tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459502024-02-28T07:12:47.503-05:00Michael's RantThe continuing adventures and thoughts from the ragged edge of sanity.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08002652278585349158noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-33670237868661979322017-06-09T19:04:00.003-04:002017-06-09T19:04:55.644-04:00Yesterday I listened to the entire Comey interviews on Capital Hill via radio as I worked. Following the question and answer session listened to two separate commentators break down key points and both had their "legal teams" discecting each answer to important topics. I was stunned to notice how Comey could not state one single fact that would implicate the President or any other person on his staff but inserted his "feelings" or "concerns" into many of the answers that just in having a dinner meeting with Trump he felt compelled to create an after action brief to organize his take on how the meeting played out. He continually made comments that insinuated that the President had some kind of agenda or ulterior motive in this dinner meeting and felt that his job could be on the line based on answers given. The FBI Directors job is always on the line when dealing with a President as it is their job to fire and hire new directors based on their confidence level in the person's ability to discharge their duty.<div>
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Today, according to which press outlet you listen to and how they edit the sound bites two completely different spins are being applied to yesterday's interview. One group, is snipping the very long interview to make it appear that Comey feels the President is totally off his rocker and the other group has spun it that Comey caved to the Attorney Generals pressure to stop any and all investigations of Hitlary and her mishandling of classified material. I did find it very interesting that he admitted to leaking confidential information to a friend with instructions to give it to the press. The FBI Director leaking confidential information and discussing it like it was his civic duty and no big deal is untenable. Any information the Director cannot express in a press statement or interview in the clear is not o.k. to pass to a friend and request it's release to the press all cload and dagger style. That right there is 100% rightful reason for termination as leader of a Federal Agency.</div>
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If the FBI Director can't set a good example then how can we expect subordinates and other persons that handle sensitive material to be honest and loyal? If the FBI has an active case with enough evidence it feels it should continue the Attorney General should not be able to order a halt. With it coming out Comey also accepted a large sum of money from the Clinton foundation it reeks. The sad thing is most Americans believe Hitlary was culpable in mishandling classified imformation, the case was squashed and if reopened now the President will be accused of sour grapes, underhanded defamation rather than our country getting to the bottom of what transpired. I for one believe the Bengazi fiasco where unnecessary American lives were lost due to Hitlary's knowingly denying in-place rescue teams from extracting our diplomats in a timely manner. Rather than investigating this farther and getting slammed by the leftist press, we should reestablish our Embassy in Libya and "The Donald" assign Hitlary as our Ambassador to Libya. I believe Trump giving her a job in his administration would be a great peace offering between the two camps. If she didn't want Libyia can think of a half dozen or more middle eastern or African Nations that would be perfect for her to be the "Ambassador of the free world". </div>
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I could go on and on about shenanigans in the Clinton camp from Uma to Seth Rich. While the left wants to continue their Russian, Russian, Russian mantra and how they leaked the information from Hitlary's server it was most likely her own worker Mr Rich and like other Clinton baggage got a couple bullets to the back of his head for releasing information to Wikileaks. The entire thing reeks and the bait and switch keeps trying to pile all our troubles on Trump. Silly.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08002652278585349158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-49816260493763181442017-06-08T22:25:00.002-04:002017-06-09T19:10:42.968-04:00<div>
Most of us are familiar with the phrase <i>"jack of all trades, master of none"</i>. Have spent my life trying to learn as much as possible, especially about my interests and trades. In doing so have acquired 37 state and federal trade licenses along with the highest class of ham radio license and also commercial communications licence including Marine Radio Opemlrators Permit, General Radiotelephone Operators License and Radar Endorsement. Stay so current that have already read the new OSHA Communications Towers Best Practices Guide released on June 1st 2017. Have extensive experience in generating Radio Frequency Ionizing Radiation Reports and Electromagnetic Radiation Reports from cellular towers, radio towers, overhead power lines and yes, even your laptops, tablets and smartphones. When looking at the average tablet/smartphone that most of the populations of developed nations seem totally addicted to there are a myriad of RF and EMF issues to be concerned with. First the device is constantly pinging a cell tower giving it's location and measuring signal strength so people can see how many "bars" of service they have. Then the darn thing rings or user begins a texting texting spree and your washed in a 900 MHz signal that is proven to cause cancer and mutate living tissue and cells. Then someone rolls into their local Starbucks or log into their home WiFi connection and the signal rolls from 900 MHz to 2.4 GHz which is the same frequency as a microwave oven. Most, due to data charges and fear of exceeding their contracts data allotment will log into any public WiFi available, even if have an unlimited data contract out of habit. So there they sit with a little microwave oven in their hands, pulled up to their face exposing themselves to a constant barrage of microwave frequencies in addition to the phones 900 MHz contact with cellular tower and EMF from the screen.</div>
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This especially interests me when environmentalist commandos are constantly tapping away at their device spewing on social media about corporate entities poisoning our environment as they expose themselves to potential brain tumors, cancers and melanomas from constant use of a device that they are so ignorant of its actual function have zero idea they are doing themselves more harm than most any industry they are spewing about is actually impacting them. I know people that don't own a microwave oven nor will eat any food prepared in one but can't get through a meal without their smart phone or tablet at hand. They will drive for hours in their alternative energy power vehicle but have their phone stuck to side of their head the entire time. Yes, I have my tablet in hand at this moment but the WiFi is locked out and totally shut down so my data is running at a much safer 900 MHz than the same 2.4 GHz as a microwave oven. Do not own a wireless router, my computers connect to the world wide web via wires which have significantly less EMF worries. Anyone that will flip out about a microwave oven but carry a smartphone or tablet like Linus's security blanket from Peanuts fame are showing a total ignorance of how EMF and Electromagnetic Radiation work and interact with humans. <b>Anyone that refuses to own or use a microwave oven but can't let their I Phone/I Pad or other device get out of arms reach is a complete and total idiot. You either abandon both or neither, to say one is dangerous and the other isn't just drives that nail telling me am dealing with someone whos feelings take priority over facts.</b></div>
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Being a jack of all trades and master of none have some some subjects am well versed on, others where know some, some I know <i>jack squat.</i> The key is admitting when a subject is out of your wheelhouse. Some cannot claim ignorance of any subject and would debate mathematics with Einstein. And this brings me to the next rock in my shoe today, asking for advice when have no intention of following if doesn't validate your planned course of action. While I have been this person myself and freely admit it lately have had a several friends and associates asking for serious advice on subjects in which have intimate knowledge. In a couple of circumstances friends are/were in a significant jam and had no idea how to navigate the situation and came to me for advice. Knowing well how their situation developed, how the system works and people in the industry that could help them gave several sound tips. Simple A, B, C... or 1, 2, 3... steps to untangle the mess then start setting it back on a positive track. Two of these were almost the exact same situation which developed pre 2008 and a decade later has them into financial holes so deep the smart thing would be to just walk away from it and start over. Ask my advice, give it as best I can and after the fact realize my advice was not really wanted, rather validation given for a new plan that is even more screwball than what caused the situation to get this bad. Sometimes we have to separate ourselves from emotions just like politically we need to separate our <i>feelings from the issues </i>and use logic to arrive at a better choice than the death spiral our country has been in since the 1960's.</div>
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We cannot continue to give to any who ask, bow to every special interest group that makes demands or continue to spend more money than we collect in ever growimg exponential amounts. Yes we need to help those who need it and paid their way as long as we're able. There is nothing wrong with social security helping the elderly, the disabled and handicapped. The issue is when we start supporting able bodied people in their teens and early twenties enabling them to live an entire life on the government dole and pay them a bonus for every child they pop out. Allow them to get a monthly government check, free health care while pulling down six figures in cash selling dope. When someone on welfare and foodstamps is driving a Cadillac Escalade with $5,000 set of rims and $10,000 stereo something is wrong. When the person in front of me at grocery separates their items in three buggies, one for EBT card, one for WIC and other full of beer and smokes then flash a stack of $100 bills paying for their booze and smokes then load in a vehicle that costs more than my house the world is messed up. When we can have a television network called Black Entertainment Television and it's commonly said an African American can't be prejudiced only whites can something is askew. What happens if someone starts a network called Caucasian Entertainment Television? I feel for the downtrodden and the great thing about America is anyone can pull themselves up and make anything they want out of life. Sometimes they need a hand but it shouldn't be a lifetime stipend but if on a program it should be tied to some form of training for a job or going to school and getting an education. For those that pay in, work hard and a decade or three into working hard get hurt or sick, their lifetime of showing the desire to contribute to the system should be rewarded with the support needed to survive at a reasonable standard. Social programs have their place but your place in them should be earned if able and if disadvantaged from the start then given a break to level their playing field and put them in the game. It's not that difficult of an idea and all it takes is people to try rather than take advantage of a system that is so easy to abuse. Well, the battery on this tablet is nagging which is my clue that have ranted my daily limit so tune in later to the same bat channel at the same bat time and see what's ticked me off next time. Couldn't even get into former FBI Directors libelous comments on Capital Hill today. He should have taken his lawyer with him to kick him in the shin when digging a holes he is going to regret as they are picked apart and revealed for what they were.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08002652278585349158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-17281556111707604332017-06-07T11:21:00.004-04:002017-06-07T11:21:57.068-04:00June 7th in Georgia and have not turned the air conditioner on at house or work till serviced both units over the weekend and fired to make sure they are ready to go when needed then shut them down. Most people I know locally have turned on A/C at both home and work for over a month. Have done such a good job sealing the heat envelope in both structures am always the last I know to start burning heat in fall and A/C in summer. Insulation is mostly common sense but since carry Green Energy, Green HVAC/R Certification, HVAC Preventive Maintenance, EPA 608 Universal Refrigerants (HVAC), and EPA 609 (MVAC), OSHA HVAC Technician and more certified training on heating and cooling feel I have to implement the knowledge myself. Also helps justify telling others how to handle theirs especially when come into my business and say it sure is comfortable and tell them there is not A/C or heat running based on season.<br />
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Before the economy went belly up in 2008 and being energy green was cool enough to be worth paying $499 to $999 for an energy audit was doing audits for folks and breaking down exactly how much money per year more insulation, new windows, etc, would save them per year. How much each would cost and thus in "X" years new "A" and "C" would have paid for themselves then be money in their pocket from then on. 3M makes a window film can apply to exterior of your windows which makes them 35% more energy efficient and almost impossible to break without multiple swings of a baseball bat or crowbar. Other companies make similar you can install yourself but the 3M product can only be applied by a licensed vendor and my territory was claimed long before I tried and use a copy that's not as expensive and only has a 25% increase in thermal efficiency but is as secure.<br />
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Just buying a few cans of expanding spray foam, removing face plates of all electrical outlets and switches, fill gaps around device box and drywall will stop lots of heated or cooled air from escaping or invading your structure. Proper thresholds, door sweeps, door seals, stuff the average person can do with no tools more than a screwdriver and $100 in supplies from home improvement store can cut energy use by five times the initial cost per year. When we pulled the old dusty and compacted R19 out of attic and replaced with R30 it was a miserable chore. Was not terribly expensive and reused the R19 at work in a large area had found that was never insulated. Swapped all light bulbs to LED years ago and on average replace one every 18 months now at most, usually in lamps. Just savings on bulbs, not counting energy was worth the effort. No more going to basement for ladder or balancing on chair to swap a bulb in ceiling fixture is worth a thousand bucks to me.<br />
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Our average monthly electric bill at home is $85 per month. The past month we open the windows an hour after dark and close an hour after sunrise. When it gets cool in fall we open them an hour after sunrise and close and hour after sunset. Fall let the warm in during day and trap it for night when cool. Are still letting cool night air in and trapping during day keeping house very comfortable. No matter how you heat and cool, seal your heat envelope as best you can and it will pay you back for life. The more you do, the more it gives back. If your not cleaning your outdoor condensing unit at least once a year are losing 15% to 30% efficiency on your heat pump or air conditioning. If not cleaning the A-Coil in your indoor air handler every year its probably full of black mold ready to cause respiratory issues, give you Legionnaires Disease or fail from neglect earlier than it should. Like your car, HVAC systems last longer if serviced.<br />
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Don't let someone sell you an overpriced "service contract". Lots of companies advertise a $30 to $50 complete service and inspection. Call one, make sure they service the inside and outside units, check Freon level and for contamination (can help tell if compressor is dying), change filters and then when try to get you to sign up for their service contract say NO. If they try to hit you for an expensive added service say NO and get a second opinion. Some companies will induce a problem. Don't have them come when your not home as they love to scare wives. Follow their @$$ up in the attic, down under the house, watch them clean the coils and be a general pain in their @$$ looking over their shoulder. Next year call them back if were happy with service and if not try another. After a few tries you will trip across someone your "common sense" and your dog will tell you are good folk.<br />
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Watch the needles on their gauges and inside of the service panel or internet tells you what they should read, don't buy Freon if don't need. Been to many structures that have problems soon after a service where Freon was added to find unit overcharged. You do not want to add a U.V. light to your air handler, service guys love to pimp these things. If your unit did not come equipped with one then the wiring insulation and plastic parts are likely not U.V. rated and the U.V. light "germ killer" will destroy the guts of your air handler requiring replacement to the tune of a couple grand unless condenser is R22 and since R22 has been phased out they will soak you for a condenser also doubling your cost into $4k to $5k if they stick you with new service lines. Also your compressor will start giving trouble and not starting up. Before you pay a thousand bucks for a compressor swap or have entire new system installed there is an item called a "hard start capacitor" that stiffens the motor run capacitor and may get you another season out of the system to save some money. When replacement is necessary, buy best system you can get and a suggest a duel fuel system that runs as a heat pump but burns gas for supplimental heat or can be run as a straight gas unit. This allows turning heat down if gone for long periods of time without waiting half a day to get structure warmed back up.<br />
