Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

Please be respectful to others with differing opinions. 

Jim Coats

I think immigration is wonderful and so did Teddy Roosevelt.  However, it must be done legally.

SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAWS!!

Michael Wetzel

DeWitt,

I couldn't agree more...........

Michael Wetzel

Jim,

That makes to much sense, for the libs to comprehend......

Michael Kelly

I think that Mike Johnson, Republican Congressman from Louisiana, will be a Great Speaker of the House. For one and most importantly he is not afraid to express his Faith in Jesus Christ as he imediately offered up Prayer to his Lord and Savior in Thanks for the House of Congress in finally Electing a Speaker, who is supportive of the US Constitution as it is writtern, as opposed to how certain minds want to Stretch it until it has no real standard, just like our open Southern Border Wall. 

When someone is Feared, just for what they may promise to deliver, they are denigrated by those who feel they have to Fear the Job the man or woman is suited to do. Thus calling Mr. Johnson "Jim Jordan in Drag" is, contrary to the belief of the Writer who said it, is not a negative about Mike Johnson, rather it is a view into a deep defect in the person of the writer of such a nasty thing to say about him. Living in a Glass House is not a good idea when people can throw stones. 

His positions on the Law are in agreement with the Words of the US Constitution as opposed to the "addditions they want to force into it as a way of Justifying some conduct they want to say it protects" No where in the US Constitution does it Condone Death.

The second thing that I believe Mr. Johnson will bring to the House of Representatives is Dignity,, Order, and Laws that more closely follow the Rights of Everyday Citizens as opposed to a "Ruling Class" For years now the US Congress has enjoyed, due to the members Status, the privilege of what the Stock Market Regulators call :"Insider Trading" which helped members of Congress become Millionaires because they could buy and Sell stocks based upon insider Tips that the ordinary citizen would be criminally prosecuted for using. The SEC Rules for Congress will be brought into harmony with those of the regular Taxpayer. Such a change in the monetary opportunities for Congresspeople will bring about what We call TERM LIMITS AS IT WILL NO LONGER BE AS CASH LUCRATIVE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE AS IT HAS BEEN IN RECENT PAST.

Jim Coats

DeWitt.  100% agree.

Mike Kelly.  I sure hope you're right.  I was talking with the Dutchess about 2 weeks ago and we both agreed Mike Johnson sounded like someone we could support, but he's walking into a chainsaw.  Of course, it's always preferred to have someone in the big seat who's in good with God.  I hope we get someone in the BIG SEAT who has a favorable relationship with God.  Couldn't hurt.  

And you may be right....if Term Limits were enacted, that should weed some money grubbers out.....but I'm just cynical enough to say it'll never happen.  Being in Congress is a license to steal and they have.  It's almost as good as owning a small regional bank.

Earl Harris III

I would like to offer my response to several recent posts from former classmates Richard, DeWitt, Katie and Jim.

Richard: 

I must admit that I generally agree with your assessment of the current Republican Party. The MAGA movement in this country has revealed a deep chasm within its own ranks. The infighting within Republican-lead House of Representatives bears testament to that fact. 

Today, there is a newly minted Speaker of the House whose beliefs and actions in the past are available for all to fact check. Whether future actions taken by him and/or the House will comport with past statements and actions remains to be seen. We’ll need to watch and see about that.

This morning I spent the better part of an hour looking at videos on the Internet that spoke to the beliefs and values of both Hakeem Jeffries and Mark Johnson. 

Jeffries' remarks on the House floor yesterday spelled out the Democratic Party’s positions on a number of important issues and crises facing our country today. Predictably, his speech revealed a political bias well known to all who take part in the  back-and-forth political arguments the have come to characterize this Message Forum. No surprise here.

With respect to the latter, I watched a sit down interview on Fox News with Mr. Johnson conducted by Sean Hannity. While I suspect many Republicans and some Independents might feel some relief, even admiration for Mr. Johnson, I found myself questioning many aspects of the the interviewee’s statements in response to an interviewer known to be a top MAGA and Trump supporter.

DeWitt,

I read with interest your post #11357. I want to congratulate you on what came across to me as an intelligent, thoughtful and evenhanded post. I would find it hard to quibble with anything you had to say.

With respect to your second post, #11361, I must ask you: Are you lumping all Democrats, from centrists to the most liberal or progressive, as Marxists? I’m asking this question because in the past, I have been labeled by several on this website as a communist who hates America. 

I lived abroad for several years, as you well know, and during my time living in two poverty-stricken nations in Africa, a terrorist infiltrated Peru and the once Nazi Germany and communist Soviet Union dominated Baltic country of Latvia, I think I have a pretty good idea of what constitutes oppression, whether religious, political, or ideological in nature. I can assure you that those experiences have underscored my long held belief that American democracy is worth defending! 

