Wind Power

When the enviro-freaks are through telling us how good the wind power is, it may be important to remember that the total amount of energy that it puts into the grid world wide is slightly less than 2%. That would compare to nuclear power 20%, coal 45%, hydro-electric 7%, natural gas 24%. I couldn't find the percentage for solar power, but I figure it is still hovering around .006%. In other words, insignificant on a global scale.




Some things that I never see on the news or even hear being reported in the news are the mounting failures of these gigantic fans or the mounds of dead birds at the base of them. I'm guessing that doesn't fit with the present administrations "green" agenda, or something.

When algore began his con he was snickered at behind his back and just kinda patronized by the then main stream media, this being a spinoff of the global warming con. People and compamies have jumped on the bandwagon that is "wind energy" because of the extra ordinary government money that comes with it. There is not one voice in the media that thinks that the failures are a newsworthy item.



There are some watchdog groups that are documenting failures of the braking systems, improper installs, lightning strikes, seal failures, you name it it is happening. Worldwide the failures are astounding. One such group, The Industrial Wind Action Group has hundreds of such failures documented. This will never be a reliable source of electicity. I have no doubt that if a man put one on his land and did the upkeep himself and didn't just leave it and hope it worked it would supply his home with enough electricity....when the wind blows.



If we are going to cultivate a renewable source of energy, it will not be wind turbines. It may be fusion, fission, nuclear, maybe a combination of all, or even an as yet unnamed source by the "Bill Gates" of energy. Right now the only thing we have going for us is the nuclear plants and the freaks are going to protest them whenever they start to build. Heck, they'll be protesting when they plan to build. Until that ends we will be doing what we do, until the coal runs out.

I Miss Her

On June 26 of this year a very good friend of many years passed away. Maybe "putting pen to paper" will help to ease the incredible pain I feel. I have not kept in touch like I wish now that I had. I can give many reasons why but I guess what it comes down to is that she had her family and career and I had my family and career. She was an award winning writer, an artist, a sportswoman, and a champion fisherman.



I met and worked with Karen in '74 or maybe ’75. After 35years, parts of my memories aren’t quite so vivid. I do remember that we were a great team back then. We went to Oklahoma City to a CB jamboree to meet some of my friends from around the country. That is where I gave her the handle “Somethin' Special”, and she was…always will be for me. We drove through a snow storm to Colorado Springs just to watch a hockey game because she knew that I liked the game and my team was playing.




I was driving a truck cross-country at the time and really wasn’t looking for a relationship, long term or otherwise. We were just friends. If we had stayed together and in touch who knew what would happen, as it was I was just happy that there was someone to make a phone call to, to laugh with, to talk to when I was lonely. I suppose that I should say that she was married at the time. Separated, but married, a fella named Dan Dotts. I never met him. I was just astounded that anyone could be married to Karen and either cause or want to be separated.

Back then I was hauling swinging beef out of Pampa, Texas to Green Bay, Wisconsin from and to a place called Packerland(imagine that) Packing. I would get to see her every week for a few hours or maybe we would just take a road trip and find a likely café and have dinner. Most times it was good, but others either she, or I would be in a funk and it would be a not so good day.



I bought my own truck and went outlaw, or gypo, whatever you want to call it. The hauls were longer and I didn’t get back to Amarillo very often. One day I loaded a load of gift fruit in Mission Texas for Fairbanks Alaska. I had only run the AlCan once before and didn’t look forward to it but it paid so damm good I couldn’t turn it down. I called Karen from San Antonio and asked her if she wanted to go and she said no. A kinda joke between us, she never did go with me on the truck, she was too responsible for that. I suppose this little story is a long way around saying that I didn’t see Karen again for a long time after that. I called her from Delta Junction on the way back, I’ll remember it forever. She told me that she and Dotts had gotten back together. I knew then that our day was done. I thought it was okay to see her when she was alone but I would never think to intrude on her after she went back to him. She really brought out the best in me. I picked up a load of apples in Kelowna BC going to Boston Mass and pretty much stayed on the northern routes of the US and Canada. I called one more time and Dotts answered the phone, so I quietly hung up and didn't call again.




In 1981 I met and married Kelley Jo and went to work in the oilfields in the derricks until the bottom fell out, I went back to driving truck until Justin was born, went to work in the shop, never driving trucks again. In 2000 I suffered a severe head trauma playing ice hockey with the senior leagues downtown and spent a month in the neuro-unit at BSA surprising everyone with my recovery.

