OlDawg

Did you read your article, or just grab it for the headlines?

I don’t know who said it. But, if I’d had my druthers, I’d still be on the farm. My family went bankrupt twice farming which is why my dad moved us to the Texas Gulf coast area and he got a job at DuPont. After my Service all over the world, I came back, and also worked many years at the plants while getting my degrees. I didn’t finish my second degree until I was in my late 40’s, married, with a son. Personally, I think people learn a lot more, and become more self-reliant growing up in rural areas. I took my son to the country every chance I could. He learned how to do things he would never learn in a metro area. Yes. Medical is a challenge. As I said, it always has been. It’s not Trump Admin specific. That’s why my wife and I still live where we do. We’d love to live out a bit. But, medical care as we get older is more important. Especially so with her Parkinson’s Plus. I’ve done many things in my life. I’ve been blessed. One thing I know is—at 63–there’s still more things I don’t even know that I don’t know. But, I’ve experienced more than most, and I don’t fall for talking points and sound bites.

Why is living in a rural area a bad thing?

I was born and raised on a farm in Dalhart, TX. Look it up. My mother was born and raised in a one room 'house' with no running water or electricity in the Ozarks of Arkansas. I have travelled extensively to every state in the Union aside from Hawaii and Alaska. I'm well aware of rural areas. My comments are in no way selfish. Your comments are inaccurate, and are merely the old, tired, Dem talking points.

Kind of an off-the-wall question; but, is that a fly on his head? lol

I can think of two things off the top of my head that make your statements false. Deductions for seniors have been raised to the point that an estimated 90% of seniors will have no tax on their Social Security. The OBBBA includes a no tax on tips provision which will generally help lower wage service sector employees. Rural medical care has always been an issue. That’s why incentives have always been offered to medical professionals who are willing to work in rural settings. The lack of patients has made it difficult for them to pay for their liability insurance, receive competitive pay, and just have enough ‘business’ to make a living. There are complaints that people are having to drive 20 miles further for a doctor/hospital visit because of closures. News flash. That’s why it’s called ‘rural.’ People live there to be away from the congestion. Lack of abundant services within close distances is a trade-off that has to be made. If you want services within 5 minutes, move to a metro area. If you value a quieter lifestyle, you have to be willing to deal with inconveniences in other areas.

I was reading a story in the business pages yesterday about drones beginning to be used in rural hospital/doctor settings for testing, meds, and other things where timely results and needs were a big issue. Not sure how I feel about drones flying everywhere all the time with little regs and oversight right now. But, I could see them being a very big benefit in the rural medical settings. I’d think they could be a big lifesaver for things like transplant organs as well where time is critical.

La Porte will need to rebuild their lines. They have the skill players. Not sure if I'll attend Orange & White game as it will be missing some key players that are still in baseball playoffs, and the Area PO's are this week--same time as the Spring game. I’m cautiously optimistic they’ll have the lines rebuilt. I’d love to see the QB more involved in the O. He’s too skilled to just hand off with an occasional throw.

The public didn’t want anything cut, threw a hissy, and their representatives listened.

Say what you will, companies are fairing pretty well in the 1st Quarter. 84% have beaten their earnings estimates. [Hidden Content]

They receive multiple tax breaks & investment guarantees. No different than ‘green energy’ companies. Although, wind, solar, and biofuels receive more direct subsidies. Renewable energy accounts for about 67% of federal energy spending. [Hidden Content] I wouldn’t say it’s a wash. But, it’s not a hand out. They have to invest to receive the benefits. The government has always (for around 100 years at least) felt that energy security was national security. So, they provided investment ‘breaks’ to help stabilize the oil market and encourage investment. That’s one of the main reasons US energy companies are the technological envy of the world. The government helps them invest in new tech when the firms are willing to take a chance on very expensive projects by providing said tax breaks, technology grants, and other incentives.

Info on the energy sector so-called subsidies. May provide a different take. What Jon Stewart And Others Get Wrong About Big Oil Subsidies

Is Sangria Wine one of your top tunes? lol I can envision y'all doing a mean Jerry Jeff. Anybody can do a mean Jerry Jeff after enough Sangria wine. Even if they can't, no one cares.

I haven't quite figured her out yet. But, based on some of her recent posts, she should join the Libertarian Party. Right now, she's actually doing a lot of damage--unless you're one of those wishing for the U.S. to turn into a truly Socialist country. She's providing a lot of fodder. I may not like the current situation. In fact, I despise the Party system altogether. But, I sure don't want to see the U.S. turn full-blown Socialist, and I don't think many others on this site do either...even those who despise Trump. I wish people would quit being taken in by the 'You're wasting your vote if you don't vote D or R, so just pick the lesser of two evils" argument. If folks actually started voting for more Independents/Libertarians in Senate and House races, maybe we could break this vicious cycle of crap. Talarico is scaring the poo outta me right now. But, the R's have no one to blame but themselves.

This is where you're supposed to say 'They're coming to hear y'all...not for the food." 😁

I assume Georgetown won the coin flip? I wish they'd do away with one game series. I thought they already had. Obviously, I was wrong.

The crack spread doesn't account for all of the products a refinery produces. Basically, they're losing money on all products except gasoline & diesel.

I paid $3.39/gal at Kroger La Porte day before yesterday. Of course, I had gas points worth .30/gal. It's still $3.69 today.

La Porte vs Lake Creek Game 1: Thursday, May 7, 7:00 pm Game 2: Friday, May 8, 7:00 pm If necessary game Saturday, May 9, 1:00 pm All games at Humble HS

La Porte vs Pflugerville Hendrickson All Games at Waller HS Game 1: Thurs. May 7, 6;30 pm Game 2: Fri. May 8, 5:00 pm If Necessary Game would immediately follow Game 2.

Peyton Smith is starting to impress. I've heard he's been working very hard. I'd love to see him involved in the offense more. He received offers from Oklahoma State and Stanford this month to up his total offers to 15 so far, and is actually ranked ahead of Sean Simon right now at #6 overall recruit in Texas for 2028. Sean Simon is currently #8. [Hidden Content]

Recruiters have been busy this week at La Porte. [Hidden Content]

Makes one wonder where we’d be if we were still on the gold standard. Really interesting article for those interested in the history of our fiscal policy, and some of how we got to this point. [Hidden Content]

I won’t get into the Trump partisan issues. I’ll leave those to the two sides. But, stocks rise and fall due to many more reasons than tariffs. Insurance costs are also affected by multiple things. If you wanted to find a common denominator, the common denominator would be labor costs. That would cover all forms of insurance—medical included. Property taxes did not decrease in Texas. Voters approved a larger exemption amount for some. Big difference. If property taxes were actually decreased, people could possibly negotiate a lower rate for home/flood insurance due to a decreased value, and save more money—or, at least, minimize increases. That isn’t the case. Facts matter.

After a long rain delay in the 6th, La Porte and Sterling resumed and went extra innings. The game lasted 4.5 hours with La Porte winning 4-1 and sweeping the series to advance.