Firefighting Drags and Carries (Firefighting Video)

Volunteer firefighting is a true donation of time and effort to the community. The men and women who do this type of work foster and contribute to a better society. Because of that commitment, ongoing training is essential. One useful way to train is by watching instructional videos—especially when you already have enough hands-on experience to visualize how each technique translates into real-life situations.

What stood out in this particular video is the simplicity and practicality of the methods shown. The webbing pieces they use are common, and the way they assemble both harnesses and body straps to carry a person is straightforward and effective. After watching the process a few times, you realize how quickly these tools can be made in the moment, even under pressure. Many firefighters already carry webbing and a carabiner, so they typically have the basic gear needed to create these setups.

I also appreciated the demonstration of using a Halligan as a step to climb into a window. By tying webbing to the tool and pulling it tight, it becomes a secure foothold—and the equipment can then be pulled up with it. It’s a clever, practical solution that shows how versatile standard tools can be.

If You Want to Donate

If you're interested in supporting an outstanding Upper Peninsula firefighting department and team, feel free to contact me to the right and I can connect you with the right people. Donations would be tax-deductible. This department is noteworthy for bucking national trends: it has a remarkably strong group of young volunteers—far more than most fire departments. Their success might offer a valuable model for any other department wondering how to engage and involve younger generations in community service. Most departments are struggling in this regard. 

The Unemployment Rate December 2025 (Zak Thinks of Ways To Hedge Technology and Participation for Shipbuilding))

(Illustrative Only)

Zak likes to build ships.
He has a crew of different
types of people and knows
how to increase employment
and participation. 
He hedges diversity, taps
natural motivation and 
trains. He understands
economics and knows his
workers are more than numbers
so he tries to stay engaged,
be a listening ear, attend their
kids bday parties and lets
employees determine 
where to donate 15% of
company profits to help
the people.

He wants to bring manufacturing 
back to our communities by
fostering entrepreneurship.
Believes most ideas are thrown
away because of partisanship
and special interests influence.
Change is needed as we have a use
for new ships but we struggle to
fundamentally adapt and 
improve competitiveness.
Midwest Manufacturing

He joined the hypothetical
Feather Party of free
minded thinkers who 
want a more direct
connection to the 
decisions in government. 
He thinks his model
could help boost 
GDP, raise wages, 
and maintain competitiveness
with new technology and a new
way of thinking. 
Sometimes people who bring new ideas
are often ripe for mistreatment. 
He doesn't care because
he wants to help his
nation and answers to
the needs of the people.
Freedom of thought is
fundamental to our futures.
Economic Development
Through Needs Fulfillment

*the hypthetical Feather Party
does not exist at this time in history.
It is a philosophical discussion
on collecting independent 
thinkers for political service,
not working with special interests,
using agreed upon decision making
matrix and capping donations
to improve decision making at 
the top for the next generation
through the use of critical 
thinking, evidence, ethics and
upholding social contracts.
They seek to tip votes and 
bring new options. It is not against
but for.

The December 2025 employment report indicates a relatively stable labor market. There isn’t much new hiring, but there also aren’t major layoffs, which suggests a steady—though not strong—environment. Hours worked declined slightly, while wages increased slightly, both of which are notable trends.

Going forward, it’s important to watch which industries are expanding and which are contracting. Services remain essential, but growth in manufacturing and new product development would be a positive sign, as those sectors contribute to innovation and value creation. Different types of service growth can also reveal deeper market shifts, since industries with higher profitability—such as healthcare and elder care—tend to attract more workers and investment. Time and trend will determine if it is short or long lived.

The labor force participation rate is another key indicator. A higher rate means more people are working, which strengthens economic performance. Ideally, technology would support an increase in the number of workers involved in the economy, even if hours per worker fall. This becomes especially important as the overall population declines, since participation and GDP growth are closely connected.

It would also be beneficial to see increased participation among populations traditionally considered minorities. That represents untapped human capital, and greater engagement would bring new perspectives, stronger performance, higher tax contributions, and overall economic growth.

These areas—industry shifts, participation rates, and broader inclusion—represent some of the main challenges and opportunities moving forward.

BEA The Employment Situation December 2025

• Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by about 50,000 in December 2025, showing modest job growth.

• The unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent with little change from the previous month.

• Job gains were concentrated in food services, health care, and social assistance, while retail trade lost jobs.

• For all of 2025, employment rose by 584,000 jobs, averaging 49,000 per month—slower than in 2024.

• Average hourly earnings continued to rise, reflecting ongoing wage growth.

• Employment figures from previous months were revised downward.

• A federal government shutdown caused missing household survey data for October 2025, affecting some comparisons.

• Labor force participation rate: 62.4%.

• Unemployment rates by race/ethnicity: White 3.5%, Black or African American 6.7%, Hispanic or Latino 5.2%, Asian 3.8%.

How It’s Calculated (U.S. Standard)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calculates the unemployment rate as:
(Number of unemployed people ÷ civilian labor force) × 100

Additional Link:

Unemployment Trading Economics Site

The Rocky Pier Picture

 If your interested in this picture send me a message to the right. Send me a message to the right. Let me know what your range is and what I can print for you. Since I do this for fun I will work with you to get you what you want.  I can call this one the Rocky Pier. Taken a few weeks ago on a nice sunny day. 

