Who said so? Morita and Ishihara (The Japan that can say no)
They portray the U.S. as a countryh on the skids "because of economic self-indulgence, lackof discipline and executive greed. They depict a nation that has become lazy and soft, its strength sappped by racial conflict and an inferior system of education. They describe a fading su-perpower beset by false pride, bad management, arrogance and terminal incompetence.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
It Looks like stupidity to me
According to a report from the General Accounting Office, a big part of American taxes pay for food stamps for people living in jail. GAO says the federal government in 1995 spent $3.5million on food stamps issued to 12,138 criminals in Florida, New York, Texas. and Los
Angeles. Projections based on GAO's spot-check indicates that tens of millions of dollars in food stamps are distributed illegally to jailed convicts each hear. Convicts already get free foood.
Angeles. Projections based on GAO's spot-check indicates that tens of millions of dollars in food stamps are distributed illegally to jailed convicts each hear. Convicts already get free foood.
More Black insanity
The NAACP wants people of Sprinfield, Missouri to pay "reparations" to the city's black population for an alleged lynching in1906. The NAACP says three blacks accused of burlary and rape were dagged out of jail and hanged in the town square nearly 100 years ago by an angry mob of whites. So black leaders want the white residents there now to give them money.
Sheer insanity
35 House members, including some Republicans, are backing legislation that would require the government to pay $130 million in "reparations" to citizens of Guam, and their descendants for actions committed by Japanese occupations forces during WW II! It is no coincidence that a full third of the sponsors are members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who, if the bill is passed, will imediately use that precedent to demand massive reparations to blacks for slavery, on the grounds that they are more deserving of the benefits than are residents ofGuam for actions not even committed by Americans.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Objections to Christianity
Christians assume a supernatural order overriding the sensible world that is eternal, unchanging and all powerful. We people the supernatural with spirits, angels, and devils and the souls of the departed. One of the primary duties of men and women is to worship, reverence,. and pray to supernatural agencies. Human life is said to be full of suffering because human beings are inherently wicked and ungodly. This world is to be rejected in the interests of eternal bliss in the life to come.
Christianity has attempted to establish its divine credentials by miracles and wonders; has exploited ignorance and credulity, and demanded blind faith in its teachings.
Christianity has attempted to establish its divine credentials by miracles and wonders; has exploited ignorance and credulity, and demanded blind faith in its teachings.
God the doctor
Nothing can be more wonderful than the medical ideas of God. In the 14th chapter of Leviticus we find the receipe for cleansing a leper. The priest is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. One of the birds is to be killed in an earthern vessel over running water. The living
bird is to be dipped in the blood of the dead bird. The priest shall sprinkle the leper seven times with the liquid and shall pronounce him clean, and shall release the living bird in the field
t
bird is to be dipped in the blood of the dead bird. The priest shall sprinkle the leper seven times with the liquid and shall pronounce him clean, and shall release the living bird in the field
t
Church Corruption
Revolts and heresies were repressed with unbelievable ferocity. In 1233 Pope Gregory IX founded the Inquisition. A later Pope, Innocent VIII, in 1485 ordered the extermination of the Vaudois (or Waldensian) heretics of Piedmont, promising remission of sins to all those who would kill the heretics--an ascetic sect protesting against the worldliness and corruption of the Church.
Burning witches
In Scotland, under James I and VI, the leading clergy directed the torture of old and feeble women. Suspected witches were subjected to the most hideous tortures. A woman was burned as late as 1729, and long after the repeal of witchcraft legislation in England, the Presbyterian Church still ardently supported the persecution of witches. And to this day the Church has an official ritual for the exorcism of devils.
God a failure as a creator
If evolution is intelligently guided it might be expected that where a species had been shown by natural selection to be a failure, the same mistake would not be repeated. But the same maladjusted forms have repeatedly and independently been evolved. It is hardly possible therefore to postulate an intelligence directing agency, resembling the human mind.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
African Cure for Aids
Yahya Jammeh, President of Gambia says he has a cure for AIDS. His cure consists of rubbing a green herbal paste on the rib cage of an AIDS victim who then drinks a bitter yellow liquid and eats two bananas.
Claims of cures for AIDS are a staple of modern African culture. South Africa's minister of health said a diet of garlic, beetroot and lemon juice was more effective than Western style drugs at suppressing the AIDS virus.
Claims of cures for AIDS are a staple of modern African culture. South Africa's minister of health said a diet of garlic, beetroot and lemon juice was more effective than Western style drugs at suppressing the AIDS virus.
Fourth Crusade
In the fourth Crusade the Christian armies destroyed the Christian cities
of Constantinople and Zara. The Children's crusade of 1212 was a tragedy based on the mistaken belief that God would empower Christian children to overwhelm Muslim amies. Most died without ever reaching the Holy Land.
