Blog pages are boring without photos. Here's the obligatory photo. From our trip in May to Havasupai Reservation in Arizona. No, that's not me, but I did make this jump (so did Mark). Click to enlarge.
EIGHT 7/7/2014:
Yes, Social Security IS an Entitlement!
For instance, my parents (aged in their 80's), with a middle class income for 30+ years, have received Social Security payments WAY in excess of what they have taken out. In fact, the amount they collect in 1 year equals approximately what they put in in ALL their years of contributing! On the other hand, the amount that my wife and I have paid into the system is MUCH MORE than we will ever collect, unless we live much longer than expected.
Does this mean I am against the New Deal and Social Security. It simply means that people are wrong when they say that people EARNED their Social Security payments; what they should say is that they PAID INTO the system, and are now collecting out of it. It is a "pay as you go" system, and by the time we collect, I predict that my wife and I will be "means-tested" out of Social Security and collect little or nothing from it, because our federal government is bankrupting our country through endless deficit spending.
Note also that Social Security is a massively progressive system, where those who put little in but qualify to receive it will get MASSIVELY more than they ever put into it, whereas those who have contributed well into 6 figures into it, will get dramatically less in proportion.
SEVEN 6/26/2014:
Veteran Actor Eli Wallach Dies on 6/25/2014 at Age 98!
SIX 6/19/2014:
Want Some Good News? Two Subspecies of Island Fox Should Go Off the Endangered Species List!
Join Me and the Rest of the World and Watch the World Cup!
Original Article: The world's most popular athletic event is going on now in Brazil: the World Cup Soccer Tournament. I don't know anyone who still watches soccer, but I'd love to watch the world cup matches with friends, or at least let me know what bar in SLO is showing matches. In particular, the US team plays Ghana on June 16, 2014 at noon, and I'd love to watch with friends. Yesterday 6/13/2014, Sue and I watched the 2010 World's Cup Final re-match in the opening round between Spain and the Netherlands. I won't tell you who won, but you can watch the scoring highlights by clicking here. If you can watch this and not think World Cup Soccer is exciting, then there's no hope for you and soccer!
Tim's Soccer Background: I played soccer for 35 years, starting in AYSO in Manhattan Beach when I was 10 years old and ending by playing in the Paso Robles Soccer League until I was 45 years old. In between, I played 2 rather mediocre years at UCLA (I was lucky to make the team but rarely played), and for a few years on the LA Soccer Club in the Greater Los Angeles Soccer League. In between, brother Brian and I played on the TRW Soccer Club in the Peninsula Soccer League for 10 years before I moved to SLO. I was also the first soccer coach at my high school Alma Mater, El Segundo High, where I was the varsity soccer coach for 3 years. Over the years, I have coached numerous other soccer teams, from AYSO to the SLO Fire Soccer Club. What I miss the most? Playing! I always thought that I would play forever, but it was not to be.
FOUR 6/10/2014:
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell Announces New Appointments to BLM Desert Advisory Council
We have been active hikers, backpackers, and remote wilderness users for many decades. Over this time period, we have witnessed these things:
(1) the deterioration, vandalism and destruction of cultural manmade resources in the "11+ million acres of public land throughout the southern California desert", and
(2) the apparent desire of our own federal government to limit and eliminate access to these same "11 million acres of public land throughout the southern California desert".
Above: Recently burned down cabin that resides on government land.
We are hopeful that the new appointees (announced 6/10/2014) to the BLM Desert Advisory Council will convey some of our concerns about (1) and (2) above. From our point of view, it appears that those in power are determined to eliminate all manmade items from our wilderness landscape, and indeed, severely limit access by the public to public lands. You can view the announcement by the BLM about the new appointees by clicking here. The text of the announcement is also reproduced below.
Above: Another recently burned down cabin that resides on government land.
Release Date: 06/10/14, News Release No. CA-CDD-14-44
Contacts: Stephen Razo 951-697-5217 srazo@ca.blm.gov
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has appointed five new members to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) citizen-based California Desert District Advisory Council (DAC) which advises the BLM on public land issues.
