THE WALL

During the government prohibition on alcohol, crime and instability were the norm. There were rum runners bringing the stuff across the border from Canada, and a lot from Mexico. When the US federal government finally decided to end the prohibition, and legalize and tax it, the crime rate decreases markedly.
When the government, with every good intention gave us the various welfare programs, the available work force decreased markedly, and crime increased.
The workers had to come from somewhere, and Mexico became the largest supply of workers, and crime increased. Can't they see the correlation?

Here is the answer.

#1. Legalize and tax drugs as they now do the now legal drug, alcohol. The drug smuggling will drop to zero, and crime will decrease, both here as well as Mexico.

#2. Decrease welfare to a very low amount, allowing only the severely crippled or infirm. That will provide a very large pool of available workers, and reduce the available jobs available to illegal aliens to nearly zero, resulting in less crime.

#3. increase trade with Mexico, thus providing work for their displaced workers, and bettering the economy of our neighbor to the south.
These three things will provide more economic stability to America, and to the entire western hemisphere.

The border wall is a very bad idea, and can be remedied by applying the three above ideas.
This simple plan will do away with some of the major economic problems, and reduce crime.

September 6, 2018

How Far Are Willing to Go?

At a 12 step meeting this evening, we were discussing the 8th step. “We made a list of all the persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.” We discussed the usual people we had harmed, parents, employers, lovers, etc.
    The thought came to me, ‘How far is one who is serious about the program, and is willing to make amends willing to go?’ 
    Suppose in the days of our using, we robbed a liquor store. It was the only serious cdrime we ever committed. We came to the 8th step. We became overwhelmed with guilt.
    Would you be willing to turn yourself in and throw yourself on the mercy of the court? Could you say, “Your Honor, I am guilty. I did the crime. The program by which I live demands that I be willing to make amends to all those I harmed. I was under the effects of drugs at the time, but now I am clean, and am willing to make amends, and do whatever penalty and restitution that I have to serve.”
    The basic text of NA, Narcotics Anonymous, states that “We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. ... We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all” ...
    Would you go so far as to have the rigorous honesty to go that far if it meant whether or not you might use again?
    The consensus around the table, which was primarily people in their first year of recovery, was “Hell no! I wouldn’t do it!”  
     I explained that it was a hypothetical question, and somehing to meditate on. The denial was strong.
    This is my question.  How far are you willing to go to honestly and thoroughly work the steps of recovery of the 12 step programs?  How far are you willing to go to insure your recovery?
    I am not suggesting that you turn yourself in for crimes done while you were under the influence.  This is merely something on which to meditate. 

I spent much of my life on bandstands all over this country. As a drummer, I sat in the back, up nest to the wall. Or in a corner, often on a riser. When you’re not singing, or singing harmony, there’s not a heck of a lot to do, but watch people. These are some of my observations.

People come into bars to have a good tine, and search for mates. It’s a very natural thing for humans to do.

It’s very interesting to watch the young women dance. Almost always, they dance with their arms up over their head. The object is to release pheromones to attract males. Sometimes people just come to drink, dance, socialize and relax. But that's not the main reason for the honky tonk. They are assignation stations.

Those bar rooms are absolutely filled with the aroma of sexual attraction. The musicians are usually higher than the crowd, and receive the full effect. That attraction is overpowering.

As a virile male, it is nearly impossible to resist, and once triggered, normal lust is virtually impossible to resist. It is sex. Just sex. Nothing more, nothing less. The love aspect, the faithfulness aspect, the fear, shame, or illegality have nothing to do with it. It is the overpowering human instinct to mate.

It is as natural for the male to become aroused, as it is for the female to me alluring.

When we are children, one of the favorite games is “Boys chase the girls”. We have all played that game, whether wittingly or unwittingly. If you watch any schoolyard, you will see that game.

The boys in the band get caught up in it. There you are, a young man, and when you look at it you will see that working musicians are usually younger than 35 or 40, caught up in the swirling scent of 60 to 100 young women in heat.

Very often they surrender to that natural urge. After the brief encounter, they go home. The wife, or girlfriend can smell the sent of another woman. Then there are accusations, fights, separations and unfortunately, divorce. I suppose this is a natural part of being a human as well.

I don't think that in cultures where men and women live separately, ths is as much a problem as it is in our “civilized” society.

Do I believe in monogamy? I'm not sure. I am, and intend to stay that way. Our Christian teaching pretty much requires it of us. It is a way to keep the bloodline pure. Women understand that, even if they don't realize it. Therein. as Shakespeare said, lies the rub.

