Probably a safer meat to consume than cow meat

click on photo to enlarge

As cows were designed in nature to rely upon a diet of grass which their rumens are effectively able to covert into proper nutrients without addition of chemical additives which a diet of corn requires in order for the animals to "finish" according to corporate plan, L.E. Fant suggests grass fed bison or grass fed cow may be a better choice for us to eat.

Las Vegas gasoline prices are again upward bound. Today L.E. shied away from the pumps at his local Chevron where $3.27 was the asking price for a gallon. He wishes he could use his Vespa scooter for the spring and leave the family 4 wheeled vehicles in the garage.

Today L.E. suffered at the hands of a phlebotomist who invaded both of L.E.'s arms in order to find a supply of blood. Usually they poke their needle and suck out blood easily. This time there was uncomfortable needle wiggling as an attempt was unsuccessfully made to penetrate a vein and take blood from L.E.'s right arm. That meant further intrusion on LE.'s remaining arm was required before samples were obtained. L.E. hopes this memory is distant when he next goes for blood drawing.

Solar and Pulled Pork

This is one of our existing gas lamps, photo taken same time as that of solar lamp from yesterday's post.
Last night's (or more correctly early this morning's) review by a friend suggests that the level of illumination provided by the solar lamp was less than that of the gas lamp (or at least insufficient) after it was run for 7 or 10 hours.
Perhaps an adjustment will correct that perception or we may consider additional lamps to compensate. Additional lamps may still be cost effective yet will require a longer amortization period. We shall investigate and report.
NOW TO PULLED PORK
http://lasvegasidiot.com/ provides us with a sign which depicts an advertisement for "pulled pork sandwich..." One usually associates "pulled" with ropes, rail freight cars, horse drawn buggies and similar. Why "pulled pork?" L.E. is not aware of the existence of "pulled cow" (again, other than by rope and definitely not a sandwich). Also L.E. is unaware of"pulled fish," or "pulled chicken," other than a pullet. Why are these animals being discriminated against? Why can only pigs be "pulled."

Solar lamp with gas lamp in background

Here is a pic of the solar lamp with a gas lamp in the background for comparison (taken around 7:00 p.m.). First impression is that the solar lamp is brighter than the gas lamp. L.E. will attempt to make comparison by viewing the lamp early morning.
As noted the potential savings by using solar street lamps is enormous both in nonrenewable energy and nasty emissions (of course saving approximately $1,600 per month (at current pricing) also makes great justification).

L.E. Fant fights back!

The first of hopefully many solar powered street lamps being installed (these high tech lamps are designed and manufactured by a local company). These lamps have the promise of saving many thousands of Dollars which are currently being expended on gas to fuel L.E. Fant's community's existing street lamps. A further bonus is that greenhouse emissions will be eliminated by using this type of lamp. Our existing gas lamps remain burning fuel 24 hours each and every day which is surely, if nothing else, extremely wasteful and unnecessarily adding to our greenhouse gas emissions.
L.E. Fant will report tomorrow on how the lamp performs in comparison with the gas lamps.

Life is a Gamble?

Yet you may define the odds. L.E. typically does not involve himself with discussing tawdry political matters. However, after watching today's "Meet the Press" which featured an announcement by Ralph Nader that he will run for our Presidency and a frank discussion regarding our Nation's problems, L.E. would be doing you a dis-service should he not make comment.

L.E. opines that Mr. Nader's announcement is the single most memorable event of this campaign season. L.E. is dismayed, flabbergasted and chagrined that members of his family and his closest friend conclude that Ralph is "the Spoiler" and caused Al Gore to lose to G.W. Bush. They use this misconception to continue a "lesser of two evils" voting strategy. L.E. concludes that the facts show otherwise and that such strategy is seriously flawed.

While both donkeys and elephants (but never L.E. Fant) remain blinkered and manipulated by the so-called two party system (and, therefore, corporations)which has established itself in North America, we may not realize our full potential. It is apparent to most that mega corporations and their lobbyists operate at the highest levels of our government, apparently working for the best interests of the mega corporations (now provided with rights of real persons) rather than you or I.

This young Nation is in a minority in this regard. Most Western nations have a political system where minority parties exist, perhaps without expectation of achieving total power, yet willing to form coalitions which allow their platforms to have say in the greater scheme of things (see what is now occuring in Pakistan). This allows discussion of issues rather than acceptance of jingoistics such as "if you want oil to heat your aging relatives during the ravages of winter-then we must fight for our rights to obtain such oil by warring with terrorists to protect our freedoms." Our current policies have, in L.E.'s opinion, caused Russia to re-start an arms race rather than suffer ignominy within its geographical neighborhood.

