Yeah, they do. The roots of gun control are racist; Clayton Cramer taught me that. John Lott taught me that.
Now, there is anther voice pickig up the call, and I like this guy.
The more of us who point this out, the safer we all will be. Gun control is racist.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Campaigning
I'm wandering the parish, talking to people and trying to get the word out. My main message to the people is that there is a lot of money being spent in this race, and I don't have much money. I've always deplored big money in politics, and don't really understand how someone can spend a hundred thousand dollars on a local race. It doesn't make any sense unless it's an unrelenting quest for power. I am not promising any single person anything.
However, I'm not so idealistic that I decline campaign contributions. I simply insist on a couple of simple caveats. I won't be bought, and the contributor can expect no favors. I am happy to help people, but a contribution will not prevent me from fulfilling my vow to uphold the law. Understanding that, if a person wishes to contribute, I am grateful.
You can mail a check to:
James Dezendorf
21 Barron Chapel Road
Pineville, LA 71360
I will log it and properly report it according to the law. Any contribution in excess of what is allowed by law will be promptly returned.
However, I'm not so idealistic that I decline campaign contributions. I simply insist on a couple of simple caveats. I won't be bought, and the contributor can expect no favors. I am happy to help people, but a contribution will not prevent me from fulfilling my vow to uphold the law. Understanding that, if a person wishes to contribute, I am grateful.
You can mail a check to:
James Dezendorf
21 Barron Chapel Road
Pineville, LA 71360
I will log it and properly report it according to the law. Any contribution in excess of what is allowed by law will be promptly returned.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Caps Are In
Someone asked me about caps as a campaign item, so I ordered some.
I"ll be passing these out to supporters. Remember, good guys wear white hats.
I"ll be passing these out to supporters. Remember, good guys wear white hats.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
My Platform
Putting up a new video describing my platform in my race for Sheriff.
I spent most of the day doing retail politics. This one is on my Facebook page.
I spent most of the day doing retail politics. This one is on my Facebook page.
Summertime
I live, like many of you, in a climate-controlled house. Air conditioning is not a luxury anymore. It's absolutely critical to the way we live. And, we could go back to living without it, but we'd be cranky and miserable for a while, and we'd have to totally re-design the way we build houses. There are no cross-drafts, no way to move air through the house unless we force it. And that's okay, it's a comfortable home, ad what we wanted when we bought it.
When I was a kid, I had a pretty good idea of the weather outside before I even got out of bed. Nowadays I don't have a clue. Belle sets the thermostat on 72F and it stays there year round. I'm not complaining, you understand. I grew up in a house with no air conditioning. We had an attic fan. My kids, for the most part, were reared in a house with no air conditioning.
Nowadays I don't know that the weather is until I step outside with my morning coffee.This morning I stepped out, hot, humid, muggy with drizzling rain. The very air was like walking into a wet blanket. It shouldn't have been a shock. I've called Louisiana home for most of my life. Yet, I taken aback. Oh, hell, it's summer time. Memorial Day is past, and we'll have hot, humid weather util sometime after Labor Day.
It's summertime in Louisiana.
When I was a kid, I had a pretty good idea of the weather outside before I even got out of bed. Nowadays I don't have a clue. Belle sets the thermostat on 72F and it stays there year round. I'm not complaining, you understand. I grew up in a house with no air conditioning. We had an attic fan. My kids, for the most part, were reared in a house with no air conditioning.
Nowadays I don't know that the weather is until I step outside with my morning coffee.This morning I stepped out, hot, humid, muggy with drizzling rain. The very air was like walking into a wet blanket. It shouldn't have been a shock. I've called Louisiana home for most of my life. Yet, I taken aback. Oh, hell, it's summer time. Memorial Day is past, and we'll have hot, humid weather util sometime after Labor Day.
It's summertime in Louisiana.
Monday, May 27, 2019
Memorial Day
I'll be celebrating Memorial Day in my own way. Nothing fancy, nothing flashy, just remembering.
Let's all remember why we celebrate Memorial Day. It's not about us today, ti's about them.
Let's all remember why we celebrate Memorial Day. It's not about us today, ti's about them.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
May Monthly Match
The Peacemakers shot their May monthly match yesterday at the Home Range. Seven Shooters participated. Seven shooter participated. It was a 3X match, using the Nevada 8 format. The Nevada 8 format limits individual bouts to eight shots. Each bout will be decided in eight shots. This moves the match along, and puts a premium on hitting the target. The 3X format means that each shooter must lose three bouts to be eliminated.
We had six men and one woman, so we opted to let her shoot with the men. Normally, men and women shoot in different divisions, but this particular match, we didn't have enough women for a stand-alone division, so she shot with the men. Much to their woe. She gave away a lot of Xs and was not eliminted until the later stages of the match.
By the end of the 7th round, there were only two men left. Brother Fred had two Xs and Cajun Greg was clean with no Xs. Cajun Greg had been shooting extremely well, hitting the target consistently, in the mid-5s. But, the match wouldn't be over until one of them had lost three times, and Brother Fred wasn't done. The score sheets tell the tale. We put them on the line and the rangemaster told them to "load and make ready". Brother Fred won that bout, giving Cajun Greg his first X. So, the rangemaster made them change lanes and we did it again. Brother Fred prevailed again, Giving Greg his second X. So, once again they changed lanes and got ready to gunfight. In just a few minutes, it was over, with Brother Fred giving Cajun Greg his final X, and the match was over. It as a masterful performance.
It's in the record books now, and the shooting schedule of June is planned. We'll practice on June 15th with the June Match scheduled for June 29th.
We had six men and one woman, so we opted to let her shoot with the men. Normally, men and women shoot in different divisions, but this particular match, we didn't have enough women for a stand-alone division, so she shot with the men. Much to their woe. She gave away a lot of Xs and was not eliminted until the later stages of the match.
