Lessons from an Old Horse

Sometimes God seems to send strange people or creatures to help teach you things. This week this "learning" has come from an old horse that just sort of ended up with us. We bought a pasture last year with several horses on it, they all needed to be moved before the purchase was complete. Well, sale day came and went and all horses were gone except for one old mare that had feet about as bad as any I had ever seen. The horses owner said that we could have her, most likely not wanting to have to deal with having to take her to a sale or put her down. My farrier (a true horse guru) said that he thought that we might be able to save her. We are a year into getting her back into shape, and making slow progress.

This old girl has taught me much about patience, trust, perseverance, stoic bearing of your circumstances, and love. At first she could take about three steps and stop for 15 minutes to just let her feet rest. On good days she can get into a trot, on bad days she can gimp along a few steps at a time, but he worst days are better than her best when we first came to know her. After almost a year she will now amble over to the fence when I show up just to speak, and even when I have to clean her feet or do other unpleasant things, she never complains and will most likely put her head against your chest when you get done. She is stoic about her situation, never complaining as my other spoiled horses do.

Over the last year I have learned many lessons from this old stray horse. Mostly to be thankful for what you have. As bad as she had it in the past, it seems God found a way for her to be taken care and for her to teach some horse novices lesson not only about horses but about life. God seems to have strange ways of working and through some unlikely creatures. I believe that she has faith that she will be taken care of, even though sometimes the things that we have to do to her probably are scary and unpleasant, she still takes it all in stride and with great grace. I hope that I truly absorb these lessons and can apply them in my life. Never overlook the things in life that are trying to teach you something. It has taken me along time to realize that this old girl was given to me for a multitude of reasons and the most important has been to teach me several lessons that I probably had not listened to before. I hope you all have a very Merry CHRISTmas. Please remember the reason for the season.

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Last month it was 25 BILLION now it is 34 BILLION. The car folks are like teenagers asking for more cash and not telling us that the extra 9 BILLION is to buy extra beer with. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING. If we give them that much money the auto companies should give each taxpaying American a damn free car and then they would be bankrupt anyway. I should at least get another truck out of the deal before I have to buy a Japanese psuedotruck. Congress is just pandering to the unions, management is trying to figure out how to put up enough money to retire to the Caribbean, Gettlefinger is just trying to figure out what happened, and they all are trying to hurry up and get done before the taxpayer figures out that someone forgot the Vaseline. I am glad to own horses. At least I will be able to get from one place to the other when our country is bankrupt. I also know how to grow my own food, kill my own meat, fix a 40 year old tractor, build my own buildings, and I have a nice 78 El Camino that will work just fine to get me from one place to another without computer to breakdown. We will soon be back to where we belong. As Bocepheus says A Country Boy Can Survive. I am going for a great big tumbler of the cure so I can forget this nonsense for at least an hour or two.

Cold Weather Ride

Ain't nothin' better than a good ride on a cold crisp afternoon. All our "donkeys" behaved for the most part. Big Dog my QH acted up just enough to make it fun, he usually has a couple of good kicks before his first canter of the day. The two fillys took off and had a good time except for the normal mare moments between the two. Still trying to figure out who is boss. It was a beautiful afternoon and a good way to waste time before gun season opens. Won't be much hoss riding once deer season opens, to busy and to many folks can't tell the difference in a horse and a big doe. I guess the house democrats can't tell the difference and that is why they support gun control, don't want any horses being mistaken for deer, just kidding, the just don't like venison steak. That must be the true mark of a socialist/communist. Don't need no firearm to kill a tofu.

Have a great week in this GREAT country of ours, and straigh shootin next weekend.

The Cure for the Auto Industry

NO IT IS NOT BOURBON. But you could use a sure nuff good dose for pain relief if they use my proposal.

Here it is. LET EM FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Use a preplanned bankruptcy like the airlines used. Here is what you get reorganized streamlined automotive manufacturers more focused on what we want and better able to compete with the "foreign" automakers that make cars in such foreign places like Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama; debt restructured such that they can pay for it, pension plan benefits that are more on a normal level, and a new contract for the UAW that is overseen by the court such that the benefits are more in-line with the level of profit each employee provides to the company. Detroit's cost are 2.5 to 3x the "foreign" automakers, and everyone wonders why Detroit cars are lower quality for the same price. If they could put the labor cost into quality improvements, we could get the same car for 10 to 15% less and have the Big 2.5 make a profit.

