First, the news: If you read my blog that included information about ant lions, you will remember that I talked about the tiny, tiny babies that would show up in the cage and build tiny, tiny inverted funnels. There are five funnels in the cage – five new baby ant lions. So, now it will be my job to get to the pet store to buy the right-sized meal worms for their food.
And, now …
The Denver Gazette drops into my e-mail box everyday. Usually, many times a day. I thought I’d share some of the headlines with you, this fine day. You’ll see that I’ve edited a few. And, warning: you may consider this a rant!
Efforts stirring to rename Civic Center Station after ‘Gang of 19’ activist Wade Blank
Civic Center Station is one of the transportation district’s regional bus transit centers in the largest city in my state. The most notable action involved with this was the work by Wade and Molly Blank (he, a Presbyterian minister from Ohio). The action was the halting of two metro buses on the 5th and 6th of July in 1978. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Wade Blank was devoted to having opportunity for members of our nation with physical and mental disabilities to live lives with an improved quality of life. So much so, that he “found his calling as an advocate for disability rights.”
The activists stopped the buses for twenty-four hours by positioning their wheelchairs at the front of one bus and behind the second bus at a bus stop so neither could move away from the curb. The activitists became known as the Gang of 19 with this mantra: “We will ride!”
This was an interesting demonstration; you can read about these brave souls by searching for “The Gang of 19.” And, only time will tell whether or not the state’s largest city renames the Civic Center Station, and it becomes the Wade Blank Station.
California Enacts Law Requiring Teaching of Cursive Writing California’s Governor signed a bill that requires the teaching of cursive writing in the State’s school, to be taught at appropriate grade levels. I am aware of the conversations about writing using cursive writing. Any educator who understands child development knows the relationship of the eye-hand coordination effects on the brain’s development. Cursive writing is among one of those important skills in that development.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s first report on wolf reintroduction does not include livestock killings
A majority of voters in my state decided that it would be wise to reintroduce wolves into rural areas. Those areas are home to ranchers and their livestock. I think that most of the votes to bring in wolves came from urban areas by voters who really don’t understand the impact that animals such as wolves and coyotes have on the livestock raised in those rural areas. Listening to the ranchers in my school district on the Eastern Plains, I learned, first hand, about that impact.
The impact of this reintroduction of wolves is, indeed, having a deleterious effect on livestock population. And, now, even more wolves are being captured in other states and Canada to bring to my state. Newest headline: CPW releases 15 new wolves from British Columbia. They are here now.
In my urban area, we occasionally see foxes and coyotes. Hmmm … but, no wolves have been introduced to our urban wildlife population … Hmmm.
Cattle rustling — the ‘easy crime’ — decimating Western Slope ranchers
And, it appears that wolves are not the only danger the ranchers have to take into consideration. Rustlers have come into the 21st Century to perform their deeds of daring. Is this part of the “going backward” that we will be seeing in the next years?
Trump is elected 47th president, soundly defeating Harris to retake White House
I found it interesting that, although my medical professionals (docs and others) have never discussed national or state or local politics with me, it was not so with this election. Their discussions seemed to be summed up by an ENT doc (new to me) when he said, “I’m angry with half of the people in the United States.”
Wildfires Los Angeles – Record Breaking Fires Continue
A related headline is: “Like We Won Satan’s Lottery.”
My state does have wildfires. In fact, we’ve had some doozies. A recent one burned houses and other buildings, not far from the metropolitan area. A friend had major reconstruction on her house; she says, it’s better now than it ever was. Our wildfires, although bad, usually visit more rural areas. Of course, there are exceptions.
And, So It Begins
Winter weather has descended on our mountains, the Front Range with is largest cities, as well as the Plains. Freezing temperatures. Snow. Icy windshields. Slick streets. Snowblowers. Shovels. Ice melt. I could go on. Suffice it to say, if by this time of the winter, if people who live here are not ready for the Blue Norther – that’s on them.
BREAKING: “Biden signs bill to increase Social Security benefits for millions of public workers”
This headline speaks directly to my situation. Both houses of Congress, bilaterally, passed this bill that was subsequently signed by our President Biden. Since becoming a social security recipient (which, of course, we all have paid for to insure benefits in our retirement age), my benefit, during that time, has been reduced by one-third because, as a former educator and state employee, I also paid for my state’s pension. One-third! That is a considerable amount of money that, in my opinion, has been basically stolen from my benefit. Finally, this “windfall tax” provision has been removed. As are others who will benefit from this new bill, I am looking forward to being paid my full pension. Did I say – I paid for this benefit? It is NOT an entitlement as some would want us to believe.
Inauguration live blog | Donald Trump to be sworn in as 47th president
I’ve taken the liberty of rewriting this headline. For me, it should read: The United States will inaugurate a criminal felon as it’s 47th president. And, surely enough, this was the newest headline: Trump Makes History: First Convicted Felon To Take Oath As President
Enough said!
However, also, part of the way through the inaugural speech, I felt the need to leave the TV and throw up!
Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are appreciated.