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| Squirrel Girl, May Match. She put a lot of men out of the match. |
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| May Match Men. 1st Brother Fred - 2nd Cajun Greg - 3rd Major D. |
Friday, May 24, 2019
Retail Politics
The Sheriff's race is gathering steam ad I'm involved with retail politics. One on one, shaking hands and asking or votes. Because I'm po-folks, I haven't spent a lot of money on signs. I have some yard signs, ad I've handing those out, but the big signs that require carpentry and paint simply aren't inn my budget. I'm not going to spend $100 on one sign and wished that I had 50 signs.
I did order some post cards with my logo on front and my platform on the back. I carry a stack of those with me, and hand them out when I'm talking to people. Those are remarkably effective, and I've handed out a bunch of them. They cost me about a dime apiece.
And, I"m hitting them hard on Facebook. Facebook ads are remarkably frugal. I've spent about $200 over the last 60 days to reach over 10,000 people. That is about 2 cents apiece to show up on your phone or tablet. That's cheap advertising. My campaign page is here. Go over and give it a look.
It's early yet, but I saw a poll earlier this week, and I was running dead-last. But, I am reminded that the polls showed Donald Trump running last, both in the primary ad the general election. All the pollsters were convinced he was going to lose, right up till the minute he won. So, I don't put much stock in polls. The only poll that matters is the one on October 12th.
I did order some post cards with my logo on front and my platform on the back. I carry a stack of those with me, and hand them out when I'm talking to people. Those are remarkably effective, and I've handed out a bunch of them. They cost me about a dime apiece.
And, I"m hitting them hard on Facebook. Facebook ads are remarkably frugal. I've spent about $200 over the last 60 days to reach over 10,000 people. That is about 2 cents apiece to show up on your phone or tablet. That's cheap advertising. My campaign page is here. Go over and give it a look.
It's early yet, but I saw a poll earlier this week, and I was running dead-last. But, I am reminded that the polls showed Donald Trump running last, both in the primary ad the general election. All the pollsters were convinced he was going to lose, right up till the minute he won. So, I don't put much stock in polls. The only poll that matters is the one on October 12th.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Watching The Floods
If you've been watching the flooding in Oklahoma and Kansas, you know that this year has been a weird one for weather. Climate change indeed. We're following the weather here in central Louisiana as well, because all that water northwest of here eventually comes across our state. It may take a week, but eventually the rain that falls in Kansas, Missouri, or Oklahoma visits us in the rivers.
Of course, the Mississippi river is at flood stage. And has been for a while. The flood is a rolling flood. What was upstream yesterday comes downstream, and it ebbs and crests, but recent rains have kept the river high. And now, the Corps of Engineers is considering opening the Morganza Spillway. According to the Baton Rouge paper:
Of course, the Mississippi river is at flood stage. And has been for a while. The flood is a rolling flood. What was upstream yesterday comes downstream, and it ebbs and crests, but recent rains have kept the river high. And now, the Corps of Engineers is considering opening the Morganza Spillway. According to the Baton Rouge paper:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is warning stakeholders along the Morganza Spillway that it could be forced to open some of the structure's gates early next month because, based on current forecasts, the Mississippi River would overtop the spillway structure on June 5 and render it unsafe.We'll be keeping an eye on this.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
I used to read Bill Whittle on the old Eject, Eject, Eject blog. His Firewall videos are certainly worth the time.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Old River
There is a place between my acre, and Baton Rouge, along the Mississippi River, called the Old River Control Structure. It's a massive engineering project that is ongoing, started in the early 20th century and continuing today. It is designed to keep the Mississippi river controlled. It's massive hydrology.
The problem is that the Mississippi river does not want to stay in it's channel. It wants to take the Atchafalaya river. The Atchafalaya river is straighter than the Mississippi, a more direct route to the Gulf, with a steeper drop. If the Mississippi moves into the Atchafalaya, then Baton Rouge and New Orleans will be stranded without enough water to sustain the industry and the populations, resulting i a massive dislocation of people and resources.
My father always said that one of these days it will happen. I've said it myself in the past. Mother Nature works in her own ways, ad while we can live with the river and the floods, we can't control her, or the river.
This young lady presents a pretty good tutorial on what is happening today and what might happen tomorrow (or the next day). If's fifteen minutes, but it's worth it.
With all the rain we're getting this spring, and all the snow that the west is still getting, we may be setting up for record flood. It will be interesting to see i the structure can hold back the flood, again.
The problem is that the Mississippi river does not want to stay in it's channel. It wants to take the Atchafalaya river. The Atchafalaya river is straighter than the Mississippi, a more direct route to the Gulf, with a steeper drop. If the Mississippi moves into the Atchafalaya, then Baton Rouge and New Orleans will be stranded without enough water to sustain the industry and the populations, resulting i a massive dislocation of people and resources.
My father always said that one of these days it will happen. I've said it myself in the past. Mother Nature works in her own ways, ad while we can live with the river and the floods, we can't control her, or the river.
This young lady presents a pretty good tutorial on what is happening today and what might happen tomorrow (or the next day). If's fifteen minutes, but it's worth it.
With all the rain we're getting this spring, and all the snow that the west is still getting, we may be setting up for record flood. It will be interesting to see i the structure can hold back the flood, again.
Monday, May 20, 2019
Texas Asserts Sovereign Immunity
It seems that the Texas government has asserted sovereign immunity over the US Congress.
Texas is asserting its sovereign immunity against Congress, telling Democrats on two congressional committees this week that the state has no obligation to comply with their investigative demands.I've often wondered why states did not more often invoke the 10th Amendment in certain matters, telling Congress (or federal bureaucrats) to go pound sand.
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office says that as a state with sovereign powers under the Constitution, Texas can’t be treated like a federal agency or Cabinet secretary who can be compelled to comply.
For those who are not familiar the 10th Amendment says:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.Congress, over the past decades, has assumed a lot of powers not delegated to it by the Constitution, and sometimes the states should rein in the federal bureaucracy.
