Western Life & Philosophy

The truth of the cause of the Financial Crisis

2010-12-13T17:21:00.006-07:00

The political football called the financial crisis has been thrown around now for many months. Fortunately, a congressional commission on the financial crisis has studied this. A member of this commission is Peter Wallison. He gave an interview with the WSJ. That interview is embedded in this blog.

One thing he leaves out is the fact that when the sale of lower priced housing is facilitated by Government intervention, it creates a ripple effect up the value chain. When you have a buyer for your house, you can sell and buy a larger and more expensive house for yourself. This false demand creates a false market which eventually will crash.

obama's Health Care, the BAD and the UGLY!

2010-03-12T18:08:00.032-07:00

Health care for the uninformed:

The health care bill in congress now is about to be passed into law, if the Democrats have there way. They WANT IT BAD! Why? Why would they jeopardize their jobs to get this thing passed. First of all 80% of the folks think that the government will screw it all up; increasing costs and decreasing the quality of healthcare in this country.

Why? This is why! The leaders of the Democrat party DO NOT CARE that they may loose control of both Houses of Congress in 2010. Because they know, if they pass this monstrosity, it will never go away. It will always be with us in some form or another. Even with control of the House and the Senate, the Republicans will not be able to repeal the bill because obama will veto any repeal. So, the Health Care Bill will be in effect for 3 years. By then there will be enough people sold on the idea that it will be next to impossible to repeal. Once an entitlement is enacted it is almost impossible to turn it around.

But here is the catch.

The benefits will not be in effect until 4 years after people start paying the taxes used to pay for the bill. Taxes will go up and the people will not have the obama-promise! What taxes, you say? Well, how about FICA on dividends, savings, and annuity accounts. Yes, I know, this is only for the very rich and is only a small percentage. But, when do you think the bar defining the rich will be lowered so that it reached the middle class? I predict, not too long!

Here are some other items to think about.

1) A recent CNN poll puts voters' backing of the obama administration's health bill at just 25 percent. So why does obama want to force this on Americans. Well, once an entitlement is enacted it is almost impossible to reverse it and the power will eventually morph to the Democrats. If you are dependent on the Government for your healthcare, would you vote for a Republican who wants to repeal your gravy-train? No, of course!

2) Several sections of the bill mandate racial and ethnic quotas for medical schools and other federal contractors.

3) On Page 425 of Obama's health care bill, the Federal Government will require EVERYONE who is on Social Security to undergo a counseling session every 5 years with the objective being that they will explain to them just how to end their own life earlier.

4) Employers will pay a fine if they do not insure part time employees.

5) Whether you want insurance or not, you will have to get insurance. If not, you will pay a fine of $5,000 per individual.

6) The bills in both houses require that Americans purchase insurance through "qualified" plans offered by health-care "exchanges" that would be set up in each state. The rub is that the plans can't really compete based on what they offer. The reason: The federal government will impose a minimum list of benefits that each plan is required to offer.

7) Along with the above, there is what is called Community Rating in the bill. In its purest form, community rating requires that all patients pay the same rates for their level of coverage regardless of their age or medical condition.

8) Some of us have started HSA's (Health Savings Accounts). By requiring minimum packages, obama care would prevent patients from choosing stripped-down plans that cover only major medical expenses. The government could set extremely low deductibles that would eliminate HSAs.

9) If, God forbid, they get their way, the obama people will force independent insurance companies out of business by providing Government Insurance. Of course, the Government does not have to make a profit and they can print money! Once the Government is in the insurance business, they will eventually force out private insurance companies because of their competitive advantage. Once they are in control (monopoly), they will control all of our health care.

10) Why would a business pay for an employee's health care insurance if the fine for not doing so is only $5,000? Businesses will just let the Government pay for their employees insurance. When they drop this, will they raise your salary? I don't think so!

11) On PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill – obama health care will be provided to ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise.

12) Government will have real-time access to individual’s finances and a National ID Healthcard will be issued!

13) Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Government will have direct access to your bank accts for election funds transfer.

14) PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill – Specifics of Benefit Levels for Plans = The Government will ration your Healthcare!

15) pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill – Doctors/ AMA – The Government will tell YOU what you can earn.

You know, I am tired of quoting the research of desertconservative.com. (http://www.desertconservative.com/2009/07/23/healthcare-bill-facts-obama-does-not-want-you-to-know/) . Just go there and get some education for yourself!

I HATE INSURANCE COMPANIES!. Yes, I do think there needs to be health insurance reform, but I think obama has the wrong plan!

Here is what I would do to make health insurance work.

First of all, I do not think health insurance is a right! Particularly, Government Health Insurance! Why, for Gods sake do people think other people (ie tax payers) should pick up the cost of health care for all?

1) First, I would allow insurance companies to compete across State lines. Why, for Gods sake, has this not been the law until now? How may Progressive or Geico commercials have you seen in the last month? I just talked to my insurance broker today and he is working on better rates for me on my auto insurance. I got a quote from Wells Fargo, who has a relationship with several insurance companies. I then went to my broker and asked him to compete. HE DID, and my premiums are going to drop by $900 per year!

WHY can't Health Care be the same. Why can't Health Care Companies compete across state lines? Well, that is because the Government will not allow Insurance companies to do this!!!!

2) Tort Reform!!! Not one mention of Tort Reform int his bill! My wife was a nurse for her whole career, so I know of what I speak! Doctors pay HUGE mal-practice insurance premiums! And, we are talking about, in the $100,000's of dollars! My doctor called me the other day and wanted me to get a procedure and I got mad at his nurse. I knew that it was just "Cover my ass" medicine! WHY do we have this ... Well, it is because of the tort lawyers!

3) Let the FDA approve meds without such restrictions. Let patients receive drugs ( with waivers, of course) for experimental drugs. In addition, let people buy drugs across state and international lines.

I am tired and hungry. I must end this RANT and go live my life.

