Saturday, December 29, 2007

A Little Raw

I don't like the fact that hummers are being sold to the general public. They are vehicles designed for the military. Now every bozo with a big wallet can fell like a big man by driving one of the overgrown things. I guess it's not that bad for most of you, but since my son died in a firefight while in one of those things (he should have been in his Bradley) it really is like getting stabbed in my heart whenever a commercial comes on TV. And again when my wife is with me and I know how it hits her. It's not the same as a Jeep, because they weren't available to the public until after WWII. Yeah, I'm just in pain tonight.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmas Greetings

Christmas has finnally arrived and I hope everyone is well. Did you all get the things you really wanted? Remember the best presents are the ones that can't be wrapped.

Out here on the farm, we are having a quiet and white day. I finally got the drive with the 4-wheeler last night as Laurie got stuck trying to leave. (my fault). The last few days have been really cold and nasty. Whiskey stayed in the barn and didn't try to get out because of the cold. Yesterday the temp rose and everything was frosted. It was very pretty. It also knocked out our satellite internet. Whiskey got out and feasted.

Today it's about 20 above and a lovely day. Those of you living up here know what I mean. This morning Laurie, Eliza and I opened presents. Alex is at Kay-Cee's today and will be here tomorrow. I never really ask or expect much for Christmas. I like others to have a better day than they expect. I only asked for two things this year. One was clothes because I really need some, and the other was a camera. I don't like using Laurie's 'cause it's hers and I want to have one with me. So, basically, I got clothes and a camera. I'm happy about it.

So, what happened for your Christmas this year? Was Santa good to you? I really want toknow, guys.

I just want again to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Love, Peace, and Happiness.

Love to all!
Patrick!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Immigration Psychosis Hits America!!!

I'm listening to this report on O'Rielly Factor and some things pop out at me that just p--- me off! Now, this has nothing to do with Bill's stand or comments on the subject or with the particular incident being covered. Here's the thing. A city in Texas has an out-of-control crime problem where many crimes are being committed by illegals. I know, not all of them but these are the ones I'm addressing and yeah, not all illegals are committing crimes. But solutions are put forward such as deporting criminals and opponents say "How are you going to distinguish good from bad?" as if being caught in the commission of a crime isn't a red flag. Then someone says "the fence needs to be finished". But they say, "they'll just get around it anyway" This is stupid. In SD where the fence is finished, crime and crossings are way down. And even if some are going to try to get around it, isn't it like saying prisoners will try to escape anyway so we shouldn't put them in prisons? Then they offer a more "intelligent" solution like just giving them driver's licences and I.D.s so they can get honest work. As if the drug dealers and thieves are going to take a legitimate job at minimum wage and stop being criminals. And we're going to pay them off with work and citizenship so they'll go straight? Give me a break. Close the border to illegal crossings and deport or imprison all aliens caught committing felonys. And yeah, you can raise my taxes to support it.

Friday, December 14, 2007

New Idea!

Here's a couple of pictures from the last set. The first one is from inside a wind break looking throught the middle. The other is our front yard going south. The trees in the distance is the wind break of the first picture.


I had an idea to start a schedule of subjects. What I mean is I'll set aside days for types of posts. One day for politics, one for home, one for sports etc. It doesn't really matter since no one reads this anyway, but I like the idea and this is for me anyway.


North Dakota, Wind and You


As if it doesn't get cold enough here anyway, ND is a perfect place to sample the effect of windchill. You might think it's all in your head and that it isn't really colder with a wind, but you'd be wrong. What wind does to us is cause us to lose body heat faster. So if it is 20 degrees and there is a 35 MPH wind, you'll get the effect of it being 0 degrees. There is even a formula for this:

Windchill (F) = 35.74+0.6215T-35.75(V(to the 0.16thpower))+0.4275t(V(to the 0.16th))

T= air temp F, V=wind speed MPH


You just had to know that didn't you?