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Its pretty easy to do preventive maintenance yourself and I do mine twice a year. Make sure and turn unit off before servicing and disconnecting the electicity using the disconnect or breakers in electrical panel. After all the leaves fall in the fall, open the service panel in outdoor condensing unit and clean the leaves, nuts and dirt out of the bottom. Buy a couple cans on "no rinse" coil cleaner ($10 per can) dump can one on outside and inside of condenser coils, let sit 20 minutes then rinse with hose but don't spray with high pressure and bend any fins. Remove cover from A-Coil on indoor air handler (it looks like an A shaped radiator and douse it good with your other can of no rinse coil cleaner. Do not rinse the interior coils. replace service door, change filter and your done. If Google the subject will find plenty of information on DYI HVAC preventive maintenance. If not comfortable with tools and electricity it may be better to call a professional as even once disconnected some capacitors can still hold a stiff charge. Be methodical and don't lose any parts, take pictures of any panel you remove so can remember how it goes back together. Good luck and remember even if pay a professional, will save that money back in increased efficiency and cleaner air quality in your home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08002652278585349158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-80349560005500979832017-06-06T14:59:00.000-04:002017-06-06T17:31:35.596-04:00Think I must have missed something but thought background checks were supposed to be done on people with jobs that have "top secret" security clearances not only in America but any developed nation. Also when people traveled to middle eastern countries claiming to be "a terrorist" to customs officials then upon return to England, were featured on a television news documentary watched by over a million people saying on cameras they were a jihadist, some kind of big red flag would pop up then some guys in black suits and Ray Bans would watch them. Before they could hurt people, crack them in the head and haul them away to jail. Instead this butt was given a job working with the countries train system. Especially with all the trouble since 9/11 in New York, London, Paris, Brussels and cities all over our country and Western Europe this seems untenable.<br />
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Some <i>snowflake</i> who is 25 years old, changed her name to "Reality" then maintains a social media account in which she calls the President a four letter word on Facebook for entire world to see that I won't even use in private among a group of male friends is given a top secret security clearance has nearly melted my last brain cell. She openly supports Bernie Sanders (her right as an American) but also is a fan of Michael Moore and other socialist commentators, tweets and posts all kinds of poison about our Commander and Chief thus needs to be serving coffee at Starbucks or left working full time at her yoga instructor job instead of part time. Topping it all off she is put in such a poorly secured facility that can print out hard copies of "top secret" NSA documents, put them in her pocket and then give them to known socialist media outlets. This reeks so bad it seems like it had to be done on purpose. Not only does she need to be in jail but so does the person that hired her, her immediate supervisor as well as their bosses just for <b>being stupid</b>. These days most big private sector human resources departments check out an applicants social media accounts and denies jobs to people that seem to be unstable or unable to keep personal views out of the workplace or channeled in a constructive manner.<br />
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For British MI5 to have accidentally let one of the London Bridge bombers name to descend from one of the U.K.'s "most dangerous persons" slip down in threat level till falls totally off their person of interest list is lunacy. Again this reeks of collusion and again has to almost have been done on purpose. During WWII <b>our Vice President didn't even know about the atomic bomb research till the President died and he was given the helm of the Free World</b>. What is it about "top secret" that has become so unimportant now that Hitlary could run state secrets though her private server without even a decent firewall or consumer level antivirus protection apparently. The left keeps screaming The Russians,The Russians,The Russians,The Russians,The Russians but they are the ones leaking our secrets or leaving them in places a 14 year old kid with a piece of downloaded hacker software could crack open. Not to mention just throwing the printed copies of classified documents in the waste basket for the maids to put in the garbage can at the end of each day. My doctor has better privacy practices for HIPPA compliance. If the press and the liberals can't see this then they are totally blind or <b>doing it on purpose</b>. I can't help but believe it is being done on purpose.<br />
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Think the Russians are going to let a terrorist fall off their danger list? Think they would put a 25 year old Facebook posting malcontent who had changed their name in a job involving national security? The Russians, Chinese nor most any nation with any desire to actually secure their information, people and military would act like our politicians and security agencies have done for the past 20 years. The North Koreans would be removing heads. Even if I had liked Bill Clinton would not have voted for a man who claimed to have smoked pot but "didn't inhale". If thats the truth he was disrespecting the person who paid good money for that bag of weed. Not that I condone or participate in recreational drugs if offered I do as Nancy R. advised, "just say No!" I would not toke without inhaling or take the pills offered and flush down the toilet I would say "no thank you, go ahead I need to be getting home, mommy called and said dinner is ready." The world is turning upside down and we finally elected a President willing to take a stance (right or wrong) and even the "quote" conservatives are scared to back his play even with their voters saying they want these things done. Congressmen and Senators are more concerned about what the NY Times, Washington Post, CNN and MSNBC say about them than what the people that elected them want. Crap, they are more concerned about what a few Hollywood actors that are ex prostitutes, former or still addicted to narcotics say on stage than doing what is right for this country.<br />
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I am sorry but I have to call it like I see it. <i>Stick a fork in the United States as we are done.</i> If people don't get out and show Washington what they think about their mealy mouthed talking out the sides of their neck emphatically enough that they get behind Trump and push the agenda he was elected on then he will not run for a second term. He is a man of action and if not getting things done he will take his ball and go home. He is probably losing millions of dollars a day as President and is doing this job to help America and do not think he needs validation from the masses. He doesn't need 5,000 Facebook friends to feel like he has some self worth. If you want our country to be safe, prosper and have a future get behind this man. No, I don't think he is perfect <i>in fact he says some outright stupid stuff more than just occasionally</i> but he does seem to show a willingness to change his mind or compromise while the left seems to be "its our way or the highway" and won't even try to find one piece of common ground.<br />
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For you gun owners like me who enjoy the sport of shooting, better make your voices heard LOUD. If Trump decides not to run in three years and says to "take this job and shove it" then the left will take back the Executive branch using Soros and Superpac money even if every Democrat has to vote in three or more precincts. <i>(Funny how the press keeps up the Russia, Russia, Russia mantra but all of the people that were caught voting in as many as five precincts for Hitlary has faded into "ancient history" or "water under the bridge" categories)</i> When they take back power the first thing they are going to do is lash out at the people and organizations that aided in "stealing the election" and the NRA was Trumps biggest private sector supporter. That means black rifles and high capacity magazines go away using the reasoning its to "stop the mass killings by terrorists and lunatics" never associating that the deadliest killer, bombs, have been illegal for generations but are much more easily made than a gun, easier to hurt/kill as require no aiming and can destroy an entire building as happened in Oklahoma. If there is a high capacity AR15 that will destroy a multistory building in a microsecond it has yet to be seen by me. I promise to be careful with it if they give me such a rifle.<br />
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<i>We either band together, motivate the Republican Party to get on the bus or next presidential election is a win for the socialist movement by a landslide.</i> Guns will be neutered as best they can without outright amending the Constitution, being Caucasian, heterosexual, conservative or especially a Christian will pretty much be banned or forced into a dark room in hushed voices. Conservative press will be run out of our country on a rail, Fox News and similar balanced (Fox is often way more liberal than many I know) news outlets will be squashed. The owner of Wikileaks will have his head severed like a French aristocrat during the French Revolution. (Remember Bastille day comes 10 days after July 4th, I celebrate their Independence Day as well as ours though <i>we don't want to be in the boat they are in currently</i>) Pastors sermons will have to pass a government approved process of which scriptures can be quoted and The Bible could literally have sections removed. Think the LGBT crowd will allow the story of Sodom and Gomorrah to be repeated much less left in print? They will scream and cry that a book is as harmful to them as a high capacity magazine or a sporting rifle is while occupying a locked box. No inanimate object such as a book or a gun can become self aware and act on its own. Hate filled people that want to hurt others have proved they can kill by the dozens just by driving a truck through a crowd. Its the hatred, intolerance and prejudiced behavior I see being exhibited by the "Never Trumpers" that seems more dangerous than any of the ideals or principles they seem to be so disenfranchised from. I don't hate anyone, am not prejudiced and have friends of all races, religions, creeds, colors, sexual orientation and national origins. I don't even have to agree with someone to like and to love them, I just expect them to respect my right to have an opinion as much as I respect theirs if they state it in a respectful manner and without rioting or burning cities and college campuses when their agenda has a bad day at the polls.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08002652278585349158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-67107168286137270892017-06-05T11:48:00.002-04:002017-06-05T12:13:06.001-04:00Today we need to discuss wildlife, particularly varmints and destructive critters. For most of history man was a hunter gatherer, starting with refrigerators and freezers becoming common following WWII and into the 1950's we quickly went from feeding ourselves to pulling all of our food out of grocery store coolers, freezers and shelves. As the need to kill and farm to prevent starvation diminished, wildlife populations have greatly increased, predators have had to be reintroduced to try and manage populations but our ecosystem has gone bonkers as animals reproduce and overpopulate pretry well unchecked by humans except in the role of exterminators after a problem has gone nuclear.<br />
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Every mornimg from 1/2 hour before sunrise till 90 minutes after daylight and evenings starting about 90 minutes before sunset till 1/2 hour after it gets dark we have to be extremely careful not to hit or get hit by a deer in our trucks. Easter Morning we had a medical emergency that required a fast run to a 24/7/365 pharmacy. A fast as could safely get mobile, jumped in the truck, turned around and pulled out into the road. Lights were on, checked both ways for traffic, pulled out in the road, hit second gear and WHAM a deer ran into drivers side door at the rearview mirror. Wife heard the impact from house and as deer turned back way it had come almost instantly a second deer coming from other side of the road ran into passenger side of truck at rear fender. It's such a common event now just pushed harder on the skinny pedal and kept on trucking. Pulled in the yard one evening to spook five deer that went running in circles totally panicked. While a deer can easily hop a chain link fence one ran into the fence, fell in a pile, jumped back up and went back to panic mode. Another ran into the side of my spare trailer hauling truck, bounced and went off toward back yard. It resembled a total old school vaudeville act rather than real life as this group tred to get out of the yard.<br />
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Over the past few years we have had multiple deer strikes with vehicles including three that caused extensive damage. One ran me off the road on my motorcycle resulting in a mostly titanium left leg with rod from knee to ankle holding my tibia together, three titanium plates holding fibula together and 13 screws keeping all that hardware in place. Had blinker on, was down to third gear from sixth preparing to make my final turn to house and within site of home. Always try to get home well before dark on the bikes to avoid the flocks of deer but was running a tad late and as always was trying to be aware of possibility of a deer but drew a bad hand. Had to stop in road a few days ago as three ran across road in front of me and as checked rear view mirror for oncoming vehicles saw three more deer cross the road behind me. Last few years my next door neighbor has filled his freezers with deer hunting from his house and now letting my hunting friends use our back yard.<br />
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Worse than the deer are squirrel now. Every morning I walk outside to use the outhouse just after sunrise. (Yes, I prefer to pee on a tree and enjoy nature as I take a natural break in the morning) Saturday morning a squirrel was chewing on eve of house trying to gain entry. Reached in the door, grabbed my squirrel rifle and before he got too far turned him off like a light. Next to the squirrel rifle have a groundhog rifle as neighbors are overrun by them but keeping them at bay in our yard. The worst part is having to keep a rifle with night vision scope for killing coyote. Our neigborhood has become overrun by every type of wildlife due to no significant hunting. As such am killing small varmints as best I can. Over the past decade squirrel have chewed holes in the house and gained entry to hide pecans from our pecan trees. Over the winter when run out of pecans they start chewing on important structural items. The crafty little buggers can get away with this for some time before noticed, holes patched and another killing spree begins. Now I just know have to shoot every squirrel get a safe shot at to keep them from successfully attacking the house.<br />
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Have same issue with squirrel at work. What makes it worse is my office/manufacturing facility is in a very urban area. Have a very specialized match grade 22 rimfire with suppressor/silencer and use special low velocity subsonic ammunition that kills squirrel like lightning but does not pass through and endanger neigbors. Also have to be 100% sure of my shot. Every year when the pecan trees start putting on nuts start counting as I murder the vermin. Every year somewhere around 100 dead lose count and give up trying to keep an acurate count. Even with this constant effort of a psychopathic killing spree currently have a ladder set up in shop, access panel to ceiling removed and second rifle in attic to kill a group that has gotten inside the building and taken residence. They have chewed up phone lines, ethernet cables and more which is costing me money. Have searched and searched but can't find where they are coming in. Last week I fired seven shots at work and seven squirrel died. When a 50 round box of my Aguila Sniper Subsonic ammo runs dry and break out the next box there are 50 dead squirrel accounted to that box.<br />
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Because I am one of very few properties in town that has been able to fight off annexation into the city shooting on my property is still legal and even have an indoor shooting range inside the business. Due to the pecan trees and always keeping the population culled new tenants are always seeking greener pastures which gives me a constant supply of fresh victims. If I don't kill them they always invade the building and destroy infrastructure. So for 20 plus years have kept a rifle at front and side doors and shoot squirrel weekly if not daily.<br />
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My issues are an indication of how bad the problem has gotten, every week hear someone talking about squirrel in their house causing damage, poultry farmers telling of coyote getting in a broiler house killing hundreds of chickens cusing thousands of dollars in damage, others talking about foundations crumbling due to ground hogs tunneling down next to basements and more. Folks need to start sharpening their shooting skills and learning to take safe shots at available varmints or expect to pay the price. For the sake of the wildlife itself and property damage, we need to control their overpopulation. Have been a proponent that our local municipality hire professional hunters to help cull the deer, squirell and coyote. In town people can't let their cats or small dogs out unattended without a scraggly, flea infested, possibly rabid coyote grabbing it for dinner. If nothing else, send the SWAT team out once a week with rimfire rifles and eliminate some of the overpopulation problem, sure they would enjoy it. Sure, the PETA People will freak but if they saw some of the near stavation, sick animals I put out of their misery would realize if used logic instead of feelings it's no different than what the Humane Society does.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08002652278585349158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-22270321278911212752017-06-04T09:24:00.005-04:002017-06-04T10:50:05.763-04:00People tend to think a new President, Congress or Senate will reform or save our country, the world, the future of our planet. The fact that western civilization rose to power status to rule and influence the globe was based in the Reformation where Christ was brought back to his rightful place of Master, King and redeemer. The United States was founded on the principles of Christianity and the Bible and we were blessed in defeating an unbeatable foe, the British which were the worlds superpower of the day, who decisively defeated Napoleon any enemy they encountered including Napolean. Our forefathers wrote a document, put their lives on the line by signing while invoking the name of the Creator that all men are equal and risked death in victory or loss over this conviction. With this belief a rag tag group of farmers and laypeople defeated the British Empire to win their freedom.<br />