The council's new members are: Leslie Barrett, of Malibu, who will represent renewable energy industry; Raymond Castillo, Imperial County Supervisor, who will fill one of two elected official positions; Mark Algazy, of Granada Hills; Robert Burke, of Barstow; and James Kenney, of Ridgecrest, who are all appointed as representatives of the public.
The 15 member DAC works closely with BLM field office managers in Ridgecrest, Needles, Barstow, Palm Springs, El Centro and the desert district office in Moreno Valley. The California Desert District Advisory Council was established by Congress through the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
"The Desert Advisory Council is a valuable panel of citizens that provides valuable input and advice into the management of over 11 million acres of public land throughout the southern California desert," states Teri Raml, California Desert District manager. "I welcome the newest members and look forward to continuing the strong working relationship we enjoy with the council."
The BLM's resource advisory councils (RACs), composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the agency carry out its stewardship of 261 million acres of public lands. The bureau, which manages more land than any other federal agency, has 24 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. As an agency of the Department of the Interior, it is responsible for managing various public land uses - such as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production - while conserving the land's natural, historical, and cultural resources.
For further information, contact Stephen Razo at 951-677-5217
--BLM (California Desert District, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553
THREE 6/6/2014:
Today We Celebrate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944), and Also Honor the Passing of the Last of the Navajo "Code Talkers".
The "Greatest Generation" is going fast, and this is one of the last "milestones" in WWII that at least some vets will be around to celebrate. You can see some cool photos of Normandy Beach "Then and Now" by clicking here. I understand that the last of the Navajo "Code Talkers" from WWII just passed away, which you can read about by clicking here.
Above: Here I am on the Navajo Indian Reservation at Monument Valley in Arizona. We met many Navajos on this trip, and they are very proud of their role in using their language as a "Secret Code" during WWII. There is a huge display at the museum at Monument Valley dedicated to the Code Talkers.
TWO 6/6/2014:
Make a Donation by 7/1/2014 to the Land Conservancy to Acquire "The Pismo Preserve".
Update 6/19/2014: The June 18, 2014 edition of The Tribune newspaper reported on page 1 that the City Council of Pismo Beach voted to donate a massive $900,000 towards the purchase of The Pismo Preserve! The city's allocation leaves the Land Conservancy of SLO County with $1,500,000 left to raise to close the $10,000,000 deal to by the land by August of 2014. That's this year, folks! Please consider donating today!
Original Article: The entire central coast, including my mountain bike group, CCCMB.org, are donating to acquire "The Pismo Preserve", an undeveloped 900 acres site (see map below for exact location). We expect to be able to access this property for hiking, mountain biking, and more. Please consider writing a check to:
Original Article: The entire central coast, including my mountain bike group, CCCMB.org, are donating to acquire "The Pismo Preserve", an undeveloped 900 acres site (see map below for exact location). We expect to be able to access this property for hiking, mountain biking, and more. Please consider writing a check to:
LCSLOC - Pismo Preserve
Post Office Box 12206, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Read more about this incredible addition to public lands that we can use in the "green belt" around San Luis Obispo by clicking here. Click map below to enlarge.
ONE 6/2/2014:
Toyota Moving U.S. Headquarters from California to Texas; Calif. Continues to be Unfriendly for Business.
California continues to be an unfavorable place to do business. Witness Toyota moving their headquarters from Torrance, California to Texas. Read about it here in the Los Angeles Times June 2, 2014. I grew up in Manhattan Beach and El Segundo, and have known many folks that have worked for Toyota in Torrance - almost all of those jobs are moving to Texas. We need jobs here in California.
Though Toyota claims that the move is designed to move all US employees into a single location, it is really just the final piece in a movement away from California. Once upon a time, California was home to many auto factories. With the closing of the last GM / Toyota factory a few years back, that dream has ended for my state.
A few quotes from the Los Angeles Times article above:
"Toyota officials said the move to a Dallas suburb had nothing to do with cost-cutting and everything to do with fostering efficiency and collaboration."
"We hope that this is a wake-up call for the state of California. We had this wake-up call when Nissan left in 2006 for Tennessee, but I think everybody forgot."
"The move will cement what Rubenstein called a "Southern strategy" for Toyota. It builds the Camry and Avalon in Kentucky, the Corolla in Mississippi and the Tundra and Tacoma pickup trucks in Texas. It also has a big engine plant in Alabama."
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