As adults, we rise up and power through our days, focusing on the concerns and employments that affect our own existence, and the affairs of the world. We forget, sometimes, how the simple things can provide immense pleasure to our lives. . .
This morning, as I was at my desk ruminating on world and local events (courtesy of the internet and the local paper), a small sound came to my ears. My youngest granddaughter slowly and carefully opened the door of my office, peered around it, and very quietly said “Good morning, Grandpa.”
She looked out the window. “The sun woked up. And I woked up. Does the sun eat breakfast, Grandpa?” I smiled, and said, “I don’t know, but I bet you would like some breakfast.” So we went to the kitchen, and I prepared her a bowl of cereal (colored circles, please, Grandpa, and orange juice). I fixed a cup of coffee, and listened to her chatter on about how dogs have four feet, but they are called paws, and people don’t have paws, people have only two feet, but we have hands; the reflection of her bowl of cereal on her glass of juice, and so forth, as she ate her cereal and drank her juice. I reflected on how much she enjoys life, enjoys taking each minute of life and finding wonder in it. How much she revels in sharing her thoughts, openly, without worrying if she is talking too much or making a fool of herself.
On our kitchen wall, we have an impressionist painting of a street scene that my wife and I purchased some time back; it reminds us of Seville, and a wonderful trip we had taken to that ancient Andalusian city. She looked up at it, as if seeing it for the first time, and asked me about it. How do you explain the emotions of a trip down memory lane to a four year old? I did my best, and then she looked at our dog, and commented about how he had so much hair, and never had to wear clothes. On to the next subject!
Now she is joined by her older sister, and I am treated to a continuous litany of (to me) unconnected thoughts running rampant through their minds.
How today was a no school day. They like to play outside, but it was raining, so they would stay inside. But they can’t go outside unless an adult is with them. Jonathan can’t walk yet, ‘cause he is a baby. And on and on.
I lost track of the events I was studying so hard a half hour ago, and become entranced by their view of the world and life in it.
I forgot, for that brief moment in time, about the tragic plane crash, the terrorist attack on a college in Kenya, the letters and bills on my desk that demand attention. My arthritis drifted to the back of my mind, as I watched them toss their hair around, smile and giggle at each other.
“With the eyes of a child
You must come out and see
That your world’s spinning round
And through life you will be
A small part of a hope of a love that exists
In the eyes of a child you will see.”
(John Lodge, 1969. The Moody Blues: To Our Children’s Children’s Children)
Yes, it is cloudy and misty today in the Salt Lake valley. The yard needs the moisture. . . etc., etc. Today, however, my world is full of springtime, sunshine and life!
Thank you, Esther and Martha, for bringing my feet back to the ground, and lifting my mind to the sky.
RM Hartman
Your thoughts and comments are, as always, welcome.
This blog contains some of my personal, political, moral, and social views of our society today. All of the posts here are copyrighted, and may not be used, copied, etc. without the permission of the author. Comments are welcome! All comments must be in a family-acceptable verbiage. Feel free to share this blog with anyone that might be interested in reading and/or discussing the material I present. Thanks for visiting. R.M. "Bob" Hartman
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
The state of Education in Utah
Brad Smith, the Utah State Superintendent of Public Education, is quoted as saying, during the closing sessions of the 2015 Utah legislative session, "It reminded me of when my kid was 3 years old and they started crying on Christmas morning because they didn't get one more thing," (SL Tribune, March 24, 2015). He has since retracted this statement in “An open letter to all Utah educators”, posted not in a public forum, but instead on the Utah Public Education website. (http://utahpubliceducation.org/2015/03/23/an-open-letter-to-all-utah-educators/#.VRFN8_nF_ng)
I am calling him out on both his statement at the legislature and his “apology.” Utah is dead last in the United States for per-pupil education. We have the largest class sizes in the Union, and a teacher in our state can qualify for welfare based upon wages paid. Both of these FACTS should shame the Utah State Superintendent of Public Education into advocating for more money for public education. . . and to do away with charter schools.
Like most parents in Utah, I have raised children who benefited from public education. I have listened to well-trained, qualified teachers as they gave advice to us regarding ways to help our children to gain as much knowledge as possible from their education; and also how to provide opportunities outside of school to assist in their education. Teachers work hard; they are unfortunately paid very poorly in Utah, and yet they continue to give it their all. To have the State superintendent accuse them of behaving poorly is a slap in their faces.
The rally to which you were referring, sir, consisted of not only teachers, but included parents concerned about their children’s education, and the level of funding given to the public schools. We, as a State, spent time this legislative session commemorating a device dedicated to killing, and spent money to have non-existing wolf-packs delisted from the endangered species act. We have, as a State, funneled money into charter schools that can pick and choose the students they want, to the detriment of public education.
