Take Adam Schiff, Please

For months, years even, Schiff claimed he had evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia. He claimed to have videos of Trump performing unmentionable acts with prostitutes. He claimed that Trump lied and misled the people of the US repeatedly. I know. I saw him while he spoke on TV live.

Now, until recently, he is silent. He has shown us no videos. He has shown us no documents. He has no evidence of any witnesses. That tells me he either has no evidence or has told one big lie after the other. Considering it all, I suspect he has not an ounce of evidence, not one single paper, not even one single video. That tells me that he likely sets the congressional record for congressional whoppers.

Then, when he is censured, he reverts back to saying that Trump and republicans lied. Strange. I didn’t hear him say he had any proof.

Don’t think Schiff is going to get away with it. He will either pay for the lies in this life or the next. Better for him if God extracts the punishment while his heart still beats. Paying for it after will likely make him wish he hadn’t made the acquisitions. Forever is a long time to pay for a Whopper lie like his.

Will someone please take this man away. Even the dems should confront his lying. I would think that he is even starting to embarrass the dems. I mean, even they must realize that he has become an anchor weight to even the dems.

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.

It is not Just Trump

Some would have us believe that we need to put former President Trump in prison should he be convicted. I say it has long lasting effects, which we should be extremely careful.

First, the NY, NY trial is in a very democratic area. It amounts to a kangaroo court. It is why they want to try him there. It is why they want to try him in Washington DC. It determines the outcome before the end regardless of the evidence. So much for a trial of our peers.

Secondly, it’s not just Trump on trial but the entire Republican party. If he is convicted and sent to prison, it sends a signal to all republicans. I might explain what the message is but I don’t think it would serve any purpose. We all know what that message would be.

It would turn the US into a one party country and a third world country. No one would dare run against the dems as they would know that there was a good possibility of being tossed into prison. It would spell the end of the Republican party and the republic of the United States.

But, it is so much more than that. Just as friends of Bill managed to avoid prison, friends of Trump would be in fear of going to prison. Already, many of his associates have been convicted, though they did nothing wrong.

It’s time to put a stop to it right now. Indeed, it is time to put the real criminals in prison. You and I know that won’t happen. Even if Trump gets back in office, the crime families have gained too much power.

Now, one thing Trump, or any new republican president should do on day one, is to require the resignation of all top leadership: every person on the top floor of the FBI building, every officer in the military with more than one star, and all appointed positions in the justice department. He also needs to do a good cleaning of all the intelligence agencies, especially the CIA. I’m sure it will leave much of DC without leadership, but that will be far better than what they have now. More important, it will send a signal to all those agencies that no one is unreplaceable. It would also send a signal to the dems that they will have to start all over again in their efforts to take over the world.

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.

Examples

I wish I were a better writer, especially when it comes to what I am writing. Maybe, I will get a little help from the Lord. The problem is that it is such a broad topic, and it is so easy to go chasing rabbits down trails instead of staying on topic. And to be sure, I am one who easily goes chasing rabbits.

I borrow the following partial definition from Miriam Webster of the word example. “1 : one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated a good example 2 : a punishment inflicted on someone.” I literally copied and pasted this into to my post. I hope they won’t mind.

We use the term so regularly that we sometimes overlook the meaning behind the word. Or maybe I should say the thought behind it. After all, words do represent thoughts. May I reword the above?

We point to good or bad examples to tell us what might be good or bad. That is to say, when our parents told us not to play in the street, they just might be able to point out what happen to the boy that was hurt. Sometimes, our parents point out what happened to an older sibling. In some cases, the sibling did something bad and that the example is not to be followed. In some cases, maybe the sibling did something good and went on to achieve wealth and fame. In some cases, it is impossible to live up to the example but at least we should strive to the goal.

We live in a world of examples: NY, NY; LA, CA; Chicago; SF, CA. They are all cities where the crime and murder rate is high. I certainly would not want to walk down the streets of NY, NY alone in the middle of the night. San Francisco is no longer the model city it was in yesteryear. The Windy city has some of the most stringent gun laws in the country and yet, hardly a day goes by where people there are shooting people. Sometimes, a person dies of an errant bullet simply because they happen to be standing where the bullet happens to be going.

