Earth…. Terra Firma

 

Earth Day has came and went.  In the little home town burg it was not even noted.  I only remembered  it because I read about it from others.  What does Earth Day mean any more? 

Forever the landscape changes.  Man moves and rearranges the shapes and Nature battles back to reclaim the changes.  Pyramids, monuments to these changes.  Man’s quest for immortality. 

Raging torrents, smoke, flames soar over the sky.  Remodeling at work.

Litter used to be a bane, nowadays it is part of the landscape.  Have the environmentalists went to far and lost sight of daily life.  Even in the little burg there should have been a simple litter pick up.  Has the battle over global warming… oops I mean climate change pushed the little things off the table.  As we litter it points to bigger problems of pollution.  There is lots of indifference in society today in regards to the environment that we live in.

Like many things greed sets in and no longer is the cause noble, it has become a green chase for big bucks.

People today, walk into their home, flip the switch and expect the light to turn on.  Turn the television on, check the mail on the computer, play e-games, cook on a stove and the list of gadgets goes on that we expect to be powered.

No longer does one have to render the tallow and make candles, find oil for the lamp, gather wood for the stove.

Is man willing to give up this lifestyle and turn the clock back over 100 years and have to gather all the little necessities to live by.  Overheard a comment, he wanted the land returned to the way it was 100 years ago.  Thought to my self, wonder if would be willing to be a lemming and jump off the cliff.

There were only 100’s living back then, not millions.  Lots of people would have to die to return the land to the way it was a 100 years ago.

Yet the earth needs to be tended to and taken care of.  Not jawboned about something that is maybe.  Stewardship of the earth is not easy and the reality of things need to be looked at not imagined things or in theory.

There is but one earth to live on.

Going Nuclear

There have been a couple of stories that I have read recently that caught my interest.  The surprising one is Bill Gates promoting nuclear power.  The other is the a nuclear process developed by the TVA back in the 50’s.

Bill Gates being a liberal, one would think he would be very anti nuclear.  Instead he is pro nuclear.  He sees electricity as one of the key elements in the Third World’s development.  Low cost electricity for developing/poor countries is very critical, as he sees it.  Looking at that, one can see how it would affect the creation of jobs and how poor people live.  Even in the USA, utility bills impact the poor and elderly.  Good low cost energy is critical for all people involved and Bill Gates sees this in the development of a new nuclear process.

The process that the TVA developed was put into moth balls and the back shelf, as a result it was forgotten about.  Probably some political skullduggery involved.

The TVA process used an isotope that had a life of about 100 years and very little by product.  Disposal was not a problem for in a 100 years it would be harmless.

With these things I wonder why nuclear power is not in use more.  What nuclear power plants that are in use today are very efficient and produce a low cost product.  Surprising, the USA gets about 25% of its electricity from nuclear power plants.  Then there is the Navy, how many of their ships are nuclear powered I’m not sure, but I would venture a guess that it is a vast majority.  The carriers and submarines are the most oblivious.  I see the spent cores from some passing through here on the railroad occasionally.

But why are so many people anti nuclear?  First thing that comes to mind are the bombs dropped on Japan, WWII.  Then there have been the accidents in the past that have caused some problems.  Then there are the anti mind set people.  If one side of the fence is for something this group will come out against it.

This small group of anti people create lots of problems for being such a small minority.  As a result things tat could be of great benefit to society is ignored because they raise such a ruckus.

One of the anti groups, the Sierra Club, bragged on their web page they had stopped over a 100 coal fired power plants.  That is a lots of lost electrical power generation. If your electrical rates are going up, this is one of the reasons.  And, Yes Coal is dirty, but there is a scientist who has developed a process to clean up coal fired plants.  The anti people do not want to hear this, they do not encourage his research.  There are others out there doing similar research but the anti groups cloud things in legal lawsuits. 