I am sure you are familiar with Thomas Jefferson, the founder (and first major financial supporter) of the University of Virginia. Here is one of his comments regarding education:
“The tax that will be paid for the purpose of education is not more that the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance.”
You, sir, should have been begging, cajoling, and lobbying on behalf of Utah public schools and educators. You should have been crying foul on every attempt to limit or control money spent on public education. You should have been supporting the public schools, and the educators.
Instead, you chose to compare those advocating for education to the bleating of 3-year old offspring of goats.
My children, grandchildren, indeed all the children in Utah, deserve better from the State Superintendent of Education.
You, sir, owe an apology -not only to Utah public education teachers- but to all the parents, children, and children’s advocates in Utah. Perhaps you even owe them your resignation from office, as your very public comment indicates a distain for public education.
Your comments upon my thoughts are welcome.
RM “Bob” Hartman 3/24/15
I am calling him out on both his statement at the legislature and his “apology.” Utah is dead last in the United States for per-pupil education. We have the largest class sizes in the Union, and a teacher in our state can qualify for welfare based upon wages paid. Both of these FACTS should shame the Utah State Superintendent of Public Education into advocating for more money for public education. . . and to do away with charter schools.
Like most parents in Utah, I have raised children who benefited from public education. I have listened to well-trained, qualified teachers as they gave advice to us regarding ways to help our children to gain as much knowledge as possible from their education; and also how to provide opportunities outside of school to assist in their education. Teachers work hard; they are unfortunately paid very poorly in Utah, and yet they continue to give it their all. To have the State superintendent accuse them of behaving poorly is a slap in their faces.
The rally to which you were referring, sir, consisted of not only teachers, but included parents concerned about their children’s education, and the level of funding given to the public schools. We, as a State, spent time this legislative session commemorating a device dedicated to killing, and spent money to have non-existing wolf-packs delisted from the endangered species act. We have, as a State, funneled money into charter schools that can pick and choose the students they want, to the detriment of public education.
I am sure you are familiar with Thomas Jefferson, the founder (and first major financial supporter) of the University of Virginia. Here is one of his comments regarding education:
“The tax that will be paid for the purpose of education is not more that the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance.”
You, sir, should have been begging, cajoling, and lobbying on behalf of Utah public schools and educators. You should have been crying foul on every attempt to limit or control money spent on public education. You should have been supporting the public schools, and the educators.
Instead, you chose to compare those advocating for education to the bleating of 3-year old offspring of goats.
My children, grandchildren, indeed all the children in Utah, deserve better from the State Superintendent of Education.
You, sir, owe an apology -not only to Utah public education teachers- but to all the parents, children, and children’s advocates in Utah. Perhaps you even owe them your resignation from office, as your very public comment indicates a distain for public education.
Your comments upon my thoughts are welcome.
RM “Bob” Hartman 3/24/15
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
An open letter to Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
An open letter to Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
Senator, to say that I was disappointed to see your signature applied to Senator Cotton’s “Open Letter to Iran” would be a severe understatement. I am one of your voting constituents, and feel you could have served me, and the citizens of Utah, better.
First, I find it interesting that the Junior Senator from Arkansas (and, by your signature, you, the senior Republican member of the Senate) feels the need, or is qualified, to educate the Iranian government on the process of treaty ratification in the United States (or other countries). A simple Google search can yield information on the number of treaties that have been proposed and never ratified by the Congress of the United States. While the reasons for non-ratification may vary, the process has been in place for years and continues to work for our government, for our people, and for the betterment of our Union. The government of Iran, and of other countries, understand our system, of that I am positive. If the treaty obtained is acceptable, then ratify it; if it is not, then vote against the treaty. It’s that simple, Senator. Advance the goals of the United States of America. Don’t throw the treaty under the bus before we have a chance to discuss it.
Second, I find Senator Cotton’s attempt to inform the Government of Iran on our system of elections and constitutional processes to be child-like and very immature. He may be, in fact a lawyer, but he must be too young to remember the Iran Hostage Crises of 1979-1981, when the government of Iran released the hostages the day after Ronald Reagan was sworn into office. Not the day of his election, Senator, but the day after he officially took office. (In fact, Senator Cotton was less than 5 years old when the hostages were released.) You, Senator Hatch, are not too young to remember that event, and in fact you were in your Senate office throughout that entire period of history.
To further progress the argument, a thinly-veiled threat about the potential strength of the treaty (as regards the United State’s commitment to the treaty) serves only to undermine the progress, albeit slow, in bringing Iran to the table for honest, verifiable discussions regarding their nuclear ambitions, and their ability to move to a nuclear arsenal. This process, as you are aware, Senator, has been ongoing for many years; it has involved world-wide sanctions and criticisms of Iran’s goal of obtaining nuclear weapons. Those sanctions and criticisms have had the desired effect of bringing Iran to the table to talk, which is the first of many steps the world’s various governments have taken to control the ability of non-nuclear States, such as Iran, to obtain nuclear weapons.
Senator Hatch, you are, for better or worse, the senior Republican in the Senate. You should be a voice of reason, of patience, of understanding. For someone of your standing to denigrate yourself to the lower level exhibited by Senator Cottons reflects poorly on your statesmanship, and your leadership. I would, and do, expect much better of you.
This is a time for America to heal some of her conflicts in the Middle East. Frankly, we need them, and they need us. We made a mess of Iran when we propped up the Shaw, and we bungled again in Iraq (both pre-and post-Saddam). Now we need senior statesmen to step up and work, with our elected President and within the channels of diplomacy, to correct our past mistakes, to work towards a more peaceful world, and to end the threat of nuclear annihilation.
With all due regards to your office, and to the service you have given to our country, I ask you to move into more positive steps regarding the on-going negotiations with Iran.
I am posting this to my blog, Senator, and if you respond, I will also post your response.
Readers- if you missed the Republican's letter to the leaders of Iran, here is a link: http://go.bloomberg.com/assets/content/uploads/sites/2/150309-Cotton-Open-Letter-to-Iranian-Leaders.pdf
As always, your comments are welcome.
Bob Hartman
Some of my readers have asked why I targeted Senator Hatch and not Mike Lee, the junior senator from Utah, who also signed this letter. Frankly, in my opinion, Mike Lee is still a baby senator, he has no clue about what is happening. He will do, or say, anything to prove his right wing tea party allegiance. I will not waste time on him. From Senator hatch, I expected better.
RMH
Senator, to say that I was disappointed to see your signature applied to Senator Cotton’s “Open Letter to Iran” would be a severe understatement. I am one of your voting constituents, and feel you could have served me, and the citizens of Utah, better.
First, I find it interesting that the Junior Senator from Arkansas (and, by your signature, you, the senior Republican member of the Senate) feels the need, or is qualified, to educate the Iranian government on the process of treaty ratification in the United States (or other countries). A simple Google search can yield information on the number of treaties that have been proposed and never ratified by the Congress of the United States. While the reasons for non-ratification may vary, the process has been in place for years and continues to work for our government, for our people, and for the betterment of our Union. The government of Iran, and of other countries, understand our system, of that I am positive. If the treaty obtained is acceptable, then ratify it; if it is not, then vote against the treaty. It’s that simple, Senator. Advance the goals of the United States of America. Don’t throw the treaty under the bus before we have a chance to discuss it.
Second, I find Senator Cotton’s attempt to inform the Government of Iran on our system of elections and constitutional processes to be child-like and very immature. He may be, in fact a lawyer, but he must be too young to remember the Iran Hostage Crises of 1979-1981, when the government of Iran released the hostages the day after Ronald Reagan was sworn into office. Not the day of his election, Senator, but the day after he officially took office. (In fact, Senator Cotton was less than 5 years old when the hostages were released.) You, Senator Hatch, are not too young to remember that event, and in fact you were in your Senate office throughout that entire period of history.
To further progress the argument, a thinly-veiled threat about the potential strength of the treaty (as regards the United State’s commitment to the treaty) serves only to undermine the progress, albeit slow, in bringing Iran to the table for honest, verifiable discussions regarding their nuclear ambitions, and their ability to move to a nuclear arsenal. This process, as you are aware, Senator, has been ongoing for many years; it has involved world-wide sanctions and criticisms of Iran’s goal of obtaining nuclear weapons. Those sanctions and criticisms have had the desired effect of bringing Iran to the table to talk, which is the first of many steps the world’s various governments have taken to control the ability of non-nuclear States, such as Iran, to obtain nuclear weapons.
Senator Hatch, you are, for better or worse, the senior Republican in the Senate. You should be a voice of reason, of patience, of understanding. For someone of your standing to denigrate yourself to the lower level exhibited by Senator Cottons reflects poorly on your statesmanship, and your leadership. I would, and do, expect much better of you.
This is a time for America to heal some of her conflicts in the Middle East. Frankly, we need them, and they need us. We made a mess of Iran when we propped up the Shaw, and we bungled again in Iraq (both pre-and post-Saddam). Now we need senior statesmen to step up and work, with our elected President and within the channels of diplomacy, to correct our past mistakes, to work towards a more peaceful world, and to end the threat of nuclear annihilation.
With all due regards to your office, and to the service you have given to our country, I ask you to move into more positive steps regarding the on-going negotiations with Iran.
I am posting this to my blog, Senator, and if you respond, I will also post your response.
Readers- if you missed the Republican's letter to the leaders of Iran, here is a link: http://go.bloomberg.com/assets/content/uploads/sites/2/150309-Cotton-Open-Letter-to-Iranian-Leaders.pdf
As always, your comments are welcome.