So, it's -1 right now with a wind of 14MPH making it -20. Oh joy!


(if you don't like the weather, move)

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Winter drops in like a ton of bricks

Wow! It snowed all day Tuesday (12-04). We spent Monday in Devils Lake shopping for the storm. (finally found one we liked - lol). Went to work Tuesday morning. We came back Tuesday night and couldn't get down the drive. We hiked to the house and packed some clothes and grabbed our daughter, fed the horses, and shouveled our way out. Drove back to "Forks" and spent the night at Alex's. Girls went home on Thurs as the guy was finally able to plow our road. I didn't see my house until Friday night. It wasn't a lot of fun, but at least I got to work. I wouldn't have been able to if we'd stayed home. I want to wish my sister a belated Happy Birthday since this all happened around then and I haven't had access to things. Everything is white now, as we got about 5 inches. It's been down in the single digits (6 - -6) so all the snow will be here until spring unless we get a couple of days above 35.

My computer got zapped again, I don't run a lot of protection so it happens. I have a separate hard drive so if I do a system recovery I don't lose anything but the junk. I've been trying to copy all my archived MP3s onto it so I have access to them better. I'm also trying to update my music list so I can send copies to people who might be interested.

Monday morning I looked out and one of the horses was out. I got him back in but I really don't know where he got out. The charger on the fence isn't showing a ground-out and there are no breaks in the fence.

This farmer came out a few weeks ago and dug up our yard. I have to explain. There are drainage channels running through the farms. They allow low spots to drain so they can be planted. They ultimately dump into a nearby river and flow into the Red River into Canada Etc.
There are two in this area. One of them runs through my little spot of ground, crossing under my driveway. They do get filled with silt and have to be maintained. Also some really bright former residents here deceided they wanted a wetlands and blocked the drains. So it needed some work. So Aaron came out with a Catapillar and dredged out the channel. Made quite a mess of our road and such. He wasn't planning on leaving it and had arranged for someone to fix the road. The guy didn't get out, the temp dropped, some snow fell, and we have a mess. Aaron felt bad and came out and did what he could, also he improved the county plow guy's work, and moved most of the hay bales spread around our property to the side of he barn. A blessing I assure you. The great thing about all this was that when Whiskey got out, he just stayed by the barn pigging out on the bales. I hate to think where he'd have gone otherwise.

Well, It's not like we aren't ready for winter, but you can only do so much until it hits. I'll get some pictures soon.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

First Storm




Backyard facing North - - - - - Looking North in front - - - - There are actually snowflakes here
This should have been posted just after the last post, but I couldn't get to the machine to do it. As the Predicted snow hit, I went out and took some pictures of the yard and house. Afterwards, I was out on the 4-wheeler and plowed the driveway. It was about 4 inches, not a lot, but icky to drive in. Plowing was fun. I got all the way to the road and then plowed the road too. The guy who actually plows out here won't plow unless all the roads are bad. Just about everything south of us was clear so he wasn't out. If he does, he plows the county roads first, then the township roads north and south of town. our road is not a priority. However, our neighbor works at the Ag service so the guy will do his and my driveways too. Kinda nice. Another bigger storm is coming I'll try to get some pictures of that, too.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Wow, Dude.... like snow.

Forecast for Nelson
Updated: 4:15 am CST on November 26, 2007
Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST tonight...
Today
Mostly cloudy. Scattered flurries in the morning...then slight chance of light snow early in the afternoon. Snow likely late in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Highs in the mid 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph increasing to west around 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of measurable snow 60 percent.

Tonight
Mostly cloudy with snow in the evening...then partly cloudy after midnight. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Total snow accumulation up to 3 inches. Lows zero to 5 above. Breezy. Northwest winds around 25 mph with gusts to around 35 mph decreasing to around 10 mph and gusty after midnight. Chance of snow 80 percent.

