Glenn Beck at CPAC
I watched the video of Glenn Beck's speech at the recent CPAC conference and thought it was outstanding. Here's a link to it:
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/videos/?uri=channels/338018/788930
I think Mr. Beck has come into his own at last. Mr. Beck is a commentator rather than a politician himself but I think that if he did decide to run for a political office that he would have a strong following. I'm not sure that it would be a good thing though in that at this point he has great value as a voice for a lot of Americans and a 'conscience' of both political parties. Well, 'conscience' may be too strong of a word as I don't believe that either party has any conscience at all and are both morally bankrupt.
Of course, he was targeted by both parties' favored lap-dog pundits. Jon Stewart had this to say about Mr. Beck's speech:
Pretty typical Liberal/Progressive revisionist stuff. By the way, Mr. Stewart, progressives (communists) did not start the Libraries, Benjamin Franklin did. I believe Mr. Franklin would be surprised indeed to find himself labeled a communist.
And then there was Rush Limbaugh, the paid political pundit of the Republican Party:
What comes through to me from listening to both of these gentlemen is that Mr. Beck hit the nail squarely on the head and both parties are in 'damage-control' mode. Covering their nether-quarters with anything that comes easily to hand which, generally speaking, isn't much more than trying to 'out-shout' Glenn Beck, distract the American people by causing a general glee amongst us at seeing the fight develop. Americans are, after all, easily distracted by a fight. They also realize that we tend to tune things out when it comes to bombast and Pseudo-intelligence.
We do have a history of not paying attention when it comes to that and if we don't pay attention at this stage, then we're going to lose what freedom remains to us. The truth that Mr. Beck brought to light is that both parties are working together for the destruction of everything America stands for and the removal of the Constitution and inherited rights of all Americans.
In short, the Glenn Beck speech at the CPAC conference was a great catalyst and should be watched, and paid attention to. Personally, I agree with Glenn Beck and have been thinking the same things for a long time. It's nice that someone with a voice and a talent for public-speaking is actually able to articulate this.
Last, here's another paid voice of the 1-party-by-2-means system, Mark Levin:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33353.html
The only difference between the Communists and Republicans as far as I can see, is 'style.'
That's my take on the matter, what's yours?©TexasFred2/2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Toad Lick, TX. Pt 5
Toad-Lick, Part V
PART V
There’s Darryl Mcphatridge, and his lovely wife Darlene. They own and operate the last real Barber-shop/ Beauty Salon in the State of Texas. Well, probably not the last one in the state, but definitely the last one here. There are three other places around here to get your hair cut, all of them those trendy, new-style unisex places. Everyone over about forty here, is a little leery of them. I think that Pro-something, you know the one, it’s all over in the city, is some kin to that Hooter’s place. Anyway, Darryl and Darlene, or Double-D, because you hardly ever see one without the other, and they’re never more than yelling distance apart, have owned and operated the Barber-Shop since I can remember. Darryl gave me my first hair-cut, and had to suspiciously examine the cuts that Dave and I were sporting when we came home on leave from the Army. He cut my hair all my life that is, until a couple of years ago, I got a shaver, and started cutting my fringe myself. Nature had taken care of the top part, already. So, when they come into the coffee-shop for lunch, or when I pay a visit to them at the store, they always greet me by fondly saying, “Hi, Traiter! How ya doin’? Ready to come to your senses yet?”
Double-D always goes to the lake for a camp-out, and some fishing with their grandkids for spring-break. They figure it gives the kids something interesting to do, away from the pressure of school, and gets them out of their mom and dad’s hair for a few days. They were in here this morning, with the grandkids in tow, the RV loaded up, boat attached, and ready to set out on high adventure. Their grandkids are Tony, 13, Timmy, 10, and Rae. Rae’s a little sweetie. She’s 6 and wants to know about everything. I don’t see where Double-D get the energy for it, but bless them, they do. Their son, Darryl Jr., we all call him DJ, is ten years younger than me, and Dave. Darryl Sr. was one of the scout leaders in our town, and when we went on campouts, he’d always bring DJ. with him. Between the two of them, I don’t think there’s anything they don’t know about camping out, the woods, or fishing. DJ’s an insurance salesman now, up in the city, so the only time he gets to go anymore is the annual 4 th of July Picnic out at the lake. Donna and I used to go to the Picnic religiously, but since she died, and I took the job of Police Chief here, I don’t get the chance to do it for long anymore. Everyone usually goes out there on about the 2 nd or 3 rd , and camps out together through the 4 th , fishing, boating, hiking, or just lazing around, then they all pack it up and come back the 5 th . Nowadays, I get to go out there on the 4 th , usually for a couple of hours, but Toad-Lick always has a 4 th of July parade in the afternoon, and then a fireworks display right after sundown. Dave and I always have to be here, and on duty for that, so neither of us gets to go be with our friends for the 4 th anymore. I sure miss it, a lot. What I don’t miss is Double-D, or DJ, or Gary, Sam, one of the reverends, or somebody, or their wife more likely, always bringing some nice, middle-aged woman to the picnic, and just happen to think that she’d be a good match for lonely little ol’ me!
