From My Wednesday Morning Discussion Group That Is.
Some of you may remember me referring to my Wednesday Morning Group which, until yesterday, I fondly referred to as the Chat Room where a bunch of us retirees came together to discuss matters of current events ...especially politics.
You may also remember the set-up; a series of tables placed in a horseshoe shape with the Conservatives/Republicans on one side, the Liberals/Democrats on the opposite side and the Uncommitteds along the bottom. At the top and alone sat our Chair a retired Air-force Pilot by the name of Peter. On a good day, one could expect 40 or so attendees, yesterday there were but 30, counting myself.
For various reasons, I have recently missed a bunch of these meetings and was looking forward to getting back into action ...so to speak, but something had dramatically changed. The Conservative side of the Room sat empty save for Yours Truly and I was soon to feel like Custer alone at his Last Stand.
The morning's first topic set the tone...'Should President Donald Trump Be Impeached'? All but one (me) thought this to be a splendid idea.
But it went beyond this, whatever the topic the gang of 29 spewed forth Politically Correct, Left-Wing Drivel.
What had happened to our group where not that long ago all sides of an issue had received fair and considered thought?
It soon dawned on me that the Toxic Mix now contaminating America was clearly having a negative affect beyond their borders. This Brew consists of Trump and his Supporters but also the Progressive Left and their supplicant Media. There is fault enough for all but one thing that is clear to me is that the Left is Hysterical in their efforts to destroy the Republican President. And it goes way beyond Donald Trump...simply stated, America is at War with itself.
It is the proponents of Big Government vs. those fading numbers who continue to support a Limited Role for It and for Personal Independence.
The Gloves are off and I am not optimistic for a successful outcome.
This battle is so important because it has already been lost in all other Democracies... where Rights and Freedoms have been lost without a Bang but a Whimper. America is the World's last Hope and if the War is lost there, We will all be left with Cradle to Grave Suffocation to the point where we will be told what we can and cannot think.
Back to yesterday's Discussion Group... You would have been proud of me... for 2/3rds of the meeting I fought back with valour but in the end realized I was out-gunned and out-personed. For the last half-hour, I couldn't wait to get out there and pledged to myself that I would not be coming back.
On my way out I shared my feelings with the Chair and commiserated with him. He too was visibly discouraged with what has transpired with respect to our group. I don't see him staying on as Chair or even as an participant much longer.
In the meantime, I hope the 29 enjoy their future meetings where they can all sit back and agree with each other when spouting their Politically Correct Nonsense.
The Lastest Development in this War, is the appointment by Justice of a Prosecutor to look into such things as Russian Involvement in the Recent Election. I will use a future Blog to explain why, although this now is sadly necessary, the final outcome will show it to be both a waste of time and money. And regardless of the outcome, it will not diminish one iota the Hate America's Left has for those who do not fully share their Beliefs and Values.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
WHAT'S TO BE DONE WITH ... TRUCKS ?
Hardly a day goes by ...certainly at least once a week - when the area media reports collisions between trucks and passenger cars.
And guess which ones usually lose out?
Even my good Catholic wife has a pet name for Trucks ...a name which the word 'Truck' itself contains most of its letters.
Over the years, we have traveled many times to Florida ...a 1,500+ mile journey and in the early years the trip was most enjoyable. We were able to stop off a points of interest - both coming and going which served to enhance the holiday experience.
But in recent years that has changed...so much so that we now fly and I hate flying. But the overall traffic has increased dramatically as has the poor abilities of today's drivers.
But most especially, it is the Trucks which have ruined it for us. If traffic generally has increased...as it has, the number of trucks on the road has skyrocketed. Plus they go way too fast, and lane change with abandon rendering it literally life-threatening if you get in their way.
As an aside, another big problem with driving today are the big passenger vehicles...SUVs, Vans and the like. What one really needs, in addition to seat-belts and air bags are periscopes to enable you to see what is happening ahead of the big box vehicle directly in front. I should patent the idea.
But today's blog is about the Truck and what to do about it.
First, force all Trucks to drive in just the driving lane and be prevented from passing. Second, limit their speed to no more than 55 miles per hour. Third, strictly limit a driver's time at the wheel to no more than 9 hours with a sufficient number of 15 minute breaks to ensure their driving reflexes are kept sharp and Fourth, compulsory and frequent alcohol / drug checks.
All of this would greatly enhance safety on the road and it would also help ensure a level playing field for all truckers. Currently, they try to adhere to unrealistic and dangerous time-tables and are literally falling asleep at the wheel. This was the fate of one of my close in-laws who at the time of his death was the same age as me.
But there is still one more thing in regard to Trucks and the danger they pose on our highways. Often they are carrying hazardous materials which puts far more lives at risk than in the collisions themselves. Rarely are these Trucks identified as carrying such dangerous loads.
Such Trucks need to be convoyed - ideally police vehicles in front and in back with lights flashing. A second driver should also be in the cab to monitor the driver and step in if and when the need arises.
Unless and until this happens I am going to keep to the air.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
And guess which ones usually lose out?
Even my good Catholic wife has a pet name for Trucks ...a name which the word 'Truck' itself contains most of its letters.
Over the years, we have traveled many times to Florida ...a 1,500+ mile journey and in the early years the trip was most enjoyable. We were able to stop off a points of interest - both coming and going which served to enhance the holiday experience.
But in recent years that has changed...so much so that we now fly and I hate flying. But the overall traffic has increased dramatically as has the poor abilities of today's drivers.
But most especially, it is the Trucks which have ruined it for us. If traffic generally has increased...as it has, the number of trucks on the road has skyrocketed. Plus they go way too fast, and lane change with abandon rendering it literally life-threatening if you get in their way.
As an aside, another big problem with driving today are the big passenger vehicles...SUVs, Vans and the like. What one really needs, in addition to seat-belts and air bags are periscopes to enable you to see what is happening ahead of the big box vehicle directly in front. I should patent the idea.
But today's blog is about the Truck and what to do about it.
First, force all Trucks to drive in just the driving lane and be prevented from passing. Second, limit their speed to no more than 55 miles per hour. Third, strictly limit a driver's time at the wheel to no more than 9 hours with a sufficient number of 15 minute breaks to ensure their driving reflexes are kept sharp and Fourth, compulsory and frequent alcohol / drug checks.
All of this would greatly enhance safety on the road and it would also help ensure a level playing field for all truckers. Currently, they try to adhere to unrealistic and dangerous time-tables and are literally falling asleep at the wheel. This was the fate of one of my close in-laws who at the time of his death was the same age as me.
But there is still one more thing in regard to Trucks and the danger they pose on our highways. Often they are carrying hazardous materials which puts far more lives at risk than in the collisions themselves. Rarely are these Trucks identified as carrying such dangerous loads.
Such Trucks need to be convoyed - ideally police vehicles in front and in back with lights flashing. A second driver should also be in the cab to monitor the driver and step in if and when the need arises.
Unless and until this happens I am going to keep to the air.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)