Rocky Pier

The Mystery of Mueller's Delicious Pizza Cheese (Word on the Street Escanaba)

(Illustrative Only)
Tony loves Muellers Pizza
and ran off with a piece 
to see why it tastes so good.
He paid his bill and asked
 for a doggy bag and 
put a slice in it, and shoved
it in his jacket hopeing no
one would see him. He
barely escaped without
being detected by
acting normal. 🙃
 

Tony had an unusual fascination with Mueller’s Pizza. No matter where he traveled—Paris, Rome, Toledo—the moment he rolled into town, he sprinted to Mueller’s like a man who hadn’t eaten in weeks. He’d sit down, take one bite of that glorious cheese, and immediately wonder why it tasted better than every pizza he’d ever had, including the fancy ones with ingredients he couldn’t pronounce.

(This story is more for fun but the actual story 'Word on the Street' section is labeled below. This story is inspired from the actual.)

Determined to solve the mystery, Tony launched a full-scale investigation. He tried cheese spectroscopy, cheese DNA testing, cheese genealogy—basically everything but hiring a private detective in a mozzarella-colored trench coat. Nothing worked.

Then one day, a tiny old lady who’d lived in town since dinosaurs roamed the Earth whispered a clue. The cheese, she said, came from special Wisconsin cows—legendary cows—raised by a man she once knew, who crafted cheese so good it could make a statue shed a tear. She even told Tony where to look.

So Tony packed up his dog sled—because why not its winter—and mushed his way to Wisconsin. He interrogated cheese factories across the state. Most of them shrugged. A few offered brochures. One tried to sell him curds in bulk for his trip home.

At last, he stumbled upon a small artisan cheese maker. A true cheese wizard. A shaman and wise man of cutting the cheese. A man who understood flavor, texture, and the emotional journey of dairy. He told Tony, “This isn’t just one cheese. This… is three cheeses. Slow cooked. Blended like a symphony. And made only for them.”

Tony begged. He pleaded. He tried every tactic short of bribing him with breadsticks. But the craftsman refused to reveal the recipe. And so Tony returned home defeated, his quest unfulfilled.

But he learned something along the way: Mueller’s pizza is one of a kind. That’s why it’s a beloved icon of Escanaba. So if you ever find yourself in town, stop by Mueller’s. The staff is friendly, the cheese is ridiculously unique, and great memories put the whole place together (I used to work there doing delivery as a teen).

Word on the Street: Word on the street is that someone wanted to discover why Mueller's cheese was so delicious. They saw a cheese label, went to Wisconsin, and traced the cheese back to its source. There, they found that the cheese was a slow-cooked, flavorful multi-Wisconsin cheese made just or them—and that’s what gives it its unique taste. (Could be true or untrue but that is the basic story.)

*A few people were standing around talking about the delicious unique taste of Muellers Pizza and we thought it would be an interesting idea to share Escanaba unwritten stories. Write the true story in 'Word on the Street" and then make a fun narrative. It might help some of our local businesses as well gain exposure for some of the local legends history that doesn't make it into the books. Muellers is a local icon and many people have good memories there. If you have an interesting possibly true legend you heard from a few different people about Escanaba send me a message to the right.  Al Capone up next...

Stanford Economic Projections 2026 (Sally Thinks of Solutions and Concerns)

(Illustrative Only)
Sally joined the hypthetical
Feather Party that doesn't
exist at this time in history.
It's a philosophical discussion on 
a third party of independents
that do not work with special
interest, cap donations and vote based
on an agreed upon annual
 decision making matrix. Each member is 
encouraged to vote their 
conscious and party line
votes are not allowed. 
It might be nice for
the young to develop their own party
and raise their own concerns.
 
She remembers growing up
poor and wants to help others.
She is tired of the political
stagnation and lack of 
focus on what matters. 
She believes the dream should still
live on but that will require
a new way of thinking about
a modern world.

She knows people need opportunities
and she supports small local businesses,
education, the arts
as well as the redevelopment of
small towns through export
oriented products.

Her economic research tells
her that a balance of different
types and sizes of businesses in the market
makes more sense but she
has a hard time getting through
to other politicians who are 
caught in their older ways of thinking.
In some cases financial interests.

She thinks it is time for change 
and wanted to work with other free people to
solve the problems entrenched
interests have historically struggled with.
She supports broad based capitalism
rooted in performance and merit
and not the most connected.
Money needs to flow more freely from the top 
to the botton and she can't think of any better
way than to foster entrepreneurship
and adjust government policy.

The shift in labor growth from production to service also suggests we may not be as
 innovative and productive
in new products as we should be to increase
growth beyond what emerging
markets have done. In theory, an emerging
market within a stable seasoned market
through economic cluster development.
Something emerging markets might not be
able to do because they can't hedge
an existing mature business infrastructure
to support smaller creative destructions
of innovative development.

Similarly, connected folks hanging
on an island further solidifies the concern 
over social influence on economic exchange
as well as decision making capacity.
She would like an independent
investigation into foreign influence on the island. 
It could present an unkwown
 economic and social risk.

Her hope is to serve average people through
a more direct line to get their voices heard.
She knows she will be a target for doing
the right thing to help her people but honor
is important here.

Each member comes with their own
perspective and they
can work within the same party.
It is ok to disagree with each. If you
don't like what Sally thinks vote for
a different free minded thinker.
Its simple. You vote the quality of character, 
the ideas, and the solutions.

*For philosophical discussion.