Monday, Monday....
Not working today. Have a couple of chores to do. want to spend a lot of time studying Spanish. Got a test manana. Horses look hungry, but they always do. They're just so worthless. We spent money to get them trained, but it takes struggling for about an hour just to get one saddled and bridled. Then you don't know if the nag is going to accept you on it's back. This is not acceptable. Oh well....

Bought two albums recently, Badfinger's "Straight On" (1971) and Quincy Jones' "Sounds...And Stuff Like That!" (1978). I'm trying to get them onto CD so I can listen to them in my car. Got the Badfinger but still working on Quincy. Time is always fleeting.

At least the Chargers won yesterday. Not a great year since they lost most of the coaching staff last year. Struggling a bit but they might be OK by next year. A.J. Smith is an idiot, he should have tried to get along with Marty better.

I can't believe the Broncos lost! They should have had the game but the Bears came back and stung them. Lots of special teams for the Bears. Ha-ha. Gotta love it!

So, now what? Is there anybody out there?

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Of Turkeys and Snow

Feliz día de pavo

Another day another turkey. It has passed and we are all stuffed. We were going to have Kay-Cee's Family (total of 10) but they backed out kinda late. 22 pound turkey plus lots of other appetizers and food. So we spent the day cooking and eating and we have lots of leftovers. Very quiet day. Watched Rear Window with Jimmy Stewart and Evan Almighty. Got to bed late

Weather's turned cold here. It's been flurrying a lot but there's not much on the ground. Maybe we'll have another dry winter. It'll be cold, but snow won't be a factor. The tree breaks are transparent without the leaves. This one around the house is kinda thin. I fenced off a portion of it for the horses but we leave the power off when we aren't using it. This was probably a bad idea because the wandering deer have messed it up and I can't use it until I get out there and fix it. I wasn't going to use it during the winter anyway, so I'll wait until it gets warm.

I never get out and wander around parts of the yard. I get out to the quanset or to the barn to feed the horses, but I haven't been to a lot of the edges and corners of the place. I want to get the 4-wheeler working before I have to shovel. I'll get some pictures and post them soon.

Patrick!

Monday, November 12, 2007

It's a balmy 54 today

Almost feels hot. It hasn't gotten cold yet but chilly sucks too. It was really windy yesterday. I insisted on flying our US flag as it was Veteran's Day but the wind eventually broke our pole. We have a barn cat here. She recently had a couple of babies. They are really wild. Then one quit being around. Yesterday I found it in the yard. Ick. I think a coyote got it. The weird thing was, I had my phone on vibrate in my pocket and one hand happened to be in there too. I was looking at this cat and reached out with my foot and turned it over. Just as I did, the phone went off! Man, I jumped.

My klunky computer was running badly and had stuff mucking it up. So I pulled off all the relevent files (thanks to my Seagate 500Gig ) and reinstalled the system. I love how you can do that now without even having a "startup" disk. Now it's running better. We still have a problem with the internet being slow because we have a satellite connection. It's all I can have here but it isn't usually a big problem for me.

I'm amazed at all the Ann Coulter vids on YouTube. Don't spend much time there which is why I don't post them here. (Maybe I should).

Found a cool blog at:
www.politicalpistacio.blogspot.com

Hey, just for grins, tell me your three favorite albums/CDs of all time.

Whatever, dude.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

"To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day

will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" President Woodrow Wilson Nov. 11, 1919.

Yes, It's Veteran's Day and we all need to remember everybody who has served in the military of this country to keep it free.

This would be an excellent opportunity for some actor or ex-president to visit a foriegn country and slam America for it's barbaric ways. I was scanning a few websites and blogs and I was amazed at the belief that all the wars since 1776 have been the fault of America. We haven't always done the right thing, but that's because people sin. Overall, though, this country has been a haven for personal freedom and a voice and arm for righteousness. During Vietnam, we were told that if the US disarmed, things would be okay. Okay means fallen to communism. I get so worked up because people want to believe what they want to believe and will follow the mantra that best fits what they want.