We're Tired
We're tired. Tired of the climate bullshit. The climate alarmists have been spewing doomsday scenarios for most of my adult life, and none of them has panned out. For example, in 1975 Newsweek ran an article about the coming glaciation. Yeah, that link takes you to Snopes. but, look what Newsweek said:
UPDATE** From Instapundit, since the original posting:
The central fact is that after three quarters of a century of extraordinarily mild conditions, the earth’s climate seems to be cooling down. Meteorologists disagree about the cause and extent of the cooling trend […] but they are almost unanimous in the view that the trend will reduce agricultural productivity for the next century. […]Nowadays, it's global warming. The same gloom-and-doom, and politicians make hay out of it. The voters are seeing through the poly. I see where Australia elected a conservative government over the weekend. The New York Times put the blame on the strident climate alarmists.
On Saturday, the conservative party — the Liberal/National coalition — held on to its majority in Australia's parliament, even picking up a few seats and stunning observers who had predicted a Labor Party victory. In fact, The New York Times ran a lament that the climate alarmists lost their election.Yeah, because we're tired of your bullshit. Any politician around me who talks about climate is an idiot. The climate is not their concern. Really, t's not.
UPDATE** From Instapundit, since the original posting:
“It is the middle of May and things are looking more like winter than spring. Winter apparently is not finished with parts of the Northeast, nor the West or Europe. In many places around the northern hemisphere its the latest start of spring on record. Cold air coming in from Canada is likely to cause a mix of snow and rain in higher elevations of New Hampshire, Vermont and much of northern Maine by the 14th of May, CNN meteorologist Gene Norman said. That means we will have have had 9 months of winter weather in some parts of the United States as well as in Europe and Russia.”Nine months of winter sounds like climate change, but not the kind we've been led to expect.
Sunday, May 19, 2019
The No Name Club
The No Name Club is a local social club for men. (Gasp! Perpetuating the patriarchal hegemony!). No,not really. The club has been active for years, some say decades, and the activities are a lot of fun. Once a month they meet, hold a dance, and spend a Sunday afternoon dancing and cooking Yes, the ladies are invited, but they are catered to for the afternoon. It's very pleasant, and the membership is limited, by invitation only. Dues are reasonable, ad pay for the venue and the food that we consume.
Belle and I have attended a couple of times as a guest. but recently I was invited to join. I jumped at the opportunity. All of the men are divided into six teams, responsible for the cooking. Each team cooks twice per year. I'm on the cook team this month and again in six months. Ain't no problem, I know our cook team leader. He's a retired Sheriff's deputy and has the situation well in hand. I"ll show p at the appointed time, and do what I'm told, and we'll serve on time.
Basically, we meet from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, with dinner served at 6:00. The club provides set-ups, beer and wine. The ladies are catered to in the finest tradition of Southern hospitality.
The cook team is meeting at 1:00. Belle will follow at 4:00. We're looking forward to it.
Belle and I have attended a couple of times as a guest. but recently I was invited to join. I jumped at the opportunity. All of the men are divided into six teams, responsible for the cooking. Each team cooks twice per year. I'm on the cook team this month and again in six months. Ain't no problem, I know our cook team leader. He's a retired Sheriff's deputy and has the situation well in hand. I"ll show p at the appointed time, and do what I'm told, and we'll serve on time.
Basically, we meet from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, with dinner served at 6:00. The club provides set-ups, beer and wine. The ladies are catered to in the finest tradition of Southern hospitality.
The cook team is meeting at 1:00. Belle will follow at 4:00. We're looking forward to it.
Friday, May 17, 2019
Dunlap Dam Failure
This video catches the partial spillway collapse at Lake Dunlap near New Braunfels, TX. Water is heavy, and exerts lots of pressure.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Prayer and Practice
After my Gosh-awful day, I needed to go to a place where God's word would be heard, so about sundown I went over to the church.
I started the morning at the DMV, which is enough to make anyone lose their religion. Came home and ran a chainsaw for a bit, trimming an oak tree so that I could mow under it. Got out the lawn mower and had trouble keeping it running. Stuck it twice in a muddy ditch, and when on the other side o the house, got too close to the central air unit and slid it off it's pad. Put the AC unit back on the bad and called the AC guy to service it. AC guy said he'd be there shorty.
Called second son, my mechanic, who is an expert on small engines. He said he'd come by after work. AC guy showed up about 4:30, told me I hadn't really hurt anything, but gave the AC unit a springtime servicing and let me write him a check for his work.
Second son came over, ad we started diagnosing the lawnmower. He asked for some needle-nose pliers and I went to gt them. Came around the corner and saw flames, actual flames coming from under the dashboard of the mower. I'm no mechanic, but I believe flames are bad. My mechanic thinks so too. We have some re-wiring to do, as soon as he researches the original problem. We'll get to the bottom of it, but not tonight.
Belle got home and we poured an aperitif. I told her about my day, and told her I was going to the church to help with Prayer and Practice. I changed shirts and went over. Found my church buddies and told them about my day. One good friend pointed at the full moon and told me that was the problem. Some of the horses were skittish because everything is weird on a full moon.
Our church is a Cowboy Church, and yes, we have horses. And a rodeo arena. And during the middle of the practice, we stop and listen to a word of gospel.
Home now, and safe. Everything is good, the house is cool, and the mechanical problems will be solved in good time. Like I tell the dawg every morning, "It's going to be all right.".
I started the morning at the DMV, which is enough to make anyone lose their religion. Came home and ran a chainsaw for a bit, trimming an oak tree so that I could mow under it. Got out the lawn mower and had trouble keeping it running. Stuck it twice in a muddy ditch, and when on the other side o the house, got too close to the central air unit and slid it off it's pad. Put the AC unit back on the bad and called the AC guy to service it. AC guy said he'd be there shorty.
Called second son, my mechanic, who is an expert on small engines. He said he'd come by after work. AC guy showed up about 4:30, told me I hadn't really hurt anything, but gave the AC unit a springtime servicing and let me write him a check for his work.