It all came to an end in1291 whenMuslims recaptured Acre, and slaughtered its garrison. The Holy Land was now back in Muslim hands. Two hundred years of death and destruction had been for nothing.
of Constantinople and Zara. The Children's crusade of 1212 was a tragedy based on the mistaken belief that God would empower Christian children to overwhelm Muslim amies. Most died without ever reaching the Holy Land.
It all came to an end in1291 whenMuslims recaptured Acre, and slaughtered its garrison. The Holy Land was now back in Muslim hands. Two hundred years of death and destruction had been for nothing.
Post Traumatic Crime
Scotland Yard reported that immigrants from Africa and the Carribean are responsible for London crime. London has over 170 street gangs, most of which have at least 20 members. Blacks have tried to promote the myth that Southern slavery is responsible for black crime.
Scotland Yard has proposed the theory that London's high rate of gang violence is from the"post traumatic stages" suffered by black immigrants in their violent home countries..
Scotland Yard has proposed the theory that London's high rate of gang violence is from the"post traumatic stages" suffered by black immigrants in their violent home countries..
Monday, December 10, 2007
Break a leg
The term "break a leg" is used by those in the entertainment industry, but I am using it in a literal sense. And how do you break a leg? It isn't easy. I had to fall twice before I was successful in breaking my leg. It helps if your blood sugar level is around 800. At this high level you will quite likely be semi-conscious and falling becomes quite easy. Perhaps the term ''inevitable" would be more appropriate than "easy." My caretaker brought my blood sugar level down to a safe level by a slight change in diet. At a reading of 800 it is possible to slip over the edge into the deep abyss from which there is no return. I hope you have learned something from my misfortune. It was no great sacrifice to give up sugar since I can have substitute sugars, in moderation.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Alien cheaters
Your duty is clear. Why do you hesitate? This alien entered on a visa and presented himself himself for the treatment of leukemia. Taxpayers are now faced with a medical bill exceeding $100,000.
1. Haitians are now pouring into Florida, paying $5,ooo for a certificate of membership in a phony Indian tribe as a way to secure legal status in theU.S.
2. 50% of the illegal immigrants get $3 worth of benefits for every $1 they pay in taxes
3. It costs Parkland Hospital $1 million a year for uninsured illegals. (they face bankruptcy)
4. The violent crimes Institute in Atlanta found that 240,000 illegal aliens who committted sexual offenses now live in the U.S/
5. There are now 636,000 fugitive aliens in the U.S.
6. Gov. efforts to liquidate bad loans cost $54 million above the actual losses.
7. MUSLIMS swindled $15 million out of the food stamp program
8. Immigrants receive $22,000 more in benefits than they pay in taxes
9. $12 million worth of custom-made furniture stored on five floors (4,000 pieces)
10. Bad checks: House/ Solarz, NYD;$594,646 in bad checks
11. Citizens against Gov. Waste;$7,948,000 for Calif. swimming pools
12. Dan Rostenkowski converted $23,100 in postage stamps to cash
13. 24 major federal agencies are unable to acct. for $466 million in assets they control.
14. In Stockton between 2003 & 2OO4 54% of all arrests for drunk driving were Hispanic
15. The U.S. gov. allows foreigners to work on secret military projects.
bwenewfits than they oay ubtc=xes
1. Haitians are now pouring into Florida, paying $5,ooo for a certificate of membership in a phony Indian tribe as a way to secure legal status in theU.S.
2. 50% of the illegal immigrants get $3 worth of benefits for every $1 they pay in taxes
3. It costs Parkland Hospital $1 million a year for uninsured illegals. (they face bankruptcy)
4. The violent crimes Institute in Atlanta found that 240,000 illegal aliens who committted sexual offenses now live in the U.S/
5. There are now 636,000 fugitive aliens in the U.S.
6. Gov. efforts to liquidate bad loans cost $54 million above the actual losses.
7. MUSLIMS swindled $15 million out of the food stamp program
8. Immigrants receive $22,000 more in benefits than they pay in taxes
9. $12 million worth of custom-made furniture stored on five floors (4,000 pieces)
10. Bad checks: House/ Solarz, NYD;$594,646 in bad checks
11. Citizens against Gov. Waste;$7,948,000 for Calif. swimming pools
12. Dan Rostenkowski converted $23,100 in postage stamps to cash
13. 24 major federal agencies are unable to acct. for $466 million in assets they control.
14. In Stockton between 2003 & 2OO4 54% of all arrests for drunk driving were Hispanic
15. The U.S. gov. allows foreigners to work on secret military projects.
bwenewfits than they oay ubtc=xes
Can't fool a NCO
It was easy to fool the colonel but I didn't fool the non-coms for a minute. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. At the end of my tour of duty I elected to retain my reserve ID. The plan was to use this card to travel free on Air Force planes to various points of interest. Pretty good plan up to this point. But, like many plans, there was a flaw.
