A SAD COMMENTARY

WELL, AT LEAST A COMMENTARY.  On law enforcement versus the people. Confused yet?  Well, probably not, I just got started.  I am sure that this is not exclusive to the State of New Mexico. However, I will keep my remarks to this State, with a focus on the city of Albuquerque. So here is the situation.
Lat fall sometime, a lady from a Southern State was driving down a highway in the State of New Mexico at a high rate of speed.  A State patrolman pulled her over and issued her a ticket for speeding.  She refused the ticket and put her car in gear and took off.  She was eventually pulled over a second time.  By this time there were other officers assisting the original officer. While they were trying to get this lady out of her car, ( she had her five children in the car with her ) her teenage son got out of the car and took a  swing or two at one of the officers. Then got back in the car. Actually a van. His mother, who had finally got out of the car, got back in. And started to take off, again.  The officers broke her van windows with their batons and one of the shot at her tires. As she sped down the highway, they chased her.  She finally stopped at a motel in Taos and her and her son were arrested on various charges. In her van they found marijuana and smoking pipes. She filed a complaint and the officer that shot at her tires was eventually fired.  This was all recorded on a dash cam.  It took over 45 minutes to play out. The news, with the exception of KOB, the NBC affiliate in Albuquerque, chose to show the 30 seconds where the officers broke her windows and shot at her tires. There was a public outcry from the public, and the police came off looking bad. Sure, they probably could have done some things different, but they should not have got in the trouble they did from the news and the public.  More attention should have been paid to the lady and her actions.
Now, there have been several officer involved shootings in Albuquerque since 2010. Enough that the police chief finally retired. People were upset that the police shot people.  I will mention one incident, which is similar to most of them.  A family called 911 because a family member was drunk, or high, and was being abusive to family members, and was threatening them with deadly force.  So, the police arrived and subsequently the abusing member was shot. Then the family turned on the police.  He was a good kid, they said. he didn't deserve to be killed, they said. The police should have subdued him and put him in jail, they said.  Well, if that was possible, why didn't the family just do that. When someone is showing a weapon and causing a threat, and after being told, repeatedly, by law enforcement officers, to drop their weapon, and refuses to do so, they will probably be shot. But still, every time, there is an outcry against the police.  After the chief retired, an acting chief was appointed.  Still, there was officer involved shootings. A new chief was recently hired. And this past weekend a homeless man was illegally camping in the foothills East of Albuquerque. A confrontation ensued. The man, who has a long rap sheet with the law, refused to cooperate with the police. He brandished two knives. After some time, he was shot. He died some time later in the hospital.  Now, there is a protest march against the police. And a city counselor wants to limit the power of the police. 
Well, I guess that's the way it goes, but if the police have to just back off every time a law breaker brandishes a weapon, then soon the city will be over run by criminals.  Hey, come to Albuquerque, the police have to back off if you show a weapon.  They are not allowed to use force.  Some times I think the public mind is going crazy.
AND THAT'S THE VIES FROM THE DITCH BANK