People, please educate yourselves on this issue, your life and your children's life will depend on it.

The Government health care debate is all about class envy!

2010-03-01T17:45:00.001-07:00

The left is screaming for Government health care which the right wants no part of.

The left should ask themselves; Why is health care a right? Why do you want someone else to pay for your health care? Because that is just exactly what Government health care is all about. Where does Government get its money except from taxes to pay for all this?

Why do you want Government involved except to pay a little or, for most lefties, all of your doctor bills.

Think about this; What if everyone in the country had the same amount of money? Yes, the same amount. The same type of house; the same net worth; the same income? Would you want the Government to run your health care? I don’t think so. Just think of the entity that runs the Post Office, the DMV, Social Security, Medicare, education, and the IRS, telling you which doctor to go to and how much money you have available to pay for the doctor’s services.

They, meaning the left, say that 40,000,000 folks are uninsured implying that they have no health care. And that if only they had it, they would be saved from sickness, short lifespans, and whatever. Then when the obvious result of adding that many people into the system is predicted to bring shortages, and lines at the doctor’s office, they scream that it isn’t true. Well, how in the world are you going to bring that many people into the system without adding about 200,000 doctors. Let alone all the nurses and offices and all that goes along with seeing patients?

In addition, do you really think the Government is going to allow end of life health care to bankrupt the system. Like, when your 85 yr old grand-dad is treated for cancer at $120,000/month. No, they will just say that it is his obligation to just die, baby die!

Sound like a system you want? I do not think so. So I submit that it is just a matter of money. If everyone had the same amount of money everything would be just fine and your health care would be just as good, what ever that means, as your neighbor’s, or those “Fat Cat” Wall Street banking CEO’s or those Hollywood actors, or those sports superstars.

You don’t really want Government health care. What you really want is a redistribution of the country’s wealth. What you really want is a Marxist, Socialistic society. And your vehicle for getting this through the Government process is by using class envy.

Michelle obama is a hypocrite!

2010-02-11T21:17:00.003-07:00

This last week Michael obama is coming out and telling young folks to stop eating ... YOU say what?

Life Is GOOD!

2009-05-16T18:58:00.003-06:00

At the ranch with my son and my son-in-law. Opened up the ranch today. Lots of work, but all fun. Worked a little and played a little. Put the flat-bed away. brought out the mill, Fixed the beaver destruction south and started all the work-horses. Started all the ATV's the Mule and the Toyota. Used my new charger to recondition all the batteries

Finished at 3:30 pm and started some games of horseshoes. Benj beat Joe and then Dad beat Son ... 21 to 1 (should have been a skunk!). Took on Son-in-Law and got the skunk. Horseshoes ... just like riding a bike. You never loose the knack.

Tomorrow we fix the Stambaugh-Ross Ditch. and put away the boards that cover the window for the winter.

Cabin looks great. Looking forward to finishing and starting the cabin for Susan and me.

Stimulus?? Hell NO! This is a Spending Bill

2009-02-18T19:40:00.005-07:00

I just have to respond to this absurd STIMULUS bill passed and signed by our Savior and Chief Mr Obama. I was pursuing the blogs when I came across an idiot who said the following:

Wow, I am amazed at how little economics people know but are willing to just say things regardless. I am pissed off at the stimulus bill exactly because of tax cuts. Cutting taxes is exactly opposite of stimulating economy — creating worthwhile projects is the way to do it. The fact that the same Republicans that gave us 1 trillion in debt are asking for more tax cuts is shameful. Did this country have a lobotomy after January 1st? We had tax cuts for 8 years… So the only question is: Are you better off now than 8 years ago?

I responded:

Pearl, you obviously do NOT know a twip about economics. You say: “creating worthwhile projects” is the way to go. You have no clue.

You do not inject $1 trillion dollars into the economy with out the real threat of inflation. Productive people and businesses create goods and services that they trade between each other in the open market. If you just inject $$$ into the system ($1 or $2 TRILLION), you create a demand/supply imbalance. Lots of money buying fewer goods (because this stimulus DOES NOT produce anything) there will be shortages and the price of goods will go up.

The argument about tax cuts is a freedom issue. I would rather spend my money on goods or services I choose to buy rather than the Government choosing where to spend it. I produce and buy from other producers. You want Government, who does not produce a dammed thing, to spend my money! This country is in dire shape if people like you are in control.

Econ 101 my dear!

As I say in my profile:

My greatest peeve is the downward spiral of education in our country as it has produced nothing but confident idiots who blindly follow the most recent social fads and worship todays most popular icon.

Timber Frame Completed

2008-08-15T20:00:00.021-06:00

This week was quite a week. On Monday I called the boss of D@?!# the electrical inspector and complained about D@?!#'s demeanor and his combative nature. The boss tried to explain the situation and mentioned that there was some miscommunication. I complained that D@?!# had problems with owner-builders and he was cherry-picking items to fail me, like finding new items that needed to be fixed on each visit. The red tag could have shut us down, but it did not happened this week. And the inspection that was scheduled on Thursday never happened. I think my electrical-inspector troubles have ended.

The timber frame was completed this week and it is above all expectations. The frame itself was completed on Tuesday and the roof was installed on Thursday. All of the planks that I milled and the nephews planed and Susan sprayed with Symphony were put up with tar paper stapled on top. The effect was beautiful. The Symphony is a water based product that is supposed to protect the wood from yellowing. The frame itself will yellow, but the planks should not.

As this project comes together, I get more excited about the potential. The views are spectacular and the building is timeless.

On Wednesday the Cattleman's Trust folks came by. Chris West introduced me to the new gal that we will work with for the last three easements and I gave her a tour of the ranch. The presented us with a great big surprise when they announced that the past owner's son approved a grant to the Cattleman's to pay the transaction costs for our easement.

