Goofy Gretchen

It's no surprise that Faux News would support the revision of the U.S. History text books I mentioned in yesterday's blog, however their resident looney has called the student protesters "punks."

She later tells anyone who doesn't support the right wing ideology to "get out."

No one has used that misguided "love it or leave it" thinking since the Viet Nam era. However Goofy Gretchen is telling student protesters to conform or get out of the country.

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Only A Matter Of Time

This week hundreds of high school students in Jefferson County, Colorado walked out of classes this week to protest conservative censorship of the national Advanced Placement U.S. history class curriculum.  

According to the Denver Post, students and teachers are protesting the removal of all mentions of civil disobedience from texts and classroom materials intended for the teaching of Advanced Placement U.S. history.

Tensions in Colorado's second-largest school district have been high since the November 2013 election of a conservative slate of three school board candidates who became the majority. These new board members have suggested an extensive rewrite of the way history is taught to the area’s students to a model they believe is more patriotic.

The proposed criteria call for teaching materials promoting patriotism, respect for authority and the free-market system while avoiding material that would encourage or condone "civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law."

"It's chilling," said school board member Lesley Dahlkemper, who typically clashes with the conservative majority. "Does it mean Jeffco will no longer study the civil rights movement, the Boston Tea Party or women's suffrage?"

The right-leaning board-members said they believe history teachers should teach nationalism, respect for authority and reverence for free markets. They should avoid teaching any historical events or acts that promote “civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law.”

This effort to censor history began with former New Jersey history teacher Larry Krieger.  Krieger’s notion of U.S. History was one of “American exceptionalism and the ideals of this country,” as he explained last week.

For months Krieger has been raising awareness about the new curriculum. He has conservative activists on his side and just last week won the official support of the Republican Party.  

Last Friday the Republican National Committee (RNC) adopted a resolution calling the new framework “a radically revisionist view of American history.” The resolution urged the College Board to delay implementation until a new framework could be drawn up and called on Congress to investigate the framework and withhold federal funding from the College Board until the framework was changed. It was approved unanimously.

(Sources:  Denver Post, Newsweek)

In a move to censor the teaching of  U.S. history, conservative extremists would stifle mention of events they consider un-American, including civil disobedience, internment of Japanese, civil rights, Manifest Destiny, genocide of the American Indian, etc. and instead replace with them with themes of “patriotism, respect for authority and the free-market system.”  

It is only a matter of time before they portray independent thinking as un-American.

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KIVA

I posted information about KIVA in the past and it is worth repeating.

KIVA is a non-profit organization that facilitates loans around the globe to individuals who need a helping hand.  For as little as $25 you can make loans which are returned to your account when repaid.  The money can be loaned out again.

It is amazingly simple and rewarding.  Give it a try.

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Somebody's Gotta Do It

The do-nothing Congress is at it again.  Although the working Congress (now there’s an oxymoron if there ever was one) was suppose remain in Washington through the first week of October, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy has sent them home until after the November elections.  This means that for the fall session Congress will have been on the job for only eight days from the end of July to the middle of November.

This 113th Congress is the most unproductive Congress in history and one of the most unpopular.  In recent Gallup poll the popularity rating of Congress sits at a meager 14%, one of the lowest in 40 years.

In fact, another Gallup poll shows that Congress is considered by Americans as the institution having the lowest confidence rating in the country.

The 2014 calendar for the House, released in October by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), showed members would work only 113 days. Congress is on course to beating its record of vacation days in 2013, which was 239 days they were considered to not be in session, all the while the average American worker is not guaranteed any vacation days.  In comparison, all European Union nations guarantee workers at least 20 paid days of vacation a year. Thirteen EU countries also mandate paid holidays off.

According to yet another Gallup poll, Congress has the lowest honesty and ethical standards, just barely beating out lobbyists and below even used car salesmen.  The only thing lower would be a snake in the grass.

Congress would have you think it is hard work doing the country’s business, taking time away from their own enterprises.  But, before you feel too sorry for them remember that this Congress has more millionaires than any previous Congress.  In January, it was reported that at least 268 of the 534 members of the 113th Congress had an average net worth of $1 million or more.