I consider myself to be extremely patriotic. I love our country.

Further, you conclude your post with a statement alleging Biden and his administration have been tearing our nation down. Do you consider Biden and his administration to be Marxist? If so, could you please expand on why this is your view?

Katie:

Once again, I appreciate your response to Jim‘s cherry picking example to illustrate his point of view. While I think it’s perfectly fine for any of us to express our points of view, I do appreciate your efforts to balance the discourse with multiple examples in addressing others’ opinions or assertions.

Jim,

I appreciated your sharing of Teddy Roosevelt’s statement, post #11356. I think there is a wide swath of citizens in this country that would agree wholeheartedly with what he had to say regarding immigrants.

However, I would argue that in the second part of his statement, Roosevelt takes a pretty hard stance, one that is not likely to be embraced by the majority of citizens today. My opinion, of course, but at the very least I think Katie’s offering of multiple quotes in an attempt to offer balance is well taken.

Personally, I do not subscribe to your view of immigrants, including both legal and illegal. I’ll have more to say about that in a future post. 

I don’t know if I’m one of the people that you refuse to debate with because you have no respect for me. If my opinion of Teddy Roosevelt’s stance seems offensive to you, it does not follow that I’m unpatriotic or disloyal to the United States of America. On behalf of Democrats, non-MAGA Republicans, Independents from the right to centrists to the very liberal or progressive thinkers among us with whom you have disagreements, you would simply be wrong to think so.

I mean no ill will, Jim, but for you to view challenges to your opinions as unworthy is nonsense, regardless of how how strongly stated. Finally, given all of the personal attacks you've launched on others over the years, your stated disdain for those directed at you seems disingenuous at best.

Earl Harris III

Classmates,

I'm going to take up a challenge that Katie suggested for herself, that maybe we could post something fun and non-political for a change. I have mentioned in the past that I am an avid fly fisherman. In reality, however, fly fishing takes a backseat to my first love, which is riding my recumbent trike. In 2013 my wife Cindy and I purchased the trikes shown above. This photo was taken on the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho and Montana. 

After riding them several hundred miles, including some pretty steep inclines, we decided to motorized them in 2016. Getting up and over hills was a challenge, especially for me, given my heart condition. Now, with a hub motor and pedal assist, I can flatten the hills easily. I smile more, for sure!

During the 10 year period that we've had our trikes, we have sought out many rails-to-trails, locally and across our nation, from Washington to Maine even down to Florida, racking up hundreds of joyous miles in the process. Whether day or multi-day rides, involving tent camping or nights in B&Bs, this treasured pastime is something we find invigorating and rewarding on so many levels. 

If you're interested in knowing more about recumbent trikes and how they might fit into your life, send me a message to my Profile page. I'd be happy to respond to any questions you might have about them and/or the rails-to-trails movement. In nutshell I will say that sitting in a reclined position and having a threepoint stance that my tadpole trike provides is quite helpful in terms of balance and comfort. It is much easier and enjoyable than riding a two-wheeled bicycle. It's easier on the neck back, wrists, shoulders and arms.

I know that many of you enjoy other pastimes, as well. Whether it is bowling, golf, yoga, dancing or simply walking, etc., I think we can agree that movement is good for us at our age. (Speaking of walking, Cindy is currently enjoying her eighth, 500 mile+ Camino across Spain with her twin sister, Cheryl. And, me? I'm holding down the fort here at home looking after our two cats and caretaking Cindy's and Cheryl's 97 year-old mom.)

It would be great to hear from others on this alumni site regarding what it is that gives you great joy in life whether it's recreational or some other fun-filled activity.

Certainly there is more than just an interest in politics that fills our lives. There's got to be other things we are doing in our mid70s that's worth sharing.

DeWitt Bacon

Earl, I know that when discussing politics, we can get carried away with our comments, and some things we write can easily be taken the wrong way. My simple answer to your question is that NO, I do not lump all Democrats into the same category as what I refer to as Marxists and Communists. I know many Democrats who genuinely love our country and hate to see the things that are happening. Democrats, in general, are not bad people. Those that want to send our country down the road to Communism and Socialism are.

Earl Harris III

DeWitt,

I viewed your Classmate Profile page and was delighted to see a "now" photo of you. Nice! I feel more connected to you as a result, even to the point of saying, "That guy looks like someone I would enjoy sitting down with to chat about life while enjoying a meal."