Bob Hartman
Some of my readers have asked why I targeted Senator Hatch and not Mike Lee, the junior senator from Utah, who also signed this letter. Frankly, in my opinion, Mike Lee is still a baby senator, he has no clue about what is happening. He will do, or say, anything to prove his right wing tea party allegiance. I will not waste time on him. From Senator hatch, I expected better.
RMH
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
A Phone Call
I’m at my desk, in my office, listening as the breeze brings fall to the Wasatch Front. Jackson Browne is on the stereo, softly; he is one of my favorite songwriters/singers. As you may be able to tell, I am in a very good place right now and content with what is around me; how I arrived here is the subject of this essay.
A few weeks ago, a phone call changed my life in many ways. Our son called; he was in a tight spot, so to speak, and needed us. He needed to press re-set, needed some time for him and his family to regroup and re-create their surroundings.
So it came to pass, as they say, that he and his family now are here to brighten my life, my wife’s life; with energy, laughter, love; all created by (perhaps nurtured by) the presence of him and his young family. We now have three young, lively grandchildren in our home, playing and asking the questions only the young ask, in their innocent ways. It’s good, very good.
In so many ways, it is normal for family to fall back on each other in times of trouble, in difficult circumstances. I vividly remember those times in my own youth, and my family being there to assist and support me in similar circumstances, for which I am ever grateful. But in many ways, to me, this is so different; so much more “in your face” perhaps.
I am walking one of my granddaughters home from kindergarten and seeing my world, which I thought I knew well, become alive and vibrant again through her ever-open eyes. Watching as she picks a seeded dandelion from the parking strip and slowly blows the seeds away, entranced as they take flight. I slow my pace to hers, as she makes sure she does not step on the cracks and divisions in the sidewalk, laughing at everything and perhaps nothing in particular. Unlike most adults, she does not require a reason to smile, or laugh; perhaps the comfort of my hand in hers allows her the freedom to live in the moment, not worried about tomorrow or the homework she has to do later.
While she does that homework, her younger sister traces the outline of my hand onto a piece of paper, with her hand gripping the pencil and her brow furrowed in concentration. She cares not that the paper she is using came from a box in my office; it’s older than she and her sister combined (OK, it’s left over tractor-feed from a time when dot-matrix printers were common). Nor does it matter to her that it is not perfect; she holds it up with a big smile on her face to show Daddy when he comes home from work. Simple pleasures, these, simple times; but they bring so much joy to one who has not yet become jaded by the world outside our door. I smile, wistfully wishing I still had that innocence myself.
How can I do justice to my almost three-month old grandson with only a keyboard? Suffice it to say he can bring a smile to my face; he gives me a wide, happy grin while I tickle his chin and explain his duties and responsibilities to him as the youngest person in the house, while he stares at me, eyes wide open. He is smiling, perhaps because he is thinking, “I got you under my spell, Grandpa!” Or perhaps he is thinking, pick me up, let me wrap my tiny fist in your exposed chest hair as I burp on your shoulder. From his bouncy-chair, he watches as the pendulum in the grandfather (how appropriate) clock moves back and forth; his eyes follow it and he slowly falls to sleep.
Yes, I am in a very good place right now, certainly not where I expected to be at this point in my life, but it’s all good. I’m glad that my son made that phone call; I know it was difficult for him. Moreover, I am glad we are here, healthy and still able to help him and his family.
Life is Good!
As always, thanks for reading; if you care to comment, click on the “comment” below. RMH
A few weeks ago, a phone call changed my life in many ways. Our son called; he was in a tight spot, so to speak, and needed us. He needed to press re-set, needed some time for him and his family to regroup and re-create their surroundings.
So it came to pass, as they say, that he and his family now are here to brighten my life, my wife’s life; with energy, laughter, love; all created by (perhaps nurtured by) the presence of him and his young family. We now have three young, lively grandchildren in our home, playing and asking the questions only the young ask, in their innocent ways. It’s good, very good.
In so many ways, it is normal for family to fall back on each other in times of trouble, in difficult circumstances. I vividly remember those times in my own youth, and my family being there to assist and support me in similar circumstances, for which I am ever grateful. But in many ways, to me, this is so different; so much more “in your face” perhaps.
I am walking one of my granddaughters home from kindergarten and seeing my world, which I thought I knew well, become alive and vibrant again through her ever-open eyes. Watching as she picks a seeded dandelion from the parking strip and slowly blows the seeds away, entranced as they take flight. I slow my pace to hers, as she makes sure she does not step on the cracks and divisions in the sidewalk, laughing at everything and perhaps nothing in particular. Unlike most adults, she does not require a reason to smile, or laugh; perhaps the comfort of my hand in hers allows her the freedom to live in the moment, not worried about tomorrow or the homework she has to do later.
