government are being ignored. This concern isn’t just about the current administration, but includes the excessive spending and Wall Street rescue started by the previous administration as well. Politicians in Washington seem to no longer be working for the people, but are focused on a socialist political philosophy significantly different from that of our nation’s founding.

Freedom as we know it in America is dissolving. Washington DC is taking more and more control of our lives and it is time for patriotic citizens to be heard. The successful 200+ year history of our country has shown that we succeed when individuals take responsibility and are empowered through reward to improve upon the past — be it through entrepreneurial hard work, innovation or capitalistic business savvy. No other system of governing has demonstrated the ability to improve the lives of all of its citizens. The United States in seeking its independence is founded upon the ideals of a “Declaration” – we should strive to adhere to it.

"… all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. …"

–Declaration of Independence as originally written by Thomas Jefferson, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:315

I’m not suggesting another revolution in a sense of 1776, but we are nearing a time that voices need to be heard, letters sent, phone calls made, votes cast and a serious direction change made. Government can’t be permitted to trample on the rights of its citizen be it through monetary mismanagement, excessive taxation or control over individual freedom and responsibility … or bowing to World pressures. A ‘nanny welfare state’ is not sustainable … commonsense, if not the history of such folly, tells us that. We need to recognize this now and move responsibility handing individual freedom for both success and failure back to the people of this country. Our nation needs a federal government which protects our security, encourages individual responsibility and rewards their success not punishes it. Decisions which impede this run counter to being a free people and the foundation which our country was built. Too many have fought and paid the ultimate price to win this freedom for us to squander it away.

 

I know I’m not alone … Americans across this country are speaking out. There is a groundswell and awakening of patriots who believe in the founding principles of our country. Their voices are growing and they are taking note of the rapid pace bills are being voted on in congress (particularly Health Care and Cap-and-Trade). Liberals politicians knowing their days are numbered, are pushing a European-like change for America. It is time for those who see ‘entitlements’ controlled by a central government such as these destructive to speak out an be heard – we need to refocus America on the principles that has built our country and not those which will bring it down.

I read a public letter forwarded to me the other day that I thought detailed the concerns many of us are privately sharing. I encourage reading it as it does sum up where many ‘seasoned’ but ordinary citizens find themselves.

I am a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. Instead, we are burdened with Congressional Dukes and Duchesses who think they know better than the citizens they are supposed to represent.

There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you’re willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now.

You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would feel so horribly disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut-job am I? Well, these briefly are the views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I’m not a racist. This is not to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the STIMULUS bill. I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you No, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars. I want the circumvention of our constitutional checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution, and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There are many conflicting opinions and it is too soon for this radical legislation. Quit throwing our nation into politically-correct quicksand.

Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision that will burden me, my children, and grandchildren. Don’t you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night without even reading it. Slow down! Fix only what is broken — we have the best health care system in the world — and test any new program in one or two states first.

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. More is not better! Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real [Constitutional] obligations. Why don’t you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes — how did they pull that one off? Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census with our taxpayer money. I don’t trust them with any of our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs — and that is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person! Why do you want me to hate my employers? And what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Every company must sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we’ll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. (Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid?) We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let’s have it. Let’s say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please stop trying to manipulate and appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Slow down and get some input from nonpoliticians and experts on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed-reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I’m busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not.

It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is needless urgency and recklessness in all of your recent spending of our tax dollars.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on bringing our concerns to Washington . Our president often knows all the right buzzwords like unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don’t want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we’re morons. We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented.. You think we’re so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work, pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone… and we are now looking at you.

You have awakened us, the patriotic freedom spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office.

We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn’t ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us who will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don’t care. Political parties are meaningless to us Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution, and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them.. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you.

If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.

Category: Financial, Health, Politics | 4 Comments »
Tags: cap-and-trade, government, health care, jefferson, Politics

Posted By RichC on December 5, 2009

It was the first day of ice for our small lake and time to take my annual trip to pick out a large-ish Christmas tree. Usually this is done with my son who argues that the tree isn’t big enough, but this year the ‘duty’ fell on to my shoulders alone. Pressure … already knowing what the comments will be — “It’s too small.” So knowing this, my goal was to find an ‘acceptable’ tree AND have the chore done before the Pitt Panthers hosted the Cincinnati Bearcats on a televised football game.

Mission accomplished with a full half of football left to watch … and what a half it was!

Thankful that I missed the first half, since the Bearcats were down by several scores and saw UC quarterback Tony Pike intercepted 3 times. Pitt dominated in yardage as well with the solid rushing of freshman Dion Lewis; even as I glance at the score, I wondered if the game would be TV worthy?

But … the second half was a totally different story. The Bearcat defense all but shut down the Panthers and I saw the University of Cincinnati team mount a miraculous comeback. Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard stepped up with big runbacks and exceptional receptions. Coach Brian Kelly seemed to have inspired his team to greatness (actually no surprise). It was the kind of coaching one would expect from perhaps a Notre Dame coach, not a University of Cincinnati coach.
😉
In the final seconds the Bearcats superstar quarterback Tony Pike marched the ball down the field with a mere 1 minute 39 second in the 4th quarter. He connected with Armon Binns for a tying touchdown with 33 seconds remaining, leaving Pitt’s missed extra point and the previous Pike to Gilyard 2-point conversion critical plays in the game. The extra point was good and Cincinnati’s defense held for the final seconds.  Every Bearcat stepped up and demonstrated why they are ranked number 5 … and why they are the BCS champs heading to a bowl game.

What a game: Cincinnati Bearcats 45 – Pittsburgh Panthers 44.

Photo Credit: Brian Sell via Twitter

Category: Misc | 2 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on December 4, 2009

In a follow up to my post concerning defective Christmas lights, I’ve been working to salvage strings of mini lights before tossing them into the landfill. So far I’ve been pleased the Lightkeeper Pro and have been successful in being able to repair at least a dozens strands of lights. The fixes have not been without a few lost bulbs, although the half off half on problem was eliminated quickly on all but one string of lights – that’s an over 90% success rate. The real problem is once a string has been ‘zap’ repaired, there are always several individual bulbs in each string that will not light. Some I have been able to replace with spare bulbs, but in most cases it was far easier to just put the strings of mini lights back up missing a few lights.

So, if you have become overwhelmed by half lit strings of defective lights, give the Lightkeeper Pro a try … especially if you can pick one up for a few dollars after Christmas (currently about $20, if you can find one locally).

Category: How-To, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: christmas, lights, tools