You had to be enrollled in some phase of training of benefit to the Air Force. I chose Supply. The Non-coms found a desk for me and piled a bunch of Supply manuals on top. The first thing I knew, the colonel gave me a letter stating that on the basis of an interview and personal observation I was being terminated. None of which was true. There was no reason for him to lie like that. He had accurate information from his non-coms and his decisions should have been based on their input.
You had to be enrollled in some phase of training of benefit to the Air Force. I chose Supply. The Non-coms found a desk for me and piled a bunch of Supply manuals on top. The first thing I knew, the colonel gave me a letter stating that on the basis of an interview and personal observation I was being terminated. None of which was true. There was no reason for him to lie like that. He had accurate information from his non-coms and his decisions should have been based on their input.
Getting a top rating in the Seattle School system
If your students dislike coming to your class it is time to consider another profession. Take a look at the students as you walk down the halls. Are they wearing their happy faces? If not, something is drastically wrong.
Once a year the vice-principal would ''evalute" the science teachers. What a farce that was.
We could see her coming a block away. She would come into the room and take a seat in the back of the room, scribble a few notes then leave. She had a reputation for being a "hard-nose" take-no-prisoners disciplinarian. While she was in their view they sat in their seats like mummies, scarcely moving. When the WW (wicked witch) left we alll started breathing again.
I have six of her ''evalutions'' and they are all identical.......and all phony.
When I think of all the dumb things that are committed by the school system I can't help wondering what the School Board is doing and why parents don't take a more active interest in the schools.
Once a year the vice-principal would ''evalute" the science teachers. What a farce that was.
We could see her coming a block away. She would come into the room and take a seat in the back of the room, scribble a few notes then leave. She had a reputation for being a "hard-nose" take-no-prisoners disciplinarian. While she was in their view they sat in their seats like mummies, scarcely moving. When the WW (wicked witch) left we alll started breathing again.
I have six of her ''evalutions'' and they are all identical.......and all phony.
When I think of all the dumb things that are committed by the school system I can't help wondering what the School Board is doing and why parents don't take a more active interest in the schools.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Lackland uber ales
The Air Forcew had an extra 1st Lt. and they didn't know what to do with him so they put him in charge of the school at Lackland Air Force Base. They could have given me any number of assignments that would have been far worse.
A steady stream of recruits reported to Lackland. Many were graduates of religious colleges in the southern states. They were strong on theology but weak in sujects important to the military, like science and math.
I would have been nice had I been authorized to add them to my group, but the table of organization would not permit it.
I gave the instructors free hand. They came up with the idea of a night march - using recorded sounds of enemy fire.
We were trying to give kids training that would keep them alive under enemy fire. But the mothers complained that this was too rough on the recruits.
We also had to teach Military Law once a month. We had to read the regulations to them or something forgetable like that.
My instructors came up with the idea of having a military court - letting them participate in the process rather than read about it.
The Colonel in charge shot this idea down. Instead, we could watch them fall asleep trying to read and understand regulations.
There is not a more useless set of officers than Colonels.
The more colonels I meet the more respect I have for the non-commissioned officers. They are at their best when it comes to closing down an Air Force facility, such as a squadron. It works like this: Each squadron has an extensive inventory. When a squadron is closed they must account for every item in their inventory. Squadron A will phone squadronB to say that they have extra cots but are short several other items. A trade will be made and both squadrons will fill in gaps in their inventories.
A steady stream of recruits reported to Lackland. Many were graduates of religious colleges in the southern states. They were strong on theology but weak in sujects important to the military, like science and math.
I would have been nice had I been authorized to add them to my group, but the table of organization would not permit it.
I gave the instructors free hand. They came up with the idea of a night march - using recorded sounds of enemy fire.
We were trying to give kids training that would keep them alive under enemy fire. But the mothers complained that this was too rough on the recruits.
We also had to teach Military Law once a month. We had to read the regulations to them or something forgetable like that.
My instructors came up with the idea of having a military court - letting them participate in the process rather than read about it.
The Colonel in charge shot this idea down. Instead, we could watch them fall asleep trying to read and understand regulations.
There is not a more useless set of officers than Colonels.
The more colonels I meet the more respect I have for the non-commissioned officers. They are at their best when it comes to closing down an Air Force facility, such as a squadron. It works like this: Each squadron has an extensive inventory. When a squadron is closed they must account for every item in their inventory. Squadron A will phone squadronB to say that they have extra cots but are short several other items. A trade will be made and both squadrons will fill in gaps in their inventories.
Snooping
Perhaps listening would be a more appropriate term than snooping. Anyway, try it. Sit down in a booth next to a group of college students. If they are girls they will be talking about boys and if they are boys their conversation will center around girls. Sometimes they will fool you and talk about sports or TV, but rarely about anything significant or important.