I discussed with Joe Bonn, the builder of the frame about using his workers to help with the infill framing. This, he said, will work great for him as they are between projects and a project to keep his workers busy was timely. This really takes a load off my back. This was a huge job that would have taken me forever. Tis way, I can concentrate on the siding and the interior flooring.

It rained on Friday and not much on the frame got done. I planned on setting up the deck beams, but the rain prevented me from getting exact measurements. I did, however, try out my new mortiser machine. It works great and will save me hours of time with my timber-framing. We have company this weekend, but I should be relieved from entertaining them as the Menks are here with their friends. I will continue to work on the frame.

Below I share some pictures of the work this week

Electrical Inspector displays Peter Principle

2008-08-10T20:35:00.005-06:00

Got a surprise electrical inspection on Friday. Good old D@?!# shows up when I was told we were not to receive an inspection until next Thursday! When I talked to the head inspector last week, we agreed that the fix I had on the Lake Cabin temp power was ok until the next inspection. When D@?!# showed up he said that he expected the fixes to be done and that I "LIED" to Rod the boss and to him as to what was to be done.

Only when frustration turned into anger did he back off. I told him that I thought that he was against me from the start because I was doing my only work. He was taken back by my aggression and he responded that he works with homeowners all the time and is only concerned with safety. I reminded him about his continual comment about how an electrician would not have made my mistakes and would have supplies on his truck to fix errors. I responded by stating that if a responsible electrician had given me a bid, I would not be doing the work.

I said to him that he should be trying to help me rather than trying to bust me. I think this hit home because from there on he was more helpful.

He red flagged the meter and gave me the impression that he would not have Mt Parks pull it until he came back to inspect at some future date.

It is obvious to me that he is milking the thing. This is the second inspection and he is finding new things that he wants me to fix. I feel that if he did not mention an error the first time, it is unfair for him to use a new visit to extend the permit with new finds

I look forward to seeing him again as I feel he has purposefully left items unnoted so he can catch me with another fix next time. One item is the lack of a finish plate on a 50 amp receptacle in the old shop. I was stunned that he did not mention it in the first inspection. After the second I decided to head him off by purchasing the plate when I went to Walden to get supplies to fix the Lake Cabin panel.

We shall see!

Timber Frame Erection Starts!!!

2008-08-07T21:43:00.015-06:00

The timber frame started to go up yesterday with the floor joists being constructed.

Luckily, the electrical fiasco came to an end when I talked to the boss of the inspector that gave me such a problem last week. I told him that I had fixed the deficiencies that were notated by the inspector and was wondering whether he would be up this Thursday or not for a final inspection. He said that since I was the only inspection up here in North Park, that they would not be up this week and that since that was the case, he would pass the inspection on a temp basis until they came up here. He called Mt Parks Electric and released the job so the meter could be installed. Joe Lance of Mt Parks came over about 2PM and installed the meter (3333) and we were in like flint!

The first day the crew installed the rim joists, the floor joists and the OSB flooring.

Day two was the raising of the bents. Because some of the wood twisted and shrank the center bent was a challenge, but it all got done and by the end of the day two of the bents were done and the ridge beam set. Since Joe works 4 10's they went home to return on Monday to finish the frame.

Below are some pictures of the progress. If you want to see all of the pictures take a look at:

http://gallery.me.com/nshoffner#100207

Electrical Inspector from Hell

2008-08-04T21:47:00.007-06:00

Got the bad news on Thursday that I did not pass the electrical inspection on the cabin. There were three items that he did not like. First the ground wire was not connected to the main panel at the meter. This was because the power company did not want it connected while they erected the mast to the transformer. The second was the temp panel did not have weather protected connectors to the receptacle box. The third was that the main conductor was not protected from the ground to the panel.

I asked if he would wait for me to get the tools (1/4 miles away) and fix the items and he gave me a lecture on how I should have used an electrician who would have had the supplies and tools there at the site and that he had a three hour drive ahead of him to get home. I did not say what I wanted to at the time that trying to get an electrician to come to a remote location in a rural area is impossible! I had one come to the site and look at the job. After waiting for 3 weeks for a response, I gave up and decided to do it myself.

The repairs took 25 minutes to do and now I have to wait for another week to get electricity. In the mean time I will have to rent a generator to do the erection of the frame this week.

Timber Frame Cabin; an anthology (and I don't mean collection of flowers)

2008-07-30T21:31:00.013-06:00

This summer I started a new project ... a timber frame cabin. When Colorado was decimated with the pine beetle, I was devastated. Our ranch is covered with old growth Aspen, but we do have conifers which include the Lodge-pole Pine, the tree hardest hit by the beetle.. Then someone gave me the idea to buy a mill and put to use all that dead timber (I figure we have close to 1000 Lodge-pole Pines on the property). Well, I sold a seldom used tractor and purchased a bandsaw mill from TimberKing.

After I cut several of the trees down and saw how the forest responded by revealing much new growth not noticed when the old growth was overwhelming the view, I felt much better about the situation. And, from that point on, I looked at dead trees in a whole new light. I now look at a dead standing tree and assess its straightness, and thickness for the purpose of providing lumber for my many new projects. Oh, did I say a cabin? Well, yes, but, why not a new house for my wife Susan and me? And, how about a new shed, or a bedroom behind the existing house. The possibilities are endless when all you need do is cut down a tree and cut it into any sized lumber you want. No more going to the lumber yard to purchase over-priced wood for a project. Just cut your own to the dimensions you desire!

In the coming months.... years? I will write entries into this blog describing my trip down this path. I hope it will be of interest to others than my family getting a look-see at the progress. I know that when I started my search and research on the subject of Timber-frame building, I found a couple of sites doing this, and I found the info useful.

I will post pictures when possible showing the progress and, although I have high hopes, I know that when it comes to keeping these types of blogs current it is hard (I find myself very tired at night after a full day do this), I will try to keep the entries current as best as I can.