As I look at the costs these anti groups are causing to consumers, it becomes frustrating.  For this anti mind set is part of the reason Nuclear power is so frowned on.  Yet in nuclear power there appears to be some hope.  With the proper mind set it could probably be developed and used in a safe manner. 

It would be nice to see the anti people try to help society rather then being a hindrance.

One of the things that has happened is the power companies are switching to natural gas to keep the nay sayers off their back.  This is also pushing up the cost of energy.  Everything that is produced in the US is rising in cost because of the rising energy prices.  People focus on the price of gasoline, as that increases so does the utilities increase.

Jobs are lost, homes are lost and people tend to become poorer because of rising energy costs.

So is nuclear the answer, only partial but it should be looked at.  Particularly after the calamity of the tsunami in Japan.  There were problems at their plants but they were fixable and life goes on.

Look at how many nuclear power plants that are operatizing in the United States. 

Rather then being so negative, the anti people need to become part of the solution rather then being s problem. 

Wind power is 30-50 years in the future and is not reliable.  Solar is someplace in its infancy and it is also not reliable.

Overheard a comment from a nay sayer, "Return the land to where it was a 100 years ago.”  Wonder if he realizes how many people would have to die to get the land back to how was 100 years ago and what all would have to be destroyed.

Stewardship of the environment is a major job.

On the Backroads

 

In my travels from here to there, I prefer to take the back roads, time permitting.  Lots of small gems pop up and then there is the clutter of civilization.  Over the years things have changed, like it or not.  When my grandparents homesteaded, there was no such thing as electricity or indoor plumbing.  Today it is expected for any and all homes.

What had been open country, dotted by a few trees, scrub brush and rolling hills.  Is now dotted with utility lines and homes.

The barn and corral make a nice pastoral scene but right there in front is the utility pole.  Place for a yard light and lights in the barn.  Until the REA came around it was kerosene/oil lamps to light the way. 

Electricity has had a major impact on the way one lives their life.  It powers our homes, heats it, fuels jobs, a level of security and lights the darkness.  Without electricity I would not be posting this blub.  What started out as small generating plants for communities to large power complexes.

From what had been a pastoral scene to now a cluttered horizon.  They stand there whooshing in the breeze.  Electricity flows off the wind in someone’s pocket book.  I turn on the computer and hear a slight swoosh. 

What’s interesting is the jealousy these things have created.  Just a few people get money from these giant erector sets.  The neighbors that have none, want some and they gripe about the neighbors that have some.

Oh the price of electricity has went up but it appears to of created another type of class warfare.  A struggle among the classes that has been going on for centuries.  The ones that perceive themselves as having nothing and envying those that appear to be rich.

Sop when I look out across the plains, no longer to I see the follies of man spinning but I see their struggles to live within themselves.  Envy is a bitter pill to live with yet so many harbor it.

A bitterness that cascades across the rolls of life.

Now where did my barn get off to.

Rusty Old Green

 

In my roaming through small towns, I come across a variety of odds and ends.  This old tractor is rather unique.  The front part was scavenged and the rest left behind.  Usually the whole tractor is taken.

 

It was nice of them to leave a bit behind.  I could take a picture of the leftovers.

Watched a two step the other morning in the wee hours.  A coyote came on one of the local feral cats.  They were bouncing back and forth on, in and around the ditch.  The street light pole made for some interesting maneuvers.  The coyote was in the ditch and the cat on the street.  bounding back and forth they went.  When  suddenly the cat does a 180.  Across the street it flies, up the tree it leaps.  Coyote close behind, sliding in the gravel to a stop at the base of the tree.  Head tilts backwards, looks up at the cat.  Trots over to the other side for a better look.  Stands there, pondering what to do next.  Patiently ole coyote stands there looking at the missed meal.  Soon ole coyote trots off in search of another meal.

Nighttime in the neighborhood.

Within, The Terror

 

When Hitler came to power, couple of the things he did, persecute the Jews and try to control the printed word. 