THE LANGUAGE WE SPEAK, EDITION 2

MY WIFE IS AN ALIEN:   No, not really.  But here is what happened. She went to town the other day to take a class.  She also picked up a few things at the store, while in town.  I stayed home and did some work in the yard. Now, I know she bought some things while she was in town, because she had plastic bags in her hands when she came home.  You know the type of bags I'm talking about.  Those plastic things that fly's all over the country side, with Wal-Mart, or some other company name on it.  Yeah, those type of bags.  She had some of them in her hands when she came home.  Oh, sorry, I said that already.  Well, when she got home, I came in to see if she needed any help with any thing.  She said she did not, she had things under control. So I went back outside to finish up what I was working on.  But shortly after walking out the door, I heard the phone ring, so I went back in to answer it, just in case my wife was busy, putting things away.  She wasn't. Busy that is.  She had already answered the phone when I walked in, so I started back out, when I heard her side of the conversation. She told who ever she was talkingt to that yes, she had bought some items while in town.  I distinctly heard her say, and I quote "I bought two Honey Buns, Three Jelly Rolls and a Layer Cake and some Charm Packs."  Unquote.  Honey Buns, Jelly Rolls, A Layer Cake?  Yum.  I had been working and thought a snack would just hit the spot.  Like a warm Honey Bun with some cold milk.  Yep, that sounded about right.  The Jelly Rolls and the Layer Cake could wait. Although I couldn't figure out why she would buy a layer cake, when she makes delicious cakes herself. And the charm packs.  Well, she doesn't have a charm bracelet, so I had no idea what she was going to do with a package of charms, but didn't give it a lot of thought.  I was concentrating on finding the honey buns.  Yes siree Bob.  Finding the honey buns was what I was doing, cause I couldn't find them. Any where.  No Jelly Rolls or layer cake either.  Not in the kitchen, not in the cup boards, not in the pantry.  Not any where.  I guess my wife heard me rustling around and since she had ended her phone call, she came in and ask me what I was doing. Looking for the honey ,buns, I said.  I thought one would taste good right about now. I saw a little grin start but she controlled it and said What Honey Buns?  The ones I heard you tell someone on the phone that you bought in town. Along with the jelly rolls and the layer cake. By then she had lost all control of the grin, and laughing, told me to follow her. I did, and in her sewing room she picked up a little roll of material and said, This is a Honey Bun.  A larger roll of material, obviously cut into strips.  This is a Jelly Roll.  Some squares of material. Stacked up,  This is a layer cake.  A smaller package of squares turned out to be a charm pack.  Man, I bet all those ladies in the quilting circle stay hungry all the time, working with material named after all that food.  Or maybe they named the material after the food, cause they are too busy quilting to eat, so this makes them feel better.  Who Knows?   WELL, THAT'S THE VIEW, OR LACK THEREOF, FROM THE DITCH BANK.

ARE YOU CONFUSED YET?

THIS LANGUAGE WE SPEAK

 

The English language, it has been said

Will get in your mind and mess up your head

So as these words now you may read

A clarinet to make music will use a reed.

There is several ways to use the word fair

But to buy a bus ticket you must pay a fare.

Do you begin to see how this will go

I give you fair warning so you will know

If you don't want to read more then just say no.

 

As I continue this silly little poem to write

I'll do the best I can to get it right

You know a ceremony is called a rite.

But if you see an ad for a food that is lite

That's just a simple way to spell the word light.

 

An animal that sleeps all winter is a bear

But if you take off your shoe then your foot is bare

The bottom of your foot is called a sole

But your spiritual part is called your soul.

 

And personal property is referred to as their

But if you go someplace then you are there

And when you get there you can say I am here

But using your ears will allow you to hear.

 

If someone comes to visit it may be your Aunt

Don't make a mistake and call her an ant.

But if the visitor happens to be your son

In the evening you both can view the setting sun.

 

If something's not fake then it is real

But to go fishing you will use a reel.

You can go to the track and watch the race cars go by

But when company leaves you will tell them bye

Or you can go to the store and find something to buy.

If what you are buying happens to be on sale

If it's for your boat it could be a sail.

And what you are buying may cost you a cent

If someone sends you somewhere then you are sent

While a pretty rose flower will give off a nice scent.

 

And a rose is a plant that is called a flower

But if you are baking a cake you will use flour.

If you're not bald on your head then you'll have hair

But if you're chasing a rabbit it may be a hare.

If you add one plus one you should have got two

If you go somewhere it probably is to

If your friend can go with you then it is too.

And the number between three and five is four

But in family history your ancestral fathers are fore.

If you have an injury it will most likely be sore

And when an Eagle fly's it's been know to soar.

 

A small opening in the skin is called a pore

And over a book a student will pore

And from a pitcher, water you can pour

If you don't own a pitcher then you may be poor.

So to buy a pitcher you may see an ad

To see if you have money the coins you will add.

 

And you know a King has been known to reign

And to control a horse you use a bit and a rein

But neither of those can make it rain.

 

If you go to the beach you'll be by the sea

Then you can look around for what you can see.

When in a flower garden you may see a bee

If you make it angry then stung you may be.

And if you play golf you'll be using a tee

Then after the game some people drink tea.

 

If you're by yourself then you are a lone

And you can go to the bank and apply for a loan.

