A Sunday Poem

Please Leaves, Leave!

From some tree, these leaves.
So individualistic, this existence.
So alive, end in sight confuses.
For now, enjoying life to that end.

Defying gravity all season long.
To compare, such high standards.
Greater than the might of my resistance,
Gracious this Creation, this affair.

Another species, grandeur guarded.
Prancing back and forth, to and fro,
In chaotic rhyme, no reason.
Yet, all in harmony with grace.

Bestowed from the Heavens above.
An existence at a vantage point,
To apprehend Thy gifts.
Please leaves, why this fashion fallout?

Even when bound to statesmen like pillars.
Limbering foundations so demanding.
Absorbing centuries of respect.
Why such camaraderie for thou guest appearance?

Be it protection, or for production.
So seasonal, yet no mystery.
As all of a sudden, the change commences.
Please leaves, from whence does this command come?

Like a chameleon, scorn the scourge of Jack Frost.
Annihilation upon your tranquility.
But oh White Rabbit, what a show.
A kaleidoscope like venue trespass, upon the senses.

Then comes the choreographed ending.
Gravity no longer defied, but the descent,
It defies all circumstantial evidence,
Denying the understanding of relativity.

Please leaves, why so Newtonian?
Soon the ground becomes your retreat.
Truly yours, the ups and downs of life.
But even when put down there is more to come.

Romancing of the stone, with character.
You have no weakness to retreat.
Every nook to every cranny welcomes your invasion.
This cover, this mantel, a shelter from on high.

Please leaves!
On whose order does it glide?
Awakened by a wind song.
On whose order does that side?

Please leaves, pardon my weakness, these questions.
And soon, your whereabouts will be cloaked.
The great white show will secure your future.
By design, as no other reason stands to reason.

Come spring, the melt dismisses the future hidden.
You will have changed, as change is good.
Colors no more, just a defiant hue.
Will thus adorn your next state of affairs.

Please leaves, forgive me my insensitive behavior.
Please leaves, leave you must.
As in the end everything returns, to the womb.
The circle be unbroken, once again, and again, again.

CopyRight 2011/MSK/ERP

Poetry Sunday Project

Remember when a Sunday was a day of rest and respect? Some states still maintain on the books the so-called “Blue Laws”, wherein many things were banned, if it were Sunday. Like mowing lawns - basically any manual labor unless necessary meant grounds for a citation. And back many years ago, citations meant stoning. So maybe we as a society once upon a time revered around the globe need to make an attempt to get back to reality, minus the stone-age, by placing into effect things that may create more civility as it appears we have an out-of-control society. With that thought still warm, maybe for just one day we can compromise. No negative blogging, no name calling, no negativity, just pure respect for one another. And for those that like to write, let's propose that Sunday be reserved for poetry only, in song, in verse, in writing, in Twitter or in solemn thought. If none of the above, then silence be the golden opportunity. I am all for it, how about you? It means just a single day of RESPECT upon your fellow man no matter what side of the road that neighbor walks down. Just one day of respect, 24-hours! This is the true litmus test defining who we are as Americans in this day and age of a “Nowhere Man” syndrome that is negatively preoccupying our advancements in history. It means a simple poem, try it as we are all poets when it comes down to the basics of life and happiness - as a poem is a simple thought, usually a good thought. Peace be with you as we “Give Peace A Chance” through words of praise upon our fellow men, women and children.

Anchorage Budget Cuts

Here is the list of official budget cuts soon to be made public by the mayor:

(1) Elimination of the Port Directors position (2) Elimination of the Deputy Port Director position (3) Elimination of the Port Director, Finance & Administration position (4) Elimination/Outsource Port Safety Coordinator position (5) Elimination Port Director Executive Assistant position (6) Elimination of Mayor position (7) Outsource Municipality Controller position (8) Outsource Municipality Chief Fiscal Officer position (9) Outsource Municipality Property Appraiser position (10) Outsource entire Municipality Information Technology Department
It is estimated that the above position eliminations and outsourcing will save the city $15-million, in line with the mayor's requested budget cuts for 2012.
CopyRight 2011 KTBS

