Yep, the Royal Wedding was not the topic of interest...

at the Men's Bible study. For some reason, not me, the raising the debt limit was keenly addressed. All the way from the riots in the streets, looting of the Safeways, and total collapse of the government. Duh, do you think the faith in government is sadly lacking. There were a couple that thought we might get hooked into SOCIALISM, and Coercive Government - at which I laughed loudly and asked if they hadn't noticed that it was already that way.

I have faith, as long as you are with family and friends and aware and awake when the government does collapse, - we can rebuild it. Education was also on the topic list, hmm, they weren't getting this from mainstream media... where is the opinion that formed theirs?

Not important, I wanted to do well today, so I jogged, finished the lawn, and went and shot to my hearts content. I was happy. Hope y'all are, too. Isn't it strange that NRA has a convention without enough parking, and no shooting? It is almost like the Gun Control Guys and Gals would have a convention on a shooting range with ammunition provided. That doesn't happen, which is why they FEAR the gun instead of the criminal with a gun.

Oh, the targets, I haven't looked at them except on the range, and those two larger than 22 holes are from the folks next to my position, firing on their twenty-five and hitting my fifty yard target, by missing theirs.

Don't mind be, my head has swollen...

Someone actually posted that Earl was a Legend and a Patriot. Not true for many reasons, especially since Patriot has become one of those strange words the Media twists so well, and the extreme folks on one side or another of an issue. And if I were a Legend - then I wouldn't be real, just the character told about in stories... living only in the mind of the teller and the listeners. Still it was nice to be noticed as I continue to fade away - old soldiers you understand.

I did feel really great about a point that was made in the follow ons: is it not the measure of a man to have others claim that he has, "helped me to be a better person,"? Is the legacy of America not in its teachers and the number of men about whom could be said, "through me, you've taught many more,"? based on the comments of two of the other posters. That really was said very well, now that has made it impossible to wear a hat for days and days.

This is a very good weekend for shooting folks, the BoomerShoot is going on Friday through Sunday in Idaho, that is too cool. Also the NRA Convention in Pittsburgh. So Breda and a team from the Appleseed Project are there. Breda is posting on Facebook with her iPhone, hope she hits the blog soon. She doesn't think well of the parking or lack of it and driving around Pittsburgh trying to get to the convention. Still, it is a great weekend to be a shooting American, or one that tries to be a shooting American. One of the Appleseeders got to fire a fifty caliber Barrett in Idaho, that young man knows how to have fun shooting.

I jogged gently but faster today, rode my motorcycle, started FarmVilling in England, only virtually, and read books, time for WWE Smackdown! Yes, my wife left me, Ladies Prayer Group tonight. Go shooting tomorrow! or ride your motorcycle.

Getting out and about a bit...

I closed early "How We Fight" by Dominic Tierney, since he is not a fighter, not associated with war at all. So what his book is about is the difference between wars we must win, and those that we are nation building so we can go home when it gets too costly. This is all from his point of view from lesser Ivy League education and talking to other none fighters that write about What Was Written, citations are important. Too many words, and very pointless.

I have always figured that we pay too much for stuff from industry to win wars - and since the powers that be want uniformity it will be one rifle type, one machine gun type (good luck with that), and our heavier munitions will spend zillions on pin point accuracy (SMART? Bombs?) for AREA (larger the better) weapons. Really, those rocket that are fired from our drones, they aren't pin point accurate - honest. We just want to get close enough that when we bring the house down the falling bricks and tiles will kill someone. No, we don't know his name, sex, age or anything that gives us plausible denial, we don't know that was a wedding, since we weren't on the invitation list. Since they really don't want to spend money on training and human soldiers - they will spend lots more on bullets, bombs and electronic monitoring (spying by means other than human feet on the ground). Because the equipment, weapons, platforms and such are COSTLY, we need more Generals (and Admirals) than won World War II. Now, if you count all our victories since 1946, and the stupidity of trying to make fine foreign folks into poor copies of Americans, you could see why we will never balance the budget. Nineteen suicide pilots take out two buildings, hole in one (Pentagon, they built them tough in those days) and crashed an airplane that OUR Air Force would have shot down if they could have before it hurt someone. Now how many teams are waiting out there to take down the thousands of flights in America? And how much does TSA spend to squash their evil plans? Ah, the end is in sight.

Since I would want to defend my state, neighborhood, clan or tribal area - I would need neighbors that can shoot, have weapons and aren't gathered together for satellite imaging and TARGETED. Would have to dig with shovels, would have to hide and would have to be smarter than those folks from Western Civilization living on the internet and battery powers. And most of all, I would truly have to believe that God was on MY Side, that would be more important that who was in the Great Leader's Throne. When the enemy gathers, presents a fine target - the military can defeat them, when they are running around in little groups - running drugs, immigrating or doing criminal acts against the domestic populations - the great problem is that they are TOO SMALL TO WIN! The opposite of Too Big To Fail!

