The Battle For Territory

This year brought new arrivals. We've always had fire ants, but what are known as "crazy ants" have arrived. They don't bite (at least I've never been bitten) and are tenacious foragers. Their big problem is their attraction to electricity. They'll fill a junction box, or a circuit board, and eventually short it out. I've experienced their destruction on a project where they filled the computer on a changeable message board, and the only repair was complete replacement. 

So, I spray them when they're around the house, carefully watch outside electrical appliances, and have to accept they're here to stay. One good thing is they will overwhelm fire ants. Where last year mounds were all in the yard, this year hasn't revealed but a few. Still, they're an invasive species, and I don't like having to deal with them.

Where the Constitution Fails

I'm guessing too many attorneys were involved with the writing of the Constitution. It's apparent that of all the branches, the Judiciary operates almost completely unchecked, since federal judges are not only arbitrary, they ignore laws, and manipulate the citizens with capricious opinions. With those opinions, and the rules of courts, not only are laws written by elected officials nullified without a good reason, those sworn to uphold the law are faced with criminal charges if they don't comply.

What's the solution? Term limits for a start. That, and a Congress with the backbone to impeach judges. Even if not successful, the impeachment process not only besmirches the reputation of the judge, it demands the justices behave as intended. While the judiciary may like the power they have, they also know their power is tenuous. They operate completely on opinion, and their opinion only has the weight allowed by the citizens.

I Don't Think Enough Understand

With all technology available, research opportunities, and tremendous resources, it's almost hard to believe journalists now reached a point where their credibility is in the tank. False statements are reported as fact, fictitious events are presented as real, and political beliefs are interspersed with reporting.

I don't think enough of those involved with reporting the news understand they're not only losing their audience, revenue is falling, and the largest organizations will find there aren't enough investors to keep the doors open. Stockholders will sell their stock, and if the selling is brisk, the ability to function might leave in a substantially short period of time.

I don't think erroneous news is new, but with available technology, more people realize how many lies are perpetuated by what is now called "fake news"; and the reaction is distrust embellished with anger. Where there were only a few news outlets, there are now thousands available, and it's apparent some of the largest have an agenda, and it's not what the majority wants.

I don't know how this will turn out, but it's obvious the damage is great. Journalists are now immediately suspected of a lack of integrity, and the vocation is not considered as honorable as it was before. That's tragic, when you consider the opportunity lost, and the disgrace of what was once a noble profession.

We Have a Nominee

Trump picked Neil Gorsuch to replace Scalia. From reading about his record, there will be some tooth gnashing, pissing, and moaning from the Democrats, who will attempt to prevent Gorsuch from replacing Scalia. I think they'll fail, especially with the nuclear option available. The Democrats used the option to flood Federal courts with like minded judges, and it's only fair the Republicans return the favor with Supreme Court picks.

Slow Simmer

I stopped for some coffee early this morning at one of my usual spots. While fixing my coffee, I listened to the conversation between the clerk, and a few customers at the counter.

The conversation was heated, and the determination was accented by the frustration. The topic? Illegals, immigration, and the obvious attempt by some to continue the ridiculous process of allowing people into the United States without careful vetting.

While the media, and many liberal pockets in the U.S. continue to promote their agenda, they're failing to notice the huge amount of real estate, the people that live there, their increasing anger, and how those they thumb their nose at can - and will - respond to threats against their prosperity, or safety. These people produce the raw products required for those that produce nothing but paper, bureaucracy, and public debt. Ignoring their wishes can have unwanted effects for those that think their population density demands they have more control of the United States.

Time will tell how this turns out; but self-sufficient, determined, and very strong people - that want the deluge of people coming to the U.S. to slow to a trickle - have had enough. Protesting won't change their mind, complaining only makes them more angry, and demanding they accept the madness Obama started is a waste of time. Obama, and his liberal sycophants,  don't have to deal with the crime, or live by those that are only here to abuse the system.