Sheesh! Dave says that I, being a single middle-aged man, am the talk of the town among the ladies, hereabouts. He says I’m a challenge to them, so I better just pick one of the ladies they throw at me, and settle down, or they’ll never give me a moments peace. I’m hoping to outlast them. Here’s an example.
This morning when Double-D came in for breakfast with the grandkids, they also had this nice-seeming, attractive woman with them. Turns out her name is Gloria, and she’s Darlene’s niece from the other side of the city. She’s a school teacher, ( they all have this thing that public- service professionals should be more attracted to each other, I guess. They’re always either school teachers, or nurses it seems to me, except one female cop, who turned out to be a Lesbian, {They hadn’t asked her beforehand, just sprung us on each other} that was memorable.) and had just gone through a nasty divorce. They’d just incidentally asked Gloria if she wanted to go camping with them this week, to get away. Then they sat at a table where there was no room for Gloria, knowing that, gentleman that I am, I’d invite her to sit with me. Ok, I did that. So they know their mark! So sue me. Quit snickering!! I hear you! Besides that, she is attractive, and smells good, too. So, Gloria and I had a nice conversation, in which we exchanged information about Double-D trying to set us up with each other. Seems that Darlene had told her all about me, over the last couple of weeks. Just kind of casually, you know. I found out right away that Gloria ain’t dumb. We laughed about it good-naturedly, and exchanged phone numbers. Neither of us are ready for more than dating right now, but having someone to date is an important step, right?
Ok, I said quit snickering, and I meant it. I’ll be looking for your old pick-up, speeding though my town.
So, after a nice conversation, Double-D, Gloria, and the kids all piled into the RV, and off they went to high adventure, down at the lake. Of course I told them I’d look in on them, and am supposed to go down there for supper with them one night this week. Gloria’s cooking, no less. Oh, yeah. Darryl let it slip that there’s supposed to be a full moon out this week, just in case we might feel like a little walk in the country after dinner. Gloria and I both just grinned at them. Can you say “Set-up?” I knew you could. Some of the older folks around here get pretty obvious about their matchmaking. I’ll bet you that Darlene is supposed to report in full detail to my mom, God bless her little pea-pickin’ heart, when they get back. Mom and Darlene have been thick as thieves for years. I think they’ve been volunteers at the same charity program 30 years, or more, and we can’t forget the weekly ladies bridge club, to which they both belong. Then there’s the “Red Hat Society.” Both of them are members in good standing. From what I know of the “Red Hat Society,” one must be female, over 65, possess a red hat, and be available for the monthly luncheons. I’m not sure I want to know more than that about it.©Texasfred
PART V
There’s Darryl Mcphatridge, and his lovely wife Darlene. They own and operate the last real Barber-shop/ Beauty Salon in the State of Texas. Well, probably not the last one in the state, but definitely the last one here. There are three other places around here to get your hair cut, all of them those trendy, new-style unisex places. Everyone over about forty here, is a little leery of them. I think that Pro-something, you know the one, it’s all over in the city, is some kin to that Hooter’s place. Anyway, Darryl and Darlene, or Double-D, because you hardly ever see one without the other, and they’re never more than yelling distance apart, have owned and operated the Barber-Shop since I can remember. Darryl gave me my first hair-cut, and had to suspiciously examine the cuts that Dave and I were sporting when we came home on leave from the Army. He cut my hair all my life that is, until a couple of years ago, I got a shaver, and started cutting my fringe myself. Nature had taken care of the top part, already. So, when they come into the coffee-shop for lunch, or when I pay a visit to them at the store, they always greet me by fondly saying, “Hi, Traiter! How ya doin’? Ready to come to your senses yet?”
Double-D always goes to the lake for a camp-out, and some fishing with their grandkids for spring-break. They figure it gives the kids something interesting to do, away from the pressure of school, and gets them out of their mom and dad’s hair for a few days. They were in here this morning, with the grandkids in tow, the RV loaded up, boat attached, and ready to set out on high adventure. Their grandkids are Tony, 13, Timmy, 10, and Rae. Rae’s a little sweetie. She’s 6 and wants to know about everything. I don’t see where Double-D get the energy for it, but bless them, they do. Their son, Darryl Jr., we all call him DJ, is ten years younger than me, and Dave. Darryl Sr. was one of the scout leaders in our town, and when we went on campouts, he’d always bring DJ. with him. Between the two of them, I don’t think there’s anything they don’t know about camping out, the woods, or fishing. DJ’s an insurance salesman now, up in the city, so the only time he gets to go anymore is the annual 4 th of July Picnic out at the lake. Donna and I used to go to the Picnic religiously, but since she died, and I took the job of Police Chief here, I don’t get the chance to do it for long anymore. Everyone usually goes out there on about the 2 nd or 3 rd , and camps out together through the 4 th , fishing, boating, hiking, or just lazing around, then they all pack it up and come back the 5 th . Nowadays, I get to go out there on the 4 th , usually for a couple of hours, but Toad-Lick always has a 4 th of July parade in the afternoon, and then a fireworks display right after sundown. Dave and I always have to be here, and on duty for that, so neither of us gets to go be with our friends for the 4 th anymore. I sure miss it, a lot. What I don’t miss is Double-D, or DJ, or Gary, Sam, one of the reverends, or somebody, or their wife more likely, always bringing some nice, middle-aged woman to the picnic, and just happen to think that she’d be a good match for lonely little ol’ me!