Just after being released to go back to work I walked into the Civic Center, a job fair was going on. Karen was at the Pantex booth and she recognized me. I have no idea how and the fact that she recognized me and I did not recognize her will haunt me. Of course when she told me who she was I immediately remembered everything. We talked for a few minutes and said our goodbyes….again.
There are so may things that I think of now that I would have liked to ask her. Just thinking about it, I could have talked for hours. I kinda blame my injury for not asking the things that I would now like to know. She was married with kids, I had been married to Kelley and had Justin to raise. I sent her a couple of emails and we stayed in touch that way for a while, but that was the last time I saw her.


I want to make it plain to all readers that we were friends. We were never romantically involved, sure we kissed and joked and had fun but that was it. I would especially make that point to Kelley or Sam or any who read this. I loved Karen and I am still in love with her memory. I won’t get into the woulda, shoulda, coulda part. The times we had were very precious to me, but they don’t compare to the times I had with Kelley. I do, however, regret not calling her at least once or twice a year just to say hi, how are ya? I wasn’t sure how welcome that would be but I could have tried…. We were too close and I will never forgive myself.


The photos are from her outdoors articles from the Amarillo Globe news, except the one of she and I together. That one was taken in Oklahoma City. We were on our way to a steakhouse called Sleepy Hollow Supper Club, an out of the way place I discovered in the late 60s when I was transporting race horses. Funny the small things a man can remember and the large things he can't. The picture was taken by Sonny Blevins, my best friend in the world. I don’t have far to visit either of them, they now reside in the same cemetery.

I suppose some will say this is the ramblings of a bitter old man feeling sorry for himself. I suppose that’s true to an extent. The world is a poorer place without her in it and I believe that I am a better, not bitter, man for having known her.

I began this by saying I thought that writing it down would help…. It doesn’t.

I miss her.

US Government v. States?

There are many arguments against the government forcing the states and the people to use a particular health care proposal. One that is now just gaining traction is the constitutionality of the government forcing people to accept health care. There are many out there that are making compelling arguments that this administration or any administration is able to force this bill on the people.

I feel the argument the government will use is the commerce clause of the Constitution where the government is allowed to control virtually everything that travels between the states. That means if the medicines, medical utensils, even I suppose ideas come from another state the Feds can control it.

Now, I havebeen studying antitrust laws at work and I believe that these people who are opposing this plan have a point. Under the Sherman and Clayton Acts of the United States code Title 15 nobody is allowed to monopolize or conspire to monopolize any form of industry or trade.


"Section 1. Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal. Every person who shall make any contract or engage in any combination or conspiracy hereby declared to be illegal shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine....

Section 2. Every person who shall monopolize, or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person or persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine...."

I believe that under these points laws have already been broken. I'm sure that this will be challenged in the courts, the federal courts and the SCOTUS will have to make the final decision. We will then find out how "stacking the courts" has worked for this government. It is pretty black & white in both cases, If they find a way to color it grey we will know that the people have lost.

14, May 2009

Alex Rossi, Europe correspondent

Lorry drivers on European roads face the same dangers of hijack as ships off the coast of Somalia, a new report by the EU's police agency suggests.

Facing a similar threat: lorry drivers in Europe and ships off Somalia Organized crime groups see truckers as "easy pickings", said Europol. The cargoes being driven across the continent are often valuable, easy to sell on and not protected. Attacks against haulage firms in the EU are now costing the industry billions of pounds every year. Truckers are said to be most at risk in eastern European destinations like Romania, Hungary and Poland. A recent survey by the International Road Transport Union shows one in six truck drivers has been attacked in the past five years - and one in five of them has been targeted more than once. Road-related cargo crime threatens the principle of free movement of goods across Europe.

Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol

Almost half of the attacks took place in truck parking areas, with the motive in most being to steal the vehicle and its goods. Europol is now warning drivers across the EU to be more vigilant, saying the criminal gangs - known by truckers as "land pirates" - are well organized. The crews often gather intelligence to track the most profitable cargoes - sometimes trailing a truck for up to 200 miles. Often they will mark the vehicle or break a small hole in a rear light, making them easier to shadow.

"Road-related cargo crime threatens the principle of free movement of goods across Europe," said Europol director Rob Wainwright. He also warned national police forces: "Close co-operation and joint efforts are necessary, otherwise we will not be able to match criminals who are both innovative and cruel in their actions and behaviour." Europol says certain cargoes are more at risk than others. There is a rise, for instance, in thieves targeting lorries carrying nickel and copper. Items like alcohol, cigarettes, computers, brand clothing and prescription drugs are also high on the criminals' list.



Like I say, Labour don’t protect us. We should kick out illegal immigrants and move away from the EU. Do you know that over 75% of our laws are from the EU!!! We must act now and never vote Labour or Liberal! EVER!