2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year as various policies and changes begin to show their long-term effects. Some people will see these policies as beneficial, while others will disagree, and economic research will play a key role in helping clarify which approaches work best. Real-world outcomes will also reveal the value of different economic ideas, and perspectives will naturally vary across different schools of thought. 

There are many outside factors that can’t be controlled, and those will shape results as well. Projections are useful because they help outline what the coming year might look like, but they are never perfect. They rely on past behavior, and unexpected events can shift assumptions quickly. COVID altered long-standing expectations, and AI technologies are reshaping them again, so even the most reasonable forecast can change based on what actually happens. It is normal.

The best approach is to read broadly, stay informed about how policies interact with economic conditions, and form your own conclusions as new information emerges. I like this projection. It seems well rounded.

The following bullet points are taken from US Economy 2026 Stanford Projections

• U.S. economic growth remained solid in 2025 thanks to consumer spending, real wages and stock market gains, but uncertainty persists on key fronts.

• Federal Reserve faces a stagflation challenge in 2026 if inflation stays above target while job growth weakens, complicating interest rate policy.

• Decisions about tariffs — and whether the administration maintains or rolls back the current high tariff regime — will significantly influence prices and domestic production costs.

• AI’s impact on the workforce has been limited so far; adoption remains uneven and full effects on jobs and productivity will unfold over many years.

• Labor market shows slower job growth and rising unemployment, with modest growth expected in 2026 but downside risks remain, including potential effects from AI adoption.

• Health care costs have become central politically, with recent policy shifts leading to higher insurance premiums for many Americans and likely shaping reform debates.

• Rising federal deficits and debt present fiscal challenges, with debt service costs poised to increase and crowd out other spending.

• Financial markets show signs of a possible AI-related valuation bubble, with stock prices of AI-exposed firms high relative to fundamentals; a correction could dampen growth.

• Affordability concerns (housing, health care, utilities, etc.) remain politically salient, with debates over regulatory barriers and policy solutions likely affecting 2026 outcomes.

• Electricity price increases, driven by multiple factors including grid costs and demand, contribute to cost-of-living pressures and are difficult to resolve quickly. 

Learning from the Clan: A Philosophical Story on How to Stand for What is Right (Lady Justice Imprisoned In Body and They to Dancing Shadows)

The Story of the Clan is important because it shows why institutions must have strong checks and balances to function at an optimum. This hypothetical, philosophical story illustrates how hate, bigotry, corruption, and coordinated misconduct can emerge when conditions are ripe. Take with a grain of salt to spark thought. In the story, victims were targeted for years, and many people knew it was happening. A few corrupted officers, conflicts of interest in the courts, and systemic bias rooted in partisan beliefs and attitudes toward certain religions, races and values allowed the behavior to continue for years with 5 waves of hate.

(Illustrative Only)
Lady Justice as 
a victim and
a prisoner of
hate and corruption.
They didn't like her 
opinion that all
are created equal and
endowed with rights.
The body and spirit are different
forms.
Another retaliation list.

She is imprisoned and gaged for
standing for justice while
they are imprisoned to
the dancing shadows on the wall.

The Hidden Meaning
Allegory of the Cave

These bad actors do not represent the many good officials who serve their communities with integrity. Most are heroes who deserve support and we can give that to them through reform with checks and balances. The perpetrators in this case are not those trustworthy souls but the corrusive parasites on the good intentions of justice. Meaningful reform would reinforce good officials work by removing harmful individuals while protecting civil liberties and human rights. Unfortunately, that reform has been slow, even though it would ultimately increase trust, reduce crime through community collaboration and strengthen human capital. Confusion on purpose. Slow and unimpactful seems intentional and wrongdoing is rarely corrected.  Not what our forefathers and mothers would have envisioned when they wrote in certain guarantees-that should never have been so cheaply auctioned to the first partisan bidder or unchecked hate group. There is a reason why they are undermining the rest of us.

The value of this story is that it shows how social and political networks can distort justice outcomes. When people repeatedly turn a blind eye to misconduct in order to favor their race, religion, political perspective, friend group, or ideological circle, injustice becomes normalized. In this story, victims had few rights, children weren’t protected, the elderly were manipulated, corrupted officials coached perpetrators, allegations of sexual misconduct, coordinated bullying, and other self-serving behaviors. Freedom of religion and speech openly violated. Hate incentivized through backroom deals with sweetheart arrangements to avoid accountability. Yet decision-makers did not correct in what a reasonable person would see as neglectful collusion. A type of low grade coordinated cleaning, there are other words to describe this behavior. The goal was to eradicate a family for financial gain. Victim rights now a dirty word! Another list....

Eventually, the truth enters the collective conscience, and declining trust becomes a natural consequence. They don't care about longterm implications as they have been immunized. The smallest compromise comes forward to please the political interests but the root of the problem remains. We may need a new generation of leadership with greater commitment to The People and stop the madness of intentionally dark decision making. Our forefathers/mothers reminded us of the need for new generations to protect against exactly this. It is always wiser to govern with a broad moral perspective and uphold the oaths, rights, and principles that should never be discarded for personal or ideological gain. It makes no difference one's personal perspective or which political persuasion as these issues are bigger and broader and more important than their needs. It is generational.

Even so, people engaged in wrongdoing often provoke others, use aggression, and retaliate when boundaries are asserted. When people ask them to do what is right and want their boundaries respected the perpetrators call allies (corrupted officials and flying monkey friends), file false complaints, coordinate stories, and rely on a system that has historically had its moments of conflicts of interest to protect insiders. A closed system. Not always but sometimes. Complaints about such behavior have long fallen on deaf ears even though they are against the grain of why the country was started and the liberties that were supposed to be protected at all costs. Some are not doing their jobs in serving the people.