As I write this entry, the first big day of the project looms. Tomorrow, I will have an electrical inspection on the new service I installed to the cabin and to the old shop on the property. I have been working for several weeks now getting this done and finally I have my "final" exam. The whole process of doing the electrical has been a story in its own. Perhaps I will take the time to enlighten all those who want to tackle this type of work.

Well, that is enough for now. I leave you with a couple of pictures of the project with the last one the project as it looks today.

Scott

Obama is leaving footsteps. This man is not good!!!!

2008-04-01T21:12:00.004-06:00

I was talking to a friend today and he said that he was impressed with Obama. I was taken back! After I counted to 10 I asked him what he was impressed with.

Was it his pastor who spouts hateful America vile? Why did he not leave the church he heard these hateful statements?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36T1fnIafC0

Was it his refusal to say the pledge of America or hold his hand over his heart when the ledge was being said?

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Obama_doesnt_put_hand_over_heart_1022.html

Was it his refusal to sport an American flag lapel on his breast? (same url as above)

Was it his wife stating that she was only now proud of America that her husband was running for president?

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/02/19/michelle-obama-takes-heat-for-saying-shes-proud-of-my-country-for-the-first-time/

Was it his most liberal rating given to him from his votes in the Senate?

http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/

Nothing wrong with being liberal, but why has Obama insisted he is a centrist? Be proud Obama, of your liberal record!!!

This guy has no experience! He is just good at speaking FLUFF!

Obama has all the right words!

2008-03-18T11:41:00.001-06:00

Obama has all the right words again. If he becomes president, however, he will not be able to do it all himself. He will have to rely on those he chooses to surround himself. For me this is a very large problem as his track record is not good in this area. Just take a look at his closest advisers, his pastor and his wife. Both are unable to gloss over their anti-American, anti-White feelings. One has to wonder if Obama, himself, doesn't, deep down, feel the same way, but is just better at covering it up with flowery words.

This man is NOT what he appears to be! And I hope folks figure it out before we get to the election.

I thought I would never say this, but I would rather have Hillary as president than Obama! Thank goodness there is another choice come November. This guy is just scary. All style and NO substance! He is pure and simple a socialist at best, as shown by what little political history we have of him, and at worst, a Marxist.

The problem, as I see it, is that the general public, what I call the People Magazine culture, are incapable of seeing through his words with no meaning.

One reason why Colo is a great place to live.

2006-05-04T19:52:00.000-06:00

We went to Moab for a week and again, I am reminded why living in Colorado is so special. Not only do we have our great state, we have states right next to us like Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico, all just a day's drive away. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

The Colorado River just outside of Potash:

Just outside of Moab on the North side of the Colorado River. Great climbing!

Global Warming isn't what it appears???????

2006-04-11T21:14:00.000-06:00

Seems at though the "environmental" scientists have cherry-picked their data.

In an article from the opinion.telegraph in the UK, global warming was flat from 1998-2005. And that we had a warming period from 1918 and 1940 well before the great global industrialization. In addition, from 1940 to 1965 we had Global Cooling.

WHAT??? You mean it is not getting worse? You mean my SUV is not killing me?

Best read this article in the Telegraph!

Telegraph Article

Here is an article in the Wall Street Journal by Richard Lindzen that talks about how scientists that go against the grain are being intimidated. In some cases to the point of loosing grants and their jobs!

Wall Street Journal article

Immigration

2006-03-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

I don't think that marching in the streets with Mexican Flags and chanting slogans in Spanish is helpful for all the illegal immigrants in this country.

If nothing else, this display brings to stark reality the problem we have with immigration in this country.

The Olympics Disappoint!

2006-02-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

NBC is concerned that they are not getting the viewer-ship they expected. Sorry, I cannot sympathize with them in the least!

Am I the only one who is tired of figure skating. We see every little moment of this venue (if we choose to watch). It all blurs together in one vision of flashing crotches and fairy dressing men(?).

Then there is the culture of ME, ME, ME!!! From Shani Davis refusing to join the long-track pursuit team to the absolutely ridiculous and selfish Lindsay Jacobellis who had to Hot_Dog it at the end of her snowboarding medal run. I only wish two more of the competitors would have passed her in the end!

Then there are the"Team Sports". What a joke this is. Ever since they allowed the Pros to be in the Olympics, the "I don't give a sh...." quotient has skyrocketed. Do you think the Russian people hit the streets in celebration yesterday when their team beat the Americans? Hell no! Do you think Shack will be in the Summer Olympics in 2008; I don't think so. And who would care?

They ought to go back to the good old days when the Olympics was about the amateur. Perhaps NBC should look at the venues that sell out...like Curling where insurance salesmen are more the norm than high profile pros and spoiled boarders with their pants half way down their asses!

There is only one thing worse than the Olympics and that is the competition....American Idol! Now there is a real comment on our culture. I think I will turn off the tube and read a book!

Spotted Owl Fiasco

2006-02-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Wall Street Journal had an article written by Jim Petersen of Evergreen Magazine about the plight of the Northern Spotted Owl. The article sustains other reports indicating that the mid 1990's halt of logging in the Northwest was premature and based on short-sighted science.

Jim Petersen has kindly given me permission to reprint his WSJ article.

Owl Be Damned
By JIM PETERSEN
February 18, 2006; Page A9
Wall Street Journal

Last month the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a call for proposals to develop a recovery plan for the northern spotted owl. It's about time: The owl was added to the nation's burgeoning list of threatened and endangered species nearly 16 years ago. That it took so long helps explain why only 10 of the 1,264 species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) have ever recovered.

If my gut reading is correct, the owl won't be No. 11. It is already doomed across much of its range, and the reason is well known among field biologists who have been observing the bird for some 20 years. More aggressive barred owls are pushing them out of their 21-million-acre home range, or killing them, or both. In any case, spotted owls are fighting a losing battle, a fact that has me wondering if the Fish and Wildlife Service isn't whistling past the graveyard.

