Lost a good pet

Well it finally happened. We had to put down on of our cats this week. Kitty, (yes, that was her name) was 19 years old and had renal failure. She had a good run and she was a great cat. She gave us a lot of fun over the years and was companion to another cat and our dog. It is also obvious that the other two notice her absence. Seems odd but they do.

This is the first time I have had to put a pet down. Growing up I don't recall that we ever had to do that. Maybe we did and my Dad handled it without my knowledge but I don't think so. We had several dogs that we kept until they were seniors but most died by running into cars and one supposedly ran away. Hmmmmmmm

We knew this would happen soon, especially when you consider that all three of our pets were acquired in a short span of time. We now face the reality of losing them all in a short span of time. The other cat is 18 and the dog is now going on 15. That's going to be tough.

My wife was pretty upset with having to put Kitty down but that will pale in comparison to when we eventually have to take the dog in. She and the dog are like best buddies. They do a lot together and have for nearly 15 years now. I am not looking forward to that day.

Well it is the weekend and it is proving to be a warm one. However, Michigan has a lot of lakes and I need to go find one.

BFN

Prayers for a Friend

A little over 6 years ago I quit smoking. I had tried so many times to quit and had almost resolved that I would never be able to do it and that whatever ravages smoking would take on my body was just going to have to happen. Then I met a gal who got me involved in the American Lung Associations program to quit smoking. Lo and behold, it worked for me. She then led me to the Quit Smoking Journals for ongoing support and the rest as they say is history.

Unfortunately the story doesn't end there. My friend has now contracted lung cancer. She has quit smoking and the demon still found her after all these years. So....... I, and hopefully anyone who reads this, will offer up a prayer for my friend. Let's pray the prayer that never fails: "Let God's will be done!"

Thanks

Our Government in Action

Anybody listen to Frank Beckman on WJR this morning? I listened to him discuss the Farm Bill with Rep. Tim Walberg. Sometimes I think our Democratic Leadership is nothing shy of devious. There appears to be no integrity there at all!! In discussing the Farm Bill, Rep. Walberg noted how the Democratic Leadership - after committing to NOT add any tax increases to the bill - placed additional taxes in it that would effectively choke any foreign corporations that have operations in this country. Rep. Walberg stated that it would increase certain tax expenditures to these corporations by 600%.

Can you imagine what that would do to any business? At a minimum it is a violation of certain treaties that the US has in place, it would also under reciprocity likely incur similar taxes on US corporations doing business in those foreign countries. At its worst, it would jeopardize over 5.1 million jobs in the US and over 250,000 in Michigan alone.

Understand, this is a farm bill and the tax increase was put on manufacturers. Understand also that 66% of this Farm Bill goes to covering food stamps and nutrition programs.

I really believe the Democrats are moving closer and closer to socialism and we are all going to pay for it unless we stay ever vigilant.

On a lighter note, Rep. John Conyers continues to waste our tax dollars on why federal prosecutors will released. Oh well, we continue to elect these people.

By the way, people talk about the Presidents approval rating. Did you know the approval rating of Congress in general is 14%!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why don't we change this and vote these fools out????

All Night Session

My bad but somehow I missed reading about all the good stuff that came out of the all night session that our legislators pulled. Did I miss that or was it really just a huge PR campaign?

By the way, the weather in Michigan has been fantastic. If you haven't been here to take advantage of it, shame on you. No better place on the planet to live and work.

Gas Prices

Am I the only one that thinks gas prices are artificially inflated by about $1.00 per gallon? When I look at the cost of crude oil and the cost for refining and distribution, I don't see the increase that has warranted this pricing. Sure, I recognize that Katrina and some of the other natural disasters took a bite out of refining and distribution systems but at $1.00 per gallon increase X the number of gallons sold in the past two years, I think they could have rebuilt the entire infrastructure by now.

And of course there is now the whole ethanol thing taking place. The price of corn and other vegetables are going up. Corn due to the increased demand and the opportunity for windfall profits and other vegetables because farmers are dedicating more land to corn and leaving a shortage of available farmland for these other crops. We end up paying on both ends. That's just great!!!!!

I really had hoped ethanol would be a low cost alternative to gasoline. Cheaper and cleaner; what could be better? But no, soon ethanol will be as expensive or more expensive than gasoline just because of the "supply and demand" concept. What a crock! I will just continue to by gas for my car. No incentive for me to upgrade to a flex vehicle.

Ever ask yourself who is making all the real profits? I guarantee that it is not the station owner or the crude oil folks or the refiners. Who then? Question, isn't oil traded as a commodity? Think about it!

Northern Michigan

Loverly and I just returned from a nice long weekend in Northern Michigan and I have to admit that there is no better place on the planet. We played golf at Arcadia Bluffs (one of the finest and most beautiful golf courses in the country) and spent a few relaxing days in a comfortable and laid back atmosphere. I hope everyone makes the time to get to Northern Michigan and enjoy the experience.

The Usual Rantings

Can you believe the liberal democrats think the public so stupid that we overwhelmingly spoke up in opposition to the immigrtion bill because we were duped by "Talk Radio"??? I for one am insulted and it shows just how out of touch the democratic party is with what the people really want in this country. The liberal Democrats (and frankly most politicians) march strictly to their party's agenda.

On the homefront, Michigan is in the midst of a one state recession and our state legislature is struggling with how to correct a deficit budget for next fiscal year. Of course an increase in revenue is one solution (that's the new name for a tax increase) along with cutting more expenses.

I just love how they are doing it though. They debate the merits of business and income taxes knowing that these will get alot of public attention and scrutiny. At the same time they have snuck in legislation aimed at taxing everything from telephone service to entertainment venues. Knowing this time that the media will turn a blind eye to these tactics. Watch out people; it will happen before you know it. When I look at my phone bill now and what I pay for entertainment tickets, there is already enough taxes and surcharges on everything. (See House Bill 4852 and/or check out http://www.notickettax.com/) Let's just leave it alone and deal with the real problems; our state government needs massive restructuring to make it more efficient and effective. Nuff said.

Locally, the weather is great here in Michigan and if you are not from here you should give it a try. You will find a great state with lot's of good people and a lot a fun things to do. You may never want to leave.