 

If the dog is not yours if likely will flee

Or maybe it's trying to escape from a flea.

In English the contraction of "you are" is you're

But speaking of a person's possessions it is your

And times past are referred to as days of yore.

 

And in a contest if you are the one

To come in first place then you have won.

To fasten things down you'll often use tacks

Then in April the IRS wants you to pay tax.

And to pay that tax you'll need some dough

That's slang for money, not a female doe

And you guessed it right a doe is a deer

Not to be confused with those we hold dear.

 

To tie with a rope you can make a big knot

But if you don't know how you'll probably say not.

And if something's not yours that you're trying to sell

You'll most likely than not end up in a cell.

And if you are a juvenile you'll say with a groan

I'll have to stay in here until I am grown.

Then if they feed you breakfast at eight

And you get sick from something you ate

You'll have reason to holler and cry foul

If you learn what they fed you was spoiled fowl.

 

But with some attention and care you will heal

Just don't stomp your foot and bruise your heel.

Cause with a bruised heel you can't climb a peak

Should you want to just go there and take a peek.

If it's cold at the top your face will turn blue

Then you can tell all your friends how hard the wind blew.

Then coming back down you might stub your toe

And if your vehicle gets stuck then you will need a tow.

 

You never know just whom you may meet

When you sit down to a sandwich of bread and meat

And the sandwich wrapper you'll throw in the waste

And hope the food doesn't just go to your waist.

If you need information you ask someone who knows

And a bad odor you smell will come through your nose.

 

If you fall down a hill it will hurt when you roll

Unless you're a stunt actor playing a role.

While we all know a man is also a male

Both men and women can deliver the mail

And mail is delivered to the post office in sacks

And a musician makes music with a horn called a sax.

While watching the sax player you probably will stare

Be careful while walking and don't fall down the stair

Cause if the stair is by water into it you could sink

Then your phone will get wet and then it won't sync.

Then to get a new phone you'll look over some

And to make a new purchase will cost you a sum.

 

Now I know I'm not telling you anything new

So the following line I'm sure you all knew

An African Antelope is sometimes called a Gnu.

While a Gnu has hair, some animals have fur

And there is a tree in the forest that is called a fir.

With a load of fir on a truck you can make a haul

But in a church building you walk down a hall.

And while you're in church you'll be singing a hymn

As a wife finds her husband and sits down by him.

And in the church yard there's a flag on a pole

To get an opinion from people you will do a poll.

 

Now a lot of this new age by me has passed

As I'm growing older and remembering the past

I won't be looking for a bug called a tic

As I'm marking time by a clock that goes tick.

 

So try not to let your face get to red

As you look back over the words you have read

Yes, the English language we speak it is said

Will get in your mind and mess up your head.

 

Gary Hulsey    March   2014

 

 

AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

 

 



I GUESS I'M DENSE

I'M SURE YOU HAVE ALL HEARD:   Dumb as a box of rocks.  Guess that's me.  Well, maybe I'm not really dumb, just dense.  And some rocks are dense and some are not.  Scratching your head yet and wondering what I may be jabbering about.  Well, just quit scratching and I will enlighten you.   As I have mentioned in past posts, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  And happy to say so.  having said that here goes.

A few days ago, there was a post on facebook about an article that was in the March issue of the Ensign, a monthly magazine published by the Church.  That article is titled   "The Lord's Standard of Morality"  Written by Elder Tad R. Callister. Now, I have read books written by Elder Callister, and I like them. He is very articulate and I have very little trouble understanding what he has to say.  So, I was curious what he had written that had some people so upset.  Well, I have the magazine and I have read the article.  And it states exactly what the title claims.  The Lord's Standard of Morality.  Period. Maybe two periods..  But, several of those crying foul, (or is it fowl,  OK a little humor never hurts) claim that the article states that the way women dress cause men to rape them. Now, Elder Callister never said that.  He did say that the church teaches modesty in dress, for both males as well as females. He did acknowledge that men and women think different ( my wording) and that men can be stimulated by the immodest dress of women.  But, and here it is.  He said, men and women are also in control of their thoughts and actions and regardless of how women dress, men are responsible for their actions, and the dress of a woman does not give them the right for improper actions. His article mainly focused on the "Lords Standard of Morality" and quoted the scriptures multiple times. Any one who claims to be a student of the Bible, as well as LDS scriptures and Church leaders statements on this matter should not take offense in any way with this article.  But, apparently, some did.  And I have to wonder why.