Too Small to Win! I like that, don't start counting those that were too small to win, you will find them everywhere - Victorious! in History.

I am so in tune with me...

Okay, I typed a letter off to someone who isn't on the internet - it has been awhile since I did that. Jumped on my Trusty Triumph and was trying to beat the incoming squall of rain and wind. I beat it, mailed the letter, took a picture of my fine machine, fifty miles to the gallon and so much fun in dry weather... Roared by the high school and on home, rain caught the Trusty Triumph before I could get it into the garage, but I am so happy, really. My life runneth over.

Remember when buying a car was exciting?

I do, and one Buick Apollo Hatchback and one Volvo and two minivans later - it is only a chore. We don't need another car, we need to change two into one that has great mileage and not so much STUFF. I dropped down to the Dodge dealer to see how the Government had helped them out. Still too costly, still too heavy, still very poor mileage and built for people that think sex appeal has something to do with the car. Well, I left without talking to anyone, if the military coming back from combat zones weren't rotating back to this area, none of those Jeeps and such would move.

Since I was thinking automobile I stopped to buy fuel - otherwise the auto isn't mobile at all. Fifteen gallons for over sixty dollars. My next question do you remember when pumping it yourself cost you only twenty-three cents a gallon and you got change for a five on a fill-up? So you don't think inflation is a problem? Why the change in oil prices? Only the sinking value of the dollar.

Of my bills for consumables last month, I get most from electricity, least from mobile telephone, then telephone/internet, then cable vision then gasoline, and I don't need to go anywhere, really. So I could keep the electricity, cut the cable, cut the telephones (you really don't need them, do you?). We still have a dollar or two left over without cutting everything, but it does make me wonder why I have things that waste my time, and eat up my prosperity's portion of my past.

Don't worry, the government under the President will tax all that excess profit right away from the oil giants (don't hold your breath). They haven't figured out how to pay for the foolishness they are in charge of -- TSA agent in Philadelphia, PA has been found sending pictures of children to strange ugly people on the internet, and how many others haven't been caught? Why is the government protecting us so well? I didn't ask them to, I was still upset the Saudi's got to fly out of American Airspace on President Bush's okay, but my son couldn't fly back to his Navy job in Hawaii. I have no pull with Presidents, but I pay at the pump don't I?

The tomb is empty, He is not there...

Good Morning, the women went to prepare the body - it was women's work, cleaning and dressing the body of their man, son, brother, husband, father. It helps to say their farewell and it gives them peace.

But the body wasn't there. They run back to the men to tell them, men that may have been hiding, drinking and in deep sorrow - eleven disciples didn't run to the tomb to see if the women were right, only a few. The others thought about what could have happened. The temple party had taken the body (but truly religious men wouldn't handle criminal dead) the Romans had taken the body (they would have left him on the cross forever if they had wanted to make a stronger statement - they hadn't). No one knew what had happened, they didn't have understanding, they had so little faith, they were sure the miracles were over. John the Baptist had lost his head, Jesus had been condemned and crucified, Peter had denied his Master to save his life, three times. Do you see yourself in any of the mourning? or are you one of the thousands, and tens of thousands that got up on that morning, broke your fast, and got to work, went to open the shop, play a few rounds of golf with your friends - okay, the game was still waiting, but they did feed the animals, move the merchandise, greet each other and think about the crazy last week and what to do next. A very real Holy Man was gone, the stories about his miracles still mentioned, those touched by His grace were so sad - there had been so much promise in what he said, so wonderful as He preached and taught and wandered and walked. His disciples were still out there, would they carry on?

I have a testimony, a personal one.

God spoke to me. Once. Three words.

I was in the computer cave, and He spoke, a complete sentence, a command. And it was clear, and from my left, but it wasn't sound. And as I heard and understood exactly who had spoken, no it has never happened before, I was immediately flooded with all the links to why, who, what, where, when and how I should do what He commanded. You have no idea how frightening that is, unless you are a paratrooper, Masterblaster and long time religious kind of guy. My family has been in the business of spreading the Gospel for years, generations of mighty Methodists and Missionaries.

So I knew what was going to happen, and I did what Earl has always done, what I think I have been trained to do. I started immediately going through the reasons I shouldn't do exactly what I had just been told, shown, explained and trusted to do the way God wanted it done. I would do it MY WAY, and it would still be good, okay - I would do it my way... it had worked in school, worked in the Army, the Airborne and the libraries - kind of.

Of all my sins, and there have been many, this one is the greatest of my burdens -- for it wasn't as good and okay doing it my way. I wasn't strong enough to do what needed done on my own. I really hope that no one was hurt, really hope that only I have the scars to hide, really hope that I will be forgiven. I once wondered at the judge named Gideon, testing God's guidance with the dew, I understand now. In my time I actually did what I was commanded - but I was still just Earl, I had had my chance and blew it. So much better at destroying things than creating them, am I.