Imagine what would have happened in Europe if America had stayed out of WWII. Imagine what would have happened if the US had not gotten involved in Korea or Vietnam. How about if we didn't actively oppose the Soviet Union? If the US did not lead the world in support of Israel the Middle East would be worse than it is today. The US is the only hope for democracy in the world. Yeah, we must be wrong, that is why countries around the world are starting to elect consevative anti-socialist leaders.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

If a conspiracy theorist falls in a forest.....

and there's no one around to hear him, is he still nuts?

I went looking for other blogs to read, and the ones I found were all nuts except this one that posts editorials by people like Michael Reagan (whom I like by the way). Some were far-right and anti-zionist and some were far-left. Almost all sounded like Rosie spouting 911-the-goverment-did-it crap.

Even Clinton the first denounced that idea last week. Kinda reminds me of Heinlien's "Door Into Summer" where the cat checks out every open door during the winter because he knows he saw summer out there once. "Maybe", they think, "I'll find some real truth behind this one."

Oh well, I guess I'll go read Ann Coulter's latest post. You should too. If you're conservative you might like it. If liberal, you'll be offended and start whining that she's mean.

Patrick!

Electricity comes to Iowa!!!!!

A reference to an old Black Oak Arakasas tune. (c'mon, tell me something about it) Here come the caucuses. Will Romney get a leg up on Guilani? Will Hill fall to B. Osama Obama? Jan 3rd is the date and it will set up "The Race" for the rest of the year. Look, if you don't believe in god, at least consider the fact that people are basically selfish and will do what's best for them not mankind. Use that as a standard by which you vote. Vote as close to middle-of-the-road as you can get. Then you'll have your little social-eco-I-love-everybody programs and I'll have a more secure world that I can practice Christianity in without having to consult the Koran first.

I'll tell you what, the farther we drift from the ideals we were founded on, (the Bible "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth") The worst-off we'll be.

Smarter, Faster, Stronger

An obvious ploy to rope in some of the younger bloggers. Hey! Haven't been here for a little bit. Busy, Busy, y'know. Just started a class in Spanish. been through two weeks so far. Kinda fun. I've no G.P.A. to worry about so there's no pressure. Taking it with Laurie, Alex, and Kay-Cee so it's a blast. They all hate me because I aced the first test. It wasn't that hard and I accually had time to study. Laurie works maybe more than I do and has been studying for her RN boards which are more important. Alex and Kaycee have other classes so they have a lot to do. I just work, so I have time to study. Also I lived in San Diego working in restaurants for thirty years so I have a basic knowledge of Spanish as well as a lot of learned nouns.

One of the surrounding farmers is out spraying Anhydros Ammonia on his field. This is prep for next spring. It's cool that I sit by my back window and get to watch them do stuff. And right now, the wind break around the house has lost it's leaves, so I can see through it.

I told my instructor about Gordo, a comic strip I used to read in SD. Gordo ran from the 40's to the 80's but I remember it from the 60's. Quite an interesting strip that gave me a lot of background in Mexican culture.

I'm going to have to winterize the motocicletas for the winter. I'm not sure how yet, but I'll find out.

I'm supposed to work 4 - 10 hour days, but there has been some overtime available and also each mould has to work every third Monday through the end of the year. When we go in on Mondays, we get to leave as soon as we get the blade done and clean up. So, we only get 5 or 6 hours in. It's not a lot of overtime, but it ensures me of 40 + hours each week. I've been going in and helping other moulds every Monday anyway. We were supposed to go in this MOnday, but have ben told we don't have to. I probably will anyway for the extra hours. Hey! at over time I get over $20.00 an hour. Why not?

More soon.
Yer Blogger,
Patricio!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Gore steals Nobel Peace Prize !!