Second son came over, ad we started diagnosing the lawnmower. He asked for some needle-nose pliers and I went to gt them. Came around the corner and saw flames, actual flames coming from under the dashboard of the mower. I'm no mechanic, but I believe flames are bad. My mechanic thinks so too. We have some re-wiring to do, as soon as he researches the original problem. We'll get to the bottom of it, but not tonight.
Belle got home and we poured an aperitif. I told her about my day, and told her I was going to the church to help with Prayer and Practice. I changed shirts and went over. Found my church buddies and told them about my day. One good friend pointed at the full moon and told me that was the problem. Some of the horses were skittish because everything is weird on a full moon.
Our church is a Cowboy Church, and yes, we have horses. And a rodeo arena. And during the middle of the practice, we stop and listen to a word of gospel.
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| Brother Perry, our arena master, delivering he Word of God from horseback. |
Corrections
The Corrections Officer is vital to the efficient operation of the Sheriff's Office. Under Louisiana law, the Sheriff is responsible for keeping the local jail, and Corrections Officers normally make up about half of the sworn officers in the department. I know the job, because I've done it, and I support the fine deputies who provide Care, Custody, and Control to the nations's jails.
Revealing The Plan
It seems that both Senator Cory Booker ad Senator Kamala Harris, both Democratic hopefuls, are trying to out-do each other on control. You can read the whole sorry scenario here.
Violating the Second Amendment does't seem to be a problem for the Democratic hopefuls. Banning, legislating, androyal decree executive action seems to be the way they intend to to introduce common sense gun safety sweeping gun bans to the country.
They are revealing their plans in an effort to broaden support in the primary. They are talking to the base, not the general electorate. Plans like this may play well on the coasts, but in middle America, it is anathema.
I've been thinking about picking up another M4-style rifle. It's America's Rifle, after all, and patriots would do well to prepare. I really don't believe that either of these two will see the general election, but having another modern sporting rifle in the rack is never a bad idea.
Violating the Second Amendment does't seem to be a problem for the Democratic hopefuls. Banning, legislating, and
They are revealing their plans in an effort to broaden support in the primary. They are talking to the base, not the general electorate. Plans like this may play well on the coasts, but in middle America, it is anathema.
I've been thinking about picking up another M4-style rifle. It's America's Rifle, after all, and patriots would do well to prepare. I really don't believe that either of these two will see the general election, but having another modern sporting rifle in the rack is never a bad idea.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
What Is Going To Power Them
I see that the Democrats are backing a bill to ban the use of gasoline powered cars by 2040. Fat chance. It will never get through the Senate.
But, what do they think will power cars? Electricity? Okay, fine. What source of power is going to be used to generate that electricity? Today, it's natural gas (35%), coal (27%), and nuclear (20%).
I knew guy a while back who had an electric car. I harassed him about using a coal powered car. He got offended, but our local power plant used lignite to run the steam turbines. So there.
IN the parts store today, doing a little politicking and laughing about the Democratic clown-car-show that they're putting on against Trump. This bill is simply pandering to the far-left base.
But, what do they think will power cars? Electricity? Okay, fine. What source of power is going to be used to generate that electricity? Today, it's natural gas (35%), coal (27%), and nuclear (20%).
I knew guy a while back who had an electric car. I harassed him about using a coal powered car. He got offended, but our local power plant used lignite to run the steam turbines. So there.
IN the parts store today, doing a little politicking and laughing about the Democratic clown-car-show that they're putting on against Trump. This bill is simply pandering to the far-left base.
Meatless Revolution
Meatless revolution? I think not. As it turns out, vegetarians account for about 5% of the US population, ad vegans are about 1%. But, Chick-fil-A is exploring meatless options.
But, whatever, it's their business. And as I've heard it said; "Get woke, Go broke.
Say it ain’t so, Joe! Or Dan, actually. (As in Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A.) The company is reportedly in the midst of developing more vegan options on their menu. But they’re not just talking about salads and side dishes here. Some thought is being given to offering “meatless chicken.” Which, last time I checked, means it’s not actually chicken.Chick-fil-A has a great business model, and they've done really well with one product. Chicken. I've eaten at their restaurants, and it's pretty good, though I don't make an effort to get across town. If I'm over there and peckish, I might pick up a bite. However, I know people who are very loyal and truly crave their sandwiches.
But, whatever, it's their business. And as I've heard it said; "Get woke, Go broke.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Ralfy Revieews
If you want to know anything about Scotch Whiskey, go over to ralfy.com He is a veteran reviewer of Scotch Whisky, and knowledgeable.
Occasionally, he slips his traces and roars off into foreign territory, reviewing rums and bourbons. Here he's reviewing Bourbon Deluxe, a blended bourbon whiskey marketed by Jim Beam. We used to consider Bourbon Deluxe a bottom shelf whiskey, suitable for serving only to young lieutenants, and artillery officers. Helicopter pilots would drink it as well, but those guys are liable to drink anything.
At any rate, have fun. He compares it to Pappy Van Winkle. But, he reviews two bottles, one bottled in the 1970s and one bottled recently. It's a generational review.
Watching this guy is a lot of fun.
Occasionally, he slips his traces and roars off into foreign territory, reviewing rums and bourbons. Here he's reviewing Bourbon Deluxe, a blended bourbon whiskey marketed by Jim Beam. We used to consider Bourbon Deluxe a bottom shelf whiskey, suitable for serving only to young lieutenants, and artillery officers. Helicopter pilots would drink it as well, but those guys are liable to drink anything.
At any rate, have fun. He compares it to Pappy Van Winkle. But, he reviews two bottles, one bottled in the 1970s and one bottled recently. It's a generational review.
Watching this guy is a lot of fun.
New Salt Generator
Many of you know that I use this blog, among other things, to document home improvement, and devices I use at the homestead so that when they go out, I can readily find what I'm looking for.