It’s hard work, but somebody’s gotta do it.

(Footnote:  Special thanks to Jessica at Gallup for keeping us informed)

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Special Place In Hell

This past winter we stayed in Roswell, so this article caught my attention.  Who would have thought such atrocities were occurring at the same time we were touring the area.  The news story and video says it all.

Undercover video shot by an animal activist group has prompted an investigation into a New Mexico dairy.

The group "Mercy for Animals" alleged animal cruelty occurred at Winchester Dairy, just south of Roswell.

An undercover investigator claims to have filmed secret video of workers punching cows, kicking them and whipping them with chains.

                                                

"Sadly, what you have just seen is merely a glimpse of the ongoing cruelty and violence documented at this dairy factory farm," said Vandhana Bala, with Mercy for Animals.

The New Mexico Livestock Board is now investigating, but the group wants dairy corporations to get involved too.

"No socially-responsible corporation should support dairy operations that beat, kick, shock and drag animals," said Bala.

Winchester Dairy produces milk for Leprino Foods, the world's largest producer of mozzarella cheese.

Wednesday, the Denver Post reported Leprino Foods ended its contract with Winchester.

Winchester Dairy declined an on-camera interview, but did send KOB a statement through its Chicago-based public relations firm saying they've shut down and fired all employees.

The district attorney's office says they're waiting on findings by the Livestock Board before they consider criminal charges. (KOB news)

We currently don't have livestock on the farm, however in years past we have had different livestock. Granted, it wasn't anything near the size of this operation, however we had the same responsibility for the humane treatment of the animals.  

There has to be a special place in hell for the managers and employees of this dairy.  Firing them is not sufficient enough and the district attorney needs to act quickly before they scatter across the country.  They all should do time in jail and count their blessings no one shocks them with electric prods and beats them.

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Measly Bushing

After half of the day removing parts I finally got to the steering problem on the Cub Cadet.

What looks like a simple machine is actually a conglomeration of parts where the one you are after requires removing other parts.  As it turns out it was a worn steering bushing.

 

The pinion gear was showing some wear also. Here is what it looks like after being removed and what a new one looks like:

   

None of the area parts shops had the replacement gear and bushing in stock and a quick search on ebay turned up a business in Kansas that had the parts.  So, for the sum of $12. with free shipping I ordered the parts.  Area businesses said it would take the middle of next week to get the parts and the ebay vendor shipped within an hour.  They should arrive tomorrow. 

It will probably take the better part of a morning installing the new parts getting through the conglomeration of other parts and getting the deck back on.  All that work for a measly bushing.  But, my wife says since I'm retired I don't have anything else to do, so quit complaining.  Can you believe it?

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Just As It Should Be

The frenzy over ISIS is reaching a fever pitch and the war hawks are anxious to get the U.S. into another ground war.  Never mind the fact the the Middle East countries, the wealthiest on the face of the planet, are doing little or nothing to fight their own battles.

Yesterday Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that while he was confident that an American-led coalition would defeat the Islamic State, he would not foreclose the possibility of asking President Obama to send American troops to fight the militants on the ground — something President Obama has ruled out.

Pres. Obama has repeatedly gone on the record in recent weeks to state that there will be “no boots on the ground” in Iraq and Syria where the Islamic State continue to wage an escalating campaign of violence, and that US troops will not engage in combat missions, instead relying on airstrikes and providing other assistance to anti-ISIL fighters.

“My view at this point is that this coalition is the appropriate way forward. I believe that will prove true,” General Dempsey said. “But if it fails to be true, and if there are threats to the United States, then I, of course, would go back to the president and make a recommendation that may include the use of U.S. military ground forces.”

General Dempsey acknowledged that this would run counter to the president’s policy, but he said, “He has told me as well to come back to him on a case-by-case basis.”