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Our forefathers established a government based in the fact that we "All Men Are Created Equal". If we evolved, there could not be equality as some subsets of each species are not be as developed as others. The result of flawed belief that macro evolution was the basis of humanity would lend credence to beliefs of men like Hitler who believed and killed millions of Jews, Christians and even non believers because of his insistence that the Arian Race was the "Master Race". Evolution could allow the existence of a "master race" smarter, stronger and more enlightened than other groups of humans. We know this is not true because the Bible tells us we are all equal in God's eye. We cannot be equal through evolution, just the opposite, through evolution some are more equal, more enlightened and more worthy thus Creation Fact is only proof that all souls are equal and in Gods eye. We see this flawed thought process in the rabid extreme political left that think the country should accept the voting process as long as they win, that God should be removed from schools and decisions that affect our country. Only through divine creation are all races, all people, the handicapped, the athlete, the deplorable, the educated, the businessman, the employee, the politician, the electorate are all equal.<br />
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Our country from WW1 and WW2 through the 1960's was a majority church going, God believing group of people. The people who fought WW2 are often referred to as the greatest generation that ever lived. They rose up and defeated the two greatest wordy empires simultaneously. It was also a time where most went to church and while some misused God's word, that has always been done and will be done until the end of times on this earth. Our forefathers chose to place the Ten Commandments on the wall of the Supreme Court, the first then all subsequent presidents sworn into office with their hand on God's Word, our legal system is based on Mosaic and Levitical law.<br />
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Hmmm, now a country in which the local church was usually the local school some don't want God's name mentioned in a school now. Many of our places of higher education rather than being torches of knowledge are hate filled places led by socialist leftists and are ruled by thugs in black hoodies that come out after dark, attack police, people who have different beliefs and burn the businesses often even those that support their warped views. Starbucks one of the drum beaters and finances of the left but the thugs will still destroy and burn their retail outlets. To me this proves total ignorance. When Obama or Clinton were elected conservatives did not riot, burn buildings, burn cars, attack police, spew hate toward the new presidents but respectfully disagreed with them and worked inside the system to best stand for their beliefs. The press did not dangle the mock severed head of Obama like an executed French aristocrat but when a rodeo clown wore a Obama mask he was ruined by the same press outlets attacking Trump and screaming Russia, Russia, Russia. Reminds me of the McArthy communism inquisitions only done with zero facts just rumor and inuendo.<br />
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Finally the silent majority came out to the polls and if large liberal high Poulter areas like NYC, Chicago, Los Amgeles and Seattle are discounted the vast majority of the country voted by a huge majority that we have had enough. Rather than a politician we put a Statesman/businessman at the helm of our country. Look at your history books. Most of our founding presidents were not politicians but businessmen-statesmen that left their homes and businesses to take a turn at the helm, finished their term(s) and returned to their farms and businesses. Now the left wants to establish monarchial type dynasties where powerful families funded by superpacks of socialists and elitists want to tell all what to believe and think. I will get into some cold hard facts from the street to contemplate in later posts.<br />
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Suffice to say from a businessman that runs a multi generational family run business the Clinton/Obama policies have killed many business as watched dozens and dozens of other established family owned companies that provided huge numbers of jobs fail under the burden that has been placed on us. I now spend an extra two hours per day just on OSHA, DOT and EPA compliance. That's 25% of a standard work week above and beyond what was necessary at the end of the Reagan Administration's turn. One of the companies that was my biggest client has folded as they went from two to eight people in government compliance, this doesn't count taxes but OSHA, EPA and DOT paperwork that still didn't stop them from being fined into bankruptcy by a combination of increased operational expenses and government fines in a sluggish economy.<br />
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Meanwhile realize that our current politcal problems, social problems, regular terrorist attacks around the country and the world stem from the people's abandoning of the Scriptures and Godly principles. Rather than live in a manner that we do the right thing because it's the Godly thing, certain groups think the country will be better off to throw God out with the trash and replace him with huge government agencies to regulate morality rather than practice morality for the sake of it being the right and Godly way to act. If we run our business in a manner that exceeds government regulations, as many always have, but now have the burden to prove it with unnecessary daily stacks of paperwork that creates more government to filter through it. There are only so many government employees can be supported by businesses and they still remain profitable unless you want run away inflation and increased cost of goods to support it. Destroying the environment is not profitable, accidents happen and lessons have to be learned but few board rooms or family businesses want to poison their own families home and environment. Meanwhile might I suggest that you "Never Trumper's" consider the repurcussions if the right who owns guns and has money were to go crazy whenever a liberal president was elected...<br />
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Yes, this post wandered and is disjointed but have eight years to catch up on will try not to hop all over the map in future posts and stay on a single topic for each day and will try to only rant on politics on occasion as have lots of fun stuff to discuss. For you folks that watch CNN, MSNBC, NBC and similar, research the sources of their stories before you start ranting till spittle runs down the corner of your mouths. "An un-named, former staff member of an un-named agency who lost their job due to change of administration". If they can't name a source or verify from a second source and third then it's inflated hearsay.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08002652278585349158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-75630364138198247502017-06-03T19:35:00.001-04:002017-06-03T19:46:43.390-04:00Going on eight years without a post to this blog. What can I say except that maybe have not had anything good to say for the past two presidential terms so like the good little boy my mother raised who always said "if you don't have anything nice to say then just don't say anything". Yes, thats going to be my excuse and will stick with it for the moment. Later am sure will find something unkind to say and that will be out the door. Likely by tomorrow so for now lets see if we figured this out and actually managed to unlock an eight year old account from which didn't even have the email it was associated with anymore. Am sure the internet needs one more blogger to tip the scale forcing the poles to reverse, planet flip over, gravity stop and we will all fly off into space. Stranger things have happened like the American people finally electing a person that has enough sense to run a private sector business in the black.<br />
Michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-60025932590040878292009-06-09T09:00:00.002-04:002009-06-09T09:09:04.917-04:00Just a quick thought about our nations health care system. The current administration is wanting to nationalize our health care. Recently I talked to a person in this field that was an Obama supporter about the issue. This persons response was they wanted to model our system after the Canadian Health Care system.<br /><br />I have a friend who is a medical researcher. For thier research they use Canada for their double blind because as he put it "for elderly patients, they have a placebo based system". In Canada, when you retire and become a non productive member of society, the waiting list for medical care can be years if you ever get it at all. Especially for orthopaedic proceedures.<br /><br />Another fact I just discovered. There are more bone density testing machines in my little hometown of Gainesville, GA than in the entire country of Canada. Sad, just totally sad.<br /><br />A wise economist once said, "there is no free lunch". There will be no free medical care either except for those indigant persons that already have it. For the rest of us we will just have our tax rate increased to pay for it and in the end get substandard health care which will be more expensive than if we had left it in private hands.<br /><br />If you think the g-men can give you anything for FREE then you are plain ignorant. Everything has some form of cost. Some is just more obvious than others.<br />michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-3644143183962537542009-01-05T09:21:00.001-05:002009-01-05T09:21:57.152-05:00Folks,<br /> I am ecstatic about the imminent changing of the guard in Washington. Now you stupid liberals that voted for "change" are going to see the empirical evidence that there is not going to be any change. Of course, it will get sugar coated by the press and ya'll will swallow the pill that says it is still GWB's fault.<br /><br /> Nobama said he was going to pull the troops out of Iraq. At this point, he has had most of his CIA and Joint Chief's briefings. And guess what? the military is not planning on any troop reductions in Iraq. If they thought that the president elect was going to pull the plug on the operation, they would not already have plans to redeploy a gazillion troops to Iraq.<br /><br /> So ya'll just keep thinking that he is the new Martin Luther King messiah. I like to keep reminding the folks who say that his presidency is historical that the man is half white... The truth of the matter is he didn't change Chicago politics when he was there and he won't change Washington politics as president. He will be ineffective, the press will blame the minority Republicans and ya'll will swallow it hook, line and sinker. Chumps.<br /><br />Nobama says he will pull the plug in Iraq.<br /><br />[url]http://goobamanation.com/tag/troop-deploymentsl[/url]<br /><br />The Army's recent Iraq troop announcements.<br /><br />[url]http://www.army.mil/-newsreleases/2008/09/30/12834-army-prepares-for-2009-rotations-in-operation-iraqi-freedom/[/url]michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-26988231508959719932008-11-24T08:41:00.000-05:002008-11-24T08:42:08.343-05:00Folks,<br />It seems the entire world is abuzz about the newly elected incoming administration. The liberal left is hailing it as the start of utopia while the conservative right is screaming the sky is falling. Which is the truth? As always, it will fall somewhere in the middle.<br /><br />I believe the proponents of the President Elect's change platform are going to be let down but may not be capable of understanding the how or why. We are already getting a glimpse into how Obama is going to run the executive branch of the government. First is by his choice of a Vice president, Biden is an old school liberal and Democratic collaborator. Second are his early choices for cabinet members. The list is packed with former Bill Clinton advisers and other Democratic Party insiders. This is not what I call change... The same people filling the same positions, with the same beliefs and agendas.<br /><br />Our second clue comes from him distancing himself from several of his campaign promises before the vote count was completed. He has already said he may have been to aggressive with his plan for change and some of his goals may have to be pushed into his second term. With that he can blame not having enough time to fulfill his promises to the people if he is not elected for a second term.<br /><br />Will he see a second term in the White House? I believe he will. Just like with Bill Clinton, the same people that voted for him in the first term will return to the polls in four years. So be prepared to ride this administration for its full legally allotted time potential. But this is going to be o.k., our country survived Jimmy Carter and it will survive this administration. So much of his platform reeks of the initial Carter plan that I want to think all they did was make a few additions to a concept that failed ~30 years ago.<br /><br />Is he going to bring change to Washington and America. Just look at the past and present to predict the future. Who raised so much of his campaign money? Raines and Johnson of Fannie Mae. They have proved that they are willing to stick their hands into the cookie jar. Greed is going to continue on capitol hill as it has for generations, thus the real power brokers are going to continue to be the lobbyists. The legislative branch will continue t do whatever the folks that take them on golf trips to Hawaii ask them to do.<br /><br />It is going to be business as usual in Washington but with a new face to spin it as "change". There will be a lot of posturing and rhetoric. Proposed bills that will fail and be blamed on the Republican minority for undermining idealism. Thus, I am not that scared of our countries system being rebuilt in the name of socialism. With any luck, this administration will let down its constituents as badly as Carter did and usher in another 20 years of Republican control.<br /><br />But if it does, we need a new Republican Party to emerge from the ashes. One similar to the ideals of Ronald Reagan but with even stronger party support. Not this purposeful shift toward the center that we have seen since Bush 1. We need to forget trying to emulate conservative or center Democrats and become true conservatives who are statesmen and not politicians. We need to abandon the "gool ol boy" network that has held American politics as a hostage.<br /><br />So am I worried? Not really, but concerned none the less. For 36 hours after the November 4th election I was worried, appalled, and near despondent. Then when I realized that there was nothing else I could do so I knelt down and prayed. First I prayed for the outgoing administration, next I prayed for the incoming administration, then I received some insight from God. My wife and I have been studying from Samuel, Kings and Chronicles and the Lord reminded me of the teachings from these books.<br /><br />The Israelites demanded a king from God. And God gave them a lineage of kings that the world has studied for thousands of years. According to the actions of the people they often received bad kings (actually more often than good kings) as their actions dictated. So now the people of America have the king they desire. Like most things, we soon find that they are not as nice as the television commercials depicted them. So as the saying from across the pond alludes, "the proof is in the pudding". What this new administration is made of will play out rather quickly as will be evidenced by the fruit of their actions. how the press spins it is all that will matter to the majority of the public.<br /><br />What I do know is this. Whether you voted for the man or not. Whether you like his politics or not. He is now the commander and chief and some semblance of respect for the position is required. You don't have to agree with him but you do have to support our country by respecting its commander. I will probably disagree with many of his ideals, both privately and publicly. I will be more than willing to disagree with anything he does that I don't believe. But I am going to respect the office of the President of the United States, I am going to pray for him and for God to show him wisdom just as much as I have for G.W. Bush, Jr. The first Saturday after the election, my weekly prayer group spent a lot of time on our knees praying for Obama and his staff. We will continue to do this no matter who we may support in the next election. Hate will not change America or bring strength to our cause.<br />Michael V. Crowder<br /><br />Remember this:<br />Luke 6:27-28<br />[27] "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<br /><br />Romans 12:20<br />"But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head"michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-8409784047127736482008-11-04T13:51:00.001-05:002008-11-04T13:52:35.391-05:00Folks,<br /> Today I voted to keep the "change" in my pocket and out of Washington. Nuff said?!?!<br />michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-52896422885759835422008-10-13T10:17:00.002-04:002008-10-13T10:46:51.328-04:00Howdy folks,<br /> Long time, no rant. I have been dealing with some problems with my back, thus I have not really been too interested in extracurricular blogging. I am going to try and get back to ranting because it seems as the world has gone totally loopy and griping to my friends and family just aggravates them and doesn't really help.<br /><br /> Friday I had to jump start a new Cadillac and decided that owning a jump start box as opposed to cables might be a good idea. This morning I went to purchase a jump start box to keep in my primary truck. I first tried Wall Mart and they all said "made in china" so I figured I would run over to Sears "where America shops" and look at the Die Hard and Craftsman labeled stuff. They had about five different models. One said "made in mexico" and the other four said "made in china". I was apalled. So I called a local industrial supply and a local hometown auto parts store. Both places only had "fine china" manufactured jump boxes.<br /><br /> I have given up on buying one now. I would rather do without and use my "made in America" jumper cables as opposed to purchasing a chinese made jump box. Last week I needed to purchase some more NiMH rechargeable batteries for my small electronic devices. I went to four stores looking for U.S.A. made batteries. Once again, no luck. I did eventually find some that were made in Japan so I settled for a few of those to get me by until I can find some U.S. sourced batteries.<br /><br /> We are in the middle of an economic down turn that folks all seem to be in a panic about. But these same folks continue to purchase chinese products instead of looking for home grown products. If you purchase products without regard to where it is made and only look at price then you deserve to lose your job. How is the guy that works at the battery plant going to afford your services if his job is outsourced to china?<br /><br /> Ya'll can blame the big corporations if you want, but you would be wrong. It is the consumers fault that our manufacturing base is falling away. If you don't specifically buy American products as much as you can then you are the problem with our economy. If the American public would vote for local jobs with their pocket books in the isles of Wall Mart and other stores by leaving chinese junk on the shelves then the distributors would pay attention.