I ask the question: Do we really want to follow the example of these cities? Is there a program that they are using, a plan that they are following that should serve as an example for the rest of the nation? I suggest the opposite is true. They have laws, regulations, and programs that should be held up to the world that should not be followed. They are horrid laws, and the cities are being led by incompetent people. They are not spending money in the right places, and they are giving monies to the wrong people. Their governments are corrupt, and they do not make decisions based on the good of the city or its citizens.

Yet, year after year, the same type people are elected to office. One might hang a sign outside their city halls, “Intelligent people need not apply.” Those who are honest have long given up the concept of trying to straiten out the mess the dems have created.

One can set off from afar and ask, “Why do they do that to themselves?” I mean, the people do get to vote in their choice and then they choose as they choose. Why is that? I don’t know. I have tried to figure it out but my feeble mind simply is not up to the task.

We can look at the states as well. We look at Florida, a really pretty good example of how to have a successful state. Then we look at NY and hopefully realize it is an example of how not to run a state. Or, perhaps we can use the state as an example of how to destroy a state. Yet we must assume it is what the people of NY want. It is what they voted into office.

Personally, I don’t understand it. New York used to be the most populus state. Next census, it might be fourth or fifth. CA is pretty much in a nosedive too despite their ideal weather. Is it their purpose to decrease the cost of living so all the elite will be able to get a good deal when they move in?

However…, being a poor example is not new. God had it all planned out. He would build a big powerful nation that would love Him, His law and follow His leadership. The idea was that the rest of the world would look at the Children of Israel and see how God built the nation up because they did as God commanded.

Well, at least in the short term, the plan failed. Don’t get the wrong idea. God knew the plan would fail from the start. Yet He decided to give Israel a chance and a short time later, the world looked on Israel and saw the example God wanted. Kings came from far and wide to see Soloman and the kingdom that God built.

And then it started falling apart. It’s not that I’m smart. A sixth grader can follow the pattern. Israel broke off from Juda and never did really follow the God. God issued warning after warning until he finally sent a king from the north in to take over. Israel became an example of what happens to a nation when they do not follow God.

Juda on the other hand, lasted a little longer. They followed a pattern. First, they would fall into sin and rebellion, and then they would repent, and God built them up again. I don’t remember exactly how many times that happened, but the last time was different. They fell into sin, and regardless of multiple warnings, they refused to repent. God raised up the nation of Babylon and they took over Juda.

Israel, that is to say, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Juda, became an example of what not to do. For seventy years, Israel lived under captivity. Even then, they were never restored to their former glory. They lived under the control of Greece and Rome. The Jews had their kings, but they never were autonomous again. Now, today, when people talk about the Jews, there is no respect. They are disparaged and belittled. They are an example of what happens when people don’t do as God tells them. They had a free choice. God did not force them to follow Him. They made their choice and now we all see the example of what happens when man refuses to follow God.

Now. One day, likely soon. The world will once again see what happens when a nation will not follow God. People will look at the history of our once great nation and point and say, “They were once a great nation. The US was once undefeatable. But then they turned away from God.”

Then we will be the example, and not for good.

I suspect I did not do the subject justice. As I said, I am not that great with words. Yet, there are those who have read this are good word smiths. Feel free to use my words and thoughts to further my feeble efforts.

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.

Sports and Gambling

It is one of many reasons I dislike gambling. It throws a giant shadow wherever it is and wherever it threatens to be. History is full of gamblers affecting the outcome of sports. No sport seems immune. No level seems immune. Certainly, it has made its way into horse racing, boxing, football, basketball and I am sure there are several I have no idea of. They shave points on college games and, for crying out loud, high schools.

It has ruined lives and it has undermined the public trust. Just ask folks if they believe if boxing is legit, rather it is or not. Even if there is a valid problem in a horse race, there will always be those that will be suspicious.

What about the poor horses that are drugged to change the outcome of a race. That makes it inhumane as well as illegal and wrong.

Then too, what about the rooster fights. Okay. I know that it is illegal in the US but people still do it, primarily because of the gambling.  And, by the way, it is still legal in most countries.

Poor Pete Rose will likely never see his name in the Hall of Fame. This is only right. He’s given baseball a big black eye and the bruise will remain long after he is gone. It does bring up the question of who else in the pros has some kind of gambling problems. Just because we know of none, doesn’t mean there are none. Just before Rose was discovered, most thought there was no problem in Baseball.

