It has been awhile since I have posted anything. My travel schedule has been crazy and will continue to be that way until almost Christmas.
I am writing this from Jacksonville, Florida, while waiting until time to board my flight west.
It has been a good week working in the Southeast. The people are friendly and the weather was great. Attitudes are good.
Every newspaper that I pick up has gloom-and-doom headlines about the economy and yet as I look around, I don't see it. Business is happening and people are spending money. There is certainly an underlying current of anxiety because people don't know what may really be happening in the economy. That anxiety is fed by the newspaper headlines. Yet, there lifestyles really haven't changed.
In agriculture, things really look pretty good. There is certainly some market turmoil -- but that's the way it always is. The markets go up, the markets go down. You do the best that you can.
The only negative that I've heard is a rumor that one very large outfit that is an industry leader is financed by one of the BIG 5 banks. The word is that their credit line has been squeezed.
So, why is our government bailing the big banks out? I know that it's because it would devastate our economy if they fail because it would create a cascading effect that would start with the big boys and work its way down until everyone was affected.
My thought though, is that they need to seriously consider breaking the big banks up into multiple smaller institutions. Kind of a Ma Bell breakup. Let's spread our risk instead of allowing it to concentrate into a few hands.
What bothers me is that the very banks that the Fed is propping up are the ones buying other financial institutions. If I had a bent toward conspiracy theories, I think we could certainly build a case that this whole financial meltdown smacks of a conspiracy to gain financial control of the world. But, being the rational individual that I am, maybe it's just a function of human stupidity instead.
Maybe I should run for President. Is there anybody out there that would vote for me?
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ten Questions - Answer if you wish....
1. Should CO2, the product of respiration, be considered a "greenhouse" gas? If so, why?
2. If, instead of cattle covering the plains eructing gases, we still had buffalo covering the same area, would the environmentalists be complaining that belching buffalo were causing global warming?
3. If Fred Thompson had not entered the race for the Presidency, would Mike Huckabee have won in South Carolina and thus be in a better position to capture the Republican nomination?
4. Why doesn't the government cut our taxes rather than offering a rebate as a stimulus to the economy?
5. Is cryogenic preservation in anticipation of future resuscitation when medical and scientific advances might extend life provide realistic expectations of at least temporarily overcoming death? Does such a belief preclude belief in a soul -- in life-after-death?
6. Do the Giants have a chance at winning the Super Bowl?
7. Are the current "deep-freeze" weather conditions across the U.S. a result of Global Warming?
8. Will China eventually invade the Middle East in a quest for energy resources?
9. If a Democrat wins the Presidential race, will we move further toward socialized medicine over the coming four years?
10. Do you believe there is intelligent life somewhere in this universe? I'm beginning to doubt its presence here on earth....
2. If, instead of cattle covering the plains eructing gases, we still had buffalo covering the same area, would the environmentalists be complaining that belching buffalo were causing global warming?
3. If Fred Thompson had not entered the race for the Presidency, would Mike Huckabee have won in South Carolina and thus be in a better position to capture the Republican nomination?
4. Why doesn't the government cut our taxes rather than offering a rebate as a stimulus to the economy?
5. Is cryogenic preservation in anticipation of future resuscitation when medical and scientific advances might extend life provide realistic expectations of at least temporarily overcoming death? Does such a belief preclude belief in a soul -- in life-after-death?
6. Do the Giants have a chance at winning the Super Bowl?
7. Are the current "deep-freeze" weather conditions across the U.S. a result of Global Warming?
8. Will China eventually invade the Middle East in a quest for energy resources?
9. If a Democrat wins the Presidential race, will we move further toward socialized medicine over the coming four years?
10. Do you believe there is intelligent life somewhere in this universe? I'm beginning to doubt its presence here on earth....
Monday, January 14, 2008
Random Items
My posts seem to be coming more infrequently than I intended. I must admit that the plan was to slow a little -- to not feel pressured to post something daily -- but taking it to such an extreme was not desired.
It isn't that I am writing less. In fact, I may be writing more. My Ag blog is catching more of my attention. I am writing for the paper on a weekly basis (with a few exceptions), and I am working on Billy -- although not in as disciplined manner as I should. I also have been invited to participate in a collaborative blog that will be rolled out sometime soon. I will say more about that as the plans are firmed. A number of pieces that I wrote as educational material for work are being translated into Spanish for distribution throughout Mexico and South America. In a way, that will make me an Internationally read author! Too bad it doesn't pay any extra. But, I guess as bloggers, most of us are Internationally read authors. I also have been participating (although infrequently) in the American Conservative Forum (I had to have a political outlet!).