I do not want to see the U.S. automakers fail, but sometimes it takes a Phoenix type revival to start again. I agree that the U.S. auto industry has suffered mismanagement in the past, but the UAW is over 50% of the problem. It is now a time to give the UAW a choice. Good paying jobs for the next 100 years or a great paying job for the next six months. Gettlefinger has a tough choice take a hard line and become irrelevant, or swallow his pride and do what is best for his union members, the auto industry, and the country. We shall see what choice he makes.

Free Choice?

What do you call a choice between signing a union card and taking a bullet (just figuratively, natch)? FREE CHOICE. At least that is what the liberals, UAW, and Nancy P. call it. How can you call being FORCED to sign a Union Card free choice. This country was built on one person one vote, by secret ballot. This act will just force the rest of industry to follow in the footsteps of the Big Three (now Big None) and go right down the tubes. The UAW has taken a turnip and squeezed all of the blood out and now keeps squeezing with the help of Nancy P. and Harry R.

How can you be competitive if you have a cost structure about 2.5x that of your competitors? Well you legislate your competitors into submission. Then your cars will cost $40K for a Corolla and you will have to finance that for at least 10 years.

Please will someone get us back on track. We cannot keep up the madness. Please visit Grassfire.org for some saneness. I am going to take a sip of Basil to calm the nerves and hope to have a revelation about how we can get ourselves out of this quandry. I pledge to blog more often. Been depressed about this whole stockmarket, political, president thing. My bright spot has been kids, horses, and church. At least these are as constant as 12 year olds and mares can be.

What Now?

Congratulations Mr. Obama. The country has elected its' first black president and this bodes well for putting aside racial questions for the future. He was elected by the complete color spectrum. Although I do not share his left wing liberal political views, I do wish him well and I hope he will govern from the center for the good of the USA. If Mr. Obama, Ms. Pelosi, and Mr. Reid use this occasion only to advance the far left agenda, it will come back to haunt them for a very long time.

I am concerned about the direction our nation will now move. I see many of the older laws that are now no longer needed ( i.e affirmative action legislation). I do agree that change is needed, but not liberal, leftist change. I am a staunch conservative on fiscal policy, and big government, somewhat more centrist on personal issues.

We must hope that Mr. Obama's harsh rhetoric against certain industries, for higher taxes on those that have the means to drive the economy, and on certain environmental issues that could cause the US to be uncompetetive were just that, rhetoric to help him get elected. We must pray that he picks a more centrist cabinet and works toward the center, although his past legislative agenda does not point to this.

We must also hope that Mr. Obama will not kow-tow to his base and just hand out money. He must use the bully-pulpit to drive those that do not want to work to take part and be productive in this nation. He must use this opportunity to push for all people to be productive parts of the society, including the 40% that do not currently pay income tax. I do hope that this will show all people that the USA is the land of opportunity, where hardwork can make a difference and let you get ahead. If Mr. Obama is nothing else it he is an example of what hardwork and initiative can bring.

The conservatives must now regroup and find a way to be relavent in the current political atmosphere. I believe that all conservatives must now work together to ensure that we do not allow the far left to become the absolute rulers of this country.

I do believe that this is a watershed moment in the history of our country. I does truly matter how the country reacts whether it is positive or negative. If we become divided with hate groups on both sides (i.e. KKK and Black Panthers) this potentially positive happening could bring mass chaos, political and social unrest, and race wars. Our country does not need this at anytime but especially not now.

We must all pray for our Country and our elected officials, and hope that they do believe in God and will ask for his divine guidance.

I hope I will be in my usual ironically satirical mood soon. This election has worn me out as I suspect it has many other.

Selfish, Hell Yea!