God is still great, the tomb is empty -- the rest of the story to be told and written. Speak to God, pray daily, many times, learn the lessons, live the Love, and maybe you will be spoken to personally. Then do exactly as told, although if you ever wormed your way out of a homework assignment, quibbled over proper conduct and defended current morality and PC attitudes you might fall short of the glory that God has given you. Get back up, ask for forgiveness and try again, He is waiting, the tomb is empty. He has Risen.

Happy Easter!

Great Friday,,,

I have been told my blog is depressing, but I think what is depressing is that some of what I say has dark implications. Sorry, I just finished reading Ruby Ridge by Jess Walter and that is just one of many sad stories that many don't want to hear nor understand.

I don't know where my wife is getting her news from, but she asked if I still had my gold ring. It is cool and has a fine looking dragon on it, since it is pure gold it doesn't do much for working duties. I keep it because it is 'an I love you' ring from my old girl friend, and has been through a couple of additions of more gold and better design. I also have the tie tack and some other gold stuff - we aren't selling yet. I found with the other rings my Mother's gift to me upon my graduation from College. She thought that was significant, so she sent me a ring from her jeweler for the occasion. It fits well has an amethyst, and I put it on to hold my replacement wedding ring on my ring finger, works. Just dripping jewelry, as long as it isn't earrings and posts.

Today has bright blue skies and after the cool morning jog and a hot shower I dressed for the ride - the Trusty Triumph was packed up to see what I could shake loose. Yeah, I know the picture is of a Harley and it is the Centennial model, 2003, on the floor at Destination Harley in Tacoma, Washington. I was riding my motorcycle with four fresh chances at Millions from the State Lotto, I should look - it is called shopping, which has nothing to do with buying.

Except for the ride, which was my only reason for getting dressed in my leather, armed to the teeth (which at my age means the phony ones), and going about business as better than normal.



So, limping while off the bike is permitted for the really old guys and geezers. Because when the bike is rolling, there is a feeling of POWER! Lean into that curve and roll on the throttle, you got to know the feeling. Once a few moons ago, years actually, I took those turns so slow and proper - now I lean deep and roll on, ride on. First I stopped to get those winning Lottery tickets, then went to my local library to drop off a book I just finished - I am stuck in the Liaden Universe of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Regency Romances with honor and codes and adventures and such - in much future space soap opera. While there I found out why Breda has silly men looking at her chest - since the Reference Librarian was displaying too many of her black lace covered charms - if the police tazered me and I died I would be sorry, but since she was just trying to shock me into the modern age - I just have to thank the foolish fashions... Business done there, it wasn't all for me I was passing through, I went off to Tacoma Public Library to renew my library card. The nice ladies at the desk remembered me, positively - so they were never my supervisors, and we chatted and I went to find my three books, right where they should be in proper order, and on that way out I grabbed a book called "How We Fight" which has always been an interest of mine - although what I think as a sixty-plus year old is so different than a sixteen year old. Probably has to do with twenty-seven years five months and one day in uniform at the needs of the Service. As I checked the books out the desk clerk asked if I had remembered her, her name? I did say that she wasn't wearing her name tag, and she said she didn't like her picture and was a bit too vain to wear it. I didn't tell her that her smile and friendly conversation trumped the picture ID so many ways. I probably remembered her name as I rode through town with the book bag on my back. I once carried my books and sandwiches in that messenger bag when I was biking through town long ago.

No to be depressing, but I have to log off, get dressed up, it is Good Friday and our church has a Communion Service tonight. Have a wonderful weekend for Sunday is Easter.

How does Uncle Sam look to you?

He was once a strong vigorous older gent with a smile and gleam in his eye. Norman Rockwell could have done him justice. I Googled images of him and was saddened by the liberties taken with his image and the intent of the artiste. Ah, well, he is only a cartoon so it doesn't really matter does it?

The Nation is very much like the cartoon, thinking it is one way, overlooking the fat, the shaking weak arms, the drunken laughter at something not very funny at all, the beautiful plastic breasted and butted babes telling him how wonderful he is as they pick his pockets. He yells at the unruly neighbors, they tell him to mind his own business and if they are really big bad neighbors he doesn't mention to them what he sees and hears, if they spill over into his yard he puts up another fence and a sign "Posted".

The Nation and Uncle Sam are definitely in denial - unwilling to take a hard look at themselves, and start working to a healthier, happier and much better future.


I, personally, have given up hope on the American Government - until it gets out of the hands of the Imperials in Washington, DC with the 100 Princes in the Senate, and lobbyists and viziers and czars and poker playing buddies, well there just isn't anything to believe in except their greed and incompetence. I expect they aren't smart enough to try to destroy the country, they are for sure not smart enough to stop the destruction. But they will look good doing it, where is the make up artist and the wardrobe mistress? All done with teleprompters and High Definition and a blue screen background. Smoke and mirrors, magic shows. I know you don't follow the hosts of television news reporting - the only thing they want is your attention so they can sell advertising to business for profit. You want to believe better but they have been caught shaping the breaking news for more audience.