Sheesh! Dave says that I, being a single middle-aged man, am the talk of the town among the ladies, hereabouts. He says I’m a challenge to them, so I better just pick one of the ladies they throw at me, and settle down, or they’ll never give me a moments peace. I’m hoping to outlast them. Here’s an example.
This morning when Double-D came in for breakfast with the grandkids, they also had this nice-seeming, attractive woman with them. Turns out her name is Gloria, and she’s Darlene’s niece from the other side of the city. She’s a school teacher, ( they all have this thing that public- service professionals should be more attracted to each other, I guess. They’re always either school teachers, or nurses it seems to me, except one female cop, who turned out to be a Lesbian, {They hadn’t asked her beforehand, just sprung us on each other} that was memorable.) and had just gone through a nasty divorce. They’d just incidentally asked Gloria if she wanted to go camping with them this week, to get away. Then they sat at a table where there was no room for Gloria, knowing that, gentleman that I am, I’d invite her to sit with me. Ok, I did that. So they know their mark! So sue me. Quit snickering!! I hear you! Besides that, she is attractive, and smells good, too. So, Gloria and I had a nice conversation, in which we exchanged information about Double-D trying to set us up with each other. Seems that Darlene had told her all about me, over the last couple of weeks. Just kind of casually, you know. I found out right away that Gloria ain’t dumb. We laughed about it good-naturedly, and exchanged phone numbers. Neither of us are ready for more than dating right now, but having someone to date is an important step, right?
Ok, I said quit snickering, and I meant it. I’ll be looking for your old pick-up, speeding though my town.
So, after a nice conversation, Double-D, Gloria, and the kids all piled into the RV, and off they went to high adventure, down at the lake. Of course I told them I’d look in on them, and am supposed to go down there for supper with them one night this week. Gloria’s cooking, no less. Oh, yeah. Darryl let it slip that there’s supposed to be a full moon out this week, just in case we might feel like a little walk in the country after dinner. Gloria and I both just grinned at them. Can you say “Set-up?” I knew you could. Some of the older folks around here get pretty obvious about their matchmaking. I’ll bet you that Darlene is supposed to report in full detail to my mom, God bless her little pea-pickin’ heart, when they get back. Mom and Darlene have been thick as thieves for years. I think they’ve been volunteers at the same charity program 30 years, or more, and we can’t forget the weekly ladies bridge club, to which they both belong. Then there’s the “Red Hat Society.” Both of them are members in good standing. From what I know of the “Red Hat Society,” one must be female, over 65, possess a red hat, and be available for the monthly luncheons. I’m not sure I want to know more than that about it.©Texasfred
July 12, 2006
Entry for July 12, 2006
I've just recently come back home from a nice stay at our regional Medical Center's ICU, preceded by a 25 minute flight in an ambulance type of helicopter, preceded by being trapped for approximately 3 hours in my upside-down, no longer viable, Kenworth truck. This was preceded by me spending about 25 seconds exploring whether it is humanly possible to remain viable after you lose control of your truck and go spinning madly off the side of the road. I felt somewhat like an agitator in the washing machine, on the "Spin" cycle.
I won't go into detail about what happened, how I wrecked, and all that stuff. Suffice it to say that when the dust settled, it was 3 am, on the wrong side of a curve, beside a little 2 lane road, about 3 miles east of the nearest town, which has a population of about 50, not including dogs or cows. I was sort-of upside down, caught by my left leg, which was trapped between the steering wheel, and the driver's seat. The rest of me was laying comfortably on the broken glass, on what had once been the roof of the truck, within easy reach of the front hole-where-the-windshield-used-to-be. Oh, did I mention that the diesel tank had ruptured, so I was getting a steady flow of fuel pouring down my body? And the power was still working. Everything you need for a nice fire; a source of fuel, Air, and a nice trapped person to burn. I threw my cigarettes, and lighter as far as I could!
Then I lay there, praying that God might find it within Himself to save me, as I'd left a lot of loose ends, and couldn't seem to extract myself from this mess. This lasted a good few minutes. Then, after about 10 minutes or so, a nice man stopped, and wondered if anyone was still in there, so I said yes, and would he call 911? He did. Thankfully cell service was working in the area at the moment, because it doesn't always. Then he asked me if he could call anyone else for me, so I had him call my dispatcher, then my son. At least that way, they'd know what was going on. Then he shined his cell phone in the truck, and I got my first look around, sort-of. Well, truthfully, my face was pretty well mush, and when he saw me in his cell-phone light, he dropped the phone, and said "Oh My God!" This is a wonderful confidence builder for those of you who may find yourselves helping people trapped in overturned wrecks. It didn't bother me, I knew I was pretty messed up. I couldn't see the damage to myself, but I could certainly feel it. After that he stayed back a good 20 feet or so, until the Mineral Wells Fire/Rescue people got there. About 20 minutes.