The Presidential race has me disgusted. The only candidate that I have any positive feelings toward is Fred Thompson (you can tell from my sidebar). His race seems to be faltering -- probably from a lack of money. I hope that he pulls a surprise showing in South Carolina, but I'm not optimistic. He is the only candidate that seems to consistently represent the values that I believe to be important. What bothers me most is that there isn't really a good choice among the others -- of either party. They each terrify me although not all for the same reasons.
It seems that our President has decided that he wants to add a Middle East Peace Treaty to his legacy. The Middle East has been the focus of his Presidency since 9-11. I suppose it fits. It also fits the Armageddon scenario of the end times. If you look at the world situation closely, there are many things that fit the foreshadowing of Revelation. The environmental issues, earthquakes, famines, volcanoes, unrest, wars, China and India, the European Union, the former Soviet states, the "villainization" of some world political figures, the rise of Islam, and on and on ad nauseum. I'm not convinced that God is ready to "roll up the scroll" and be done with it -- but He could be....
On the other hand, I'm amazed to watch my son as an 11th grader in High School, totally focused on the career that he wishes to pursue in either Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering. He and his team are building a hover craft for their physics project. I was skeptical at first but now I seriously think they have a real chance of getting it off the ground. He also is working on a program with NASA in which he is going through a series of lessons with them through the Internet that if he passes will mean a two-week all-expenses-paid trip to NASA this summer. He is also working with another student on a NASA sponsored scholarship project that includes the design of a future spacecraft. He recently received score reports from both SAT and ACT and did quite well on both -- a near-perfect score on the ACT. He has a very high natural ability in mathematics -- almost intuitive. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up!
So much for random thoughts -- I think I will end.
It isn't that I am writing less. In fact, I may be writing more. My Ag blog is catching more of my attention. I am writing for the paper on a weekly basis (with a few exceptions), and I am working on Billy -- although not in as disciplined manner as I should. I also have been invited to participate in a collaborative blog that will be rolled out sometime soon. I will say more about that as the plans are firmed. A number of pieces that I wrote as educational material for work are being translated into Spanish for distribution throughout Mexico and South America. In a way, that will make me an Internationally read author! Too bad it doesn't pay any extra. But, I guess as bloggers, most of us are Internationally read authors. I also have been participating (although infrequently) in the American Conservative Forum (I had to have a political outlet!).
The Presidential race has me disgusted. The only candidate that I have any positive feelings toward is Fred Thompson (you can tell from my sidebar). His race seems to be faltering -- probably from a lack of money. I hope that he pulls a surprise showing in South Carolina, but I'm not optimistic. He is the only candidate that seems to consistently represent the values that I believe to be important. What bothers me most is that there isn't really a good choice among the others -- of either party. They each terrify me although not all for the same reasons.
It seems that our President has decided that he wants to add a Middle East Peace Treaty to his legacy. The Middle East has been the focus of his Presidency since 9-11. I suppose it fits. It also fits the Armageddon scenario of the end times. If you look at the world situation closely, there are many things that fit the foreshadowing of Revelation. The environmental issues, earthquakes, famines, volcanoes, unrest, wars, China and India, the European Union, the former Soviet states, the "villainization" of some world political figures, the rise of Islam, and on and on ad nauseum. I'm not convinced that God is ready to "roll up the scroll" and be done with it -- but He could be....
On the other hand, I'm amazed to watch my son as an 11th grader in High School, totally focused on the career that he wishes to pursue in either Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering. He and his team are building a hover craft for their physics project. I was skeptical at first but now I seriously think they have a real chance of getting it off the ground. He also is working on a program with NASA in which he is going through a series of lessons with them through the Internet that if he passes will mean a two-week all-expenses-paid trip to NASA this summer. He is also working with another student on a NASA sponsored scholarship project that includes the design of a future spacecraft. He recently received score reports from both SAT and ACT and did quite well on both -- a near-perfect score on the ACT. He has a very high natural ability in mathematics -- almost intuitive. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up!
So much for random thoughts -- I think I will end.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Been Gone But I'm Back
In case some of you wondered why I haven't posted in a few days, it was because we were traveling last week. We went down to the Houston area to see the in-laws. It was cool and rainy the entire time we were there.
On Saturday I gave a presentation in Bastrop for a customer. Then on Sunday we made the long drive back to the Panhandle. Just a note of interest -- from my house to Omaha, Nebraska, a couple of weeks ago was 625 miles. It was 625 miles to my in-laws house near Sealy, Texas (close to Houston). It helps to put into perspective just how big the state is.