<br /><br /> In recent memory we have had chinese pet food suppliments killing pets all over the country, Thomas the Tank Engine toys have showed up with lead based paint for your kids to chew on and most recently melamine (a really nansty chemical) is showing up in baby formula and non dairy creamers. Lipton had to destroy an entire shipment of creamers and nobody is talking about how much may have gotten through to the market place. <br /><br /> We have just approved offshore oil drilling to the dismay of the hippy peace freak tree huggers. Many people are outraged that we would allow U.S. oil companies to drill offshore. But these same reserves have been being exploited by the chinese. Who would you rather have drilling for oil near our coast? U.S. Companies or the chinese? At least the U.S. oil companies will have to follow EPA guidelines. The chinese have proved they don't care about us with food and toys, do you think they care about spilling some oil off our coast?<br /><br /> The chinese are the worlds worst polluters at present. Just look at the amount of CFC 12 they are producing annually. Look at their electric power production and across the board at all their infrastructure. So your worried about the U.S. economy or the world environment? If you claim to care and at the same time you purchase chinese products without regard then you are a hipocrite and a lier. Strong Words? No, just the plain truth.<br />michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-9965642536900695062008-07-15T11:09:00.003-04:002008-07-15T11:44:49.383-04:00Folks,<br /> Once again it has been a while since my last post. Over the past couple of months I have studied for and acquired my Technician, General and Extra Class Amateur Radio Licenses. It was an involved process that required a good deal of studying and even refiring all the math synapses in my brain that had gone dormant. But I made it through the tests and the FCC has seen fit to grant me all of my licenses.<br /><br /> As a result of my entering into the Ham Radio hobby the reasons that the Federal Government supports this endeavor have become very clear to me. In the event of any disaster a large burden of the emergency communications work is handled by hams in the civilian realm. Emergency communications are handled by several groups, two of which are ARES and RACES. These groups support local, state and federal government with coordination of key communications including the military.<br /><br /> Ya'll may have thought that the g-men had this covered but they don't. Almost every service uses different systems and frequencies the the ability to inter communicate in the event of a disaster is not there. The Amateur Radio Community pulls all of these government entities together along with private relief organizations such as the Red Cross and the North American Mission Board. <br /><br /> I have become involved in the RACES organization to help provide rescue communications and coordination. In the process of this I have had to take several FEMA courses to obtain my qualifications to help. These courses are available online to anyone who wishes to take them. I reccomend that everyone go through some of the information available at the FEMA website. Here is a direct link:<br /><br /><a href="http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp">http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp</a><br /><br /> One of the things I already knew that has been reiterated time and time again is the the Federal Government is not legally responsible for your immediate safety or to rescue in times of disaster. Your first official line of defense is yourself. You are supposed to have enough emergency rations and equipment on hand to take care of yourself for at least 72 hours. <br /><br /> The second entity responsible for helping you is your local government then the third is the state. Federal assistance can not be provided until requested by your states governor. The Feds can't send anyone until that request is made. So if you think the G-men are going to be at your door in a few hours to rescue you in the event of a disaster you are dead wrong and may die while you wait. FEMA takes a minimum of 72 hours to start mobilization after the President declares a Federal Disaster. So you better be prepared to take care of yourself for quite a while. If you are not prepared to feed yourself, provide yourself with shelter and basic first aid then don't expect it from the government anytime soon. <br /><br /> In order to understand the process and better prepare yourself for an emergency I suggest that everyone take the FEMA IS-7 online course. Here is a direct link to the material:<br /><br /><a href="http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is7.asp">http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is7.asp</a><br /><br /> If you don't take some steps to prepare yourself for an emergency and realize that you are on your on for at least three days according to how the system works then you may just find yourself going hungry for several days at best. At worst you could find yourself hungry, hurt and alone in the dark for quite some time and could die while waiting for help that you always assumed was just a phone call away. Prepare yourself for a potential disaster or be prepared to suffer the consequences.<br />michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-39919135998791917932008-06-03T15:34:00.002-04:002008-06-03T15:40:30.999-04:00Folks,<br /> This article was just way too interesting not to pass along. It comes from the Examiner.com and here is the direct link. http://www.examiner.com/a-1419425~Peter_Schweizer__Conservatives_more_honest_than_liberals_.html I normally just post the link but this is too good not to quote:<br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p> <img src="http://www.examiner.com/img/rss-examiner_logo.gif" /> <br /></p><p> </p> <table class="700" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td> <span class="section_title"> Commentary</span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="content_width"> <!-- begin body content --> <div id="article_main"> <div id="article_headline">Peter Schweizer: Conservatives more honest than liberals?</div> <p class="article_meta"> Peter Schweizer<br /> 2008-06-02 07:00:00.0<br /> Current rank: # <strong>1</strong> of 11,892 </p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">WASHINGTON</span> - <p>The headline may seem like a trick question — even a dangerous one — to ask during an election year. And notice, please, that I didn’t ask whether certain politicians are more honest than others. (Politicians are a different species altogether.) Yet there is a striking gap between the manner in which liberals and conservatives address the issue of honesty.</p><p>Consider these results:</p><p>Is it OK to cheat on your taxes? A total of 57 percent of those who described themselves as “very liberal” said yes in response to the World Values Survey, compared with only 20 percent of those who are “very conservative.” When <a title="Pew Research Center" href="http://www.examiner.com/Subject-Pew_Research_Center.html" onclick="var s=s_gi('examinercom'); s.tl(this,'o','Entity Link'); ">Pew Research</a> asked whether it was “morally wrong” to cheat Uncle Sam, 86 percent of conservatives agreed, compared with only 68 percent of liberals.</p><p>Ponder this scenario, offered by the National Cultural Values Survey: “You lose your job. Your friend’s company is looking for someone to do temporary work. They are willing to pay the person in cash to avoid taxes and allow the person to still collect unemployment. What would you do?”</p><p>Almost half, or 49 percent, of self-described progressives would go along with the scheme, but only 21 percent of conservatives said they would.</p><p>When the World Values Survey asked a similar question, the results were largely the same: Those who were very liberal were much more likely to say it was all right to get welfare benefits you didn’t deserve.</p><p>The World Values Survey found that those on the left were also much more likely to say it is OK to buy goods that you know are stolen. Studies have also found that those on the left were more likely to say it was OK to drink a can of soda in a store without paying for it and to avoid the truth while negotiating the price of a car.</p><p>Another survey by Barna Research found that political liberals were two and a half times more likely to say that they illegally download or trade music for free on the Internet.</p><p>A study by professors published in the <a title="American Taxation Association" href="http://www.examiner.com/Subject-American_Taxation_Association.html" onclick="var s=s_gi('examinercom'); s.tl(this,'o','Entity Link'); ">American Taxation Association</a>’s Journal of Legal Tax Research found conservative students took the issue of accounting scandals and tax evasion more seriously than their fellow liberal students. Those with a “liberal outlook” who “reject the idea of absolute truth” were more accepting of cheating at school, according to another study, involving 291 students and published in the Journal of Education for Business.</p><p>A study in the Journal of Business Ethics involving 392 college students found that stronger beliefs toward “conservatism” translated into “higher levels of ethical values.” And academics concluded in the Journal of Psychology that there was a link between “political liberalism” and “lying in your own self-interest,” based on a study involving 156 adults.</p><p>Liberals were more willing to “let others take the blame” for their own ethical lapses, “copy a published article” and pass it off as their own, and were more accepting of “cheating on an exam,” according to still another study in the Journal of Business Ethics.</p><p>Now, I’m not suggesting that all conservatives are honest and all liberals are untrustworthy. But clearly a gap exists in the data. Why? The quick answer might be that liberals are simply being more honest about their dishonesty.</p><p>However attractive this explanation might be for some, there is simply no basis for accepting this explanation. Validation studies, which attempt to figure out who misreports on academic surveys and why, has found no evidence that conservatives are less honest. Indeed, validation research indicates that Democrats tend to be less forthcoming than other groups.</p><p>The honesty gap is also not a result of “bad people” becoming liberals and “good people” becoming conservatives. In my mind, a more likely explanation is bad ideas. Modern liberalism is infused with idea that truth is relative. Surveys consistently show this. And if truth is relative, it also must follow that honesty is subjective.</p><p>Sixties organizer <a title="Saul Alinsky" href="http://www.examiner.com/Subject-Saul_Alinsky.html" onclick="var s=s_gi('examinercom'); s.tl(this,'o','Entity Link'); ">Saul Alinsky</a>, who both <a title="Barack Obama" href="http://www.examiner.com/Subject-Barack_Obama.html" onclick="var s=s_gi('examinercom'); s.tl(this,'o','Entity Link'); ">Barack Obama</a> and <a title="Hillary Clinton" href="http://www.examiner.com/Subject-Hillary_Clinton.html" onclick="var s=s_gi('examinercom'); s.tl(this,'o','Entity Link'); ">Hillary Clinton</a> say inspired and influenced them, once said the effective political advocate “doesn’t have a fixed truth; truth to him is relative and changing, everything to him is relative and changing. He is a political relativist.”</p><p>During this political season, honesty is often in short supply. But at least we can improve things by accepting the idea that truth and honesty exist. As the late scholar <a title="Sidney Hook" href="http://www.examiner.com/Subject-Sidney_Hook.html" onclick="var s=s_gi('examinercom'); s.tl(this,'o','Entity Link'); ">Sidney Hook</a> put it, “the easiest rationalization for the refusal to seek the truth is the denial that truth exists.”</p><p><a title="Peter Schweizer" href="http://www.examiner.com/Subject-Peter_Schweizer.html" onclick="var s=s_gi('examinercom'); s.tl(this,'o','Entity Link'); ">Peter Schweizer</a> is the author of “Makers and Takers: Why Conservatives Work Harder, Feel Happier, Have Closer Families, Take Fewer Drugs, Give More Generously, Value Honesty More, Are Less Materialistic and Envious, Whine Less ... And Even Hug Their Children More Than Liberals” (<a title="Random House Inc." href="http://www.examiner.com/Subject-Random_House_Inc..html" onclick="var s=s_gi('examinercom'); s.tl(this,'o','Entity Link'); ">Doubleday</a>).</p> </div> <span style="font-style: italic;">Examiner</span></td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote>Hope ya'll enjoyed that as much as I did...<br />Michael<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-32553577205468650182008-03-31T14:16:00.002-04:002008-03-31T14:48:34.301-04:00Folks,<br /> I was complaining about how hard it is to run a business under our countries current tax structure today and I was appalled by a response I got. someone actually said to me that if I am a S-corp then I don't pay taxes. I don't understand how such a large percentage of our population has no idea of how a business is run or how the tax structure actually works in the real world. I guess if all you do is pick up your check on Friday and pay the lease payments on your car and apartment you can't understand how things actually work.<br /><br /><span class="postbody">Yes, my business is a s-corp. While a narrow and limited view may assume that i don't pay corporate taxes, that in reality is quite wrong. We file a corporate tax return with just a minimum filing fee. Then all the "profits" are rolled into my personal return. Any money in the corporate checking account on the last day of the year is considered profit and taxed at my personal federal tax rate of 28% and state rate of 6%. This means if I leave 10,000 dollars in the corporate account as of midnight on 31 December then the government is going to take 3,400 dollars of it away from me.<br /><br />So to keep this from happening the natural tendency is to roll the money out of the corporate checking account. Some goes into the pension fund where it is gone until I am as old as Moses. Some I write to myself as a distribution, pay the 34% taxes on it and stick it in a savings account where it will probably sit until I die and do nothing for the countries economy. The rest I spend on equipment the we may or may not actually need. This is pretty much standard operating procedure for most small companies.<br /><br />What I need, is to be able to leave a couple of dollars in the company account at the end of the year without penalty. I have to start each year dead broke or pay a severe penalty on the money that is sitting in the company account as of the last day of the calender year.<br /><br />This year we are planning to do an addition to the building so that we can put more men in here working. This will give jobs to the local community through using several subcontractors to do the building and by hiring workers to fill the new addition. I had enough money to get started back at the end of the year but not the time. So instead of proceeding with the project when we had the cash a good deal of money got rolled into the pension plan and the rest into some equipment that we sorta kinda needed but not really. So now we are having to replenish funds before we can do the addition. My concrete subcontractor is really slow and really wants the work to begin but i am about 60 to 90 days from having enough cash in hand to start and finish the project. Oh yeah, we do things like this with cash and not by borrowing at the bank but that is a different rant... If i could have carried the funds for this project over into this fiscal year from last without penalty this project would be underway if not nearing completion at this point.<br /><br />If I could carry funds from one year into the next without penalty for making payroll I would have probably carried one more employee through the winter. It is hard to stare a new calender year in the face with zip in the checking account and payroll to make for four employees every Friday. At thanksgiving we had plenty of cash on the books and I had to make it all go away before Christmas or get hammered by the man. If i had been able to carry that over into the new year without paying a significant amount of taxes on it I could now be spending it now on infrastructure and creating new jobs.<br /><br />Instead the company is now trying to recover enough cash reserve to build instead of having contractors running around here putting up walls. I am interviewing but dragging my feet on hiring a new man so that I can be sure and have enough reserve to make payroll EVERY Friday with five folks sticking out their hands. I also need the addition done so that the new employee has a place to work without bumping elbows with the folks already here.<br /><br />Companies like mine need an account where we can carry over operating capital from year to year without penalty. I am happy to pay taxes on it when I take a check but as long as it sits in the corporate account to pay business expenses I need the g-men to leave it alone.<br /><br /></span><span class="postbody">All the people that live at the whim of a payroll check on Friday or their entitlement check and don't run a business really get my goat. Statements like corporations don't pull their weight or s-corps don't have to pay taxes, or the rich don't pay enough taxes make me want to break out my aluminum baseball bat and start busting knee caps.<br /><br />This little chart ought to be enough to shut those raise taxes on the rich up forever. If they still think that the rich are not paying their fair share then they need to be sterilized before they breed and perpetuate their particular brand of ignorance into the gene pool. (I am tongue in cheek with a few of these statements but almost serious)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/menu/top_50__of_wage_earners_pay_96_09__of_income_taxes.Par.0008.ImageFile.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />This country is supported almost completely by the upper 50% of the income bracket. Until someone has had to keep a real live corporation on its feet for the first quarter of the year after the tax man has either forced them to divest themselves of all on-hand cash or raped them for keeping a few dollars on hand they need to keep their mouths shut and thank the American corporate world for keeping this country working.<br /><br />I am not the most educated person around or even very smart but after 20 plus years of keeping a business afloat, while making sure that payroll is met every week, all the bills are paid on time and the tax man is satisfied I have learned a few things. 90% of the people out there are not qualified to render an opinion. They just don't have enough real world experience in the matter to say anything about it. That statement is not aimed at anyone in particular but if the shoe fits...<br /><br />I think we ought to go back to the original concept of a voting public that our forefathers instituted. According to the original voting laws in this country each state set the rules for voter qualification in their jurisdiction. In most states you had to own a significant piece of property, be a business owner or have an set amount of wealth to qualify to vote. The folks that just picked up a paycheck and didn't at least own their home were not considered responsible enough to vote.