The best way to protect future generations is to reinforce a higher moral conscience—something that becomes difficult when people believe that certain “out-group” members deserve no rights or value. Doing the right thing is not particularly popular in certain circles right now. Dehumanization apparent and unfortunately the decision to foster wrongdoing clear. Collectivization sets in. The victims know they must protect others. The behavior seen beyond disgusting. They stand in peace and kindness. Shielding wrongdoing for years creates second-class citizens, even when those citizens have contributed more to their country than their persecutors ever will. Or the self focused decision makers. Hate and corruption are powerful forces, especially when some of those missusing authority forget the meaning of it all and why we are here. Generation to generation contracts need to be preserved.

"Injustice often arises... through chicanery, that is, through an over-subtle and even fraudulent construction of the law." - Aristotle

*This is a learning story that one can ponder on what a worse case scenario might look like. You can change around the elements and come to your own conclusion. No right or wrong answer in philosophy. Feel free to discard as philosophical dribble.

DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 7-San Diego Symphony

 

(Illustrative Only)
While Joe isn't that good
as a musician he wonders
if the harmonica could be 
used with the symphony. 
It was beautiful. 
He feels a little smarter now.

A few weeks ago I attended the DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 7 which brought to life some beautiful pieces.  The symphony is one of life’s great joys, along with opera and the arts in general. This concert was performed by the San Diego Symphony. Music is said to increase intelligence through neuroplasticity, and while ticket prices vary, the experience is well worth the time.

A couple of links,

Smart Music

San Diego Symphony

History Antonin Dvořák (1841–1904)

U.S. Trade Report Summary January (Gary Races to Build His 3 in 1 Outhouse, Fishing Shack and Sauna That is Ripe for Export)

(Illustrative Only)

Gary is an inventor and gets
bored during the winters so he
uses local wood and builds
these outhouses that can
convert to saunas and fish shacks as well.
He and a few people helped build
an export market for
local products to improve
exports while increasing local
jobs and tourism in Escanaba.
 People come to see
 his business"Going Number 3" 
Outhouse-Fish Shack-Saunas.
Information-Export Hubs

Custom skids as an option 
so if you want to just take
it on the ice you can drag it. 
The suana heater works
equally well fishing, sweatlodge,
or reading the newspaper. 
He might also be able to turn it 
into a smoke house if needed.
Might need to charge a little
more for the 4th option.🙃
In the old days Gramps didn't have
a heater in their outhouse.
Innovation! 
A free idea run with it!

Don't miss
Feb 28th Trenary Outhouse Races

International trade is a core part of the global economy. Imports and exports help show whether a country’s trade balance is growing or shrinking. Generally, the more a nation produces, the more it can export. A beneficial key goal for the United States is to be at the center of supply chains, where the highest value is created domestically for export. This means securing materials at lower costs while maintaining strong production capacity across important industries.

Precious metals are one example of a needed resource. New mines and resources may emerge, but developing them takes years. Technology could shift these dynamics and change how efficiently the U.S. produces and exports goods. Infrastructure investments may also boost future export potential as projects mature.

As with all economic topics, perspectives will vary. It’s best to read broadly and form your own understanding.

U.S. Trade Report Summary (November 2025)

You can read the November Trade Summary

• The U.S. trade deficit rose to $56.8 billion, almost doubling from October.

• Exports decreased to $292.1 billion, mainly due to lower industrial supplies and consumer goods.

• Imports increased to $348.9 billion, driven by higher demand for pharmaceuticals, computers, and other capital goods.

• The goods deficit grew, while the services surplus increased slightly, but not enough to offset the wider gap.

• Year-to-date, the trade deficit is up compared to 2024, with imports rising faster than exports.

Watch Former Michigan Governors Teaming Up On Feb 4th 2026 to Discuss Civility (Leo's Societal Glue)

(Illustrative Only)

Leo is from the hypothetical
Feather Party focused on
independent thinking. The party 
does not exist at this time but 
is part of a philosophical discussion
on independent voting using
an agreed upon decision
making matrix, no special
interests and capped donations.
A vote tipping party focused
on the next generation
and strategic decision making.

Leo likes the idea of
more people getting together
to share commonalities
and improve civility. He
thinks things have gone a little 
unglued over the past 10
years. 

He leaves the forest and snow
to bring his common sense
glue to the conversation. 
The glue representing 
civility and shared missions
that keep us together.
Up here we use dog sleds
to get around when it snows.
If the woods people
get involved its important.)

Society relies on a kind of social glue that influences everything else, including the economy and broader social movements. Economics itself is essentially the processing of information in the human mind, shaped by cultural norms and value assumptions. Managing the social and economic aspects of society can go a long way. Toxic individuals often try to divide people and control social behavior for gain. Strengthening our social glue requires stepping outside the constant loops of politics and its harsh tone so we can recognize our shared humanity and treat each other with respect. The leaders highlighted here have taken an important step—one that leaders in other states and communities could learn from. We need more people who bring us together rather than those who pull us apart. It is a choice and we all own the outcomes. This doesn’t mean we ignore real issues, but it does mean that open dialogue, free speech, and shared values around common goals can create meaningful progress. It may be worth tuning in just to hear what they have to say.