Earl

Earl Harris III

DeWitt,

You must have been writing at the same time I was composing my last note to you. I want to thank you very much for your thoughtful response. Thanks for clarifying. Thank you for stating that there are good Democrats. I need to respond by saying I think there are many good, if not great, Republicans, past and present.

I think you would agree that it's going take all of us pulling together to make this country whole again. There's been way too much division. It's time to begin the healing process.

Best to you!

Earl 

Michael Kelly

EXERCISING PATIENCE MUSCLES:  Every once in a while it seems that I become impatient, even testy, maybe even mildly lashing out at people with muttered remarks such as "you haven't got the wits God gave a Bag of Hammers" or "Show you a Cliff and you'll be sure to drive your car off of it" almost immediately I become somewhat regretful, becoming introspective and wanting fo find a way to learn more patience. I believe I have stumbled on the method, or at least one fairly simple method to develop Patience At this point in reading this, assuming you have gotten this far, you may have sufficiently developed all the Patience you need and perhaps are developing some Impatience. Good for You. Don't let me stop you. I bid you Adieu.

For the rest still reading and not yet enjoying blissful Rest, my new Secret Method for developing Patience is amazingly simple. What is it you might ask?

Golf  Yes, that is it. No, you don't have to go out and spend hundreds yea even thousands of dollars on Clubs, a  Bag, a Push Cart if your a pansy and need one, No not even an Unbrella in sunny phoenix/scottsdale, No, Just tune in to many of the Cable TV broadcasts featuring the dozens of Golf Tournaments that are on for Four days almost every weekend. Watching a Golf Tournament develops Patience better than watching Paint Dry, or a freshly mowed lawn grow, and you are not as easily observable as looking bored, or even LAZY because Golf has activity inherent in the game======somewhere at least. Just think, watching a man or woman standing over a putt that will cover an amazing distance of say two feet, squat down, some even attempting to get down eye level with the ball and glancing towards the hole, then making at least half a dozen practice putts, its a sheer clean paitience teacher, and it may make you thirsty which is good for staying hydrated. Ah the benefits you will enjoy the next time you are enjoying a Social Visit with your favorite car salesman or insurance agent. Sure Kudos for you as you stride triumphant from that 12 minute meeting which took your imagination all the way through leaving Camp 9 on your imagined victorious climb of Mount Everest, or K-2 even. So watch that Golf, and Learn Patience.

The above is no guarantee, and was not meant to be a guarantee, warrantee or promise of success in learning Snooooore 

Dennis Moran

I have belonged to Roadrunners prospecting.  I worked with Mr. Cook who was a prospector who used to go out with his family and prospect the Verde and other rivers. He was also part of my donut connection; and would bring in donuts and sell them to us (reasonable too) He worked in the day and I worked swing shift.  He would show us what he found and they were nice size nuggets.  When I went to days I found out more about him.  His wife and family would clean one of the smorgesboard resturants in the evening.  He was a go getter and a fantastic person.  Mr. cook turned me onto Roadrunner prospecting and gave me the advice if I wanted to prospect it would be better to join a group that owned its own claims and as usual he was correct.  a few guys at work would go out here and their and get some flakes but nothing like what Mr. Cook would find. Take a look at Roadrunner prospectors on the web especially if you have interest in that. They are a very responsible group for taking care of  claims and have sold and bought claims for the group.  Their is usually a place to camp at the claim..but some claims require 4 wheel drive to get too. I have gone out a few times.  A couple times a year they have a backhoe come out and dig and the people work off the dirt.  I can't promish anyone will find anything on their own but it just adds to camping out.  My experience is on the Hasayampa river near Prescott and what a cool thing having my feet in the stream with my mining pan....As a remember the club also has various dredges for the members to use...also the club does all the paperwork and pays the government fees for the properties.  To be up front; No gold for me , but the time on the stream was amazing... Also I have gone fly fishing but many fish were smarter than I and are still alive. Check it out if curious. The club also have claim get togethers and outings.  A cattered picknick.  sometimes at state fairs they have a booth.

Dennis

Frank Wiley

While we're writing about activities the two outdoor things I enjoy most are Snow Skiing and walking.  I am active in Rotary and belong to the Pagosa Noon Club.  Since moving to Pagosa I was invited and have joined the "Veterans for Veterans" organization. Obviously, we are active in helping veterans with problems both mentally and physically.  There are Vets for Vets Organizations all over the United States.  Ours accepts even non-Veterans as Members.  Mike K.--I detected a little (or a lot) of "tongue in cheek" in your Golf post?  I used to play a lot of Golf but not so much anymore.  I do watch it on TV occasionally though.  One of the best things about Golf on TV is that I've never seen a "My Pillow Guy" commercial during a Tournament.  