I don't want you to worry, the Sun is a great ball of flaming fuel and will be there after I am long gone and these words no longer haunt the universe. The Earth will abide. Yep, and wipe humanity off of it and bury the trash for eons...

I really don't want you to worry, how many countries in the last Century changed their government, fought wars and lost, fought wars and won and couldn't repay their loans, how many currencies became, devalued and disappeared, how many struggling people married raised a family and grew old in another country from the one they started in? How many languages do you speak, how many new words and items can you use to talk about your life? Things do change, don't fear the change - just scream and hang on! You and your country will die or you will just have something else to talk about "The Good Old Days".

April 19th, 1775 or 2011... a lot can happen between

The Ruling Elite sent out their finest Flank Companies from the Boston Common, rowed across the Back Bay to a swampy farm, to eat, assemble and march through the night to catch the rebellious provincials un-awares and take or destroy all their stockpiles of military stores. Redundant: stockpiles of military stores.

Wasn't much of a surprise, even without Wikileaks, the fine farmers of the Crown Colony were alarmed, awake and assembling that night. Dawes and Revere had left Boston with the news and they weren't really stopped until after they departed Lexington after having warned John Hancock, one of the Richest Men in America and not wanting to pay more taxes, and Samuel Adams, fine trouble maker he was - he never really got used to the idea that there were people smarter and finer than he and they were going to take care of him.

A couple of early morning movers, taking a wagon of dairy products to Boston would be captured in the efforts to keep the Regulars march on Concord secret, they would be released later and one running away would be shot and killed. There would be a small bunch of Captain Parker's Training Band assembled on the Lexington Green, they would lose eight: family, friends and neighbors to the volley fire and bayonet charge of the Light Infantry companies. I am sure you knew that one of the Training Band was a slave, an armed and dangerous slave - yeah, everyone talks about that in History class don't they? Prince Estabrook, he would fight through the following eight years (no NATO air power and interest in protecting savage repression of protest movements) and gain his freedom. I never noticed.

The whole dispute between the colonials and the King's Parliament was about their fair share of the debt, their tax burden. Where have I heard that before? Lexington, seven hundred people, four hundred cows to milk, seventy some men gathered on the Green. We don't live like that any more, standing up in the darkness to make a statement of protecting one's home, loved ones and property. We leave it to the professionals, don't we?

Yeah, go read what happened on that day so long ago -- some where before Vietnam and the Civil War. They just don't make them that way - the problems seem so similar.

Okay, get ready for forty more...

Forty seems to be an important number in the Bible, forty days and nights, forty days in the Wilderness, and Lent is how many days? So upon reflection with my family I figure the Lord will grant me all He needs and it could be forty more - of what ever He wants.

I have the potential for a Ligonier Valley High School Class Reunion (1966) this August the third weekend thereof. Seems like that is the same weekend that I was likely to go to Coeur dAlene, ID - Aug 20-21 for an Appleseed to check on Evenstar's becoming a full Instructor (I was asked to present the Red Hat). Hmm, will have to look hard at that weekend really. I know I can make Idaho, Pennsylvania is far, far away in time and space. My wife is leaving me at the end of August and returning to her home and family and friends for a whole month. I have been trying to get her to go for the last three years, but it is time so the tickets have been purchased.

I was once a young man, I admire the energy of those I meet on the Appleseed trail, full of things I once had - and sharing it so well. All I have to do is run faster to keep up, ha, ha! We went to church yesterday morning, a beautiful day, I was of course dressed so well, in one of my fat man suits. The Pastor almost got me up to testify - so close, that was scary. Going to miss him, he is off to North Carolina in July, my son's family is probably moving in July, too. I may not get to visit beautiful Hawaii for a bit, wouldn't go there if the family weren't living there, the grandson grows much too quickly. I did tell you that he read all the letters of the alphabet to his proud parents and grandparents over Skype.com? Well, I should have. I don't know who I was more amazed at - his reading of the letters or his grandmother's total freaking out with pride. Can't hug through the marvelous medium of binary circuits and bits and bytes.... can one?

I broke down and purchased a Kindle, they are having special sales events since the more better best one is about to be released. I have already found my first free book to download, checked the reviews. Yes, I know I am cheap and old fashioned, and lots of what I would want to carry around on a pocket library is going to be free, although I could sell lots of my excess books at half price book store and then buy the e-books I want of those authors and titles that pluck the strings of my mind... no one touches my heart -- save those that love me.

The took all my oPTomism.....

I don't by the lottery tickets - if I won the big one the government would want a large (forty percent) tax on the winnings, and since when I bought the ticket for a dollar, thirty-five cents went straight into the State Treasury. Bookies don't make that kind of profit, and someone would say it was for the children and their education, sigh. They don't get tired of lying do they?

My dream last night had me stuffed into a steel solitary cell, sleeping on the floor the only light was through the pass-thru. Well, that dream came from no kind of reality in my personal life. Although I do remember in High School my girl friend telling me not to get caught (she thought I was so much badder than I really was) after one of those Civics class tours of the local Law Enforcement and Court system.

