Happy Birthday, Louisiana

200 years ago Louisiana was made a state.

Walkabout

Brother in Law reported in at Clingman's Dome, TN which puts him about 200 miles into his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. He got stuck by the recent bad weather and even had snow at the higher elevations.

Creeping Freedom Restrictions

I'd like to bring your attention to a couple of items that I find troubling. On March 14, the Senate passed S.1813, known as MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century). It authorizes federal highway construction projects. But like most legislation, they buried stuff in it that has no relation to highways and restricts your personal freedoms.

In Section 31406 they require all new cars manufactured after 2015 to have Vehicle Event Data Recorders installed on them. These "black boxes" will record what the vehicle has been doing and probably where it has been. There is a provision that the data is owned by the vehicle owner and only accessible with a court order. But you and both know that is no guarantee of privacy. Why does the government feel this data collection is necessary? What do they plan to use the data for? What about rental cars - will my activities in a rental car be subject to scrutiny by Hertz? Think about the long term implications of having "Big Brother" as a back seat driver. Think about the Gov shifting to a mileage tax instead of a gasoline tax.

Another provision is in Section 40304. This allows the IRS to request the Secretary of Transportation to request the Secretary of State to revoke your passport if there is a question about your tax payments. Note that this does not require that you be found in arrears but that the IRS have "suspicion" that your are delinquent. Unlike a court of law, you have no appeal process to this bureaucratic procedure.

You can go here to see which Senators voted for this bill and to read the bill itself.

This bill now has to go the House for approval. I suggest you write to your Congress Critter.

Thoughts on Recent News Items

GSA Scandal
Fire them all. Fire the managers that arranged it. Fire the level above them for approving it. Fire the level above them for not being aware of it. Fire the Accounts Payable supervisor who paid the expense accounts for not blowing the whistle. Take everyone else involved and offer them a transfer, demotion or termination. Do it now!

Secret Service Fiasco
Fire the agents involved. Fire at least two levels of supervision above them. Refer the military guys back to their home service for discipline. Don't wait.

Taliban Trophy Photos
This sort of thing has been going on since the Romans hung the dead bodies of their enemies on pikes to send a message and instill fear. Face it, combat training is designed to develop a callous attitude towards death. I'm sure that tours in a combat zone further reinforce that callousness. How can we expect soldiers to hold bodies of their dead enemy sacred after witnessing atrocities these same enemies committed on their own people and our own soldiers? What they do, they will have to deal with and that is punishment enough for me.

Leon Panetta's Trips Home
We are involved in two wars and the Secretary of Defense heads home every weekend? Are you s***ing me? I don't care if he carries a Bat Phone, he needs to be in DC, not on the Left Coast someplace.

Bow Wow Luau

I'm not sure why folks are making a big deal about Obama eating dog. He lived in Hawaii where the Bow Wow Luau is common. It's Da Kine, and Mo Betta wit poi.

Travel Plans

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you
can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be
driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my boss, work and
politicians who affect my life.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too
much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit
there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older and
as my muscles get weaker.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin
flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can
get!

I may have been in Continent, but I must’ve been sleeping while traveling
through, and some places I'd rather not remember. It's an age thing.

Head Count

Five murders and druggies lost their heads in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last month. Year to date total is now 14.

Chipping Away at our Freedoms

Think this isn't important? Go ask a German Jew from 1939 or a Japanese American from 1942.

Going Walkabout

One of my brothers in law is starting to hike the Appalachian Trail today. He plans to thru hike the trail in one season. I'll keep you all posted on his progress along the 2180 mile trail.

Hes been active in Boy Scouts for years and raised two Eagle Scouts. He's had several trips to Philmont. I think he'll be successful if winter doesn't come too early in the north.