<br /><br />I am tired of having Representatives that were elected by freeloaders living in public housing and collecting an entitlement check that I earned for them telling me how to live and run my business. If we went back to a system where you had to show that you were at least capable of supporting yourself to qualify to vote this country would be much better off. Letting the thieves watch the store is not profitable. I say open the borders to anyone willing to work and send the ones that won't out to a deserted island and let them play survivor for real. <br />michael<br /></span><span class="postbody"> <br /></span>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-88322945607986191712008-03-26T13:28:00.002-04:002008-03-26T14:20:58.539-04:00Folks,<br /> I have heard a couple of public comments made from the liberal press today about global warming that actually have my blood warming. How is it that so many folks are buying into the idea that we are going to cause our own extinction in the next few years? If you just bother to research the facts without bias before forming an opinion you may just realize that the situation does not bode as bad as Al Gore would have you believe.<br /><br /> A couple of articles have crossed my desk of late that seem to have a lot of bearing on the subject. The first is from a source that I have always considered very liberal and to the left. NPR (national public radio) has released an article stating scientists have found that the planets ocean water temperatures have not risen at all in the past decade. Ocean temperatures are the real measure of the planets temperature. In fact the ocean temperatures have actually cooled off during the last decade. Follow the link for the entire article:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88520025">http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88520025</a><br /><br /> In another recent article from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Australian</span> scientists are admitting that the problem may not be as bad as some folks have suggested. One quote says this:<br /><blockquote></blockquote><p></p><blockquote><p>Duffy: "The climate is actually, in one way anyway, more robust than was assumed in the climate models?" </p> <p>Marohasy: "That's right ... These findings actually aren't being disputed by the meteorological community. They're having trouble digesting the findings, they're acknowledging the findings, they're acknowledging that the data from NASA's Aqua satellite is not how the models predict, and I think they're about to recognize that the models really do need to be overhauled and that when they are overhauled they will probably show greatly reduced future warming projected as a consequence of carbon dioxide." </p> <p>Duffy: "From what you're saying, it sounds like the implications of this could beconsiderable ..." </p> <p>Marohasy: "That's right, very much so. The policy implications are enormous. The meteorological community at the moment is really just coming to terms with the output from this NASA Aqua satellite and (climate scientist) Roy Spencer's interpretation of them. His work is published, his work is accepted, but I think people are still in shock at this point." </p> <p>If Marohasy is anywhere near right about the impending collapse of the global warming paradigm, life will suddenly become a whole lot more interesting. </p><blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> This complete article can be viewed by clicking on the following link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23411799-7583,00.html">http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23411799-7583,00.html</a><br /><br /> For years scientists and politicians have been at odds over the science behind the global warming ideals. Both sides have accused each other of "junk science". As more research is done and the facts become more refined, the more it seems that the evidence of impending doom is just not there. In fact many scientists claim that they feel that their opinions have been purposely suppressed and they have been pressured not to publicly suggest that global warming may not exist. Here is a link to a U.S. Senate report on the subject:<br /><br /><a href="http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=f80a6386-802a-23ad-40c8-3c63dc2d02cb">http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=f80a6386</a><br /><br /> What many people fail to take into consideration is that the planet is still recovering from a mini ice age which climatologists agree ended in the mid 1800's. The following link goes to an article that suggests the possibility that we may actually be headed for another ice age.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=332289">http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=332289</a><br /><br /> So now lets consider that global warming could be real, and if so, what would the results of warming temperatures mean to the human race? Science and history actually show that the overall warming of the planet would result in a much smaller number of weather related deaths. Yes, global warming would actually save lives. I am reposting an article from Discover Magazine.<br /><br /><span class="postbody"><blockquote>The heat wave in Europe in early August 2003 was a catastrophe of heartbreaking proportions. With more than 3,500 dead in Paris alone, France suffered nearly 15,000 fatalities from the heat wave. Another 7,000 died in Germany, 8,000 in Spain and Italy, and 2,000 in the United Kingdom: The total death toll ran to more than 35,000. Understandably, this event has become a psychologically powerful metaphor for the frightening vision of a warmer future and our immediate need to prevent it.<br /><br /><br />The green group Earth Policy Institute, which first totaled the deaths, tells us that as "awareness of the scale of this tragedy spreads, it is likely to generate pressure to reduce carbon emissions. For many of the millions who suffered through these record heat waves and the relatives of the tens of thousands who died, cutting carbon emissions is becoming a pressing personal issue."<br /><br />While 35,000 dead is a terrifyingly large number, all deaths should in principle be treated with equal concern. Yet this is not happening. When 2,000 people died from heat in the United Kingdom, it produced a public outcry that is still heard. However, the BBC recently ran a very quiet story telling us that deaths caused by cold weather in England and Wales for the past years have hovered around 25,000 each winter, casually adding that the winters of 1998-2000 saw about 47,000 cold deaths each year. The story then goes on to discuss how the government should make the cost of winter fuel economically bearable and how the majority of deaths are caused by strokes and heart attacks.<br /><br />It is remarkable that a single heat-death episode of 35,000 from many countries can get everyone up in arms, whereas cold deaths of 25,000 to 50,000 a year in just a single country pass almost unnoticed. Of course, we want to help avoid another 2,000 dying from heat in the United Kingdom. But presumably we also want to avoid many more dying from cold.<br /><br />For Europe as a whole, about 200,000 people die from excess heat each year. However, about 1.5 million Europeans die annually from excess cold. That is more than seven times the total number of heat deaths. Just in the past decade, Europe has lost about 15 million people to the cold, more than 400 times the iconic heat deaths from 2003. That we so easily neglect these deaths and so easily embrace those caused by global warming tells us of a breakdown in our sense of proportion.<br /><br />How will heat and cold deaths change over the coming century with global warming? Let us for the moment assume-very unrealistically-that we will not adapt at all to the future heat. Still, the biggest cross-European cold/heat study concludes that for an increase of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit in the average European temperatures, "our data suggest that any increases in mortality due to increased temperatures would be outweighed by much larger short-term declines in cold-related mortalities." For Britain, it is estimated a 3.6°F increase will mean 2,000 more heat deaths but 20,000 fewer cold deaths. Likewise, another paper incorporating all studies on this issue and applying them to a broad variety of settings in both developed and developing countries found that "global warming may cause a decrease in mortality rates, especially of cardiovascular diseases."<br /><br />But of course, it seems very unrealistic and conservative to assume that we will not adapt to rising temperatures throughout the 21st century. Several recent studies have looked at adaptation in up to 28 of the biggest cities in the United States. Take Philadelphia. The optimal temperature seems to be about 80°F. In the 1960s, on days when it got significantly hotter than that (about 100°F), the death rate increased sharply. Likewise, when the temperature dropped below freezing, deaths increased sharply.<br /><br />Yet something great happened in the decades following. Death rates in Philadelphia and around the country dropped in general because of better health care. But crucially, temperatures of 100°F today cause almost no excess deaths. However, people still die more because of cold weather. One of the main reasons for the lower heat susceptibility is most likely increased access to air-conditioning. Studies seem to indicate that over time and with sufficient resources, we actually learn to adapt to higher temperatures. Consequently we will experience fewer heat deaths even when temperatures rise.<br /><br />Discover, Aug. 31 2007</blockquote> If the idea of global warming is a myth then what could be the reason for all of the politicians and press running around screaming "the sky is falling."? Political agendas that depend on mass hysteria rather than the facts to garner support in the election process seems to be the key. Certain folks are getting a lot of press and political support from their "environmentally green" to the point of lying stances. Some people are actually suggesting that Al Gore be sued for his obvious politicalization of the global warming stance and vehement spreading of the idea.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20080303175301.aspx">http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20080303175301.aspx</a><br /><br /> No matter what side of the global warming fence you may sit, be sure that you do some actual research to support your stance. Just parroting what you hear from a particular politician, party or organization is irresponsible. Look into the subject by reading from a variety of sources. I read articles from both sides of the issue and then try to use my limited ability of logical reasoning to decide which school of thought is most plausible.<br /><br /> At this point I don't see any definitive proof that global warming is an imminent disaster on the horizon. I will keep reading real research on the subject as it is released and reserve the right to change my opinion if the evidence convinces me otherwise. But for now I am going to spend my allocated "worry time" on more pressing issues.<br />Michael<br /><br /></span>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-73566679338757348482008-02-14T12:27:00.003-05:002008-02-14T13:02:51.896-05:00<span style="font-size:100%;">Folks,<br /> A piece of news crossed my desk today that has me utterly stunned. The city council of Berkeley California has issued a letter to the United States Marine Corp that their local recruitment center is no longer welcome in their city.<br /><br /></span> Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, said <span id="intelliTXT" name="intelliTxt"><em>"The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave" .</em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> I am appalled by such a statement coming from a branch of government who's very existence is allowed due to the protection of these brave men and women.<br /><br /> If the city of Berkeley does not want the protection provided by our military then they should also opt out any federal funding also. If they are unwilling to pay their own way and protect themselves then they owe the Marine Corps and the American people a great big apology.<br /><br /> A group of people operating under the name "code pink" are doing everything in their power to stop the Marines from operating their recruitment center. You want to see something appalling? Check out this video:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bayareanewsgroup.com/multimedia/iba/2008/player/?f=0131_codepink">http://www.bayareanewsgroup.com/multimedia/iba/2008/player/?f=0131_codepink</a><br /><br /> My opinion is that the Marines need to send a detachment of Force Recon soldiers to protect the free ingress and regress from their offices. If the local police will not enforce the law and protect the rights of our armed forces then I believe the military has the right to take care of themselves. If I was trying to enter that building and some of those peace freaks tried to block my way they would learn the meaning of getting walked over.<br /><br />For more on this story try these links:<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330419,00.html">http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330419,00.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8240354?source=most_viewed">http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8240354?source=most_viewed</a><br /><br />Senators Isakson, Chambliss and Broun have sponsored a bill to take away federal funding from the City of Berkely. There is a petition sponsored by the American Center for Law and Justice that supports the <span style="font-style: italic;">Semper Fi Act of 2008.</span> To add your name to this petition follow the link at the bottom of this article.<br /><a href="http://www.aclj.org/TrialNotebook/Read.aspx?id=588"><br />http://www.aclj.org/TrialNotebook/Read.aspx?id=588</a><br /><br /> This deal has my blood boiling. If this was happening in my town those "code pink" protestors would have to walk through a wall of my friends and I to get to the door of the Marine Corps recruitment center. If this upsets you just half as much as it does me then please join the ACLJ by signing onto the petition.<br />Michael<br /></span>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-49991777794113203662008-02-08T08:14:00.000-05:002008-02-08T09:07:08.907-05:00Folks,<br /> Every day I seem to encounter more and more people that don't understand the concept of cash. While I do have two corporate credit cards and two personal cards, I only use the personal cards every once and a while. If I buy myself a toy and place the order over the phone or via the internet the card gets used. I do use them on trips for motels and rental cars. Most of my business purchases get done on a Delta Skymiles card thus most of my plane tickets are compliments of the rewards card. Everything else is done with cash.<br /> A while back I needed some real luggage for a trip. Since I almost always pack in backpacks I have never really needed luggage. This particular trip required that I have at least three business suits along with the standard fare of street cloths. No climbing gear, no backpacking gear and no bicycles.<br /> I went to Wally World and all they had was cheap looking stuff that all said "made in China". I picked up the cell phone and called a friend that did a fair amount of retail shopping. He said he always saw a good selection of luggage at Target, so off I went to my first ever trip into that store.<br /> I found what I needed, took it to the register and the young guy that was working the register rang it all up. I reached into my wallet and started skinning out hundred dollar bills. When I handed him the money he just looked at it like it was going to give him leprosy. He immediately got on the microphone and called for a manager. <br /> While we waited for the manager he held each bill up to the light, examined it closely and then swiped each one with the counterfeit pen. When the manager arrived on the scene he started with the same routine. While the manager examined my money the clerk unzipped every zipper on the new luggage and examined every compartment to see if I was trying to hide other items in the luggage.<br /> While the clerk was pilfering my bags the manager asked me if I had a debit card or something else I could use for my purchase. I said I don't use debit cards and my personal credit cards are just for emergencies and traveling. He expressed concern about taking several one hundred dollar bills for a single purchase. I replied that they either took them or I was walking out the door. At that point he decided to "allow" my bills to enter the register but didn't seem happy about it.<br /> So the prevailing theme seemed to be to assume I was a criminal the moment I entered the store. I was watched on video cameras, followed at one point by what appeared to be store security, two people checked my money apparently assuming I was trying to pass counterfeit, and finally to add insult to injury they searched my purchases assuming I had hidden other items in the bags. That was my first and last trip to Target.<br /> Recently I stopped for gas at a convenience store. This particular store didn't take American Express (AmEx has the best customer service by far) so I opted to pay with cash. This fuel stop didn't have a pay first policy so I filled the truck up. After pumping approximately 70 dollars worth of fuel I went in to pay. <br /> I handed the clerk a 100 dollar bill. She said that company policy didn't allow hundred dollar bills. I said all I had was two twenties and the rest was c-notes. She said I needed to use a card then. I said all I have is American Express to which she replied they didn't accept. So I replied that she was just going to take the c-note to which she said she couldn't. Catch 22.<br /> I then thanked her for the free tank of gas and said I would be leaving. She informed me that she was going to call the cops if I left without paying. I then said that I think it may be best for me to call them first and report her for violating Federal law. She said what law? I then read her the inscription on the front of the bill, "this note is legal tender for all debts public and private". <br /> I said that her refusing to take it was a blatant violation of the law and that I was just going to go ahead and call the cops myself. She became livid and started cursing. Give me the "%#$&#^$(#" money, so I did and she gave me my change. I had to argue and threaten to give a retailer cash money. These are just two instances that I relayed but the same basic scenario has transpired many times to me.<br /> My wife and I have a person that travels with us occasionally. This person never carries cash. Back before fast food joints started taking cards it was a real pain to travel with this person. We would be driving down the road and decide to stop for breakfast, she would say we needed to find an ATM so that she could pay for her biscuit. We would have to go to two or three before we found one that didn't charge her for the service.<br /> When it came time for lunch we would have to go through the same routine. I always wanted to ask why didn't she get enough that morning for lunch but never did. If we went on a weekend jaunt with this person we would end up stopping at teller machines at least a half a dozen times. Why in the world she couldn't leave the house with enough cash to get through the weekend boggled my brain.