We have a pool and it uses a salt water system. It's very friendly on chemicals. Normally, I spend about $200 per year on salt and muriatic acid. The pool tends to go basic, so I need the acid to balance ph, and the salt us used by the salt system to make chlorine. Normally, this works great, but every five years or so, the salt generator dies, constituting the need for a replacement.
One day last week, I noticed that the salt generator wasn't working, so after some diagnosis, I decided that it had gone south. We ordered a new one, and it came in today. It's already installed, a simple matter if you have a strap wrench.
For the record, it's a Pentair Intellichlor IC40. I have installed it, and we're going to let it run for 24 hours on the Shock setting. Then I'll balance the ph and start vacuuming.
We have a pool and it uses a salt water system. It's very friendly on chemicals. Normally, I spend about $200 per year on salt and muriatic acid. The pool tends to go basic, so I need the acid to balance ph, and the salt us used by the salt system to make chlorine. Normally, this works great, but every five years or so, the salt generator dies, constituting the need for a replacement.
One day last week, I noticed that the salt generator wasn't working, so after some diagnosis, I decided that it had gone south. We ordered a new one, and it came in today. It's already installed, a simple matter if you have a strap wrench.
For the record, it's a Pentair Intellichlor IC40. I have installed it, and we're going to let it run for 24 hours on the Shock setting. Then I'll balance the ph and start vacuuming.
Inspection Stickers
Louisiana has a requirement that all vehicles have an inspection sticker. You can buy a one-year of r two-year inspection sticker. I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the inspection sticker had expired on my pickup, but it hasn't left the yard in several weeks. One of the things on my "Ger "er Done" list is to get a new inspection sticker.
As a working cop, I always questioned the efficacy of those inspection stickers. If I made a traffic stop, it was one thing I checked, but I don't think I ever wrote a stand-alone ticket for an expired inspection sticker. If there was a problem, I would add it to the list of things, but generally, I'd just warn the motorist to get a new sticker.
The problem with inspection stickers is that it increases the bureaucracy. A portion of the money went to the State Police, a portion went to the Office of Motor Vehicles and a portion went to the actual inspector who conducted the inspection.
But, there is a bill in the state legislature to do away with inspection stickers completely. They would recoup the money by adding $10 to the registration fees. They would use that money to hire an additional 150 state troopers across the state.
As a working cop, I always questioned the efficacy of those inspection stickers. If I made a traffic stop, it was one thing I checked, but I don't think I ever wrote a stand-alone ticket for an expired inspection sticker. If there was a problem, I would add it to the list of things, but generally, I'd just warn the motorist to get a new sticker.
The problem with inspection stickers is that it increases the bureaucracy. A portion of the money went to the State Police, a portion went to the Office of Motor Vehicles and a portion went to the actual inspector who conducted the inspection.
But, there is a bill in the state legislature to do away with inspection stickers completely. They would recoup the money by adding $10 to the registration fees. They would use that money to hire an additional 150 state troopers across the state.
Stonewall Republican Rep. Larry Bagley’s bill would eliminate the inspection requirement, but essentially retain the $10 fee by increasing the registration renewal cost. The money that would go to the local inspector under the current system would instead be earmarked for LSP, allowing the agency to hire an additional 150 troopers to patrol Louisiana highways.I thin this is a great idea. But in the interim, I still need to get the truck inspected.
Monday, May 13, 2019
Some Photos From ComicPalooza
When Zach and his buddy went over to ComiPalooaza this weekend, he took the camera.
Some of the costumes were magnificent.
Some of the costumes were magnificent.
Squeeze Chute Medicine
Our current crop of physicians could learn a lot from watching a bunch of cowboys work a herd during the spring or fall evaluation of the herd. Basically, you round them up, get them in pens, and run then through the squeeze chute.
Cattlemen love their herds, it's what they do. Cattle are a source of profit (theoretically) and a good cowboy wants the herd healthry, so twice a year you doctor on them.. A dose of wormer, threat them for ticks, and evaluate each of the cattle in the herd.
It's group medicine, ad while you're looking for problems, you insure the health of the herd.
It's not brutal, it's gentle as possible, but it's efficient. If you see a problem, yo cut that one out for further evaluation.
When you have several hundred cattle to treat in a day, you don't have time for niceties. You want to get the herd back on pasture as soon as you can. This reduces stress on the herd.
Modern human medicine is getting to be a lot like squeeze chute medicine, without the care and concern that the cowboys give the herd. I just spent three hours in a thoroughly modern medical clinic and never saw a doctor.
The crew fell behind, putting the herd in stress. I watched them, twice, lose patients, much like a cowboy losing a cow that he already had in the pen. As we process through the chute, falling further and further behind schedule, they finally put a bunch of is in a final pen, where the main topic of conversation was how far behind everyone was falling. And, the crew still wanted to make small talk.
It got so bad that when one of the crew would ask me how I was feeling, I told them, "Hungry, thirsty, and angry."
My advise to modern medicine. If you're treating a herd, act like you're treating a herd. Be efficient. You don't have time for niceties when you're already late. Modern cowboys know how many cattle they can work in a day. If a modern medical clinic can only handle 50 patients a day, don't schedule 51,
I understand that if a physician has an emergency, we might be late. But, today I had no expectation of seeing a physician. So, there is no excuse for anyone being late.
If modern medicine is going to show contempt for me by being late for appointments, don't be surprised when I reflect that contempt.
Cattlemen love their herds, it's what they do. Cattle are a source of profit (theoretically) and a good cowboy wants the herd healthry, so twice a year you doctor on them.. A dose of wormer, threat them for ticks, and evaluate each of the cattle in the herd.
It's group medicine, ad while you're looking for problems, you insure the health of the herd.
It's not brutal, it's gentle as possible, but it's efficient. If you see a problem, yo cut that one out for further evaluation.
When you have several hundred cattle to treat in a day, you don't have time for niceties. You want to get the herd back on pasture as soon as you can. This reduces stress on the herd.
Modern human medicine is getting to be a lot like squeeze chute medicine, without the care and concern that the cowboys give the herd. I just spent three hours in a thoroughly modern medical clinic and never saw a doctor.