Okay, it's fine that the liberal Nobel committee chose Gore for the prize this week, but I'm amazed that the NY Times op-eds all still mention that the think Bush stole the election. This is just stupid. I pick up a newspaper to read an editorial and they thumb their nose at Bush 'cause Gore got the prize "despite" Bush stealing the election. Hey! Libs! You Lost fair and square, get over it! Go on to something else. Like How Bush went into Iraq for the oil. Yeah, we believe that at $3.00 a gallon. There is no more substantial proof of global warming than there is for evolution. But I digress, If the prize exonerates Gore and demeans Bush, why continue to whine about what you can't change? I just get angry that the media doesn't seem to be able to reason coherently. Media Matters just released an article making like Limbaugh, O'Reilly, and Malkin are being mean in their editorals. It's a lie and more twisting of the truth. Go to their websites and find out what they really said.

The whole point here is that the liberal machine is trying to discredit the entire right so as to trick decent folks into voting for Democrats. It is just going to get worse as election draws near.

I'll tell you what, you keep on talking about how insensitive we conservatives are while you keep killing unborn babies. Keep telling us how we are to hard on criminals while you keep letting them off with probation and short jail time so they can continue to kill and rape. Keep calling us racists while civil rights started with the Republican party and Lincoln and you keep enabling minorities to be less than they can be with your expensive social programs. And, keep telling us we should try to talk to the Muslims while they continue to bomb and terrorize the world.

"But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth." - Luke 11:17 KJV

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Rants and Raves

Why is it, that when people of opposing views get into a discussion one side always reverts to name-calling? Sure, I love to call people names, but I don't use it as reasoned argument. For example: I may call "you" (no one in particular here) a pinko because of your leftist views, but if we're discussing partial-birth abortion I'd try to explain why I feel it's bad to poke a needle into a half-born baby and suck out it's brain. I'd then say that I don't understand why why you can't see it that way. I'd never just call you a baby-killer as if that explains it all. However, If I were to oppose illegal immigration, I'd be called a racist. If I say I don't think people are born homosexual, I'm a homophobe. Etc. You get the point here? We may never agree, but we must state our beliefs and discuss not just brand each other with meaningless labels. I have never understood why someone like Rep Kennedy has an accident under the influence, he gets a ride home and says he's got a problem and is going to rehab and all's forgiven. But if a republican is caught doing bad behavior (Larry Craig) He's a hypocrite and needs to be removed from office. Okay, so us Christians have a code we expect ourselves to live by, but it doesn't mean we don't do bad things at times. Does this mean the left doesn't have a code of behavior? Is that why it's okay for such actions? If we are expected to be accepting of gays, why is it that every time a Republican displays gay behavior, he's attacked for being gay? Yeah I know Craig was on a commitee that was trying to prevent gay rights, but just because he leans towards such behavior at times doesn't mean he thinks special allowances should be made for people because they declare themselves gay. If he was completely okay with such behavior, he wouldn't have felt he had to hide it. Also I think he loves his wife and finds her attractive. You can be a member of a group (behavior, race, creed, etc.) and still not feel it entitles you to special treatment. So, okay I'm a poop-poop head and you don't agree with me. I think you are a cool-aid drinker. Now that we have that out of the way what should we talk about? Just because I think you are wrong doesn't make you a bad person.


Wow! was that a disjointed rant, or what?


It's getting colder here. Got the other two horses back. We're trying to get them acclimated to each other again. I work for a company that makes fiberglass wind turbine blades. In fact, we're the biggest in the world and a gobal company. I run up and down these metal catwalks all day and trim fiberglass with a 14-inch long pair of scissors. A bit different than restaurant work.

This is a picture of a wind farm off the coast of Spain. The blades were made by our company. I'm not sure what size they are or which plant made them, but I might be able to find out. Competition in this field is intense so I'm not going to tell any processes but we do have a lot of pride in our work. It's just fun. I really enjoy my job. I complain as much as anybody I guess, but the bottom line is that the work is really not that hard, they pay good and I work four days a week.
We make blades that are 37, 40, & 42 meters long. I make 37s. There is a single wind tower near my town here, and I'm told it has 25s. We made those about 10 years ago.
I'm going now, so write, people and lets get vocal!

