Oil Spill Politics

Obama was shocked, SHOCKED I say, to learn that the MMS [gov't agency "overseeing" the oil industry, was actually just a lacky working FOR the oil industry -- rubber stamping their requests and serving thier needs.

Let's look at the real problem ... this is just a microcosm of the macrocosm.

It's clear the gov't doesn't just repressent the interests of the oil industry.

In just the past couple of years we have seen the gov't repressents and works for:

• The big "too big to fail" banks
• The private Federal Reserve Bank
• The health insurance companies [health care bill]
• The military industrial complex ...
• ....

I wonder if we can ever get back to a Republic,
with respect for the law and constitution,
for the people, not the corporacracy.

Early Summer in Brown Country

This is a nice time of the year in Brown County --
The ticks have all but gone, and still another month before Chigger Season!

It is usually cool enough at night such that the house cools off enough to stay comfortable all day ...

The garden is growing [4 types of lettuce, two types of carrots, already eaten my first radish, snow peas, green beans of a couple sorts and black beans, a couple of types of cucumbers and broccoli, corn [planted intermittently], zuchini, butternut and spagetti squash, mellon, asperigus, two types of big tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, a couple types of green peppers and chile and jahapeno peppers, chives and onions.

Yesterday: the first day lilly, and found my first small Chantrelle mushroom -- perhaps in a week I will be harvesting and feasting on them!

The dogs have already adapted to sleeping all day in the house where its cool. 
Our walks now need to go up river or around lakes to keep them cool.

A Visitor

My nephew Mike is coming to visit!

Mike is an alcoholic ...
He has a deletion on his 22nd chomosome
that has causes him all sorts of learning, living, and hapiness disabilities.

This will be a REALLY BIG upset to my quiet solitary life in the wood with my wolf!

Hide the liquor!
Throw out the cigarrettes!
It will be a challenge to ME to be the person I think I am!

I've decided, when I pick him up from the airport,
I shall tell him that his plane crashed,
and now he is dead,
and now in Heaven!

Yes -- the middle of the Hoosier National Forest!
Mike died and went to Paradise!

We shall eat,
We shall sleep,
and sit on the porch at night.

Patrol with the dogs,
do nothing [meditate],
take long walks with the dogs,
work in the garden and the land,
and deal with our addictions and afflictions!

And every day we shall work to further perfect our Paradise!

I hope it is good for Mike --
And for me as well!

It's kind of funny ...
I have a Ph.D. in physics,
and Mike somehow got through high school.

I love his presence ...
He is totally honest ...
says exactly what he feels,
and does not judge others or the world,
he is a person with whom one can be comfortable.

He has real wisdom.  I'm eager to learn from him!

Good Old Hoosiers ...

While taveling to Cleveland my old Subaru started making noise ...
and then going to Detroit, it got much worse!

The old Subaru has 180,000 miles, before the speedometer broke ...
So, how much money should I put into it?

I brought it to a Midas shop in Michigan -- 866$ was the quote.

I decided to wait until I got back to familiar territory -- Indiana --
to get a second opinion.

I brought it into a local exhaust place [Bells Exhaust] --
and told them I just wanted a estimate ... that's all.
They put it up on the lift,
the guy looked at it for 15 seconds,
and told me,
"20 minutes, 45 dollars".

OK!

It was 65 dollars with the tip!

They hit it with reciprocating saws, cutting torches and welders.
And in less than 20 minutes, I drove away very happy!

Why?

Why does the Pipe-Fitter (or Physicist) come home and drink?

Why does the Pipe-Fitter (or Banker), who's proud of his skill at building and creating,
      not work long extra hours to show his accomplishments?

Perhaps, the Teacher not in love with the goal?
Perhaps, the Nurse is not working on her vision?
Perhaps, the Salesperson does not agree with,
     or is even appalled by,
          the vision he's been given?

He's sold his soul ... his time ...
     ... to the one who would pay the most,
          ... of whatever she most valued.
               ... and he questions his values,
                   and his integrity.