Selfish because I don't want to pay a higher tax rate.? Well, Yea. The libs want to feel better with the self flagalation of higher taxes. It will make them feel better because they are helping someone. We conservatives are real "selfish" because we give our money directly our "selfish" alma maters to help with scholarships for the less privaleged, our "selfish" churches for mission work and helping the poor, our "selfish" local charities that help the local needy. Yea, we conservatives are really "selfish". Especially Mississippi conservatives, who by the way have the highest per capita giving based on income level in the country. By the way, Joe B. gave something like a whopping $900 last year as charitable giving.

The libs just want to take your money and make themselve feel generous by letting the government use the money as they see fit. And benefits them through the purchase of votes with our charitable tax money, and giving to the likes of ACORN. That's the bottom line. Higher taxes=less money for charities. They want to redistribute your money to make themselves feel better, while their Presidential Candidate stays at a ritzy New York Hotel and orders IRANIAN caviar.

I'll just stay selfish thank you very much, and the "selfish" charities will probaby thank me.

Presidentail Positivity.

I have decided to be positive about the possibility of a Obiden presidency. Here are the great and wonderful things that will be brought to us.

1. Within two weeks of taking office we will be able to burn a Cuban legally.
2. Within in two years it will take 5 years to have the surgery to help cure the lung cancer caused by the Cuban. But everyone will have equal non-access to health care.
3. We will earn a wonderful guaranteed return on our state sponsored pensions (at least 3% less than the inflation rate).
4. No one will worry or stress over their jobs. Why work hard, Comrade, you will end up with the same pay if you are excavating a ditch with a shovel or are the founder of Google.
5. We will finally be able to listen to liberals on Talk Radio.
6. Bow season will be a lot longer.

I sure hope they don't outlaw the Cure, we will all need a heavy dose.

Now They Want to Take Your Steak and Feed You Alpo

It now appears that the possible three headed dog (Pelosi, Reid, and maybe Obama) are looking hungrily at your 401K. Seems that all that talk about redistribution is making them even more likely to try to redistribute even more. Now who would you rather trust with your retirement funds, the folks that end up with $6,000 dollar toilet seats on our bombers when Wally World has them for $6. This is exactly where your money could be going, right down there under your toilet seat. Looks like the liberal braintrust now wants to keep your money, make you pay 5% more of what you earn into a federal pension plan, and then give you a 3% return. Will you even put your money in a 6 month CD at 3%, I sure won't. The possible Three Headed Dog will likely also have a big appetite for more of our money and will even try to tell us how to spend what they don't take. I wish I had enough imagination to make all this up. I guess I will need a really big dose of the CURE to get over even the thought of this. Here is the link to the story.

The Cure for Our Politics

I'm tired of all the politics. By now we know what the liberal media, and some conservatives think about the presidential race, and if the polls are right we will be hearing much crowing from the left (We WON woohoo!) and the right (Sarah Palin was much to provincial to help John McCain win).

I have found the cure for our political season!!!!!!!!!!! Bourbon, in all flavors. Does bourbon have flavors? Hell yes!!! Here is a quick run down on my cures.

Kentucky Tavern and Diet Coke (when you need to really tie one on to forget about all the money the guvement done took, and you don't have enough left for any of the good stuff.)

Jim Beam and water (this is a daily sipper to take the edge off when the stock market is down 500 points and you just need to relax).

Marker's Mark and a cube (best for not so deep thought on the world, and social occasions when you need to remain responsible and not sound like you do no your blog.)

Knob Creek straight up (Oh how wonderful do things actually get? This is for deep contemplation of the problems of the world. After just a couple you will have delusions of grandeur and believe you can solve them all. It will raise your IQ at least 50 points. I believe we will all need this for many years to come. Unfortunately we probably won't be able to afford it. What a shame.)

I Don't Really Care About Polar Bears

Polar bears are evidently going to be one of the newest victims of global warming. Evidently the Saudi's and OPEC don't care about polar bears either, since they are pushing their black gold just as hard as ever. I don't care about polar bears, or global warming, or most of the other 10,000 reasons for alternative energy. If polar bears and global warming float your boat (and with global warming you will have more ocean than ever to float in) on getting the US off of the crack habit (oops I mean oil) then more power too ya! I believe that alternative energy, in all its forms, is a great and wonderful thing. We can get energy from the wind when the sun don't shine and energy from the sun when the wind is calm. The ocean is going to go up and down regardless of what we do and we should use that too. I love atom smashing the the heat from that so let's go nuke. Geothermal also warms my heart.

