I HEAR THE TRAIN A COMIN...

Well, the furor over the increase in train traffic and associated peace disturbance caused by train horns, both louder and more frequent continues to heat up.  The move to create quiet zone from the California border to the downtown train trench is picking up a lot of steam.  There is tremendous support from the public and private sector, with one exception, Union Pacific. As stated previously, I am in support of train transportation, as it is the most efficient method available.  The rail industry was the key contributor to the building of this country, especially out west.  As with any business with a conscience, being a good corporate citizen is a dual edge sword.  Recent comments by their 'community relations' person reflects their unwillingness to do their part.  They have increased their profits by being allowed to double stack containers (one atop another) at the expense at continued violation of a property owners right to quiet enjoyment.  Their response...not our problem.  I seen responses in the paper questioning why someone would buy a house near the tracks. I live nearly 2 miles away in a secluded community (Somersett), yet hear trains at 3:30 in the morning as if they are in my backyard.  I feel for my fellow citizens that live considerable closer.  I am not railing against UP.  Just asking the to do the right thing and be part of a solution.

The New Downsizing

Everything is shrinking at the grocery store expect for prices.  We've all noticed the downsizing going on in packaging (if  you haven't better let someone else do the shopping).  Ice cream, milk, oj, cereal, coffee; you name it, you get less for the same price or more.  The new half dozen is 5 (better count next time).

It's not false advertising.  It's just relying on the typical disconnected consumer not to notice.  Why doesn't that product go as far as it used to?  Look at the label.  We have recently been taught to focus on ingredients (anything with sugar in the top 3 should be left on the shelf).  Great marketing, distracts us from content.  Gee, just like political ads!

Now more than ever, vigilance is key.

Quality of Life Soon Outweighed by Lack of Opportunity

The jobless rate has risen over 20% since last year in our fair state, 30% above the national average.  This is overly conservative, as it does not take into consideration self employed and/or entrepreneurs that cannot collect benefits or are truly the working poor.  The service/entry work that is out there my son quips as JOBs, Just Over Broke.  I'd say vote for change, but we already did that.  The Benjamin's that used to be in my pocket are now just loose change.Our economic engine was traded in during the cash for clunkers. We're still waiting for the new model.  The quality of life that attracted us to the area can only hold us so far.  One by one, our friends are moving to better economic environments.  Professionals, the one's this state needs to keep.  Our eyes are open to opportunity out of the state, as it appears to be little but scenery to keep us here.  The barn door isn't open...the barn is in foreclosure.  We love living in here...give us a reason to stay!

No Phone Zone

There are not a lot of reasons to follow in California's footsteps.  Here's one:  Talking while driving ban.  As we continue to take driving as a right not a privilege, I think it's time to mandate a little common sense.  It's a make sense motor vehicle law, right up there with seat belts.  It is moving up on the most dangerous influence to drive under list, quickly.  You've seen them, been cut off by or nearly run into by them.  Needless to say, I was less than surprised watching someone texting while driving in the fast lane (or what used to be, now the entitlement lane).  It's election season...anyone want to move this into a bill?  I ready to help craft it!

Same Clowns, Different Circus

Foreclosures continue to set all time highs.  What isn't reported nearly enough is the associated meteoric rise in mortgage fraud, perpetrated primarily by the same ilk that fed the hungry buying public bogus mortgage programs a few years back.  Now it's under the guise of assisting in short-selling your home, fake assistance programs and stolen identity.  Realtors, mortgage companies, title companies all have their rotten eggs and desperate sellers are easy pickings.  The silver lining is you have legitimate choices.  Make sure you ask A LOT of questions, check the backgrounds of who you are dealing and work with seasoned, verifiable professionals.  If you are a seller, you are not alone.  Don't feel like you are.  Work with people you know and trust.  It's not easy, there's no bailout money for you.  Work through it, get it in the pass and start anew.  Buyers, don't expect miracles or overnight closes, even if you're paying cash.  The government-forced taxpayer bailout of banks (even one's that didn't need it) were paid handsomely for toxic mortgage debt.  They are in no hurry to liquidate.  Bottom line...buyer AND Seller...BEWARE!

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

The flowers are blooming, the lawns are greening, and candidate signs are multiplying faster than the bunnies killing my grass. The bi-annual political infestation is in full swing.  As we enter the latest chapter of patronizing pandering, one should ask themselves, is this freedom OF or FROM choice. The billboards, the yard signs, idiotic commercials, street walkers (anything for a vote) and the phone calls.   I teeter between apathy and anger over our current political state.  Our system is irreparably broken.  Our choices are between bad and worst.  Our voices, the few times we wake from our collective stupor to use them, are not heard.  I love our country and what it has stood for.  Our American Dream is being stolen one piece at a time, now in big chunks.  Change happens.  Are we to be catalysts or victims of it.  You decide.

Local Not Always Good

Ah, business must be booming for Scolari's, a local supermarket.  Good to see there is little competition in that market segment.

As my friends know, I BBQ all the time, even in 2 feet of snow.  We usually keep 3 propane tanks at the ready for the unforeseen outage (I've done that, on Thanksgiving!!!).  Last week, along with a regular shopping trip we decided to go this market with our 3 tanks as it had an automated Ameri-Gas propane kiosk instead of SaveMart (the great prices of Walmart without, well, dealing with Walmart).  After doing our shopping, we loaded up, swung around to the KIOSK, unloaded the 3 tanks, ran the card and...and...and...Nothing!  Not the first time.

