Outdated Practice

Daylight savings time was first used by Germany during World War I in an effort to use less power for lighting and to save fuel for the war effort.

Following the lead of Germany, the United States Congress passed the Standard Time Act on March 15, 1918, which created DST, and it went into effect on March 31, 1918.  The U.S. was following Europe’s example to extend the workday and save energy for war industries during World War I, which didn’t end until Nov. 18, 1918.

 

DST was replaced when WWI ended but reinstated during World War II. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson established DST as a policy with the Uniform Time Act.

Hawaii and Arizona don't observe DST.  Nor do the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  It's about time the rest of the United States dumps this outdated practice.

STFU Rand

Ophthalmologist and goober Senator Rand Paul continues to badger physician, scientist and immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci.  Aside from the obvious credentials of both, it is clear that Paul is full of crap and epitomizes the definition of a demagogue.

  

If my life was on the line, which it clearly is with Covid still circulating, I trust Dr. Fauci.  I wouldn't even trust Paul to do an eye exam on me.  Paul just needs to STFU.

   

 

Miscellaneous On The Farm

It's day to day here on the farm as we approach fall.  

We are still wearing masks when we go to town shopping, even though we've been vaccinated and still surprised by the number of people who don't.

There is still plenty of grazing for the nice neighbor farmer's cows.

They have appreciated having the water tank available to the point where I have added another to keep up with their demand.

"Skunk" the farm cat wanders everywhere and the cows are inquisitive.

It's almost to the point where the cat is always underfoot or in the way.

That is until it is time for a siesta.

Recently I picked up a disk at a farm auction and spent some time straightening the bends and refurbishing it.

Fall is one of the best times of the year here on the farm.  Unfortunately, it means that winter will not be far behind.  

Final Dog Days Of July

Today was mowing day and because of the heat we decided to mow in the morning.

We are under a heat advisory for Tuesday and Wednesday and parts of the grass are showing the strain.

The nice neighbor farmer's cows are spending more time in the shade and trying their best to shake off the biting flies.

And so goes the final dog days of July here on the farm.

Water. Cool Clear Water

 

We had to go to town today and it is still blistering hot.

When we got home the nice neighbor farmer's cows were patiently waiting for a drink.

Water.  Cool clear water.

Six Months To The Day. It WAS Treason.

 It was an INSURRECTION.  They were TRAITORS.  It was TREASON.

Fresh Water

 Just like most everywhere else in the nation it is hot and dry here on the farm.

 And it doesn't look like it will be any better later in the week.

The nice neighbor farmer brought the cows to the pasture a few weeks back when the grass was taller.  I noticed yesterday that the spring fed creek, which isn't much, was down to barely a trickle.  It was a simple task for me to put a stock tank we don't use out in the pasture and fill it with water from the farm hydrant.

Once they found the water tank they didn't waste any time getting a drink.  It is no problem to run the hose to the tank whenever needed and gives me a good feeling to make sure they have fresh water.

 

When The Truth Doesn't Matter. To Some.

 

This is mind-boggling.  If this wasn't on video the lies and distortions of these congressmen would be hard to believe.  It was sedition and an insurrection.  Period.   

The Truth Still Matters. To Some.

 

What's Wrong With Corporate America

The Biden administration is proposing changing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% with a 15% alternative minimum tax.  Republicans are screaming with their hair on fire that it is an unacceptable increase on corporations.  Prior to the trump tax give-away to corporations it was a tiered rate ranging from 15% to 39% depending on taxable income. 

Effectively, this is not a tax increase on corporations.  It returns corporate taxes to reasonable pre-trump rates.  In fact most corporations will not be impacted since many now pay ZERO income taxes. 

"Fifty-five of the nation’s largest corporations paid no federal income tax on more than $40 billion in profits last year, according to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

In fact, they received a combined federal rebate of more than $3 billion, for an effective tax rate of about negative 9 percent.

“Their total corporate tax breaks for 2020, including $8.5 billion in tax avoidance and $3.5 billion in rebates, comes to $12 billion,” according to the study’s authors, Matthew Gardner and Steve Wamhoff."  Washington Post, April 5, 2021

And that brings me to the point of how one corporation is sticking it to my wife and I.  Back in 2008 we purchased long term care insurance from Genworth.  

The annual premiums were substantial, however doable.  This month we received notice that effective this month the premiums were being raised 42%.  That's right, 42%.  We had a choice of either accepting the rate increase, giving up significant benefits to lower premiums or forfeiting all we had paid in since 2008.  Their explanation for the hefty rate increase was that the actuary tables drawn up in the past did not anticipate the number of claims.  (Seriously, you didn't anticipate baby boomers starting to make claims?!)  Our combined annual premiums will go from $3556 this year to $4500 in 2023.  And that is on the reduced benefits option.  No doubt there will be another increase in 2024.

What is even more unconscionable is the fact that in 2016 Genworth was acquired by China Oceanwide Holdings Group for $2.7 billion.  That's right, $2.7 billion.  And what is Genworth paying its CEO annually?  $9,102,630.  That's right $9,102,630.

That's what's wrong with corporate America. 

 

More People Will DIe

With 149 mass shootings in the first quarter of 2021 in America the now everyday normal plods on.

All the while Republicans in Congress refuse to deal with the military style assault guns that are predominant in the killings.

In Nebraska our billionaire Republican governor has issued a proclamation declaring Nebraska a gun sanctuary.  So long as America fosters a gun culture more people will die.

So long as Congress fails to act and the Supreme Court is controlled by Republican idealogues nothing will change.  More people will die.  

So long as the strained interpretation of the Second Amendment endures more people will die.

Anyone who passed high school English can clearly see that splicing a section out of the Second Amendment to justify "anything goes" with guns is erroneous.  There is no period after "a free State."  There is no capital letter or emphasis on "the right."  This is all one sentence.  The Amendment addresses guns in terms of a well regulated malitia.   

Contrary to the Republican Supreme Court decisions, an AR-15 military style assault rifle cannot be equated to a musket.  More people will die.  

Annual Machinery Service

It feels like spring here on the farm and that includes servicing the machinery and getting ready for extended summer use.  What used to be common and necessary projects has become more difficult the older I get.  It is becoming harder and harder to crawl under the machines to service them and get up from the hard concrete floor.

First up was the Kubota tractor.

Included in changing the oil and oil filter was changing the hydraulic filters (transmission and hydraulics) and the fuel filter, for a total of four filters (the air filter was in good condition).

transmission hydraulic filter

hydraulic filter, fuel filter, oil filter

Next in line was changing the two mowers oil and oil filters (fuel filters still good).

Finally, the oil and oil filter were changed in the Kawasaki Mule, a workhorse around the farm.

Needless to say, by the end of the day I was worn out.  Once this machinery is used on a daily basis it will be a simple matter of requisite greasing and checking condition not having to worry about fluid levels.

To some it is anal retentive doing regular and annual service on machinery, however it makes the machinery dependable.  I only wish it was as easy as when I was 50 instead of 70.  

Bitter Cold, Hay and Coyotes

It has been bitter cold here on the farm and we are keeping ahead of the snow.

With so much snow cover, the nice neighbor farmer is now bringing hay and cubes to the cows on a daily basis.

Even the coyotes have been scrounging around the farm for food and leaving tracks.

They are seeking shelter from the wind and cold where they can find it.

MORE Winter On The Farm

Time to get the tractor out again and plow snow.