<br /> the sad thing is that I know lots of other people that operate the same way. Once on a trip with another couple we encountered a hotel whose credit card machine was not functioning. This was the only hotel for miles where we were and thus we had to stay. We skinned out some federal reserve notes and paid our bill without even really thinking about it. <br /> The other couple looked at us like we had lobsters crawling out of our ears. They asked, 'Ya'll carry that much cash when you travel?", to which I replied that I don't leave the house without at least a few hundred bucks in my pocket. We loaned them enough money to pay their bill for the night. Next day they decided it would be much easier to pay our hotel bill that night than to get cash out of a machine to pay us back.<br /> Folks, teller machines can run out of cash, credit card machines can malfunction, computers can crash, sometimes you encounter emergencies that can only be handled with cash. Quite often I find really good deals on stuff from individuals that don't have a credit card machine in their pocket, don't want a check and the deal can only be sealed with wallet sized photos of dead presidents. if you don't make a habit of carrying some cash you will end up in the lurch at some point. Besides, carrying cash helps you learn how to budget.<br /> When you pay make a habit to pay in cash you won't find yourself like the average American household. 15,000 dollars in unpaid credit card debt. That number astounds me. I don't carry any credit card debt over into the next month. Most of my friends don't, my parents don't and so forth. So if the average American household figures in us then how deep in debt are these folks really? Carry cash, learn to live on the money that you actually have in your pocket and if you can't then I don't feel one bit sorry for you that the credit card company is eating your lunch with fees and interest.<br />michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-55350911862348441172008-01-22T08:35:00.000-05:002008-01-22T08:44:05.183-05:00some food for thought folks...<br />Of the estimated 130,000 united states troops directly involved in the Iraqi conflict an estimated 31,000 to 37,000 are not United States citizens. You may ask, who are these masked men? Well since you asked, they are the Mexicans that folks seem to gripe about. Mexicans? fighting an American sponsored war? Yes. A portion of the Hispanic total is comprised of a few Dominicans and Puerto Ricans.<br /><br />Right now about 14% of the Marine Corps is comprised of amigos, 10% of the Army is Hispanic, 11% of the Navy, and 6% of the Air Force. Estimates say that as many as 20% of our front line forces are Hispanic. At present Hispanics are the fastest growing demographic group in our military and account for about 11% of our total enlisted forces. <br /><br />This number is growing. While enlistments of blacks is declining sharply and whites is tapering off a little more moderately, the amigos are picking up the slack. So not only are they cutting our grass, washing our dishes, building our homes and about every other piece of manual labor, they are protecting our countries interests on the battle field.<br /><br />It was estimated that in the battle for Falluja, the combat forces for that fight were an astounding 30% Hispanic. While these industrious immigrants mothers are cleaning your toilets, their sons may be defending your right to freedom. <br /><br />Whats in it for them? After four years active service and 2 years in the reserve they get a green card. Yes, they get to trade risking their life for an opportunity to live in this great country. Many of them risked their life just getting her then signed up to do it again in our military. Think about that next time you think about griping about how tough times are for you. Interject these facts the next time the immigration question crops up in conversation.<br /><br />The army has been trying to change the rules to allow any amigo with two years in a combat zone to be allowed to get his papers. I think that is more than fair. Next time you see an amigo that you don't like for some reason wonder if he got here by the way of the front lines of the field of battle. Wonder if he has served our country with more of a sacrifice than you have. Next time you decide to gripe about illegal immigrants think about the one on the front line of the battle taking your place.<br />michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-53467412863998505462007-11-23T13:28:00.000-05:002007-11-23T13:30:52.686-05:00<p class="MsoNormal">Folks,<o:p></o:p><br /><span style=""></span> The five largest banks in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> are in trouble.<span style=""> </span>Bank of America, JP Morgan chase & Co, and Wachovia have predicted "heavy losses for the fourth quarter."<span style=""> </span>Three smaller banks have filed bankruptcy this year and there are many regional banks that are in very serious trouble.<span style=""> </span>we are going to see the g-men have to prop up the banking industry under FDIC like never before over the next year as all the tally sheets get posted for the fourth quarter of this year and first of next.<span style=""> </span>There are many foreclosures and loan defaults that are still being juggled around out in lala land and have not been officially written off by the banks yet.<span style=""> </span>As the truth filters out it is going to get bad.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> The one bank that has done well is regions.<span style=""> </span>Partly due to being smart and partly due to their current acquisitions program they have stayed out of the sub prime lending game.<span style=""> </span>They have purchased or merged with over 30 other smaller local and regional banks in the past couple of years.<span style=""> </span>All this was topped off with their acquisition/merger with union planters.<span style=""> </span>They are now the 5th/6th largest bank in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> and did not try to keep up with the joneses when it came to giving away risky loans.<span style=""> </span>Yes, they have some bad debt, but nothing like the majority of other lenders.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Many of the smaller banks that have tried to play this game are now in deep trouble.<span style=""> </span>Some are being sold to bigger banks at rock bottom prices and some are just going to fold their tents and leave it to the feds to pick up the pieces.<span style=""> </span>Be sure to see how fiscally fit your bank is.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>If you are living at the whim of an adjustable rate mortgage get it fixed now or you won't be able to afford your home a couple of years from now.<span style=""> </span>If the democrats end up with control of both the legislative branch and the executive branch then we will be looking at interest rates rivaling the carter administration years.<span style=""> </span>I was going through some of the company paperwork from that period a week or so ago.<span style=""> </span>I found where we had secured two loans for the business during the carter period.<span style=""> </span>One was for 21% and another was at 23% interest.<span style=""> </span>Over thanksgiving dinner I asked my dad about them.<span style=""> </span>He said those were good rates for the time and that getting any kind of loan at any rate during that time was a challenge. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Pay attention now.<span style=""> </span>Prime is currently at 7.5%.<span style=""> </span>It is down from 8.5% this time last year.<span style=""> </span>But inflation is trying to go haywire and there is one sure way that the feds like to curb inflation.<span style=""> </span>Raise interest rates.<span style=""> </span>If you think the democrats won't do this then your nuts.<span style=""> </span>A large portion of their constituents can't borrow money because they live off of entitlements.<span style=""> </span>These people will notice the price of beer and smokes going up along with toilet paper but not interest rates.<span style=""> </span>So look for interest rates to go down slowly until the election.<span style=""> </span>Afterwards they are going to increase sharply.<span style=""> </span>I have actually had a banker say that their analysts are privately predicting prime rate could go as high as 14 to 15 percent within the next 18 to 24 months.<o:p></o:p><br />michael</p>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-31773112299112046662007-11-10T10:03:00.000-05:002007-11-10T10:04:41.657-05:00foks,<br /> the economy is much worse than is really being told. while the housing slump is being reported the real problems are much deeper than housing sales. we are almost a full year into democratic control of the house and the senate and already we are looking like the carter years. any of ya'll actually remember how bad the economy was when the dem's had the executive and legislative branch? gwb inherited an economy that was already sliding and then crashed in the aftermath of 911. he did a good job of bringing it back but i believe that uncertainty of investors in the current legislative branch fueled by the greed of the banking industry by embracing sub prime lending has put us in a crack that is just beginning to show its full depth.<br /><br />the five largest banks in america are in trouble. bank of america, jp morgan chase & co, and wachovia have predicted "heavy losses for the fourth quarter." three smaller banks have filed bankruptcy this year and there are many regional banks that are in very serious trouble. we are going to see the g-men have to prop up the banking industry under fdic like never before over the next year as all the tally sheets get posted for the fourth quarter of this year and first of next. there are many foreclosures and loan defaults that are still being juggled around out in lala land and have not been officially written off by the banks yet. as the truth filters out it is going to get bad. <br /><br />the one bank that has done well is regions. partly due to being smart and partly due to their current acquisitions program they have stayed out of the sub prime lending game. they have purchased or merged with over 30 other smaller local and regional banks in the past couple of years. all this was topped off with their acquisition/merger with union planters. they are now the 5th/6th largest bank in america and did not try to keep up with the joneses when it came to giving away risky loans. yes they have some bad debt, but nothing like the majority of other lenders. <br /><br />many of the smaller banks that have tried to play this game are now in deep trouble. some are being sold to bigger banks at rock bottom prices and some are just going to fold their tents and leave it to the feds to pick up the pieces. be sure to see how fiscally fit your bank is. if you are living at the whim of an adjustable rate mortgage get it fixed now or you won't be able to afford your home a year from now.<br /><br />much of what is rearing is what was swept under the rug by the previous administration and has not been fixed by the current administration due to bigger issues i am afraid. in 2004 we had an economic growth rate 0f 3.2%. in 2005 it was an incredible 4.4% and 2006 started off with a bang. but as the year is winding down the growth rate is dwindling significantly. nancy peloski said that when the dems regained control of the legislative branch they were going to jump start the economy. in this statement she was saying that the legislative branch can control the economy. what has happened in less than a year of their control? someone has hit the flush lever is what has happened.<br /><br />look at the state of michigan. democratic governor, lt. governor and house of representatives. they have continued to jack up taxes and that state now has the worst economy in the nation. they are actually talking about having to close key elements of the government. 21 branches of the michigan secretary of states office are scheduled for closing. they have closed all 96 state parks and 118 state forests as of oct 1. no camping in any state park. they are all closed. they are even talking about having to shut down the entire state government due to a lack of cash. they have raised taxes to raise revenue but instead it has killed business or run them out of state and now they have no money to run the government.<br /><br />wake up and smell the coffee. the days of raising taxes on those who are willing to work to pay for those that don't are going to end. i am in a unique position. i work because i want to now, not because i have to. my business pays about 100k in taxes every year even after the bush cuts. if the liberals repeal all of these and then add more taxes, i may just take my ball and go home. i know others that will. there are only so many taxes we can pay and still find working 60 hours a week profitable and enjoyable. <br /><br />look at michigan as your example. in recent years under the dems control they have had the highest tax hikes in their history. they went from having the 14th highest state tax burden in the country to the 11th. in 2003 they were ranked 23rd in state GDP. this year they fell 12 places to 35th. they have a 1.75 billion dollar deficit for their state government. raising taxes does not work. if you vote for a candidate that supports raising taxes then you are sticking a knife in the backs of your selves and our local and national economies. if you want the carter economy back then put his liberal cohorts in complete control and you are going to get just that. chumps.<br />michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-2651178185845338152007-11-08T13:08:00.000-05:002007-11-08T13:09:14.457-05:00so ya'll think the news media is not biased or rigged. both sides know when to keep their mouths shut.<br /><br />check cnn, msnbc, fox news, cbs, nbc or any of the major outlets about the gas pipeline explosion in hattiesburg mississipi. the local newspaper which is owned by gannett carried a short blurb but none of the other gannett outlets picked it up. ntsb and the dept of homeland defense are on the case and mums the word. you would think a lp gas pipeline that has blown up and killed four people would make the news. this pipeline feeds most of the lp gas to areas from texas to north carolina. <br /><br />if you don't have your lp in the tanks now you better get it. this is being kept quiet to keep from sparking a panic of fuel hoarding. of course yours truly has already hoarded enough to get through the winter....<br /><br />while you can find a little info on the recent israeli air strike on syria mum seems to be the word. from the best i can tell the jews blew a syrian nuclear enrichment facility to kingdom come. kudos to those israelis.<br /><br />my reading between the lines has me asking a lot of questions. if the iranians have sworn to destroy israel and they claim to be working on nuclear weapons themselves; are they really as far along in the program as the rhetoric seems to suggest? i would think that them jews would blow any real threat to smithereens. <br /><br />the world is a complicated place full of crazy events. if you think the news is going to actually tell you what is going on then you are as ignorant as pappy says you are. i say keep pouring the coals on iraq and the taliban. i say we go ahead and preempt those stinking iranians and syrians. but if you really dig the root of the problem are those saudi's and egyptians. <br /><br />remember the good old days of cold war total annihilation. i say we issue an directive stating that is a dirty bomb or small nuclear device of any kind is detonated on american soil that the capital of every muslim nation gets a big fat nuclear bomb right down its throat. first to go needs to be mecca. i bet those radicals would calm right down with a direct threat to their holy ground. they have vowed to destroy israel so what is good for goose...<br />michaelmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-30183492495610529232007-09-04T11:21:00.000-04:002007-09-04T11:23:01.761-04:00<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>For those of ya’ll not in the know, there is a group of motorcycle nuts that call themselves the Iron Butt Association.<span style=""> </span>These sadistic riders enjoy getting on their bikes and riding until their eyeballs pop out of their skulls. <span style=""> </span>They poke them back in the sockets with a popsicle stick and then keep on going.<span style=""> </span>They have several different levels of torture including an annual group ride where they get together and ride one thousand miles per day for eleven days straight.<span style=""> </span>If you can’t addyplicate, that is 11,000 miles in eleven days.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Their entry level ride for us wannabees is fairly straight forward.<span style=""> </span>Ride one thousand miles in 24 hours.<span style=""> </span>If you don’t think about it long enough to do a little mental math it doesn’t sound like that big of a deal.<span style=""> </span>They call this ride the “saddle sore” event and anyone that wants to give it a go is more than welcome.<span style=""> </span>If you feel like this is too easy you can upgrade it to the “bun burner”.<span style=""> </span>This entails adding a mere 500 miles to the ride and you get another 12 hours to complete this portion.<span style=""> </span>That is 1,500 miles in 36 hours.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>They have rides that go coast to coast, coast to coast and back again, from <st1:city st="on">Key West</st1:City> to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alaska</st1:place></st1:State> and many other variations.<span style=""> </span>Each variation entails riding a motorcycle much farther than most people would consider sane.<span style=""> </span>There are lots of rules pertaining to safety, record keeping, verification and award presentation.<span style=""> </span>Collecting the proper chain of evidence to verify your ride is almost as challenging as the keeping the bike between the yellow and white line.<span style=""> </span>The forms, witness statements, receipts, maps and so forth have to be gathered and filled out perfectly for the ride to be verified by an official judge.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I have been kicking the idea of doing an Iron Butt run since I heard about the Association but had not taken the initiative until recently.<span style=""> </span>I read the rules, gathered the forms, planned my route and prepped the bike.<span style=""> </span>The first thing I did was to calibrate the speedometer/odometer so that I could be relatively sure I was actually completing the required miles.<span style=""> </span>Second thing I did was order a sheepskin seat pad with a gel liner to give my posterior a comfy surface to sit on for the day and a half in the saddle.<span style=""> </span>I pulled some general maintenance and did a fairly intensive inspection of the bike.<span style=""> </span>I had decided that if I was going to give this a run, I wasn’t going to take the easiest award available.<span style=""> </span>I mapped out a 1,500 plus mile route and added just enough extra miles to make sure I didn’t come up short during the verification process.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Up until this attempt my actual longest day in the saddle was just over 500 miles.<span style=""> </span>I usually try to stay off of the interstate so piling up big miles on two lane mountain roads is just not that realistic.