Meanwhile, Down at the County Clerk's Office

"Can I help you?"

"Yes. We're here for a marriage license."

"Have you been together for long?"

" I guess you can say that."

"You're a fine looking couple."

"Now hold on a minute. We're not gay."

"I don't understand."

"I owe him thousands, and the only way I can pay him back is to marry him, give him half my 401K
and hope he still doesn't want to break my leg with a baseball bat."

"That's more than unusual, and it might not be legal."

"Not so. The Supreme Court ruled I can marry him, and he can have all the benefits of our marriage, if we divorce."

"That's not the way it works. The law only requires you to give half of your 401K for the period of time you were married."

"Maybe so, unless I agree to a settlement that gives him half."

"Still, there might be some problems."

"I doubt it. If I pay the attorney, and the paperwork is filed correctly, I can remove a huge burden hanging over my head, when we divorce."

"You may be right. Fill out the forms, and you'll have a fee to pay for the marriage."

"Sound good. I can get this done, and be down at Bill's for happy hour."

"Next."

Living in the Oligarchy

Oligarchy:

: a country, business, etc., that is controlled by a small group of people

: the people that control a country, business, etc.

: government or control by a small group of people


I can't think of a better description of the United States at this time. The President ignores the laws, Congress ignores the will of the people, and the Supreme Court rubber stamps whatever fits the agenda of tyranny. We were once a Constitutional Republic.

Meanwhile, At the Supreme Court

No matter your opinion on the two decisions that affected the entire nation, both created a divide, which isn't split down the middle. Ultimately, the resentment, removal of liberty, deception, attempts to force beliefs, and the attack on the Constitution will end in a swing of the pendulum in the other direction.

At this point, minority opinion is shaping laws. The majority opinion of the rest is now reinforced with resentment and bitter anger. They will not acquiesce, and those cheering will find their exposure will not be such a good thing in the future.

Carpal Tunnel Release 2

Again, I'm typing with one hand. I had the release surgery on my left hand this morning. So far, so good, but my entire hand is still without any feeling, due to the medication. I'll know the initial result tonight, when I hope I'm able to complete a night of sleep, without waking numerous times by pain and numbness. I'm looking forward to that; I've had enough.

What Do You Think They Have on Ryan?

I'm wondering what they have on Paul Ryan to make him refuse to allow the citizens of the U.S. to peruse the bill he wants all Congress to sign, without reading. Something illegal? Immoral? Maybe he was a sleeper, and they finally said the magic word that put him in action.

Whatever it is, he might as well call Jeffords and ask how it is on the dark side. That, and watch his back. I have the feeling his enemies now far outweigh his friends.

Are You Surprised?

News reports are full of articles about hacking of government files, incompetence of government employees, ridiculous wastes of taxpayer money, and the never ending diatribes of the underbelly of society, which we call politicians.

Are you surprised this is all we can expect of any type of government entity? I'm not. There's not a one that can justify half their expenditures, a quarter of their employees, and even those with more sense than a garden vegetable have no avenue for culling the herd of incompetent bureaucrats.

Is their a solution? History shows there is, and it's not pretty.

An Observation While Driving Home

First, I don't want anyone to become offended by the following post. I didn't intend to insert a disclaimer, but after consideration, while driving home, I decided it's best, since I don't like offending people, unless they deserve such treatment, or need a reality check on their limited ability to logically examine information, remove any preconceived prejudices, and find they find credibility with my ramblings. 

So, here we go:

I was driving by a local EMS service location (that's what used to be an ambulance service, but "ambulance" doesn't have the same thrill of using an acronym.) and noticed five of the employees standing in a circle outside. Since I didn't have much time to determine what they were doing, I could only examine the individuasl and analyze their appearance.

All of the men had the same body shape, which is best described as the same height,  pear shaped, with narrow shoulders, fairly thin arms, and a hefty steel belted truck radial strapped under their shirt. A less discerning observation would yield an opinion of family members standing around a pit; waiting for the links to be done enough to eat on a bun.

My first thought was: "What would happen, if they were to help me in a dire medical emergency, and one had a heart attack, or a slipped disc.... or something?" The thought provoked possible solutions, such as one being strong enough to just throw me over their shoulder, and ignore the one having the heart attack. As my thoughts continued, I wondered about the protocol for such an event.

My mind wondered through possible solutions. Just throwing me over their shoulder was a possibility, since I only weigh about 150 pounds, and even I could manage that. That, and maybe there's a special dolly for handling the other end of the gurney, when one of the emergency technicians has a medical problem that prevents them from taking care of a patient.

My mind wandered further, and I tried to determine it it's possible for an EMT to drive, take care of two patients, and talk on the radio. I couldn't arrive at any logical solution, so I settled on this situation would require a call for backup, and a wait. That, to me, could result in terrible problems. Two people with life threatening injuries shouldn't have to wait beyond the "golden hour"; especially if the help arriving could have a heart attack, or a slipped disc.

I was left with a conundrum, which was disconcerting. What would happen?

I have no solution, except to not allow myself to be in that situation, or to be extremely inebriated if it does. I feel better now, and will enjoy the birds, as they make a strong effort to empty the bird feeder.

Life Skills

I was reading an article (no, I'm too lazy to link the article), which stated 10 life skills the author felt was necessary by the age of thirty. I won't delve into all of them, because some were good, but the one about learning to make at least one signature mixed drink didn't seem to fit something I feel is important.

The article didn't mention anything about learning to shoot, clean, and cook small game, such as rabbits and squirrels. It's probably not necessary in big cities, but if it ever hit the fan, such things might be necessary with flocks of pigeons, squirrels and other critters that wander city streets.

Fishing wasn't included. That, or learning to tie knots or replace a button.

