Let me hear from you

In the first decade after the end of World War II I when I read in the American Legion Magazine lists of reunions scheduled for military units and crew members of various ships I wondered  whether there would ever be a reunion for the crew of the USS Pickens.  I doubt there was such a reunion as all of us had to get on about our lives.  Today, because the son of a former crew member has made available much information saved by his father, I have through my blog  heard from some shipmates and families of shipmates.  I wish more could be reached.

On the last day of 2012 Betty Tippins sent me an e-mail of some memories her father, R. Tippins, has of the Pickens.  He told her he seemed to remember a collision involving the Pickens and another vessel.  I don't recall it, but it is understandable that we all remember different things. I can't expect anyone but me  to remember that the phones I manned at a debarkation station at Iwo Jima failed to work after performing perfectly during all our drills/

I enjoy being in contact with shipmates and their families.  Let me hear from any of you at any time.

January brings bad weather

What a miserable, miserable day -- wet, cold and grey.  Typical of January, although we'll have some days of sunshine. It's been a bad week for me.  I began last Thursday morning trying to get a prescription refilled. Finally, the doctor's office called the pharmacy late yesterday and it was to be refilled today.  Now, I have to brave the rain to pick up my medicine. 

Forget my problems; have you broken all your resolutions for 2013?   Promises to eat healthier and exercise more are usually the first commitments to fall by the wayside; most people have already abandoned those. To be kinder, to read the bible more and to pray daily are the type of resolutions  many hold on to longer.

Face it; taxes are going up

The restoration of the two per cent of the payroll tax on employees has brought on complaints of a tax increase as many forget that lowering the rate was temporary.  I was not in favor  of this at the time because it was in reality borrowing from the  social security trust fund. That does not mean that I am for higher taxes. Far from it; I am for eliminating fraud and cutting spending.

I've seen where there are complaints about the increase in medicare costs; something social security recipients saw on their first check of 2013.

Tax increases are coming; Obama and Democratic leaders are talking about a trillion dollar tax in addition to those wrapped up in Obamacare.  Those taxes, such as one on medical equipment, will be passed on to the patient.

Our federal government borrows 40 cents of every dollar it spends.  Common sense tells us this cannot be continued, but higher taxes will injure the sick economy and cost jobs. Regardless, we are going to be paying more in taxes; count on it, which results in less take-home money. Now, have a happy new year.

Remembering a real accomplishment

I noticed in the Guardian-Journal, Homer's weekly newspaper, that the town council has voted to increase water rates, including going from $6 to $7.15 a month for residential users.  Rates for waste water would also increase.

This brought to my mind the time when I was mayor that  we included within a bond issue an increase of water rates from $1.50 to $2.50 a month.  Together with a payment of $1,000 a month from Ludlow the bond issue was to finance major improvements to the water system.  I thought it was a great deal then and I am still convinced it was a great deal for the town, but an  electric utility,  which wanted our electric generating plant and distribution system,  held secret meetings and misinformed voters leading to a defeat by one or two votes.  We called for another vote and community leaders helped it pass overwhelmingly.

Improvements included l2-inch water lines throughout the town, 500,000 gallons of elevated water storage, 500,000 of ground level storage, complete automation of the system, lower fire insurance rates for everyone, and fire protection for Ludlow, which employed 200 workers.  Ludlow could not have continued to operate without those improvements.  Of all the many accomplishments the town had while I was mayor, I rate this the best.

Governmental leaders lack courage

The president couldn't interrupt his vacation to sign the bill that he and Congress take pride in because it "avoided the fiscal cliff." They extended the "Bush tax cuts" but did not have the courage to do anything about the problems of the economy.  Oh, I forgot, there were some economic gains -- Obama and his family have spent 20 million dollars on vacations and the president wants to reward Congress for doing such  a good job, so they are to receive a raise.

Why worry that we have suffered four years of  under employment.  It is today 7.8 officially but is  more like  18 per cent.  The president and Congress have ignored the problem or must be  incapable of taking action to improve the economy.

The government officials do not have the courage to stop spending much more than revenues.  A few weeks ago the nation's indebtedness reached  16 trillion dollars.  Today, we owe $16, 432, 706,000,000.00.  They do not care; let some one in the future  tackle the problems. Our leaders have to cater to the "takers" to stay in office; what's more important than that?

We wrote it last January

Because  of not feeling on top of the world, physically and emotionally, I decided to skip posting today, but I first looked back at what had stirred me a year ago.  Detroit school system announced plans to close half its schools and increase class size to pay big bonuses to unions.  Utah proposed a 40lK-type plan for public employees.  That is the answer for public as well as private workers.

I recalled a trip to Baton Rouge and back in an old Piper Cub.  Navigation consisted of following the Red River to its connection with the Mississippi and on to Baton Rouge so I could  testify before the board of Commerce and Industry on behalf of my client, Broyhill Furniture.

On the sports scene a national scouting  organization listed 62 former LSU players who got at least a cup of coffee in the major leagues.

The number 62 in years was how long a couple was married and who was celebrating at Olive Garden when they learned someone had paid for their meal.  They discovered that their benefactor was a l5-year-old girl, who had used her own money for this kindness.  There is hope for the younger generation yet.

So long, holidays

The holidays are over.  Mark and Julie, with Lily and Oliver, of course, caught a plane for North Carolina a few minutes after 7 this morning (Wednesday). Jessica and boyfriend River left this afternoon, flying to Durham, N.C.  From there they will drive to Alexandria, Va., to visit River's parents for several days. From there Jessica will return to Duke and River will head back to LSU to resume their studies.

The house has never been so quiet and felt so lonely.  It will  most likely be several months before we see any of them again, except by Skype.

                                                                   o-o

 Two weeks ago my brother Jon brought me a jar of cane syrup.  He grew a little cane and found someone with a syrup mill to convert the cane.  It triggered memories of when we grew lot of cane and made syrup for use and sale.

Jon also brought a bag of satsumas from his tree.  It was good timing because the grandchildren, Lily and Oliver are gluttons for citrus fruit; they ate them,  everyone.