WAR Machine

I don't get it! Why all of a sudden is the military mission capturing with execution style raids the top camels of Al-Qaeda? And why in hell is the stock market breaking new ground into the ground, soon after Obama announces his re-run for the presidency and creation of a “Jobs” bill? Commonality, these things? First and foremost I watched a document on what was required to sniff out Bin Laden, plan the attack, plan counter measures in the case something were to go wrong, and succeed at the mission. See, it doesn't matter one's party line when it comes to answering to the Commander-in-Chief, as the brass behind this mission have one and only one commander and mission wherein failure is not an option. Too bad the Congress couldn't act the same way. This was a professional military mission that was accomplished with a 50% chance of success. But why did it take so long? Was it due poor planning when Bush was at the helm, or was there something else getting in the way of progress. And Bush was known to play against the odds, so with a 50/50 chance, Bush would have put on a uniform himself to carry out the “Mission” accomplished. And with the market tanking, didn't the war machine try this once before with attempted failure upon the Obama administration only to be trumped by “stimulus” recovery? With the “War Machine” I am talking a class of wealthy individuals that seem to think they know what is best for America, what is best for the proletariat class when they have no idea what it means to work for a living - “Good morning America how are ya” paycheck to paycheck. Caviar, what's that? Hamburger Helper, a staple across America nowadays. And above all, they think also they know what is best for all mankind. So something is wrong with what is going down, lopsided upon these issues at extremes – or are they? Now this country employs the greatest technology available and when not available makes it so and when hi-tech doesn't work, we pay off the stool pigeons. And money talks, as it did yesterday, today and tomorrow the same. So why did Bush fail at taking down Al-Qaeda's top camels? Maybe Bush and his dysentery dynasty didn't want too, or couldn't make such a move, due certain behind the scenes affiliation. Maybe some things were off-limits, as Bush was a cowboy but ended up with a presidency that was nothing short a cow-pie roundup. And with the markets, who controls all the wealth? So it is rather fishy that Obama has succeeded in taming the market, capturing and killing Bin Laden and just today, word that a drone attack has taken out another top official of the camel regime, Al-Awaki - an American born cleric. Bush had how many years to accomplish this take-down when this goon Bin was still playing out his fantasy as a mountain goat and with a $25-million bounty around his neck, to fail this mission is suspect. Look, for that kind of money in a 3^rd world, a rat could turn in the most wanted, take the money and become that country's president. But there came no takers this reward. Is there that much loyalty amongst the camels? And there exists rumors still that Pat Tillman, a great American hero, he supposedly had Bin in his gun sights but was taken down by an informant working undercover for, not Uncle Sam, but for the “War Machine”. People with guts have figured out what I mean by this “War Machine”. It was at one time in history called PNAC, the Project for the New American Century. It backfired and we ended up tangled up in Iraq and now Afghanistan. It was supposed to be the beginning of the end of non-democratic regimes. This take-over plan was conceived during the time period when Bill Clinton was still in office but fortunately with his preoccupation with Monica, PNAC found no ignition. Clinton was being bugged by the PNAC signatories to take over the world as it was a time in history in which America's military superiority and strength went unsurpassed, but the plan of attack went ignored. The signatories of the PNAC invasion plan include the Doctor of Doom, Dick Cheney, Jeb Bush, George Bush Sr., Geronimo's Shull, Rumsfeld, Dan Quayle, John McCain, James Woolsey, Paul Wolforitz and a list of misfits bent on annihilation of civility and a dereliction upon true democracy. I am glad Clinton was more interested in Monica, so PNAC's plan went unanswered. But when the Bush Family had the opportunity to disenfranchise the “vote”, there came the weapons of mass destruction from the “War Machine” to make sure the puppet president won the helm at any cost, and today we see what is meant by that cost. For the most part PNAC has disintegrated into the woodwork, but believe me, it has not disappeared. In fact, when you look at the “War Machine” employed overseas today, it is controlled by corporations owned and operated by PNAC members, so do you really think that our best interests are in tune to their best interests? No, as they still believe in the takeover and today PNAC is under disguise of the Foreign Policy Initiative – a think tank still thinking “doom” and bent on taking over the world. It is PNAC alive and well with the same cast of characters, many involved in the “War Machine” efforts and making huge profits to further the agenda. But there has to be something fishy upon Obama's accomplishments verses Bush's accomplishments. So to those that believe there was something fishy about 9/11, best take the time to research this PNAC, as with the kind of wealth this membership can sport, anything is possible. But hail to the Chief, as he is determined to bring home the troops, maybe not as fast as we would like, but at least there is a commitment. So stay tuned to what is happening around you, as the PNAC wants the “occupations” to continue, and the next few months may be rather interesting considering it is an upcoming election year. In ending, why is FOX questioning the drone attack on the cleric? According to sources from that network, the bimbos are voicing concern that since the cleric was an American born citizen, he was due a fair trial? Now can you imagine had this occurred when Bush was at the helm, there would have come a Wall Street celebration! See, Obama is under attack, and this is all part of the PNAC plan, so it is alive and well even today after its failed plans have sent over 5,000 kids in uniform to Arlington and wounded close to 40,000 fighting Americans. One last thought. Can you imagine what it would be like if the GOP congressional delegation for once gave credit where credit is due, to Obama. Can you imagine if this same membership addressed the nation giving credit to Obama for his economic machine. Can you imagine if Congress respected the Commander-in-Chief? It is called the real road to recovery - based on RESPECT. The problem seems that Obama can do no good, when there is plenty of good coming from his presidency, which points a finger to one and only one issue – that of prejudice and to that I know you know what I am eluding upon. It is that simple!