Jim Coats

OUR SOUTHERN BORDER

Terror Watchlist Arrests per US Customs and Border Protection (USBP):

FY17 - 2.....FY18 - 6.....FY19 - 0.....FY20 - 3.....FY21 - 15.....FY22 - 98.....FY23 - 169  See a pattern there?  Actions vs. words in full display.

During calendar year 2023, on average, the USBP has arrested more than 47 subjects per day with serious criminal histories.  On 10/21/23 alone, USBP agents arrested 2 subjects w/criminal history:  Murder charge and/or member of a Drug Trafficking Organization w/an active warrant.  Keep in mind, this does NOT take into account the approximate 1,000 "Gotaways" per day.

And let's get to the one I really love.  "Migrants" Released on "Notice to Appear" OR Parole Release:  FY 2023.....908,669.  September (alone).....155,821.  Again, please keep in mind the approximate 1,000 Gotaways/day.  Who are they?  I'll just bet some intend to do harm in the USA.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE THESE PEOPLE ARE!  And they come from MANY countries that hate us!  And your tax dollars go to support them.  They never should have been here in the first place, but Biden opened the door.  They are ILLEGAL....get it?

Regardless of the foregoing, I imagine the left will continue to hammer on PTA Moms, things that Trump said years ago, and potential felonies committed by Republicans "cruising their Central Ave." while in high school.  By all means, let's not pay attention to the fact that the democrat's man in the White House is breaking the law EVERY DAY by not protecting our citizens/country by allowing an OPEN BORDER.  Let's pass on that because, after all, those ILLEGALS will be democrat voters some day.

SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAW!!

P.S.  My Pillow Guy is gone....at least for now....from FOX....as far as I can tell.  Let the celebration begin!

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

Patience, as they say is a virtue.  I am very low on it so I don't read anything longer than a paragraph, a short one.  It doesn't take much to get the point across.

DeWitt Bacon

Earl, Thanks for your comments. I think it would be great to meet with you and have lunch. If you are ever out this way, let me know. I probably won't be in Arizona again for a while. I'm hoping to make it to the 60th reunion. I'll have to see how things are going then. 

DeWitt Bacon

Katie, in my younger days, I loved to go hiking, whether it be climbing Camelback Mountain or hiking the Grand Canyon. I hiked down into Montezuma's Well and back out. While I lived in Showlow there were many forest trails we liked to hike. I was married then with a young family. We loved it so much that we decided to sponsor one of the short trails or part of a longer one. But alas, my work situation slowed in the White Mountains, and we had to return to Phoenix. 

It's too bad that age and health have to slow us down. Aside from our political differences, it would be great to go hiking with you and Rose. 

Earl Harris III

It was wonderful to be greeted this morning by posts from several of you regarding things in the past or present, that give you great pleasure. 

I found MK's entry to be particularly entertaining. I think you may have missed your calling in life, Michael. You should've been a comedian! Thanks! I'll try to keep in mind your thoughts on patience the next time I grow impatient...which is often!

Dennis, I would never have thought that prospecting would offer such rewards, but your post proved me wrong. I guess it doesn't matter whether you're in a stream, fly fishing or prospecting, nature has a wonderful appeal.

Frank, I am well aware of your involvement in "Veterans for Veterans" including your interest in involvement in Healing Waters. Keep up your active work in Rotary and other service oriented groups helping others with challenging mental and physical issues. It is so important. I respect and admire your dedication.

DeWitt, you're on! I heartily accept your invitation to meet for lunch. It would be an honor to meet you. I normally don't visit Arizona outside the winter months. I may well be in the area in January. I'll keep in touch with you, if I do. I have never attended a Camelback HS reunion but I'm not going to rule out our 60th. Just think, we've been out of high school for some 58 years! Think of all the wisdom we have collectively packed into our souls over these many years.

Katie, what a wonderful post. I have so much to share with you about long walks, Camino hikes, and the Portuguese Rota Vicentina Fisherman's Trail that I hiked with Cindy a few years back. Don't give up on your dreams! Think about putting it back on your bucket list. I'll be telling you and others why in my next post. But, for now, I must shift my attention to Oregon football and their game scheduled with Utah at noon. Following the Ducks is another of my favorite pastimes.

Lastly, with respect to Jim's most recent post. I agree that we have a big problem at our southern border and from what I've been reading lately, problems at our northern border with respect to illegal crossings, as well. Jim has a right to be very concerned. I am very concerned.  I know many others of you are, as well.