On a related matter.  And another church.  Tonight on the news, there was a report of the Pope stating something like this. A paraphrase on my part.  He was speaking about the abuse of children by Catholic Priests. His comments, as reported on a national news network, was that there were other organizations that have abuse problems, and the Catholic Church was the only one that worked in a transparent manner and had charges against it and people speaking out against it.  Now, I understood that he was commenting that the Catholic Church acknowledged that they had a problem and were addressing it, his complaint was that other organizations, unnamed by him, were not being so targeted. However, there seems to be a backlash against him by members of the Catholic Church, beliving that he said he was not going to address this problem, and was going to ignore it.  And in the eyes of some, maybe many of the Catholic faith, they were losing faith in the Pope because of what they believe he said.

To reiterate what I said at the start of this post.  Guess I am as dumb as one. A Post, that is. I just don't see where any one on either of these articles could mis construe what was said.  Is it that they are trying to find something to be contrary about, or is it just that I am that dense.  And That's THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

WOULDN'T IT BE NICE

WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF ALL PEOPLE WERE AS PERFECT AS I THINK I AM.  OK, that includes me.  It would be nice if I were as perfect as I think I am.  This is leading up to a comment or three about things that people do that irritate me.  And I am sure that I do things that irritate others.  So, does that make us even?

1. Handy cap parking.  Many years ago, we had a sister in law that was handy capped. She didn't get out much toward the end of her life, but still, when she did get out, she needed these spaces.  I once saw a man who parked in a handy cap spot.  I ask him to move his car. When he said why, I said, cause you aren't handy capped and that spot is for those who are. Well, he said, I'm just going into the post office to get my mail.  I'll only be a few minutes. I ask him what a handy capped person should do if they came to the post office while he was parked there for a few minutes. He just looked at me, said  I get your point and he moved his car.  Yep. Surprised me too. This was recently brought to mind when a daughter put up a facebook post on this subject.  She has a handy capped daughter and she also needs these spots when she takes her to school, or other places.

2. This one can't be totally blamed on people.  Well, the fuel buying public type people. Nearly a year ago we purchased a diesel pickup. Now, when we need to fill up, we go to the local station, just like every one else does.  What we have learned, though, is that most service stations have only one pump island with a diesel pump.  There may be several lines of gas pumps, but only one that has a diesel pump.  It is irritating to pull up to the station and see empty gas pumps, and someone in a gas burning vehicle fueling at the one pump that has diesel service.  Of course, you can't put the blame on the gas buying public, not when the station owners put gas nozzels there for them to use. I have to admit I have been guilty of this in the past.  I try to pay more attention now when I fuel a gas burning vehicle.

3. Manners.  Where did they go? This seems to be a hurry up society.  Get it now and don't worry about any one else.  Language has falen so low that it is embarrasing to go to most movies and watch a lot of TV shows.  Or go out in public and see the droopy pants and sloppy shirts with obscene sayings on them.  On the other hand, I have to say, not every one falls in this category and I pay tribute to those who still respect others.

4. Lastly. A little tongue in cheek comment.  They have had, and are still having, a lot of snow back East.  So much, that they are piling it up and have no place to put it.  So, what do they do with it?  They are trucking it out to, and dumping it in, the ocean.  I think there is enough water in the ocean.  A better solution would be to put the fire fighting bomber planes in use and load the snow in them and fly it to the South West and dump it like slurry over the country side. That would solve the snow removal problem of the East and help alleviate the dry conditions of the South West.  Just Saying

Now that I have that off my chest, we all need to work on being as perfect as I think I am.  Mostly me that needs work.

AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

WE SURPRISED THEM

YEP WE DID.  Long time readers of this blog, all one or two of you, know that I don't post a lot of personal things on this blog.  I have done a little of it, but not much.  So, today I will break from tradition and post a little about me and my wife.
53 years ago today we said I Do.  We were young, then, and in love.  But because we were young, some said it wouldn't last.  Oh! they didn't come right out and say it to us, not really, but there were murmurs around that we heard of those who were skeptics.  Well, here we are, 53 years later and still together. And now old and still in love.  And it has been a smooth ride.  NOT.  We have had our ups and downs like every one else.  I have worked for the government, for private industry and moved around a little.  Not too much. 7 children have came from those 53 years. 2 boys and 5 girls.  And they have produced 24 grandchildren who have produced, so far, 6 greatchildren, and number 7 soon to arrive.  A legacy.  Well, maybe, but that is shared with others, as the family trees limbs and roots spread all over the country.  All of those who call me grandpa, also call someone else grandpa.  So, the legacy is not all mine to claim.  Still, there is much to be happy and proud about as a result of those 53 years.  But mostly I can say
If not for my wife, who has been by my side for all these decades, where would I be today.  I shutter to even think, sometimes. She has had the children, mostly raised them while I went to work, all types of shifts and rotating days off. It is she who put what ever stability we had in the home.  It was she that saw that the girls had their hair done before going off to school, who saw to it that the boys faces were clean, who kept  their clothes clean and saw to it that they had regular meals, and that they got to the places they needed to be.  All of them have left the home now and are on their own.  Each successful in their own way.  So, on this day, as I look back a little, I can remember that day, as we stood in front of a Mormon Bishop, in her parents home and said I DO.  Not knowing what lay ahead of us, and probably best we did not.  So, I pay tribute to my wife Inez, and say, Thanks for the memories and may we make many more.  Happy Anniversary to my wife. I love you.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK

SPILLS, THRILLS, CHILLS

AND OTHER THINGS. Once again I am posting on a few different, but related, subjects.  Kinda. Or if not related, at least they will fuse into each other, I hope.  So, here goes.

1. On 29 January the Round House in Santa Fe' was filled with kids. For any who may read this and wonders what the round house is, that is where the legislature meets. Any way, the kids were to express their right to be outside. This was an event organized by the State Land Commission to promote a "Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights". This was to say that kids should be outside playing.  Mostly it was a way for the commision to bring attention to the state wildlife, air and water and land quality and how we should take care of it.  Yep, maybe a good way to get kids outside and away from the evils of watching too much TV.

2. On another note, the Olympics are going on in Sochi, Russia.  I enjoy watching the Olympics to some extent, and root for the USA to medal.  This TIC shot is toward President Obama and our Country's leaders.  Russia has a strong anti gay law.  According to the news.  OK. Much of the United States is more liberal toward gays. I am not going to get into the gay versus straight subject here, but want to say this about our country's leaders. President Obama deliberately made a statement about Russia's law and chose gay athlete's to go to Russia as a protest against their law.  This is wrong.  We do not have to like their law.  but we are guests in their country, so we obey their laws and we do not go to the games to protest what they do. This does not build good relations between the two governments.  At least the Athlete's are having fun. Mostly

3. OK, then on to the Olympics. The U.S. has won two gold medals in the new sport of Slope Style. They go down a course on a snow board and do tricks while in the air. And well, if you watch you know what I mean and if not, then I can't explain. Torah Bright, a member of the church I belong to, placed 7th. She is from Australia and is representing that country, although she trains in Utah. Her speciality is th eHalf Pipe and she will be competing on that later this week.  I will root for her to win. along with Shaun White for the men.   A last comment.  36 year old skier, Bodie Miller, favored to win the gold on the men's downhill, placed 7th. Several others had went down the course and did well.  Bodie had an excuse.  No, it wasn't just, they did better, or that he had not skied well.  Nope, he blamed a change in the weather from when he had practised earlier.  Well, duh!  just admit you didn't do as good as you could have. The others skied the same course in the same weather.

4. One final comment.  Ice skating.  It has been superb. there have been spills, of course, but most have skated well, but some have been brilliant.  the USA team dancers are excellent. But there is a Russian girl, 15 years old, that is so supple I don't know how she does the things she does, and while on skates on the ice.  She will be a force in this sport for years to come, I think.  AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK