HYPOCRISY OR BUSINESS AS USUAL?

I’ve been watching the news coverage on Hurricane Sandy and found the comments of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie interesting.  Christie, an outspoken (there’s an understatement) critic of President Obama, was praising Obama and FEMA.  “The federal government’s response has been great. I was on the phone at midnight again last night with the President, personally, he has expedited the designation of New Jersey as a major disaster area,” said Christie.  He added, “The President has been outstanding in this and so have the folks at FEMA. The President has been all over this and he deserves great credit.” Obama, he said, “told me to call him if I needed anything and he absolutely means it, and it’s been very good working with the President and his administration.” 

Christie’s spirit of cooperation reminded me of the politicians who railed against the federal stimulus program, yet didn’t hesitate to ask for stimulus money.  Texas Gov. Rick Perry likes to tell Washington to stop meddling in state affairs and opposed the stimulus program, yet Texas was one state most dependent on stimulus money.  Texas was facing a $6.6 billion shortfall for its 2010-2011 fiscal years and made up the loss with $6.4 billion in stimulus money.  On the same day Perry requested stimulus funds, he set up a “No Government Bailouts” petition.  In Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan called the stimulus package a “wasteful spending spree,”and voted against it.   Later he requested millions of dollars from the program for Wisconsin and $5.4 million in earmarks.

Another question is if Mitt Romney’s comments from the December of 2011 Republican debate come back to haunt him.  Romney appeared to oppose federal funding for disaster relief and when asked about budget problems at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Romney said, “We cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the future for our kids. It is simply immoral, in my view, for us to continue to rack up larger and larger debts and pass them on to our kids, knowing full well that we'll all be dead and gone before it's paid off.”  So, effectively he advocated cutting funds to FEMA, but now he has had a change of mind?

What’s that old saying about “biting the hand that feeds you?”  How is it okay to rail against a federal program, but take advantage of the same?  I suppose you could call it opportunistic.  I prefer hypocrisy.  Just one day more... 

PETTY PET PEEVE

And now, a petty pet peeve...  misuse of fog lights.

Night driving is something I try to avoid, especially since my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be as I’ve gotten older.  Many of the newer vehicles are coming out with integrated fog lights and it is not uncommon to see many drivers with these fog lights turned on, especially on a clear night.  What’s up with that?!  Don’t these people get the concept of “fog” lights?  Some of the fog lights aren’t real bad for oncoming cars, but the larger and halogen ones are way too bright for clear night driving.

Years ago fog lights were an after market add on for cars and trucks were the only ones with fog lights.  Seldom did the trucks have the fog lights turned on, except in the case of fog.  I just don’t get why some drivers turn on their fog lights on a clear night.  After all, it isn’t like they come on automatically.  They have to manually turn them on.  On most cars the fog lights will only work when the headlights are on low beam.   I would guess these drivers would say it gives them added visibility, but what do they think high beams are for?  Don’t they get it that low beams with fog lights are, in many cases, as distracting as high beams?  

On the farm we have a couple of vehicles with integrated fog lights, but have only used them for what they are intended - fog!  So, there you have it.  A petty and probably useless pet peeve.  Now, back to your regularly scheduled program.  Just one day more...

GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL, FACTS AND LEGENDS

On this date in 1881 the gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona territory took place. Well, actually not at the OK Corral.  It took place in a narrow lot and in the street six doors west of the rear entrance to the OK Corral.  Since that time, the legend has surpassed the facts.

Numerous RV bloggers I follow have traveled to Tombstone and toured the town.  Someday we will make it there I’m sure, but until then I am content to read what others say about it.  I’ve enjoyed the story over time and have four books about Wyatt Earp and the Earp brothers.  From that I have come to agree with those who are intrigued by how the approximately 30 second shootout could become such a legend.

The gunfight was fought between Billy Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury, and Marshall Virgil Earp and his brothers Morgan and Wyatt, along with Doc Holliday.  Ike Clanton was also there, but wisely scooted when the shooting started.  The combatants were within several arms length of each other and about 30 shots were fired.  

Naturally, newspapers of the day sensationalized the story and it continued to grow years later.  Wyatt Earp was also known be to a good self promoter and some of the legend stems from his stories.  From the early days of film to now, numerous movies about the gun fight, with varied degrees of reality, have been made.  Most recently “Tombstone” (1993) starring Kurt Russell and “Wyatt Earp” (1994), starring Kevin Costner (and yup, I own both DVD’s).  I feel that Costner’s version was better because it seemed more accurate to the facts and Russell’s version seemed to embellish a bit.  Either one of these far surpasses “My Darling Clementine” (1946), starring Henry Fonda, which bears little resemblance to the truth.  But, Walter Brennen was a hoot in that film version. 

Beyond the legend is the fact that Wyatt Earp was a fairly common man, albeit a bit of a bully, who sometimes was on either side of the law.  To this day, opinions vary on whether the shootout was arrogantly initiated by the Earps or whether the McLaurys and Clantons were troublesome instigators.  One does have to admire the brass of the Earps when one of them (attributed to Morgan) said, "you sons-of-bitches have been looking for a fight, now you can have it!"  But the details don’t matter much anymore, as the town of Tombstone has successfully become a tourist mecca and the legend lives on.  

So, the plan for the weekend includes digging out the Costner and Russell DVD’s and having another look at the gunfight at the OK Corral.  “Throw up your hands, I want your guns!”  What perfect October evening entertainment, here on the farm, with popcorn and beer(s).  Just one day more...

THE THIRD RAIL

The third rail in blogs is politics.  Unless a blog is identified specifically as political, most bloggers know that the quickest way to alienate readers is to post anything political.  But, there are exceptions and this is one of them.  This is less about politics than it is about racism through stupidity. 

A couple of days ago Sarah Palin wrote in a Facebook post, “Obama’s Shuck and Jive Ends With Benghazi Lies.” She also used the term in the text of the post, which concludes, “President Obama’s shuck and jive shtick with these Benghazi lies must end.”

The Urban Dictionary describes the phrase “shuck and jive” as, “originally referred to the intentionally misleading words and actions that African-Americans would employ in order to deceive racist Euro-Americans in power, both during the period of slavery and afterwards. The expression was documented as being in wide usage in the 1920s, but may have originated much earlier.

"Shucking and jiving" was a tactic of both survival and resistance. A slave, for instance, could say eagerly, "Oh, yes, Master," and have no real intention to obey. Or an African-American man could pretend to be working hard at a task he was ordered to do, but might put up this pretense only when under observation.”

Palin’s comments are fuel for the addle minded and base racism.  It matters little to me who the politician is.  This type of comment has no place in political discourse.  Just one day more.

COME ON MR. BANKER, MAKE IT HAPPEN

In a recent article the authors describe a surge in demand for home loans and refinancings and the inability of the major banks to keep up with the demand.  According to the article, “lenders making mortgages say they do not want to hire too many staffers only to lay them off when volume declines.”

The article went on to say, “The dysfunction in the mortgage market, which has yet to fully recover after its battering in the U.S. housing bust and subsequent financial crisis, means most benefits from the Fed's new stimulus plan may be accruing to banks instead of consumers.

Banks still committed to the home loan business are hiring to meet increased demand, but fewer banks are committed to the business after the 2007-2009 mortgage crisis pulverized some of the biggest lenders in the United States and wounded many others.

Capacity constraints work in the banks' favor.  Profit margins for home lending are more than double their usual level, JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon told investors last Friday. The major U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co, Wells Fargo & Co and Citigroup Inc, all said mortgage operations boosted third-quarter profits.  For consumers, capacity constraints among mortgage lenders mean rates are not falling as much as they theoretically could.”  (Banks responding too slowly to mortgage demand.”   Dan Wilchins and Rick Rothhacker, Reuters, October 21, 2012).

Huh??!  Did I understand this correctly?  According to Bloomberg, the six largest banks in the U.S. posted a $63 billion profit in the twelve months ended in June and they are telling us they can’t hire temporary help to keep up with mortgage demand?  I’m no where near an economist, but it sure seems to me that the banks could work through this problem.  Heck, when Kmart sees a surge during the holidays, they hire more seasonal workers.  I realize a home mortgage lender is not considered unskilled labor, but surely these banks could manage. 

Hey, Mr. Banker, here’s a tip:  Accountemps! 

Here is how Accountemps describes their business:  “Accountemps is the world's first and largest specialized temporary staffing company for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals.”  I’m sure Accountemps would love to help with the mortgage bubble.  Of course Mr. Banker, that means you would have to turn loose of some of that $63 billion profit.  But, look at it this way... it’s a tax deductible expense, thereby enhancing your profits.  So, get off your duffs and hire the people you need to move these mortgage applications along.  And guess what, you’ll not only be helping real people, you’ll be helping the economy.  Just one day more...

GEORGE S. McGOVERN

July 19,1922 - October 21, 2012

South Dakota native George McGovern was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1956, 1958 and in 1960.   In 1961, Kennedy appointed McGovern Director of the Food For Peace program and McGovern was greatly affected by his service in this capacity.

In 1962, McGovern ran for the U.S. Senate and won a close race.  He supported the domestic policies of Kennedy and one of his major accomplishment was creation of the Food Stamp program, which was to provide Federal food assistance to impoverished people.  He was also an opponent of the growing American involvement in Vietnam and opposed maintaining a large military.  In 1968, he was reelected to the senate and after Richard Nixon took office, McGovern quickly became a proponent of immediate withdrawal of all military forces form Vietnam. 

In 1972, McGovern launched a campaign for President.  His main platform, aside from withdrawal from Vietnam, was a 37% reduction in defense spending and a guaranteed minimal income for all Americans.  The Nixon campaign portrayed McGovern as a pacifist and socialist who would endanger national security, wreck the economy, and bankrupt the government. In the election, McGovern lost overwhelmingly. 

_________________________________________

I was in college in 1972 and worked with the “Students for McGovern.”  Just as McGovern was inspired by a speech at the 1952 Democratic convention by Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson, causing him to volunteer for the Stevenson campaign, I was inspired by McGovern.  McGovern served in the Air Force during World War II as a bomber pilot, flying 35 missions, yet had a keen sense of war and peace.  He clearly understood that peace should always trump war and expressed that with passion in 1972.  

McGovern was also an advocate for ending world hunger and for peace.  He was a statesman of integrity and patriot ahead of his time.  He was a man of conviction, who saw his share of defeats, but never gave up. Tom Brokaw wrote in 1998 that, "he remains one of the country's most decent and thoughtful public servants." 

McGovern influenced my fundamental beliefs in 1972.  Now, in 2012, I am convinced that his message is just as relevant now as then.  As this country is once again engaged in increasingly unpopular wars and a pending presidential election, it would do us well to consider the legacy of Geroge McGovern.  Just one day more...

AND IT WORKS

After a bit of trepidation, I went about refinishing the clock described in a previous post.  I borrowed a Sessions clock book from a friend and found the model of clock.  This helped in deciding to put the clock back to the original factory finish. 

before

after

marigold - 1925

And the best surprise was that after I put the movement back into the case it worked.  All’s well that ends well.  Hmmmm... any other projects lurking around here on the farm?  Just one day more...

THE BOSS TELLS YOU WHO TO VOTE FOR

Is it okay for a boss to tell employees who to vote for or to tell employees their job is in jeopardy if they don’t vote for a specific candidate?  I think not.

A story has resurfaced from comments made by Mitt Romney this summer.  In June, Romney encouraged business owners to let their employees know which candidate they support and how the election's outcome will affect their business.  Romney said, "I hope you make it very clear to your employees what you believe is in the best interest of your enterprise and therefore their job and their future in the upcoming elections," speaking to the  National Federation of Independent Businesses.   Since then some companies are sending letters telling employees to vote for Mitt Romney.

Arthur Allen, CEO of ASG Software Solutions, made a similar plea in a pro-Romney email.  "If we fail as a nation to make the right choice on November 6th, and we lose our independence as a company, I don’t want to hear any complaints regarding the fallout that will most likely come," Allen wrote.

As reported by CNN, “employees of Koch Industries received a voter information packet this month. Included was a letter from the company's President David Robertson, warning that if there's a second Obama term, "many of our more than 50,000 U.S. employees and contractors may suffer the consequences including higher gasoline prices, runaway inflation and other ills."

Similar e-mails have been distributed at other companies.

The CEO of Westgate Resorts, David Siegel, putting it bluntly: "If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, as our current president plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of this company."

But the e-mails, particularly the one from Westgate, have been criticized.

David Siegel is a billionaire who gained notoriety for building the country's biggest house in Florida - 90,000 square feet. It was the subject of the documentary Queen of Versailles. To say that he'll be forced to lay off employees if he has to pay more in taxes is a hard sell for some.”

Since the “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision the floodgates have been opened on  so-called political speech.  Activities which were illegal - or at least questionable - in the past are now prolific.  

While it may be legal for employers to tell their employees how to vote, or attempt to influence their vote with threats, it seems to me to be clearly improper.  And it is especially improper for a candidate to tell employers to influence their employees vote through innuendo or intimidation.  Just one day more...