Things are different in England. It becomes quite clear, on close inspection, that the endless discussions and debates in the English pubs has had an enormous impact on English thinking, writing, and philosophy in general. Many great English writers have tested their ideas in the give and take of the pubs. And what has come out of the American taverns? Not much.
Things are different in England. It becomes quite clear, on close inspection, that the endless discussions and debates in the English pubs has had an enormous impact on English thinking, writing, and philosophy in general. Many great English writers have tested their ideas in the give and take of the pubs. And what has come out of the American taverns? Not much.
Call me twinkle toes
There was a time when Seattle was awash in ballroom dancers, dancing schools, and dancing instructors. If my memory serves me correctly it was in the late 1950s. It's all gone now. W hat happened? Are we satisfied with watching professional dancers on TV? So it would seem. If we couldn't get enough dancing here at home we would drive to Vancouver, B.C. and attend their dances.
My first teaching assignment was at Sequim, Washington, a Christian Fundamentalist community. To them, dancing was a sin. It was not surprising, therefore, that a proposal by the lady gym teacher to teach ballroom dancing (at the request of the students, I might add)
was turned down.
My first teaching assignment was at Sequim, Washington, a Christian Fundamentalist community. To them, dancing was a sin. It was not surprising, therefore, that a proposal by the lady gym teacher to teach ballroom dancing (at the request of the students, I might add)
was turned down.
Taking a small town teaching job
Things started moving rapidly for me in September of 1945. I had been discharged from the service and needed a job. The city of Renton had an opening but refused to hire me because I had a college degree. Their feeling was that I would not make a career out of police work.....and
they were absolutely right.
After a brief stint in the Police force in Port Angeles, I finally got a lunch date with the superintendent of the local school district in Sequim nearby.
Lucky for me that the town of Sequim needed a teacher and I signed a contract with them. The Super told me that I'd be teaching bookkeeping and typing - but I didn't realize he meant at the same time.
The first thing I noticed was that a glass wall divided my room into two rooms. I was to teach two classes at once. I would give a bookkeeping class an assignment then go to the next room and get the typing class started. The school could easily have lost their accreditation over a stunt like this, but they were good enough to give me a start and I was grateful - so I didn't complain.
One of my students had a musical scholarship to Bremerton Jr.College. Since she was from a poor family - the scholarship would be her only means of affording college.
She should never have gotten into the back seat of of her boyfriend's car. Pregnancy interfered with and probably terminated her college career. When the college found out she was pregnant out of wedlock, they revoked her scholarship.
The boy should have been made to make good on the medical expenses and possibly support his child.
In situations like this it seems that the girl always pays the price.
they were absolutely right.
After a brief stint in the Police force in Port Angeles, I finally got a lunch date with the superintendent of the local school district in Sequim nearby.
Lucky for me that the town of Sequim needed a teacher and I signed a contract with them. The Super told me that I'd be teaching bookkeeping and typing - but I didn't realize he meant at the same time.
The first thing I noticed was that a glass wall divided my room into two rooms. I was to teach two classes at once. I would give a bookkeeping class an assignment then go to the next room and get the typing class started. The school could easily have lost their accreditation over a stunt like this, but they were good enough to give me a start and I was grateful - so I didn't complain.
One of my students had a musical scholarship to Bremerton Jr.College. Since she was from a poor family - the scholarship would be her only means of affording college.
She should never have gotten into the back seat of of her boyfriend's car. Pregnancy interfered with and probably terminated her college career. When the college found out she was pregnant out of wedlock, they revoked her scholarship.
The boy should have been made to make good on the medical expenses and possibly support his child.
In situations like this it seems that the girl always pays the price.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
small town politcs
I will be talking about real people in Port Angeles although none are still alive (I'm 86 and they would be 95 and older.) As you might expect I will make myself the hero of any story I am involved in.
The setting - Port Angeles in the 1950s. I had just graduated in September with my teaching certificate, but since it was September all the teaching positions were already filled! I had to take the first job that was available. So I looked at Law Enforcement. I applied in Renton but when they looked at my school record (straight As in University) they said they didn't think I would stay for a career in law enforcement. They were right! But I still needed a job.
So I had to look further afield. And found an opening in the Port Angeles Police Department. And here was where I learned about local politics and the interaction between local government and police departments.
First, let's take a look at our municipal judge. He spent entirely too much time at the American Legion Hall getting drunk and some members of the police dept. would take him home. Did he appreciate this service? I'm sure he did. Every police officer knew they could count on support from that judge on any case.
One day, the mayor was going entirely too fast so I gave him a ticket. When I went off-shift the Chief called me into his office and proceeded tear up the ticket. He pointed out that maintaining good relations with the mayor was good business. If the police dept. needed anything like a new vehicle, we could depend on the mayor to get it for us.