Ignorance, But Not Bliss

I know I'm ignorant of many immigration laws, but have the feeling my ignorance is much less than most people; especially those most vocal about Trump's executive order. The final impact is yet to be seen, but I have the feeling those most upset will find protesting, or threatening, will only lead to more resolve by most in the United States, and even legal immigrants will find a citizenry tired of being forced to embrace those of which they are most wary.

Twenty Gone

According to a news report, twenty people lost their life to a gunman in Florida. They were enjoying the last few minutes of a night out, and did nothing, except be at the place chosen by the gunman.

I wonder if we'll get an accurate assessment, and honest reporting on the incident. We haven't in the past; and the current administration is willing to do just about anything to protect their real interests - which are not the best interests for the United States.


Edit: Reports now say fifty are dead.

Election Cycle?

"Cycle" is defined as a serious of repeating events. At one time, it was an accurate description of the process of electing a President. Since this is now a constant event, electing the President is now an "election drudgery".

You're welcome. Now you can better define your irritation at the constant bombardment of hype, rhetoric, and stupidity.


_ and I have to add a comment on the candidates: They don't sweat, they don't have blemishes, they wear makeup, and not a hair is out of place. It's like we're electing someone to accept the Academy Award, instead of someone to run the United States. We don't elect Presidents anymore; we elect the best supporting actor, or actress, in a movie loosely based on reality. 

Dodging the Bullet

Hurricane Patricia pumped a huge amount of moisture into the atmosphere. The moisture allowed a developing low over the Gulf of Mexico to have more than abundant rain.

Houston received up to 10 inches in some areas, which caused some flooding, but they were prepared, and it appears the damage will be minimal. Locally, it's in the three to five inch amount, which could have been more.

So, the storm is passing my area, most of the rain is in the Gulf of Mexico, and the future of the weather to the East, is soggy. Louisiana, and Mississippi are next.

 I have the feeling the low will track across the South, and the East Coast can expect a Nor'easter. It's that time of year, and this storm can be a surprise for many. It's more intense than the normal low, and it will bring much bad weather for those in its path.

Summer Hangs On

We had a short cool spell last week, which yielded low sixties in the mornings, with highs in the mid eighties. It didn't last long, and Summer returned.

For the last week, it's been in the low to mid seventies near the coast in the mornings, and around ninety two in the afternoon. Rain is prevented by a ridge of high pressure, so the heat is hanging on.

This weather pattern will last a week, or so, but we'll get a front, some rain, and the sun won't be able to overcome the cool any longer. After that, the chilly evening will be filled with the aroma of burning leaves and the feel of Autumn will settle in.

I enjoy Autumn more than any other season. I like the temperature, the azure skies, and the brilliant oranges of sunset. I feel a contentment I find no other time of the year.

Soaking in the Morning

Sunday morning is usually without hectic moments, so I have time to sit on the back porch.

This morning was almost still. A mockingbird sang in the near distance; the trills, whistles, and calls, a solitary sound in the morning quiet; the singing continuing for long minutes.

The cool damp air slowly moved. There was no gusts, or calms; just a steady push from the south as the cooler air from the Gulf sought the warmer air on the land. As I raised my cup, the slow breeze wafted the scent of fresh coffee. I sipped and enjoyed the moment.

Off to the east, the dim, silver sky silhouetted the trees; black against the light. As the sky brightened, the silver turned to a dark, powder blue. An orange glow followed: slowly brightening; announcing the soon to rise sun.

The mockingbird stopped singing, but other birds were now greeting the morning. The calls of mourning doves were joined by sparrows, cardinals, sparrows, blue jays, and finally: the raucous whistles of grackles; shattering the morning quiet.

I sipped my coffee and enjoyed the show. Squirrels played in the oaks, doves flew to the still bare pecans, and a mated pair of cardinals landed nearby to pick for the seed I threw in the yard.

I contemplated a second cup of coffee - and breakfast. My thoughts turned to what would be good. Bacon, hash browns, and eggs over easy came to my thoughts. Determined, I finished my first cup of coffee, and moved do start my task.

Before I could rise to my task, the mockingbird landed on the fence. I watched it, and it watched me. Whether it was king, or queen of it's territory, it didn't appear the least bit afraid. We stared at each other for moment; me silently watching; the mockingbird poised to fly, if I moved too quickly.