Is there answer? Probably not. It has been going on for millennia. Will it ever stop? Not as long as there are animals, and humans are, after all, animals, and in the stated situations revert to that state.

Just something that crossed my mind.

I spent much of my life on bandstands all over this country. As a drummer, I sat in the back, up nest to the wall. Or in a corner, often on a riser. When you’re not singing, or singing harmony, there’s not a heck of a lot to do, but watch people. These are some of my observations.

People come into bars to have a good tine, and search for mates. It’s a very natural thing for humans to do.

It’s very interesting to watch the young women dance. Almost always, they dance with their arms up over their head. The object is to release pheromones to attract males. Sometimes people just come to drink, dance, socialize and relax. But that's not the main reason for the honky tonk. They are assignation stations.

Those bar rooms are absolutely filled with the aroma of sexual attraction. The musicians are usually higher than the crowd, and receive the full effect. That attraction is overpowering.

As a virile male, it is nearly impossible to resist, and once triggered, normal lust is virtually impossible to resist. It is sex. Just sex. Nothing more, nothing less. The love aspect, the faithfulness aspect, the fear, shame, or illegality have nothing to do with it. It is the overpowering human instinct to mate.

It is as natural for the male to become aroused, as it is for the female to me alluring.

When we are children, one of the favorite games is “Boys chase the girls”. We have all played that game, whether wittingly or unwittingly. If you watch any schoolyard, you will see that game.

The boys in the band get caught up in it. There you are, a young man, and when you look at it you will see that working musicians are usually younger than 35 or 40, caught up in the swirling scent of 60 to 100 young women in heat.

Very often they surrender to that natural urge. After the brief encounter, they go home. The wife, or girlfriend can smell the sent of another woman. Then there are accusations, fights, separations and unfortunately, divorce. I suppose this is a natural part of being a human as well.

I don't think that in cultures where men and women live separately, ths is as much a problem as it is in our “civilized” society.

Do I believe in monogamy? I'm not sure. I am, and intend to stay that way. Our Christian teaching pretty much requires it of us. It is a way to keep the bloodline pure. Women understand that, even if they don't realize it. Therein. as Shakespeare said, lies the rub.

Is there answer? Probably not. It has been going on for millennia. Will it ever stop? Not as long as there are animals, and humans are, after all, animals, and in the stated situations revert to that state.

Just something that crossed my mind.

Got back Thursday from a trip to California. Had to see Mama.  While there, I saw my brother Buck, and one of my cherished grandsons, Seth.  What a joy.  He is going to be a fine man.

While i was out there, I visited with a couple of old friends with whom I worked at KRSA in Salinas, Wayne and Audean Woolard. Audean was the one who introduced me to my first wife, Kathy, who was Virginia's mother.  We visited most of the afternoon.  I sure was glad to see them. 

Wayne is one of the most talented radio design engineers that I know.  He has designed and built many high power broadcast and shortwave stations all over the world. Most of them are still on the air.

The trip was pretty uneventful. The weather, while relatively cool for central cal. averages 98f. A little warmer than I'm used to here in Montana. 

While I was away, there was a big storm in our area. The hail stripped most of the corn crop, and made it pretty useless.  I saw one of my neighbors this morning.  He told me that it wouldn't even make good silage.

The wind was very strong here. Kathryn said that it was blowing in a circular pattern.  If it wasn't a small tornado, it was awfully close.  It took the top off the rain gauge,  and sent it several yards away.  If it hadn't gotten caught in some brush, I would never have found it.   It knocked over the little pen I use to raise  baby chicks until they're fledged, and then put them in the chicken house.

We lost all of the chickens.  They just died. Within a week they were all gone.  I have to clean and sterilize the pen and coop before I get another batch.  I hated it. I liked to watch them.  That of course, is the main reason I keep them. 'Course fresh eggs are a pretty good too.

On the spiritual front, I was honored to baptize a young man in the Name of Jesus before I left.  What a joy.  Several people have asked me for copies of my messages and teaching.  I have begun to send them out via email to some folks.  I record them, then make CDs for some of my parishioners. and now have been sending them out.  No charge. I don't do The Lord's work for money.

My old pickup was just falling apart. Mostly rust loosely held together by faded paint.  The engine and transmission are good though.  I was able to buy a three year newer model, for $400, including headers.  A friend who rebuilds and repairs Chevy pickups, offered to put the engine and transmission in the new one (It came without them, that's why it was so inexpensive) in trade for my old one.  Sweet deal.  He sho0uld have it done in a couple of days.  I'm stoked!

