JerryBaumchen

Hi folks, This survey is looking good for here: Oregon voters appear poised to support new gun control regulations: The Oregonian/OregonLive poll - oregonlive.com However, IMO it is merely the first step in a long journey. Jerry Baumchen PS) From the article: Among voters with a college degree or higher, pollsters found 63% of respondents planned to vote yes compared with 40% of respondents with a high school diploma or less. Trump did say something about this, I think.

Hi folks, Looks like the GOP is ramping up. They seem to be going at it at the lowest levels: “We know it’s safe and secure. But there are people who’ve just never had to think about it in Oregon. They’ve just trusted it and used it for 20 years.” Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan West Coast election fraud claims are driving polarization in the midterm elections - OPB Your state could be next. Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, I grew up on country music & still prefer it: Loretta Lynn, country music icon who sang 'Coal Miner's Daughter,' has died : NPR Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, I have been reading lately that a good number of US citizens are losing respect for the Supreme Court. I wonder why: Several conservative Supreme Court justices appear open to narrowing Voting Rights Act protections | The Hill Mitch McConnell wishes are coming true. Jerry Baumchen

Hi 615, I agree. I think the French Federation does it. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Wendy, Re: The breed seems to be waning I believe that is called Natural Selection. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Rob, Re: An FAA Parachute Rigger Examiner would be a long-term FAA employee (civil servant) who administers oral and practical examinations of potential riggers. Length of service with the FAA is not a req'ment. We had a local FAA-type who had about 20 yrs in civilian aviation, non-FAA employment, and about 2 yrs with the FAA give me the exam for my Master Rigger seat ticket. Although, he had attended an FAA Rigger's School; in Oklahoma City, I think. When he examined me, I had packed only one seat pack; and that was without supervision. He waived the 20 pack job req'ment. The federal gov't can designate as it chooses, it does possess that authority. I worked with a guy who had a degree in Civil Engineering and worked for the federal gov't in that capacity. One Monday morning he came to work and was now an Electrical Engineer. Re: To fill this depth of knowledge, the FAA DESIGNATES well-respected civilian Master Parachute Riggers as EXAMINERS. A bunch of yrs ago the local FSDO asked me to become a DPRE. I seriously considered it. Then I looked into the costs, paperwork [ substantial ] and turned them down. My hat is off to any DPRE. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Phil, I would surrender too: “This is not going to produce well-trained, well-equipped, cohesive troops and units,” he said. “It’s going to produce cannon fodder.” Petraeus: War in Ukraine ‘looks very dire indeed for Vladimir Putin’ | The Hill Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, Looks like one governor is seeing the light: North Carolina governor says state has ‘front-row seat’ to climate change | The Hill Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, I wonder how she thinks that she will be doing this: far right wins => vows to govern for all Giorgia Meloni: Italy's far right wins election and vows to govern for all - BBC News Seems like a pipe dream to me. Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, Not politicians, but scumbags none-the-less: Text messages show Brett Favre sought welfare money for a football facility : NPR And, how easily they turn on their own: Davis has agreed to testify against others. No honor among thieves. Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, Looks like the GOP has now decided that MAGA is no longer the buzz word to success: "Commitment to America" House GOP unveils legislative agenda ahead of midterms : NPR Who knows, it might just work. NOT! Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, Looks like some Russians have answered the question: men attempt to leave the country to avoid a military call-up Ukraine war: Russians flee to border after military call-up - BBC News Jerry Baumchen PS - ETA) Maybe each one of them should carry a white handkerchief so that they can immediately surrender to the Ukranians once they get to the front lines.

Hi Ken, That is about how I feel. 1. I support a 0.5% increase in federal taxes [ across the board ] that cannot be used for anything other than reducing the national debt. Yes, I know it is a Pie in the Sky thought. I know it will never work. But, I still support it. I do not support the continual passing of legislation in which they ( congress ) knows that the funding will not be there in 5-7 yrs. It is feel-good legislation to get them re-elected, and nothing more than that. 2. I want all federal programs funded as is necessary. This would get rid of a lot of programs that are [ IMO ] not needed. 'Not needed' based upon a proprietary evaluation of federal programs. For example, Social Security [ in this country ] was never intended to provide money to so many categories of people as it does now. Actually, I would get rid of Social Security & come up with an all-encompassing federal retirement system similar to SS but with proper funding. I agreed with a fair amount of the proposals of the Reagan administration. His problem was that he wanted to change 40+ yrs of legislation within 8 yrs. IMO it simply cannot be done. Some of the things that I disagreed with the Dems on, I do now support, Just not at the level that they do. One example is that I support free community college for anyone who keeps their grades up. Both for those who want to learn a trade & go out into the work-force; and, for those that will eventually go on to a 4-yr college. I do not support the public paying for a college education at a 4-yr institution. * Jerry Baumchen * If one wants a free college education, just change your parents so that you have the genes that allow you to throw a football or to do a slam dunk.

Hi Robert, Back when my son was a criminal defense attorney, he often would tell his clients, 'Just be quite. I'll do the talking.' Few actually listened to his advice. They are their own worst enemies. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Wendy, I do not and will not [ hopefully ] ever post what another person thinks/is thinking. That is up to them. Re: I personally think that losing voices like his is a real shame. Absolutely. While I might not agree with everything in his posts, IMO they are well thought out & on topic. That, to me, is what a debate is all about. I consider BIGUN [ Keith ] to be one of the most valuable posters on this site. Re: Which brings up the thought why is he still a republican? Well, as I have posted many times; I was a Republican for 40 yrs. Eventually, I simply could no longer take it. Re: I think a more sensible solution is to change parties Ultimately this is what I did. I first became a Democrat. Eventually, I did not really agree with most of what the D's stood for; so I became an independent. Each one of us has a personal value system. It is what we are. Hopefully, we are by choice. As an example, I am a hard-core atheist. I would never [ I hope ] ask a religious person to give up their religious beliefs. I might disagree with them, I might challenge them, but I would never ask them to believe in what I believe in. Jerry Baumchen A not-so-perfect person

Hi Robert, So, what is the big deal with just another base jump gone bad? Jerry Baumchen

Hi Robert, I was just reading about this decision. And, the part I really like is: “[Trump] has not even attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents,” Well, so much for all of the winning. And now, with this coming at him, it is a great time to be a Trump watcher: NY AG Letitia James sues Donald Trump, kids and company (nypost.com) Jerry Baumchen

Hi Robert, Since your link & the quotes put so much 'stink' on him, he probably still has not taken a shower. Only the GOP could come up with dipstick candidates like this. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Keith, Your suggesting an action plan that is nothing more than Pie in the Sky does not require me to present a plan. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Keith, So, how would you overcome this problem: We are done arguing against each other and we're going to begin working for America again Or this: Harris is going to head up a bipartisan committee Do you actually think Kevin McCarthy would participate/assist in this? Jerry Baumchen

Hi folks, I guess it depends upon whose 'freedom of expression' they prefer: the group PEN America, which advocates for freedom of expression. New report finds a rapid rise in attempted book bans : NPR Crazy stuff like this no longer surprises me; it just ticks me off. Jerry Baumchen

Hi John, Since they no longer have Roe v Wade, they have to look elsewhere. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Keith, IMO you have presented an excellent suggestion. So, how would you overcome this problem: The states, the federal government, both sides of the aisle, should work together IMO that is too big of a mountain to climb in today's environment. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Robert, Ukraine or Russia? Now, where do I want to live? Jerry Baumchen