The crew fell behind, putting the herd in stress. I watched them, twice, lose patients, much like a cowboy losing a cow that he already had in the pen. As we process through the chute, falling further and further behind schedule, they finally put a bunch of is in a final pen, where the main topic of conversation was how far behind everyone was falling. And, the crew still wanted to make small talk.
It got so bad that when one of the crew would ask me how I was feeling, I told them, "Hungry, thirsty, and angry."
My advise to modern medicine. If you're treating a herd, act like you're treating a herd. Be efficient. You don't have time for niceties when you're already late. Modern cowboys know how many cattle they can work in a day. If a modern medical clinic can only handle 50 patients a day, don't schedule 51,
I understand that if a physician has an emergency, we might be late. But, today I had no expectation of seeing a physician. So, there is no excuse for anyone being late.
If modern medicine is going to show contempt for me by being late for appointments, don't be surprised when I reflect that contempt.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Home Safe
We rolled in ten minutes ago from the big ComicPalooza in Houston, TX. It was a good trip, an we made good time getting home. We left Houston at just after 1:00 and got home before 6:00. Not too shabby.
I'm prepping for a doctor's appointment tomorrow. The instructions say no caffeine for 24 hours, so I didn't get any coffee this morning, and I won't have any prior to the testing tomorrow. It's cardio, if you're curious, but I'm not worried. I doubt I'll keel over any time soon. Belle is a registered nurse, and she's driving this process, so I'm in good hands
The lack of caffeine pisses me off to no end, and the instructions didn't say anything about alcohol, so I"m having a late afternoon aperitif.
Maybe things will get back to normal this week. I sure could use some normal.
I'm prepping for a doctor's appointment tomorrow. The instructions say no caffeine for 24 hours, so I didn't get any coffee this morning, and I won't have any prior to the testing tomorrow. It's cardio, if you're curious, but I'm not worried. I doubt I'll keel over any time soon. Belle is a registered nurse, and she's driving this process, so I'm in good hands
The lack of caffeine pisses me off to no end, and the instructions didn't say anything about alcohol, so I"m having a late afternoon aperitif.
Maybe things will get back to normal this week. I sure could use some normal.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Country Come To Town
Some observations from a redneck country boy spending the weekend downtown in the 6th largest metro area in the US. (Houston, TX)
Traffic is a nightmare. Oh, we got here okay, and we'll get home okay, but I'm not moving the car. t's in the parking garage and we'll just make do. Plenty of restaurants withing hoofing distance. We'll be fine.
I may be the only guy not in costume who is wearing a cowboy hat. I an okay with that. Very few people wear hats these days, but I figured I'd see a few more men in Houston wearing a standard cowboy hat. I figured wrong.
The staff here is unbelievable friendly, courteous and helpful. Folks on the street, though, don't make eye contact. The vast majority of them are looking at their phones, and seemingly oblivious to what is going on around them. When I give a friendly "Good Morning" to people on the streets, I an routinely ignored.
The boys are having a ball. It's one big geek-out. Zach dressed like the Toy Store character Woody to attend today's festivities.
Some of the costumes are outrageous and I admit freely that I"m not sure which character they are portraying. One young lady this morning was walking the streets in what appeared to be a black teddy with bright yellow hip boots. I had left my phone in the room, and didn't get a picture, but you can be assured I'll start carrying it when we go out to the street.
Traffic is a nightmare. Oh, we got here okay, and we'll get home okay, but I'm not moving the car. t's in the parking garage and we'll just make do. Plenty of restaurants withing hoofing distance. We'll be fine.
I may be the only guy not in costume who is wearing a cowboy hat. I an okay with that. Very few people wear hats these days, but I figured I'd see a few more men in Houston wearing a standard cowboy hat. I figured wrong.
The staff here is unbelievable friendly, courteous and helpful. Folks on the street, though, don't make eye contact. The vast majority of them are looking at their phones, and seemingly oblivious to what is going on around them. When I give a friendly "Good Morning" to people on the streets, I an routinely ignored.
The boys are having a ball. It's one big geek-out. Zach dressed like the Toy Store character Woody to attend today's festivities.
Some of the costumes are outrageous and I admit freely that I"m not sure which character they are portraying. One young lady this morning was walking the streets in what appeared to be a black teddy with bright yellow hip boots. I had left my phone in the room, and didn't get a picture, but you can be assured I'll start carrying it when we go out to the street.
Friday, May 10, 2019
Comicpalooza
We're in Houston. A year ago, we promised grandson Zach that we'd bring him. To something called Comicpalooza. It's this weekend, so we drove up this morning, and got rooms at the Hilton downtown, across the street from the Convention Center. Very Convenient.
We let Zach bring a buddy, and they're across the street at the Convention Center. So far, I've seen Iron Man, and Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman's lariat didn't glow, so I don't think she was the real deal. This Hilton is huge, and Belle and I did some wandering about, trying to get our bearings. I dobt we'll go very far this weekend, I hate driving in Houston. I'll be using my maps to try and figure out what we can do that is within walking distance.
Thursday, May 09, 2019
Finally Here
Sometime last year, Belle asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I told her that I wanted a skillet. A really nice, cast iron skillet. We ordered a 12" Stargazer skillet. It has been reviewed favorably on Cowboy Kent Rollins YouTube channel.
Shortly before Christmas we started getting emails. They were having problem. Evidently, it's not easy to scale up the molds from a 10" to a 12" skillet. Then they had problems wit the bottom inscription. Then they had other problems. It became kind of amusing, but the company kept us informed, and even gave us a chance to back out of the deal.
I decided to wait and see how long it would take. And earlier this week we got a shipping notice and the USPS brought it today. I have to admit, it's really a nice sillet.
The inside is smooth as a baby's butt, and it should take seasoning quite readily. I ordered it pre-seasoned, but it will need to be cooked in a few times before it starts to look like a seasoned skillet.