I have most of the internet turned off, all of the Main Stream Media and sixties and seventies ROCK thumping through my home, when my wife is away. I am wandering the Liaden Universe where everyone is a killer, but polite, and rules is only trumpt by Clan Call. My kind of place time to go back to fiction, so much more entertaining than reality. I did get out to the Credit Union to be charmed by the tellers, then the helpful folks at the Safeway, Walgreens and Radio Shack -- last stop in the real world was at the Public Library, looking for the strange men on computers, sitting beside the eight year old looking for something to heist for a book report or essay.

An American Nightmare...

No, I am not talking about my regular strange dreams, for some reason I am dreaming about revolvers, and I only own two, have never shot either.

No, the American Nightmare is that I will be taxed heavier if I succeed in business, win the Lottery or for wanting to do wonderful things with my money. I already know that a RICH person cannot give everything they own immediately to the poor or a charity - without the government making them pay taxes on half. That is the rule. No RICH man seeking the Kingdom of Heaven can give it all away, I know what the Bible says, and so do those godless politicians and so they made the rule. That was the kind thoughtful politicians before President Obama. Now I have it from his own mouth that he will tax my success more, to balance a budget and a government out of control with addictions to "more better faster and foolishly". I don't mind if he taxes that Russian Czar with the tiny giraffe and the sullen blonde groupies, but if that Russian were to come to the land of the tax me more for I have sinned of our President Obama, he would have to hope he has a return ticket.

Taxes are a BURDEN, taxes are a PUNISHMENT FOR SUCCESS, taxes are everyone's share of the STUPIDITY OF BAD GOVERNMENT. Taxes do not make me healthier - taxes do not make me smarter - taxes do not make me do good things - taxes do not make me younger, older, sexier, funnier, happier, holy nor whole. Taxes do not make my marriage, do not promote safe sex. (what is that anyway?) Taxes only remove from someone else's blessings and stomp it into ugly unrecognized numbers of failure.

"But it has always been that way" is no Xcuse. And no, I don't think it is my fair share. The problem of this American Nightmare is that we think we are waking up in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave - and we aren't, we are waking up to more of the same, bigger and better and more disheartening. I don't mind being in combat in my sleep, I get to wake up or die and it is over. In the Nightmare of America today - there is no waking up, just fines and penalties for the current set of politician's problems... and your inability to pay more faster so I can spend it faster than anyone can count it.

My recommendation? Everyone pay your taxes in pennies (coin of the realm) and demand a hand written receipt - and No! you cannot use machines to count it -- you government employees - that is UNION busting! A pound of pennies is like $1.93, you know what your taxes were in 2011, by now I hope. X dollars divided by 100 and then divide by 193 to find how many pounds you would have to drag to meet the tax collector. Do Unions pay taxes? They run just like a business and make a profit for their leadership. Don't they?

I am not one of those FILTHY RICH PEOPLE, but I would have to drag 8804.66 pounds of pennies to pay for my success last year. Just pour it on Mister President, break the back of America.

Old man of few words.... HANNA

Wednesday, I go to the movies, I choose HANNA, you can read Frank W. James' review if you haven't been following him.

I have only this to say, I loved the movie, the art and the music really worked, and if I were rich I would send DVDs of it to the troops in Afghanistan. I expect the rip off circuit already has it, but it is worthy. Oh, I am still broken, I laughed out loud during all the wrong spots, and grinned like a silly teenager in all the cute ones (I am not totally insane, just certifiably... probably).

In the unasked for advertisements and commercial solicitations is the HBO production of Game of Thrones (if I caught the title right). This is what has been keeping George R R Martin from finishing his fantasy "Saga of Ice and Fire". Having read the early works of Rowling and Harry Potter and Robert Jordan and the Eye of The World (Wheel of Time series) I expect no good to come of visual replaying of what was so much better in my mind while I read the books. Jordan died and didn't finish his creation, it was given to a lesser copier of his vision (nice guy but not Robert Jordan). In the Rowling situation, she made movies before finishing her series, once I saw the wrong people on the screen I was sad and confused and stopped reading the series. Didn't see anymore of the movies either - did hear that everyone grew up and some died. It is okay, Mister Martin can finish his series or not, I won't be watching HBO, it is one of those select extra money for foolishness I don't want to pay for... remember you can all have your opinion about everything, I am not always right, although my wife is certain that she is not voting for Obama next election, and I am wondering if the Democrats can come up with a better candidate.

Movies I really thought I might see, Anonymous. I like computer generated London, to play. I was torn to watch Your Highness but it like many sites wants to load, and I have to wait, and it is rated R and isn't bloody nor sexual enough for me to give it that rating so that looks like a ploy to build audience, and except for Natalie Portman in cool leathers and Middle Ages fighting and frolicking, what would I get - two metrosexual clowns? pretending to be princes? sigh. John Wayne is dead isn't he? We do get the society we deserve don't we? I should go jog gently.

I really need to put my favorite links back up...