The trip back on Sunday was a little rough. We hit snow between Rising Star and Cross Plains. The traffic was heavy and we came upon one major wreck. We finally ran out of the snow around Snyder. It really slowed the travel.
How about those Aggies??! The Big 12 certainly put a kink in all of the polls this week. And then there's Arkansas. I have a hard time rooting for the Razorbacks, but I'm please they beat LSU. I had Missouri picked to beat the Jayhawks. I've felt all along they had the better team.
This week will be busy again. I have a Trade Show in Amarillo starting tomorrow and then will drive to Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday night for the Kansas Livestock Association annual convention. No rest for the weary.
On Saturday I gave a presentation in Bastrop for a customer. Then on Sunday we made the long drive back to the Panhandle. Just a note of interest -- from my house to Omaha, Nebraska, a couple of weeks ago was 625 miles. It was 625 miles to my in-laws house near Sealy, Texas (close to Houston). It helps to put into perspective just how big the state is.
The trip back on Sunday was a little rough. We hit snow between Rising Star and Cross Plains. The traffic was heavy and we came upon one major wreck. We finally ran out of the snow around Snyder. It really slowed the travel.
How about those Aggies??! The Big 12 certainly put a kink in all of the polls this week. And then there's Arkansas. I have a hard time rooting for the Razorbacks, but I'm please they beat LSU. I had Missouri picked to beat the Jayhawks. I've felt all along they had the better team.
This week will be busy again. I have a Trade Show in Amarillo starting tomorrow and then will drive to Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday night for the Kansas Livestock Association annual convention. No rest for the weary.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Random Comments
It has been a few days since I posted. It seems that it has just been one thing on top of another that kept me from it. Probably the biggest issue has been Internet access issues here at home. We had a major lightening storm the other night that must have killed my wireless router. It took a while to narrow the problem to the router because the satellite signal must first go through an IDU. To make the story a little shorter, we're hooked directly to the IDU now which means that until I replace the wireless router, I can't use my laptop at home. So, it's wait in line for computer time. Homework always takes precedence.
We had the grand baby here this weekend. She spent Friday night and all day Saturday with us. It was nice to get to keep her. Her parents needed a break. She does take a lot of time though. It was difficult to get anything done while she was here. I understand why a "break" was in order! Maybe I'm just getting old. That's the advantage of grand kids -- you can send 'em home.
Work was crazy today. We are experiencing our "fall run." Fall is when large numbers of cattle are moving about the country. When they move is when our services are in greatest demand. Today we had one of the highest volume days we've had since our company was formed. That's a good thing, but cuts into blogging time also.
The kitchen remodel is proceeding but experienced a couple of setbacks. Such things are to be expected -- nothing major. We are in a short waiting period though. I hope by the end of the week everything will be done except the things that we will be doing ourselves.
Tomorrow evening the in-laws will be stopping for the night as they travel back home from California. They have been to San Diego for my father-in-law's ship reunion from his Navy days. It's good that they can stop, but the house is in a bit of turmoil with the remodeling going on.
With luck Duke may get his cast off tomorrow. It has only been a couple of weeks, but the Vet said that he seems to be healing very quickly. That is the advantage of young, growing bones. I hope it does come off. He started chewing on it rather badly today. I patched it but it's good that he is scheduled for a checkup tomorrow.
We had the grand baby here this weekend. She spent Friday night and all day Saturday with us. It was nice to get to keep her. Her parents needed a break. She does take a lot of time though. It was difficult to get anything done while she was here. I understand why a "break" was in order! Maybe I'm just getting old. That's the advantage of grand kids -- you can send 'em home.
Work was crazy today. We are experiencing our "fall run." Fall is when large numbers of cattle are moving about the country. When they move is when our services are in greatest demand. Today we had one of the highest volume days we've had since our company was formed. That's a good thing, but cuts into blogging time also.
The kitchen remodel is proceeding but experienced a couple of setbacks. Such things are to be expected -- nothing major. We are in a short waiting period though. I hope by the end of the week everything will be done except the things that we will be doing ourselves.
Tomorrow evening the in-laws will be stopping for the night as they travel back home from California. They have been to San Diego for my father-in-law's ship reunion from his Navy days. It's good that they can stop, but the house is in a bit of turmoil with the remodeling going on.
With luck Duke may get his cast off tomorrow. It has only been a couple of weeks, but the Vet said that he seems to be healing very quickly. That is the advantage of young, growing bones. I hope it does come off. He started chewing on it rather badly today. I patched it but it's good that he is scheduled for a checkup tomorrow.
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