I won't get to cook in it till next week. Tomorrow morning early, we're going to Houston for an event that Zachary wants to attend. I've waited this long to put it on the counter, another few days won't hurt.
Is it any better than a big Lodge. Or for that matter, a nice antique Wagner or Griswold? I don't know, but I do know that cast iron is my favorite cookware, and we need to support these companies that are making really nice cast iron. This piece is heirloom quality, and I'm sure that it will be used long after I'm goine.
Shortly before Christmas we started getting emails. They were having problem. Evidently, it's not easy to scale up the molds from a 10" to a 12" skillet. Then they had problems wit the bottom inscription. Then they had other problems. It became kind of amusing, but the company kept us informed, and even gave us a chance to back out of the deal.
I decided to wait and see how long it would take. And earlier this week we got a shipping notice and the USPS brought it today. I have to admit, it's really a nice sillet.
The inside is smooth as a baby's butt, and it should take seasoning quite readily. I ordered it pre-seasoned, but it will need to be cooked in a few times before it starts to look like a seasoned skillet.
I won't get to cook in it till next week. Tomorrow morning early, we're going to Houston for an event that Zachary wants to attend. I've waited this long to put it on the counter, another few days won't hurt.
Is it any better than a big Lodge. Or for that matter, a nice antique Wagner or Griswold? I don't know, but I do know that cast iron is my favorite cookware, and we need to support these companies that are making really nice cast iron. This piece is heirloom quality, and I'm sure that it will be used long after I'm goine.
Pinks ad Greens
I don't know how I missed it, but the Army is changing uniforms. When I started soldering back in the mid '70s, we wore the Army Green Service Uniform. Also know as "Class A", it was the uniform you wore if you were in an assignment that called for "coat and tie" dress. It looked like this:
I wore that uniform infrequently, for 25 years. If the detail required a more formal attire, such as at a function where one might wear a tuxedo, the Army Blue uniform was specified.
At some point, about 2000, the Army ditched the green uniform ad went strictly with the Blues. But, every couple of decades, the Army changes clothes, and they're going retro. All the way back to World War II, adopting an uniform that many called "Pinks and Greens". Every WWII soldier would be familiar with it.
I always thought that it was a goo looking uniform. But, I thought that it had long ago been relegated to museums and re-enactorrs. When I was in officer training back in the early '70s we had one officer who found the WWII version in a second-hand shop and bought it. He got permission to wear it occasionally to show the children what the WWII uniform looked like.
As long as they don't resurrect the universally hated khaki uniform. Gawd, how I detested that uniform.
I wore that uniform infrequently, for 25 years. If the detail required a more formal attire, such as at a function where one might wear a tuxedo, the Army Blue uniform was specified.
I always thought that it was a goo looking uniform. But, I thought that it had long ago been relegated to museums and re-enactorrs. When I was in officer training back in the early '70s we had one officer who found the WWII version in a second-hand shop and bought it. He got permission to wear it occasionally to show the children what the WWII uniform looked like.
As long as they don't resurrect the universally hated khaki uniform. Gawd, how I detested that uniform.
Wednesday, May 08, 2019
Flood Stage
The National Weather Service has warned that the Red River near Alexandria, LA will reach flood stage this weekend. Flood stage is at 33 feet. The river is a little over 28 feet how. They are expecting drenching downpours over the next couple of days.
The weather map looks lie this right now. Sure as hell, it's going to ru right over us. The continuing pattern of fairly dry during the week, and total apocalypse on the weekend is continuing.
As of right now, heavy rainfall is predicted for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The weather map looks lie this right now. Sure as hell, it's going to ru right over us. The continuing pattern of fairly dry during the week, and total apocalypse on the weekend is continuing.
As of right now, heavy rainfall is predicted for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tuesday, May 07, 2019
Capital Punishment
The use of capital punishment is a continuing debate across the nation. We used to hang people, then we went to the electric chair or the gas chamber, then we moved to lethal injection.
Louisiana moved away from the electric chair in 1993.Nowadays, the drug companies don't want to sell us the pharmaceuticals necessary for lethal injection. The last person executed in Louisiana was in 2010. Yesterday, the state senate rejected a bid to end the use of capital punishment in Louisiana.
I've heard the arguments on both sides, and many of them are compelling. I see both sides of the issue. But, what w have right now is a de-facto ban, because the drug companies won't sell us what we need and the legislature won't change to law to make it easier to either; 1) obtain the drugs, or 2) change the method of execution. So, the argument is going nowhere. That is probably politically expedient.
I agree that the death penalty as it stands right now is not a deterrent to crime. A penalty that you are not willing to use is not a penalty at all. And, I agree that maintaining a death row is horribly expensive. But, then again, keeping a person in prison for many decades is also horribly expensive. Yet, we have predators among us,ad prisons are a necessary part of our society.
The issues are complicated ad the answers aren't easy.
Louisiana moved away from the electric chair in 1993.Nowadays, the drug companies don't want to sell us the pharmaceuticals necessary for lethal injection. The last person executed in Louisiana was in 2010. Yesterday, the state senate rejected a bid to end the use of capital punishment in Louisiana.
I've heard the arguments on both sides, and many of them are compelling. I see both sides of the issue. But, what w have right now is a de-facto ban, because the drug companies won't sell us what we need and the legislature won't change to law to make it easier to either; 1) obtain the drugs, or 2) change the method of execution. So, the argument is going nowhere. That is probably politically expedient.
I agree that the death penalty as it stands right now is not a deterrent to crime. A penalty that you are not willing to use is not a penalty at all. And, I agree that maintaining a death row is horribly expensive. But, then again, keeping a person in prison for many decades is also horribly expensive. Yet, we have predators among us,ad prisons are a necessary part of our society.
The issues are complicated ad the answers aren't easy.
Monday, May 06, 2019
New Veterinarian
I would like to present Dr. Melissa Hagan Dezendorf, DVM.
Later this week, the will depart Baton Rouge enroute to Los Alamos, NM where she will begin practice.