The first one of them I met was a man named "Jerry". He introduced himself to me, got my assessment of the situation, passed that, along with what he could see and his much more professional assessment back out to some other people around us, and told me, "We're going to get you out of here as soon as we can and no matter how long or short a time that is, I'm right her with you, OK?" Jerry was my constant companion throughout the rest of my entrapment. Every time they'd get ready to cut, or pry on the truck, Jerry would be laying over me, spreading his bunker coat, telling me what was happening and that it'd be OK. At one point, I told Jerry I liked him, but he was going to have to ease up or go on a diet!
The other fellow who was pretty much in constant attendance to me was Chris. I'm assuming Chris is a Paramedic? Anyway, he's EMS, and he started an IV on me right away, and got me some Oxygen to breathe. Before they got me out, I went through two and a half bottles of Oxygen. It was a tight space but I was always in physical contact with one or the other of them throughout the rest of the ordeal and, at times, both of them.
The first thing they did was crack the passenger door open. I'd seen the safety triangle box, which weighs about 10 pounds, hanging between the door and the passenger seat above my head. I pointed it out to them before they popped the door so that maybe someone would move it? Jerry assured me they'd get the box out of there then he put a blanket over me to protect me from flying glass and debris, then they popped the door open with the "jaws of life". This was the only time Jerry went outside and of course I got hit by the box. Oh, well, it only fell a couple feet, so I figured at this point, no big deal. Later, I found out I had a 6" gash on the left side of my scalp, and my skull was cracked. My left leg was really going to sleep by now, so I told them about that. They cut out the gear shifter, and that gave me some relief. Then they cut the steering wheel off, and with them pulling me, I was able to straighten up somewhat, but found to the dismay of all, especially me, that my leg was still trapped between the dash-board and the driver's seat.
They began the next part of the rescue by trying to push the dash away from my leg, but as they got it away from my leg above the knee, it gouged into my shin. Kind of like a see-saw. No luck there. So, after some observation, and a little consultation, they decided the best thing to do would be to cut the seat away. The only problem with that was there's a back wall the seat was up against. So, they stabilized me and the truck, which was in serious danger of rolling completely and crushing Jerry and I, as best they could and then proceeded to cut away the back wall of the cab. Most of this time, I was lying as quietly as I could, talking with Jerry and Chris. Jerry was holding my hand, and Chris was taking my heart-rate, and blood-pressure, and just trying to keep me calm.
Finally they got the back wall out, and were cutting the seat away from the back of my leg. As we were talking, Jerry was telling me what they were going to do and what I needed to do in order to help; I overheard Chris say something about the "helicopter". On asking, I learned that I was to be care-flighted to John Peter-Smith Hospital in Ft. Worth. This is the County Hospital, so I made sure they knew I had insurance! And! I wasn't really hurt that bad, was I? Chris told me no, I wasn't that badly injured and that the reason for JPS wasn't because they're a county hospital, but that they have the best unit for compression/confined space injury. This was when I realized I'd been partially crushed, but not to what extent yet. A little bit later, one of them told me that if I could live long enough to get to the JPS Trauma Center that I'd have a 50/50 chance of living.
So, that's what they were worried about! They told me that confined space injury, or long term compression resulted in erratic heartbeat, and blood-pressure problems, in addition to the cuts, and abrasions. Chris told me that I could go wherever I wanted, of course, but he recommended JPS in this instance. I had to agree with him, sometimes you just have to bow to the experts, and these guys hadn't stepped wrong with me in 3 hours.
So, they finally got the seat out from under my leg, rolled me onto a buckboard, got me all taped and tied down, and carried me to a waiting ambulance, where they took off my boots, and belt, and began cutting off my clothes, and assessing the injuries they'd only been able to see dimly, if at all, before. On the way to the Ambulance I asked if anyone had taken photos, and asked for a copy of them. I wish I’d gotten them.
The final total of injuries? Well, let’s see. Face torn, with broken maxillary bone (That’s the one that holds your nose in place, and protects your sinuses,) sinuses permanently damaged. Cracked skull, on the left side of head. Left arm severely lacerated, (that is: severe cuts, and tears)and the little tube the nerve runs thru was crushed so I ended up with little feeling or strength in my left hand. Left rib-cage crushed (that means the ribs were broken in the front and the back, both) with bruised left lung and heart, bruised and compressed intestines/ colon/ stomach, bruised left hip, severe lacerations to left knee and lower leg, compression injury just above the left knee, severe damage to right knee, and last but not least, two vertebra impacted, C-5, and L-3 with resultant burning pain in my legs, and numbness/loss of sensitivity in my back and legs.
