Absurdity is the New Norm

According to sources, (which once meant credibility; not so much these days) the Russians deliberately made an effort to influence the U.S. Presidential election. The media, since it's the media (which once was staffed by people with integrity) is reporting on speculation, theory, and whatever they can dig up on Facebook.

This may come as a surprise, but Russia has never been a close friend to the United States. We've allied with them, went to war with them, influenced their economy, and never trusted their various forms of government. We've never given them keys to the ballot box, or allowed them to vote, so unless somebody comes up with proof of that type of tampering, the release of hacked emails, whatever the source, which show corruption of government officials, is just news reporting.

I Need Some Information

My understanding of basic electricity is limited, which leads to the following.

I have a squirrel cage blower on my furnace. The motor won't start the blower, but a little push will allow it to start and run. Since I know a little about electricity, and can look things up on the internet, I've determined the capacitor is not working.

When I removed the capacitor, I found no indication of any polarity, or special marking to indicate the correct connection of the wiring. Since the capacitor doesn't have any markings, and I had to remove the capacitor to find a replacement, I've reached a quandary.

What is the next step, when I find the replacement capacitor. The capacitor is removed, and if the new one has special markings, how do I determine the correct connection, which involves only two wires. Do I check to see which lead has voltage present, when the breaker is on? Do I avoid this, and check for which lead is grounded? I'm confused and need some help.

update: Further research shows an alternating current capacitor in the application doesn't have polarity. 

Cranking Up a New Year

One of my biggest problems in starting a new year is remembering the correct year for dating material. I know that sounds trivial, but other than that, there is very little difference between the last day of December and the first day of January.

I have much hope for this year. While I know changes will not happen instantly, the fact many important requirements for a healthy society are at least being considered is a good thing. The pushing back against ridiculous regulations, political correctness, agenda driven new agencies, and the sloppy behemoth called government is starting; and I'm liking watching the scrambling of the bottom feeders as they realize someone doesn't have their back anymore.

So it's the start of the new year. The battery is charged, I've checked the fluids, and the tank is full.

It's Sure Looking Like....

...the party is over. With all the "no questions asked" free stuff to those that were foolish enough to fraudulently ask for public assistance (some even not legal citizens) and the fact the laws were only ignored, the coming trimming of staff overburden, demand for protecting the law, and easy targets, will lead to a bureaucratic feeding frenzy. Government workers will find they are expected to follow the rules, and those that are so obviously in not need for public assistance will find they are not only expected to return the money, criminal charges might be possible.

The party is over. Philanthropy at gunpoint, willfully ignoring the law, and an angry majority of taxpayers will lead to a reckoning never seen before. It's time, and the mess will be difficult to clean up.

edit: I have to add the change to the amount of government employees will probably startle many. With a business friendly administration, a new demand for accountability, and an unsustainable spending habit by taxing entities, the solution will be layoffs, lower spending budgets, and a realization you can't spend your way into prosperity. 

Many administrative regulation will disappear. While laws may demand certain things, arriving at what's required can lead to creative, agenda-driven, and unneeded administrative rules, which are only allowed by those that run the executive branch of the government. With the removal of certain regulations, the removal of those that administer the regulations will be necessary. 

It's Christmas

Years ago, the days preceding Christmas day were bitter from an Arctic front. The cold led to temperatures in the teens in the morning, with afternoons right below freezing.

The days were beautiful, with a pale sun and azure skies. Sunsets brought a brilliant orange that quickly followed the sun below the horizon. Other than the cold, the days were those that stamp memories forever.

Christmas day was the day the temperature finally rose above freezing. It was a day of reckoning for many, since the efforts to prevent freezing water pipes were futile during the long cold. Efforts to just drip water were futile, since the water pressure dropped, and the pipes eventually froze.

I had a relative that prepared their dinner, everyone was seated for the feast, and the ceiling fell onto the table. The dinner was ruined, and there was nothing to do, until the appraised surmised the damage, and the repairs could begin.

This morning, I awoke to a temperature of 67. The heavy fog created ghostly tendrils in the stirring air, and the quiet was filled with the sound of dripping of water from the bare limbs of the trees. As I watched the day begin, I realized the air conditioner would probably run sometime during the day, and the mosquitoes will be fierce some in the rural areas.

In a way, a little colder air would be pleasant, but in another, this warmth is much more pleasant than the bitter cold so many have to face. It's what there is, and I'm blessed for what I have.

Merry Christmas to all that venture into this cubbyhole tucked behind the last row in the internet, and may God bless.