Looking back through history one of the things despots do when they come to power is to pick on a religion.  The Romans, the lions and the Christians comes to mind.  Yet compared to what Lenin and Hitler did, the Romans pale.  Lenin kicked the church out of Russia,no religion of any type was allowed in Russia.  Hitler was an exterminator of the Jews.

The other thing was they controlled was the press and books they did not agree with were destroyed.  Lenin and Hitler wanted to be the focus, they were the god’s of the day.

consider though, Hitler and Lenin at opposite ends of the spectrum.  Prior to WWII there was a communist part in Germany.  The communists were opposed to fascism.  The fascist state invaded Russia.

Reading through history one can see the parallels of communism and fascism, their methods are very similar but very opposite mode.

The other thing is the control of weapons.

So as I watch the politics I watch who is trying to control or rid one of these facets of American life. 

The church has been under attack for a number of years by the left wing of the democrat party in the form of the ACLU and a few others.  Marxists do not want religion in their controlled state.  Marx was very clear, religion is in competion to his state run government.  The gods are to be the political elite of the governing party.

It is also the left wing of the democrats that push for gun control.  Look at the flap over the comments that were made between political pundits.  Free speech comes under attack by both sides but who apologizes for their remarks.

When Hoffa junior told President Obama, “We will get those Republican Sons of Bitches,” and the president said nothing there was lots of implications of how the president views the opposing part.  But let the Republicans use a similar style of language and look what happens.  The left tries to silence their speech.

So as I look at the democratic party I wonder what has happened.  Why have the democrats let the communists run their party.  Is there that much hatred of the Republicans that they would rather live with commies then try to live as free people?

Wonder if the Democrats will stand up to the bullies in the far left wing?  It is not something new, communism has been on the left for a century or better.

During the early 1900’s a group of elites got together in Europe.  Their stated purpose was to move their home countries into communism.  Lenin is the only one with any kind of success in Russia.  There were communist movements through out the world.  In the 30’s though it was the fascists that took a different tack through warfare.

These elements of fascism live today and right now the communist movement is gaining momentum. 

As long as the Constitution can stay intact there is good level of protection for citizens to be protected from both extremes, communism and fascism.  If the left continues to attack the constitution they are leaving the door open for the fascists.

So I wonder if the sensible Democrats will wake up and take back control of their party.  For a reasonable two party system is also a good measure of protection.

 

 

 

 

 

Terror Within

Money, it is everywhere in society today. One can not live without money, even the credit cards get paid off….. hopefully. There are those who attempt to steal, money/goods to maintain their life. The more money involved the bigger the risks are taken.

So when I look at government today I look at the money trail. Where does it begin and what is its path.

The United States has become so prosperous that now more then millions is funneled through the hands of congress into government agencies. Trillions of dollars goes where? Any ideas where it comes from and why it goes where? Neither do I.

Used to be if one wanted riches they worked for it in the private sector. Today it working for the government, low level mangers get 6 figure incomes and then some. Have you ever watched a mid level manger work, do you know what their responsibilities are, what is their skill level and how do they get these positions?

I read a while back that the government worker gets paid about 25% more then his counterpart in the private sector. That is a big difference. Why has it gotten so far apart?

What would you do with a trillion dollars, two trillion or more?

This is one of the problems with congress. They want to get reelected so they spread you monies around to various agencies with the idea that it will garner some votes come election time. They also feed money back to the people that were big donors in their campaign. It is kind of ironic, we vote for them and they take our money and where does it go?

If we were not forced to pay taxes, do you think there would be a different style of people in DC? Second if the wages of members of Congress were cut, what would happen>

Because so many keep looking for the government hand outs, the crony system of government keeps getting reelected. Instead people like Obama end up in the Oval office and then someone like Romney wants to replace him. Both are huge money spenders and if Romney got the nomination, what would change?