Sunday, October 7, 2007

It's October! Brrr!

It has been very wet and rainy. I'll have to finish the yard chores soon and start on winterizing the house. I saw a couple of articles in the Grand Forks Herald about the race. Hillary is in front and they say it means a lot but they are still cautious. Then they say Guliani is in front of the republicans but it doesn't mean anything. Yeah. Ann Coulter has a new book coming out or just out. I'm sure a lot of people on the left will be attacking. Hey! why don't you guys attack Michael Savage like that. He's just a hater, but free speech and all. I want to rant about something but haven't gotten worked up about anything specific yet. Chargers finally won their second game so I'm happy about that. Just crushed the Not-So-Orange Crush. Blah, Blah, Blah. Give me an idea guys.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

I've been busy, okay

It seem the faster I go the more behinder I get.

Let's see, since no one wants to answer the trivia quotes, I'll post the answers.
1) "I know nothing..." Klaus (is that his name) the guard from Hogan's Heroes
2) "If this should have a reason.." Steppenwolf - Rock Me, Baby (theme from the movie Candy)
3) "If drafted I will not run...." William Sherman - Civil War General

okay look for a new quote soon

******************** Concert Review ***********************
I went to see Nickelback on my birthday in July. I think I'll do a review.

Puddle of Mudd and Staind opened. Before I could relate to the new music, I was unimpressed with Puddle of Mudd because it sounded like noise. They have a couple of songs that I actually recognised. However, the vocals were weak and they had the energy level of a person coming of anesthesia. Staind was better but still kinda subdued. I like most of what I've heard from them, but just felt like they weren't trying very hard. Both the bands seemed like the guitarists never play a lead lick in their lives. It wasn't like there was any other lead instrument. The Bassist looked like he was an old heroin addict. 5'10" and about 98lbs. He was, in my opion, the best musician of the two bands. The NIckelback came out. More stage, more volume, lights and flash. After the two openers, how could they lose. Okay, I liked them. I've never been a hugh fan, but they're okay. Great Job, some technical problems, but a good show. They palyed all their hits except "Not like this" which I expected. Good videos and Chad Kroeger was good as a frontman, explaining their history and such. They kept talking about Pantera and I got the impression they wished they were Panters. Personally I think they're better than Pantera. All in all, I good show. A bit lacking but I'd not seen a concert like that in some time and I had a good time.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

It's Hunting Season

It's that time of the year again when "real men" come out to the country and stir up the wildlife so you can hit more of them on the gravel roads. It was really warm today. Kinda unexpected. There is a Garter snake that lives out here somewhere. It's getting bigger. I saw him today and he's about two and a half feet long. I wish He'd eat the gophers! Oh well....

Kinda quiet today, big football game tomorrow. Chargers play Green Bay. There are a lot of Packer fans around here, 2nd most popular team in this area just behind the Minnesota Vikings.

Q: Why doesn't North Dakota have a professional football team?
A: Because then, Minnesota would want one.

More soon

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Parking Lot

My friend Hawkeye sent this to me so I wanted to share...


New Law:With the high rate of attacks on women in secluded parking lots, especially during evening hours, the Minneapolis City Council has established a "Women Only" parking lot at the Mall of America. Even the parking lot attendants are exclusively female so that a comfortable and safe environment is created for patrons. Below is the first picture available of this world-first women-only parking lot in Minnesota


Locals Only

Some pictures of local critters.






Forget about Muskrat Suzy and Muskrat Sam, muskrats have about the nastiest temperment short of Wolverines. I'd rather face a weasel or badger.

On a Lighter note....