You can watch on that date Defining Moment for Civility Stream

Former Michigan governors teaming up in ‘defining moment for civility’

• Former Michigan governors from both political parties are joining together to promote civility in public life during a time of high political tension.

• They are appearing at a Feb. 4 event organized by the Michigan Civility Coalition and partner groups to encourage more respectful dialogue and help reduce polarization.

Michiganders for Civic Resilience

Michiganders for Civic Resilience (MCR), an organization in Michigan that promotes healthier democratic engagement and reduces political polarization.

• Michiganders for Civic Resilience is a cross-partisan civic organization.

• Its purpose is to strengthen democracy in Michigan by improving civil discourse and reducing political division.

• The mission focuses on encouraging respectful dialogue, building trust in elections, and promoting nonviolent democratic participation.

• The organization brings together people from different political backgrounds to collaborate on shared democratic values.

• It hosts events, discussions, and trainings on civic engagement, election confidence, and conflict resolution.

• MCR is supported by groups such as The Carter Center and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

• The website provides information about its mission, principles, events, membership opportunities, and resources.

January 2026 Consumer Sentiment Declines: Why does it matter?

(Illustrative Only)
Susanne realizes
that big purchases are out of
the question and she
needs to focus on the basics. 
Feeling a little uneasy
about spending money. 

Consumer spending surveys were released, and overall they point to weakening sentiment. One survey shows a sharp decline, while another shows only a modest uptick—an increase too small to signal meaningful improvement (check survey confidence rating). Taken together, the data suggest consumers are becoming less optimistic, and reduced optimism typically translates into fewer purchases and slower business growth. 

Since roughly 70% of GDP is driven by consumer spending, a downturn often indicates hesitancy to make major purchases and a shift toward cutting discretionary expenses. It’s also important to interpret these results alongside broader market factors such as hiring trends, layoffs, wages, inflation, and other economic indicators. Understanding consumer sentiment provides useful insight for short- and mid-term decision-making.

Conference Board January 2026 Consumer Sentiment Declines

• The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) measures U.S. consumers’ optimism or pessimism about current economic conditions and future expectations. It is based on a monthly household survey and is widely watched as a leading indicator of consumer spending and economic momentum.

• In January 2026, the CCI fell sharply to its lowest level since 2014, dropping by 9.7 points to 84.5. Consumers reported weaker views of current business and labor conditions, along with declining expectations for the months ahead.

UoM Consumer Sentiment Report January 2026

• The Surveys of Consumers, conducted by the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, track how American households view current economic conditions and their expectations for the future. These measures help forecast consumer spending and saving behavior and are included in leading economic indicators used by government and business analysts.

• Monthly results include an Index of Consumer Sentiment along with sub-indexes for current conditions and future expectations. Recent January 2026 data show modest month-over-month improvements in sentiment, but sentiment remains significantly lower than a year ago, reflecting ongoing concerns about inflation, purchasing power, and labor market prospects.

Executive Brief January 20, 2026 : Delta County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting— (Todd Thinks of Governance Improvements and Market Readiness)

Staying informed about local governance is valuable for developing sound investment insight and general management direction. From an investor’s perspective, clear lines of communication, effective decision-making, and ongoing updates to governance practices are critical indicators of organizational health and market alignment. Even public institutions must remain attentive to broader market trends and adapt accordingly. This meeting demonstrates that the governing body is actively engaged in that process and has continued these improvements over the past several years—an important consideration for those evaluating potential investment in the area. 

This is an interesting piece on governance and trust. Does being informed about government transparency boost trust? Exploring an overlooked mechanism

(Illustrative Only)
Todd read the executive
summary and was thinking of
a business to start 
He likes the transparency
and feels that he trusts
their direction. He wonders
who he would talk to if he wanted to
invest in the area. 
Is there a person in the county
or in the city?
Maybe start with the local 
Chamber of Commerce?
(They also have a cool event 
coming up he might
consider attending.)

Executive Brief: Board Rules of Procedure Revisions (AI Created from YouTube Transcripts. Trying out the idea of taking transcripts and then have them summarized. One should still watch the video and read the transcripts to fully understand.)

The board conducted a focused working session to modernize and clarify its Rules of Procedure, with primary attention on governance roles, authority boundaries, and procedural efficiency. Members approved significant revisions to Section 4.5 to redefine commissioner departmental roles from “chair/vice chair” to primary liaison and alternate liaison, eliminating any implication of supervisory or operational authority. Liaisons are now explicitly defined as information conduits, responsible for coordination and communication only—not management, budgeting, or personnel oversight—thereby reinforcing the authority of department heads and the county administrator while preserving appropriate access for elected offices.

Key governance improvements included removing outdated or conflicting language, correcting grammatical and structural issues, standardizing appointment timing to the first meeting in January, and requiring prompt communication of committee assignments to maintain operational continuity. An appeal mechanism was added to ensure disputes between liaisons can be elevated to the full board, strengthening transparency and accountability. The board also eliminated the “committee of the whole” procedure as inconsistent with Robert’s Rules for a five-member body, opting instead to rely on special meetings with rules temporarily set aside for open discussion when needed.

Additional procedural updates aligned special meeting thresholds with statutory requirements, simplified public comment sign-up language, and removed references to obsolete parliamentary authorities in favor of a single, current standard. Collectively, these actions streamline governance, reduce ambiguity, protect administrative roles, and improve board effectiveness while preserving flexibility for deliberation and future structural refinement.