While she does that homework, her younger sister traces the outline of my hand onto a piece of paper, with her hand gripping the pencil and her brow furrowed in concentration. She cares not that the paper she is using came from a box in my office; it’s older than she and her sister combined (OK, it’s left over tractor-feed from a time when dot-matrix printers were common). Nor does it matter to her that it is not perfect; she holds it up with a big smile on her face to show Daddy when he comes home from work. Simple pleasures, these, simple times; but they bring so much joy to one who has not yet become jaded by the world outside our door. I smile, wistfully wishing I still had that innocence myself.
How can I do justice to my almost three-month old grandson with only a keyboard? Suffice it to say he can bring a smile to my face; he gives me a wide, happy grin while I tickle his chin and explain his duties and responsibilities to him as the youngest person in the house, while he stares at me, eyes wide open. He is smiling, perhaps because he is thinking, “I got you under my spell, Grandpa!” Or perhaps he is thinking, pick me up, let me wrap my tiny fist in your exposed chest hair as I burp on your shoulder. From his bouncy-chair, he watches as the pendulum in the grandfather (how appropriate) clock moves back and forth; his eyes follow it and he slowly falls to sleep.
Yes, I am in a very good place right now, certainly not where I expected to be at this point in my life, but it’s all good. I’m glad that my son made that phone call; I know it was difficult for him. Moreover, I am glad we are here, healthy and still able to help him and his family.
Life is Good!
As always, thanks for reading; if you care to comment, click on the “comment” below. RMH
Friday, July 4, 2014
July 4, 2014
It was not an easy time; taxes were high, and going higher; wars had to be fought and paid for. The draft, known then as conscription, was taking valuable sons and sending them off to battle in foreign lands. Resources needed for trade were being seized by the government. Trees having a diameter of more than 11 inches were declared property of the Crown, crippling the ship-building industry. A general unrest was falling on the population; it was stirred up by meetings in taverns and public squares as news traveled of new atrocities and crimes against the population.
It was an historical time. The colonies revolted against the oppression of the crown rule (Great Britain).
The 56 delegates of 13 colonies meet and discussed/argued/agreed upon a version of declaration of independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson, which contained, in his words, no original ideas.
“Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion.” ( "TO HENRY LEE — Thomas Jefferson The Works, vol. 12 (Correspondence and Papers 1816–1826; 1905)". The Online Library of Liberty. May 8, 1825. Retrieved July 3rd, 2014.
Let us be clear on the subject, this was not a one day decision. The men who signed this document, and many others, had long discourses via mail as to what they thought. Thankfully for us, they did decide to declare Independence from the Crown.
It was a time of great sentiment, of minds colliding and concluding, a time, not of fireworks and parades, but of national importance and great consequences. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were judged to be traitors to the Crown, and subject to hanging if caught.
Scholars disagree as to the date each of the 56 signed the document, but they all agree on one item: This piece of paper was the basis of many declarations, in many countries, in years to follow.
Today is July 4, 2014; 238 years since the Declaration of Independence was put to Congress. As a nation, we have had our trials, our difficulties, our tribulations. As a nation, we have overcome all of the challenges set before us. As a nation, we have much to do, internally and internationally. But, we can achieve our goals, working together, as a people united by a Declaration of Independence.
Enjoy your holiday! Light fireworks, have picnics, go to the beaches and the lakes and the forests. Watch demolition derbies, parades, rodeos, and listen to political speeches. Eat ice cream, hot dogs, and burgers. Kiss your children, grandchildren, and spouses. (Regarding political speeches, a man once said: “a political speech is like a Texas longhorn: a point here, a point there, and a lot of bull in between.” I think it was Lyndon Johnson.)
Me? I am hosting family for a smoked baby back rib dinner. Enjoy! And give thanks to the 56 men who met to form a union; however imperfect, it is the union we now enjoy.
It was an historical time. The colonies revolted against the oppression of the crown rule (Great Britain).
The 56 delegates of 13 colonies meet and discussed/argued/agreed upon a version of declaration of independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson, which contained, in his words, no original ideas.
“Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion.” ( "TO HENRY LEE — Thomas Jefferson The Works, vol. 12 (Correspondence and Papers 1816–1826; 1905)". The Online Library of Liberty. May 8, 1825. Retrieved July 3rd, 2014.
Let us be clear on the subject, this was not a one day decision. The men who signed this document, and many others, had long discourses via mail as to what they thought. Thankfully for us, they did decide to declare Independence from the Crown.
It was a time of great sentiment, of minds colliding and concluding, a time, not of fireworks and parades, but of national importance and great consequences. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were judged to be traitors to the Crown, and subject to hanging if caught.
Scholars disagree as to the date each of the 56 signed the document, but they all agree on one item: This piece of paper was the basis of many declarations, in many countries, in years to follow.
Today is July 4, 2014; 238 years since the Declaration of Independence was put to Congress. As a nation, we have had our trials, our difficulties, our tribulations. As a nation, we have overcome all of the challenges set before us. As a nation, we have much to do, internally and internationally. But, we can achieve our goals, working together, as a people united by a Declaration of Independence.