When being mobile and wanting to visit and see what the worthy others wrote I don't want to Google each site. I should have the links I want on my webpage.

Just another example of bad judgment - seem to find more each year. I am sipping cool coffee after fighting through TurboTax and the IRS, they protect me from my foolishness so well. My frustration level rises from the first Computer response telling me how to get Spanish. Did I change countries or languages of power? No, and if you are offering Spanish, why not Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Urdu, Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Swahili? Need I go on?

That is your well intentioned government trying to make sure that those of Spanish language are put in their place. Don't tell the well meaning that something is getting lost in translation. They didn't learn enough to know. What I want on computer answering is not some female voice putting sentences together to tell me what to do next. I want a totally mechanical, ice cold, even threatening my extinction if I don't push the correct buttons - something to remind me it is that heartless government that is going to TELL me what to do. I blame women already for the birth of all the fools on both ends of my conversations.

Well, if the Federal Government cannot understand, plan and operate on a balanced budget - if they have to print, tax and borrow more money than they know what to do with well - if all that applies must I think they would have a simple revenue plan?

I get tired of struggling against stupidity, because it can't change, it is too stupid. So I must free myself of the cage of watching NEWS (they don't pass the stupid test until you understand they are in the business of gaining audience for selling advertising time) watching and assisting elected officials (they don't pass the stupid test until I believe they are only protecting their interests and the well being of their circle of humanity). None of them will get me to better health, better peace of mind, and adult maleness my parents and family would be proud of - go jog, Earl. Go jog in the blue sky and lack of rain.

Raised the Debt Limit in this Household...

so we could pay the taxes supporting all the greedy guys and gals in Washington, DC. I wouldn't have spent it on myself nor my wife, but LORD knows what is wrong with Kings and the Senate seems to be made of 100 Royal brood...

But then, my debt does go down each month, and if it doesn't go down fast enough I will work for tax money. Really.

If you had to directly pay for portions of the Federal Budget - would you be buying any of it? I wouldn't, but they tell me that I don't understand -- they have been wrong before, I expect they will be wrong again.

Late breaking news!!!!
Before my jog today, I was listening to KPLU for Jazz, but at three the NPR comes on to dull the education of the masses. The phrase that caught my ear was "and even if you could get a balanced budget with income meeting the expenses, you would still need to borrow money to pay the interest due on what we borrowed before." I know there is someone being paid lots of money for balancing the NPR budget, and that he/she isn't the same person writing the Liberal Lies for NPR release. Sad, and Congress agreed not to cut that out of the budget, and you wonder why the Chinese are improving every year, and we aren't? Congress doesn't know what an education is... hmmm.

Just saying people working the broadcast at NPR, I have my personal budget made so I pay my interest, bills and liabilities against my income, and when that isn't enough I go and find more work at higher wages, you probably need folks like me to start talking on NPR, don't you? At least highlight the errors before they rock the economy.

Keep it Holy, six days are Saturday and the seventh...

shall ye rest. Keep it Holy.

The choir was bold and heavenly, the Rock band and great drummer got the Congregation up on their feet singing out Praises, the Bible thumping Pastor (and I know he wouldn't mind being labeled just that way, can I get an Amen? AMEN!) was locking on to James and the Word. Got to love the idea of Heaven and ten thousand years without commercial interruption, it will be great. Now just meet the qualifications so you too can be Justified. No, not the cable show.

Chicken for dinner, fifteen bean soup with broken up biscuits, salad with Paul Newman's Balsamic Dressing (which frugal Earl will pour the excess back into the bottle after the good stuff is gone - yeah, doesn't do that for thick greasy stuff). A very quiet day roaming the internet, finding things sharing some... reading more of the books laying around and listening to the Blues at the end of this day. A good one, a keeper. It is raining, which is the only reason I posted this today.

I have come to the certain knowledge that there isn't a lot on my cablenetworks for me to be watching. I mean I even pay extra so my wife can have her Korean television, rebroadcasting much from MSM, and then the Korean weather and news from the other side of the Pacific and Los Angeles. But even that gets turned off after a bit -- seems the weather channel and doppler radar rain and storm tracks are the little old folks companions - we don't have to watch it, it won't affect our lives, no one is screaming in jealous rage, political rants, threatening murder, rape or prison time for not co-operating with the police. No one is blaming the TEA Party on hail, tornadoes or just gloomy skies. One constant - blonde weather women... and I am just too old to appreciate how lovely they are telling me about the rising Red River, which isn't in Texas nor the Southwest, no matter the old Western song...

Strange Dreams, stranger results...

So, I spent two hours talking to my lovely wife last night after I arrived home at 1AM, then woke from a very strange dream.

I was riding back from some kind of meeting in a car, with someone else driving, a bicycle rider passed us and got clipped by a car ahead of us. The driver of that car stopped, so did we. He got out of his car and shot the bicyclist, twice, turned and shot the driver of the car I was in, and I was behind a thick steel lamp post getting my pistol loaded, before he shot me. Needless to say, I thought waking and not finding out how that dream ended would be better than finding out he got me. I am moving up to the .45 pistol.