Barred owls, not to be confused with common barn owls, migrated from their native East Coast environs a century or more ago. No one knows why, and until they started killing already-threatened spotted owls, no one cared. Now they do. Just how long it will take the barreds to finish off their brethren isn't known, but the situation has become so precarious that a federal biologist recently opined that shooting barred owls might be the only way to save spotted owls.

How and why the government failed so miserably in its costly attempt to protect spotted owls is a sordid tale that illustrates what happens when science is politicized. Begin with the fact that protecting owls was never the objective: Saving old-growth forests from chainsaws was. The owl was simply a surrogate -- a stand-in for forests that do not themselves qualify for ESA protection. But if a link could be established between harvesting in old-growth forests and declining spotted owl numbers, the bird might well qualify for listing -- a line of thinking that in 1988 led Andy Stahl, then a resource analyst with the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, to famously declare, "Thank goodness the spotted owl evolved in the Northwest, for if it hadn't, we'd have to genetically engineer it. It's the perfect species for use as a surrogate."

Indeed it was. But to back their play, the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society and their friends in the Clinton administration needed a good story for the judge. They found it in three obscure reports: a 1976 master's thesis written by wildlife biology major Eric Forsman at Oregon State University; Mr. Forsman's 1980 doctoral dissertation; and a 1984 report written by him and two other biologists. All three reports suggested a strong link between declining owl populations and harvesting in old-growth forests. Unfortunately, the hypothesis has never been tested, so despite 16 years of research, no link between old-growth harvesting and declining owl populations has ever been established.

Moreover, we know little about the relationship between harvesting and owl populations. One such study -- privately funded -- infers an inverse relationship between harvesting and owls. In other words, in areas where some harvesting has occurred, owl numbers are increasing a bit, or at least holding their own, while numbers are declining in areas where no harvesting has occurred.

This news will come as no surprise to Oregon, Washington and California timberland owners who are legally required to provide habitat for owls. Their actively managed lands are home to the highest reproductive rates ever recorded for spotted owls. Why is this?

One possible answer is that the anecdotal evidence on which the listing decision was based is incomplete. No one denies the presence of owls in old-growth forests, but what about the owls that are prospering in managed forests and in forests where little old growth remains? Could it be that spotted owls are more resourceful than we think?

We don't know -- and the reason we don't know is that 16 years ago federal scientists chose to politicize their hypothesis rather than test it rigorously, to flatly reject critiques from biometricians who questioned the statistical validity of the evidence on which the listing decision was based, and to declare with by-god certainty that once the old-growth harvest stopped owl populations would begin to recover.

Some biologists believe that spotted owls still have a fighting chance for survival east of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington, but there is a problem: White fir is pushing native Douglas fir out of these forests in the same way barred owls are pushing spotted owls out of their home range. Minus a long-term thinning program, opposed by many of the same environmental groups that pushed the owl's threatened species listing, the birds will probably vanish from these forests, too.

No doubt one or more environmental groups will use the government's call for recovery plans to demand that even more habitat be set aside for spotted owls. When that demand is made, someone ought to remind Congress of a recent U.S. Forest Service estimate that an additional 1.1 million acres of federal forestland in the Pacific Northwest have grown into old-growth status since the owl's listing. But owl numbers continue to decline.

Perhaps the untold story of the northern spotted owl will lead the U.S. Senate to endorse changes in the Endangered Species Act ratified by the House of Representatives last fall. Among other things, the House version mandates immediate development and implementation of recovery plans for all listed species. To avoid repeats of the spotted owl fiasco, it would also be nice if the scientists selected to peer-review listing proposals represented all sides of inevitably controversial questions.

It should not take 16 years to write a recovery plan. The fact that it did ought to prompt some very pointed questions about what went on behind locked doors in the Portland, Ore., U.S. Bank Tower -- nicknamed the "Tower of Power" by government scientists who gathered there, beyond public and congressional scrutiny, in the spring of 1990 to sift through the pieces of their story. Congress ought to ask for their notes. I'm told they were shredded daily.

Mr. Petersen is the founder of the nonprofit Evergreen Foundation and the publisher of Evergreen Magazine in Montana.

Go here to see my last blog on this subject.

Here is another link that speaks to the Northwest Forest Plan from the Clinton years. The publication this link goes to is far from being a neutral observer, and yet this article quietly agrees that the plan has done little to save the Northern Spotted Owl.

More Reid

2006-02-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

Below is a partial quote from Breitbart.com that sustains my argument placed on this blog on Jan, 10th. This guy is just another liberal blow-hard hack in the mold of Howard Dean!

"Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid wrote at least four letters helpful to Indian tribes represented by Jack Abramoff, and the senator's staff regularly had contact with the disgraced lobbyist's team about legislation affecting other clients.

The activities _ detailed in billing records and correspondence obtained by The Associated Press _ are far more extensive than previously disclosed. They occurred over three years as Reid collected nearly $68,000 in donations from Abramoff's firm, lobbying partners and clients. ...."

Cabo Whales

2006-02-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a week in Cabo San Lucas Mexico; my first time in Mexico except for a memorable trip across the border to Tijuana when I was 19.

While we were there, we went whale watching. Apparently, the whales are there in the thousands around this time of year. We would see them just off the shore every evening and decided we wanted to get up close and personal.

We went on a raft (same type you would go down the Colorado River on) that had two 150cc outboard engines. This thing was FAST!. On the trip out there we were going over 50mph. For those who have not been on the water, this is fast for water travel.
The several boats out there worked together to spot the breaching whales. Our boat responded much faster than the rest and we would be right on their tails when they came up for a breath, as you can see from the pictures. You only get 30 or so seconds then they disappear for 5 or so minutes.
One thing the pictures do not give you. That is the fact that the breath that comes out of their blow-holes smells very bad. I cannot put into words the surprise we all had when this guy blows this retched smelling mist out. We were covered by the stuff one time when we were right behind the guy.
Amazing experience I recommend for anyone that goes down there this time of year. If you have the time, apparently, you can take a plane ride up the coast a couple of hundred miles and see where they give birth to their babies. Quite a site I understand because the mama's come to the surface every 45 seconds or so because their offspring can only hold their breath that long.