I guess we all have priorities different than others. I'm thinking mine lead more toward survival. Then again, a signature mixed drink sure sounds good at the moment.

Some Leon Russell for Sunday

I'm Not Familiar With Some Things

I had a friend receive an email message that piqued my interest. Apparently, one of their friends had plans that were delayed, so they relayed that fact and added: "I'm bored."

I don't think I've ever been bored, Distracted? Yes, that and irritated, too busy, tired, hungry, curious, wanting to stay busy, and needing a nap. I won't add "horny", because that might offend some readers.

My first reaction was: "How would I answer that email?" My first thought was: "How about I come to your house and light your sofa on fire?" I know that would remove their boredom. In fact, I bet they'd be scrambling like a squirrel with fleaI s on its ass.

I could continue: "Have you cleaned your toilet? What about that dust ball under the kitchen table? How's your spice supply? Is it up to date? Do you need to add something to it? What about your closet? When was the last time you went through your clothes and hauled what you don't wear to the Salvation Army?

So, I don't get bored. If nothing else, I can write, or think about a few impossible things. My mind never stops, and I never have reached the point I can't find anything to occupy my time, which is more precious than all the gold in the world.

While They Squirm...

...I just sit and watch.

For years, too much of the media protected the Democratic Party from the scrutiny they have for all other parties. It's probably mostly because the believers in a Progressive  government infiltrated journalism and even graduates with degrees in journalism are poorly trained to be critical thinkers. Even then, those that question the "authorities" on what should be reported are chastised, or become victims of character assassination.

I think the media is reaching the point where introspection is showing their credibility is almost gone. The media has sunk to the same level once only reserved for ambulance chasing attorneys and unethical used car sales people. Their only real purpose for public good is now considered a daily dose of propaganda and even their slanted polls reveal a dissatisfaction by the general public with what is reported.

Hillary Clinton is probably the best example of the failure of the media. She started her career by being embroiled in scandal while helping with the Watergate investigation. What actually happened is still disputed, but it was the start of many scandals. The media, if it was doing its job, would have revealed much more about Hillary and allowed the public to make its own opinion. Hiding key facts allowed her into important positions, and ultimately led to the deaths of U.S. citizens in Benghazi.

The newest information showing what are probably criminal "donations" to the Clinton Foundation may lead to their once "guaranteed" presidential candidate being prosecuted. It's already apparent Hillary is aware of this. Becoming President is her only hope of escaping any criminal activities, yet much of the media is ignoring her avoidance of any interaction with reporters, or the public, which is a bizarre way of running a presidential campaign.. An honest media would know this, hound her, and allow the public to scrutinize her actions over the last few years.

So, now the media has Hillary, and many other, "white elephants" to deal with. If they keep avoiding presenting key facts, they will continue to watch their ratings drop, lose revenue, and find public trust declining further. Exposing those they covered for years will lead to scrutiny they don't want either.  Accurate reporting that shows either incompetence, or culpability, also shows failure, and dishonesty.

I know many in the media are searching for dirt on opponents of their party choices. It's apparent with the report that Marco Rubio had some traffic tickets. Their desperation shows they're squirming and I'm personally enjoying their discomfort. May their discomfort reach the same level as multiple hemorrhoids, a hot summer day, no air conditioning, and an all day car trip across the desert.  

This I Find Irritating

A local construction project, involving Federal funds, a local city, and the Texas Department of Transportation finds the contractor in default. The payroll checks are bouncing, with knowledge by the company of the checks being written on a closed account; suppliers cut the contractor off months ago; the project is way behind schedule; and the stories coming out are of a contractor that not only refused to complete quality work, the principal administrators have a bizarre way of doing business.

I won't write the contractors name, but it's owned by a large Mexican company, and the news stories about the company indicate either terrible management, or criminal activities. Accounts have been seized by the feds in other states, and it's apparent those most affected by the lack of revenue are not the owners. Locals took the hit and so did the larger suppliers left with unpaid invoices.

I'm pissed. Not only for the crappy way of doing business, but for the attitudes of those even down to the superintendent level. It's obvious they don't care to run an ethical business, or follow the law. Hopefully, some jail time is in the future for some, but I don't have much faith in that happening. All they have to do is cross the border, and live on the money they slushed from public funds. They were paid for the work performed, neglected to pay suppliers, and the employees that took them for their word are now three weeks into being screwed out of their wages.

The bonding company will ultimately complete the project, if it's solvent, and not another group of crooks that figured out how to game the system. Time will tell.

Carpal Tunnel Release Update

It's been a little over two weeks since my surgery. The strength in my hand is determined by whether it hurts, or not, but the pain seems to lessen daily; and the hand is far from useless; like it was right after the surgery.

I don't wake at night due to pain in that arm, but I still wake from the pain in my left arm. Surgery for that had is scheduled in two weeks, which should give sufficient time to have almost full use of my right hand.

I still have numbness in the tips of the fingers most affected by the strangulation of the median nerve in my right hand. Whether the numbness leave is determined by the preceding damage. I won't know about that for up to a year. Still, it's a minor trade off for what was becoming a constant interruption of sleep.

As I've learned more about carpal tunnel release surgery, I've developed the attitude it's best to be aggressive with treatment as soon as the symptoms appear. There are many steps of treatment before surgery, but those steps might only prolong the inevitable surgery to stop  the damage, which can be due to genetics. Having thin wrists, and a job that increases the pressure, are things that can be beyond your control. You deal with the problem when it happens.

If I was asked on whether the surgery is a good idea, I'd answer in the affirmative. The only thing I'd caution on would be the surgeon. I asked around, looked up the surgeon, and made my final decision after a visit. As it turns out, my surgeon has been described as "the best" by locals, which is a good thing.