When I wrote this, I had just that day gotten out of the hospital and was still on Morphine, so it may appear somewhat disjointed and incomplete. There have been several long-term consequences of my injuries which I wasn't aware of at the time of this writing and which I won't go into now.
I've just recently come back home from a nice stay at our regional Medical Center's ICU, preceded by a 25 minute flight in an ambulance type of helicopter, preceded by being trapped for approximately 3 hours in my upside-down, no longer viable, Kenworth truck. This was preceded by me spending about 25 seconds exploring whether it is humanly possible to remain viable after you lose control of your truck and go spinning madly off the side of the road. I felt somewhat like an agitator in the washing machine, on the "Spin" cycle.
I won't go into detail about what happened, how I wrecked, and all that stuff. Suffice it to say that when the dust settled, it was 3 am, on the wrong side of a curve, beside a little 2 lane road, about 3 miles east of the nearest town, which has a population of about 50, not including dogs or cows. I was sort-of upside down, caught by my left leg, which was trapped between the steering wheel, and the driver's seat. The rest of me was laying comfortably on the broken glass, on what had once been the roof of the truck, within easy reach of the front hole-where-the-windshield-used-to-be. Oh, did I mention that the diesel tank had ruptured, so I was getting a steady flow of fuel pouring down my body? And the power was still working. Everything you need for a nice fire; a source of fuel, Air, and a nice trapped person to burn. I threw my cigarettes, and lighter as far as I could!
Then I lay there, praying that God might find it within Himself to save me, as I'd left a lot of loose ends, and couldn't seem to extract myself from this mess. This lasted a good few minutes. Then, after about 10 minutes or so, a nice man stopped, and wondered if anyone was still in there, so I said yes, and would he call 911? He did. Thankfully cell service was working in the area at the moment, because it doesn't always. Then he asked me if he could call anyone else for me, so I had him call my dispatcher, then my son. At least that way, they'd know what was going on. Then he shined his cell phone in the truck, and I got my first look around, sort-of. Well, truthfully, my face was pretty well mush, and when he saw me in his cell-phone light, he dropped the phone, and said "Oh My God!" This is a wonderful confidence builder for those of you who may find yourselves helping people trapped in overturned wrecks. It didn't bother me, I knew I was pretty messed up. I couldn't see the damage to myself, but I could certainly feel it. After that he stayed back a good 20 feet or so, until the Mineral Wells Fire/Rescue people got there. About 20 minutes.
The first one of them I met was a man named "Jerry". He introduced himself to me, got my assessment of the situation, passed that, along with what he could see and his much more professional assessment back out to some other people around us, and told me, "We're going to get you out of here as soon as we can and no matter how long or short a time that is, I'm right her with you, OK?" Jerry was my constant companion throughout the rest of my entrapment. Every time they'd get ready to cut, or pry on the truck, Jerry would be laying over me, spreading his bunker coat, telling me what was happening and that it'd be OK. At one point, I told Jerry I liked him, but he was going to have to ease up or go on a diet!
The other fellow who was pretty much in constant attendance to me was Chris. I'm assuming Chris is a Paramedic? Anyway, he's EMS, and he started an IV on me right away, and got me some Oxygen to breathe. Before they got me out, I went through two and a half bottles of Oxygen. It was a tight space but I was always in physical contact with one or the other of them throughout the rest of the ordeal and, at times, both of them.
The first thing they did was crack the passenger door open. I'd seen the safety triangle box, which weighs about 10 pounds, hanging between the door and the passenger seat above my head. I pointed it out to them before they popped the door so that maybe someone would move it? Jerry assured me they'd get the box out of there then he put a blanket over me to protect me from flying glass and debris, then they popped the door open with the "jaws of life". This was the only time Jerry went outside and of course I got hit by the box. Oh, well, it only fell a couple feet, so I figured at this point, no big deal. Later, I found out I had a 6" gash on the left side of my scalp, and my skull was cracked. My left leg was really going to sleep by now, so I told them about that. They cut out the gear shifter, and that gave me some relief. Then they cut the steering wheel off, and with them pulling me, I was able to straighten up somewhat, but found to the dismay of all, especially me, that my leg was still trapped between the dash-board and the driver's seat.
They began the next part of the rescue by trying to push the dash away from my leg, but as they got it away from my leg above the knee, it gouged into my shin. Kind of like a see-saw. No luck there. So, after some observation, and a little consultation, they decided the best thing to do would be to cut the seat away. The only problem with that was there's a back wall the seat was up against. So, they stabilized me and the truck, which was in serious danger of rolling completely and crushing Jerry and I, as best they could and then proceeded to cut away the back wall of the cab. Most of this time, I was lying as quietly as I could, talking with Jerry and Chris. Jerry was holding my hand, and Chris was taking my heart-rate, and blood-pressure, and just trying to keep me calm.