YOU JUST COULDN’T LEAVE IT ALONE, COULD YOU! 

You probably remember your mother’s admonition, “you just couldn’t leave it alone, could you.”   And there’s nothing quite like a guy who is retired with time on his hands when it comes to fixing things.

When I took the movement out of the mantle clock to fix the spring, I just couldn’t leave it alone and decided I would take the trim off to wax the clock.  Unfortunately 87 years has taken a toll on the finish of the case.  I’ve spent several hours trying to refurbish the finish with waxes, oils, cleaner and ultra fine steel wool.  No matter what I tried the finish showed little improvement.

As I mentioned in the previous post, these mantle clocks don’t have a high dollar value.  A check of ebay for the same clock shows just how inexpensive these clocks are.  So, the question is if the value of the clock will be diminished by being refinished.

There is a school of thought that says you shouldn’t refinish antiques, but it seems to me that I can’t lower the value any more than what they are bringing on ebay.  So, throwing caution to the wind, I’m going to refinish the case.  After all, there are times when the intrinsic value is worth more than the market value.  Just one day more...

THE FAMILY MANTLE CLOCK NEEDS WORK

The Sessions Clock Co. was founded in 1903 when William E. Sessions and some of his family members took over part of the E. N. Welsh Co. in Forestville, Conn.  Between 1903 and 1933, Sessions produced 52 models of mechanical clocks.

In 1930, the company expanded to produce electric clocks and timers for radios, while continuing to produce traditional brass mechanical movements.  In 1956, Sessions was absorbed by a company interested mainly in their timing devices.  In 1959, William K. Sessions, grandson of William E. Sessions left the Sessions Clock Company and formed the New England Clock Company.  In 1960, one of the Sessions Clock buildings was sold to the Bristol Instrument Gears Company. Kept as the Sessions Company, the new owners ran the operation until 1969 when changes in the market forced the Sessions Company into liquidation. 

I am now the caretaker of our family Sessions mantle clock, which was purchased new by my grandparents.  It still has the original factory label on the bottom which identifies it as the “Marigold” model, manufactured in 1925.  That is the same year my father was born and he said he remembered the clock always being in the home, so we assume his parents purchased the clock sometime near 1925.

I enjoy history and when I became the caretaker of the clock I did research on the Sessions Clock Company.  I was surprised to find out that many of these mantle clocks are still on the market and that they have low values.  Original non-working clocks can be purchased in the $50 range and original working clocks range from $100 on up.  The value is based on how ornate they are and how limited production was, with earlier models fetching the most money.  Between the years of 1930-1953 Sessions Clock Company manufactured over 17 million clocks. Thus, the value on the common styles is minimal today.

Notwithstanding the low value of these clocks, ours has a family history and when it stopped running a couple of days ago I was disappointed.  I really like the soothing sound of the clicking of the pendulum and the hourly gongs.  The first problem I tackled was a spring that was unwound.  It was an easy fix, however there seems to be something wrong with the pendulum.  After tinkering, I determined it exceeded my skills, so it looks like a clock repair shop is the next step.  Years back most jewelry stores on main street did clock repairs, but no longer and hopefully I will find a clock shop in a larger town.  

At some point the cost of repairs on this clock will exceed its market value.  No matter though, since this clock has survived 87 years in our family and deserves another 87 years.  Just one day more...   

¡Adiós Edsel

Sometimes the old adage “survival of the fittest” comes into play here on the farm.  In a earlier post I mentioned Edsel, the guinea.  He was a sole survivor in a succession of guineas and seemed to be doing well.  This week Edsel met his demise.  Not by anticipated natural causes, such as freezing to death up in a tree, but rather from another farm critter, Kevin the cat.

the victim

Edsel had a good life in the past two years and avoided being squished by a car or truck on the road.  He was somewhat cunning in avoiding danger, but still retained the stupidity characteristic of guineas.  He sought out food on the ground, neglecting the grain I put in the coop for him.  Yet, he was too stupid to come in from the rain or snow.

Edsel was also aggressive and seemed to think the farm was his exclusive territory.  Whenever we had kittens, Edsel took pleasure in chasing and harassing them.  The kittens are now at a friend’s farm, enjoying life without Edsel.  But, we still have one cat to keep the mice population in check.  And, he does a good job of that.  Routinely he drags squirrels and rabbits he has stalked and killed into the yard. 

the culprit

Edsel wasn’t afraid of Kevin the cat.  Whenever we gave the cat his daily dose of cat nibbles (when he wasn’t full from squirrels, rabbits or mice) Edsel would chase the cat away from the food.  Kevin is docile, but is still a predator and it appears that he had his fill of Edsel the other night.  He cornered Edsel in the coop and took out his revenge.  Scratch one guinea.