These same guys will be seen in the Alaskan waters in late summer. Since we will be there then, I look forward to seeing them again.

Ski Steamboat

2006-01-23T22:37:00.000-07:00

View from the top.

Visiting Elk

2006-01-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

At 12am last night (I guess that is today), I was awakened by a tap-tap on the window. When I pulled up the shade I was face to face with a 6-point Bull Elk. I mean, he was just staring right at me - head on - with his snout no more than 2 feet away from me.
He was eating the shrubs below the window. I got my wife up and rushed to my office to get my camera. By the time I returned he had left the bedroom window and was around the house just west of the house.

Attached are a couple of these shots.

This guy has been around the house for the last two nights and was the one I took the picture of on the 16th.

Police Report from North Park

2006-01-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

The following are a couple of police reports written by the clever Jim Dustin of the Jackson County Star.

Dec 13: a ranch manager on the west side of the county had a chat with some snowmobilers regarding the concept of private property.

Dec 14: the EMT's assisted when a child fell out of a shopping cart.

Dec 14: a motorist driving over Cameron Pass and down into Jackson County was confronted with numerous curves along Highway 14. He failed to make the first one; passersby helped.

Dec 14: motorists were faced with a prickly problem when they encountered a rather large porcupine in the middle of Highway 125 south of Walden. Officers summoned the DOW.

Northern Spotted Owl

2006-01-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

EATS ->

In the Feb 2006 issue of Outdoor Life the editor relates the sad fact that the environmentalists had it all wrong about the Spotted Owl. Sad, that is for the 130,000 people who lost their jobs!

Having been placed on the endangered list in 1990, the Clinton administration (in the mid 90's), banned all logging on 24 million acres in the Pacific North West. This shut down the logging industry and therefore the loss of jobs.

The population of the Spotted Owl has continued to decline even though there has been no logging. Seems as though the reason is the fact that the Barred Owl's favorite target is the Spotted Owl! Heavens me! Did we jump to conclusions back in 1995?

Just another example of how the left, the environmentalists in this case, are really anti-capitalist when it comes right down to it.

I think he is lost

2006-01-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

When the snow is close to 4 feet deep on the flats, getting around is much easier if you use the plowed streets!

Alito on his way to confirmation!

2006-01-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

"A senior Democratic leadership aide conceded that President George W. Bush's 55-year-old conservative nominee appeared to have the votes." From Reuters Jan 12, 2006

It hasn't happened yet, but it looks like our country will have a NEW Supreme Court. Thank goodness. Of all the things that George Bush has done, this is the most important for our country. Now there are 5 judges solidly in the conservative camp. That doesn't mean that they will vote conservative every time, but it does look like a majority will interpret the constitution now rather than try to rewrite it!

Fantastic!

Harry Reid is a Phony!

2006-01-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

I wrote a letter to the editor of the Denver Post about a guest commentary Harry Reid had in that paper last Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, which, by the way, will be published this coming Sunday, Jan 15 2006 in the Post. You can read Reid's comments here:

http://www.denverpost.com/guestcommentary/ci_3375720

The gist is that "others" have this problem with the Abramoff scandal. WHAT A BUNCH OF BUNK! I wrote the following:

Editor, Denver Post

In response to the Guest Commentary of Harry Reid; Jan 8, 2006;

Not only is Harry Reid sanctimonious, he is hypocritical in his guest commentary called "Time for capital cleanup" (Sunday Perspective). I am very disappointed in the Post for allowing this type of commentary to be unanswered. I give you one thing, the picture at the top of the column does a good job of portraying him as a smug, chin in the air phony that he really is.

In the fifth paragraph he states; "The problem is Washington is run by leaders who put their own political interests ahead of America's interests."

What a joke! A quick Google of 'Abramoff Reid' will display numerous links to Mr Reid's complicity in the whole scandal (see some below).

Not only did he receive over $60,000 from Abramoff's office, he refuses to accept responsibility. Unlike many of his Democrat colleagues, he is not returning any of it, or, for that matter, donating a dime of the tainted money to charities like some of his Democrat friends are.

Later on in the column he talks about how the Democrats have resolved to "clean up Washington". Mr Reid ought not have his minions clean too hard, they may unearth their own skeletons!

Finally, he wants us all to ask ourselves: "is this the best America can do - a government where the special interests come before the people?"

I say to Mr Reid; yes we can, and the first step is to get rid of leaders like him.

Here are a few of the links to articles exposing Mr Reid:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/17/AR2005111701682.html (next to last paragraph)

http://www.nrsc.org/newsdesk/document.aspx?ID=1386

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/1/3/115231.shtml

http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/005805.php

girly-men come to Steamboat.

2006-01-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

There was a letter to the editor from a guy from Ft Collins who just visited Steamboat over the Christmas break. he complained about the ice on the sidewalks. Here is my response which I sent in to the local paper.

WARNING! It snows here in Steamboat. My goodness, this year it has snowed a lot. I hear that the three feet I have in my yard is just average; some have five feet.

And then sometimes it gets warm (periods of global warming...I think) and some of that snow melts and turns to water which runs all over the place. It runs off roofs and on to streets and even on to sidewalks.

And then it gets cold here in the winter. Really cold sometimes. And if it gets cold right after a big melt, all that water freezes. It freezes on the roofs; it freezes on your car and in your car locks; it even freezes all that water on the streets and sidewalks.

Frozen water is slippery, in fact, very slippery when it is about 32 degrees out. You must take care when you walk on it so as to not fall on your butt, or slide your car into the one in front of you. If you have a car, perhaps you should have snow tires, and if you are walking, by all means, get yourself some Yaks.

