Seeking an Answer

If I may digress. This post reminds me of a song, “A Lover’s Question,” sung by Clyde McPhatter. I certainly am not a country/western music fan, but this one is pretty good. It’s got a good tune, some thoughtful words, and yes, even the backup group is good. It’s the kind of song that just might haunt you all day. You might even find yourself singing it without realizing it. More than that, you might find yourself identifying with it. If you can, you might look it up and play it, it is well worth your while, even if you don’t like country music.

I came to the above title from name of the song in a somewhat roundabout way. Originally, I started with “A Customer’s Question.” Didn’t feel that was apropos. I mean, we are speaking business, not love relationships. I was still somewhat tempted. It is kind of a catchy title. Nonetheless, I decided to use something not quite as good, but more accurate.

Now, getting down to the question and the reason for it. I would really like to know why big corporations like to (figuratively) shoot themselves in the foot. They make decisions they know are going to affect their bottom line and they do it without much true consideration. Consider Budweiser. Those that have read my post very long know that I don’t approve of alcohol at all. But this, this is really dumb. They have lost, what 7 billion dollars just to make a commercial that is friendly to homosexuals and unfriendly to their customers. And now, they can’t even issue an apology. The best they can do is march their Clydesdales out and hope for the best. I am sure that their stockholders have had a few things to say about that. They have likely said that they are desperately seeking an answer to why they did such a dumb thing. (Why did they do that?)

At one time, I had Xfinity cable and internet. I likely still would. However, one day, they started calling my home and suggesting we need a box for converting digital TV to analog. Don’t know if it was intentional, but they left both the wife and me with the impression that there would be no charge for it. We said no. We have but two TVs and they were both hooked up to cable. After the sixth call, one that I took, I agreed to let them send it. However, just to make sure there were no misunderstandings, I said that the first time they bill me for it, I’d pack it all up and take to the local store. They did, and I did.

They shot themselves in the foot. Why did they do that? It wasn’t so much the amount. I suspect that I could have returned the little box and had the cost removed. It’s the idea. They were dishonest. I told them what I’d do, and I did. My guess is that they didn’t care. At that time, they likely had enough customers, losing one or two wouldn’t hurt. I don’t know. Maybe they did have too many customers and they decided to prune a few.

I went to AT&T for cable and internet. Oddly they don’t love their customers either. I lost service so I called them up. Because I could not give them a 4-digit pin number, they refused to fix it. Fine. No problem I told them. I asked for an address to send the equipment and disconnected that day. Why did they do that? I guess they simply did not want to keep the over 2 hundred a month I was sending them. It must have been well decided on their end because I talked to two managers on the phone. Naturally, no face-to-face conversations here. No such thing these days.

It happens in local businesses too. I no longer go to McDonald’s, Wendy’s or Walmart. They have proved to me that they all have too many customers. So, Walmart has lost around two to three hundred a week. Sometimes more. They’ll never miss it. If they were to read this post, they’d not care. It would seem that they don’t like their customers. They just put up with them so as to make their billions off of us. I now go to Kroger. Maybe I spend a little more, but the service is far better and friendlier. Why did Walmart do that?

I could likely write thousands of words on this subject. I would suspect that there are many more who could. Those guys up in those board rooms just don’t seem to get it. They really do need customers. When they lose them they will lose their income. They just don’t seem to get it.

Being woke might impress one group of people. Going broke. Well. That could be a problem.

Considering a Risky Decision

Got my car insurance bill a few days ago. I looked at it and filed the mental note to pay it before it elapses. Then, i considered it again.

Generally, I drive one place each day, maybe two. Don’t really need to but I do. Then, I considered; do I really need a car. I mean we really pay an awfully lot for the convenience of wheels.

The other day, drove into Firestone, spent the whole day there and drove out over a grand lighter. Mind, I’m not complaining about Firestone. They did very well for a reasonable price. The thing is that I need at least 1500 more to fix axles, air conditioning and who knows how many more problems lurking out of sight.

It’s just getting awfully expensive to keep up a car when I now drive about 10, maybe 15 miles a day.

Oh yes. Let’s not forget the price of fuel. Thanks to Joe, we all feel a bit lighter as we drive away from the gas pumps. Let me clarify that. Financially lighter. I must admit the fuel is heavier, but not much.