The State Patrol ticketed City Manager Vergeer on one of his trips from Seattle to Port Angeles. According to the story told to us, our esteemed City Manager told the State Patrolman 'I am the City Manager for Port Angeles'. But he got ticket anyhow. He was just a City Manager - not a big enough deal. The story got around - and every officer knew he had tried to pull rank and failed. So if he did anything out of the ordinary the officers would go out of their way to nail him.
Then one time I pulled over his son for speeding. The Chief and Vergeer himself asked me for my opinion on how I should treat his own son. That was a helluva spot to put a young officer in. So I told them, 'It's your specialty and experience, not my call. Maybe just put him on a bicycle for a year.' Since he loved his fast car so much - that would be the best lesson for him. So they made the call and they took the car away from him. I'll bet that was a good lesson for him though. Not that he was a bad kid - but hopefully he'd be more responsible.
The Coast Guard Station situated at the end of a long sand-spit is a major tourist attraction
but some of the young Coast Guardsmen liked to use it for a speedway. Port Angeles is a mecca for tourists and we try to make their visit both safe and enjoyable. I worked out a plan, Plan A,
that was very effective. There was a "roundhouse"at the beginning of the sand spit which made a good hiding place for me. Now, don't try to make me feel bad by pointing out that it is illegal for police cars to hide. There was no hope of my catching those speeders, but I was able to get close enough to jot down license plate numbers before they entered the Coast Guard Station.
Step 2 was to give the license number to the Chief. He called the base commander and a few minutes later, a somewhat sheepish young man would report to Chief Eide and get his punishment (a ticket and a fine) When he returned to his base his CO would mete out additional punishment. They never did figure out that the Police Chief and the Coast Guard Commander were fishing buddies and they worked closely together.
Before you get the erroneous idea that the Port Angles police were dedicated to making life intolerable for the Coast Guardsman, consider this. Two Guardsmen came out of a tavern and stood on the sidewalk finishing their beer. When they finished they tossed the empties over their shoulders. Surprisingly enough they didn't spot me directly across the street from them, in full sunlight and in my police uniform. They were not drunk. Could a few sips of beer obscure one's vision?
I suggested that Harrington's Bar might have a broom and a dustpan. With these tools they were able to clean up the mess. I'm sure they were aware that I could easily write out a ticket listing several violations of city ordinances. Sometimes you don't need to actually write up a ticket to fix a problem.
The setting - Port Angeles in the 1950s. I had just graduated in September with my teaching certificate, but since it was September all the teaching positions were already filled! I had to take the first job that was available. So I looked at Law Enforcement. I applied in Renton but when they looked at my school record (straight As in University) they said they didn't think I would stay for a career in law enforcement. They were right! But I still needed a job.
So I had to look further afield. And found an opening in the Port Angeles Police Department. And here was where I learned about local politics and the interaction between local government and police departments.
First, let's take a look at our municipal judge. He spent entirely too much time at the American Legion Hall getting drunk and some members of the police dept. would take him home. Did he appreciate this service? I'm sure he did. Every police officer knew they could count on support from that judge on any case.
One day, the mayor was going entirely too fast so I gave him a ticket. When I went off-shift the Chief called me into his office and proceeded tear up the ticket. He pointed out that maintaining good relations with the mayor was good business. If the police dept. needed anything like a new vehicle, we could depend on the mayor to get it for us.
The State Patrol ticketed City Manager Vergeer on one of his trips from Seattle to Port Angeles. According to the story told to us, our esteemed City Manager told the State Patrolman 'I am the City Manager for Port Angeles'. But he got ticket anyhow. He was just a City Manager - not a big enough deal. The story got around - and every officer knew he had tried to pull rank and failed. So if he did anything out of the ordinary the officers would go out of their way to nail him.
Then one time I pulled over his son for speeding. The Chief and Vergeer himself asked me for my opinion on how I should treat his own son. That was a helluva spot to put a young officer in. So I told them, 'It's your specialty and experience, not my call. Maybe just put him on a bicycle for a year.' Since he loved his fast car so much - that would be the best lesson for him. So they made the call and they took the car away from him. I'll bet that was a good lesson for him though. Not that he was a bad kid - but hopefully he'd be more responsible.
The Coast Guard Station situated at the end of a long sand-spit is a major tourist attraction
but some of the young Coast Guardsmen liked to use it for a speedway. Port Angeles is a mecca for tourists and we try to make their visit both safe and enjoyable. I worked out a plan, Plan A,
that was very effective. There was a "roundhouse"at the beginning of the sand spit which made a good hiding place for me. Now, don't try to make me feel bad by pointing out that it is illegal for police cars to hide. There was no hope of my catching those speeders, but I was able to get close enough to jot down license plate numbers before they entered the Coast Guard Station.
