TEHACHAPI SAFETY, SECURITY AND POLITICAL ISSUES - jimr's Blog - Tehachapi News http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr The blog title says it all. I will appreciate all comments. The blog title says it all. I will appreciate all comments. en-us PRISON EXPANSION THREATENS OUR QUALITY OF LIFE! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/25967 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/25967 <p><b><i><span style="color: #000080"><span style="font-size: small">Once again the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has selected the greater Tehachapi area for expansion of CCI. They plan to build a new unit to house 2200 more inmates that will require 830 new employees. That's 3000 added to the current 9000&nbsp; inmates and employees which will only perpetuate the current 200% overcrowding rather than resolve it. All this comes packaged in a new 110 acre under roof facility.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #000080"><span style="font-size: small">Prison families moving into the area, further contamination to our aquifers, a never ending stream of visitors to inmates, traffic congestion and road deterioration, additional housing for employees, air pollution, crime, overcrowding of schools, burdens to our hospital and law enforcement and public safety all come to us in the form of prison expansion.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #000080"><span style="font-size: small">We have an opportunity to stand up and say &quot;NO&quot;&nbsp;and join with CVPA at the City Council meeting on Monday, May 5th. where representatives of the CCI will be making a presentation. We need to let them know that expansion should occur in closer proximity to the source of criminal activities - NOT in Tehachapi.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #000080"><span style="font-size: small">Please plan to attend this critical meeting. If several hundred people plan to do so, the meeting will be moved from the Veterans Hall to the High School Cafeteria.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #000080"><span style="font-size: small">Encourage your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and call 822-1887 or 822-3478 to let them know you will attend. I know I will!</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #000080"><span style="font-size: small">Jim Richards</span></span></i></b></p> BEWARE OF PHONE-Y CALLS! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/24745 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/24745 <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">Right here, in small town Tehachapi at 9am on a nice Saturday morning, I received a phone call and will relate it here for your information:</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">ME:&quot;Hello.&quot; </span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">Canned voice recording, &quot;Are you aware that your Visa and Mastercard interest rates will be automatically increased by 17 or more percent within the next 30 days? Press 8 to talk to an operator about what you need to do to prevent this&quot;.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">ME: Pressing 8.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">Live voice: &quot;Please state your full name and credit card numbers so I can advise you accordingly&quot;.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">ME: &quot;Sure, please give me your full name and telephone number and I will call you back&quot;.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">Live voice: &quot;Certainly, do you have a pen handy?&quot;</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">ME: &quot;At the ready, go ahead&quot;.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">Live Voice: CLICK!!!!!</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">Need I say more?</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">Jim Richards</span></span></i></b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>


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Title: HAVE A GREAT DAY.JPG
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 HAVE A GREAT DAY.JPG jimr WHEN YOUR HUT'S ON FIRE! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/24150 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/24150 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><font face="MS Sans Serif" color="#800040" size="4"><b>The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, &quot;God! How could you do this to me?&quot; Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! &quot;How did you know I was here?&quot; asked the weary man of his rescuers. &quot;We saw your smoke signal,&quot; they replied.</b></font></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">There is a moral here if we but recognize it.</span></span></i></b></p> <p><b><i><span style="color: #333399"><span style="font-size: small">Jim Richards</span></span></i></b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>


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 GOD BLESS YOU.jpg jimr URGENT NEWS FOR ALL CITIZENS! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/23917 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/23917 <p>&nbsp;</p> <div style="font: 10pt arial"><font face="arial,helvetica"><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#000080" size="2" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="10" back="#ffffff"><font color="#ff0000" size="3"><strong><u>This is URGENT news!</u>&nbsp; The real key is to print out your listing EXACTLY as they have it and then enter it the same way on the removal form. Don't wait...do this NOW!</strong></font></font></font></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><font face="arial,helvetica"><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#000080" size="2" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="10" back="#ffffff"><font color="#ff0000" size="3"><strong>Jim Richards</strong></font></font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="10" back="#ffffff"><br /> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="6" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="24" back="#ffffff">Google has implemented a new feature which enables you to type a telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and you will be given the person's name and address. If you then hit MapQuest, you will get a map to the person's house. Everyone should be aware of this! It's a nationwide reverse telephone book. <br /> <br /> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="6" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="24" back="#ffffff"><b>If a child gives out his/her phone number, someone can now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming.<br /> </b><br /> <b><u>Note</u>&nbsp; </b></font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="6" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="24" back="#ffffff">you can have your phone number removed or blocked.</font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="6" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="24" back="#ffffff"> I tried my number and it came up along with the mapquest and directions straight to our house. I did fill out the removal form for myself, and encourage all of you to do the same. Quite scary. <br /> <br /> In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: google <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (<a title="http://www.google.com/" href="http://www.google.com/">http://www.google.com/</a></font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="10" back="#ffffff"> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="6" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="24" back="#ffffff">) </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="3" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="12" back="#ffffff"><br /> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="4" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="14" back="#ffffff">Type your phone number in the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter.</font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="6" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="24" back="#ffffff"> <br /> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="4" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="14" back="#ffffff">If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your telephone number and then click on the Removal Form. Removal takes 48-hours. <br /> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="6" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="24" back="#ffffff"><br /> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="4" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="14" back="#ffffff">Check your own number and although this may not apply to you if you have an unlisted number or cell phone as primary contact, but you may know someone who needs to know this.<br /> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="3" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="12" back="#ffffff"><br /> </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="5" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="18" back="#ffffff">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#0000ff" size="5" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="18" back="#ffffff">Please share this information with friends and FAMILY.</font><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="5" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="18" back="#ffffff"> </font></font> <p>JIM RICHARDS</p> </div> <div style="font: 10pt arial"><br /> <br /> <div style="font: 10pt arial"><font lang="0" style="background-color: #ffffff" face="Arial" color="#ff0000" size="5" family="SANSSERIF" ptsize="18" back="#ffffff"><br /> </font></div> </div>