For years and years, only Vegas permited gambling on sports. Now, almost suddenly, it is encouraged throughout the country. If you want most of the country angry, suggest it be made illegal. In times past, the media,  the reporters discouraged all sorts of gambling. Not any more. They are the head cheerleaders. You just don’t ever see gambling portrayed in a negative light any more. (Wonder if there is any money, bribes changing hands)

The disease has its countless tentacles reaching into every nook and cranny at every level of virtually all governments in the country. I know this because none of them, no not one will consider making gaming illegal. Their tax revenues are too great. They know if they do, there will have visits from a number of people who don’t want the gaming removed. No doubt, there will be threats.

The farmer produces food. The manufacturer produces things we need and use. Just what is it that gaming provides for us? Can we eat it? Does it provide shelter, comfort or transportation?  Does it provide entertainment? Some will say yes to that. I find that odd. I would feel better after giving my money away. The world would be better and I’d feel better.

Of course, what do I know? Maybe you’d rather your “spare” change end up in the hands of folks who feel no guilt making their fortunes off the misfortune of others. As for me, I’d rather give the money to folks who have had misfortune.

Even more, let’s keep them and their kind out of sports, especially colleges and high schools. It’s certainly one place we don’t need them and their lucre

If nothing else, let’s keep them out of our school sports. I have given up all hope of keeping the poor horses out of their grip. I can’t stop people going into casinos and, in minutes, maybe seconds, lose a whole week’s wages.

Then of course, the casino management waves goodbye and says, “Thank you very much. Wasn’t that fun? We’ll see you next Friday.” No way am I, or any of us going to do something about that.

We do have one consultation. The guy that lost that paycheck, the guy whose wife just might divorce him… that fellow sure was entertained, and wow did he have fun, but not so long.

Inflation : Bad for Folks; Good for US Government

I’m not writing anything new. Most everyone knows it. I’m just, so to speak, putting it in one box. How-some-ever, I am sure I will leave at least 1 thing out, maybe 2.

First bad for folks:

  1. Increase in cost of living, for example, fuel, food, utilities and autos. I am sure you can add a few.
  2. Increased interst rates. This adds to the cost of just almost everything.
  3. Loss of value of savings. If you have a 1000 dollar savings account, it gains value by the bank interest while losing value by the rate of inflation. Bank int=3%. Inflation rate=6%. Annual Loss in value 3%. On the other hand, if you just hide the money in your mattress, the value will decrease at 6%. If you stuffed 1000 in that mattress, you’ll have to stuff an additional $60 a year into that mattress just to maintain the value.
  4. It eats into earnings. Assuming a 6% inflation, you will need greater than a 6% increase in earnings to maintain value of earnings. Bear in mind, with greater income, your income tax will also increase. Hope the company you work for provides healthy raises.
  5. Finally, saddest of all. Those who have set retirement payments will have the buying power of those payments dwindle. In just a short time, he or she will have to struggle just to pay the landlord. Indeed, some older folks have gotten the boot, primarily because of inflation. Moreover, don’t get the idea that Social Security COLA increases keep up with true inflation. COLAs don’t take many things into consideration. I virtually live off Social Security. I know.

Secondly, consider the benefits to government

  1. Increase in revenues due to greater incomes and number of people in higher brackets.
  2. Debts incurred by the government are repaid by lower value dollar values. Considering $1000 of 10 year bonds will be repayed with, per se, $800 dollars value. Generally speaking the interest on federal bonds is far less than the inflation rates. Hence, buying federal bonds might be more secure than that mattress, but it’s not much better on the return, either.
  3. Ironically, it “increases” the value of the gold reserves. However, this is really an error in perception. The value of the gold remains relatively constant. The paper, on the other hand, is worth less.

Possible Solution for Robocalls or Telemarketers

  1. Check caller ID. If not recognized, don’t answer.
  2. When phone stops ringing, call back. If busy, it is likely robocaller or telemarketer attempting there next call. If they answer, if it is a business they will likely answer with 1. A recording 2. A business reply identifying their business 3. Some poor college kid might reply with no idea what to do. They generally are not trained to receive calls. Your choice as to what to do, most probably tell them to stop calling. Alternatively, you can simply hang up.
  3. Of course it could be Mom on a borrowed phone wanting some help. Apologize and tell her you’re on the way.
  4. If it is a telemarketer, refuse to do any business with them. It is the ultimate solution. If telemarketing doesn’t work, they will stop doing it. My guess is the phone companies will be the losers. They know when these guys set these things up & they know they are going to make a bundle on it. As. Long as the phone companies permit it, it will not stop, especially from foreign shores.