First we had Dukakis in a tank. Now it is politician in a pulpit.

Look at Hillary and Obama and you wonder why every one is upset with

Huckabee (who actually happens to be a minister).

Let's get this record straight for once.

George W. Bush was trained to fly the F102, an interceptor aircraft

often seeing service over Alaska and the Gulf (Mexican Gulf)Coast.

Why-to thwart the Russian Bear bombers that kept entering our airspace. This aircraft saw limited duty in SE Asia-why-because there were better aircraft and it was due to retire. The last F102 left the theatre in 1969 so George could never have flown in Vietnam for that reason alone. The f102 was fully retired from service in 1976 so President Bush's 1973 departure from military duty fits the facts. To keep him in the service would have required more training in another aircraft and high costs. I imagine the choice was given him-pursue that training and extend for umpteen years or take an early discharge. I would hope this puts his critics abuse to rest but alas I know better. I would match Bush's record against many others-Bill Clinton for instance or John F. Kerry.

4 F's

****

I am but the innocent and youngest of our family, my brother offered timely advice and I am not sure how it went I only remember how he had titled it. Could he have meant 4 f 16's.

Oh well, I digress. I have had the good fortune to meet a real nice lady friend that for now will remain nameless but will be revealed to friends and family in time. My brother could never meant that advice to apply to her. We have had so much fun over my birthday, during Thanksgiving, and over the course of recent road trip into Wyoming, down into Colorado and back to Utah. A bit my senior in age, she has proven that the older the violin the sweeter the music. Is it true what they say of blondes-certainly. Her canine and my mine get along nicely.

We seem quite compatable all the way around. Sharp witted, classy and sense of humor. Hell, she even laughs at my jokes, listens to my stories with rapt attention, thinks I am a hottie,

and tries to keep my focus on my driving when we go on road trips. Stay tuned for future updates.

Tribute in Aspen

~

No I did not plant them, neither did Larry. But they are tributes to someone and may be found

at Chepeta Park in Montrose, CO. I 'll lay claim to them for Dad, Mom, Tad and Don.

Or perhaps it's best to remember this time of the year for where their spirits and ours can best link up. For Don, I feel closest when I passed the turnoff to his cabin on my last run through

Western Colorado. For Mom and Dad, same route, I thought of them as I glanced up the Soap Creek valley near Blue Mesa. And Tad, Soldiers Summit, Utah. Those wild growing Aspen

are tribute enough and that is how the good Lord intended it. Check out Iditipoem for Don's cabin poem. Happy Holidays you all, picked up an accent in Texas. Came back out of Texas via Hoxley County. Looked for Fred. Passed close to Crawford. Delivered into Albuquerk and am now headed to Farmington, then to L A. My birthday was GREAT and so was Turkey Day.

I found this excellent Tundra/Beach rig. Perfectly suited to Alaska, it will do a trucker proud. This one is located near I35 in Oklahoma.

Two types of chief emblems.

Yatahey from Henohavename

***

About to complete orientation. Will be in my own truck tomorrow and under a load to some destination. It will be good to get back to work and into trucker routines. Check out the new blog attached to this profile-"Iditipoem"

Mistakenly put one poem on the "Librarian" so glance at that also.

I passed through Beaver, UT today and am now in St. George, UT for orientation starting in the morning. With Iraqi plans put aside, I am once again concentrating on compliance the law and the DOT here on the highways of our great nation. These three examples of what too much or improper loading can do. The semi on it's side -too fast, too top heavy on a curve no less. THe semi in the ice hole-too heavy for conditions. The other in the desert-not American I might add-way too heavy, improperly loaded.

I selected a company that will keep me busy and out West where I prefer it. Feel fine and doing well. In about two months I'll be back on my feet. Chagrined but wiser for the the experience I guess.

Medical update

Well it's back to Colorado for testing by a Cardiologist. My EKG showed a

unusual heart beat pattern and my Wyoming physician thought it serious enough to put the brakes on my plans. (He may need a specialist to remove my boot from his arse).

I feel fit a fiddle and no different than back two years ago.

Mexican Trucks arrive at our borders

A couple samples of what to expect.... The one in the middle is for Stan. Once you have been in a foriegn country-you start missing all things American. This is the real test, does he miss America enough to kiss this old hag(hint-this old hag is a White House correspondant, none other than Helen Thomas)

For those contemplating the drive between Alaska and the other 48 states, I have provided an array of photo to let you see what you are in for. Steep grades, dropoffs, falling rock, tunnels, run a way truck ramps and hairpin turns. Drive safely.

To Ronald Reagan

My ninth cousin...

Thanks to Grand Ma Riley's side of the family we are related to the Gipper.

Grandmas 8th grandfather was also the 8th Grandfather of Ronald Reagan.

Lots of interesting things to discover on Ancestry.com. Most of the Harringtons in

our tree fought for the Union during the Civil War. A paltry 400 or so fought for the Confederacy.

Here they come......Since our congress still have their heads too deeply buried to see it for themselves, allow these photos to point out the obvious-We are in the process of being invaded by a foriegn country and scarcely a shot has been fired. I have contacted my representatives in Colorado and in Wyoming and they either don't respond or duck beneath the Nafta shroud.

We don't need these Messican trucks driving our roads. Nafta and for that matter, the United Nations can all get packing and leave. And build the damned fence. Guess who has said the following?

"There can be no divided allegiances here. Any man who says he is an American but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room but for one language here, and that language is English."

The Modern Day Rough Riders are Going

Over there, Over there. Thats our leader in the middle. A bunch of rough and rowdy truck drivers headed to the MidEast. Our camp somewhere over there.