Went into Grand Forks tonight. It's getting foggy out here. It's cool early in the evening as the fog creeps across the ground. Kinda stinks later when you can't hardly see the side of the road. The biggest worry I have is deer. They are not too bright and tend to wander across the highway at random. The temp's dropping lately, (it does that here) so the critters seem to be busier now. A lot of skunks and Racoons. The family of foxes that live down the road haven't been seen for awhile. Then, the other night, I'm bringing my daughter Eliza home from her work and as we're about to come to the town just west of us, I flip on my high beam and narrowly miss 5 or 6 horses wandering across the road. So we pull into town (pop 205) and the only place open is the bar and the firestation across the street. We go into the fire station and tell them what we saw and this girl says "oh, they would be Alice's" and proceeds to call her up on her cell. My good deed for the week. Oh, yeah, this mornig when I went out to feed Whiskey before going to work I heard Coyotes. Wow.

Later kids!

Follow in your books

and repeat after me as we learn our next three words in Turkish... Towel, Bath, Border.
May I see your passport, please.

Okay, immigration is a really complex issue. Who gets in and how? What's wrong with it? What about those jobs Americans don't want? Aren't they just trying to make a better life in this land of opportunity? Whose land is it anyway?

Look! This is America. It's for Americans. If you are not a citizen you have no citizen rights. Don't sneak into this land in difference to our laws and expect to be treated like a national. If you are not a Mexican citizen and sneak into Mexico they put you in jail! Stand in line like everybody else. And if we say "no" then too bad. We don't owe every person who doesn't want to live in their own country a place in ours.

Yeah, I know it's a simplistic approach, so I'll try to explain.

First, this is a land of opportunity and we do have a history of opening up for oppressed people. But that doesn't mean we can take everybody right now. Immigration is a process of absorbing new cultures and people becoming Americans. They do not come here and be foreign nationals with the benefits and none of the responsibility towards loyalty of an American. They have to forsake their nationality and native language and learn English and American culture.

Second, and I know the liberals don't want to hear it but, we have to be careful of people who want to harm us and criminals who want to take advantage of our weak. This demands control. We have a right to decide who gets in and it doesn't make us prejudiced, just careful.

Third, the whole thing about "jobs Americans don't want to do" is stupid! I'm convinced food prices won't sky-rocket if farmers have to pay fair wages to whoever works on their farms. In California it appears as if we have to use cheap labor, but out here in the heartland it doesn't seem to be the case. In fact, we regularly have people from other nations come here to work on farms from parts of the world where farm seasons are different so they farm there when we have no need and come here for our harvest. Works out well and people are not exploited and underpaid.

Here's the bottom line. Liberals want to bring in a whole lot of people to subsidize because they'll vote Democrat. Far-left loons believe national identity is passe' and we should be one world so we should drop borders. This is nuts, because I guarantee you other countries like Venezuela, Cuba, Korea, Iran, etc. won't drop their borders. This one-world thing is an "intellectual" concept and is not shared by most of the world that wants to hurt us.

Think about this. We'll use Mexico as an example because they are the closest. The people in Mexico have a corrupt government and police. They have no economy and little hope for change. In history, whenever this is the situation in a country, the people take to the streets and cause change. I'm not advocating violent revolution, but they always do something to better their country. In modern Mexico, the people don't have to stand up to their leaders. They can sneak over here, make low wages in our terms- wealth in theirs, and return home well-off enough to insulate themselves from the countries' poverty. Or, they come here have a child and become legal and live here. I have seen this over and over as a resident in Southern California. Now, If we cut off the ability to come here illegally, they will be motivated to address the problems of their own country. In this way their country will move into the modern world and be better off, the world will be better off, and we'll benefit by the solution of this crisis and the presence of a strong national neighbor.

We just don't have the resources to fix other countries or absorb everybody in the world. So, I'm saying a lot of the problems in the world are not our responsibility. We should help those who want help and fight the slaughter of innocents as in Dafur, but that doesn't mean opening the floodgates to the destruction of our country. If we fall, the free world will fall and there will be worldwide anarchy.

