Did You Sleep Well Last Night?

(click on the photo to play video)

I want to thank the members of our armed forces that do the dirty work so that we can enjoy the privilege of armchair quarterbacking world affairs in relative safety.

This video not only shows the awesome might and power of our forces and the ability to project them around the world 24/7 in all weather conditions - but the squalor and degradation that other people around the world call their lives.

While I woke up this morning to the birds singing and having no fear to my family's safety or well-being, I know many in the world were on their quest for water and a few morsels of sustenance.

It is always good to remember that, but for the grace of God, there go I, and that our leadership and military might are all that separates us from the fate of the majority of the world.

What say you?

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

Ball Of Confusion
by
The Temptations

37 years ago this song was topping the charts during a time of turmoil and turning point in our struggle as Americans.


1, 2... 1, 2, 3, 4, Ow!

People moving out, people moving in. Why, because of the color of their skin.Run, run, run but you sure can't hide. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.Vote for me and I'll set you free. Rap on, brother, rap on.


Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the...(preacher.)And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the...(teacher.) Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration, Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation.

Ball of confusion. Oh yeah, that's what the world is today. Woo, hey, hey.


The sale of pills are at an all time high.Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky.The cities ablaze in the summer time.

And oh, the beat goes on.

Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul.Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon.Politicians say more taxes will solve everything.


And the band played on.

So, round and around and around we go.Where the world's headed, nobody knows.

Oh, great GoogaMooga, can't you hear me talking to you. Just a ball of confusion. Oh yeah, that's what the world is today. Woo, hey, hey.

Fear in the air, tension everywhere. Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas.

And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation.

And the band played on.

Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors, Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills, Hippies moving to the hills. People all over the world are shouting, 'End the war.'

And the band played on.

Great GoogaMooga, can't you hear me talking to you.Sayin'... ball of confusion.That's what the world is today, hey, hey.Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya.Sayin'... ball of confusion.That's what the world is today, hey, hey.Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya.Sayin'... ball of confusion.

How Far Have We Come?

Perspective

This was forwarded to me by my son, an Afghanistan veteran;

One of my sons serves in the military.He is stationed stateside, here in California . He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him and his troops everywhere they go.Telling me how people shake their hands and thank them for being willing to serve and fight, not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them too.

Then he told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base. He said that several people were in the line ahead of him, including a woman dressed in a burkha. He said when she got to the cashier, she made a loud remark about the U.S. Flag, lapel pin, the cashier wore on her smock.The cashier reached up and touched the pin and said, 'Yes, I always wear it proudly, because I'm an American.'

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.Then, a Gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders and nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman:

Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen. It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today.But, hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly, I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq , so you can straighten out the Mess in YOUR country, that you are obviously here in MY country to avoid.

Everyone within hearing distance cheered! IF YOU AGREE... Pass this on to all of your proud American friends.

I just did.

Just Wondering?

After Saturday's tax election for the City of Alexandria, it is becoming even more painfully obvious that our citizens just do not care. If the outcome of the election was suitable to you, then all is well that ends well - until you realize that just 7% of the citizens of the City of Alexandria made a very important decision for the rest of you. Yep, 93% of the registered voters will abide by what the 7% voted for. What happened to majority rule? Well, I guess the majority has just given up - abdicated their responsibility or something. There is not an issue that is decided by the voters that warrants this poor turnout.
It is also very obvious that this phenomenon cuts across racial and socio-economic classes also. There would have to be a large number of both black and white voters absent as well as rich, middle-class and poor also to have poll numbers that low.
I can hardly think of a more important issue than a tax election , but, it appears that it would not matter what the issue.
Does anyone have any insight as to why folks will not participate in our system of governance. Is it possible that most feel that there is no use to try or the system is rigged?
Someone say something - - please.

Do We Take Our City For Granted?

Greensburg, KS, 7-16-07 -- Residents of Greensburg, KS which was destroyed by an F5 tornado put this American flag on one of the few remaining trees. FEMA is in Greensburg assisting with the rebuilding. Photo by Tim Tyson/FEMA

It is also our responsibility to ensure that our city affairs are in order to remain strong for others in their time of need, just as with Katrina and Rita. Before you cast a vote on Saturday as a reaction to recent events, think about what a no vote really means.

What Say You To The Saturday Tax Renewal ?

(Are you a good witch or a bad witch)

(click my nose)

In putting forth my not so humble opinion, I would observe that our local government works when all of us voice our opinions and then agree to let our leaders do their duties in executing the wishes of the majority when possible and following the most wise course when prudent in the face of opposition.

Such is the case with the tax renewal that is before us. It is widely observed that our city council has not been the best steward of our tax resources even when confronted with the fact that there is actually a surplus balance in the general fund. It seems that the general feeling is that there is too much discretionary revenue to feed the indiscretions of the city council and that it is time to curtail the temptation.

I wish to proffer a measured approach to the matter and would hope that cooler heads prevail at the polls. The most recent 1/2 cent increase voted in was to fund sorely needed police additions. Any retreat from that stance currently has the possibility of causing an extreme regression in the progress that has been made most evidently in community policing.