David

I get a lot of info from my trade magazines. This story was borrowed from Fleet Owner, a magazine that I thoroughly enjoy. I included a comment (one of many) that shows the mindset of the lorrie drivers of Europe and also in South Africa. I would think it is the thinking of the remaining conservatives in those countries. Those that actually work for a living.

Let me say that I don't think the lorrie drivers are allowed to arm themselves in defense.

Is this a harbinger of things to come? I remember back in the late 70s, during the Carter debacle there were a lot of truck hijackings. In this new "Carter-like" administration will there be a repeat?

Another Tax

While perusing one of the many trade magazines of the industry, I ran across this little jewel. Normally the Waste & Recycling News is pretty one-way on the side of the enviros. I applaud their fairness in printing anothers opinion.



Report: Cap-and-trade legislation could result in job loss

April 29 -- Greenhouse gas cap-and-trade legislation such as that proposed by the Obama administration and under discussion in the House could result in the loss of more than 3 million jobs by 2030, according to a recently released report.
In addition, the legislation could cost the average household $2,100 annually, according to the report compiled on behalf of the Coalition for Affordable American Energy, which receives funding from more than 180 business groups.

The findings are in contrast to a recent EPA estimate that climate legislation could cost each household between $98 and $140 per year.


We have seen the jobs run away from the Obama administration. I'm sure that he thinks that the greenie jobs he intends on creating will eventually make up for the losses. I'm afraid he's mistaken. Whatever jobs he creates in the government sector will have to be paid by the folks in the private sector. The green jobs that are created depend on the ability of the folks to participate in the green fraud.

I say again that while I do support recycling, voluntary waste stream control, and laws and controls against anybody intentionally harming the environment. When the whackos start saying that cows farting and fat people being another cause of global warming they just make udder idiots of themselves. When their outspoken God, Prince algore lives in a mansion that will house twenty families and uses enough energy for that twenty families per year! That proves to me that he doesn't even believe it himself. When the great Messiah Obama jets around like a high school kid joyriding 'cept his joyriding costs about $100k per hour and spews tonnes of the carbon the enviro-freaks hate.

I think I'll never really take global warming seriously. That, of course is the mantra of the lefty.

Illegal Aliens

Speaker of the Democrats Nancy Pelosi, the Frisco Ho, has decided to lay some love on the illegals from other countries. Now I'm guessing that means the Al Queda, Hamas, Hezbollah, MS 13 as well as the illegals from Mexico. It is impossible to separate one from the other. That is why we have immigration laws. SanFran Nan has mental defects that prevent her from understanding this. If the voters in the north of Soviet California would realize this maybe they would again be part of the United States. Fat chance, eh?

I hear that president Obama says he is going to get tougher on border enforcement. Of course he has instructed his Homeland Security Chief to stop enforcing many of the laws that make our country more secure so that is just another of his not meaning what he says for public consumption. Privately he can say, let 'em come on in, before the next vote we'll pass an amnesty bill and I'll get re-elected no matter what." That tells me that he is supporting the drug running and killing by illegals as well.




While we are on that subject. If Obama would really like to control the drugs coming into the United States it would be a not so simple, but doable proposition. All that has to be done is:

1. If you get a check from the government, city, state, or federal you take a pee test and are subject to randoms if the computer chooses your name.

2. If you get a check from a movie studio, recording studio, anyone in the entertainment industry you take a pee test and are subject to randoms if the computer chooses your name.

3. If you get a check from the Media...big one here, you take a pee test and are subject to randoms if the computer chooses your name.

4. And the most critical. If you are a teacher in the public school system you take a pee test and are subject to a random if the computer chooses you.

I'm guessing that the idea is getting across that if you receive compensation in the USA for anything you are subject to drug testing. I don't see this as a further invasion of rights, they've already destroyed that by invading the transportation industry. The ones who say "I don't care, I'm smokin' weed & doin' snort" are just homeless losers. The Salvation Army has a position for them. Where there is no market for drugs there will be no drugs.

Letter

This was printed in Waste and Recycling News 2-20-2009 in response to the question....How well do you think the economic stimulus package will work?

When Pres Obama was still Candidate Obama one of the things he ran on was not having the "same failed policies of the last eight years". Now I see that he is putting forth the same "failed policies". If this bill had only work related programs that would have immediate impact, it may be a worthy risk. There is so much social engineering and flatout giveaways to special interests in this that it is very questionable whether it will work. I have my doubts.

I again ask the question. Did no one listen to the man when he was running for president?