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 BIG BROTHER.JPG jimr THE MAYOR'S PERSONAL AGENDA! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/22391 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/22391 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">HAND&rsquo;S COUNCIL AGENDA<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>ITEM:</b></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">I just received my on line Agenda for the </b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #333399">March</span></span></st1:placename><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #333399">3<sup>rd</sup>.</span></span></st1:placename><st1:placetype w:st="on"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #333399">City</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: small"><span style="color: #333399"> Council meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Of prominent note is D. Hand&rsquo;s proclamation naming March, 2008 as: WOMEN IN HISTORY MONTH.</span></span><o:p></o:p></b></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">I distinctly remember her public remarks at the meeting where she was &ldquo;appointed&rdquo; Mayor and stated that it was a memorable day because a WOMAN was named as Mayor and a WOMAN was named as Mayor Pro Tem.</b></span></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Now, if a MAN had said that, about MEN, he would have immediately been pelted with over ripe tomatoes and rotten eggs (yes, I think some people bring them) and called a SEXIST PIG and probably even tarred and feathered and run out of town. On a rail. Through the loop. Never to be seen or heard from again.</b></span></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Well, I don&rsquo;t want Ms. Hand to be considered sexist so I propose, in the interest of being Fair and Balanced, that she go on to proclaim April, 2008 as: MEN IN HISTORY MONTH.</b></span></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">And May, 2008 as: SENIORS IN HISTORY MONTH.</b></span></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">And June. 2008 as: GAY PRIDE IN HISTORY MONTH.</b></span></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">And so on, just to fair to everybody. </b></span></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">What can you suggest?</b></span></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Jim Richards</b></span></p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center">&nbsp;</p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center"><span style="color: #333399"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><span style="font-size: small">&nbsp;</span></o:p></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p>


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 FLAG WAVE.JPEG jimr BUYING THE PRESIDENCY! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/20747 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/20747 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 14pt">BUYING THE PRESIDENCY!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">How can the American people have any respect for a president who bought his/her way into office?<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The hundreds of millions (now expected to top over one BILLION by election time) spent by all parties is downright obscene!<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The Brit&rsquo;s campaign for a mere 30 days. We should take a lesson from them.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The money spent pursuing entry to the Oval Office could have been spent on the People of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. How many free health clinics and schools could this money have built? How many shelters for the homeless? How many <st1:placename w:st="on">Senior</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Centers</st1:placetype> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Youth</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Centers</st1:placetype></st1:place>? How many factories to give jobs, paying a decent wage, to people who are out of work? How many businesses could have been started to bring work back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place> instead of out sourcing to third world countries? <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">As this indecent money spending for ego involvement continues, it will only get worse with each successive election. We must all get involved in the running of our own government. The Ivory Towered people in <st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state> seem to be living in their own <st1:place w:st="on">Disneyland</st1:place> of the mind. They have either forgotten or disdain the proposition that our government is supposed to be, &ldquo;OF, BY, AND FOR&hellip;THE PEOPLE!&rdquo;<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Jim Richards<o:p></o:p></b></p>


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 clapping_hands02.gif jimr HILLARY'S DONATIONS SUSPECT! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/19987 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/19987 <p><strong><em><font color="#333399" size="3">We American's are selling and/or giving away our own country, bit by bit, piece by piece. Someday soon, we will own none of it. </font></em></strong></p> <p>Should the Saudi monarchy be permitted to purchase an important equity position in some of America&rsquo;s leading banks? How would a President Hillary be objective when the very same monarchy donated $10 million to the Clinton Library and Foundation? </p> <p>It doesn's take a Nuclear Scientist to figure this out.</p> <p>Jim Richards</p>