We had thunderstorms last night and today.  Custer County Fire is out putting out lightning caused fires this afternoon.  Those guys are amo0ng the best firefighters around.  Limited budget, and an all but one volunteer force, and they really take care of business with the best of them.  I am proud that I was involved with them.  Had to give it up. I don't think a half crippled 73 year old man has any business on a fire line.  Their job is to fight fires, not rescue old pharts who should know when to quit.

One of my neighbors came and cut the grass in our field and bailed it in exchange for the hay.  He didn't get it all, because I wanted to keep about a half acre in natural condition for the deer this winter.  He got four big round bales though.

That's about all that's new around the farm for now. More when I can get off my donkey and write again.

Agape
Lee

It's been warm on the farm. High 80s and as much as 90.  I have a little trouble with the transition, but I will.  I sat out on the deck this morning eating my gluten free corn squares with sliced Bananas and milk. The sky was azure with only a very few puffy clouds. The wind was a hardly noticeable breeze.  The neighbor across the canal was loading big round bales of first cutting alfalfa onto a semi, and a Meadowlark was singing.  The Meadowlarks here in Montana sing a slightly different song than than they do in California, but beautiful, none the less. 
You know? Things just don't get much better than that.  Kathryn was out tending her flower garden, and all was well with the world.

A little later, things got sad, when Kathryn found the body of her beloved white cat "Bug" dead on the road.  He was a wonderful friend that she bottle fed and raised from a tiny kitten. He loved to cuddle up in her arms like a little baby.  Of course she is terribly distraught.

I don't know why, but somebody in the neighborhood likes to run over small animals.  Cats especially.  I'll bet he'd raise hell if someone ran over one of his dogs. 

The Post Office here in Kinsey burned own a few days ago. Well, the house that housed it did.  Our excellent Custer County Fire Department saved the Post Office part of the building.  I understand that the computer didn't survive, but everything else did.  Smokey, smelly, and water stained, but for the most part, intact.

I have to hand it to those guys. The Custer County Fire Department, with which the Custer County Volunteer Fire Company merged a year or so ago, is a great outfit.  They are, with the exception of the Chief, who is also County Fire Warden, a totally volunteer department.  They are well equipped, and train regularly. They are more than up to NFPA standards. 

The thing about them is, that they put fires OUT.  Quickly, efficiently, and safely.   Plus, they are a great bunch of guys, who take public service seriously.  o them, their duty is SERVICE to the public.

Last night we had a community meeting to see what to do about the Post Office.  We are in the process of getting either a mobile office from the PO, or building one. Our thought is, we want the local Post Office, and if it is within our power, we will. 

The real good news... I baptized another man in our church last Sunday.  What a blessing.
Not much more. Well, in fact a lot, but I'll save the rest for another time

Agape
Lee

Some Thoughts On Repairing The Economy

Friends:

Our nation is in terrible financial trouble. Our dollar is de-valued, and the President is urging cuts to spending that will seriously affect our infrastructure.

I have an idea on how to keep from doing this, get America back on an even financial keel, and keep us from bankruptcy and insolvency.

#1.  Cut foreign aid.
Here is the amount we are spending in direct payments to foreign countries.

Rank Countries Amount
# 1 United States: $23,530,000,000.00
# 2 United Kingdom: $12,460,000,000.00
# 3 France: $10,600,000,000.00
# 4 Germany: $10,440,000,000.00
# 5 Japan: $7,500,000,000.00
# 6 Netherlands: $5,452,000,000.00
# 7 Sweden: $3,955,000,000.00
# 8 Canada: $3,900,000,000.00
# 9 Spain: $3,814,000,000.00
# 10 Italy: $3,641,000,000.00
# 11 Norway: $2,954,000,000.00
# 12 Denmark: $2,236,000,000.00
# 13 Australia: $2,123,000,000.00
# 14 Belgium: $1,978,000,000.00
# 15 Switzerland: $1,646,000,000.00
# 16 Austria: $1,498,000,000.00
# 17 Finland: $1,023,000,000.00
# 18 Ireland: $1,022,000,000.00
# 19 Korea, South: $455,300,000.00
# 20 Greece: $424,000,000.00
# 21 Portugal: $396,000,000.00
# 22 Luxembourg: $291,000,000.00
# 23 New Zealand: $259,000,000.00
# 24 Cyprus: $25,900,000.00
# 25 Iceland: $6,700,000.00
# 26 Lesotho: $4,400,000.00

#2.  Bring our troops home from Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places that we have invaded, and caused untold amount of death and destruction.

The war in Afghanistan has cost the United States $443 billion from 2001 through 2011, according to the Congressional Research Office.


There are a number of other things that can be done, but it is my considered opinion that if we start by eliminating those enormous drains on our economy, we will be well on our way t financial solvency.

Agape
Lee