This is my opinion, what's yours.
Patrick!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Out Riding

I have something to write about, but we went to the trainer's to see the horses. The women rode both Ringo and Ally and I rode Ringo. Their training is going great. I'm a little sore because of something that happened a couple of weeks ago so one was enough. It's starting to get cold here. 50 degrees isn't really cold by standards here but it's always a shock when it starts turning. The trees are pretty. I'd like toget some pictures. Well, it's late and I am an early riser (not by choice) but I wanted to post something daily if possible. Tomorrow I'm planning to state my views on illegal immigration.

Luego.............

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

New Hampshire Debate

I was able to watch the debate last week and came away surprised. First, I just want to say that Congressman Tancredo's sound bite was great. They were discussing Iran's nuclear program and what to do about it. A few were tip-toeing around any positive action. He says: "Political Correctness is going to kill us." and he's right. The next President will have to be ready to deal decisivly with that madman Ahmadinejad. But I digress.

I was impressed with homeboy Duncan Hunter and his desire to control the border. And then I was shocked that Mccann actually sounded like a Republican. I wrote him off a while back but here he sounded like he was back with the program. I'm not sure I trust him, but maybe he'd make a good Vice.

My current favorite is Giuliani, although he's a little weak on social issues. He's stated that he's against abortion, but doesn't feel it's his choice. I'm disappointed, but there are other issues I need addressed and he has the track record of dealing with them well. The gallery was interviewed afterwards and people kept saying they are tired of him quoting his record as Mayor. This is because they have no real experience in leadership.

I would like to see Newt as President but he hasn't announced yet, and the cool-aid drinkers will do everything they can to keep him out.

Otherwise the rest of the debate was as expected but Ron Paul will have to see his tailor about a sheep suit that fits a little better. He was pretty oviously a plant from the other camp.

And what is this about these wimpy little guys running for President? Paul, Lieberman, and Kucinich look like refugee's from a Woody Allen convention. I don't know about you, but I want a President who doesn't look like he's going to wet himself the first time Al Franken screams "liar" (and you know he will).

On a P.S. It seems French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is trying to get the U.N. to drop more sanctions against Iran. Did I say French? Alarm Clocks are going off all over Europe and people are starting to wake up. Go Bernie!

Wow! Did I say all that? Later....

Monday, September 17, 2007

Horses!!!



We have three horses. Ringo, Ally, (shown) and Whiskey. Currently Ally and Ringo are at the trainers learning how to be horses. Whiskey has already come back but doesn't seemed to have gotten it. Our buddies are part or wholly Arabians and we got them from a rescue ranch in South Dakota. I have not been around horses before, so this is all new to me. It's exciting and I'm eager to learn. We hope to have the three of them trained soon so we can go riding in the snow. My daughter assures me this is very cool. She has the most experience so she must know. I'm learning about electric fencing, saddles, bridles, hay, round pens, lunging and all sorts of neat stuff. There is a good picture of me riding Whiskey at the blogspot listed below. Check it out!

*** Check out Karma's Believe In Dreams Ranch in the Links ***

And So It Begins.....


Okay, this is all new to me, so if it looks like I don't know what I'm doing, I don't. Educated in California before the Liberals totally messed it up. Moved my family to North Dakota (doncha know) just before the great flood in '97. Life here is at a different pace and people are nicer and less suspicious. This is not to say they are rubes. A whole new world for me growing up on Air Force Bases and cities. I now live in the country away from everybody. My closest neighbor (across the street) is a mile away. Town is 7 mi. and only 200 people. Civilization is 50 miles either west or east.

I have thoughts on Politics, Religion, Music, and many other unimportant things. I'll try not to ramble. Feel free to comment. Keep it clean as profanity and most outright stupidity will not be tolerated. Dissent is good but I might argue with you.

Three quotes appear on my profile. Can you correctly place them?

I just finished reading Bernie Goldberg's "100 people who are screwing up America" Great Reading. Kinda light but makes you think a bit. That's all for my first post.