Monday, November 2, 2015
RANT # 2
DOES THIS QUALIFY AS A RANT? With the tics heating up their campaigns, with those currently in power in the East, AKA as Washington D.C. and all the things going on, I can see my rants adding up to higher than I can count. As in 20. First, I want to say that I abhor war, and I eschew peace. I don't see either one happening in the near future. (Did abhor and eschew frighten you from this author?) I do know a few words like that. Not many, but a few. But I digress. Mr. Obama has said that he has a phone and a pen and he will declare law in matters that congress don't agree with him. And congress is passing laws that make many of us in fear of our actions. Case in point. Recently two former Samali refugees were hired by a beer distributor to deliver beer. But then after getting hired, they sued the company because beer is against their religious beliefs. They were not required to drink it, just deliver it. But, the government sued in their behalf and they won $240,000. All because they applied for a job and were hired and then didn't want to do that job. If that was against their belief, they shouldn't have applied for the job. On the other hand, the owner of Melissa's Sweet cakes was fined $135,000 for refusing to bake a cake for a lesbian couple. So the answer is why do some get money because they apply for a job that is against their belief and someone else is fined for not wanting to something that is against their religious belief. There are many cases like this, and it makes one have to wonder why. Maybe we need to all take a really good look at those running for office and vote accordingly. City, County, State and national. I really wonder why Hillary is allowed to run for President while she is being investigated for criminal wrong doing. Man, I sure wish we had Mitt and Joe opposing each other and Mitt would win. That would be the ideal match up. AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
HERE WE GO AGAIN
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME that I have written about this. So, does that qualify it as a rant? Since it is politically motivated, perhaps it does. So, before I get much further into this rant, let me give a little back ground information. In 2005 our federal government passed the Real ID Act. Since our "esteemed" governor at the time thought it necessary for those entering the country and the State illegally should have a New Mexico drivers license, the federal government said it would not honor New Mexico drivers licenses as a valid form of identification. The powers that be in this State ask for an extension to "fix" the problem and that was granted. For a while.
Then a new governor, Susana Martinez, was elected and one of her campaign platforms was to get rid of these illegal drivers licenses. She has tried every year since she has been governor to get the legislature to fix this problem. They refuse to do so. All they do is ask the feds for another extension, and so far they have been getting that extension. And every year the State Legislators keep the law that says those who are here illegally can have a valid New Mexico Drivers license.
Now, the latest extension runs out on January 11, 2016. And there is no extension approval this time. And our legislature don't meet again until January 19. So after the 11th, residents of New Mexico will have to have a pass port to board a plane, enter a federal facility that requires a valid ID, and many other things that drivers licenses are routinely used to identify a person. They will no longer be valid. Period. When a legislator, was recently ask why they had not fixed this, she said she said she was trying to be sympathetic to the needs of the thousands of people who have made their way to New Mexico to make this their home. Well, what about being sympathetic to those of us who already live here, and have for decades. One just has to ask, What exactly is it about our elected officials that they don't seem to understand about the term "illegal". What about that word is it that they fail to understand.
So, I feel that we as New Mexicans need to inundate our legislators with e mails and phone calls every day until they fix this problem. Either that, or we move to Arizona, Texas or Colorado. And THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Then a new governor, Susana Martinez, was elected and one of her campaign platforms was to get rid of these illegal drivers licenses. She has tried every year since she has been governor to get the legislature to fix this problem. They refuse to do so. All they do is ask the feds for another extension, and so far they have been getting that extension. And every year the State Legislators keep the law that says those who are here illegally can have a valid New Mexico Drivers license.
Now, the latest extension runs out on January 11, 2016. And there is no extension approval this time. And our legislature don't meet again until January 19. So after the 11th, residents of New Mexico will have to have a pass port to board a plane, enter a federal facility that requires a valid ID, and many other things that drivers licenses are routinely used to identify a person. They will no longer be valid. Period. When a legislator, was recently ask why they had not fixed this, she said she said she was trying to be sympathetic to the needs of the thousands of people who have made their way to New Mexico to make this their home. Well, what about being sympathetic to those of us who already live here, and have for decades. One just has to ask, What exactly is it about our elected officials that they don't seem to understand about the term "illegal". What about that word is it that they fail to understand.
So, I feel that we as New Mexicans need to inundate our legislators with e mails and phone calls every day until they fix this problem. Either that, or we move to Arizona, Texas or Colorado. And THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Thursday, October 15, 2015
HOW'S IT WORKING FOR YOU NOW?????
I JUST HAVE TO ASK. 40 years ago, while I was still a young man, relatively speaking, and working full time, and raising a family, I was paying into the Social Security system. I wasn't ask if I wanted to pay into the system, I was just told that I was. In fact, I have been paying into the system since the late 1950's and continued to do so until just about 3 years ago. Even though I "Officially Retired" in 2009, I continued to work part time here and there and continued to pay into the system.