And, John McCain continues to beat the drum for another Middle East war.  Among the lawmakers who seemed weary of this plan during Tuesday’s meeting was Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), who said that training only 5,000 troops — and at roughly $100,000 each — would do little to tackle an army of Islamic State militants believed to exceed 31,000 soldiers. Additionally, McCain said supplying such amateur fighters with weapon power will surely not just provide ammunition to be used against ISIL, but embattled Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad.

“You don’t think that the Free Syrian Army is going to fight against Bashar Assad, who has been decimating them? You think that these people your training will only go fight against ISIL?” McCain asked.

Not to be outdone by war hawk McCain, Ted Cruz asked Gen. Dempsey if it was possible to destroy ISIS within 90 days.  Gen. Dempsey then gave the only realistic response of the day.  Gen. Dempsey responded bluntly: “It’s not possible, senator.”

“Militarily we could confront them, we could destroy a lot of equipment, we could drive them underground, if you will. But as I said, they will only be defeated or destroyed once they are rejected by the population in which they hide,” Dempsey said.

“Truly there is no military solution to ISIL,” the general added. “It may be a tough pill to swallow, but there is no military solution.”  (sources:  NY Times, RT news)

While Gen. Dempsey was exactly correct in saying there is no military solution to ISIL, he did leave the door open to a ground war, saying he may ask for ground troops at some point.  All that did was feed the warmongers, like McCain.  I'm getting sick and tired of McCain wanting to always send the military all over the world.  

No good can come from sending ground troops back into Iraq and into Syria.  Gen. Dempsey should not have even commented on that option.  Rather, he should have told McCain he will do whatever he is told to do by the President.  Just as it should be.

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Another Week

There isn't much going on here on the farm.  The weather is cooling and the grass keeps growing. The nice farmers cows are taking advantage of the grass and the calves are growing.

We did take a short trip this past weekend to attend a play at a community theatre about 80 miles away.  Community theatre is always enjoyable, even with the quirks of the local talent.  The play we saw was the Mel Brooks production "Young Frankenstein."  

It is a musical comedy and made for a nice weekend.  When we got home yesterday we decided to mow and the Cub Cadet was having problems.  

The steering was catching and upon inspection it looks like the ratchet gears under the deck may be slipping, which means the deck will have to be removed to make the repairs. We've gotten a lot of hours out of the mower and hopefully the repairs won't be a problem.

And so it goes... just another week in the life of retirement here on the farm.

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Every Vagabond Needs A Respite

Everything here on the farm is what my dad used to call "copacetic."  Nothing much to report, except an interesting vagabond.

A couple of weeks ago this pigeon showed up and took up residence in our chicken coop. Upon closer inspection it appears to be a homing pigeon (aka carrier pigeon) because it has a tag on one leg.

The pigeon goes in and out of the coop during the day, but stays in at night.

It never leaves the farm and is content to share food and water with the one chicken we have leftover from the chickens we raised this spring.  The chicken broke one leg as a chick, so we decided to keep it around until it healed.  We call her Gimpy.

I would guess the homing pigeon was sent out on a flight with other pigeons and decided the farm looked like a nice stopover.  It must think it is good enough to stay a while.  Every vagabond needs a respite once in a while.

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Revolving Door

After losing the GOP primary race in Virginia, former House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor is living proof of the Washington revolving door.  Cantor was often criticized for not spending any time in his home district and obviously he was too busy sucking up to the business special interests.

It was recently announced that Cantor, who resigned from Congress in August, will be taking a new job at investment bank Moelis.  Cantor will earn $3.4 million in the new position (as who knows what) that was created for him.

Some, including former corporate lawyer Dennis Kelleher, criticized the hire as notable because of Cantor's lack of relevant investment experience.

"Let’s look at Cantor’s résumé," Kelleher told New York magazine. "Let’s look at all his investment-banking experience. Let’s look at his capital-markets experience. He has none. He has no experience or skills that would qualify him to be even an intern at a fifth-tier firm in the financial industry. I mean, come on!"  (Business Insider)

That’s right folks, it’s business as usual in Washington where you can be a loser and still a big winner thanks to the revolving door.  

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