The Story of the Clan: A Study in Power, Corruption, and Moral Choice

The Story of the Clan is a hypothetical thought experiment that explores how hate and corruption can combine to create toxic environments and weaken institutional integrity. Take with a grain of salt for learning but also understand some of the risks of not learning. At present in the story the misbehaviors are widely known and indicates intent to harm some members of society to so others can gain off of them. The story will eventually have a positive ending but we should learn of the risks of this line of misuse of authority to foster bigots, buillies and corruption that undermines institutional foundations. It is becoming increasingly important where checks and balancs are weak or nonexistent.

Representing
the enlightenment of justice.
We earned these rights 
together.
There are no second
class citizens.

In this story, certain out-group members were targeted by a group that included a couple of corrupted officials, officers, and members of a broader social network. In some cases nearly weekly or daily. These actions do not represent the vast majority of good public servants who genuinely support their communities. We want more of them. Rather, they reveal a failure of oversight and accountability that allows a few bad actors to cause widespread harm and lower trust. A grotesque display of callouse justice default. They fail to correct because they fail to believe in the essence of the founding of society. Their hate and self-interest consumes them.

Over several years, specific individuals were repeatedly targeted, creating a clear pattern of abuse. Community members filed complaints, yet when perpetrators were exposed, they were often given special protections that shielded them from consequences. At the same time, victims were subjected to false narratives meant to provoke fear, anger, and hostility. Retaliation became common, and public resources were misused to sustain the harm and intent to harm. It also opened a broader discussion on the purpose of institutions and their role in strengthening or weaking our society. 

A local Clan aligned court enriched allies through backroom deals, effectively creating a second class of citizenship (Read in history of how this works. We have seen this as a precursor to bigger problems. Research support the idea that justice defaults are not accidental but often ideological or corruption based.). Intellectuals were silenced, children were harmed, and the elderly were manipulated for money—actions that were treated as acceptable. They intentionally seriously harmed a family and corrupted officials knew and participated-immunized and legal. Patterns repeated in some cases. Members were incentivized and protected while engaging in aggressive behavior, including harassment, intimidation, following people home miltiple times, provoking conflicts, false investigations, blocking employmnt, rude treatment by strangers and public verbal abuse. There was no law and that was by intent. In this example taxpayer dollars went to fund criminal misbehavior.

Five waves of hate and years of public mistreatment. No corrections or adjustments made despite awareness. Heuristic quick to harm and slow to correct. A level of collusion between the clan court beneficiaries of hate. People knew but that didn't change the minds of the perpetrators nor did it raise the eyebrow of clan officials. Most community members became kinder and more concerned as they shared stories of those above the law. Despite this, there was clear commitment to force an end result to foster political narratives and help friends achieve illicit gain. Not what courts were made for.

These behaviors persisted for years without correction, signaling a deeper systemic failure. Even when evidence became overwhelming, the system responded by suppressing the victims and retaliating against whistleblowers with a history of being correct instead of addressing the wrongdoing. The victims themselves were decent people whose only “offense” was believing that all members of society have value, develop their community and attempting to protect their families. The Clan rejected the idea that people who lived differently then their cultic slice should have equal rights and protections. Fish in a small fishbowl in the middle of an ocean. They were supported by much wider political perceptions of the day.

The targets of coordinated hate were better than their persecutors and they served their nation more than any of them could ever in multiple lifetimes. That didn't stop the hate narratove. Instead of doing what is right corrupted officials and clan leaders tried to discredit the victims. One day it will become increasingly clear what happened but for today the wrong has overcome the right and undermined the foundation. Choices were made and outcomes will resonate into the future and they did because the perception persists. The risks of failing to uphold the Constitution are profound.

Those reduced to second-class status chose to remain respectful and composed, while recognizing that that some will actively shield misconduct. They continue to consistently be targeted and know it is ugly. It isn't about them and the clan members but more about a much bigger issue many people are feeling. Rules, oaths, and laws were and sometimes applied selectively, depending on who benefited and who was dehumanized. In this example they told the victims they are harming them for the perpetrator's perception of the victim's religion and acted accordingly to remove them from "their community". Despite the waves of hate, the victims continued to encourage ethical behavior, knowing that doing so might protect others in the future or make it harder for willful injustice to be ignored. Victim blaming and blind eye being powerful tools used in history and should have been mastered on a societal level a century or more ago.

There are laws, and there are subjective applications of law. There are truths, and there are narratives shaped by power. As commitment to core values weakens, injustice becomes easier to justify. You should encourage a higher moral order. Do it in small ways so you don't go on a list to be targeted. They didn't care about doing what is right but about limiting freedom of speech to avoid change. Gaming the victims to protect institutional priviledge was more important than the central values. Victims were discardable and their many contributions to society thrown into the trash. Future generations harmed by the damage they did to kids by putting them at risk for money, hate and ideology. A complete break in moral conscious. Shame on those decision makers....their conscious struggles to process shame.

The central lesson of The Story of the Clan is this: do not surrender the dream of freedom or abandon the values passed down through generations. There are bigots, extremists, corrupted officials, violent followers, partisan aggression, and those with dark triad traits in the world. Checks and balances appear intentionally weak thereby limiting the ability to recruit the best and brightest into those fields and remove/rehabilitate bad guys/gals from the street to best serve their communities

 Without change they will continue to bite their own hands and shift responsibility. Try and stand for what is right even though it is unlikely others at this point in history will see the difference between right and wrong. Partisanship warps environments. Even while hate persists, the victims choose to remain engaged, hopeful, gentle and committed to encouraging a better system—despite the existence of two very different standards. They try the best they can to protect their community and create a better world for the next generation. It appears they are ripe for further targeting because they won't bend a knee to open wrongdoing. Another list perhaps, notice perpetrators names are absent despite the misconduct.