<span style=""> </span>In my initial planning I laid out two different potential routes to give myself some flexibility in the event of poor weather conditions in a particular region.<span style=""> </span>I kept a close watch on the weather channel up until the night before I left and made my final decision.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Saturday morning I opted to attend my usual early morning prayer breakfast rather than trying to use every available minute of daylight for the ride.<span style=""> </span>I got home and rolled the bike out of the door at about 8:15.<span style=""> </span>I made a few last minute preparations while the bike warmed up and then pulled out of the driveway toward the Gainesville Police Department.<span style=""> </span>I caught the 8:30 shift change and easily convinced a local peace officer to fill out a start of trip odometer statement.<span style=""> </span>I then went around the corner and filled up with fuel and got my first dated and time stamped receipt of the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I pointed the dreamsickle (a restomodded 1978 Harley-Davison FLH) south on I-985.<span style=""> </span>Soon I merged onto I-85 south towards Hotlanta and enjoyed the ride in the relative comfort of the H.O.V. lane.<span style=""> </span>I crossed under the engineering marvel called spaghetti junction and rolled through the metropolis of downtown <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Atlanta</st1:place></st1:City>.<span style=""> </span>My first change of direction was merging onto I-20 westbound toward <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Birmingham</st1:City> <st1:state st="on">Alabama</st1:State></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Except for getting caught behind a funeral procession for about twenty minutes and then a long construction area this segment was uneventful.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>In <st1:city st="on">Birmingham</st1:City> I picked up Hwy 78 towards <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Tupelo</st1:City> <st1:state st="on">Mississippi</st1:State></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>This section of road starts out with a series of stop and go riding through heavy traffic and a series of traffic lights but soon opens up to controlled access four lane.<span style=""> </span>After crossing into <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mississippi</st1:place></st1:State> the road number changes to Hwy 178 and the speed limit picks up to 70 mph.<span style=""> </span>The ride from <st1:city st="on">Tupelo</st1:City> to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Memphis</st1:place></st1:City> was highlighted by very sparse traffic and brand new pavement.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>In <st1:city st="on">Memphis</st1:City> I made the transition to I-55 and crossed in to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Arkansas</st1:place></st1:State>.<span style=""> </span>Powering north, splitting a seemingly endless series of cotton fields, I was surprised to find the roads still relatively free of traffic on what was supposed to be one of the busiest travel days of the year.<span style=""> </span>The terrain was flat, colored by a mixed pallet of green plants covered with fluffy white cotton, the sky was blue and the temperature was perfect.<span style=""> </span>I continued riding north on I-55 until I crossed into the “show me” state of <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Missouri</st1:State></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>With the dreamsickles limited fuel capacity due to the 3.5 gallon tanks combined with a moderately hot-rodded evolution engine and fairly high interstate speeds I had to stop for fuel every 100 to 120 miles to avoid the risk of having to push the bike.<span style=""> </span>Whenever I stopped I would top off the tanks, use the restroom, swallow a light snack and pour either a cup of coffee or some water down my neck.<span style=""> </span>Each stop took about 15 minutes and was spaced at about two hour intervals.<span style=""> </span>While some folks seem to like to go farther between stops I seem to get less fatigued when I am able to stand stretch my legs every couple of hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I eventually took the I-57 split and crossed into <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Illinois</st1:place></st1:State>.<span style=""> </span>The broken pavement and 65 mph speed limit combined to make this my least favorite stretch of road on the trip.<span style=""> </span>Luckily this was a short leg on the journey and soon I was heading southeast on I-24 and into <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kentucky</st1:place></st1:State>.<span style=""> </span>As I blasted through <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kentucky</st1:place></st1:State> the daylight faded into the darkness of night.<span style=""> </span>With nightfall the highway patrols presence increased dramatically so the challenge of balancing between speeds that would pile up the miles efficiently without attracting the attention of a cop became more of a challenge.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>In <st1:city st="on">Nashville</st1:City> I merged left onto I-40 east toward <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Knoxville</st1:place></st1:City>.<span style=""> </span>My map work at the house had said it would be 1024 miles from my front door to downtown <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Knoxville</st1:place></st1:City> and that is where I intended to stop for a shower and a nap.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately my odometer only showed 984 miles covered when I arrived in the center of the city.<span style=""> </span>Since I couldn’t begin to guess if the error was in my odometer or my route planning I decided to push on.<span style=""> </span>I merged onto I-81 at the split toward <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Bristol</st1:City> <st1:state st="on">Tennessee</st1:State></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>When the odometer showed I was well over a thousand miles on the day I decided it was time to bed down.<span style=""> </span>I took the Hwy 25E exit and rode up to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Morristown</st1:place></st1:City> and checked into the Days Inn.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>It was just before 2:00 am EST and the hotel clerk was kind enough to fill out my end of the day mileage statement.<span style=""> </span>The odometer showed 1049 miles and the official time to travel that distance was 17 hours and 17 minutes.<span style=""> </span>That figured up to an approximate trip average of 60.75 mph including stops.<span style=""> </span>By the time I unloaded the bike and showered it was pushing 3:00 am. <span style=""> </span>I watched the Weather Channel for a little while and set the alarm for 8:00 am.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I awoke after my five hours of sleep feeling very refreshed and ready to hit the road.<span style=""> </span>I stepped through the shower again, loaded the bike and hit the free breakfast bar.<span style=""> </span>I got the morning clerk at the hotel to fill out my mileage verification statement for the start of day two and was pulling out of the parking lot at 9:30 am EST.<span style=""> </span>I made my way back to I-81 and headed toward <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Upon crossing the <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:State> state line the speed limit dropped to 65 mph and I seemed to encounter a cop every few miles.<span style=""> </span>Apparently <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:State> may be for lovers but it definitely is not a state that loves speeders.<span style=""> </span>In Wytheville I turned south on I-77 and headed for <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:State>.<span style=""> </span>The section of I-77 from Wytheville down the hill towards <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Charlotte</st1:place></st1:City> is drop dead gorgeous.<span style=""> </span>You couldn’t ask for a more scenic stretch of interstate highway.<span style=""> </span>My next change of direction was onto Hwy 52 towards <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Winston-Salem</st1:place></st1:City>.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>This was another really beautiful drive even though the pavement was a tad rough.<span style=""> </span>I stopped for fuel near the intersection of hwy 52 and I-40 and then continued on Hwy 52 to finally turn south on I-85.<span style=""> </span>Finally I was on the downwind homestretch run to the house.<span style=""> </span>As I approached <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Charlotte</st1:place></st1:City> I saw a sign for Raceway Harley-Davison and looked at the time.<span style=""> </span>I was doing very well on my schedule so I decided I would stop for a trip t-shirt and to maybe eat something more than a cold snack.<span style=""> </span>While I didn’t find anything hot to eat I did score shirts for the better half and myself.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I managed to get through the cluster of traffic surrounding the dealership and turned back south on I-85.<span style=""> </span>At this particular point I couldn’t help but be surprised at just how well I felt.<span style=""> </span>Soon I crossed into <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">South Carolina</st1:place></st1:State> and told myself that I had it made.<span style=""> </span>I should have remembered the old adage about counting chickens…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Between <st1:city st="on">Spartanburg</st1:City> and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Greenville</st1:place></st1:City> the traffic was getting thick so I resigned myself to being patient and trying to patiently play my least favorite game that I call “follow the retard.”<span style=""> </span>I was in the left hand lane in a endless row of traffic traveling at a couple of miles per hour slower than the posted speed limit.<span style=""> </span>I decided I needed to make an adjustment to my MP3 player and tightened the thumb wheel of the throttle lock.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I was fishing around in my pocket with my throttle hand when one of the retards a few cars in front of me decided they just had to two foot the brake pedal for no reason whatsoever.<span style=""> </span>I instinctively grabbed a handful of brake lever with my left hand.<span style=""> </span>Since the throttle was locked and the back end was pushing this threw the front end into the worst speed wobble I have ever experienced.<span style=""> </span>I couldn’t get my right hand out of my pocket quick enough to help get the front end under control much less disengage the throttle lock.<span style=""> </span>Traffic in both lanes quickly slowed way down and I was fighting a bike that was bucking like a bronco and the front end was acting like it was going to fold up at any second.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I didn’t have time to do much of anything including thinking.<span style=""> </span>Luckily my years of riding trials bikes kicked in and I instinctively used some bodacious body english to motivate the bike to the right and split the lanes.<span style=""> </span>Here I was fighting a carnival ride gone mad, while splitting the lanes between two rows of bumper to bumper traffic.<span style=""> </span>I eventually got my right hand on the throttle, disengaged the lock, got the front end under control, and slowed the bike down to the same pace as traffic.<span style=""> </span>I merged into the slow lane and contemplated how I had survived.<span style=""> </span>The folks that I had blown by were looking at me like I was a space alien as they passed by.<span style=""> </span>I imagine I was white as a ghost and contemplating how I had escaped going down.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>The funny thing is that at that moment a song called “I believe in Miracles” started up on the MP3 player.<span style=""> </span>Yeah, it was a combination of miracle, luck and a little experience riding trials courses.<span style=""> </span>All of that riding, trying to be careful and I tried to kill myself less than one hundred miles from the house.<span style=""> </span>The rest of the trip was uneventful and I pulled back into the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Chicken</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> at 6:00 pm EST.<span style=""> </span>I found someone to fill out my end of trip statement and sign it.<span style=""> </span>I pulled into a local fuel station to get my final dated and time stamped fuel receipt and the pump wouldn’t accept my credit card.<span style=""> </span>Apparently being used dozens of times in 11 states in less than 34 hours caused the American Express computers to shut it down.<span style=""> </span>I pulled out another card, got my fuel and drove the last mile to the homestead.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I had covered 11 states, 1575 miles, and wasted 34 hours of my life for a meaningless piece of paper that does nothing but confirm the fact that I may be insane.<span style=""> </span>Lots of good riding, one close call, and I was really hungry.<span style=""> </span>I parked the bike and got in the truck to go get some dinner.<span style=""> </span>I felt way too tired to risk riding the bike even a couple of miles to eat.<span style=""> </span>All in all it was a blast and I am already plotting my next Iron Butt/No brain event.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-41330858845593317592007-08-20T09:59:00.001-04:002007-08-20T09:59:58.503-04:00<span class="postbody">folks,<br />i have been out of the posting loop for a while due to having a life, or lack thereof. work is keeping us hopping. but even with this we spent the morning taking stock. the hurricane season looks like it is beginning to run, albeit a little late this year.<br /><br />are ya'll ready? especially you folks in the coastal areas? i recently had every pine tree left removed from around the house so that should help if a storm runs as far north as hillbilly georgia. we just checked fuel supplies and ordered another 400 gallons of premium unleaded and enough diesel to top off that tank also. all three generators were checked for proper function, all the guns are loaded and there is enough emergency food to last longer than i could expect to need it. all the gutters have been cleaned out and the grass is cut.<br /><br />two standard chain saws are sharp and tuned. one stihl demolition saw with the rollermatic chain designed for cutting through construction debris is also ready to go. one at work, one at home and one in the truck.<br /><br />all this and no storm even on the horizon for my neck of the woods. i have been watching fema and all of the other disaster relief organizations posturing just in case "dean the destroyer" (what a stupid tag line the news media has come up with) takes a northerly turn. if folks would take any responsibility for their own well being the g-men would not have to be spending so much of our tax money stockpiling beanie-weenies and band-aids.<br /><br />if any of ya'll folks that live down in florida, alabama, mississippi, louisiana, or texas don't have a generator, extra fuel, food and a small window air conditioner to keep cool with you should. if a storm does hit you and you are not prepared i may have a little sympathy for you but not much. more than likely your going to get nothing but a big "i told ya so" from me. yeah, maybe a storm won't hit this year but eventually another katrina class storm is going to wipe the coast clean. do the boy scout thing so i don't have to trash talk you while your suffering.<br /><br />i am not totally unsympathetic though. my prayers are with those that are in the direct path of this storm and know that if your home gets leveled then a little extra gas and a generator is not a lot of help. i am sending prayers up for those that are less fortunate than us gringos in the land of opportunity. i'll be donating my cash for relief through the N.A.M.B. again. unlike the red cross and others 100% of the money they collect actually goes to helping victims.<br />michael</span>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3545950.post-73078361212650720812007-08-09T13:18:00.000-04:002007-08-09T16:05:18.737-04:00After a stressful month the better half and I decided it was time to decompress, so we packed up the baggers for a little trip. Our plan was to cruise up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for the weekend and look for some cooler temperatures. I had told the hired help that we may ride into Monday so we had the option for an extra day if needed.<br /><br /> We called our buddy Patrick over in South Carolina to see if he wanted to go for a putt. To our surprise, he had just added a fifth bike to his collection and needed to put some break-in miles on it. The Parkway was just the ticket for the first trip on his new BMW RT1200RT.<br /><br /> Carol was on her '07 Road King (Pearl) and I was on a custom '78 FLH (Dreamsickle) as we bailed out of the Chicken City Saturday morning. We soon put the Georgia state line behind us crossing into Westminster, SC. A left turn put us on track to pick up the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Parkway.<br /><br /> Scenic 11 is always a nice ride and the miles fell behind us. At the intersection of Hwy 178 we met up with Patrick and pointed the bikes toward North Carolina. Soon we were on Hwy 215 climbing toward the Parkway. As we gained altitude the temperature continued to drop and we left the summer temperatures of the low country in our rearview mirrors.<br /><br /> At the top of the hill we turned north on the Parkway and stopped at the first pull off for a nice picnic lunch. Carol always packs a saddlebag full of tasty treats so that we don't have to kill time looking for chow.<br /><br /> As she prepared lunch my curiosity had me breaking out my non contact thermometer. Since there was a new bike in the crowd I felt the need to start gathering data. I took temperature readings on all three bikes. Heads, cylinders, engine cases, exhaust pipes, etc. Being an information junkie is a tedious job but somebody has to do it.<br /><br /> Lunch was ready quickly and after we broke bread it was time to continue the adventure. We rode north past Black Balsam, Graveyard Fields, Craggy Gardens and then hung a left to take a side trip to the top of Mt Mitchell.<br /><br /> As the elevation changed the seasons changed with them. When we left home it was full summer, on most of the parkway it was late spring conditions but at the higher elevations early spring was in bloom. Being able to experience these different conditions at the twist of a throttle is a joy that rewards those having a mountain range close to home.<br /><br /> At the top of Mt Mitchell, the Park Services snack concession's hot coffee was a nice warm up as we enjoyed the view. Carol pulled some more snacks out of her grocery stash in an effort to keep Patrick and I well fed for the rest of the days ride.