Bravo, Bravo

Congratulation goes out to the Native Alaskan organizations that have filed “STOP” lawsuits with the 9^th Circuit Court. The “STOP” herein relates to drilling for oil offshore the Beaufort Sea. Nothing against SHELL's plan of attack, but we learned all too well that spilled oil cannot be cleaned up at Latitude 61, Bligh Reef, due the climate conditions. So with interest further North, at Latitude 71, spilled oil will remain spilled oil and migrate about by hitching a ride upon an ice-floe. The reach of spilled oil from an arctic environment breach would be catastrophic, as currents would bring the “goo-mouse” to numerous places outside the spill's intended domain, eventually breaking it up but leaving a trail of destruction along the way. We may find out more this destructive ways and means as the same is occurring right now in the Gulf of Mexico following the BP rig blow-out in 2010. And no matter what those in the know say, oil development spills something over time! I've been there and witnessed a behavior that sends a chilling message that we have not learned from experience or through our mistakes. When jobs are on the line, things go by the wayside with respect to environmental stewardship. A company may have an open door policy for reporting things, but that “open” door is also the way to the unemployment line, for being honest! This nation's thirst for energy, which isn't cheap anymore, it is today out-of-bounds. The EXXON Valdez, the Macondo blow-out, crap happens doesn't it? And these things should have been prevented instead of the sentiment it could have been prevented. There is a big difference. When we place emphasis on “should” over “could” then we may be in the position to entertain exploration and exploitation in fragile areas like the Beaufort. But changing from the “could” to the “should”, it costs money and that is reserved for the profit margins now required by the shareholders. And since most of us by virtue of retirement plans are “shareholders”, do we really want to see less for retirement in efforts to do things better? No, we want what is ours and the next generation can fend for itself. Now even though the current lawsuits sends a signal of warning that there will come long delays and the possibility that there may never ever come resource development out on the fragile ecosystem of the Beaufort and neighboring Chukchi, that doesn't mean that riches will not be made. It appears that lawyers have found the ultimate solution of getting more blood out of a turnip. And since many Alaskan law firms are connected to oil development already, I guess if one wants representation, legal advise and advice, it means going “Outside”. What's up with local hire! So the lawyers are lining up to reap millions in litigations costs, even before a drill bit ever enters the frozen formation. Wow, now maybe this is the real McCoy of resource development, as this money doesn't have to be shared. Here is what I am getting at. Why has this society become so stubborn upon all issues and have to resort to the courts and lawyers and wasted time for everything and anything these days? Families fight the family, brothers and sisters litigate, a sick mentality. What have we become? But when one witnesses what goes on with Congress, the fighting and bickering, I guess if you can't fight them join them is the sentiment! But back to drilling out on the ice, it is beyond dangerous, to both man and nature. The profit squeeze upon energy extraction today is pathetic. The shareholders want more, so technology comes along to get even more blood out of that turnip. And this technology utilizes all kinds of nasty and experimental challenges. Since when have we as humans been given permission to experiment upon this earth? Imagine if we placed all efforts into alternative energy realization, or ways and means to conserve? Even with the case of blood out of a turnip, there is a breaking point. Do we really understand enough to what is going on down below to continue this “Frac” stuff that is taking off without any semblance of control? If so, why is it impossible for the “Frac” companies to give up knowledge of the ingredients used to “squeeze” the formations dry? They cry out loud that by doing so, by telling us what is being sent down-hole below the drinking water supply, that would be a disadvantage to competition. Look, that is what lawyers are all about and justified, it is called patent or intellectual property infringement. So the excuse that they cannot divulge the ingredients, it is preposterous and makes no sense except nonsense and the fact they may be hiding something. Let's face the facts, how can we understand what is happening in the cauldron? We cannot. That is why it is so interesting that states bent on allowing this technology and resource development through the squeeze play are stepping up testing of downstream NORM, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material - stuff that comes topside from “Frac” work. It sends a chilling signal that there is grounds for concern. And when Love Canal 20XX surfaces, lawyers will make sure there is some doubt instilled upon a competent jury called to court to trial an accuser, that it wasn't them! Just like in the case of the Exxon Valdez and most likely the scenario with the Macondo, nobody takes any blame! Didn't we learn it all in kindergarten? To admit defeat, and that is what it has come to with respect to this nation's energy quest, defeat and we should “STOP” now, count our blessings in conservation and imagine what it would be like staying home on weekends and enjoying the family instead of destroying the family! So Bravo to the Alaskan Natives with this “STOP” lawsuit, as it means family values over profit margins, something that has become lost almost to the point of extinction this American society.