Look folks this is one area where we need to be self sufficient. Once self sufficient oil will cost $20 bucks a barrel because no one in the US will need it. The Middle East will not be rife with money and then will not have the capability to hold our attention, thus we will not need to have a military presence there. Some day we may be back to help ourselves to free sunshine and not oil.

This is one plan where T. Bone, excuse me T.Boone Pickens, the Green Party, the Natural Resources Defense Fund, the Republicans, the Democrats, Winnie the Pooh and everyone else can agree. More energy at home, equals better security, equals more jobs here, equals less green house gases, less global warming (or cooling depending on your politics), better ice for the polar bears, and a generally better U.S. economy. I guess the only problem will be with the threatened Prairie Chicken in the Texas Panhandle and the endangered desert tortoise in California. But hey, why should I care about them, I've already written off the bears.

GNR (Guns n Religion)

So, why are the liberals so afraid of GNR (well in the original Axl was pretty scary)? And why does Mr. Obama decry the folks in western PA as clinging to their "guns and religion"? I believe these are the same people that Mr. Murtha (an elected representative of these same people) called "Rednecks" as a correction to a prior comment that I will not rehash.

The liberals are afraid of these two things above all else, because the nexus of the two is POWER in the hands of the people. The liberals know that they will not be able to control the populous if it has firearms that could potentially be used to resist their "benevolent" plans for the country. The distibuted ownership of firearms negates much of their power over the country. Religion also negates their power, because people that believe in God owe their allegiance and to a power much higher than any government. Mr. Obama also flippantly acknowledged this in his "higher than my pay grade" comment on abortion.

Yes the liberals are afraid of GNR and rightly so. As long as these two rights are not removed from the American people we have a chance. If we allow the government to subvert our rights, especially these two, we are sliding further down the path of socialism and on or way to a Marxist country. Everyone please cling to your GNR for the good of the USA.

Our Government is on Drugs

Our government must be on crack, or meth, or coke. I think it must definitely be meth. These folks can't sit still long enough to let any of their other drug induced plans take effect before they want to try something else. I believe they are addicted. The problem is that the liberals have hooked the conservatives and now everyone in Washington seems to need a fix, and on a more regular basis.

Does this country really need another "stimulus" package (i.e. hit)? What we really need is an intervention and rehab. Maybe then our country could get back to being clean and sober in a fiscal sense.

On second though, the drug that Washington is on is called "Money" with a little extra toke of "Power". The only problem is that Washington gets to manufacuture both, so it is will be a long time before they get straight.

Economy, What Economy

With all the recent talk of the economic downturn, falling stock market, tight credit, and general malaise, I just have one question. How can you borrow your way out of debt? I cant' borrow my way out of debt, so how can the US or the rest of the world. Our great and wonderful leaders decided to give away money to banks, companies, homeless polar bears, but where did they get the money. I guess the same place that they have propose to get another 150 BILLION to give to the general populace to kick start the economy. Unfortunately, this is the same thing that got us into this problem we know have. Borrow now for x, y or z ($500,000 house on $25K salary) and worry about it latter. Well Washington Weasels LATTER HAS COME, and will keep coming until we can live within our means, everyone fends for themselves, and you quite lining your pockets with our money. I think a dose of Caveman reality needs to be put back into our society. If you want to eat you have to go out, kill something and drag it home.

Folks in Mississippi will be fine for right now because most of us are still gun toting, Bible believing, hardworking folks that can go out and literally kill something and bring it home for supper. Lets hope it does not come to that and that our "friends" in Washington won't take our rights away to have guns or the Bible. It looks like were heading down the road to socialism (gov't owned businesses) which eventually leads to communism. Especially if the election goes the way it looks right now (Marxism here we come). If times get bad enough the sad fact is many people will look to the government to rescue them individually (just like it is now resuceing the banking system) and there we go a little further down the socialist path.