Guns

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/25/business/remington-bankruptcy-guns.html


https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/03/26/business/26reuters-remington-bankruptcy.html

Remington is owned by private equity giant Cerberus, which began buying up gun companies a decade ago. Soon after CNBC's first investigation in 2010, Cerberus dropped plans for an initial public offering of what was then known as the Freedom Group.
After the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, Cerberus announced plans to exit the gun business, but could not find a buyer. Cerberus eventually let its institutional investors cash out of Freedom Group, which remained on Cerberus' books, eventually renamed Remington Outdoors.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/remington-the-oldest-gun-maker-in-the-united-states-files-for-bankruptcy/ar-BBKHLlP?OCID=ansmsnnews11


3% own 50%

Cerberus owns Safeway ..  and at least 18 other major food chains in the USA.

Parliament/Coke/Immigration

 Conformity is a burden and a trial it weakens the soul of the individual
 and it weakens the soul of the country, our country.

   It's effects are remarkably apparent as this battle against Trump Fascism.

   What exactly is the Fascism? is it the constant speaking of what is on his mind?

   By not raising our voices we stop sharing the information that all people need to make informed opinions.

   'Conformity' has another name "solidarity'  . are you with the cause or against us?

   In 1621 in the days when people's heads got lopped off pretty regularly for being a dissenter an incredible drama took place back in Mother England. It seems to speaks to our roots, our heritage, the Tree from what the ideals of America were forged

   Parliament was created back in the 1300's in England and I am not a historian I just love reading about it. Somewhere in this feudal system the average citizen began to think that they had a voice… I won't even begin to try to explain the Magna Carta to you all because I need the explaining but, just as we all, who live in the USA need to know as much as we can regarding the founding of our country … it's Declaration of Independence the Constitution  and the Courage and Vision that we have inherited to build upon or cast aside. The Tree goes deep…. we

   Sir Edmund Coke bravely spoke in Parliament to King James ….'The ancient liberty of Parliament for Freedom of Speech …. a liberty which we assure ourselves so wise and just a King will not infringe, the same being our ancient and undoubted rights, an inheritance from our ancestors without which we cannot freely debate nor clearly discern of things before us.'

 Nor clearly discern of things. If some outward force in the name of 'The Kingdom' demands silence on any particular subject. Or if we let some inward force, a force that many have tried to warn us of over the centuries, when we surrender to some great cause that seems merely to be a bundle of fear and rage we lose the ability as a people to discern clearly the things in question before us.

  So I tell myself at 4 AM get friggin' bold you fool. Quit wanting to have people like you quit worrying over your fate your empty love life or any number of pointless subjects and deal with he matter at hand.

   We are deeply lucky that of all the people of the world to live adjacent to us and to have come across our border to work in our fields, factories and communities, that we have such good hearted people of strong values as the Mexicans as well as Guatemalans and all from all of Central America. We are also as a community are full of Americans also of great heart who welcome these new migrants, whether they have come here through the legal channels or not. These are my family and friends who will stand up on behalf of our new community members and march in the streets if necessary to protect their human rights.

   The laws of the USA have not been put on the books by Aliens or Angels but by our elected Representatives doing the best they can on our behalf. Whether its President Johnson's The Immigration Act of 1965 or Ronald Reagan's Immigration Act of 1986 or whatever is next The American People have the right to have a voice in the debate in crafting a policy. That to the tune of some 11 Million 'undocumented' residents to use the proper euphemism, our laws are perceived of as being irrelevant, the human flow ignores the barriers, and our newly elected President as flawed and apparently foolish at times as he is is doing his best to fulfill the wishes of the American Citizens who voted him into office. Seeking a firm response to this situation that seemed out of control back n the Reagan era but now has gotten so out of control that many people feel that it is someone's natural right to receive the blessings and security of our country whether they have obeyed the laws of the American People or not.

  President Trump has in issue after issue attempted be as firm as his rhetoric was in reaching office, at the same time reaching out to accommodate and compromise repeatedly. Fear, scorn and hatred is what's coming from the Left. The unsaid philosophy is apparently that we are moving towards a borderless civilization.