I guess the morale of the story is that you can push a cat around so long until he snaps.  Life and death plays out here on the farm.  Just one day more...

WHICH POLITICAL PARTY DOES THE STOCK MARKET PREFER?

I was reading an article in an investment newsletter which resulted in one of those Hmmmmm... moments.  

The article described the relationship of stock market returns as related to which political party occupied the White House and Congress.  What was striking was that the period of study was from 1940-2008. The data is statistical from J.P. Morgan, so I doubt it could be altered.  

What it showed was that the stock market performed best when a Democrat was in the White House.  The market did equally as well when the Democrats were the majority in the House and Senate with a Republican president.  The only caveat on the best performance (17.2%) was that it was an eight year period in which six years Clinton was president and there was a “tech bubble”.  However, the next two highest percent of performance over the 68 years were when the Democrats were seated in the presidency, senate and house (13.4%) or the senate and house (9.5%).

It sure seems that when the Democrats have some majority control, whether the White House or Congress, the stock market performs better and returns are higher.  I’ll let the ideologues argue the details, but from what I can tell Democrats are not a hindrance to the stock market.  Just one day more...

REHASHING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The U.S. Supreme is once again rehashing affirmative action in school admissions.  It seemed like it was settled in a 2003 case case in which the court upheld the affirmative action admissions policy of the University of Michigan Law School, which ruled that the school had a compelling interest in promoting class diversity.  The decision was that a race-conscious admissions process may favor "underrepresented minority groups," but also took into account many other factors evaluated on an individual basis for every applicant. Grutter v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 306 (2003) 

In the current case, Abigail Fisher, a 22-year-old Texan, claims she was denied admission to the University of Texas - Austin because she was white  (Fisher v. University of Texas).  Proponents of affirmative action in admissions, including many University of Texas students who protested outside the court, argue that if the court reverses current law it will have a chilling effect.  I agree.

If the court does rule that racial preferences, as part of a number of other considerations for admission, are unconstitutional it would reverse many of the affirmative action in schools cases going back to 1950.  The vast majority of higher education groups defend their policies.  In brief after brief submitted to the Supreme Court, organizations representing nearly all facets of higher learning – including public research universities, Ivy League schools, undergraduate and law students, even college basketball coaches – argue that colleges and universities must be allowed to consider race and ethnicity in admissions to achieve the educational benefits of a diverse student body (USA Today).  

The University of Texas argued that race was only one in a number of factors considered for admissions and that because most of the Texas public schools were segregated by race and ethnicity, their admissions policy contributed to diversity on campus.

The fact is that Fisher went on to graduate from Louisiana State University.  In Texas the top 10% of their high school graduating classes are automatically admitted to the state university of their choice.  Fisher’s attorney claimed that she was harmed because she was not able to attend a Texas college.  I wonder if it may be because she didn’t meet any of the other admissions criteria.

Diversity on college and university campuses has proven to be successful and that is in jeopardy.  I have little doubt what the outcome of the case will be.  With a majority of “conservatives” on the court, I expect they will reverse long held law on affirmative action in schools.  I hope I am proven wrong.  Just one day more...

WINTERIZING AND HOW WE ENDED UP WITH TWO RV’S

Here on the farm one of the projects this time of the year is winterizing RV’s and we have two.  About eight years ago we purchased a used 1997 Glendale travel trailer.  Used is an overstatement since it was seldom taken on the road by the previous owners and spent most of its life in storage when the husband died.  The protective plastic was still on the stove and carpet.

Over the past eight years we got plenty of use with trips in Canada and a number of midwest states.  Fast forward to present day and we started to consider retirement plans.  Over the past few years we have looked at many RV’s at numerous dealers and RV shows.  This past spring we took a trip to the NuWa factory in Chaute, Kansas.  Even though my wife won’t retire for a year or two, we decided to purchase a new 2011 Hitchhiker LS.

One of the problems of a fifteen year old travel trailer is that depreciation has taken its toll.  Even though the trailer is still in good condition, the local dealers we checked with essentially told us the trade in value was limited.  Because of that we decided to keep the trailer and park it at the farm as a “guest cabin.”  We have full hookups, so that has turned out to be a good decision. We have inside storage for both RV’s in the winter, so this past week it was time to winterize both and move them inside.  