Later this week, the will depart Baton Rouge enroute to Los Alamos, NM where she will begin practice.
Heading to Baton Rouge
Later this morning, Belle and I are going to load up and go to Baton Rouge. We're day-tripping it, will be back sometime after dark. We're attending a graduation at LSU. Our daughter-in-law is graduating from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
It's been a long road, but she stuck it out and she's ready to launch. Later this week, they're leaving Louisiana and heading to New Mexico. She has accepted a position in Los Alamos, NM, where they need a veterinarian. She and my son are super-stoked about the adventure. Belle ad I are thrilled for them, and a little sad that they will be so far away, but it gives us an excuse to see parts of Ne Mexico that we've never seen.
It's been a long road, but she stuck it out and she's ready to launch. Later this week, they're leaving Louisiana and heading to New Mexico. She has accepted a position in Los Alamos, NM, where they need a veterinarian. She and my son are super-stoked about the adventure. Belle ad I are thrilled for them, and a little sad that they will be so far away, but it gives us an excuse to see parts of Ne Mexico that we've never seen.
Sunday, May 05, 2019
Meeting and Greeting
Belle ad I have been invited to the Belgian-American Club today for their annual festival. Honestly, until a couple o weeks ago, I didn't know that the club existed, but Louisiana, like most of America, is a melting pot of various immigrant groups that came over to make a better life.
We're taking a few campaign materials. I don't have many contacts that I an aware of in that part of the parish, and this will be a good time to do a little networking, and make some inroads. We're looking forward to having a good time.
We're taking a few campaign materials. I don't have many contacts that I an aware of in that part of the parish, and this will be a good time to do a little networking, and make some inroads. We're looking forward to having a good time.
Saturday, May 04, 2019
Rain
It's Saturday in Louisiana, and of course, it's raining. That's the way the weather has rolled for the past several weeks.
Belle and I have a family thing today in Jena, LA, and a campaign thing tomorrow, locally. Hopefully this rai will blow through in the next couple f hours and give us a break.
Belle and I have a family thing today in Jena, LA, and a campaign thing tomorrow, locally. Hopefully this rai will blow through in the next couple f hours and give us a break.
Thursday, May 02, 2019
Lucky
I don't know the provenance on this gif, found it over at Knuckledraggin.
It's time to move, they have you spotted. I wouldn't put my head up over that wall for any amount of money.
It's time to move, they have you spotted. I wouldn't put my head up over that wall for any amount of money.
Horse Art
I was moving around the parish this morning, visiting with old friends, and found this lovely piece of horse art.
I walked past it the first time and didn't notice it. On the way back out to the van, I noticed it and had to snap a picture. I'm sure it was inspired by Remington's work, and I've always been a fan.
I walked past it the first time and didn't notice it. On the way back out to the van, I noticed it and had to snap a picture. I'm sure it was inspired by Remington's work, and I've always been a fan.
Wednesday, May 01, 2019
My Old Savage
Regular readers know my fondness and preference for Savage rifles, especially my old Model 110 in .30-06. There is nothing whiz-bang about it. It's as plain as they come. It started life as a synthetic stock, but the Savage stocks in those days were terrible, and I broke it when I dropped it from a tree stand, so I ordered a 90% stock from somewhere and finished this one the way I like it.
Oh, I own other rifles, but this is the one I grab when something needs to be whacked with a medium caliber. It puts a 168 grain bullet where I want ti to go, and I've only had to shoot one deer twice. She was an old barren doe, and I hit her hard at 125 yards and anchored her. When I got to her about ten minutes later, she was still breathing, so I put one in her neck to end the suffering.
I shot the rifle last autumn, but haven't shot it since. I picked it up yesterday and noticed that the scope was loose. Horror! A closer look showed the problem.
The rear scope ring had turned loose from the base. Probably under recoil. Here's a closer look.
It was an easy fix, and gave me an excuse to spend an hour with the rile, making sure everything was tight and right. I put Redfield bases and rings on this rifle, back in 2006, and they've always done me right. This gives me an excuse to head to the range ext week, to verify the zero. I don't expect tack-driving accuracy from this rifle, but I do expect it to shoot where it looks, and so far it's always done that.
Today is May 1st, and deer season is only six months away. It might be time to put a screwdriver on everything and make sure your rifle is tight and right.
Oh, I own other rifles, but this is the one I grab when something needs to be whacked with a medium caliber. It puts a 168 grain bullet where I want ti to go, and I've only had to shoot one deer twice. She was an old barren doe, and I hit her hard at 125 yards and anchored her. When I got to her about ten minutes later, she was still breathing, so I put one in her neck to end the suffering.
I shot the rifle last autumn, but haven't shot it since. I picked it up yesterday and noticed that the scope was loose. Horror! A closer look showed the problem.
The rear scope ring had turned loose from the base. Probably under recoil. Here's a closer look.
It was an easy fix, and gave me an excuse to spend an hour with the rile, making sure everything was tight and right. I put Redfield bases and rings on this rifle, back in 2006, and they've always done me right. This gives me an excuse to head to the range ext week, to verify the zero. I don't expect tack-driving accuracy from this rifle, but I do expect it to shoot where it looks, and so far it's always done that.
Today is May 1st, and deer season is only six months away. It might be time to put a screwdriver on everything and make sure your rifle is tight and right.
Lunch
Now that I'm retired, I can eat better than I was able to when I was working. Boo on fast food! And, since I'm spending time in the shop, and have a kitchen there, it's easy to put something on the stove and give it a stir while I'm tinkering ad planning. Yes, I'm campaigning or Sheriff, and intend to run a viable race, but there is lots to do in the campaign headquarters, which is also the shop.
Today, it was crook-neck squash and onions, smothered in a little vegetable oil, with salt, pepper, and a dash of garlic powder.
Nothing wrong with that at all. No bread, no meat, just squash and onions. After washing dishes and wiping the counter, I heard something in the driveway.
Two of the home flock were in the driveway, and had a gosling between them.
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