My term in Iraq

I will always retain only fond memories of my time spent in Iraq. And for the record I am trying like hell to get back. I worked for KBR driving a flatbed Army issue rig much like the one pictured here. Driving about in southern Iraq, I recall the terrain-think of Cisco, UT only flatter. The camel herds like the ones pictured above. The little children running hell bent across the desert to meet us and beg for a handout. I'd love to be on the first Salvation Army convoy that could safely deliver handouts to those children and their families. I remember the losses of fellow drivers-and remember the words over a memorial"All gave some, some gave ALL" There is something that can be said for the bonds formed with buddies while serving together in a war zone. I wish them all the best and hope to join them soon if at all possible.

My son, Matthew goes over soon, my son in law returns soon. I can't sit idly by when I am fit and able to serve in some capacity. And yes, I look forward to the time off at some Kuwaitti seaside resort.

I regretfully missed the 1st annual True Grit Days held this last weekend in Ridgeway, Colorado. And sorry to have missed the annual PRCA rodeo there the week before.

True Grit was filmed in Western Colorado. The script had us believing it to be Ft. Smith, Arkansas but sorry-it was Ridgeway, Colorado. John Wayne played Rooster Cogburn, Kim Darby played Mattie Ross, Glen Campbell played the Texas Ranger and Robert Duvall played Lucky Ned Pepper. Watch the movie and enjoy some beautiful Colorado fall colors. It was filmed in the fall. I went to school with many of those kids swinging on the playground during the hanging scenes. The scenes of dugout if they seem familiar-they should-Watch North to Alaska and the same scene is in that movie as well. Rest in Peace Big Man-Rest in Peace and you will never be forgotten by your fans.

Just something interesting

That's my rig parked next to VIC HOSKINS at the Jubitz truck stop in Portland.

The other truck photo was taken while in Beaver, UT. Squint to read the name-Lonesome Dove Farms.

Where is RangerBill

Tonight I am in Junction City, KS enroute to Obetz, OH with a load of Kal Kan.

I am parked here and there are 157 dogs scattered near the back of the trailer. They have been following me since I picked up this load.

Not Conceit, just interesting recruiting slogans on CCC trailers

Amber, or for that matter any other or those ladies I have pursued or even considered pursuing-Read and weep. Do I need to release my 1040 forms to add to add to

fact that opportunity literally passed you by in the hammer lane no less. I am no longer

one to let rejection or offers spurned to slow me down...I get back behind the wheel to next stop and others that may be awaiting me. You may have been my sister's step daughter but that don't make you kin. Shoot, bloodlines are crossed in Arkansas without second thought.

In the words of the country star-"How do you like me now?"

Idaho Senator Playing

Footsy in Bathroom stall

What else can we be subjected to than the sorrid details of Sen Craig's antics in Minneapolis.

It does raise alot of questions. It also makes one rethink the dangers of entering bathroom facilities again. I had no idea that tapping one's right foot was code for gays to hook up. What if there was a snappy beat coming from the bathroom entertainment channel. He should never have and would never have played footsy if it was truck stop stall. First of all he'd pull back a stub of what used to be his foot. His hand may have a wad of toilet tissue of the used variety

when he withdrew it. Next time I use one I will wonder if an undercover officer is in the stall next to me. (if there is-never again will I light a match to mask the odor-let him suffer)

Senator-you should have used a stall next to Mr. Ed. That way you would have had a real stud.

Latest read
Just completed Dick North's The Mad trapper of the Rat River.

A compelling book that is difficult to put down. Dick North did an excellent job researching the facts behind the Mad Trapper of Yukon fame. He busted many of the myths and opened up leads that led to knowing once and for all who this person was. He linked him with sufficient evidence to convince me that Albert Johnson was one and the same as Johnny Johnson(of the Wild Bunch). Johnny robbed a bank in Montana, eluded a posse to get caught stealing horses in Wyoming. Lucky not to have swung on the spot he served time in prison in Wyoming then to Montana to serve time there for the bank robbery. Johnny was not done with prison time and he served some more time in San Quinton and Folsom prisons. He migrated Northward to finally meet his end in the Yukon.

MY Next Read
The Late Great USA by Jerome Corsi

The non fiction book is an eye opener. Corsi also wrote the book on the Swift Boat history of John Kerry(unfit for command).
I have to wonder what it will be like if our leaders lead us over a cliff. The cliff being to establish us as part of a greater North American Union(as similar to European Union). We lose our borders with Canada and Mexico and our soveriegnty with it. Just think what that'll do to our bill of rights we take too often for granted. To keep and bear arms will be targeted for extinction(Canada won't abide with that remaining). Our dollar will be replaced with the Amero.
Far fetched?-Bush has met several times with Mexico and Canada on this very scheme. This may help to explain the Bush position on illegal immigration and his reluctance to enforce the border. In this he is on the wrong side and let's remember this when the election draws closer-who will put on the stops to this insanity.

Business Plan

Sort of like the red one but bigger, what can one do for living if they live in Hyder, AK.

A retired trucker could make a living perhaps with a floating convenience store, ferrying it

from markets in Ketchikan to distant SE ports like Hyder. Fuel, convenience items, mail, personal freight.....

Catch One, I'll be back with more.

Shana, you wanted one and I found a few.

Guess where I at?

And headed for two stop delivery in Los Angeles and Montebello.
Clear skies, no smoke

Mixing Technologies

This gleaned from Fox News. Japanese industry has come up with the g-vibrator.

Gaads, this is mixing our technologies. Now your sweetie can really get down to the

tunes with her new g pod vibrator. Slip come Frankie Yankovich in there and watch

her squirm with excitement. How about Lonestar, Charlie Daniels. It'd be wrong to

load it with Gospel wouldn't it. What about J P Sousa, how about the national anthymn.