Didnt you notice, I am having fun. I think, well, maby, uhhh, heck if I know.
Ed
I’m still confused about flammable weenies…
The Roman Empire was not a liberal one. Like any other empirical power, it was built on oppression. Admitted, the Romans left their subjects with roads, clean water and drainage systems, domestic heating etc., but this was offset by the persecution of anyone who refused to worship the emperor, and not to mention routine slavery.
Rome was destroyed from within, by internal politics and wrangling. Back-biting and whispering between people with their own interests at heart. Ultimately, the empire was relinquished as a secondary importance.
You do raise a valid point though, one that is commonplace amongst most Western nations; ie. Should we not look after ourselves first and foremost, rather than increasingly distributing our wealth to ‘economic migrants’? Somewhere back in the politically correct '90’s I think we got so worried about appeasing anyone from a minority that we started to forget about the silent majority.
By the way, I’m no racist or nothin’, I just think we should be looking after ourselves first and foremost, the way the Romans would of done.
Hi Phantom,
From a immigrant’s grandson’s point of view, who exactly are “us” and “them”. Unless you are a native american, and theres lots of doubt about what a “native american” is, all of us at some point in time were immigrants. If you come here illegaly, you should expect to be deported. If, on the other hand, you migrate here legaly, become a citizen, then should’t americas laws, americas prosperity be yours to share? Grampa left “there” to come “here” because there he was treated like a criminal because of his religion.
Here, he could work, buy a home(farm) pay taxes, and vote. He never refered to himself as a german-american, he was deeply proud to be able to call himself an American. He refused to teach us german, insisting we speak english, although his english was poor. But, I do agree we need to give preference to domistic concerns first, then worry about the rest of the world. But we did declare ourselves the worlds policemen, so we do bear some burden in keeping the worlds house in order.
Ed
To Ed (and any hostile parties) regarding 1-28-03 10:37 a.m. sub-posting:
I am sorry some apparently feel I have horns and a red tail. The posted topic is a serious one. Innumerable BOOKS have been written on economics. But, in just one single paragraph, the original post attempted to epitomize reality in an economic light, and offered hope in railroading. My vision holds that rail management and ALL rail labor within a corporation COULD have exception peace and financial security through uniting over the knowledge of how economics works, and also bring prosperity to the country as a whole. Those that feel otherwise may want to read a few good volumes on economics, and see if they can discern anything encouraging. You may even want to attempt a single paragraph essay yourself comprising the essence of reality, and see how others may view it.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES RAISED CONCERNS:
“10 dimes still equals a dollar”: true, but because of inflation, the VALUE of dimes has diminished dramatically.
“What mathematically impossible system”: It is generally accepted that reverse-, no-, and high-inflation is bad. A small amount is believed ideal. But, ANY inflation steals monetary value from society. That is why counterfeiting money is illegal. The expression “mathematical impossible” is used because nothing monetarily works without causing negative side affects to someone somewhere in the stream of time, just like counterfeiting money does.
“Still can’t find what you think America needs to be saved from”: inflation and its long-term suicidal social impact (i.e., fellowmen fighting each other) leading to national oblivion. With different logistical operating perspectives, railroads can make a valuable contribution towards the longevity of America, and counteract the negative “mathematical impossible” phenomena that promotes the demise of America. I believe people desire longevity for America.
“America is broke”: h
Not red tailed, nor hostile, just seeing if you would put it in plain english. Remember, I am a railroader, I have to look up words with more than two syllables, and thank god this thing comes with spellcheck.
The following addreeses specifically answered questions,
“ten dimes = a dollar” true but because of inflation…I noticed you didnt reccomend we buy euros or yen, so I’ll stick with a buck.
“mathematically impossible” agreed, but the system is designed to be fluid, and swings both way, frequently, as a result of our free enterprise. Anything else would be stagnant and static, both not good.
“Cant find what Americe needs…” inflation is part of how it all works. It can drive people to have great inventions, and often forces people to do things and sacrifice things the normaly wouldnt…it can alter everything, and was expected to do so by the founding fathers. Anything else would be a form of goverment managed economy, and you see how well that worked for the Soviets. As to Unions and Management sitting down together, if you really saw how the process worked, you laugh yourself silly. They do more that sit down on the same side of the table together, belive me.