We hold these truths to be self evident...

The people's rights were earned through sacrifice, often greater than that of those who abused power. Yet in this example they do not claim entitlement, nor do they seek to harm others to secure their place. Instead, they respond with love, peace, kindness, respect, and persistence, even in the face of corruption and overwhelming odds. Does that make a difference in this environment? Probably not in the direction we are heading until a new course is charted in justice. 

The Story of the Clan is for learning purposes so think about how this might make you feel or some of the concerns that could rise if even part of the story was true. If they collectivized. There is no right or wrong answer with philosophical stories but a chance to explore some of the dicey issues safely and general societal improvement. You are free to discard as philosophical dribble. Simply thinking about it helps you come to your own conclusions. Time will answer all questions....

Parry, Riposte, Repeat (Sports)

Illustrative only
Fencing is 
on strips and electric
in todays world.

Fencing is a combat-style sport with roots in dueling and military training—basically what people used to do before they had email to argue with each other. Saber, in particular, is geared toward the functional use of swords by cavalry and foot soldiers. I’ve been fencing saber for a number of years now. I’m not amazing at it, but I keep showing up, and every once in a while I surprise myself by winning a few bouts.

There are some great physical benefits to sports like fencing, including stronger legs, faster reaction time, and improved hand–eye coordination. If you’ve never tried it, you’ll quickly learn one important thing: it is fast. Like, “blink and you’re already hit” fast. Easily one of the fastest sports I’ve ever experienced.

Some things I’m currently working on (also known as my fencing to-do list):

1. Refereeing and rules comprehension – better understanding parries, ripostes, and other maneuvers, and learning to listen for the click of the blade instead of guessing.

2. Stronger legs – because legs win bouts, not wishful thinking.

3. Stronger wrists – turns out flailing isn’t a strategy.

4. Improved forearm strength – so the sword does what I tell it to do.

5. Lunges – longer, faster, and less embarrassing.

6. Fakes and feints – making the other person think I know exactly what I’m doing.

I’m also a licensed fitness trainer, so if you need a little help reaching your fitness goals—or just want to move better than your opponent—feel free to send me a message.

Reflective Pink Light on a Bay of Ships (Photography)

 This picture really isn't up to selling quality because of the ships but if you like the color and want it send me a message to the right and I would be willing to sell it. Sometimes people have unique interests so what I might not think is great another might feel is just fine. 

I like the colors so if one were to paint this seeing how the horizon, with the pink on part of the cloud and the reflecton on the water is important. 

Pink Lights on a Bay of Ships

A Few Thoughts on HR 7148 and HR 7147 Government Budget: To Keep Or Separate DHS Funding

(Illustrative Only)

Cindy and Carlos are

part of the hypothetical

Feather Party which doesn't

currently exist. It is a party for

independent thinkers who

do not work with special interest

and cap donations so they

can best serve the people without

the unnecessary influences

and pressures. Just for

discussion. All decisions

are run through an agreed upon

decision making matrix that each

member uses to assess their own

thoughts. They bounce

around ideas and debates and

require no agreement.

Cindy wants reform now

and can't believe how much

foot dragging has occured on

the natural desire to improve systems

over the past decade. The

Country was built for liberty and justice

and this is unfair.

Carlos thinks it would

be difficult to send the bill back

for another Congressional vote

and feels its not the place

to open a broader discussion

on civil rights and enforcement.

He would like to send that through

on a separate reform package. He

will wait to vote

We are currently reviewing a funding bill that is scheduled for a vote in the Senate. The bill has already been approved by the House, and the links below provide additional information on its status and implications. Read through them and understand what is being voted on in terms of funding and where our taxpayer dollars are going. You might believe some departments could be better funded and some less funded.

There is ongoing debate about whether Department of Homeland Security funding should be included in the final version of the bill or removed altogether. This discussion stems from both recent developments and issues that have been under consideration for some time. While this post does not aim to resolve or debate that question directly, it is important to be aware of the bill itself and the arguments surrounding it.

Ultimately, addressing this issue requires thoughtful consideration of funding priorities and overall government performance. That judgment is up to each individual to make, but it cannot be an informed decision without first understanding what the bill contains and the purpose it is intended to serve.

Summary off HR7148:  H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, is legislation introduced during the 119th Congress to fund federal government operations for the full fiscal year. The bill allocates comprehensive funding to multiple departments, including Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. Passed by the House on January 22, 2026, the act is designed to bolster national defense and incorporates several policy provisions, including reforms targeting Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).

Government Budget Appropriations 

H.R.7148 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

H.R.7147-FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS

The Value of Friendship

Illustrative
The value of friends.

Friendship is an important aspect of one’s life, and the more we develop quality friendships, the happier we often become and the more connected we feel to the social world around us. In many ways, friendship also plays a significant role in the world of business and life. When people become familiar with you and learn to trust your perceptions and judgments, opportunities tend to open up. This is one reason social networking is so common for those trying to advance within an organization, career, or professional field.