I also, took my normal morning start, adding getting the Micro Compact out from behind the locked box, and looked at the side effects of the medications I am taking, I am dropping the one today, keeping the other three, will see the doctor in June and see how that is working. I dropped one of his recommendations many moons ago, and the checkups were continuing to show improvement, so I got away with that one - saving me and saving money. My doctor has wonderful skills and great intentions but I am sure he doesn't understand Earl isn't really a fat old man (Earl is -- but won't face that reality).

I am wondering what to do with all the Pet food I bought to feed my wife and I since the FORMER Speaker of the House said I would starve if the Republicans and the TEA Party had their way (which I approved of, so I bought the pet food - She wouldn't LIE would she?). My wife came home with the planned closures of her job and the Childcare Centers because of the Congress stiffing the Military of pay. She wanted to know if she had to worry. She doesn't, King George worked just like the current President and fools in Washington (Republicans caving seem to be in that same group) and forgot that the People really do count and they can only be backed up so far.

Freedom, Liberty and the government shut down...

April 18th, 1775, General Gage, Governor, announces a shutdown of the government non-essential. His staff is packing up and the Shot Heard Round the World never happens.

The American Revolutionary War never began nor started, because the King and all his men went away and little old Provincials could get on with living, honestly.

Remember, the problem in the colonies was with the people in England that thought they knew what was best for America. If they had only shutdown the administration of the colonies, it would have been so much better.

I don't think the government shutdown is going to improve America, they are keeping the bad parts of the government in charge. Sigh, but it is a sign that things will be fine. A bit uncertain, but I can still see Mount Rainier on a clear day, and if weather were any portent of the wonder and glory of a complete government shutdown - today is going to be SUNNY after forty-one days of some kind of wet weather and dark clouds.

Luckily, the Bible still opens, prayers can still be sent. There is enough confidence in the currency and my credit cards that I can do my small business and travel a few miles before I rest. Liberty has a price, but the peace of mind... priceless -- oh, they aren't going to shut down the Media are they?

I honor of a great idea, Earl is going to get out of your monitor and you can breath easier knowing that I won't be updating - no longer having any government subsidy.

The picture above is not of Washington DC's beautiful trees, (thank you, Japan), but of the neighbor's. Enjoy the day.

It is my fault, we will just have to endure the pain...

I watched the Democrats blame the TEA party part of the Republicans for the Budget Impasse, although the Democrats had the majority when this budget wasn't passed last year before the election. I recall it was not passed so none of their names would be associated on SPENDING TOO MUCH! not before the election... Okay, or they are just incompetent, they really can't add and subtract, they hire other folks to do their income tax return. They have to, the current tax law is another example of incompetence.

I do know that I think the government should shut down. Eliminate all the none essential positions identified, PAY the Military - they really shouldn't work for free while the incompetents are haggling.... they do have the bombs and the bullets.
TSA is still working, why? BAFTE is still working sometimes, DEA is still working, you don't see any drugs in our fine cities, do you?

Well, I am off to the library and Bible distribution outside of a school, there is probably a law against giving out Korans, Bibles and Biblical text in any language in the public schools. But you really can't study human beings without study of their beliefs - unless you are just an archeologist.

So how is your part of the government shutdown going...

I remind everyone that I was labeled as non-essential twice with my State Employment, as Library Keeper. Three times if you count my taking a part-time position before it was eaten by not enough money from Bill Gates and such... At least that seems to be some folks' response to the government not being able to do everything for everyone - we just haven't taxed the corporations and rich folks enough. For me personally, it no longer matters - I was pretty depressed for a long time, but I was right that the part-time position wouldn't last, and that they weren't going to fund a library for a minimum security corrections center. McNeil Island has totally closed, although the library closed before they locked it all up.

I suggested closing down the BAFTE and TSA, that would really help because they don't really do enough correctly to justify the expense. Most of them are very fine people, hard working and loyal. But they weren't in George Washington's day, and don't need to be in mine. So what we need to do is really "Close it DOWN". No giving them money they aren't going to be working for, Seniority stops when the job closes, everyone rehired when we finally figure out what we are "needing" will be day one.

I have been listening to my brother tell me that America can't collapse - and I am certain that the IDEA of America will not collapse, but the country is in denial and needs to get right down to the total breakdown before sanity can be restored (yes, it is an addiction). I know that future loan requests are definitely going to be costly, many strings attached. Are you buying Savings Bonds? Are you buying Gold? or are you loading up on tools, food, fuel and bottled water?

I am liquidating much of my mess, too many guns, too many toys, too much stuff. Why? Well, I don't know the hour nor the day. You don't either, but it is going to be all over and who you care about may have to go on without you, just cleaning up your mess. Forty years more? four years more? four months more? four weeks more? four days more? or not another minute? Are you Saved? It won't matter in this world, will it? Revolution in America, revolution in France, revolution in Germany, Russia, China - all with different answers, most of those had to change governments after they won the war against oppression (fighting wars is the easy part, growing up is painful). So, why are we still in Iraq, Afghanistan, and off the waters and in the air over Libya? It is called stress adaptation - pile it on.