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Credit: jimr

 CHAVEZ AND SHEEHAN.JPG jimr THE CAB RIDE! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/19694 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/19694 <p><strong><em><font color="#333399" size="3">This is something I just HAVE to share:</font></em></strong></p> <div align="left"><font size="4"><strong><u>The Cab Ride<o:p></o:p></u></strong></font></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; rem_PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; rem_MARGIN-LEFT: 3.75pt; rem_BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 1.5pt solid" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font><o:p></o:p></p> <div class="Section1" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; rem_PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; rem_MARGIN-LEFT: 3.75pt; rem_BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 1.5pt solid" align="left"> <div> <div> <div> <div style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; rem_PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; rem_MARGIN-LEFT: 3.75pt; rem_BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 1.5pt solid"> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; rem_PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; rem_MARGIN-LEFT: 3.75pt; rem_BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 1.5pt solid"> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div id="AOLMsgPart_3_46956115-54cf-4add-ac5e-4ffca5f4d973"> <div id="AOLMsgPart_4_46956115-54cf-4add-ac5e-4ffca5f4d973" style="MARGIN: 7.5pt"> <div id="AOLMsgPart_7_46956115-54cf-4add-ac5e-4ffca5f4d973"> <div id="AOLMsgPart_4_1258b778-4dc4-48cb-95de-bb27dfc7fa93" style="MARGIN: 7.5pt"> <div id="AOLMsgPart_7_1258b778-4dc4-48cb-95de-bb27dfc7fa93"> <div> <div> <div> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">So I walked to the door and knocked. &quot;Just a minute&quot;, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;Would you carry my bag out to the car?&quot; she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">She kept thanking me for my kindness. &quot;It's nothing&quot;, I told her. &quot;I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated&quot;. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;Oh, you're such a good boy&quot;, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, &quot;Could you drive through downtown?&quot; </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;It's not the shortest way,&quot; I answered quickly. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;Oh, I don't mind,&quot; she said. &quot;I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice&quot;. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. &quot;I don't have any family left,&quot; she continued. &quot;The doctor says I don't have very long.&quot; I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;What route would you like me to take?&quot; I asked. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, &quot;I'm tired. Let's go now&quot; </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.</span></font></strong></strong><strong><strong><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#000000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"> </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;How much do I owe you?&quot; she asked, reaching into her purse. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;Nothing,&quot; I said</span></font></strong></strong><font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;You have to make a living,&quot; she answered. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;There are other passengers,&quot; I responded. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,&quot; she said. </span></font></strong></strong><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&quot;Thank you.&quot;</span></font></strong></strong><strong><strong><font face="Arial" color="#000000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL. </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">&nbsp;</span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia"> </span></font></strong></strong><font face="Elementary Heavy SF" color="#010101" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #010101; FONT-FAMILY: 'Elementary Heavy SF'">&nbsp;</span></font><strong><strong><font face="Georgia" color="#330000" size="5"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #330000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia">Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.</span></font></strong></strong></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> TONIGHT'S THE BIG NIGHT, PEOPLE! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/19391 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/19391 <p><strong><em><font color="#333399" size="3">If you have to shovel out your driveway, change your dinner hour, or even leave work early to attend tonight's City Council meeting, I urge you all to do so. </font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><font color="#333399" size="3">There will be a resolution to the Council for an &quot;Investigative City Audit&quot; and a vote will be taken. If any Council member votes against this, I want to know WHY, don't you?</font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><font color="#333399" size="3">If you don't care how, where, and why the City is spending your tax dollars then don't bother attending this meeting, but then, don't try to later complain about it.</font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><font color="#333399" size="3">This is a matter that affects us all and is a thing whose time has come. Let's show them a record attendance and hold them up to ACCOUNTABILITY!</font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><font color="#333399" size="3">Jim Richards</font></em></strong></p>


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Title: RAINBOW POT.JPG
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Credit: jimr

 RAINBOW POT.JPG jimr IT'S YOUR CITY - AND YOUR MONEY! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/19326 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/19326 <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><u><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">IT&rsquo;S YOUR CITY &ndash; AND YOUR MONEY!<o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">Do you know how, why, when, and where the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tehachapi</st1:place></st1:city> officials are spending your tax dollars?<o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">Neither do I.<o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">But we can and should know and even have a voice in these expenditures. <o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">To the best of my knowledge, for the first time in this City&rsquo;s history a proposal has been made for an outside, independent &ldquo;Special Investigative Audit&rdquo; of the City&rsquo;s books and expenditures. <o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">This proposal will be made to the City Council by Councilman Stan Beckham at the meeting of Monday, Jan. 7<sup>th</sup>. At 6pm. <o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">EVERYONE is a tax payer and we all have a stake in the outcome of this vote.<o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">Councilmember Hand asked the question, &ldquo;how much will this cost?&rdquo; The real question should be &ldquo;how much is it costing us NOT to do this?&rdquo; The quotation given by the Audit firm was $8,000.00. This is just $3,000.00 more than the City paid for an Indian Basket Weaving Class (where no one signed up as a student) and this money has never been questioned. That&rsquo;s the sort of thing that has to be stopped and examined. It&rsquo;s called FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY!<o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">I encourage everyone who possibly can to attend this important meeting and make your voices and concerns known and heard. The Council will take a vote on this measure and if any Councilmember votes against it&hellip;.I want to know WHY. Don&rsquo;t you?<o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">I hope to see all of you there.<o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000080" size="3"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000080"><strong><font size="3">Jim Richards<o:p></o:p></font></strong></font></font></p>


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Title: moneytall.jpeg
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Credit: jimr

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