Much of what happens in life occurs through our social affiliations. These connections help us feel part of society and our communities, and they also help things get done when they need to be done. Because of this, being socially involved is both beneficial and practical. Friendship can take many forms, including close personal friends, social clubs, business associates, veterans groups, sports and recreation partners, or connections formed through shared activities.

On a deeper level, people are designed to function as part of a social organism. Those who are skilled at connecting people and building friendships are especially valuable because they foster interactions that often lead to growth and development. At the same time, it is important to be thoughtful about the types of friends you keep, as they tend to influence you personally and often reflect aspects of your own value system.

This does not mean judging every friend over minor details, but it does mean striving to surround yourself with quality individuals—people who are honest, demonstrate integrity, have your best interests in mind, and show consistency in their behavior. When you surround yourself with strong people, your chances of succeeding both personally and professionally increase because your support network is solid.

On the other hand, if you surround yourself with people who create negative experiences, you are more likely to become entangled in those negative patterns. This study was interesting because it explored the nature of friendship and reviewed existing literature on the topic. Whether you are a regular person, a veteran, or simply someone living your life, it is worth considering the importance of good friends and how they help create a sense of connectedness with the world.

Adult Friendships and Wellbeing

Leadership, Core Values and Organizational Performance (The Story of The Clan and Open Hate)

Organizational culture is built from more than just policies, procedures, and official positions or responsibilities. There is a softer side to organizational development and performance that includes core values and beliefs that gradually become embedded in the culture of an organization. Some companies adopt an entrepreneurial culture, some power-oriented culture, others collaboration, etc. and each approach has its benefits and drawbacks. Much of this cultural direction stems from the personalities of key influencers within the organization.

These influencers may hold formal positions of authority, or they may simply be unofficial social network figures who, despite not having high-ranking roles, significantly shape how others think, feel and act. Over time, these influences contribute to the formation of a culture that becomes an underlying set of assumptions about how the organization functions. This culture is just as important as formal policies and procedures, and one could even argue that it is more important.

Organizational culture can be measured, tested, and traced, allowing leaders to intentionally engage in organizational development efforts that support both long-term and short-term growth. This is why it is critical to hire executives and leaders whose core values align with the organization’s mission statement and who act primarily in support of that mission. When leaders demonstrate this alignment, they build trust, and trust fosters commitment. Commitment leads to engagement, and engagement ultimately drives performance (The social side of performance).

Culture forms the underlying assumptions behind that commitment and establishes the informal rules that guide motivated behavior. Therefore, it is vitally important for organizations to think about the cultures they are developing and how the formal and informal informational paths lead to tangible outcomes. 

The Influence of Core Values and Organizational Culture on Employees’Productivity

The Story of the Clan: The Purpose of Core Values

This is a strong hypothetical, philosophical thought experiment illustrating what a complete failure of justice might look like. Such failures often emerge within insular social networks or cult-like groups that hold extreme views or misunderstand the broader environment. These conditions are reinforced when members socialize exclusively with one another and when effective checks and balances are absent or weak throughout the system. Organizations are influenced by actors and defaults can become domino oriented without commitment to essential shared values. They and their immunized clan court network want you to believe you are less than and rights that don't benefit them are not worth supporting. None of this was by accident. 

In this scenario, certain individuals had a long history of bullying others and misusing official tax funded authority for in-group gain. Through employment ties and personal networks, they were able to warp local institutions to target people for financial benefit, personal vendettas, or simply because those individuals did not fit their narrow worldview. For many, their social identity remained frozen in the dynamics of high school, as well as underdeveloped perceptions of value, never maturing beyond it. They were bullies and bigots decades ago, and they remained so years later. Complaints were simply ignored by clan aligned officials therby creating a second class citizen status they won't correct. Illegal and criminal behavior normalized. 

The courts knew that for years the victims were being persecuted at a level that not only indicated they didn't have our social contracts in high regard but struck directly against the core purpose of the nation. They knew and they incentivized it. Victim rights were openly discarded to shield hate groupos. If we consider the 5 years ago when the targeting started and the displays of court sponsored hate through back deals and false investigations we find it to be a precursor metric. Human and civil rights mocked and wave after wave of hate encouraged. Kids were damaged, community members harmed, elderly manipulated, and corruption further embedded. The group bragged about their crimes with a level of judicial collusion. They believed in a future where if they had their way the vast majority of society would not be welcome nor would they have basic rights. Trust declines by poor intent and performance. 

The most important concern in this thought experiment is not the specific actors involved. They are the smallest part of the equation. Wherever extreme partisanship, racial or religious bias, and distorted notions of social worthiness (dehumanization), similar problems can arise. A clear indication of default. The beginning of collectivization apparent and this is why one of the victims is standing for generational trusts and oaths that protect fundamental rights and foster rights of recourse. They have no support but still persist. The deeper failure lies the root assumptions of the choices thereby putting the collusive network on trial. Protect and serve an in-group is not what the system was designed to do. They followed the same process we saw in third world justice systems.

As a thought experiment you can adjust the key points around and come to any conclusion you desire. What should be forthcoming is the root awareness of your own value system. Who is and who is not worth basic rights and is that by merit or some other factor like race, politics, friends, religion, or other?

Two Pictures: Birdrock Flowers and The Curved Sunset

You may be interestedin a few of these pictures. My amateur hobby photos. If your interested send me a messag to the right. Most start at about $50 with free shipping and I can print most sizes for that price. Special printing will have a different price so ask for it. 

Birdrock Flowers

The curved sunset