|
two or three weeks ago in So, if it seems dated,
===
Then look for it on the next week.
|
FEMA
flushes toilets
Ever since Alicia wreaked havoc
on these parts last summer, citizens of Goat Island have had more sympathy
than ever for those who live on the Gulf Coast. Most of us enjoy a visit
to the beach at least once a year; some often enough or long enough to
own or rent one of those beach houses erected As Alicia taught us, it ain’t the wind in a hurricane, but the water that causes most of the destruction. Now that hurricane season is upon us, we once again turn our thoughts to what is taking place in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the best way to protect our lives and property against whatever that watery expanse may have in store for us this year. According to an article in The Galveston County Daily News by Carter Thompson, FEMA has instituted some strict building codes for coastal property they deem vulnerable to hurricanes and resulting floods. If anyone knows about hurricanes, it is the folks in Galveston. The 1900 Storm that devastated that island continues to hold the record as the worst natural disaster in United States history. While the rest of the world dates time from the birth of Christ, Galveston dates time from the 1900 Storm. Those people take hurricanes very seriously. Also, they pay through the nose for flood insurance and do whatever it takes to keep rates as low as possible. Even so, they are not happy with the FEMA proviso against the construction of rest rooms on the ground floor of those stilted seashore abodes. Those visiting the beach know what it is like to have to climb the steep stairs of one of those stilted dwellings when nature calls. Children and seniors often do not make it. So, there is a heated debate between Galvestonians and FEMA over this issue. FEMA’s argument is that when ground floor bathrooms are inundated, the flood waters become contaminated with sewage from the toilets. Galvestonians counter that most contamination is due to backed- up sewer lines and bubble up through manholes. They also point out that most of the flooding takes place on the mainland from the extensive rains and overwhelmed rivers, yet folks on the mainland are allowed to construct ground-floor bathrooms. Indeed, they are not even required to build their houses on stilts. FEMA retorts that this does not take into account the storm surges which destroy so much beach property. And so it goes. I doubt there will ever be a meeting of minds on the subject. All I know is that when I need to visit the facilities, after lying in the sun and quaffing a few beers, my knees, to say nothing of my bladder, would be happier if they did not have to navigate a flight of stairs. 05-24-02
|
||||||
on
stilts.
Left and right explained
Some of us get confused when attempting to
distinguish the differences between the political left and the political right.
I have been giving the subject a lot of thought, and I think I can offer a clear
explanation as to the distinctions between the two.
If one favors a market-based economy, he is on the right. If one favors a labor-based economy, he is on the left. Those favoring free trade among global corporations are on the right. Those favoring free trade that includes small businesses are on the left. Those opposing free trade because it hurts the workers and small businesses of own their nation are on the right. Those who oppose free trade because it hurts small businesses and workers in nations other than their own are on the left.
Those who think the poor and/or homeless are a shiftless lot who deserve no special consideration except charity are on the right. Those who think the poor and/or homeless need all the help we can give them, as long as they are out of sight in some shelter or low-rent housing project, are on the left.
Anyone who supports racial profiling when it comes to crime and terrorism, is right of center. Anyone who supports racial profiling when it comes to college scholarships and employment, is left of center.
People who look down their noses on Catholics and Jews are right-wingers. People who look down their noses on Catholics and fundamentalist Christians are left-wingers. Looking down on Islamics because of the way they are alleged to treat women is a left-wing activity. Looking down on Islamics because of the way they are alleged to treat men as well as women is a right-wing activity.
People who think women do not receive enough affirmation from men for their numerous contributions to civilization throughout history belong on left. People who think women are superior to men and have no need for such affirmation belong on the right.
Those against war and/or capital punishment, are on the left. Those against euthanasia and/or elective abortion, are on the right. Those who oppose war, capital punishment, euthanasia and elective abortion or any sort of violence in order to solve problems are on the right.
Favoring speech and a press bowdlerized by a Capitalist government is a right-wing sentiment. Favoring speech and a press bowdlerized by a Socialist government is a left-wing sentiment. Favoring a totally free speech and press is a left-wing sentiment, unless what is published or spoken is deemed by the intellectual elite to be insulting to minorities, the handicapped, women, or any religion other than Catholic or fundamentalist Christian.
Any questions?
Fences often undesirable
There are many reasons for
having fences and walls. One is to keep something or someone in, another to keep
something or someone out. Still another is to shield what one is doing from
prying eyes.
It will be up to us
to take up the slack by keeping the War on Terrorism going for as long as we
can. The arms industry has nothing to fear.
Being prepared is futile
Like most Americans disturbed by the events of 9-11, I am prepared should terrorists decide to launch an attack upon Goat Island. I have enough Spam, beans and Shiner’s Bock laid in to last me quite awhile.