Indeed, maybe, I should take the hint from OLD Joe and start bicycling everywhere I go. I figure I might save 2 or 3 thousand a year. Considering we are living totally on Social Security, that is a lot. Fact is – that’s a bunch for most all of us. To be sure, it’s even more for those who have far more than me. After all, they must buy their Lincolns, Cadillacs, and or, their BMWs. They pay more for their vehicles, more for their insurance and, likely more for their maintenance.

Going to a bicycle as my transport is not a decision taken lightly. I mean, bicycles are more dangerous. We don’t normally wear helmets in cars, not yet anyway. However, we and our children are firmly cautioned against going to the local convenience store without something to protect our noggin.

Therefore, I must assume that it would be quite dangerous to abandon my 4 wheels for 2.

So. Before I decide, I’m sure you realize, I have very much to consider. Money is not everything. Safety is a factor as well. Someone in one of those big cars just might hit me. I’m afraid the helmet would provide little protection.

Which is Worst?

Which one is worst? Is it the one who offers the bribe in hopes of getting his way, regardless of what is right?

Is it the one who receives the bribe, knowing that he is going to treat a person or person wrong as a result?

Maybe the worst of all is the one who stands by and observes the bribe and says nothing. Maybe he says nothing out of fear. Perhaps he keeps quiet and benefits from the bribe. I don’t know. There might be dozens of reasons for blinding himself to that which he knows to be wrong.

When I was a young man, still in high school, I was taught about the third world countries where bribery was a way of life. The officer, expected and received the little payment to turn his head. The government official knew he would receive the bribe to allow the immigrant into the country. The teacher explained that, of course those things did not go in this country.

Now, 50 or 60 years later…

As I surveyed the recent history, I came to the conclusion that it is what happens in countries that turn their backs on God. You might ask if I consider it a judgement. To be sure, it would be a righteous judgement. But it is entirely unnecessary. It is simply a natural result. When people turn their backs on God, they do things that result in calamity.

They might call it lobbying, or donations for campaigning. It all has the same result. In but a short while, unless we allow God back in our lives, back in our schools and back in our government, the US will be a used to be. We will join the ranks of third world countries. People will be going south over the Mexican border, not north. No one will want to live in a land that is ruled by the few, the rich, the powerful.

And, invariably, the few, the rich and the powerful will not let go of their hold on this nation.

So. What is your thought? Are you one who bribes? Are you one who accepts the bribes. Or are you one who simply looks away when you see a bribe. Hopefully, you are none of those. Yet, millions of people stood by and watched Biden offer a billion-dollar bribe and still voted for him. Millions stood by and watched what the dems did to our voting system. And still they voted for them.

It looks like they approved of the bribes to me. So don’t be surprised when they count the US as a third world country. Don’t be surprised when money by the wheelbarrow will not buy a loaf of bread.

Don’t be surprised when God turns his back on us as this nation has turned its back on Him.

In the past, the US was an example of a Godly nation. Nowadays. Not so much.

Forest Fires and Point of Fact

In this world where the dems are so busy trying to convince us of climate change, they are simply overlooking one simple fact. Had they removed one out of three trees in those forests, if they left the healthier trees, there would be 1/3 less fuel for the fires, 1/3 less smog and it would be somewhat easier to control the fire. (Incidentally, healthy trees do not burn as readily as as unhealthy trees.)

The truth is that the fire would have not spread as fast making it even easier to control. In the end, perhaps there would have been less than half the damage. I suspect that there would have been only 1/3 the smog.

But then who am I to say anything about the obvious. I mean, there is that climate change thing that must be sold to the public. If we have to burn down half the timber on the continent, so be it. The Greenies just must make their point no matter what the damage.

Grid Lock in Horn Lake, Mississippi

I know. Those of you in NY, NY or LA, CA have little interest in what happens in little ol’ DeSoto County Mississippi, but you ought to.

Let me explain, please. In 1977, when I was discharged from the Marines, Highway 302 (also known as Goodman Road) was a little two-lane road that had more pot holes than any known human could count. When I moved to Desoto County, Southaven wasn’t a city; Olive Branch was a city, but barely.

Highway 302 was 2 lanes all the way from US highway 61 all the way past Olive Branch. Now it is at least 4-laned all the way from US 61 to US 72, about 34 miles. And, by the way, nary a pothole all the way.