Alaskan Can a Worms

It appears that Alaska's “Big Time” news media along with this state's Congressional delegation are in agreement on a very important issue at hand. And that “in agreement” is through “inaction” this issue and points to the fact that both are afraid to open up a can of worms. Yes, worms do grow in Alaska. Now this “issue” I am talking about is the assault on the U.S. Army which is an assault on the U.S. Taxpayers with respect to the “Privatization” of the military installations' utilities here in the “Last Frontier” - for the time being serviced through contract by an Alaskan Native Corporation. For the news media, for Mark Begich, for Lisa Murkowski, for Don Young, to “act” on this assault, it means picking on the Alaskan Natives - so it is also an assault if they acted, the double edged sword scenario. With that, silence seems golden in this case and that “golden” objective means something towards any future political aspirations. And it is well known that the media does not like to spread bad news about the Alaskan Natives, even if the “bad” is fallout from an Alaskan Native Corporation's affiliation, as the latter is a very powerful economic force and well endowed politically. Not to mention a horde of lawyers readily available to defend. So any negative publicity, it looks bad for many reasons, from tourism to Federal assistance. But the true Alaskan Natives are being taken for a ride by this “Privatization” deal. It is a “good” name and rank basher that is moving full steam ahead, without any intimidation preventing the ulterior motive – which is to make a whole lot of money at any expense. So as long as the delegation and the media remains quiet upon this issue, the CEOs and “outside” investors behind some of this mess continue to collect huge windfall salaries as the shareholders starve. There are millions being made upon this deal between a single entity and the U.S. Government, but just how much of this revenue is making its way to its intended target – the Native Corporation's shareholders? The entire “Privatization” ordeal was tainted in the beginning and continues to be tainted today wherein the Alaskan Natives as well as the American Taxpayers are being robbed. And there may be a reason as to why Begich and Murkowski refuse to budge on this issue, as to do anything that would entice a negative message upon this situation, it could cause harm upon their own political aspirations, as the various corporations' board yields direct influence on the vote, and Lisa and Mark rely on that vote to continue their job for a life-time romance. That's probably their behind the scenes excuse to refuse to intervene. The media has no excuse! Bottom-line, the “Privatization” of the Alaskan military infrastructure has created a monopoly, and that cannot be good for the U.S. Taxpayers. It did not have to become a monopoly, as there came several other qualified entities that placed a bid for a piece of the pie upon this $4-Billion dollar contract – other Alaskan Native Corporations at that! And it was not a take-all-or-none solicitation, so it could have been dissected for reasons of economic sanity – a.k.a. competition. Doyon Limited is 50% owner of Doyon Utilities, which received preferential treatment in the beginning and once their efforts reaped this 50-year lucrative money-making contract, there seemed to be no stopping the momentum that wanted more! But now the ARMY is fighting back, that in itself is good for the taxpayers. It started soon into the contract when Doyon Utilities realized through demand payments from the tax assessor that there was a property tax liability, now that the property was in “Private” hands. So right off the bat, Doyon Utilities management along with legal guidance filed for a tariff increase, telling the Regulatory Commission of Alaska that is was approved already by the Contract Officer, that language in the contract allowed for increases for things forgotten. Now we are talking $-Millions in tax assessments for the utility infrastructure, which is being sold to Doyon through monthly credits upon the “Inception Rate”, or Operating & Maintenance Tariff paid to Doyon. Basically the American Taxpayer is paying Doyon to buy this age old and dilapidated infrastructure and at the same time paying out above and beyond for services rendered. Yes some may argue that there exists years and years of