Step 2 was to give the license number to the Chief. He called the base commander and a few minutes later, a somewhat sheepish young man would report to Chief Eide and get his punishment (a ticket and a fine) When he returned to his base his CO would mete out additional punishment. They never did figure out that the Police Chief and the Coast Guard Commander were fishing buddies and they worked closely together.
Before you get the erroneous idea that the Port Angles police were dedicated to making life intolerable for the Coast Guardsman, consider this. Two Guardsmen came out of a tavern and stood on the sidewalk finishing their beer. When they finished they tossed the empties over their shoulders. Surprisingly enough they didn't spot me directly across the street from them, in full sunlight and in my police uniform. They were not drunk. Could a few sips of beer obscure one's vision?
I suggested that Harrington's Bar might have a broom and a dustpan. With these tools they were able to clean up the mess. I'm sure they were aware that I could easily write out a ticket listing several violations of city ordinances. Sometimes you don't need to actually write up a ticket to fix a problem.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Progress in technology
My only purpose in writing this blog is to remind you of the debt we all owe to the developers of brake linings. A very significant development although too often taken for granted.
We were enjoying a Sunday drive in our new whippit when the brakes starting smoking. So, what to do? Stupid question. Stop the car and put out the fire. With what? Another dumb question. Try urine. It works to perfection....with one slight problem. Hot urine smells bad. How bad? Bad enough to make you want to vomit. Would you like to argue about that? Good!
Get a pot, add urine, apply heat and inhale deeply. Just be careful where you throw-up. Someone will have to clean up your smelly mess.
Vacationing in the land of the Midnight Sun
You will need some equipment for your enterprise. A rowboat with a 50HP motor, and a 30-06 rifle. Use wire traps to catch Dolly Varden. Their tails are worth 5 cents each. A rifle is necessary to shoot seal. There is a 25$ bounty on seal. The beaches are cluttered with logs. The lumber mill in Juneau will give you an idea as to the value of the logs. One thing the INSIDE Passage has in abunbance is fern. It is quite likely that there are buyers for fern in Seattle's Farmer's Market.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Depression Stew
A depression such as the one that gripped the world in the '30's is unlikely to happen again soon.
In the unlikely event that I have miscalculated, I must reveal my secret invention before it is irretrievably lost.
You have to be pretty hungry to eat this concoction, but at least it will keep you alive if your situation is desperate. For want of a better title let's call it depression stew.
You will need a two-quart pot. Your local friendly butcher will give you a bone. There won't be any meat on the bone, but it will have marrow, and it is the marrow that will flavor your stew.
Pick a few young, tender dandelion leaves and some sorrell, if you can find it. Add to this any vegetables you can find left over in the garden. You may want to borrow your son's Boy Scout book.....it will contain a wealth of suggestions from nature's bounty. Surprisingly enough some of these wild food are even tasty.
I am tempted to add one additional ingredient to the stew even at the risk of receiving a nasty letter from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Add the breast meat from a dozen sparrows. You may be tempted to invite a group of friends over for dinner. Try to keep your mouth shut or you may be forced to cultivate a new group of friends. You see, not all people like sparrow stew even though they may never have tried it.
In the unlikely event that I have miscalculated, I must reveal my secret invention before it is irretrievably lost.
You have to be pretty hungry to eat this concoction, but at least it will keep you alive if your situation is desperate. For want of a better title let's call it depression stew.
You will need a two-quart pot. Your local friendly butcher will give you a bone. There won't be any meat on the bone, but it will have marrow, and it is the marrow that will flavor your stew.
Pick a few young, tender dandelion leaves and some sorrell, if you can find it. Add to this any vegetables you can find left over in the garden. You may want to borrow your son's Boy Scout book.....it will contain a wealth of suggestions from nature's bounty. Surprisingly enough some of these wild food are even tasty.
I am tempted to add one additional ingredient to the stew even at the risk of receiving a nasty letter from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Add the breast meat from a dozen sparrows. You may be tempted to invite a group of friends over for dinner. Try to keep your mouth shut or you may be forced to cultivate a new group of friends. You see, not all people like sparrow stew even though they may never have tried it.
Wine for Swine
One of the privileges in growing up in an Italian immigrant community is your introduction to Vino.
Back in fourth grade in California in the depression years I grew up near the Italian families in Sutter Creek.
Each evening, several families would meet in someone's backyard with a gallon of Vino. I was not part of the group yet they made me feel welcome and shared their wine with me. Of course, at my tender age I was limited to a very small glass. But then even the adults were responsible with their drinking. Never once in the years I spent in Sutter Creek did I see a drunk Italian.
The locals did not buy their wine, they made it themselves.
After they had stamped out the juice, the mash was piled on the ground as garbage.
The mash fermented in the hot sun. Pigs gorged on the mash until they were drunk as skunks. They would then find some shade and sleep it off. Did they learn anything from their experience? Not really. When they woke up, they headed back to the pile of mash and did it again.