Finally they got the back wall out, and were cutting the seat away from the back of my leg. As we were talking, Jerry was telling me what they were going to do and what I needed to do in order to help; I overheard Chris say something about the "helicopter". On asking, I learned that I was to be care-flighted to John Peter-Smith Hospital in Ft. Worth. This is the County Hospital, so I made sure they knew I had insurance! And! I wasn't really hurt that bad, was I? Chris told me no, I wasn't that badly injured and that the reason for JPS wasn't because they're a county hospital, but that they have the best unit for compression/confined space injury. This was when I realized I'd been partially crushed, but not to what extent yet. A little bit later, one of them told me that if I could live long enough to get to the JPS Trauma Center that I'd have a 50/50 chance of living.
So, that's what they were worried about! They told me that confined space injury, or long term compression resulted in erratic heartbeat, and blood-pressure problems, in addition to the cuts, and abrasions. Chris told me that I could go wherever I wanted, of course, but he recommended JPS in this instance. I had to agree with him, sometimes you just have to bow to the experts, and these guys hadn't stepped wrong with me in 3 hours.
So, they finally got the seat out from under my leg, rolled me onto a buckboard, got me all taped and tied down, and carried me to a waiting ambulance, where they took off my boots, and belt, and began cutting off my clothes, and assessing the injuries they'd only been able to see dimly, if at all, before. On the way to the Ambulance I asked if anyone had taken photos, and asked for a copy of them. I wish I’d gotten them.
The final total of injuries? Well, let’s see. Face torn, with broken maxillary bone (That’s the one that holds your nose in place, and protects your sinuses,) sinuses permanently damaged. Cracked skull, on the left side of head. Left arm severely lacerated, (that is: severe cuts, and tears)and the little tube the nerve runs thru was crushed so I ended up with little feeling or strength in my left hand. Left rib-cage crushed (that means the ribs were broken in the front and the back, both) with bruised left lung and heart, bruised and compressed intestines/ colon/ stomach, bruised left hip, severe lacerations to left knee and lower leg, compression injury just above the left knee, severe damage to right knee, and last but not least, two vertebra impacted, C-5, and L-3 with resultant burning pain in my legs, and numbness/loss of sensitivity in my back and legs.
When I wrote this, I had just that day gotten out of the hospital and was still on Morphine, so it may appear somewhat disjointed and incomplete. There have been several long-term consequences of my injuries which I wasn't aware of at the time of this writing and which I won't go into now.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Government
A few thoughts on the government
Congress shall enact no law for the American people which doesn't affect Congress members themselves. NO MORE EXEMPTIONS! .
Congress should have no retirement or medical plan, other than Social Security and Medicare.
Congress should have a drastic pay-cut and NO living expenses! They have dormitories in place for when Congress is in session, they should use them.
Being a Congress person is ultimately a part-time job. I know that most Congressmen/women make it a full-time position nowadays and with the system in turmoil, they don't have much choice. The position was created to be part-time, however, and the People of the United States are really getting tired of paying out the nose because you somehow feel ENTITLED to more simply because we elected you.
If you want to stay in Congress and get a retirement, keep us satisfied for a minimum of 20 years, then you can get your Social Security Retirement like everyone else.
I suggest a salary cap for Congress, say $50,000 a year, plus expenses for travel and an allowance for meals while the Congressperson is on the road, say $25 a day – that should be enough for them to eat at most fast-food places. If they want better meals, they should pay out of their own pockets for them.
Travel – Congresspersons should be reimbursed the cost for a bus ride. Buses travel all over this Nation. If the Congressperson in question wants to take a plane, that is fine, they can pay the difference.
Congressional Staffing – Full-time, salaried staffers should receive a regular salary commensurate with their position and responsibilities – say 10% less than the same position would pay in the business world. Student staffers should get student wage, or minimum wage. Staffers can also retire on Social Security and get Medicare while employed by Congress.
Remember Mr or Ms Congressperson, you are NOT our leaders, you are in fact our followers. I'm sick and tired of you USURPING the Authority of the American People to further your own private agendas or the agendas of corporate sponsors or radical minorities. These are NOT the people who put you in office. We, the American People, are who put you there and we expect you to SERVE us in that capacity.
To the Radical Leftists in Congress. If you really believe in equalization as you say, why haven't you given away your own wealth? Why are you ENTITLED to force the rest of us, or rather US, to give up what we've worked for but not to have to do this yourself? The simple truth of the matter is this: You are NOT entitled to anything but the title you won in election and to fairly represent your Constituents.
I think its time for the American People to stand up for common sense and to take back our role as the true leaders and to put Congress and the President back in their true roles of servants to the will of the American People. The time for 'Special Interest,' for Corporate Congress, for High Privilege, is over. We've entered a tough time in America these days and it's time that you, our elected representatives show some resolve and common sense in your actions. Being elected to Congress is NOT a license to further the goals of some special interest group or to rape the American Public. It is a license to serve the American Public, through your Constituents.
I think that when a person is elected and swears their oath, they should leave “Party Politics” behind for the duration of their term in office. You should be a Republican or a Democrat while you are running for office, but once you get there you should be a Member of Congress and nothing else! You can go back to being a Republican or a Democrat when it's time for re-election.