The mockingbird, without a sound, soon flew away. I watched for a moment, hoping it would return; but it didn't. Rising, I took a deep breath, made one last look around, and started my day. I had much to do, and would have like to relish more of the fine morning. Maybe next week will allow another morning to watch what too many miss.

As Time Goes On

When I was in high school, the Vietnam War was on the downhill slide. A great rift developed in the country and the majority of those most upset didn't know anything of how the U.S. became involved in the first place. It's the same today. An entire generation of young adults were crapping orange from strained carrots when Afghanistan and Iraq started. Their perception is influenced only by what they happen to read on a news report, if they're interested at all. They have no recollection of the event that precipitated the conflicts.

I once had a book that was a historical reference of the Vietnam Conflict. To sum up the book, decades of meddling, political posturing, back door deals and abuse led to decades of meddling, political posturing, back door deals and abuses. When you consider the worst victims of the entire mess wanted only enough rain for their rice crops, maybe a pig or two, a simple house for their family and to be left in peace, the entire mess was a horrible testament to the bumbling, cumbersome power struggle we call international politics.

War sucks, but sooner, or later, some crazy bastard will influence enough ignorant people to follow them until they need to be killed before they kill more innocent people. There sure seems like a better way, but it's damn near impossible to deal with people that are willing to kill innocent people for power. Those type of people are best turned into compost.

The long term crap, like Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan are a huge waste, in my opinion. War is a nasty business and the best outcome involves the ruthless destruction of the enemy's ability to wage war in the shortest time possible. Anything else is a bumbling gesture that never has a good outcome.

The Perils of Leadership

I've been in supervisory position for decades; from a crew foreman to a project manager for the refitting of a shipyard. Never have I spent most days relishing the responsibility. Too many things can go wrong and it's my job to insure the damage is minor.

So, now we have a President that came into that position without any supervisory experience. To aggravate this lack of experience, he had no business and very little legal experience. What political experience he acquired was as a candidate; his time spent doing the muscle work of law making was minimal.

Right, wrong or indifferent, many in the world envision the United States as a leader. Why? I don't really know, but I have the feeling it's because our government is not based on allowing a few dictate to the many. Liberty is the intended goal and liberty is the greatest gift anyone can want.

The world is now feeling insecure, due to the unbridled violence reported on the news and hard economic times helped created by feckless actions by the U.S. government. A void is being created and the opportunity for a leader is apparent. Philosophical musings are not important any longer. It's all about survival and many will accept tyranny instead of death.

I'd say the entire world is living during dangerous times. How dangerous that is will be determined by whether the United States continues to wallow in incompetence, or a good leader emerges to lead us through some tough times.

When Ignorance is Accepted

It's sad to watch how ignorance is now accepted. It's prevalent with the educated, uneducated, the media, with teachers, with professionals and even with the President. The inability to acquire knowledge I can understand; deliberately avoiding learning I can't.

When so many people are ignorant, leadership requirements are sub-standard. That creates more representatives that don't understand the reasons for the Constitution; and worse: they don't want to learn. Everyone suffers due to this and the ultimate result is what we now have as President. He's far from qualified for his position and unwilling to be productive, accept his responsibility and follow the laws he swore to uphold. This problem is exacerbated by journalist too drunk on their power to realize they've contributed to circumstances that aren't good for them either.

At times like this, a strong leader is demanded by society. Whether we have a good one will be seen.  Hopefully we do; and they can lead the U.S. away from the path it now follows.

The Perils of Religious War

In the Middle East, Christians are being terribly treated. At best, it's dislocation from lifetime homes. At worst, it's horrible deaths at the hands of radical Moslem fanatics.

While the fanatics think they're being supported by God, their exuberance for violence will lead to their own violent deaths. The destruction, murders and removal of the sanctity of peace, which every society yearns for, leads to a visceral response by those that make up the majority of the world. The response will be terrible for them to behold and the retributions will lead to many being hunted down and killed for their actions. You can't destroy so many lives, infrastructures and expect the citizens that abhor such actions to stand idly by forever; wherever the citizens may reside.