Now why should you care, those of you in Southern California? What difference does it make to those of you on Long Island? Of what importance is it to those in the Windy City?

Well, here is the point. I tried to drive across through I-55 interchange today and I encountered gridlock. That’s right. It took me four lights in all to cross the 3 7 lane bridge in little old horn lake. We had gridlock. How can this be? When I first moved to DeSoto County, the Horn Lake population was about 5000. Now, the population is about 27 thousand. (Likely more than that, as it has grown since the census) If things keep going, I’d suspect that the city of Southaven will rival Jackson in a decade or two. If those dems keep messing thing us, up there, maybe sooner.

This is sort of odd if you look at the growth of Mississippi in general, which has been decreasing, at least for the last decade or so. Why is this? Why do we have so many traffic problems in our little towns in northern Mississippi.

Of course, I can only guess. I have no degree in such things. I have no degree at all. Yet, I have noticed a thing or two over the years. The businesses in southern Memphis are closing. They are shutting down. In some cases, they are closing their doors north of the state line and opening up offices and storefronts south of the state line.

Now how can this be? Memphis used to be a really nice place. I know. When I was in the Marines, I was stationed there, twice. I saw it as a really great place to live in 1968. Then, when I went back in 1972, I saw some deterioration. Finally, when I was discharged at Millington in 1977, I could see the beginning of the downfall.

Nowadays, people are leaving the city by the thousands, and not too many people are moving in.

While I am sure, as the scarecrow in The Wizard of OZ, we can point in many directions for the problems the city has. Mostly though, we must point to the leadership of the city. Every time they even hint at making a really dumb decision, the value of my home goes up a percent or two. By the way, it also follows that the value of homes in Memphis decrease. I am sure there are many that would like to move south but they have homes they cannot sell for reasonable prices.

Could it be…? Mind you, I am only asking the question. Could it be that the democrats really don’t know how to run a city? I mean…, in every place throughout the country, when the dems took over, the property values plummeted, and not just a little. May I remind you of Detroit where they are bulldozing homes down. Apparently, they can’t even give them away and leaving them vacant only leads to more problems.

And now, if you look around, we see it is happening with states. I understand it is difficult to find a U-Haul to rent in California or New York. You notice there are counties wanting to detach themselves from Washington and Oregon to attach themselves to Idaho. I wonder why. Do you suppose they are all trying to escape the dems? Do you think maybe they don’t like the idea of living under communist regimes? Do you think maybe they are tired of their tax dollars going to those who are too lazy to work. Mostly, mostly, I suspect they don’t like the way the dems run the schools. They would rather their kids be taught how to read and write instead of pretending to be the gender they aren’t? Do you suppose, maybe they would rather their kids be taught math rather than global weather change. Just maybe it would be better to learn history rather than the lies and the brainwashing.

Look out folks. One day they will come up with a law to keep you from moving from a dem state to a Republican state. I mean, how can they spread their vile lies when the kids keep leaving?

As my aside, safety is certainly a big factor as well. I saw the other day on local news program that Memphis restaurant owners have had just about enough. They want the city to start enforcing the law for the safety of their patrons and employees.

It is why the folks are coming south to eat. It is why the businesses are moving south. Not only is it safer but that’s sort of where the customers are going. They are simply following the crowd.

Meanwhile, the little house of mine has gone from selling at 25,000 to a value of right close to 110,000 in about 40 years. I kind of like those dems…, as long as they stay north of the state line.

Literacy Is Not Optional

A few days ago, I posted my remarks about a report I thought I heard. The report was about the abject failure of the Tennessee school systems to teach reading. When I say school that means teachers.

Since then, unfortunately, it has been proven true.

These teachers have been trained in universities, many with masters degrees. The schools are given massive amounts of monies. They are given all the most modern technological teaching aids.

I have heard the reasons, really excuses for failure. Yet, in tmes past, teachers with no more than 12th grade educations have taught using nothing more than Bibles to teach and far more successfully.

Maybe I’m wrong. Perhaps it isn’t the teachers fault. Maybe the fault lies with the teacher’s teachers. Perhaps, the problem originated in the colleges. Maybe they can’t or don’t want to teach how to teach. It is entirely conceivable that their modern methods are at fault.

Then too, I’d really like to see a breakdown by school, by area, by district and yes by teacher. I don’t think we will ever see that. I suspect many teachers and administrators would be embarrassed, or should be.

