What has happened to My America?

Sorry Guys but I just need to vent over this latest insanity from our "New Government". Last year, Yes I know it was under a different President, the US Government bailed out Wall Street to the tune of $700 Billion. This year again the Government comes to the rescue of GM and Chrysler to the tune of close to $700 Billion. GM and Chrysler haven't a car worth a crap in years. I drive down the highways here in the Pacific Northwest and can count on 1 hand the number of Chrysler cars I see. If it weren't for Dodger trucks and Jeeps, Chrysler wouldn't even be a presence on the US market.

Now CIT comes along as says "We're in trouble!" With the economy in it's current state those we loan money to are defaulting on their loans. Until, last week I'd never even heard of CIT. Lord knows I'm no financial genius but when I researched CIT I discovered they are the lending institution that allows 90% of the retailers in the US to borrow money in order to bring seasonal goods into their stores with the idea that after the season they will repay them, I wonder how can we allow CIT to fail.

Math was never my strong suit but when I read from several different finical advisers that CIT funds 99.9% of the small to medium business in this country and then to find President Obama's advisers are telling him to allow CIT to fold. I wonder what the hell did we get ourselves into.

When you stop and realize that the Government funded, on the tax payers backs, the $1.4 Trillion bailout of lending institutions and auto mfg that account for aprox .1% of the business in the United States and are willing to turn their backs on a single institution that can impact 99.9% of the business we deal with daily. You have to stop and wonder what has happened to My United States of America.

Yet, President Obama has the nerve to stand in front of the NAACP convention and tell then that Americans need to "Seize their Destiny." My question is WHAT DESTINY?

If you're the common everyday working man, your Destiny went to Wall Street and GM and Chrysler. Making it all but impossible to Seize it.

I guess somewhere along the way the classes became to closely mingled, so with the Governments help we'll make sure the Rich get Richer and those of us who work to be able to provide for our families, we know exactly where we stand.

The one thing my Dad told me that I will always remember is "Crap doesn't flow uphill, and Fridays Payday", well Dad at least one part of your statement remains true.

Lack of a Creditable Witness does not equal Not Guilty

Yesterday Portland Mayor Sam Adams found out that the Oregon State Attorney General John Kroger would not be filing charges against him for Illegal Sexual Intercourse or Contact. The problems arose for Adams in 2005 after meeting and having "dates" with then 17 year old Beau Breedlove.

The Attorney Generals office found no creditable witnesses to the events of these "dates". Breedlove, himself lost creditability due to his ever changing story. Breedlove's story changed dramatically over the course of six different interviews with several different agencies, including the media and the Department of Justice.

The one part of the story that the DOJ seemed to miss was the part where Adams ask Breedlove to publicly lie about their relationship. They also seemed to miss the fact that Adams allegedly paid Breedlove $750 to keep his silence. All while Adams ran for the seat of Portland Mayor. Once more the legal system ends up with a black eye for not doing the right thing. It goes to prove if you have enough money to hold up proceedings long enough you to can get away with poor choices.

Breedlove's creditability came under attack due to his ever changing story, financial and celebrity gains and past criminal history. If it were not for these things, we would be faced with a much different outcome today.

Having sat here in Portland for the past 7+ months and listening to the ongoing reports and the investigation, Adams dodged a bullet. I have no doubt if this had been a case of a teacher being sexually involved with a 17 year old female student his butt would be sitting in jail today.

If this isn't enough about Adams and his poor choices in the past couple of years, he is also being sued by former press secretary Wade Nkrumah for remakes Adams made following Nkrumah's resignation. Then Adams' home and rental properties show up on a Pre-Foreclosure list last week. When ask about the pending auction of the properties in October, Adams replied that he had significant legal bills that had to paid upfront because of the Attorney Generals investigation.

A recall effort will start on July 7th. Dependin upon which report you subscribe to somewhere between 32,000 and 50,000 signatures are requires to add the recall election to the November ballot. Jasun Wurster told the Oregonian newspaper yesterday, "This report is by no means an exoneration of Adams' conduct. The citizens of Portland will have an opportunity to hold Sam Adams accountable." Let's hope so Jasun, let's hope so.

Link to the Attorney General's Report:
http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/pdf/adams_investigation_report.pdf

www.recallsamadams.com

Supporting The Hobby

Yesterday I attend a Model Car Contest. That may not seem like a big thing but yesterday was Mother's Day. Not exactly the best day of the year to hold a contest for a hobby that is considered by most as a male dominated hobby. There were less then 200 models on the tables. Some were great builds others not so much but they were still supporting the hobby that we all love. The big winner when the awards were handed out was a woman a Mom to be exact. Who would have ever thought that a woman model builder would clean the boy's clocks at a Model Car Contest on Mother's Day of all things.
It turns out that model building isn't just a guys thing anymore there are more and more women builders attending contest and show. And, they are excellent builders. It's not surprising when you think about it as most have been building for several years before they venture out into the light of day. They have honed their skills, they know how to get around obstacles of a build. Most of these women don't come into the shows and contests with the same attitude as the guys. Ego, is not the reason they even enter the contest. They're there to showcase their skills. They are a gracious at winning as they are losing.

Perhaps, there's something to be said for holding a Model Car Contest on Mother's Day.

Unconditional Love

Life is a funny thing, just when you think you have it figured out it throws you a curve ball when you're looking for a fast ball.