“Undocumented Emigrants.” Nice phrase. They are, in fact, illegal aliens. This is the plain truth of the matter. They are not entitled to anything but a free bus ride back to the border. While I'm thinking about it, let's get them documented. Let's fingerprint and ID them so that if and when they DO come back, we'll know who they are and they won't be 'undocumented' anymore. We'll know that they are 'illegals' and can skip the formalities and ship them back forthwith.
Prisons. They're overcrowded. We know this and haven't done anything but make it worse. I won't use the actual word that I normally would in the next sentence, I'll use the word 'mess' instead. There are two kinds of people who get in trouble with the law and go to jail/prison, there are those who 'messed' up and those who are 'mess ups.' If a person messed up, then they're gonna go serve their time and we'll never see them in the system again. They learned a lesson and are going to go on to live normal, productive lives. Then there are the 'mes ups,' they think that next time, they'll get away with it. They have nothing but contempt for our Society, our Laws and the 'System.' They accept jail and prison as a part of the lifestyle they choose to lead. Now according to our current system, they get to go on probation several times, then progressively longer sentences in prison. We like to think of it as a chance at Rehabilitation. This is a nice idea and generally works for people who just 'messed up.' It is, however, a 'revolving door' for 'mess ups.' The actual word for them, by the way, is Recidivists. We should build 'prison' colonies at various locations and let them 'chain-gang' their time. They can farm public beef, chickens and food staples, work on roads with picks and shovels and reclaim previously unusable land. The food they produce can go to feed themselves, be doled out to public welfare recipients and Congress, since we won't be paying for their previously lavish lifestyle anymore.
Military. All persons in this country, at age 18 and after High School, should be subject to the draft and service for two years. Just like in the past, but with a twist. The military should have quotas and fill them from the draft pool, but the excess should go to a re-established Conservation Corp. This would give all of our youth the chance to experience discipline and teamwork, to learn cohesiveness and to give something of themselves to America. To feel that they had earned the right to be truly American Citizens. Draft-dodgers would become persons-non-grata and lose the right to vote or run for any public office. There would be no exemptions.
Our government should go back to being blind to ALL religions, rather than punishing Christianity and giving special interest to Islam and Atheism. No religious group who are also political entities should be recognized my our government. We already do this with Israel and the Jewish population and Roman Catholicism, which both have their own governments and function in the US as established religions. Islam and Atheism should be treated no differently. They have no place in the political sphere of the United States of America.
We should do everything within our power to wean ourselves from oil or fossil fuels in general. That being said, we should also develop our own resources of these for our consumption till such time as we don't need them anymore and then sell them to other nations.
We should be selling food stocks at a higher rate than OPEC sells oil. After all, people can always walk or ride animals without gas, they can't do much more than starve without food. We subsidize much of the world's food supply, virtually for free while we're going further and further in debt to the same nations we're subsidizing. This has got to stop. If a nation wants to trade in the American Market, they must meet American Standards and trade fairly with us. We don't have to trade any more fairly with them than they do with us.
Respect and partnership are earned, not inalienable rights of politicians. You, Congress, have not earned the respect of the American people and don't have our trust. You can not fairly expect to be our partners. There are individual members who have and continue to do a good if not great job of representing their constituents and have earned the respect and partnership due them. They are a very small minority in the current Congress.
Generally speaking, the people think that to be a lawyer is to say that you are well-educated and well-read, but are generally a failure. You can't make an honest living doing productive things. To take that one step further, and I'm still speaking generally, to be a politician is to accept that you've even failed as a lawyer. Of course there ARE exceptions. There are people who are great lawyers and there have been some truly great politicians. Who knows, some of you may become great, but as of this writing, I don't see any great politicians in Washington. Just a lot of self-inflated ego and self-entitlement.©texasfred
Congress should have no retirement or medical plan, other than Social Security and Medicare.
Congress should have a drastic pay-cut and NO living expenses! They have dormitories in place for when Congress is in session, they should use them.
Being a Congress person is ultimately a part-time job. I know that most Congressmen/women make it a full-time position nowadays and with the system in turmoil, they don't have much choice. The position was created to be part-time, however, and the People of the United States are really getting tired of paying out the nose because you somehow feel ENTITLED to more simply because we elected you.
If you want to stay in Congress and get a retirement, keep us satisfied for a minimum of 20 years, then you can get your Social Security Retirement like everyone else.
I suggest a salary cap for Congress, say $50,000 a year, plus expenses for travel and an allowance for meals while the Congressperson is on the road, say $25 a day – that should be enough for them to eat at most fast-food places. If they want better meals, they should pay out of their own pockets for them.
Travel – Congresspersons should be reimbursed the cost for a bus ride. Buses travel all over this Nation. If the Congressperson in question wants to take a plane, that is fine, they can pay the difference.
Congressional Staffing – Full-time, salaried staffers should receive a regular salary commensurate with their position and responsibilities – say 10% less than the same position would pay in the business world. Student staffers should get student wage, or minimum wage. Staffers can also retire on Social Security and get Medicare while employed by Congress.