As the old saying goes - (from 'The Famous Pig Song')
You can tell a man that boozes, by the company that he chooses.
Then the pigs got up and slowly walked away.
Back in fourth grade in California in the depression years I grew up near the Italian families in Sutter Creek.
Each evening, several families would meet in someone's backyard with a gallon of Vino. I was not part of the group yet they made me feel welcome and shared their wine with me. Of course, at my tender age I was limited to a very small glass. But then even the adults were responsible with their drinking. Never once in the years I spent in Sutter Creek did I see a drunk Italian.
The locals did not buy their wine, they made it themselves.
After they had stamped out the juice, the mash was piled on the ground as garbage.
The mash fermented in the hot sun. Pigs gorged on the mash until they were drunk as skunks. They would then find some shade and sleep it off. Did they learn anything from their experience? Not really. When they woke up, they headed back to the pile of mash and did it again.
As the old saying goes - (from 'The Famous Pig Song')
You can tell a man that boozes, by the company that he chooses.
Then the pigs got up and slowly walked away.
Wars are never won - even the winner loses
Another tale of talent from the class of Roosevelt High in the 1930s
There was one student in our class who was ugly as sin. He was short and beneath most students' notice. He occupied space - he had no friends. If anyone even knew his name, he was simply "George."
Until one day at one of the regular student assemblies we had to showcase student talent.
I was sitting in the bleachers way up in the corner. George came out on stage. He was so short he had to fiddle with the microphone and barely could get it down to his level. There was no orchestra or band to back him up. He was out there alone.
All of a sudden the most beautiful Tenor singing voice rang out - filling the auditorium with a sound so pure we thought it was part of a Celestial Choir singing down from heaven.
He first sang Una furtiva lagrima - and everyone sat in stunned and appreciative silence until he was finished.
We gave him a standing ovation. So he sang another song.
'Sometimes I feel like a motherless child'
I was able to hide my tears being so high up in the bleachers. I had been orphaned at the age of 7. I had lost both mother and father. I'm sure he had no idea that was my favorite song. I don't know why he picked it.
From that moment on he had a thousand friends. Everyone knew him. Everyone made him feel important, greeting him with smiles in the hallways. George with the Golden Voice.
High school students are a tough audience. We recognized his ability and honored him for it. He reached us through his music.
The next we heard about George, he was Killed In Action (KIA) during World War II.
I wonder if he had gone onto the battlefield singing, if the Germans could have known how rare his gift was, would the soldier who shot him still have pulled the trigger?
A little guy like George with a voice that could make the walls tremble and a high school student cry. I have heard all the greatest Tenors and his voice was equal to any I've heard.
There have been times when I wondered if he had sisters or brothers or other relatives. Did they know how much he touched us before he died? I wish I could tell them how beautiful he was despite his outward appearance.
Some men talk about how war made them important - as heroes, or officers or leaders of men.
Wars take such a heavy toll - taking away men before they have had their chance to make a difference. Men who could have changed the world with the rest of their lives - as inventors or scientists.
When we add up the cost of winning, how can we actually say we won anything?
There was one student in our class who was ugly as sin. He was short and beneath most students' notice. He occupied space - he had no friends. If anyone even knew his name, he was simply "George."
Until one day at one of the regular student assemblies we had to showcase student talent.
I was sitting in the bleachers way up in the corner. George came out on stage. He was so short he had to fiddle with the microphone and barely could get it down to his level. There was no orchestra or band to back him up. He was out there alone.
All of a sudden the most beautiful Tenor singing voice rang out - filling the auditorium with a sound so pure we thought it was part of a Celestial Choir singing down from heaven.
He first sang Una furtiva lagrima - and everyone sat in stunned and appreciative silence until he was finished.
We gave him a standing ovation. So he sang another song.
'Sometimes I feel like a motherless child'
I was able to hide my tears being so high up in the bleachers. I had been orphaned at the age of 7. I had lost both mother and father. I'm sure he had no idea that was my favorite song. I don't know why he picked it.
From that moment on he had a thousand friends. Everyone knew him. Everyone made him feel important, greeting him with smiles in the hallways. George with the Golden Voice.
High school students are a tough audience. We recognized his ability and honored him for it. He reached us through his music.
The next we heard about George, he was Killed In Action (KIA) during World War II.
I wonder if he had gone onto the battlefield singing, if the Germans could have known how rare his gift was, would the soldier who shot him still have pulled the trigger?
A little guy like George with a voice that could make the walls tremble and a high school student cry. I have heard all the greatest Tenors and his voice was equal to any I've heard.
There have been times when I wondered if he had sisters or brothers or other relatives. Did they know how much he touched us before he died? I wish I could tell them how beautiful he was despite his outward appearance.