I really have to do my taxes and jog today, but...

Carpe Diem has a great link up of Paul Ryan's thoughts on SAVING AMERICA!

Those elected officials in Washington, DC are not serious about much except getting theirs. What ever it is. The tax filing and the jog have to be a better way to spend my day - since the Government is going to collapse.

Day at the Range, okay, just a few hours...

Went to Church, enjoyed the singing, the Sermon (that Pastor was stirred up about preaching from The Bible, not some man's thoughts of Life - sorry Dr Phil), had coffee after, brought my wife's two new folding table to store until needed. There are many things in my home that are stored until needed. Sigh.

Since my wife was with the Deacons or ladies' meeting, I came home alone and went out to shoot. Have my priorities in order, I do have to get new homes for some of my firearms. They are stored until needed, but you only need one rifle --- like you only need one opinion on things. Right?

So I was driving happily toward JBLM (no one uses words anymore, do they?) and a group of four motorcycles passed me and the first rider got my attention and pointed to my left rear wheel - I wondered what he saw, figured it must have been the bumper sticker on the back of the Caravan, Look Out for Motorcycles!. It wasn't, the tire looked low. Well, I parked on Range 15, the Army guys in digital camo were shooting up a storm on 16 and 17, probably Guard or Reserves. I paid my fee, got my target and went out to shoot. I noticed as I went to the fifty yard line, somebody doesn't shoot a target well, there was a ditch dug by badly aimed bullets. Took a picture, when I had my target up, I put my camera on video and filmed Earl backing away from the target and Earl approaching the target, it was sitting on the target frame. Turned it off and took the camera with me - if they were digging ditches to the targets, someone would miss and hit my camera. I fired some rounds and looked at the Caravan and knew it wasn't going to make it home. Time to change to the spare.

Now I have been reading bloggers about being ready for TEOTWAWKI, or anything else like stuck in mud or snow or just out of gas where no one will ever be by... so I have a few things to get through to find the tire, the jack and tool. Now, after many automobiles in my long life... where are they on this one? I was kindly offered by another shooter, two cans of quick fix for flats so I could get to a service station. I thanked him but told him that this was one of those things I need to do every once in a while. Really was kind of him to offer. But then he was a shooter, would lend you almost anything except the ammunition that he was planning on shooting himself. And if he felt friendly, he might let you fire a few rounds, but they aren't cheap.

So I found the spare, found the jack and the tool, and took one off and put the other on. I can still handle little bumps in my day, now where are those women to die for? Oops she was at a church meeting. Les Schwab visit in the morning and clean and repack the automobile. Anyone know why a person with one head would need ten different hats to cover it? Yeah, me neither.

Okay. they got angry and deadly in Afghanistan...

Heard it today, seven United Nations personnel killed by angry mob (why don't they say alleged?). Afghan policemen or security were disarmed and ineffective in protecting the United Nations personnel.

Earl's advise, Western Civilized Powers leave Afghanistan, today -- when they grow up they will ask for what help they need, until then we just provide targets and training for worse behavior. I know, you won't take my advice, you just aren't smart enough.

Now, as to what started this. Media need for viewers to sell advertising time. That was it, that was all that caused this turmoil and trouble. I mean, we have Twin Towers coming down, we have Synagogue, Abortion Clinics and Church bombings, we have burning American flags, Bibles, Drive-by shootings, Rapes, Missing children, Missing Women, missing tourists in Mexico and the Caribbean... I have been watching. So I know all the medicines I don't want to take - three for erectile dysfunction - give me a break. So the media wants to cause a crazy preacher with little following in Florida (there are Millions of people in Florida he wouldn't reach if it weren't for Mainstream Media) - and No! I don't know if he has a blog of his blather. But the media, looking for drama, will cover his burning of a book he says was the Koran so they can fly it to Afghanistan to stir the pot during interviews with Afghanistan leaders (I did note they didn't go to Saudi Arabia to see if it met with the King's approval). This forces a little more drama and the enraged Muslim Population pours out its anger at becoming part of the improved medical miracle sales in American, home of the Great Satan, that they find some token Western Perverts to kill... Actually, cutting the head off of one. I would be more forgiving of the MSM except I have to sit through hours of commercial interruptions to find some good news.

Good news in the battle for equality of the sexes, since it costs five thousand dollars for medical treatment for OBESE woman as opposed to two thousand six hundred for medical treatment for men (men dying much quicker for being so fat). I will have to pay so much less for being an obese wreck of a man... thank you Governor of Arizona. Some ideas are just what we need to tax to learn how stupid government can get. Let us introduce starvation and fifteen hundred calorie diets - it worked so well for Hitler, look at how suave he was. I know, he wasn't eating only fifteen hundred calories a day.