Now, back to the 40 years ago thing. In 1975, the government put into place a rule, or law or whatever they called it, that when the cost of living went up, so would the social security payments. And for the last 40 years they have done so, with an average increase of 4%. Except for 3 years in that 40 years. And all three of those years have happened since 2010. And the years we did get an increase since 2010, it has been less that 4%. So, how can this be? Well, it is in the way the law, or what ever it is, was wrote. It's based on the CPI. And when the economy is good, the CPI will go up and so will the social security payments. Well, in 2015, most indicators went up, but the price of gas came down, so that "offset" the other, according to the powers that be back east. However, the government mandated health care system that is now the "law of the land" has risen out of sight, so we, the old and the infirm, are going to have a large chunk of said social security taken away to pay for the higher costs. Well, if health care is up, food costs are up, housing costs and insurance costs are up, and if I don't drive any where to use the lower fuel costs, it would seem to this old curmudgeon that the system I paid into for 55 + years could afford at least a small increase in benefit payments. Or at the least, not penalize me for getting old and infirm.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Now, back to the 40 years ago thing. In 1975, the government put into place a rule, or law or whatever they called it, that when the cost of living went up, so would the social security payments. And for the last 40 years they have done so, with an average increase of 4%. Except for 3 years in that 40 years. And all three of those years have happened since 2010. And the years we did get an increase since 2010, it has been less that 4%. So, how can this be? Well, it is in the way the law, or what ever it is, was wrote. It's based on the CPI. And when the economy is good, the CPI will go up and so will the social security payments. Well, in 2015, most indicators went up, but the price of gas came down, so that "offset" the other, according to the powers that be back east. However, the government mandated health care system that is now the "law of the land" has risen out of sight, so we, the old and the infirm, are going to have a large chunk of said social security taken away to pay for the higher costs. Well, if health care is up, food costs are up, housing costs and insurance costs are up, and if I don't drive any where to use the lower fuel costs, it would seem to this old curmudgeon that the system I paid into for 55 + years could afford at least a small increase in benefit payments. Or at the least, not penalize me for getting old and infirm.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Monday, September 21, 2015
WE USED TO LIVE THERE?
ACCORDING TO THE HISTORY BOOKS, we used to live in caves. Oh not me, personally, but mankind. Many hundreds of years ago. Even thousands of years ago. Depending on where you are and what people you may be looking at. Who knows, there may be someone somewhere living in caves in this day and time. But, even me, at my age, that being the 8th decade of life, have never lived in a cave. I have always lived in a house. I grew up in a house and have spent all my married life in a house. And in all that time I have never had the urge to live in a cave.I was raised in the country and I usually can't wait to leave when I go to a city, but really, a cave. No I think not. So, what is the purpose of this carrying on? Well, I'll tell you.
My wife and I don't watch a lot of TV. But when we do, we watch a lot of HGTV home make over type of shows. And in a lot of them the MAN OF THE HOUSE, will just have to have his man cave. I say, what in the world is the purpose of a man cave. As I said, I thought mankind moved out of caves centuries ago. Now, we, as in mankind, are wanting to move back? I just don't understand the desire and the need. If you don't like your family and want to just be alone, then by all means move to a cave and enjoy the heck out of it. As for me, I'll just stick to a normal house. AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
My wife and I don't watch a lot of TV. But when we do, we watch a lot of HGTV home make over type of shows. And in a lot of them the MAN OF THE HOUSE, will just have to have his man cave. I say, what in the world is the purpose of a man cave. As I said, I thought mankind moved out of caves centuries ago. Now, we, as in mankind, are wanting to move back? I just don't understand the desire and the need. If you don't like your family and want to just be alone, then by all means move to a cave and enjoy the heck out of it. As for me, I'll just stick to a normal house. AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
IT REALLY WORKS
ARE YOU HAVING MEMORY PROBLEMS? I am getting old. Well, at least older. Naw, let's just stick to old. And so, perhaps, the problem with memory loss looms ahead. I'm not talking about just a temporary what was I going to do, type of loss, but the dementia or Alzheimer type.
Then low and behold, my wife saw an article on TV or somewhere, ( I forget just where ) that if you eat bacon, it will help you with memory retention. So, we decided to give it a try. What can we lose, besides our memory any way.
So we bought some bacon and began eating it for breakfast. And sometimes we would have bacon and tomato type of sandwiches for lunch. If we cooked too much bacon for breakfast, then we could eat a piece during the day for a snack. And so I can say that yes, eating bacon really helps you with your memory.
We have remembered why we quit eating so much salt. Guess we will have to cut back on the bacon. Perhaps someday we will forget why we did.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Then low and behold, my wife saw an article on TV or somewhere, ( I forget just where ) that if you eat bacon, it will help you with memory retention. So, we decided to give it a try. What can we lose, besides our memory any way.
So we bought some bacon and began eating it for breakfast. And sometimes we would have bacon and tomato type of sandwiches for lunch. If we cooked too much bacon for breakfast, then we could eat a piece during the day for a snack. And so I can say that yes, eating bacon really helps you with your memory.