  Fear and conformity of thought block a clear understanding of the costs and benefits of unlimited illegal immigration. The costs need to be addressed and remedies created without fear of charges of racism for those Americans who see 'the dreamers' of the USA's quality of life and opportunities being diminished because of this unlimited work force that competes for jobs and living space.
   
  

The NY Times Fact Check

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/12/us/politics/trump-border-claim-factcheck.html

Comes a Time ....

Comes a time . ... when this man.

Has to rid himself of old habits. Old ideas of self and place in the world need re-examining.
Why haven't I built something into this locale that feels a little more substantial, putting it lightly,
How much of the weight of the responsibility for this can I bare (bear  - growl)? My own
hermit type nature makes me feel like an outcast. I know I have to find more strength and faith in my self.

To look for the 'Higher Ground' as Stevie Wonder reminds me. No mistaking, I breathe, quest, remember and forget this GOD of life, and ponder every day.

 I am not even sure of what I am saying here. It's like I am composing some poem to send me on my way to what's next. Which might be like that first part of my life .. 'Going Nowhere'... only more so.

Just being Guy... How can you be someone else?

Not sure what's ahead.

The Contender

 

  A Platform for California  2018

  1.) The beginning of the new century. California will not be run by or driven economic speculation or the development models of the past. Return authority to the Communities not the monied interests. The existing communities needs must be met. The needs of future people will be best served by serving justly and generously the interests of the people currently residents of the State of  California. In other words The Means creates the End. The Ends do not justify the Means.

  2.) Statewide Moratorium on all new water hookups. It's the new reality if we have to thank our Environmental Crisis for demanding that we change course than we thank this dire Problem that serves to waken us to the ridiculous and unsustainable

growth of California that has greatly diminished personal freedoms in countless ways.

  3.) No additional water to Southern California. Southern California as well as Northern California are in the same boat. A new vision of growth, of success, of personal freedom is ours for all it's citizens. A new responsibility, a new challenge a new opportunity for creativity and vision.

  4) Enforcement of the Laws of Immigration. 2 years or less in this country you will be deported. We welcome all legal visitors and workers to California, we are delighted to have you with us. We ask you join us in this new vision that we are going to create initiatives to make California a sustainable population state. We acknowledge that we have grown with such rapidity that not only have we trashed the majestic beauty

of California that it is unrecognizable but we have built ourselves int a position where countless lives are at risk from the very natural circumstances of California's unique Nature. My goal as governor is to steer this ship towards a steady state and

modestly declining population base. By the year 2100 if we as it’s creative citizens

rise to the vision your children and their children's children will be able to live in homes that reflect the comfort and satisfaction that once upon a time was the natural state of affairs in the USA. A home with a back yard and front yard and ... yes trees.

  5) Expanding the State Park System with 10 new Parks within 50 miles of SF and LA and Sacto… at least identify the sites with 5 started within the next 4 years. Maybe a 100 new parks by the end of the next century.

  6.) Ending Homeless in California, including a West Coast Summit. A modest tiny home for everyone.

  7.) Return of the Party system and the rights of Parties to choose their own candidates through preferential primaries.

  8.) A Reduction of unwarranted Regulations for Homeowners and Small Business People.

  9.) Sundays are for Horses … and Music. Creating a California wide celebration lasting 6 months or more of the year. Getting people out of cars ... welcome a horse parade through local downtowns and music in the parks.

  10.) The undergrounding of power lines throughout California every town, every road.

   11.) Only you can Change the Climate for the Good. If we can save water maybe we can cut way back on our burning of fossil fuels. Why have we not been challenged yet?
Why have we not been mobilized? We don’t need laws to compell us not to pump gas.. Lifestyle change coming up. ...and Changing the Climate of civil discourse...
   