We adopted a couple of retired Greyhounds through Greyhound Pets of America a few years back. The oldest was 7 when we brought her home. She had won a couple of big races so she became a brood bitch, basically a puppy mill for future generation of racers. Because of her life in the kennel she had lost many of her teeth due to calcium loss from so many litters of puppies. She had been passed over by many a potential adopter because of her tooth loss. Her tongue always hung out the side of her mouth. She always had a goofy look because of her tongue.

She had grown deaf over the years, it had gotten to the point where you had to walk up to her in the backyard to even let her know it was time to come in. Old age was catching up to her, it made no difference how much glucosamine you added to her food she was having troubles even standing. Over the last month she had pretty much stopped eating and was loosing weight. At her paek she weighted 65 pounds.

This past Saturday morning she had this look on her face like "It's Time". We called our Veterinarian and made an appointment for later in the day. When we entered the vets office we put her on the scale she was down to 47 pounds. We were escorted to one of the exam rooms where the process was explained to us. The vet gave her a sedative to make her comfortable. Then the katimine was administered, she took one more deep breath then she was gone.

We had almost 6 years with Gretchen in our house, all she ever ask for in return for her Unconditional Love was to have her ears scratched. We are grieving her passing as is our other Greyhound as his companion of the past 6 years is no longer here to steal his bed and cookies.

So, here I sit 48 hours later, tears running down my face over a goofy Greyhound who's tongue always hung out the side of her mouth.

Life is a funny thing!

"Cost Containment" The new buzz phrase for "We no longer need your services"

Seems just when you think that corporate American can't sink any lower they prove that you're wrong.

The new buzz phrase seems to be "Cost Containment." This is a phrase I first heard last week in a company wide memo letting us all know that we needed to do what ever we could to insure corporate assets were used prudently. Monday of this week I was invited to a "Planning Meeting" conference call. As my manager and I had been discussing how we were going to ramp up training for the technicians of the company we had just bought I thought nothing of it. At the set time I called him on his cell as directed. He ask if I was on my desk phone, I told him I was on my cell, at which point I was directed to go to my office and wait for his call. This seems a little strange, but I still thought nothing of it. My desk phone ring I answer it to find not only my manager but the director of Educational Service on the call. We exchange pleasantries at which time I am told to answer my door as it is the local HR rep. My first thought is what the hell did I do now!

Now there are 4 of us on this call 2 here in Portland and 2 in Atlanta. I am ask if I had gotten the memo about "Cost Containment" which of course I had. At this point I am informed that the Regional Training Center which I am in charge of will be closing at the end of the business day, in about 45 minutes, and that there is no place for me in the company as there is no longer a direct service organization in the NW.

Turns out that 2 of my fellow trainers were let go the same way the same day. 300+ people lost there jobs in one day. For a company of 17,000 people that is a pretty small number considering the economy unless you're one of the 300+ then it's pretty significant.

Life goes on, bills to be paid, a new President, and the chance to find a better job then the last.

Now "Cost Containment" becomes a personal issue. How to contain the cost of living on a severance package that will last only 5-6 weeks until the next job offer.

God is in control, and that's a good thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's make this short and sweet. Today is election day in the United States. Today we determine who will lead our country for at least the next 4 years. No matter the weather, no matter how long the lines VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I strongly believe that if you don't vote you allow someone else to make your decision for you. If you don't vote you give up your right to complain about the way the Congress and new President runs the country.

It comes down to vote or go with what the rest of us decide.

Time to put up or shut-up.

Have you had enough yet?

As someone in their early 50's I have had the privilege of voting in the Presidential Election for the last 7 times. This political season has been the nastiest most mean spirited I have ever seen. There have been time I was ashamed to admit that I even voted in the last election.

Here in Oregon our Senatorial race is between incumbent Gordon Smith and contender Jeff Merkley. The campaign has been down right evil between these two. But, of late it has gotten to the point of flat out lying. We try to teach our children the differences between right and wrong then those who we elect display the opposite message. The election this year has turned into which candidate do you trust the least. It is no longer a question of which is the best qualified person for the job but, how much can you smear the other guy and look like you're the victim.

Here we vote by mail, I'm beginning to believe that the broadcaster on the local Country Music station has the right idea. He is registered independent, his take on the election this year is to vote for the other guy based on the last negative commercial you either watched or heard. If we all voted this way perhaps the people who run the government would get the idea that we've had it with the mud slinging.

So if you are registered independent vote for the other guy based on the last negative commercial you hear before you cast your vote.

This country was founded on the principles that if you work hard you would be rewarded, now we elect people to the Senate, to Congress and the President that if we sat across from them in a job interview we wouldn't even consider hiring them.

Tonight Barak Obama is presenting himself in a 30 minute infomercial. How is it good for the American public for a candidate to invest in 30 minutes of broadcast time at 1 Million dollar per network. As I understand it he will be seen on 7 different networks. You do the math. Yet, tonight in homes across this great nation there will be children who will go to bed hungry. I guess I must be one of those people who doesn't get it.

Our great nation is in trouble!!!! Next Tuesday we will choose a new President. I pray that we will survive the next 4 years, the choices we make next week will determine if we do.

No matter if you are standing with Barak Obama or John McCain. Make your voice heard next Tuesday. It's a privilege we as Americans need to exercise.

God Bless America and keep us all safe.