Murphy's Law, everyone decided to check out at the same time I went back in.  25 minutes later, I got to the cashier, purchased 3 exchanges the old way and asked to speak to the manager.  After explaining what had just happened, this hapless wonk told me sorry, they don't take care of those machines and don't have anything to do with them.  WRONG ANSWER!.

As I profess to business people, if you are providing a service or selling a product, whether handled by a third party or not, it IS a direct reflection on your customer service and brand.  I was called by the store manager the other day, spewing the company platitudes and patronizing 'appreciation'. 

Glad to see the local grocer doing so well to afford such a flippant attitude...oh well...my bad!

The Voice That Rocked Vocalists for a Generation

Yesterday saw the passing of a true Rock Legend.  Ronnie James Dio passed away at the age of 67 after battling cancer.

The name Dio is synonymous with a era of rock that may never be matched, a voice that will never be duplicated. I had the good fortune of seeing him perform on his on and with Rainbow. As a musician and singer, I was in awe of his vocal range, better live than in the studio.

Ronnie James Dio left on impression on a multiple generations of musicians and music fans alike. He will always be with us. Thank you for sharing your gift...RIP!

A funny thing happened to a Honduran on the way to Mexico....

Mexicans here and in Mexico are rather upset by the recent enactment of stricter anti-illegal alien laws by Arizona's governor.

 

In light of the following, that position demonstrates the typical double standard used by race-hustlers and assorted something-for-nothings.  Read on, and read it to the end.

 

New Immigration Laws: Read to the bottom or you will miss the message... 1 There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2. All ballots will be in this nation's language. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 3. All government business will be conducted in our language. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 4. Non-residents will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 5. Non-citizens will NEVER be able to hold political office * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 6 Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs. Any burden will be deported. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount at least equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 8. If foreigners come here and buy land... options will be restricted. Certain parcels including waterfront property are reserved for citizens naturally born into this country. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 9.. Foreigners may have no protests; no demonstrations, no waving of a foreign flag, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies. These will lead to deportation. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be actively hunted &, when caught, sent to jail until your deportation can be arranged. All assets will be taken from you. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Too strict?...... The above laws are the current immigration laws of MEXICO !!! These sound fine to me, NOW, how can we get these laws to be America's immigration laws??

Going Back 3 Floods

When I first moved to Reno, I was told about the conservative nature of the locals.  As in times past, everyone not born here was considered a carpetbagger or city folk.  I was couched to answer, 'About 3 floods', if I was asked how long I'd been here, so as not suffer from the effects of xenophobia.  Having been born in the Bronx and then growing up in a small NJ town (population approx 11,000, same as in 1980), I now the comfort the rural womb.  Unlike that small town, Northern Nevada is a study in the dichotomy of old versus new.  The natives want things to stay rural and small town, part of the charm of living here.  Those that have moved here since the turn of the century see that quality of life, but realize we have to make some subtle changes to attract the people and businesses to migrate to a new economy.

The noise and eye pollution during election season brings to light the thread-bear protectionist campaigners.  Born and raised here, native Nevadan, 3rd generation.  That is not a selling point.  Hasn't been, shouldn't be.  What that should tell the layperson is that the individual may have little or no experience outside the womb.  It also tells me that the current way things work is dysfunctional at best, so being from here and being OK with that is not in my best interest.  

I need fresh, new ideas and tenacity.  Our 2 party political system is broken, probably beyond repair.  What worked a couple centuries ago, no longer functions.  The lunatics are truly running the asylum.  As citizens it is our right and responsibility to cause change, as those same patriots of the 18th Century did.  As a collective, we are duped into relying on the soundbites and ads.  We work ourselves up for the primaries and general elections, cast our votes, than fall back in to a stupor for another 2 years. We complain, yet do nothing about it.  That is what is expected of us as the public mass and we never disappoint!

Well, off to get my waders, there's a storm coming.

Brown-Out in London

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Parliament has been without real power for decades...

anyone see a flashlight?

A Lesson on Exchange

While at the Reno Aces game the other day, the sound effects guy queued up the sound of a chicken clucking. A spectator quipped that Sue Lowden must be in the house. Another fine example of the parrotting of the ill-informed.  Let it go already.

A little history on bartering for the less educated, sound bite crowd.  The exchange of goods and services has been around thousands of years longer than what you use today, paper money, the subjective value of which can be rendered useless at any time.  Barter is still in use today by may cultures, even our own, even in Reno.  Paper money, not so long ago, was also tied to a tangible asset.  Anyone remember the term silver certificate printed on our very own bills?

As our government continues to print money, it destabilizes it's worth and our credit on the global scene.  As our debt rises, counties heavily invested in our debt will seek better returns and may possibly seek to abandon the dollar as the currency standard all together.  If this increasingly plausible scenario plays out, what left you have of that retirement fund  you may want to use to keep yourself warm.  You may want to take inventory of what you have to trade for food and shelter.

For the sake of facts, comment on context and content, not on sound bites.

Big Business gets the Engine, Small Business the Shaft

Here are the latest figures from the Congressional Budget Office:

$50B to General Motors

$185B to AIG

$XXXB to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae

$2.8T committed to the likes of AIG, BofA, CitiGroup

$3.6T committed to Money Market Funds and TARP

Small Business: $30B Total.  Do the Math.

The funding and finance window for gig business continues to be wide open, to the tune of over $10 TRILLION.   According to the SBA, the 27 million small businesses account for half of our GNP.  HALF.  That works out to roughly .06% of what big business is getting to support the backbone of the economy. 

It's time for voters to wake up and act.  Forget the sound bites, educate yourself  Voting is a right...don't waste it.  If the system continues to fail, it may be time for a major change.