  

Crossing the Border

   In a conversation with a friend, a re-aquaintence whose name I had forgotten over the years in San Rafael yesterday. He had some interesting things to say in our discussion of national politics, he stated that, despite the vehemence of opposition in the polarity of politics --  that the numbers of people who identified themselves as Independent as opposed to Republican or Democrat has increased. I hadn't heard that and can't confirm as I type tonight, I'll leave that to you or me later on when I am once again connected to the internet. That would be a boost to the small flame I have burning on behalf of Common Ground.

   He also stated that the internet has served to divide people rather than bring people together. The brilliant search engines detect what sources you seek out and reward you with sending you more and more information that supports your preferred tilt whether to the left or the right. Ignoring whatever voices might be there that might give you the broader perspective.

  'Might give you' is the operating phrase though it is harder and harder to find the voices that are willing to look at a side of the argument if it doesn't fit in with their narrative.

    Ahhh.. the joys of self-righteous vehemence.

    My friend quite accurately said it reminded him of Rock Bands who in the coarse of the musical conversation feel that they are being drowned out by another member of the band so they need to turn up the volume too. You get loud muddy sound which hides too much of the good stuff. Tends to be quite unnecessary which reminds me of a note I wrote to myself after participating in a political discussion a few weeks back on the 68 stagecoach bus.. Reminder  .. 'Lower your voice'.

    So far the Trump administration has made it past the first year marker. Amount of foreign nationals deported in his first year, less than President Obama's first year in office, less than Obama's last year in office. Is his first year full of office the amount of deaths in border crossings is ____ less than Obama's last year. March 5 is the date the extension of DACA expires so far Republicans and Democrats have not resolved their differences. Trump has moved back from his words that 'he could take the heat' and has tied it's passing with approval of 'the Wall'. … his Republican associates .. arch Conservative Senator Grassley as one has stated that the wall might consist in parts of sensors and drones. Democrats should seize on that and make that a major part of 'the wall'.

        In a January 11, 2018 NYTimes article entitled:

       'After Pause, Migrants are Surging into U.S. at the Southern Border'

~~~ '   Just months after border apprehensions hit a 17 year low, which administration officials proudly celebrated as a 'Trump effect,' the number of migrants trying to enter the United States has been surging, surpassing 40,000 along the Southwest border last month, more than double the springtime numbers, according to new data from the HOmeland Security Department.

      'Many factors, including the Central American economy and gang violence, play a role in migration patterns. But t also appears that any deterrent effect of Trump's tough talk and ramped up immigration enforcement has begun to wane' ~~~

     Come on Democrats.. it is in our best interests that 40,000 immigrants don't come crashing our party every month.  Few Americans benefit from the flood of cheap labor, it ups the tension and possibilities of violence in our country. Say yes to an immediate application of sensors etc… but even more so…

    1.) Call a Central American Summit and let our great (laugh, spit or say thank you) President tell every Head of State that Corruption and Violence sanctioned by the state will not be tolerated. " Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are often ranked as among the most dangerous countries in he world because of drug and gang related violence, as well as widespread attacks against women." The Central American countries Mexico included lack of democratic process and local corruption spills it's inhabitants n the US. We are swamped already. We have half million homeless now with easily another half million near that state or simply not counted.

    2.) Work with President Trump and declare your opposition to receiving more refugees. The people of the Americas south of the border hear the Democrats and the Republicans voices, the words get through. When Democrats offer California driver licenses to undocumented the words gets through.. the wrong message … It's OK you have the greenlight, our California governments will look the other way. This is hurting everyone. The world is in a heap of trouble. The Glorification of Violence that runs rampant in Latino Countries must come to an end. The glorification of violence from Hollywood and the USA must come to an end.

   Here is the basis of the DACA compromise. Yes to DACA. Yes to immediate deployment of sensors ( I hate drones) . 'I hear you knocking but you can't come in.'

Democrats and Republicans speak with one voice. The poorest Americans are hurt the most by a flood of new immigrants.

    Yes to the Summit immediately. With a goal to stand united Republicans and Democrats and Heads of States of Latin America. Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear and Violence, Freedom from Hunger. Honest and Fair elections in all countries.

    Let's go President Trump let's go Schumer and Pelosi. Remember the Art of the Deal, let's get it done.