Some may think I'm wrong, but I'm not. Attempting to remove the basic beliefs of individuals by force only leads to rebellion; especially when the basic beliefs are of tolerance, acceptance and a genuine effort to improve lives and societies. The rebellion starts small, grows to include those that are sickened by what they see and the leaders find their last days are lonely times, with the knowledge their death may be very unpleasant.

Summarized World Events

Stupidity.

It explains just about everything wrong with the world; and most people are so eat up with the dumbass, they don't even have a clue.

This Might Get Interesting

Chuck Hagel is now the official fish in the barrel for the Bergdahl fiasco. Whether this is true, or not is not nearly as important as how he handles the accusation.

He's scheduled to appear before a congressional committee, which gives him the opportunity to do the honorable thing, or not.

If he was responsible, then the fact the President allowed him to circumvent the law, embarrass him and place U.S. citizen's lives in danger demands he's fired and charged with a crime. It would be in his best interest to resign and face the consequences.

If not, and he was only following instructions from the President, then the obvious lie will weaken the administration further; it might even lead to some really, really bad things for the President.

We'll see. I'm hoping Hagel's time in combat, in Vietnam, will bring out the honor for fellow soldiers he might have once had. The Bergdahl deal was not honorable, insulted all armed forces, and betrayed every citizen of the United States.

If he's a vindictive type of fellow, he has the opportunity to get even for being played like a cheap guitar. I kinda hope he does this. I have no compassion for anyone that's part of this administration. They've shown they're liars, thieves and murderers. A few thrown under the jail would make my day.

Just like a fish in a barrel. Slimy, hard to get a grip on and a bad smell. 

Impeachment, or Not?

Impeachment is a dead-end street, without a willing Senate to try. The current Senate will never try Barrack Obama, so that's an unproductive path to follow.

What is to be done? When a machine is broken, you dismantle the piece, find what doesn't work, and make the necessary repairs.

That's the best way to handle the current problems. Dismantle the Administration, replace the broken pieces and reassemble to a working machine.

Where do we start? Eric Holder. Too many egregious violations of laws point to an unwillingness by Holder to  do his job. Congress needs to demand he appoint a special counsel to investigate. If he refuses, then they start impeachment proceeding against him. While Democrats may balk, they will ultimately understand without protection from a rogue Attorney General, in a future Republican administration, they too could find themselves in an untenable position.

Will this work? I think so, but it requires a constant demand for action by not only those in Congress, but with citizens constantly pushing for answers and avoiding media outlets that refuse to participate in justice.

The mid-term elections are forecast to be a bloodbath for some members of Congress. Those wishing to appear favorable will recognize the necessity, even if they don't like becoming involved. Those that already know the U.S. government doesn't work, without checks and balances, will only have to continue with what they already started.

Barrack Obama is either terribly incompetent, or on a mission to make vast changes, without following the guidelines specified in the Constitution. No matter the reason, he can't do it on his own and, when it becomes a liability to be involved, the number of willing participants dwindles rapidly.

Right Before Work Observation

Occasionally, I'll spend a little time before leaving to work looking at the weather radar, or the earliest of the news. The radar loads without problems, but too many news outlets don't.

What's the problem? Junk advertising, pop ups, roll downs, roll overs, photos, embedded videos and animated gifs. They hog resources, slow down loading and I follow my initial thought, which is to close the site and move on...just like some blogs I attempt to read.

When it comes to reading, the less distractions, and waits are most important to me. I think that's one of the reasons Matt Drudge has such a successful site. In moments, I can scan through dozens of links, without distractions.

So, Why Doesn't the Military Court Martial the Commander In Chief?

I don't see why they can't. Surely there's an article in the Uniform Code of Military Justice that addresses conduct that includes dereliction of duty and unethical behavior.

Congress has the power of regulating the armed forces and it's their duty, as far as I'm concerned to enforce laws, when those working for the President break laws without accountability. If it takes the military, then get after it.