  

As we make plans for retirement travel I have been reading a number of blogs of those who are already there.  Needless to say, we are looking forward to those travels, especially going south in the winter.  It can't come soon enough.  Just one day more...

THE CORN IS OUT

Here on the farm our four acres are surrounded by a highway out front and farm ground on three sides.  When we bought the place there was an agreement that in order to keep the shelter belt trees we would have to build a fence around the perimeter.  I had done some fencing 40 years ago working part-time while in college, so this seemed doable.  It was more work than I remembered, however the end result was worth it.

One of the benefits of living adjacent to farm ground is being able to enjoy the seasons of farming without being the one doing the farming.  We have a good relationship with the brothers who own the ground around us, which helps.  They plug their electric fencer into our farm outlet and wanted to pay us for the power used, which is negligible, so we told them we didn't need to be paid.  They just completed the corn harvest and it is time for their cows to graze the stalks.  We also enjoy seeing the cows in the fields and consider that to also be a benefit without the work.

The only downside to seeing the cows in the corn stalks is that it is a sign that winter isn't far behind.  As someone who grew up in North Dakota, I can say that I've had my fair share of winter and could do without it.  Or at least less of it.  But, for now we are going to savor the fall weather here on the farm.  Just one day more...

TWO BUILDINGS IN TWO DAYS

Here on the farm we have several older buildings that were here when we bought the property.  In 2011, as part of the federal stimulus program, farmers were allowed a 100% depreciation tax deduction for new buildings with no income limitation.  This created competition among metal building companies and was a good boost to the economy.  That carried over into 2012 and companies were offering discounts for surplus buildings. Since we don’t farm we weren’t allowed the deduction, however we took advantage of the discounts and purchased a couple post-frame buildings.  And, as anyone who who putters in a garage knows, you can never have enough buildings, eh.

Putting up a couple of buildings is nothing special.  What is special is that these two buildings were put up in one day each!  The  six man crew that contracts with the building company to erect the buildings are Mennonites from southeast Nebraska and were amazing to watch.  They don’t drive vehicles, so were shuttled here by a driver.  When they arrived at dawn they hit the ground running.  They obviously had done this for a while and were very systematic.  No wasted steps and totally synchronized.  I asked their permission to take photos and they approved, so long as it was limited to them working and no posing.  

In my younger days I helped a friend shingle our house and it was clear that was not my lot in life.  That roofing job was nothing compared to the work they did.  I sure hope these guys were well compensated for their labor.  I enjoyed watching them work the two days they were here and we are enjoying the fruits of their labor.  Just one day more...

building arrives on truck

framing

synchronized labor

framing nearly complete

metal goes on

finished building one

finished building two

TRULY "ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL"

I only wish I could sleep that good in my own bed.  Just one day more...

Published in the Columbus, NE Telegram.  

COLUMBUS — A 29-year-old man who picked the wrong time and place for a little shuteye in downtown Columbus late last week is now facing serious weapons and drug charges.

Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa set Brandon Frandsen’s bond at 10 percent of $350,000 at a bond review hearing this week in connection with an incident that began when the defendant was found sleeping in his pickup at a downtown stoplight.

Frandsen, who has been scheduled for a felony first hearing Oct. 10 in county court, is suspected of a variety of drug and weapons violations stemming from the 8:15 a.m. Friday incident.

The defendant was arrested and detained Friday on suspicion of drug possession with intent to deliver and other drug possession violations, along with possession of a concealed weapon and possession of a loaded shotgun in his vehicle.

Frandsen remained in the Platte County Detention Facility today.

Court documents depict a downtown incident that began when a man was reported sleeping behind the wheel of a pickup stopped in the northbound lane of traffic at the intersection of 26th Avenue and 13th Street.

“I arrived at the scene and found northbound traffic on 26th Avenue was backed up to 12th Street,’’ Columbus Police Officer Charles Case Jr. said in his statement supporting Frandsen’s arrest.

Case said he pulled next to the driver’s door and saw a white male, later identified as Frandsen, asleep behind the steering wheel.

“I parking in front of Frandsen’s vehicle and walked up to his vehicle. Frandsen’s vehicle was running, in gear-drive, with Frandsen’s right foot down the brake,’’ Case said. The officer reached into the pickup and put the vehicle in park.

Case said he woke Frandsen and instructed him to shut the vehicle off. The officer’s statement said Frandsen, who had slept at a friend’s house after a party on Thursday night, had fallen asleep while waiting for a red light.