<br /><br /> We finished our little sightseeing break and pointed the bikes back down the mountain. At the main road we turned north again, enjoying the endless sweeping curves and stunning views that define the Blue Ridge Parkway. The weather was perfect, the traffic was light and the riding was peeling layers of stress off of us measurably as each mile passed under our wheels.<br /><br /> As the afternoon slipped into evening we found ourselves coming into one of our favorite overnight stops. The town of Little Switzerland, North Carolina is located right on the Parkway and boasts a few quaint hotels and some spectacular views of the valley below.<br /><br /> We stopped at the Little Switzerland Motorcycle Lodge but they were booked and we didn't have reservations. They called the Skyline Motel and snagged the last two rooms available for us. Dead stinking perfect.<br /><br /> At the Skyline we found the rooms to be economical, clean and the hosts friendly. An Elvis impersonator was belting out familiar tunes on the outdoor patio as we unpacked the bikes and discussed dinner plans.<br /><br /> The idea of Mexican food seemed appealing so we fired up the bikes and headed into Spruce Pine. When we turned onto the main drag we encountered a sign informing us that the road was closed for a classic car show. I gave the cop a shout out informing him that my bike was a classic and asked if we could pass through. He gave us a big thumbs up and we drove around the barricades into the midst of the hotrods and antique cars.<br /><br /> We found parking spots directly in front of our intended eatery andbacked up to the curb. Dinner was outstanding and watching the crowd admiring our bikes as they wandered by was entertaining. We finished our meal and left for the hotel, "full as peach orchard ticks" as the old saying goes.<br /><br /> Our rooms at the Skyline had a private balcony overlooking the valley and we enjoyed the night sky view as we gabbed into the wee hours. Even though it had originally been planned as a weekend trip Carol and I decided to blow off work on Monday and get an extra day on the road.<br /><br /> The next morning Patrick had to get back home so after breakfast at the Little Switzerland Inn's buffet we parted ways. Carol and I had decided to push on to the Virginia state line before we turned back toward the homestead. The morning was crisp and cool and the traffic was again very light.<br /><br /> As the road wound north there were many sights to stop and see such as Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain, a multitude of scenic overlooks and the Cumberland Knob Visitors Center. When we arrived at the Virginia state line we stopped for photos and to discuss what to do next.<br /><br /> We were really having fun and decided it would be a shame not to ride a while longer. Of course this was going to cost us another day of work but what the heck; it will still be there when we get back.<br /><br /> As we pedaled the putts north through the rolling foothills of Virginia the weather remained outstanding and the temperatures cool. At some point we fell in with a group of riders on a BMW K1200 and a GS1200 who were pulling up the pavement like it was free. These anonymous brothers of the road were not afraid to twist the throttle and with a couple of rabbits ahead of us to set the pace we got lost in the zone of chasing them through a seemingly endless number of left-hand and right-hand curves.<br /><br /> With darkness approaching we dropped off of the relentless pace of the German power riders and discussed our options. The closest town that our map showed with probable accommodations was Buena Vista. We figured to find a hotel and then jump on I-81 the next morning and see how fast we could get home. The only motel we passed in Buena Vista was full so we pushed on. Carol had left her throttle rocker on the '73 FLH at the house and we noticed that there was a Harley-Davidson dealer located just north of us, so we jumped on the interstate northbound toward Staunton.<br /><br /> We found perfect lodging just a matter of blocks from the dealership and collapsed in the sheets of a really comfortable bed. The next morning we scored us each a throttle rocker and a couple of t-shirts. Somehow as we shopped, we decided that we were so close to the end of the Parkway we had to get back on and finish the northern leg. Another day of work would have<br />to be sacrificed to make it happen so I dropped a dime and informed the hired help that the boss was shirking his duties yet another day.<br /><br /> We retraced our steps of the evening before and reentered the Parkway where we had left it. Once again there was so much to stop and see that the miles did not go as quickly as planned. Even with our progress being impeded by the scenery we eventually came to the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway.<br /><br /> The excitement of finally making it to the end was soon tempered by the sobering thought that it was time to turn towards home. At that moment an idea fired among the aging synapses of my addled brain. SKYLINE DRIVE! Let's ride it too! Carol asked if I could afford to miss yet another day of work and my response was "my name is on the front of the building, they can't fire me."<br /><br /> With the decision to continue made, we pulled up to the gate for the Shenandoah National Park with smirks reminiscent of kids playing hooky from school plastered across our faces. We paid our fee, got our complimentary map and started our first trip up Skyline Drive.<br /><br /> The afternoon faded into evening quickly and we stopped at a scenic overlook to check the map and decide what to do about a place to sleep. There are three Park Service operated Lodges in the Park and we were deciding which one to stay in when another of those BMW motorcycles came wheeling up next to us.<br /><br /> The industrial looking GS1200 was dragging a rubber chicken tied to a string behind it and a giant of a man crawled off and said hello. We struck up a conversation and he asked us what was up. When we told him we were trying to decide which Lodge we were going to stay in he said "none of them, you're staying at my cabin tonight."<br /><br /> While we were impressed at his hospitality we needed to think about it for a moment. I had to ask, "You're not an axe murderer or anything like that, are you?" As he broke out into an infectious laugh I noticed the Free Masons emblem on his jacket. As far as I know, Charlie Manson types are not allowed in the Masons so I told Carol that I thought he was safe but that I<br />would sleep with one eye open just in case.<br /><br /> Loftus told us to follow him to the cabin and he would fix dinner when we arrived. It turned out that his "cabin" is not what I would call a cabin. It is a two bedroom log home with a full basement, five car garage and sitson a 4 acre lot fronting the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. This was a first class crib.<br /><br /> After a stunning meal we crawled into bed and slept like babies. It is a good thing our host was not a serial killer because I would not have awaken even if someone had come in the bedroom with a chainsaw. The next morning we were treated to a home cooked breakfast and Loftus asked if we wanted some company for the day's ride, which of course we always do.<br /><br /> We backed our bikes out of the garage and like all good scooter folks our host pulled the cover off of another bike and changed steeds for the day. His choice for the day was yet another BMW. Being limited to only one bike causes one to wear them out too quickly. Spread the load is what I have always thought.<br /><br /> It was just a 12 mile jaunt through Elkton Virginia back to the National Park and Skyline Drive. Being a part time local Loftus made an excellent tour guide. As we continued on our journey he would stop and tell us stuff like "be on the watch, this is a good place to see bear." As<br />punctual as a Swiss train, a bear or three would promptly appear. At another stop he would tell us to look in a particular direction when we started rolling again if we wanted to see some grouse and again they would be sitting right where he said they would.<br /><br /> That day we saw bear, deer, turkeys, grouse and other indigenous species of wildlife. It was like riding our motorcycles through a zoo with no cages. As the day progressed the sky started to darken and storm clouds began to gather. With just a handful of miles left before the end of the road we picked up the pace in an attempt to race the approaching storm.<br /><br /> We pulled off at the final overlook on Skyline Drive and swapped a few words with a weather watcher and his cameras about the ominous looking clouds. At this point rain and lighting were going to envelop us; it was just a matter of time.<br /><br /> We put the bikes into high gear and pointed them toward the northern end of Skyline Drive. We raced the impending rain, holding on to the lead just until we crossed the exit gate. As we rolled through the last gate and "please return" sign the Heavens opened up and the deluge began.<br /><br /> We turned left and headed southwest in an attempt to out flank the storm. We were so close to the cusp of the rain event that stopping to pull on raingear was going to guarantee that we would get wet. We were keeping just ahead of the rain most of the time. When we slowed it would start catching us but when we had clear road and speed we could put the wet weather in our mirrors.<br /><br /> We made our final turn into the yard and managed to get the bikes in the garage just minutes before the bottom fell out of the sky and the rain was unleashed. As the storm raged Loftus prepared another exquisite meal for us. While we ate the discussed centered around our plans for the next day. Our host for the moment was going to have to leave out early to go<br />back to the daily grind. Carol and I figured it was time to start back south toward the homestead.<br /><br /> The next morning we left Loftus at the first fuel stop we passed while Carol and I started looking for a place to eat some breakfast in Elkton. We turned down the main drag and noticed a little diner flying the Stars and Stripes. There was also an Evo bagger with Canadian license plate parked out front.<br /><br /> As we waited for our meal we struck up a conversation with the rider from the great white north. It turns out that Vic had gotten separated from his buddy the previous evening due to a bad run of luck with some traffic signals. Once they got split up the local cell phone system, or lack there of, was not giving them any help.<br /><br /> As we ate our breakfast and chatted, we discussed the ugly weather system that seemed to be parked atop the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Soon we were joined by Don the Canadian cop. The Canadians had planned on picking up Skyline Drive and then ride on down across the Parkway and on to the southern end at Pigeon Forge Tennessee.<br /><br /> Carol and my original plan had been to hop on I-81 and power trip it back to the house but the idea of super-slabbing was not that appealing even if it cost us another day getting home. The weather was weighing heavily on all of us and we told them our new plan was to head west then south in an effort to do an end run around the rain. It took about half an arm twist and the Canadians decided to roll along with us for a while.<br /><br /> The newly formed international group of Cannucks and Crackers picked up Hwy 33 west and crossed over Shenandoah Mountain into West Virginia. This was the first of countless crossings of the line of demarcation that separates the two states of Virginia. This section of road over the mountains was a scenic as a person could ask for.<br /><br /> Before long we turned south on Hwy 220 which took us through the historic townships of Monterey, Warm Springs and Healing Springs. All the way down this stretch of road we were constantly watching the threatening weather off to the east. We were right on the edge of the weather front. To our left were clouds and lightning and to our right was sunshine.<br /><br /> By the time we reached Covington Virginia the rain had caught us. We donned our rain gear and decided to head farther west on I-84 for a few miles to see if we could get ahead of the weather system. Just after we crossed into West Virginia again we got hit hard. First it was rain, then lightning and finally it began to hail so hard that we couldn't see more than a few feet.<br /><br /> It was as bad as I have even seen. Since there was not any decent place to stop we pushed on to try and break through. Carol was in the lead, all I could see was her tail light so I stuck my front tire on her rear fender and did what it took to keep her in sight. Behind me Vic was glued to my rear fender and Don was bringing up the rear.<br /><br /> When we finally broke through the storm Don was not attached to the train. We waited for a while and he didn't show so I went back looking to make sure he hadn't gotten schmucked. When I didn't find him in any ditches I checked the last exit. That is when I discovered there was not a return ramp to the interstate. I figured out pretty quickly that Don must have<br />gotten off the interstate in the storm and was probably ahead of us due to where we stopped to wait for him.<br /><br /> I made my way back to Carol and Vic and we decided to push on to the next town and wait for a phone call. We waited for over two hours and were starting to worry when we finally got the call. Once again the lack of communication of the Canadian cell phones with the local system had us mucked up.<br /><br /> Don had spent the last two hours headed south to try and catch up and we had been sitting still. He parked himself in Wytheville and got a room while we put it in the wind to reunite the group. We fractured a few speed laws and were able to find Don waiting for us all fed and showered.<br /><br /> The following morning we wandered across two lane roads and through better weather to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We picked it up just north of the Virginia/North Carolina line and headed on south. The Cannucks were finally on track and we were just rolling with the punches.<br /><br /> By evening we found ourselves in Little Switzerland North Carolina. This was where the better half and I had spent the first night of this adventure and for some reason we didn't want it to be our last night. The only problem was that we had been gone six days and had only planned on being gone for three.<br /><br /> So now it was time to make some arrangements\ so that we could stay on the road. I got the crew settled into the Little Switzerland Motorcycle Lodge and I struck out for home. Leaving at dusk for most of a days ride sounded like work but the pets needed checking on and I had to deliver the payroll to work or the help would have organized a mutiny.<br /><br /> I got home after midnight, put out more food for the pets, washed cloths and delivered the pay checks to work. The next morning I got up early and blasted toward Cherokee North Carolina to cut off the crew at the pass. In Cherokee I rang them up on the cell and found out they were still sitting at the hotel. I got onto the parkway and started hammering north to meet them.<br /><br /> It was still early, it was a weekday and the traffic was light. I took a chance and unleashed the hidden beast in Dreamsickle and only came down to the speed limit a couple of times. I managed to catch the crowd on the north side of Ashville and flipped to latch back onto the crowd. The groupwas now reunited and life was good.<br /><br /> Due to everyone's time constraints and needing to get home eventually we<br />kept the bikes rolling steadily. At the highest point on the Parkway we<br />stopped for a photo opportunity. Since this overlook was just about 35<br />miles from the end of the road we decided to say our goodbyes. Don and Vic<br />were going to turn north to get on the super slab to Canada and we needed to<br />go south on 441 towards the house.<br /><br /> After the Cannucks headed off, Carol and I ate a sandwich and discussed<br />alternate plans. We decided to turn back north at the end of the Parkway<br />and head over Newfound Gap towards Gatlinburg Tennessee. As we came down<br />the back side of the gap my brakes started squeaking. At our next fuel stop<br />I investigated the noise and realized it was time to reline the binders.<br /><br /> Our map showed the closest H-D dealership in Knoxville so the decision<br />where to go next was made. We arrived in town late and secured a room for<br />the night and had one of the best Mexican meals I have ever eaten.<br /><br /> The next morning I headed off to the dealership while Carol lounged at<br />hotel and caught up on some phone calls. At the dealership I bought some<br />pads and asked if it was o.k. to wrench on the bike in the parking lot.<br />They had a customer checking into the service department for a brake job at<br />the same time I was scoring parts. It took about ten minutes to get my<br />brake pads swapped out and almost as long to get my tools shoehorned back<br />into the teardrop toolbox.<br /><br /> After I finished the brakes there was still some time to kill before<br />Carol was to arrive to meet me. So I went back in and bought some shiny<br />stuff and a new set of spark plugs. While I was wandering the store the guy<br />that was waiting on the technician to come get his bike for his brakes asked<br />me how long it would take me to put mine on. When I told him the job was<br />already done I could hear the gears in his head start to slip.<br /><br /> I checked out again and installed some functional chrome along with my<br />new plugs. I noticed that the lower fuel tank bolt was completely missing<br />so I went back in and picked up a new bolt to finish the parking lot service<br />job.<br /><br /> By then Carol had arrived and I asked her what route she wanted to take<br />back to the house. She pulled out a Kentucky map and started pointing. I<br />never knew you had to go through Kentucky to get to Georgia from Tennessee<br />but you learn something new every day.<br /><br /> We struck back out north and found ourselves wandering the Daniel Boone<br />National Forest. We had also found the hot sun the south is famous for.<br />Whew! The day was spent exploring and working our way west. I had no idea<br />where we were going but as long as the ol lady was happy, I was happy.<br /><br /> Late that evening I saw brake lights and Carol whipped her bike off the<br />road into a church parking lot. Like Forest Gump on the banks of that river<br />in Vietnam, or after three years of running she said "I wanna go home." Not<br />later this evening, not tomorrow or the next day. Right now!<br /><br /> I pulled out the maps and noticed that there was a scenic road that<br />headed south through Tennessee just a few miles from our current location.<br />We ate a quick snack and remounted the steeds. We turned south on Hwy 127<br />and soon found ourselves in the Volunteer State. We had to bed down for the<br />night again but arose early the next morning to continue south along the<br />Sequatchie River.<br /><br /> Finally we blasted through the Choo-Choo town and into to the Peach<br />State. The sign said welcome to Georgia and we were happy to be so close to<br />home. We made a left turn onto SR 136 which brought us across the Cohutta<br />Mountains and back to the Chicken City. So six states, nine days and 2,500<br />miles later our little weekend jaunt on the putts came to a safe end back at<br />the house.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03967683786931692507noreply@blogger.com