Some men talk about how war made them important - as heroes, or officers or leaders of men.
Wars take such a heavy toll - taking away men before they have had their chance to make a difference. Men who could have changed the world with the rest of their lives - as inventors or scientists.
When we add up the cost of winning, how can we actually say we won anything?
Tiny - big man, bigger heart
Another story of Roosevelt High School, Class of 1940
During the spring days when the sun was out, a fellow student nicknamed "Tiny" who would bring his bass violin (a cello today?) out to the porch of the school and play for us.
Everyone would bring their lunch outside and cluster around to listen - he was so talented.
And he would spin that instrument around so fast - and pluck a string on every turn. Magical even as a soloist.
It was truly amazing that someone so young could master a difficult instrument like that.
But our Head Coach 'Tiger' Bill Harroldson saw this large, 300 pound student and had visions of a football championship team led by such a lineman. So he rushed down to the University of Washington to gather up enough equipment and uniform pieces that would fit such a large individual.
And he put Tiny in that football outfit and expected him to join the team. But Tiny refused to even try the sport where he would be required to sit on his fellow students and possibly hurt them in any way.
Tiny was motivated by the power of music - by the chance of making people feel good through that alone. He wanted to make people happy through music. His heart was bigger than his body.
Upon graduation from high school, the Seattle Symphony immediately signed him to a contract.
I wish I had the chance to have saved up some money and seen him play at the Seattle Symphony... to see and hear him play on his kind of team.
The only team that Tiny would be happy to play for was an orchestra.
During the spring days when the sun was out, a fellow student nicknamed "Tiny" who would bring his bass violin (a cello today?) out to the porch of the school and play for us.
Everyone would bring their lunch outside and cluster around to listen - he was so talented.
And he would spin that instrument around so fast - and pluck a string on every turn. Magical even as a soloist.
It was truly amazing that someone so young could master a difficult instrument like that.
But our Head Coach 'Tiger' Bill Harroldson saw this large, 300 pound student and had visions of a football championship team led by such a lineman. So he rushed down to the University of Washington to gather up enough equipment and uniform pieces that would fit such a large individual.
And he put Tiny in that football outfit and expected him to join the team. But Tiny refused to even try the sport where he would be required to sit on his fellow students and possibly hurt them in any way.
Tiny was motivated by the power of music - by the chance of making people feel good through that alone. He wanted to make people happy through music. His heart was bigger than his body.
Upon graduation from high school, the Seattle Symphony immediately signed him to a contract.
I wish I had the chance to have saved up some money and seen him play at the Seattle Symphony... to see and hear him play on his kind of team.
The only team that Tiny would be happy to play for was an orchestra.
Outrunning a speeding bullet
I was 8 years old at the time and the country was still gripped in a world-wide depression. In casting about for someone to blame, we picked President Hoover. NO ONE has yet explained to me how one individual could cause a world-wide depression.
But at the time, food was a concern for everyone.
Across the street from the house where I was living (where I got spinal meningitis from my homemade swimming pool - but that's another story), was a beautiful orange tree orchard.
One day, I went through the fence and started picking oranges right off the tree.
After a bit, I saw the farmer come out on his porch with a gun.
I was already running for the fence in a flash. Before I got there, I distinctly heard a shot ring out. In my mind, I ran faster to get ahead of that bullet and was under the fence and long gone before the bullet could catch up.
Couple weeks later I had the nerve to go back. This time I knocked on the farmer's door.
He could have said no... but he didn't. He filled up a bag full of the oranges from the ground, ones he could spare because he couldn't sell them. The ones I had tried to take were those from the tree - the only ones he could sell.
Off I went with a bag full of lovely oranges.
This was a lesson I never forgot. Knock on the door and ask.
I have great admiration for the farmers that made it through those tough days, yet still found a way to give a bag full of oranges to a starving 8 year old.
But at the time, food was a concern for everyone.
Across the street from the house where I was living (where I got spinal meningitis from my homemade swimming pool - but that's another story), was a beautiful orange tree orchard.
One day, I went through the fence and started picking oranges right off the tree.
After a bit, I saw the farmer come out on his porch with a gun.
I was already running for the fence in a flash. Before I got there, I distinctly heard a shot ring out. In my mind, I ran faster to get ahead of that bullet and was under the fence and long gone before the bullet could catch up.
Couple weeks later I had the nerve to go back. This time I knocked on the farmer's door.
He could have said no... but he didn't. He filled up a bag full of the oranges from the ground, ones he could spare because he couldn't sell them. The ones I had tried to take were those from the tree - the only ones he could sell.
Off I went with a bag full of lovely oranges.
This was a lesson I never forgot. Knock on the door and ask.
I have great admiration for the farmers that made it through those tough days, yet still found a way to give a bag full of oranges to a starving 8 year old.
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