neglect along with lack of maintenance upon this infrastructure, but all the deficiencies that were diagnosed before “Privatization” was finalized, the government agreed to pay for all repairs outside of normal maintenance activities. That is why you'll see all kinds of infrastructure improvements going on at Ft. Wainwright, Ft. Greely and Ft. Richardson. So it was a great day for America to see the ARMY JAG fight back and tell the state regulators that Doyon could not increase the tariff for property taxes, that the millions now due or else would have to come out of the profit margin, which is huge to begin with. And so the ARMY continues to fight back, as it appears there exists major contract disputes over how much this mess is now costing the taxpayers. The word “Taxpayer” is referenced in a few nasty correspondences from the ARMY. See, the team that put the bid together was suspiciously smart and convinced the ARMY that there was no “utility” data available that warranted a “Fixed Bid” award, so Doyon was allowed to use a hypothetical model to come up with this “Inception Rate”, or cost for services rendered. A model is a lame excuse in this case, as there was plenty of information publicly available that would or could have been used to justify a meaningful relationship between the U.S. Taxpayers and Doyon's “Required Profit”. I have requested that Begich and Murkowski get involved, to investigate this “Privatization” contract. Approaching Young would be a waste of my time. But that is a long shot, with Begich and Murkowski, as both had a difficult time trying to find the MIA M.V. Susitna, the ferry “Going Nowhere”. That was a very simpleton test. But this “Privatization” thing is for real and bothersome. When the contract was signed sealed and delivered, with no competition to contend with, the owners of Fairbanks Sewer & Water laughed all the way to the bank. The sewer outfit owns 50% of Doyon Utilities, so is making income from this “Privatization”. For some reasons suspicious, a Canadian investment firm wanted to buy-out the sewer's 50% ownership of the Doyon utility business. Now Fairbanks Sewer & Water is a utility “not in good standing” and also under scrutiny by the state regulatory body for over-charging its Fairbanks customers and a business venture that has limited out with respect to expansion capabilities. Basically, it is a loosing proposition, unless! And that means the lucrative military contract is front and center this lucrative also business deal and sell-off – along with somebody paying dearly for the $50-million in preferred stock option the 10 “White Men” shareholders worked out just before the sale. See, the guy that writes the check from the profits from the contract, well he is the CEO of the venture! The board of directors of Doyon Utilities seems to be controlled by the very same shareholders! Get it, as too what may have gone down behind the scenes? And why would DU request “Regulation” when at the same time it was already in hot water with the regulators, through its affiliation with the sewer boys? A very simple reason, it was a convenient smoke-screen. But once again, the ARMY is doing what they do best, defending. They have asked for no more regulation, as they have come to terms that the “Regulation” ploy was a decoy and was not to the contract benefit but a ways and means to pillage. The contract “creep” in itself has cost the U.S. Taxpayers a lot more loot, and like already mentioned, where have all the profits been siphoned away too? So due a compilation of nothing short a “White Man's” greed mentality, there exists a volatile situation at hand. The delegation should have already been onto this issue. The news media also, but here in Alaska there are areas left untouchable, due matters of negative consequences for speaking up, no matter how much it  may disenfranchises the American Taxpayer. I guess we never learned our lessons from the fallout of the “Corrupt Bastards Club”, then again some may have learned this club's way and means! If this state had a Claire Macaskill at the helm of representation and decency, it would have been a problem with already a solution! Bottom-line, it is time to reassess this “Privatization” mess to make sure the intent behind “Privatization” is righteous and saving the taxpayers from abusive contract manipulation.

A Thought

A man comes of age, when he forgets age!