Enjoy your holiday! Light fireworks, have picnics, go to the beaches and the lakes and the forests. Watch demolition derbies, parades, rodeos, and listen to political speeches. Eat ice cream, hot dogs, and burgers. Kiss your children, grandchildren, and spouses. (Regarding political speeches, a man once said: “a political speech is like a Texas longhorn: a point here, a point there, and a lot of bull in between.” I think it was Lyndon Johnson.)
Me? I am hosting family for a smoked baby back rib dinner. Enjoy! And give thanks to the 56 men who met to form a union; however imperfect, it is the union we now enjoy.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Sagebrush(Fire) Rebellion
KY 25,084 LA 17,883 MA 879 MD 182
One of the many reasons people in a given location come together and form a government is for protection; protection not only from outside attacks but also from predators within our society. This protection within society gives rise to the rule of law, and the regulators (armies, politicians, police, etc) that are rightfully expected to enforce the regulations. Of course, this protection that we rightfully expect our governments to provide comes at an expense, in the form of taxes. We also reasonably expect that expense (taxes) to be basically uniform across the adult population.
In the very recent past, some western politicians, seeking attention from a disgruntled public, have raised the idea of limiting federal government by taking federal lands, administered by the BLM, USFS, BIA, and other federal agencies, away from the national government and administering the lands by state control. While this may have some very short-term economic benefit to state governments, nothing could be in the worst interest of the citizens in particular and the various states economic condition in general.
Let’s examine a western-states specific item: Wildfires. These are generally fought with a combination of local, state and federal agencies. In 2013, there were 47,579 wildfires; the majority of those in the western states. The total area burned was 4.3 Million Acres! Sadly, that is not the worst of the news. The FEDERAL government spent a total of $1,740,934,000 (1.74 Billion, billion with a capital B dollars) in suppression (put out the fire) costs. As an average, that is $405 per acre. (Source: National Interagency Fire Center http://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_documents/SuppCosts.pdf)
This does NOT include the amount spent by any local or state agencies, nor does it include any remediation, property lost, or human costs. Forty-seven firefighters lost their lives in fire suppression efforts in the western United States in 2013. I thank them for their sacrifice; I have been on wildfire fire lines more times than I want to remember. If you have never been there, thank your lucky stars, but don’t discount those brave people in my presence. They are all volunteers for the duty; yes, they are paid for their efforts, but they are not forced to protect your property.
Here is the breakdown of wildfire acreage burned by state:
AK 1,316,876 AL 25,623 AR 14,733 AZ 105,281
CA 577,675 CO 195,145 CT 238 DE 17
FL 7,660 GA 6,736 HI 0 IA 14,704
ID 722,204 IL 55 IN 806 KS 7,137
NE 63 NH 137 NJ 1,430 NM 221,957
NV 162,907 NY 1,073 OH 152 OK 26,490
OR 350,786 PA 1,788 PR 4,716 RI 27
SC 7,082 SD 4,475 TN 7,080 TX 10,743
UT 70,282 VA 4,418 VT 281 WA 152,603
WI 8,577 WY 44,016
The states I have underlined are in one method or another asking/demanding the federal government relinquish control of federal lands to the states. So my question is, how will the states make up this additional expense to their budgets/and or cut other costs to cover the suppression costs? Here is the per-state cost. (All figures in this article are based on the 2013 wildfires, which was the third most costly in the last 20 years.)
Arizona will need another $ 42,638,805
Idaho will require another $292,492,620
Montana will need another $ 50,304,645
New Mexico needs another $ 89,892,585
Nevada will require another $ 65,977,335
Texas will require another $ 424,035
Utah will need another $ 28,464,210
Wyoming needs another $ 17,826,480
Not so Grand of A Total!! $ 588,020,715
(Breakdown by state source: (http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/2013_Statssumm/fires_acres13.pdf))
In plain English, the eight states that want to take state control of federal land will reduce the federal wildfire cost by 33.78%. That is a win-win for the feds (which these states dislike), a win-win for the states, but a lose-lose-lose-lose for the people living in those eight states. Yes, you the taxpayers will lose “4 ways from Sunday”, as mother used to say.
Here’s why:
The amount of federal taxes each of us pays is equal across the country: if you make X amount, you pay Y amount in taxes. The federal tax rate does not change if you have 1+ million acres on fire (Alaska) or only 27 (Rhode Island). Your federal taxes are NOT going down.( Feds win; people in the eight states lose.)
The drop of 33.78% in expenses on the federal level will allow the various federal agencies to increase the amount that is allocated to various branches, without a tax increase. (Feds win; people in the eight states lose.)
Your state taxes will increase to cover the costs of fighting wildfires, as all state governments are required to operate on a break-even or better basis. (States wins, people lose.)