I would propose that citizens support the tax renewal with an eye to future performance by the council and administration to identify waste and duplication as well as opportunity missed to produce revenue with city assets to add to the general fund coffers. While the current council has shown a penchant for ever-increasing operational budget, a change of persons holding office with more fiscally educated and conservative leanings could easily roll back the revenues required to operate the city. All that is lacking is the right persons to come forward to serve and a recall suit for those that are currently holding the city council seats.

The budget is structured to have record of all expenses contained within cost centers. All of the cost centers are known and have established a track record over the years and are organized along departmental lines. The current administration can reign in expenses by cooperative oversight with department heads and appears to be working in that direction. Once they have established the budgeted amounts are actually what is necessary to run those departments efficiently, then any excess may be returned to the general fund and departments ratcheted down to readjust the budget for next year while maintaining a satisfactory level of services. If no significant savings are found within departments, then it will be obvious that the current funding level is necessary.

All of that to say this, we do not want to experience a drop in police or fire protection as these go directly to the security of our city. Any cuts to other departments would jeopardize the health of our citizens if performance is not adequate in water, sewer, sanitation, mosquito control, etc.

In summary, it is most prudent to pass the tax renewals and then press the administration to operate as conservatively as possible until the next budget can be submitted. During that time, all districts must impress upon their council members and the two at-large members the importance of returning to a position of fiscal restraint or face removal from office. There are qualified people living among us that would be good leaders, they just don't want to join the circus to serve their community. If our city council cannot find it within themselves to rise to the occasion, when we must rise to remove them from office for the general good.

The good people of Alexandria should remember that when they had questions about extremely high utility bills and crime sprees, all they got from their leaders were blank stares, shoulder shrugs, and dreams of spray parks. Enough is enough.

It is time to expect our leaders to lead and if they cannot, then they need to get the hell out of the way. We just may have to give them a nudge.

Will You Forge Alexandria's Future?

(Click on the picture of Mayor Roy to be taken to his speech)
Take the time, if you have not already done so, to listen to the thoughts of our mayor and his vision of the future of Alexandria.
It would be my observation that at this point in time, our handicaps are relatively small and of our own perception and making.
Our future is limited by our lack of cooperation, vision, and accurate assessment of our status quo. To the point that our collective futures are limited, will reflect our ability to reconcile our individual self-interest with the common good.
Whatever your station or path you walk, the power is yours to make Alexandria a better place.
Get committed.

What A Great Country!!!

I have since returned to Alexandria andI know it has been a while since the last post but I had been working 16 hour days to build a temporary town for the folks of Greensburg, Kansas. It felt good to be back in the operator's seat of dozers, trackhoes, and loaders to shape the earth to make a place for the people that were wiped out by the tornado earlier this year. Yes, the destruction was total. I think two houses and the motel at the edge of town survived, but not much else.

It also feels good to have met the crew of Pigmasters (http://www.pigmasters.com/), the folks that traveled for 20 hours from North Carolina to feed the towns folk with their style of barbeque pork while sharing the love of our fellow countrymen with the folks that really needed to know that others care. They brought everything they needed while a packing house in Dodge City donated the pigs to throw a celebration feast and get together for the folks that have lost almost everything.

All I can say is that we were very fortunate two years aqo when we had Katrina and Rita spare our city and all of you can be proud of the emmissaries Central Louisiana has sent forth to help as the general impression from the locals was that they were very thankful for such kind, polite, hard-working, respectful, and respectable folks to visit aid upon them.

Maybe we should count our blessings. We come from good stock.

How Would You Like Your Taco, Senior~

It is difficult to condense all of my observations while in New Orleans for the past two weeks, but this says it all. In the midst of monumental waste and fraud in the "Road Home Program", the minimum one-a-day body count, the convoy to march on Baton Rouge that had radio reporters at 9:00am pick-up sites commenting at 10:00am - Well ya' know how New Orleanians are - when no one but local officials and stragglers boarded, the item of the day was TACO TRUCKS. Yep, Taco Trucks. Somehow, the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that motivates one to equip and cater to a hard working clientele is adverse to the lazy, slovenly ways of the natives and they just won't take it anymore. BAN THE TACO TRUCKS - WE ARE MAD AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!

By the way, we have forgotten just how much they suffer and that they are still the powerhouse of the state economy and deserve as much tax money as they can coerce from us rural folk since they contribute more to the state than anyone else.


ARROGANCE WITH YOUR HAND OUT sums it up Mr.'s Nagin & Jefferson

I Love My Channel Four!!!

Yes, and a spectacle it is. But I love it. Where in the world can one be both educated on local government in minute detail while being so entertained? And it is FREE - until you consider that part of the general fund is composed of overages due to utility billing excess and that is where the money comes from to pay for the show, which will make one cry - unless you don't think about it and let channel four be what it can be - a glorious folly - which is hilarious - except it mirrors our community - which makes me want to cry - which makes me think I may be bi-polar - that leads me to the conclusion that I must be nuts for living here - except I am in extraordinarily good company judging by the characters in our community - which makes me happy. Be there or be square - Au natural'.