I certainly understand that some of the blame lies with the parents. Still, the the teachers of the early 1900s got the job done under much worse conditions, while we were much more an agricultural nation.

More importantly, as the title of this post implies, we are in a different world today. Even the farmers have college degrees. Even they must be able to read and perform basic math. In this modern world, failing to be able to read and write is a recipe for failure.

Finally, it is imperative we keep the drugs out of our schools, out of our communities and out of our country. If we don’t, we will certainly need to shoulder some of the blame.

Color Me Surprised

For some time, I kept hearing about those Tennessee 3rd graders failing to meet third grade reading criteria would not be advanced to 4th grade. I thought little of it, though it did seem reasonable to me. The most important thing a child learn in early school is reading.

No one told me as much but I figured they would be holding back 3 to 5 percent. Then, I heard a news reporter casually say that 40 percent met the qualification.

Please! Please! Someone tell me the report was wrong or that my ears deceived me. If not, It does help me understand why Shelby County parents are trying to sneak their children into Desoto County schools.

Still, it would be far better if they fix their own schools. Somehow, I suspect that will not happen soon. I think they’re too busy teaching about going green or how bad Republicans are.

Neutral Law Enforcement

During my thirties, my job took me to New York, just outside Syracuse. There’s a nice park there where I used to walk. It beat looking at the hotel room walls.

It was the right time of year and the evenings were almost always wonderful. There was a baseball diamond there and, of course, little leaguers playing baseball.

When I stopped and watched the game, they found out I was from Mississippi. They suddenly realized they found the perfect unbiased umpire. They immediately put me to work calling balls and strikes.

Apparently, they were impressed with my fairness, if not my accuracy. They kept calling me back and they never complained, not once. Now that, in itself, is something of which for me to brag.

The point is this, people love an honest neutral arbiter, whether it be an umpire, a judge in a courtroom, a prosecutor or even law enforcement officers. I guess that nowadays it’s too much for we Americans to expect. No more fair umpires in our government. No more fair observations from TV and radio reporters. There are no hopes of getting unbiased reporting from newspapers. Finally, and worst of all, the historians are twisting history. They say things happened I know didn’t happen. At my age, I actually remember stuff firsthand.

It makes me sad. However, I have hope. There is a righteous judge. All accounts will be settled. The most devious government officials will pay. I don’t need to do a thing. God’s judgment is true. God’s judgment is sure. No one will get away with anything. Those who don’t believe it are only deceiving themselves.

What amazes me is some actually think they know and understand it. Yet, definitely, they continue their march. I can’t think of anything more foolish.

Half a Billion Tons

That’s how much silt the great Mississippi River dumps into the Gulf of Mexico each year. I might add there are a few others that are similar. There are some that dump more, many less.

That is a bunch of bunch of dirt displacing millions of tons of ocean water.

Now, let’s see. Do you suppose that would cause the ocean levels to rise.

Simple solution. Dig some of the dirt back out or pump ocean waters into man-made salt lakes and add lake front property. Make channels for shipping. Add beautiful landscaping for big hotels.

Build a bid wide beautiful mote just north of the Mexican border to stop illegal migration. Well, that wouldn’t work well in the mountainous areas. It’s a thougt, anyway. It sure would be nice to cut down ont the drug traffic too.

Joe and His Green Crowd FIGURATIVELY Got Shot Down

First, let me re-emphasize “figuratively.” That does not mean literally. No one shot at them, not even a peashooter. I say that lest someone misconstrue the meaning of my words.

If I heard the report right, a federal judge just OKed Phillips Petroleum’s drilling in Alaska, or at least the preparation for it. Now they can build the road, which will permit them to move their equipment in. Biden fought to stop them. He loves drilling for oil and mining for all sorts of things, as long as it is not within the US. He does not like anything benefiting American industry unless approved by the greenies.

I just love it when Joe and his greenies suffer such setbacks. To be sure, when they have setbacks, the American people benefit. In this case, it just might help hold the price down at the gas pumps. The only people that don’t like that are the greenies, those building wind mills and solar batteries, and those invested in EVs.

AND, by the way, from another but related report. Did you hear? The Saudis decided to decrease oil production. Or was it that they will try to increase prices. Either way, it is same, same.