Mr. Obama calls for change (as did G.W. Bush). We cannot, however, be sure of what change he may bring. As Mr. Nader pointed out today Obama, now running for the Presidency, has apparently changed his position regarding Palestine. Previously he supported the rights of Palestinians, especially the 1.5 million inhabitants of Gaza (who are apparently being decimated in a ratio of 30 Gaza residents to 1 Israeli), now he supports the Israeli position as does Ms. Clinton, et al.

As previously discussed Mr. Nader has fought for and achieved very important changes for us such as Clean Water, Auto Safety, O.S.H.A., Airline Passenger Bill of Rights and many, many more landmark issues.
The other candidates have no such record.

A fine example of the ineffectiveness of the two party system is that for over 50 years the Nation has attempted to provide its citizens (as does most of the civilized world) with universal health care-yet still none exists. Ask yourself why? Is it perhaps due to the strenuous efforts of corporate lobbyists who are striving for even greater corporate profits rather than acknowledging the needs of actual human beings who reside in this Nation? See the health care system of our neighbor Costa Rica whose inhabitants enjoy excellent universal health care even though it is a tiny nation (albeit without a huge military budget).

Mr. Nader urges us to take back our Nation from the corporations. He suggests this may occur if we form groups of one thousand folks in each state who organise and systematically demand accountability form our officials. Clearly the status quo is not working for us. We need to get more involved for our own sakes and for our children and our grandchildren.

Please at least visit https://www.votenader.org/ to see for yourself how you may make an important difference to your future.
See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrIqVGL0g4

A dead fish-perhaps analogous to us Las Vegas residents.

This fish jumped out of its pond, perhaps believing it could live on grass. Its choices were, in L.E.'s opinion, wider than your choices when voting for Obama, Hillary, McCain or Huckabee. While corporations effectively own our government it matters not one jot which party has so-called power. Two parties with one group (multi national corporations)at their head.

Ralph Nader has, L.E. believes, done more for the general population than many past (and likely future) Presidents.

WHY NO DECENT MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM TO OUR AIRPORT?

Here we are in 2008, many older folk expecting that by now we would be using Jetson's like transportation devices. However, there is still no decent mass transit to our airport from downtown or the Strip. Our expensive to buy and expensive to operate monorail glides along its lone rail without driver, and in many cases without passengers. One wonders which lobby group controls this situation.

COW MEAT MAY KILL AFTER THE ANIMAL PROVIDING IT HAS BEEN CRUELLY KILLED (RETRIBUTION?).

We are told that we have a safe food supply yet frequently we are advised of food recalls because of tainted food, mostly cow meat.

The latest recall (apparently the largest ever) with its accompanying video of sick cows being treated in very cruel ways (such as driving forklift tines into them and poking them in their eyes) in order to get the poor creatures into "the killing box" is likely not an isolated incident. Research indicates that 3 or 4 major corporations effectively control the supply of cow meat. One wonders whether their power influences the USDA and its inspection process.

WE ARE BEING CHARGED MORE FOR OUR WATER BECAUSE? / HOSPITAL MISMANAGEMENT

Clark County Commissioners (with only one gallantly and rightfully voicing opposition) recently decided to raise the cost to consumers of our water. They did this under the guise of encouraging us to use less. We let them do it. One wonders whether the Commissioners' oversight of our water supply monopoly is of a similar standard as their oversight of our county hospital, U.M.C., where many millions of our (taxpayers') Dollars are shown to have been wasted (apparently by criminal fraudulent activity).

NEVADA POWER (ANOTHER MONOPOLY) AGAIN ATTEMPTS TO DUPE.

One may also note that Nevada Power (yet another monopoly) is intending to build a number of coal fired power stations in our neighborhood. This is despite almost universal opinion that such stations are the leading cause of destruction of our environment. They also want us (taxpayers) to fund a new improved power grid so they may share power supplies with their parent company in Northern Nevada under the guise of improving service for us. Apparently the only oversight involved is our three member P.U.C.

We need to become involved, at least discuss these matters with friends which may lead to greater things and us having actual say in how our community evolves.

NEW YEAR WISHES

L.E. Fant takes this opportunity to wish all the very best for 2008 and beyond.