Better yet, try skiing or ice skating where the slipperier it is, the better. In fact, that is why most people come to Steamboat in the first place.

GIVE ME A BREAK!

The guy from the front range that wrote to the editor the other day, complaining of ice on the sidewalk, needs to get a life. When you come to the mountains in the winter, you are going to run into some ice and snow; even on the sidewalks. And even when the merchants in this town try their hardest to keep ahead of it. It is just a loosing proposition. Like keeping your sand castle standing in a rising tide. Or does this guy think our taxes should be raised so that we can have a ice-remover man who spends his day chipping all the ice away?

What is with our culture now where so many are looking for something to complain about and someone to blame. Perhaps that guy should vacation in Florida and dodge hurricanes or go to California and take his chances with earthquakes and mudslides. Or even Texas where he will have to watch out for all those tornados. It even gets hot down there too. Perhaps the towns in Texas should provide fans on street corners so as to keep people from heat stroke.

I can't help but remember, not too long ago, when one would see 80 year old Dorothy Wither (owner of a local store called Dorothy's) walking down Lincoln with her ski pole, climbing over the 3 foot piles of snow that were, not only on the side of the road, but right smack dab down the center of Lincoln. When they had time, the merchants would shovel little paths through those piles only to have them filled in by the state plows that night.

Of course, Dorothy was a tough, no nonsense woman; a real pioneer woman. Seems to me that, what we have now are too many girly-men...and women.

disapointment

2005-12-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

I haven't been here for quite some time and when I do, all I find is a bunch of responses to my blog refering to this stock deal here and that special webhosting site there. All I can say is; GET LOST! Each and every one of these slime-ball posts will get a visit and I will try my best to return in kind!

Do Nothing with Social Security ?????

2005-03-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

I received a response to a blog I wrote on Feb 5th concerning Social Security. In this response I was pointed to the following URL: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/chat/transcript.asp?id=61. At this site a Prof from E.Washington U discusses SS.

I enjoy looking at different takes on this subject so I read most of the article. If I wrote all the things that I disagreed with, this blog would be much too long to hold anyones attention, so I will hold it down to a couple of observations.

First, Mr Orr received his MA from the University of Colorado a few years after I graduated from there. He then stayed on to get his PhD. After all that has gone on at CU in the last few months with Ward Churchill, I am tempted to say..."I rest my case". What do you expect from a guy that studies at an institution such as CU? I can tell you from experience of going there in the 60's, having family living in Boulder (Peoples Republic of) and having a daughter who graduated from there, CU could easily be called the Berkley of the Rocky Mountains! Now he teaches at a school in one of the most liberal areas of the country.

As is typical of the majority of people against the reform of SS, this guy has little to say other than, let's do nothing! He calls SS an insurance system. If I am not mistaken, this is not the intent back in the 30's when the thing was created.

He thinks that private accounts would allow people to loose all their money unless they were an expert in the markets. I say, make it a requirement that only indexed funds be allowed. Or, for that matter, continue to put the money in T Notes, but with MY NAME ON THE T NOTE!

Even Chris Rock in his ranting has stated that SS is a scam for Blacks in this country because the average life span of a Black man is only 57. He is wrong on the life span (it is 67), but he has a point. Blacks put their money into SS for 35 years only to, on average, die before they even get to use it. And their families get no benefit other than the small death benefit.

He wants to fund SS with another tax increase on the RICH! Did you know that if pressed, the Libs will admit that they consider rich to be family income over $60,000 a year. How about that all you 2 teacher families making $80,000! I bet you never thought you were one of the evil rich in this country. Of course you teachers don't need to worry about SS, you have a private pension that has been doing just fine, thank you, invested in the stock market!!!

OK lets tax the really wealthy. You know, the guys and gals that make the really big money. You know Socialism! Robin Hood and all that good stuff.....does this all sound familiar?

He ignores the demographics of the Baby Boomers hitting the retirement age in a couple of years or so. His answer, well, increased productivity has taken care of this 16 to 1 gong to 3 to 1 thing. Yea, sure, why, even the libs in Congress have admitted that this is going to be a huge problem.

Orr says that Bush lied about accounts being guaranteed a better return. I am tired of these folks always using hyperbole in describing anything Bush does. I'm surprised he didn't accuse him of some Naziism. As I have stated in past discussions, it sure will not be hard to achieve a better return than what SS provides now. Particularly when you consider it is all gone when you die as the system is now..

This is much too long as it is. Nobody is going to want to read this thing, so I will end for now. Just remember, when you hear a one sided story on this very important thing, when a guy like Orr says do nothing, then head for the exit.

Losers

2005-02-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a walk with my dogs. We parked in the same place and saw, basically, the same cars who, too, are owned by people walking their dogs. On one there is a Kerry - Edwards sign on the rear bumper.

What is it with these people who drive around town displaying the name of a couple of losers on their car. I don't know what to think of it. Are they the type that leave their garage sale signs up in the neighborhood for 6 months after the sale, or are they just spiteful romantics that think that they are making a "Hate Bush" statement by doing it?

Get a life!

The election is over and with it, your overblown impression that the majority of this country was on your side. I would love to talk to a person like this, but I know what occur. Wide eyed, red faced and loud talking, this person would spue all the cute little sound bites she heard from all her hollywood heros (ops, I gave it away; she was a she). When you talk to her, you would find intellectual bankruptcy. And if she would, god willing, give you the the chance to bring on the overwhelmingly logical facts of your side, she would go right on as if she did not hear them.

I take comfort in the fact that no mater what she does now, she and her type cannot reverse what really happened.

Oh, by the way, when I got back to my car, I noticed a big "L" smudged on the dirty bumper, just to the RIGHT of the sticker.