The real trouble began when Case asked Frandsen to step out of his pickup.

“As he stepped out of the vehicle,’’ Case said in his arrest affidavit, he noticed a bundle of small plastic bags commonly used by drug dealers and users. The man admitted the bags “probably” contained drugs, the officer said.

Subsequent searches of Frandsen and his vehicle, which involved several officers, revealed suspected methamphetamine, one tablet of Hydrocodone-acetaminophen, marijuana, glass pipe, an electronic scale, a concealed and loaded pump shotgun and more than $1,000 in cash.

Ciboron said Frandsen told police that when he uses drugs, he shares them with his friends. The defendant said his friends in turn, give him money in exchange for his drug sharing, the officer said.

THUJA ARBORVITAE  aka THE STRUGGLE

Thuja Arborvitae, “Green Giant”

In 1967, a single plant reputed to be Thuja (standishii x plicata) was received from D.T. Poulsen, Kvistgaard, Denmark, and planted at the U.S. National Arboretum.  This plant exhibited exceptional landscape quality and propagations were distributed.  

The name Thuja 'GreenGiant' was selected to identify and promote this clone.  'Green Giant' is a vigorously growing, pyramidal evergreen with rich green color that remains outstanding throughout hardiness range. It has no serious pest or disease problems and has been widely grown and tested in commercial nursery production. 

Height and width: To 60 feet tall with a 12–20 foot spread at maturity; 30 feet at 30 years. 

Growth rate: Rapid. 

Habit: Tightly pyramidal to conical evergreen tree; uniform appearance.

Foliage: Dense, rich green, scalelike foliage in flattened sprays borne on horizontal to ascending branches; good winter color except, perhaps, in the southeast.

what they should look like

What a perfect tree for a hedge or windbreak, eh!  Exactly what we thought here on the farm.  So, three years ago, in the spring, we ordered 100 of these trees and they arrived safely in gallon pots.  We strategically planted them as perimeter trees.  The photo in the header of this blog shows one row of the stumpy trees.  The first year we drug a water tank around the 4 acres and watered them almost daily.  Then came the winter.  In the spring about half looked brown and like goners.  I phoned the nursery, which had a “100 percent guarantee.”  When I described the sickly trees to the owner of the nursery he asked me if they were crispy brown and I told him “yes.”  Then he asked me if they disintegrated when squeezed and I told him “bingo!”  His response was, “then they are dead.”    Well... DUH!  He told me to complete the form on his website (which I did) and they would be replaced.  No surprise, they weren’t.

Now we had half of the trees dead, but mixed about in the rows.  The only choice seemed to be to dig up the good ones and replant them in place of the dead ones.  Not an easy task.  The one upside was the the rows we replanted in are located close together so we can water with hoses instead of dragging a water tank around.  And, with the drought this past season that means all summer we watered every 3 days.  Including a number of newly planted river birch, pines and maples, this turns out to be a 3-4 hour job.

Thujas and Maples today

I refuse to let these buggers die.  Last winter was mild and if we have a repeat this winter the survival rate should be good.  Winter isn’t quite here yet on the farm, but I can’t wait for spring.  Just one day more...

VOTER ID PATCHWORK

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson blocked the state’s voter ID law from being implemented in the November election.  Simpson had previously refused to block the law, however the Pennsylvania Supreme Court directed that the law be blocked unless it was clear no voters would be disenfranchised. The law, one of the nation’s strictest, is one of a patchwork of various polling laws being passed in some form or another in various states.  Opponents of such laws have argued that they are intended to dissuade and impede the elderly, low-income, minorities and students from voting.  Some have compared these laws to the poll tax of the Jim Crow era, which imposed voting fees to discourage minorities and the poor from voting.  I agree.

            © Khalil Bendib  creative commons attribution permission

The intent of the Pennsylvania law was made clear by state House Republican Mike Turzai in a speech he gave to the state’s Republican committee when he said the newly passed voter ID law would allow Mitt Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania.  Even more obvious was a statement by State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe in a radio interview when he said the new voter ID law would only disenfranchise the “lazy.”  Metcalfe said, “I don’t believe any legitimate voter that actually wants to exercise that right and takes on the according responsibility that goes with that right to secure their photo ID will be disenfranchised. As Mitt Romney said, 47% of the people that are living off the public dole, living off their neighbors’ hard work, and we have a lot of people out there that are too lazy to get up and get out there and get the ID they need. If individuals are too lazy, the state can’t fix that.”  