Remember Mr or Ms Congressperson, you are NOT our leaders, you are in fact our followers. I'm sick and tired of you USURPING the Authority of the American People to further your own private agendas or the agendas of corporate sponsors or radical minorities. These are NOT the people who put you in office. We, the American People, are who put you there and we expect you to SERVE us in that capacity.
To the Radical Leftists in Congress. If you really believe in equalization as you say, why haven't you given away your own wealth? Why are you ENTITLED to force the rest of us, or rather US, to give up what we've worked for but not to have to do this yourself? The simple truth of the matter is this: You are NOT entitled to anything but the title you won in election and to fairly represent your Constituents.
I think its time for the American People to stand up for common sense and to take back our role as the true leaders and to put Congress and the President back in their true roles of servants to the will of the American People. The time for 'Special Interest,' for Corporate Congress, for High Privilege, is over. We've entered a tough time in America these days and it's time that you, our elected representatives show some resolve and common sense in your actions. Being elected to Congress is NOT a license to further the goals of some special interest group or to rape the American Public. It is a license to serve the American Public, through your Constituents.
I think that when a person is elected and swears their oath, they should leave “Party Politics” behind for the duration of their term in office. You should be a Republican or a Democrat while you are running for office, but once you get there you should be a Member of Congress and nothing else! You can go back to being a Republican or a Democrat when it's time for re-election.
“Undocumented Emigrants.” Nice phrase. They are, in fact, illegal aliens. This is the plain truth of the matter. They are not entitled to anything but a free bus ride back to the border. While I'm thinking about it, let's get them documented. Let's fingerprint and ID them so that if and when they DO come back, we'll know who they are and they won't be 'undocumented' anymore. We'll know that they are 'illegals' and can skip the formalities and ship them back forthwith.
Prisons. They're overcrowded. We know this and haven't done anything but make it worse. I won't use the actual word that I normally would in the next sentence, I'll use the word 'mess' instead. There are two kinds of people who get in trouble with the law and go to jail/prison, there are those who 'messed' up and those who are 'mess ups.' If a person messed up, then they're gonna go serve their time and we'll never see them in the system again. They learned a lesson and are going to go on to live normal, productive lives. Then there are the 'mes ups,' they think that next time, they'll get away with it. They have nothing but contempt for our Society, our Laws and the 'System.' They accept jail and prison as a part of the lifestyle they choose to lead. Now according to our current system, they get to go on probation several times, then progressively longer sentences in prison. We like to think of it as a chance at Rehabilitation. This is a nice idea and generally works for people who just 'messed up.' It is, however, a 'revolving door' for 'mess ups.' The actual word for them, by the way, is Recidivists. We should build 'prison' colonies at various locations and let them 'chain-gang' their time. They can farm public beef, chickens and food staples, work on roads with picks and shovels and reclaim previously unusable land. The food they produce can go to feed themselves, be doled out to public welfare recipients and Congress, since we won't be paying for their previously lavish lifestyle anymore.
Military. All persons in this country, at age 18 and after High School, should be subject to the draft and service for two years. Just like in the past, but with a twist. The military should have quotas and fill them from the draft pool, but the excess should go to a re-established Conservation Corp. This would give all of our youth the chance to experience discipline and teamwork, to learn cohesiveness and to give something of themselves to America. To feel that they had earned the right to be truly American Citizens. Draft-dodgers would become persons-non-grata and lose the right to vote or run for any public office. There would be no exemptions.
Our government should go back to being blind to ALL religions, rather than punishing Christianity and giving special interest to Islam and Atheism. No religious group who are also political entities should be recognized my our government. We already do this with Israel and the Jewish population and Roman Catholicism, which both have their own governments and function in the US as established religions. Islam and Atheism should be treated no differently. They have no place in the political sphere of the United States of America.
We should do everything within our power to wean ourselves from oil or fossil fuels in general. That being said, we should also develop our own resources of these for our consumption till such time as we don't need them anymore and then sell them to other nations.
We should be selling food stocks at a higher rate than OPEC sells oil. After all, people can always walk or ride animals without gas, they can't do much more than starve without food. We subsidize much of the world's food supply, virtually for free while we're going further and further in debt to the same nations we're subsidizing. This has got to stop. If a nation wants to trade in the American Market, they must meet American Standards and trade fairly with us. We don't have to trade any more fairly with them than they do with us.
Respect and partnership are earned, not inalienable rights of politicians. You, Congress, have not earned the respect of the American people and don't have our trust. You can not fairly expect to be our partners. There are individual members who have and continue to do a good if not great job of representing their constituents and have earned the respect and partnership due them. They are a very small minority in the current Congress.
Generally speaking, the people think that to be a lawyer is to say that you are well-educated and well-read, but are generally a failure. You can't make an honest living doing productive things. To take that one step further, and I'm still speaking generally, to be a politician is to accept that you've even failed as a lawyer. Of course there ARE exceptions. There are people who are great lawyers and there have been some truly great politicians. Who knows, some of you may become great, but as of this writing, I don't see any great politicians in Washington. Just a lot of self-inflated ego and self-entitlement.©texasfred
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