In addition to that, I have acquired a gas mask, in case of a gas attack; several fire extinguishers to put out fires; iodine tablets for radiation sickness; a couple of extra cases of ammunition for my deer rifle so I can stave off an invasion; plenty of fresh first aid supplies to deal with injuries; extra batteries for my radio, and extra lanterns and candles to get me through a prolonged power outage.
I have made sure all my vaccinations are up to date as well. I also have an escape route mapped out in case it becomes necessary for me to evacuate my hearth and home.
I am ready.
Then I read an item in US News and World Report by Paul Bedard, that was a bit disconcerting. Bedard reports that Homeland Security Office Director Tom Ridge has made absolutely no such preparations for his home in Harrisburg, Pa. even though he thinks it is a good thing that the rest of us have.
Ridge gives three reasons for this “do as I say, not as I do” attitude:
The first is that he feels safe in Harrisburg, Pa. Well, I feel safe on Goat Island, but I feel even safer with plenty of Spam, beans, Shiner’s Bock and ammunition on hand.
The second excuse Ridge offers is his Labrador retrievers. He says that if his household were in a panic to escape from their home, they would be tripping all over those dogs and probably would fail in the attempt. I guess the man lacks the skill to kick a dog out of his way.
The third reason goes like this and I quote:
“Ridge isn’t big on other drills, like those scary classroom atomic bomb tests of the 1950s. ‘Now knowing what I know about the atomic bomb, hiding under my desk in third grade probably wouldn’t have given me much cover.’ ”
Somehow that statement does not make me feel at all secure, even on Goat Island.
One cannot help but wonder what the Homeland Security Office is for, if not to educate us citizens about homeland security, and encourage us to be prepared for any eventuality. What other purpose could it serve?
Anyone need a few cases of Spam and a gas mask? I think I can deal with the
Shiner’s Bock all by myself.
Spies need our support
The Economist newspaper recently published a ridiculous article
criticizing the espionage industry in the United States. They claim it is not a
pretty picture, the problems are legion, and it’s all the government's fault for
not demanding reforms.
One grievance is that intelligence gathering is conducted by 13 different agencies, among which are the CIA, NSA, NIMA, NRO and the DCI. In addition, all branches of the military has its own intelligence division. Each is very protective of its turf, and is reluctant to share information with the others.
Even with a budget of $30 billion, these various groups are alleged to miss a lot, and did not foresee the global financial crisis, the war in Kosovo, India’s nuclear test, and the 9-11 attack on the temples of Capitalism.
Another issue is they are more interested in putting a spin on alleged fiascoes, rather than admit anything is amiss. For example, George Tenet, Director of Central Intelligence, is quoted as saying, “Failure means no focus, no attention, no discipline -- and those were not present in what either we or the FBI did here and around the world.”
I see nothing wrong with that statement, and hope it silences those laboring under the delusion that failure has something to do with not meeting goals successfully.
The article did not think much of the office of Director of Central Intelligence itself. It claims it is merely an appointed position with no real authority and that nobody is in charge. It goes on to allege our intelligence community relies too heavily on technology, and is too enamored with spy satellites and high tech gadgets. It is felt we need more old-fashioned spying with under- cover infiltration of suspect nations, groups and individuals.
Congress reacted to all this whining by wisely increasing funding for the spy community, and broadening their powers to conduct foreign and domestic surveillance without requiring any reforms. I am happy they did. Spies should not be held accountable to anyone if they are to be effective, and the competition between agencies is as American as apple pie.
Those who do not want bugging devices in their homes, their email scanned, or video cameras on their streets need an attitude adjustment. How else can we make the world safe for Capitalism?
The precepts set forth by our Founding Fathers in the US Constitution are passé and have no place in the 21st century. Instead of “give me liberty or give me death,” our rallying cry should be “keep us safe no matter what we have to sacrifice or how much of our tax money you have to spend.”
New amendment favored
In September of 1994, President Bill Clinton signed a crime bill which aids
crime victims. Former attorney general Dave Kopel of Colorado, now an associate
policy analyst at the Cato Institute states that bill “trampled federalism,
assaulted civil liberties and wasted billions of dollars.”
In 1996, an amendment to the United States constitution, mandating rights for crime victims which elevate them to constitutional status was proposed, then sort of died without Congress acting on it. However, The Associated Press reports that President George W. Bush is backing an effort to revive it.
I was happy to learn this because I like that amendment. There is money to be made if it is ratified because it calls for compensation to be paid to victims of violent crime.
The best part is that it does not define what a victim is, so anyone can claim victim status. For example, if Uncle Lester finally beats Aunt Myrtle to death, then Aunt Myrtle’s friends, children, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins can all claim to be victims because of the loss of their dear one.
Another good thing is that there is nothing in the amendment that says the accused must be convicted of the crime in question before being required to pay compensation. This not only eliminates that pesky due process and fair trial proviso now cluttering up our Constitution, but enables victims to start collecting immediately.
It also will negate all state laws concerning victims, giving the federal government even more power, which it sorely needs at the moment. And there are no statute of limitations, so victims of crimes that occurred decades ago can cash in on this bonanza.
Of course, the usual gang of idiots have come forth in opposition to this amendment. They include the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Friends Service Committee, U. S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, the NAACP, the National Organization for Women, Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, the Youth Law Center, a score of organizations against domestic violence, and other bleeding hearts.
Not me, though! I already have it figured out how to take advantage of this cash cow. As soon as this amendment works its way through the system, I plan to claim victim status if anyone with whom I am remotely associated is harmed during a crime.
I hope it happens often. I could use the extra money.
Our tax money not wasted
Now that April 15 is behind us and we have sent in our tax returns, I think it
is befitting that we go over what Congress is doing with our money. A group
calling themselves Citizens Against Government Waste has made it easy for us by
compiling a list.
According to Reuters, this disgruntled organization has seven criteria for their list, and in order to qualify, at least one must be met. Many satisfied two. The criteria include: Requested by only one chamber of Congress; not specifically authorized by any committee; not competitively awarded; not requested by the President; not subject to a congressional hearing; or serving only a local or special interest.
Hawaii, Alaska and West Virginia received the most money, the report states,
with allocations ranging from $388 million to $451 million. Other “pork barrel”
funds endowed the following:
.$800,000 for Satsuma orange research in
Alabama.
.$400,000 for the Montana Sheep Institute
to improve the profitability of the state’s sheep industry.
.$273,000 for the Blue Springs, Missouri
Youth Orchestra Outreach Unit for educational training to combat Goth culture.
.$249,000 to give each student a laptop
computer at Schurz Elementary School in Nevada.
.$50,000 for a tattoo removal program in
San Luis Obispo, California.
The report goes on to say that lawmakers outdid themselves this session by allocating $20.1 billion for their pet projects in the 13 annual appropriations bills passed by Congress last fall, topping the previous year’s figure by $1.6 billion.
I do not understand why the Citizens Against Government Waste term these expenditures as “pork.” After all, if the Republicrats were not allocating our tax dollars for these projects, they might fritter them away on prescription drug coverage for Medicare recipients, housing and food stamps for those too shiftless to earn more than minimum wage, or some other nonsense for the undeserving.
I mean, what is more important? Removing tattoos from the epidermises Pacific Coast sun worshippers or providing heart medications for old fogies in rocking chairs? Sheep and Satsumas or rug rats sleeping in Salvation Army shelters?
Let’s keep our priorities straight, folks.
Everyone should get with times
The Guardian of London reported recently that Acclaim Entertainment, a
British video game company, has announced it will take advertising to a “new
level” by offering to pay relatives of the deceased for allowing them to affix
small billboards to gravestones.
One would think a video game company would be more in tune with the times than to think that companies must pay for advertising these days. They buy space in newspapers and magazines, and commercial time on the television, but they do not pay individuals, such as the bereaved, for advertising.
Most of us fork over big bucks for shirts, caps, pants and shoes with the name of the maker emblazoned thereon. It occurs to none of us that we should be remunerated for advertising these products.
The Chicago Sun-Times ran an item recently about a professor at a Buffalo, New York college who proposes butterflies be genetically altered so that company logos appear on their wings. As far as I know, there is no discussion of compensating the butterflies for this service.
So, if Nike wants to pay Tiger Woods a lot more for wearing their caps, shirts and shoes during golf tournaments than it does the third world rug rats who assemble their products, it is their prerogative. You and I should not expect to enjoy the same privilege ... even on our tombstones.
Sole proprietorships should not expect any special consideration either just because they cannot afford to pay famous people to use their stuff or purchase national TV and print spots. After all, there is no place in the global economy for ma and pa shops, and we will see fewer and fewer of them as time goes by.
Which brings us to a story, in a recent issue of The Daily Texan at The University, about what is occurring on The Drag. For the unenlightened, The Drag is Guadeloupe Street, which runs along the University of Texas campus in Austin. It is besieged with artisans peddling their wares and activists peddling their causes.
A gaggle of agitators, dubbed ReTag, are spray painting slogans on the posts outside corporate franchises there, in a feeble protest of the presence of these chains. If The Drag had more corporate franchises, we would not have to endure artisans and agitators while visiting The University.
ReTag, along with Acclaim Entertainment, should get with the program. Global concerns, by virtue of money and power, need not pay unimportant people for advertising, and have a right to squeeze out local businesses from any location they wish.
It’s the American way.
500 Ferry Road #415
Galveston, Texas 77550-3181
409-763-1178