And Once Again...

22:05 hrs.
02 Dec 15

     If you have not heard the news of the day there has been another mass shooting South of the 49th.  This time in southern California. The last count had fourteen dead and seventeen injured. The attack was carried out by multiple assaults with long guns (rifles) and handguns. Is anyone shocked by this? Obviously not. One report has shown that since the beginning of Prez Obama's  second term there has been one mass shooting, where two or more persons are hit with gunfire, per week. Pure insanity! And the right wings (NRA,TEA PARTY, & REPUBLICAN PSYCHO'S) insane response will inevitably be "if the staff at the facility were armed they could have defended themselves and there would have been less victims".  More stupidity. One political cartoonist that I follow has pointed out that in light of the continual gun carnage it would appear that the US Administration is more afraid of the NRA than they are of ISIS. Think about it. If the people of the US really wanted gun control reform they would move forward with the appropriate legislation.

     If this is true, and apparently it is, why would the 'Merican politicians not bring about changes that would save lives? Well, the antiquated 2nd Ammendment gives them the Right to keep and Bear arms. And, more importantly, MONEY. The NRA and it's associates are huge financial  donors to the right wing political base. The fat cats in Congress would rather see the loss of red stuff as opposed to green stuff.

     Another post spotted, this time on the CBC website, questions whether or not Canadians will be as generous with our First Nations as we are with the incoming Syrian refugees. Is the reporter actually questioning this? First of all the Syrian refugees are fleeing their country  because the odds are they will be killed by one of a half dozen militaristic factions that includes the current ruling regime. And so, they seek out a better life in a safer place. They have nothing!

     Now, compare that to the First Nations of Canada who consistently receive tax free monies, live on lands devoid of chattles, can attend post-secondary education for next to nothing and can aspire to be anything they want to be. But regardless of all of these benefits a large majority of our First Nations live in abject poverty because their own leaders are corrupt. The data shows that there has been more than enough monies handed over to the country's Band Councils to lift them out of their rut but where are they living? What is their education level? What is their percentage of employment? A lot of what is given to our First Nations is squandered and yet they come back for more. So, do not ask me if the people of Canada will be as generous with them as we will be with the Syrian refugees. I say the First Nations with the Syrians should swap living conditions for a year, a month or even a week AND THEN we will see if they will appreciate what the people of Canada provides to all of its citizens regardless if they have lived here for 100 generations or they just arrived at a re-settlement location.

06;00 hrs.
04 Dec 15

    
     There's a new addition at the Wayward Inn.  I have replaced the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with a 2014 Ram 1500 5.7l Hemi. Why? Well, the Ford was showing it's age. Not in the body but in a lot of little things that would need fixing. Sticky door locks, jambing windows, winter ignition issues. Don't get me wrong. I really loved the Sport Trac. When going Out In The Weeds I could pack enough stuff into that truck for three expeditionairies, slog through swamps, forde swollen creeks and climb hills that would make a billy goat puke. I'll surely miss it.

     Now the new truck...well, time will only tell. Driving it places me higher up off the road increasing my traffic sight line and I take up more of my traffic lane. The cockpit controls are pretty much stock as this is not a higher end version -  read less stuff. I know there is more room in the box and when Out In The Weeds there will be much more room for the Big Swede and Youngblood. In fact, there will be enough space for the three of us, our gear and a couple of Newbies. Can't wait until I can go out 'squatchin again.