If there are higher than predicted fire costs, your state tax rate will go up again to cover the expense; and once state rates go up, they don’t ever go back down. (States wins, people lose.)
That’s right, readers. In the case of wildfire control and costs in the budgets, if the states take control of the federally-administrated lands in each state, the feds win twice, the states win twice, and WE, the people, lose, four times.
And you want to vote these “State Control” politicians back into office? Against the better judgment of your own wallet?I don’t think so. Your comments and thoughts are all welcome! Agree with me, or disagree, let me know what you think!
One of the many reasons people in a given location come together and form a government is for protection; protection not only from outside attacks but also from predators within our society. This protection within society gives rise to the rule of law, and the regulators (armies, politicians, police, etc) that are rightfully expected to enforce the regulations. Of course, this protection that we rightfully expect our governments to provide comes at an expense, in the form of taxes. We also reasonably expect that expense (taxes) to be basically uniform across the adult population.
In the very recent past, some western politicians, seeking attention from a disgruntled public, have raised the idea of limiting federal government by taking federal lands, administered by the BLM, USFS, BIA, and other federal agencies, away from the national government and administering the lands by state control. While this may have some very short-term economic benefit to state governments, nothing could be in the worst interest of the citizens in particular and the various states economic condition in general.
Let’s examine a western-states specific item: Wildfires. These are generally fought with a combination of local, state and federal agencies. In 2013, there were 47,579 wildfires; the majority of those in the western states. The total area burned was 4.3 Million Acres! Sadly, that is not the worst of the news. The FEDERAL government spent a total of $1,740,934,000 (1.74 Billion, billion with a capital B dollars) in suppression (put out the fire) costs. As an average, that is $405 per acre. (Source: National Interagency Fire Center http://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_documents/SuppCosts.pdf)
This does NOT include the amount spent by any local or state agencies, nor does it include any remediation, property lost, or human costs. Forty-seven firefighters lost their lives in fire suppression efforts in the western United States in 2013. I thank them for their sacrifice; I have been on wildfire fire lines more times than I want to remember. If you have never been there, thank your lucky stars, but don’t discount those brave people in my presence. They are all volunteers for the duty; yes, they are paid for their efforts, but they are not forced to protect your property.
Here is the breakdown of wildfire acreage burned by state:
AK 1,316,876 AL 25,623 AR 14,733 AZ 105,281
CA 577,675 CO 195,145 CT 238 DE 17
FL 7,660 GA 6,736 HI 0 IA 14,704
ID 722,204 IL 55 IN 806 KS 7,137
ME 743 MI 940 MN 22,107 MO 1,660
MS 33 MT 124,209 NC 24,547 ND 16,116 NE 63 NH 137 NJ 1,430 NM 221,957
NV 162,907 NY 1,073 OH 152 OK 26,490
OR 350,786 PA 1,788 PR 4,716 RI 27
SC 7,082 SD 4,475 TN 7,080 TX 10,743
UT 70,282 VA 4,418 VT 281 WA 152,603
WI 8,577 WY 44,016
The states I have underlined are in one method or another asking/demanding the federal government relinquish control of federal lands to the states. So my question is, how will the states make up this additional expense to their budgets/and or cut other costs to cover the suppression costs? Here is the per-state cost. (All figures in this article are based on the 2013 wildfires, which was the third most costly in the last 20 years.)
Arizona will need another $ 42,638,805
Idaho will require another $292,492,620
Montana will need another $ 50,304,645
New Mexico needs another $ 89,892,585
Nevada will require another $ 65,977,335
Texas will require another $ 424,035
Utah will need another $ 28,464,210
Wyoming needs another $ 17,826,480
Not so Grand of A Total!! $ 588,020,715
(Breakdown by state source: (http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/intelligence/2013_Statssumm/fires_acres13.pdf))
In plain English, the eight states that want to take state control of federal land will reduce the federal wildfire cost by 33.78%. That is a win-win for the feds (which these states dislike), a win-win for the states, but a lose-lose-lose-lose for the people living in those eight states. Yes, you the taxpayers will lose “4 ways from Sunday”, as mother used to say.
Here’s why:
The amount of federal taxes each of us pays is equal across the country: if you make X amount, you pay Y amount in taxes. The federal tax rate does not change if you have 1+ million acres on fire (Alaska) or only 27 (Rhode Island). Your federal taxes are NOT going down.( Feds win; people in the eight states lose.)
The drop of 33.78% in expenses on the federal level will allow the various federal agencies to increase the amount that is allocated to various branches, without a tax increase. (Feds win; people in the eight states lose.)
Your state taxes will increase to cover the costs of fighting wildfires, as all state governments are required to operate on a break-even or better basis. (States wins, people lose.)
If there are higher than predicted fire costs, your state tax rate will go up again to cover the expense; and once state rates go up, they don’t ever go back down. (States wins, people lose.)