The Democrats got all over Bush for his spending and debt but where is the outcry for Obama’s enormous spending and he continues to over spend.

As long as we keep sending cronies to DC we will stay in poverty and but a few will control the wealth, the government and big corporations, both very similar.

If a person who made $3000.00 a month only paid $300.00 a month in taxes they could live pretty good. Have some discretionary income. Instead they pay about $1200.00 a month in taxes. So why does the government need all that money….. to keep you poor?

Over history the rulers have wanted empires and they want a big government to control the populace. This was one of the things Marx laid out in his illusion of equal.

As the government expands it brings power into the control of a few. Hitler recognized this as did Lenin. Two opposites of the spectrum but similar goals, to rule the world.

Look back at Clinton, he did not leave a big debt behind. Outside of dropping his zipper he was fairly begine. Yet he had his cronies. The Question here though….. What happened to the fiscal responsible Democrats? Why have they let Obama over run them? Where are the sensible democrats? Why have the Democrats given over to the Marxists of Obama?

Look at lawless the Democrats have become under Obama. Protestors breaking the law… nothing….. Unions name calling with presidential approval. Do the democrats want to be communists that bad? Then communism in the USA is nothing new.

Look inside….. what terror is seen.

The Terror Within

 

As a country we so often focus on threats from outside the country.  Yet most dictators/tyrants have been home grown.  The Banana Republics and Africa seem to have new dictators every other year.  Government overthrows are not limited to other countries, the USA could fall victim to that very easy.

This is the grave of a German WWII POW buried in a US national cemetery.  After the war no one in Germany claimed his remains.  So today he still resides in the US.

For me this is a reminder of what the New World Order is about.  Germany and Japan, the axis powers were going to conquer the world and be rulers.  It is also a reminder that these so called world rulers rose to power in their home country.  The axis allies citizens followed their leaders blindly, not all, into an armed conflict.

Could it happen in the US, you bet.  There is always a level of unrest in the populace and can boil over in many ways.  The unrest ebbs and flows as the whims of the politicians swing back and forth.

Back at the turn of the 20th century there was lots of turmoil in the country.  communism was very real and threatening. 

Is the head of communism rearing its head again?  Well it has never went away, just been subdued.  There are large groups that believe Karl Marx had the answer to the class warfare of the haves and have nots.  It is an age old scenario that has been going on for eons and will be used by manipulators to gain an advantage over the general populace.

So where are the fascists, they are still around, the Nazi party crawls out of the cellar at times.  Fascism does not have the appeal of Marxism because it is not taught in the colleges as being acceptable like Marxism is.

So as I watch the scene of national politics unfold I watch how the different parties treat each other.  When dictatorial comments are used by the candidates my hackles stand on end.  Both sides use these comments of control and one has to beware.   Is that candidate another Stalin or a Hitler.

The first two years of the Obama administration has been the closest we have came to a dictator.  The democrats could pass any legislation they wanted and they did.   Look at how much they spent and the healthcare bill.  Look at how Obama has consolidated numerous executive powers under the Presidency.

For the party in power it may look good, but for the people it does not bode well.  As more power is given to the few, the less the people have.  Wonder how much power the republican president will grab and then what will the democrats say.  For the democrats will not be in power for ever unless the people allow it and this gives rise to dictators.

Odd as it sounds there should be a balance of powers in government and it is eroding and it will depend on how the citizenry reacts over the next few months. 

Hate the republicans or love them, they are necessary as is the constitution.  Without a bi-caramel system the country tilts to one side or the other and the people become losers.  Look how Russian went, look what happened to the Axis powers.

One thing I hope for is that either party never have another super majority like the democrats  had a while back. 

So I keep Karl Baatz on the back burner and remember what happens when a country gets out of whack.

Oh, there was a recent report of the growth of militia’s in the US.  Do not associate them with the right wing only.  For some of the most violent groups in the country are the left wing environmental extremists.

 

What page of history are we repeating?