I smile

Private accts means fewer elected Democrats

2005-02-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

Let's cut to the chase! The Dems want Social Security to stay the same because they want as many people dependent on government as possible! If you have a bunch of people dependent on the government for their livelihood whether it is SS or welfare, they are going to vote for the Dems. The dems want to expand programs. They want more and more dependent people.

You certainly would not vote republican if you thought they would cut programs.

Private accounts are owned by the people. Even the working poor. If everyone has a direct investment in the country's economy, they are going to vote for the people who want the best for business.

2005-02-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

More snow this week..great sking!

Social Security a Gov Ponzi Scheme

2005-02-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Most informed people understand that Social Security (SS) is just a legal pyramid scheme perpetrated on the working folks of America. The workers of today pay 12.3% of their gross wages (half of this paid by the employer) into SS. This money goes to pay the benefits of todays retired workers. When the system started there were about 16 young workers paying into SS for every 1 retiree. Today there are about 3 workers paying into the account for every retiree. Some day, if the system is not changed, theoretically, this figure could drop to one worker for every retiree. How would you like to pay your own family's bills and then be personally responsible for paying for the retirement of someone else.

More money is going into this system than is being spent today. The amount that is in excess of what is needed to pay the current retirees, goes into what is called the SS Trust Fund. All this is, is a bunch of T-Bonds (Treasury Bonds). What are T-Bonds, well they are obligations of the Federal Government. You can go down to your bank today and buy some if you want a low, but safe return on your money. The Trust Fund has been growing since 1983 or so when SS taxes were raised. The Fund will be in positive balance until, some say 2018, some say earlier, say 2008.

THEN WHAT HAPPENS? The government must use the built up surplus (T-Bonds) to pay some of the benefits of the then existing retirees. The problem is that to get the cash, the government must go out and TAX the people, or borrow more (sell new Bonds to investors who may or may not be Americans). Either method is not good for our economy. The debt of the government rises. Taxes must go up or benefits go down some way to pay for this mess. Since raising taxes hurts the economy (takes money out of your pocket now as a worker), benefits will probably go down! Or, the retirement age will go up.

A very important fact is overlooked in this discussion by most government lovers. The SS surplus (Trust Fund) is counted as part of the government's yearly income (taxes and such). This makes the deficit look better than it really is. If it was not part of the equation, the deficit would look REALLY bad (you know; the truth).

The answer: The Democrats want to raise taxes and the Republicans want to cut back on government spending.

A better solution is to have young workers put some of their SS taxes into an individual account that THEY WILL OWN. Yes, like a forced IRA. And like I talked about a couple of Blogs ago, this account will provide a much better return than SS does now, as shown through its history! And MOST important...you will own it. You can use it in retirement and when you die, it will be passed on to your kids. Social Security, on the other hand, ENDS when you die. And in the event you die before you are 66 years old. All your investment is gone!

2005-02-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

How'bout 10 1/2 inches! Looks like Winter Carnival will be just fine now.

2005-02-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

Six inches and counting!

Social Security Change NOW!

2005-02-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

The politics of Social Security is predictable, so, rather than listen to the politicians, look at the numbers.

I was in banking for 14 years and learned during that time why Einstein was so impressed with compound interest. Take the following example:

You fund your IRA with $3000 when you are 18 and continue to fund it until you are 28. Thereafter, you do nothing until you are 67 (you put no more money in the account). The account achieves a return of 6.25%. You look at your balance....

On the other hand, your best friend starts funding his IRA when he is 28 at the same $3000 level. He continues to fund it with $3000 a year until he is 67. Your friend looks at his balance...

Which one has more money in his IRA account when he is 67?

You may be surprised that you both would have about $460,000 in the account.

Both of these, of course, are not adjusted for inflation, but do you see the point?

You may argue that 6.25% is a high rate. Well, considering the stock market has achieved an average of 7.5% over the last 80 years, 6.25% doesn't look so out of reach.

Besides, arguments about how much of a return you make in private returns hardly makes a difference when you compare it to the return you make on the existing SS pyramid.

To show you the retirement security you can have by investing in private accounts, if you did receive that 7.5% return you would have $765,000 in your account. Your friend would have $630,000 in his. And if you both started out when you were 18 and continued to invest $3000 a year into the account until you were 67, you both would have an astounding $1,350,000 in your account-!!

Compound Interest!

And this is just your IRA. What if you had your SS withholding doing the same thing? I don't think we would have a problem with retirement.

There are obviously particulars that need to be worked out, but if given the chance to choose between the existing system or the one I show above, I would pick the private account.

2005-01-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

Out the Office

Spring has sprung in the Rockys

2005-01-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Like spring to day. Forcast is for 55 tomorrow!

Cold Weather Workers

2005-01-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

Across the street a new building is being put up. It is a sunny day in the middle of the winter and there is no one there! Why, of course, they are all skiing. They wait to work when it is 10 degrees and snowing. They get nothing done, but what the HEY, they all came to town to ski anyway, didn't they!?

One wonders why it costs $250/ft to build in this town.

I wonder where the owner is. A month ago the wind blew and down came a whole two story wall. Not enough bracing was used.

This town is full of skiers that put on a carpenders belt they bought at True Value and ask $25/hr to pound nails...or should I say work a nail gun.

2005-01-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

Rancher

New Year

2005-01-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

I have only one resolution and that is to start this blog. No weight loss promise, and no exercise plan, even though it is a major part of my life.

I saw a private jet leave the valley at 7am this morning and thought about the person that was on that jet. He was here in Steamboat, probably on the slopes yesterday or the day before. Making experiences he can talk about back at the water-cooler. Wishing he could live here year round. Not that he couldn't, because he probably could, but I have a feeling that his life is driven by money, recognition, and being in the fight. It is just too slow around here for him to be comfortable. When things slow down in the Yampa Valley, after the Christmas break ( yea, not Holliday break!), he would go nuts.

Ah, yes! To be able to go to the store at 2pm rather than 7am! Wonderful.