That’s right, readers. In the case of wildfire control and costs in the budgets, if the states take control of the federally-administrated lands in each state, the feds win twice, the states win twice, and WE, the people, lose, four times.
And you want to vote these “State Control” politicians back into office? Against the better judgment of your own wallet?I don’t think so. Your comments and thoughts are all welcome! Agree with me, or disagree, let me know what you think!
Labels:
America,
Change,
Economy,
Environment,
Mining,
Nature,
Politics,
United States,
Utah
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Dispatch from Havre, MT.
Summer dawn comes slowly to north-central Montana, on the cusp of the Great Plains. Morning begins a full hour before sunrise, as the sun sends rays of light over the even eastern horizon, when the nighttime demons head to shelter. Coyotes and owls sing their final tune, and night gives way to dawn.
Morning here smells of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and exhaust. The tractors, trains, and diesels start up; tractors to the fields, trains on the Hi-Line off to the east and west, and diesels head out onto Highway 2. The grains grown here will be turned into pancakes, hog and chicken feed; all of it has to be moved around the country to become something you will pay for in your supermarket checkout. Life today is the same as yesterday and tomorrow.
I am amazed, every time I visit here. The clerks in the stores take the time to talk with you, to make sure you found everything you wanted (and then some more); and no one seems to be rushed as they are in major metropolitan areas. Yesterday I was in a local bike shop, looking for an odd-sized spacer. The owner said he was sure he had something like that, and disappeared to return with a small box of odd parts. We looked through it, and yes, found a good part; when I went to pay him, he said, “no, just glad to help you out.” Try that at your local Home Depot. No, the grocery stores don’t carry Quinoa or couscous but I did find a small pasta that could substitute in my recipe.
Is it perfect? No, the winters are bitter cold (-40 and a wind chill factor on top of that), and it is uncomfortably (for me) humid in the summer. But for some, it is a decent trade-off. We took our granddaughter to test for kindergarten, and I found out the class sizes range from 12 to 16. Wow. Double Wow; in the Salt Lake City area, we are dealing with 32-38 students per class. I should mention the bus stop (and the mailbox) is 1.5 miles from her house! Well, it is good exercise.
My son and his family live 5 miles (as the crow flies) from the post office, on a dirt road that becomes very greasy when it rains. Right now (10 PM), I can hear frogs, coyotes and an owl. Cottontail rabbits amused his two dogs this afternoon; the rabbits seem to know the dogs can only go so far on their tethers.
If you have the opportunity to visit Havre, MT., (http://www.havremt.com) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havre,_Montana) I suggest Murphy’s Bar and Grill; Gary and Leo’s IGA (grocery); Triple Dog Brewing Company (https://www.facebook.com/brewon2) and Nalivkas Pizza (http://www.nalivkas.com/). Note: these are unpaid advertisements!
Morning here smells of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and exhaust. The tractors, trains, and diesels start up; tractors to the fields, trains on the Hi-Line off to the east and west, and diesels head out onto Highway 2. The grains grown here will be turned into pancakes, hog and chicken feed; all of it has to be moved around the country to become something you will pay for in your supermarket checkout. Life today is the same as yesterday and tomorrow.
I am amazed, every time I visit here. The clerks in the stores take the time to talk with you, to make sure you found everything you wanted (and then some more); and no one seems to be rushed as they are in major metropolitan areas. Yesterday I was in a local bike shop, looking for an odd-sized spacer. The owner said he was sure he had something like that, and disappeared to return with a small box of odd parts. We looked through it, and yes, found a good part; when I went to pay him, he said, “no, just glad to help you out.” Try that at your local Home Depot. No, the grocery stores don’t carry Quinoa or couscous but I did find a small pasta that could substitute in my recipe.
Is it perfect? No, the winters are bitter cold (-40 and a wind chill factor on top of that), and it is uncomfortably (for me) humid in the summer. But for some, it is a decent trade-off. We took our granddaughter to test for kindergarten, and I found out the class sizes range from 12 to 16. Wow. Double Wow; in the Salt Lake City area, we are dealing with 32-38 students per class. I should mention the bus stop (and the mailbox) is 1.5 miles from her house! Well, it is good exercise.
My son and his family live 5 miles (as the crow flies) from the post office, on a dirt road that becomes very greasy when it rains. Right now (10 PM), I can hear frogs, coyotes and an owl. Cottontail rabbits amused his two dogs this afternoon; the rabbits seem to know the dogs can only go so far on their tethers.
If you have the opportunity to visit Havre, MT., (http://www.havremt.com) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havre,_Montana) I suggest Murphy’s Bar and Grill; Gary and Leo’s IGA (grocery); Triple Dog Brewing Company (https://www.facebook.com/brewon2) and Nalivkas Pizza (http://www.nalivkas.com/). Note: these are unpaid advertisements!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)