"You never explained how…"good luck, but remember, most unions have excluisive rights to move cars on their carriers track, so unless you can unload them where they sit, a railroader will still have to move the car for you. If I see our MOW guys shove a gondola around with their front end loader, I write down the car number, and turn in a time claim for a days wages, because they are doing my job, one for which I have the exclusive right to perform. If they see me tamping ballast, the would do the same.
Yes, there are a lot of parts to the puzzle, and the end picture is often not what one would expect, but given whats in the rest of the worlds systems, and how harsh it really can get for those unlucky enought to not live in America, I think I’ll take our flawed and unbalanced system any old day. Keep in mind our o
By the way, I have a really good farrier who shoes our horses, he can dock that tail and clip them horns, if you need him to.
Ha Ha?
Ed
Ed - hmmm - a railroader, with a farrier, and a command of the English language that would put a lot of college students to shame…are you sure you aren’t a red herring and you really work for trains.com?
Mookie
Not that lucky, Mookie,
Worked for the Office of the Attorney General, State of Texas, in the child support division, special locate section. Hunted deadbeat dads, and more deadbeat moms than most people realize. Now a engine foreman/switchman foreman at the Port Terminal railroad Assoication, in Houston, Texas. Gave up a career for a life. Rode with the 4th U.S. Calvery, A Troop, in San Antonio, Texas, when I was younger. Still have the horses. Avid reader, and trying to pass that along to my daughters, the oldest thinks if it isnt on tv, it isnt real entertainment. Shame, she misses out on so much. My 9 year old likes to read, though. She gets my copies of trains when I am through with them. Says she wants to be an engineer. I told her after college, if she still thinks that way, fine by me. Hope she follows her first “I want to be …when I grow up”, and becomes a vet. She read “All Creatures Great and Small” last year, got her the other books, she devoured them. One out of three isnt bad.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
Mookie, It really isn’t too hard to put a lot of college kids to shame today, considering the state of education. While I’ve never met him, Ed is a Railroader/Philosopher type. I’ve known quite a few of them up here; some of whom have had very little formal education. Although that isn’t Ed’s situation.
Let us assume that railroads are the glue of our economy; that railroads, with enlightened leadership and employees, can indeed hold this nation together. Not only CAN they do all this, but they WANT to do it. No bureaucrat worth his government pay grade will let it happen. The bureaucrat is the sticky glue that holds (and holds up!) everything together. The bureaucrat is the most important particle in the economy; he can circumvent the Congress, the President and all the enlightened railroad management simply by failing to act! And like Italy, the US has more red tape every year to gum up the best laid plans. And since the legislator is reluctant to legislate, he leaves all that up to-you guessed it- the bureaucrat! Read good books and abstain from profanity.
No dude,…you are not a Racist,…you are a realist
Nothing wrong with being a realist.
It’s just the liberal mindset that will call you a racist for looking out for #1, but it’s just a tool used to get you to abandon your priorities, and adopt theirs.
the quicker we all wake the heck up and realize this, and get back to an agenda that matters, the quicker we can enjoy the good times again…
The Roman Empire was not a liberal one.<<
Perhaps I was not very clear on that one.
The Roman Empire that Prospered was a Conservative one.
The prosperity made the fostering of Liberal thought a possibility.
When the liberal mindset took hold,…that’s when the decline began…
And in an ultimate display of liberal type thinking,…look no further than the council of Nicea…the 'death rattle" was near.
Sorry to dissapoint you Skeets, high school grad. But had parents who pused their kids to take a chance. If we wanted to know something, we were encouraged to go and do, see or live it.
Dad was a Chief Petty Officer, U.S.N, mom was a english immigrant. I am the grandson of a german jew, who came here at the begining of WWI. He spent the war in a pow camp outside of Alvin, Texas, became a US citizen, and never looked back.
Most of the railroaders I know started back in their teens, and never worked anywhere else, so most really dont know what goes on in the “real” world, all they have every known is railroading. Which dosnt leave a lot of time to see or experience other things. Most dont have college hours, they view it as a waste of their time, but almost everyone of them I know has made their kids go, so they “dont have to do this for a living”.
I did get to live overseas a lot with my dad, he was with the naval attache unit for a long time. So I got to see Japan, Great Britian, Canada for a month, San Fransisco, San Deigo, even went to the U.S.S.R, that was a really eye opening trip. Any body here who thinks they have it so hard should go and see. Primitive is the best word I can think applies to they standard of living.