According to a study from NYU's Brennan Center, 11 percent of voting-age citizens, or roughly 21 million citizens, lack necessary photo ID. This figure doesn't represent all voters likely to vote, just those eligible to vote.  The analysis also found that those who lack valid photo ID also tended to be young people, Hispanics and the poor.  The study also cites primarily big Republican gains in the 2010 midterms which turned voter ID laws into a "major legislative priority." Aside from Rhode Island, all voter ID legislation has been introduced by Republican-majority legislatures.

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Indiana voter ID law, Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, 553 U.S. 181 (2008).  Likely, this will make the efforts of the opponents of voter ID laws in vain.  And that is sad.  It is sad that instead of making sure everyone who is eligible to vote is encouraged and assisted in voting, partisan roadblocks are placed in their way.  One can only hope that these oppressive voter ID laws will go the way of the discriminatory poll tax laws of the past.  Just one day more... 

TELEPHOTO TEMPEST

After a paparazzi photographer took long distance topless photos of Kate Middleton, which were published in French and Italian tabloids, the monarchy in England went to court to stop further publication of the photos.  The photos of Kate are so grainy and blurred that I think it renders them worthless.  But, the monarchy didn’t seem to think so.  Well, here’s a news flash Kate:  you are now in the public eye and are going to be photographed whenever and wherever.

I have never quite understood the monarchy.  What do these people do all day in those castles?  Wikipedia describes their duties as, “official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational.”  Huh?!  The Brits need a royal family (by birth) living the life of luxury to perform these duties?  And is it really clear what it costs the Brits to support this lifestyle? 

Here on the farm when I’m working outside and have to whiz, instead of trudging back to the house, I find a spot and take care of business.  I doubt anyone is sitting a mile away with a telephoto lens, but if I was one of the royals I would (or should) expect that.  So, when Kate decides to undress in the outdoors, albeit at a private “villa”, she should expect some slug may be sitting a mile away with a telephoto lens clicking away.  

Since there is no way, beyond a shadow of doubt, I will ever be in the same royalty position as Kate, I will continue to relieve myself outside here on the farm.  If someone is sitting a mile away with a telephoto lens, so be it.  Just one day more...

WHAT A DUMB BIRD

Here on the farm we have a guinea.  The formal name for this bird is Guinea Fowl and there are actually breeders associations and clubs dedicated to this breed of bird.  We call our lone guinea “Edsel”, because he has a fixation with the shinny wheels on our Ford farm truck. Maybe he likes his reflection.  But first, a little history on the Guinea Fowl.

Edsel

Guineas are native to Africa and have been domesticated for farms.  They are great watch dogs and chatter whenever anything gets their attention.  They also keep the insect population down and eat deer ticks, wood ticks, grasshoppers, box elder bugs, crickets and other insects.  They kill snakes and have been known to chase rodents.  Guineas are easy to raise and come in various colors.  Baby guineas are called keets and can be raised with chickens.  But, overall it is a dumb bird.

At one point we started out with a batch of 30 keets and they grew to mature birds.

Our Keets

Our wood tick population was definitely down and we sure knew when someone pulled into the yard.  But, this is not a bird to have around if you live near a road as we do.  People around here call guineas “speed bumps”, and our birds sure lived up to that name.  At one point about 20 of the birds decided to wander on the road and were summarily run over by a truck.  For whatever reason they have no concept of a high speed vehicle, but will run away if approached by someone walking towards them.  They also have a herd mentality and will follow the leader to their death.  Guineas also love to roost in trees, even though we have a large coop they can go into.  That winter the remaining 10 birds refused to go in the coop and chose instead to roost in the trees at night.  Along came a winter storm and they froze dead and dropped out of the trees like chunks of ice.  Dumb birds.

The following season we decided to give it another shot at having some guineas on the farm and picked up 10 keets (yup, we learned our lesson and kept the numbers down).  That summer and into the winter these 10 seem to adapt and avoid the road.  We were also able to keep them locked in the coop all winter.  In the spring we even had birds laying eggs and Edsel is a result.  But, the road was too appealing and all but Edsel were wiped out by cars.  Dumb birds.

So, now we have decided to let nature take its course.  We will try to herd Edsel into the coop this winter, but he likely won’t see the wisdom of that move and will resist.  In that case, he will probably roost in the trees and freeze like a bird popsicle.  I guess we will give up on guineas and go back to chickens.  Just one day more...