We have remembered why we quit eating so much salt. Guess we will have to cut back on the bacon. Perhaps someday we will forget why we did.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Thursday, September 10, 2015
STOP THE BATH
EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT. My wife and I were having a conversation about clothes. The kind we like to wear, the kind we won't, and the kind we maybe would but don't. During the conversation, the type of pants we wear was discussed. We both like denim. There are a few different kinds of denim, but I favor blue, while my wife will wear other kinds. But still denim. When I ask her about a kind that was being advertised on TV, she said NOPE. She didn't like that kind of material. It might look nice for a while when it is new, but after it has been washed a few times, it begins to look tired and worn and old. Even if it is not. Well, now, I said, that explains every thing.
I will just quit washing myself, as in bathing, and then maybe I won't look so tired and old and worn. At least it's worth a shot. Check me out and see how it's working. Just probably have to do it downwind.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
I will just quit washing myself, as in bathing, and then maybe I won't look so tired and old and worn. At least it's worth a shot. Check me out and see how it's working. Just probably have to do it downwind.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Monday, September 7, 2015
IT'S NO SECRET
ANY ONE, OR MAYBE THE ONLY ONE, WHO READS MY BLOG, is aware that I have made no bones about my dislike for President Obama. What I may not have mentioned is that I didn't like Vice President Al Gore either. And I like him even less as time goes by. He has carried on and on about global warming and ice caps melting and Polar Bears dying and well, you get the picture. According to him, the Polar Bears in Alaska should all be gone by now. Well, let's get back to the point of this blog.
President Obama recently made a three day trip to Alaska. Each stop was staged by staff members working ahead of the president's travel. Each photo op was planned. Except maybe the whale, but who knows how long they waited for one to surface. And much was made about his renaming of Mt. McKinley. Well, it used to be called Denali decades back, so he didn't really rename it, he just changed it back to what it was. Have we seen the end of that. Probably not.
But, back to the ice and the bears. Even though Al Gore and his like and those belonging to environmental groups like the Center for Biological Diversity keep spouting the end of the polar ice and the polar bear, in spite of scientific evidence to the contrary.
During a speech while in Alaska, the President said that by the end of this century, the global warming would have warmed up 6 to 12 degrees. And the ice would continue to melt. Then he also said that he was asking Congress for money to buy more ice breakers for Alaska. If the ice is melting, why do they need more ice breaking ships?
And even though the environmentalists keep carrying on about the demise of Polar Bears, the Pres. did not even mention them and none were seen. Except for the possible fake one that the CBD brings along to remind the President about their agenda. There was no evidence that the Pres. even got to see the fake one, and he did not travel to the areas where the Polar Bears live. probably because they don't want to mention that scientists have proven that the numbers of bears are increasing.
Now, the CBD brings their fake bear along on these junkets to remind the Pres of their agenda, which is 1. Rescind proposals to drill for oil in the arctic. 2. Halt all new fossil fuel exploration on public lands. 3. Cut greenhouse pollution from airplanes. 4. Reject the Keystone Pipeline once and for all. This is just a partial agenda of this group and their fake bear.
And the news goes along with all of this, in spite of scientific evidence to the contrary.
One has to wonder just what the world would be like if Gore and POTUS and the environmental groups would actually use real and true facts and not make up things to support their beliefs. I think things would be a lot better, if they would just try to get along with what is really going on and both sides of the issue would study and then act on the best environmental route to take, not spout mistruths to lead the public astray.
AND THAT'S THYE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
President Obama recently made a three day trip to Alaska. Each stop was staged by staff members working ahead of the president's travel. Each photo op was planned. Except maybe the whale, but who knows how long they waited for one to surface. And much was made about his renaming of Mt. McKinley. Well, it used to be called Denali decades back, so he didn't really rename it, he just changed it back to what it was. Have we seen the end of that. Probably not.
But, back to the ice and the bears. Even though Al Gore and his like and those belonging to environmental groups like the Center for Biological Diversity keep spouting the end of the polar ice and the polar bear, in spite of scientific evidence to the contrary.
During a speech while in Alaska, the President said that by the end of this century, the global warming would have warmed up 6 to 12 degrees. And the ice would continue to melt. Then he also said that he was asking Congress for money to buy more ice breakers for Alaska. If the ice is melting, why do they need more ice breaking ships?
And even though the environmentalists keep carrying on about the demise of Polar Bears, the Pres. did not even mention them and none were seen. Except for the possible fake one that the CBD brings along to remind the President about their agenda. There was no evidence that the Pres. even got to see the fake one, and he did not travel to the areas where the Polar Bears live. probably because they don't want to mention that scientists have proven that the numbers of bears are increasing.
Now, the CBD brings their fake bear along on these junkets to remind the Pres of their agenda, which is 1. Rescind proposals to drill for oil in the arctic. 2. Halt all new fossil fuel exploration on public lands. 3. Cut greenhouse pollution from airplanes. 4. Reject the Keystone Pipeline once and for all. This is just a partial agenda of this group and their fake bear.
And the news goes along with all of this, in spite of scientific evidence to the contrary.
One has to wonder just what the world would be like if Gore and POTUS and the environmental groups would actually use real and true facts and not make up things to support their beliefs. I think things would be a lot better, if they would just try to get along with what is really going on and both sides of the issue would study and then act on the best environmental route to take, not spout mistruths to lead the public astray.
AND THAT'S THYE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
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