The problem of illegal immigration in our country is a long-standing problem spanning decades. We need a real, lasting solution, despite the fact many have been offered and tried with limited success. There are so many difficult and interrelated issues that must be addressed. This is probably the most difficult problem, a conundrum perhaps, that we face and will likely continue to grapple with in this country. I have my own thoughts on this which I plan to share at a later date.

David Rainwater

Like some others on this site, I love to walk for fun and exercise.  Since moving to Eugene, I’ve averaged 3.5 miles per day over the past 11 years.  I often start sometime around 4:30, so it’s usually dark except for a few months in the summer.  The advantage is that I can see headlights coming at me much better than I can hear cars, especially since I like to listen to music or podcasts during my walk.  Lately, I’ve been listening to Dan Carlin’s extensive history of the Pacific War in WWII (Supernova in the East), which I highly recommend (if you’ve got 15 hours or so to invest).  The privations suffered by the soldiers (including our Marines) are a testament to the human spirit.  I simply cannot imagine what it must have been like for them, but I appreciate their sacrifice.  I know several participants on this site served in our armed forces and I thank you for your service.  I read that Frank W. is helping the Veterans for Veterans organization in Pagosa.  I thought I’d put in a plug for a local 503(c)(3) outfit here in Oregon called Veteran’s Legacy of Oregon.  Their goal is to “address the medical and psychological needs of veterans in a therapeutic agricultural setting at Camp Alma.”  Their home page is https://veteranslegacyoregon.org/story/, and I think they do good work.   I enjoy learning all the things that folks are doing...please keep it up.

Michael Kelly

I need to Post here a YouTube Poem by Waddie Mitchell, and I need to learn how to do so. It is something I tried for almost an hour yesterday, but couldn't get her done as Larry the Cable Guy would say. Is theife out there who knows this Techmological Skill in a Simplistic A through double ZZ type of explanation. I believe the Post would be well worth the effort. Thanx  Mike  PS I contacted the Pillow Guy and he said he's coming back in the Spring with a Brand New Patented Pillow that plays all different kinds of Music your Futuristic Stuff, Swami Snake Charming Tunes, Rap, etc to flow your way along to deep sleep. And, these new Pillows are waterproof, and of course Patented.

Earl Harris III

David,

Thanks for the Oregon link. I'll be checking it out. Given how cold it's been here in Eugene, I can't imagine heading outside in freezing temperatures. More power to you! Bundle up and wear gloves. (For those who may not know, David and I live across town from one another.)

I enjoy reading books and watching movies, especially documentaries, about wars our county and those around the globe have fought, including their causes and the consequences. I know that is necessary at times to take up arms to defend one's county. At home, I fly a banner outside in support of Ukraine. I support Israel's right to defend its self against the brutal terrorism of Hamas.

Nonetheless, I still have trouble wrapping my mind around fact that we continue to to send young men and women into battle to kill other human beings. I would like to think that in the 21st-century, we'd no longer feel the need to engage in bloody face-to-face combat. Technological advances in military hardware and intelligence doesn't change the fact that so many young lives will tragically come to an end, many in a horrifically hellish manner.

Earl Harris III

Michael,
I find it easy to copy a link, either to a YouTube video that I've just watched or an article that I find interesting. 

Then, if you go to our website to post a message, simply insert and "paste" the source you wish to reference using your finger to touch the screen. Look for the URL at the top the source you're viewing.

Here's an example: 

A Uniform Resource Locator, colloquially known as an address on the Web, is a reference to a resource that specifies its location on a computer network and a mechanism for retrieving it. A URL is a specific type of Uniform Resource Identifier, although many people use the two terms interchangeably. URLs occur most commonly to reference web pages but are also used for file transfer, email, database access, and many other applications. Most web browsers display the URL of a web page above the page in an address bar.

Others might have a simpler explanation or way to do this. If so, help Mike out. I'm not the most technologically savvy person out there.

Michael Wetzel

Patty,

 I feel the same exact way !.............

DeWitt Bacon

Good one, Katie. I think we sometimes spend too much time trying to bite each other.

Frank Wiley

Sunday Funnies--(More Groaners)--1. Studies show that Cows produce more milk when farmers talk to them except when it goes in one ear and out the udder.  2. My friend dated a girl with one leg who worked at a brewery.  She was in charge of the Hops.  3. My X-Wife said I was very cheap-----but I wasn't buying it!  4. Did you know a Raven has 17 rigid feathers called Pinions, but a Crow has only 16?  So the difference between a Raven and a Crow is just a matter of a Pinion!  5. I told my Carpenter I didn't want carpeted steps, so he gave me a blank stair.  6. What did the Surgeon say to the Patient who wanted to stitch himself up?  "Suture yourself!"