Japan was kinda funny, try being the only blonde, white guy over 60" tall, in a highschool room full of black haired, small japanese kids. Talk about standing out. And I got a first hand taste of racisim there. It seems that the japanese either love everything american, or they hate us completly, no real in between. And the most angrering thing is when they stand there, speaking japanese on purpose, knowing full well you cant keep up, even though they know english as well as you do. Its kinda a snub in their society. So not so much a philospher as a real lucky guy. Been a lot of places, met a lot of diffrent peoples. And I still came home to Texas. Never been more happy or grateful as when I plop my fanny in a saddle, and ride through the hill country. No other nation w
The more services you demand of government (and the less you demand of yourself), the more bureaucrats you will spawn. Support tax cuts, reduced services, individual responsibility, and more community and family interdependence, and you will, over the years, reduce the bureaucracy at all levels. (We must also demand more of the bureaucrats we find ourselves stuck with.)
By the way, anyone know which lines operated M1 Mountain steam engines?
I salute you sir, for doing what you like. You have had a varied and full life and seem to be enjoying it to its fullest.
Maybe your daughter can work on the railroad after Vet school - until she can find a job? Ah the best of both worlds…
Skeets - sad isn’t it about our education situation today. I look over papers college graduates write and I shake my head.
I also knew a railroader/philosopher - one of the
most level-headed people I have ever known and he had only a high school education that took 21 years to obtain. But he had good common sense, and followed the work rules, something that seems to be lacking today - in railroading and the real world, too.
Ok Jenny, its your turn.
Not to sound sexist, but it is somewhat a oddity to find a female railfan, although I know y’all are out there. You are obviously literate and articulate, so a guess would have you being a professional of some type, with a Masters?
From a railroad family, or close relative workes or worked for a railroad. You take photos, so I also bet your like to draw or paint, maby design things, some type of creative outlet.
As for Elizabeth, my 9 year old, she still has time to make up her mind, but whatever she decides, she’s going to be good at it. She one of those lucky people who learns without trying, she just soaks up knowledge. Kinda scary when your kid is smarter than you, and dosn’t realize it.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
I have to smile at your thumbnail sketch of me - you are part right - and after I divulge my personal info, no one will probably ever answer my musings again.
I am female - late 50’s - love to watch trains, but not creative enough to draw, paint or photograph. (I gave that to my daughter - a great artist - I can barely write legibly). Only have one year of college, but a lifetime of loving to read and studying people. Grandfather and dad were fireman/engineers for about 80 years combined. I know just enough from being a railroad brat to be dangerous - I would have gladly worked my heart out for the railroad, but they didn’t “do” women. And I wanted to be on the engine - not in the shops or a caller…I, too thought about being a “vet”, but couldn’t get through Chemistry class with the grades necessary to get there. Plus the years of college were a little intimidating. I work for a university now -(University of Nebraska in Lincoln)& that will be as close as I come to my degree. So my train time is just watching and studying them as they go by and reading over people’s shoulders on the forum. Granted, a cheap date, but I never tire of seeing those big engines coming toward me!
And we are Frosty - it is snowing like mad!
Jen
Dont sell yourself short, your skill with words betrays your real intelligence. If you work at the university, you should take advantage of that. Dont they offer classes for employees? You read like you could teach, so why not try? How about working with the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, your knowledge shouldnt be kept to yourself. And who says you have to get a degree?, After all, the knowledge is what your after, right? My father in law is 65, still takes classes at the comunity college in Alvin, just because he wants the knowledge. He got his teaching certificate 10 years ago. Never used it, but the pride in the achievement was worth it. My wife is 37, works full time , at the Office of the Attorney General, State of Texas, in the Child support division,( how she handles it after nine years is beyond me, I could only hack it for six) she deals with out of state cases, and she goes to school on line, the University of Phoenix on line. Depending on how it works out for her, I may give it a try myself.
One of the most important things my parents ever drilled into my hard head was that once you have knowledge, no one can ever take it away from you, it yours forever, to use as you see fit.
You dont sound like you intimidate easily, and I would bet you inheireted some of you dads and grandfathers stubborn attitude, to never quit, hang in there and stick it out. If your willing to put this much info about yourself out here, then you must be pretty happy with who you are, and fairly confident in what you do. Did you think of writing a short story or article for a magazine? Nebraska has some pretty interesting train history. The worst they could do is say no, and that would put you right back where you are now. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?
And just to rub it in a little, here its 70 degrees, clear blue skies, and I think I will throw a few shrimp on the barbie for dinner.
Stay Frosty,
Ed