From: To Heck and Back again, A Cachers Tale

A fantastic account of our geocaching adventure along the Chippewa River

Cache 1
1st of 5 finds along the river on this sunny warm day. This 
beautiful little wayside park had wildflowers all over! It 
was almost impossible to reach the cache without stepping on 
some . Even the tall yellow rocket plant (a noxious weed) in 
the rocks near the parking lot looked so nice I didn't have 
the heart to pull it, though I should have.
Took hooks, left clamp. TFTC yuppers!
We are Crazy4! (later today we will be calling ourselves the 
INSANE4! after finding the Jesus Tomb cache, but that's a 
story I've yet to write.) 

Cache2
Left Wisconsin Wildcards, took Post-it notes.
Thanks for the history lesson!
TFTC! We are Crazy4!

Cache 3
The sky was darkening.
Rain was in the air.
The days adventure continued.

An except from Crazy4's journal... "To heck and back again, a cachers tale"
"I strive to maintain the log of our days journey which has brought us 
once again to the mighty river. Our next find may help us decide which 
way to turn. How shall we fare on our quest? Would the mysterious Seymore 
be willing to council us? Would his hidden belongings give us a clue of 
what awaits us? Perhaps warning us to go no further on this days journey? 
Ahh! Seymore's stash is found easily and encourages us to seek fresh drink 
to quaff our thirst and to fill our flasks, downstream to the Great Edward 
Groundwater Emanation! And then.... Jesus' Tomb!
We are Crazy4! (soon to be the INSANE4!) 	

Cache 4
The sky was darkening.
Rain was in the air.
The days adventure continued.

Another except from Crazy4's journal... "To heck and back again, a cachers tale"
"Our delight in easily finding the mysterious "Seymore's stash" (located not 
too far away; upstream, almost under the great bridge) encouraged us to search 
here for the "Great Edward Groundwater Emanation" and we were not disappointed 
with our luck on this, our 4th find today along the great river. The riverscape 
is pleasant, refreshing and misleading. Little did we know it at the moment, 
but we would soon learn the real meaning of the words "dread" and "hardship". 
Our travels had left our strength undiminished. We would head upstream from 
here, on to the ultimate find...
Jesus' Tomb
We are Crazy4! (soon to be known as "INSANE4!)
	
Cache 5
The sky was darkening.
Rain was in the air.
The days adventure continued.

Another except from Crazy4's journal... "To heck and back again, a cachers tale"

"We had quenched our thirst at the Great Edward Groundwater Emanations and had 
stopped to partake of the wisdom of the mysterious soothsayer Seymore where we 
easily discovered his stash. Thus emboldened, we decided we had plenty of energy 
to attempt the last leg of this day's planned excursion. Our pleasure trip was 
about to become a test of our determination. We had hints that it would be so 
from the writings of the searchers who came before us.
The day had started with glorious sunshine and profusions of wildflowers all 
around but now, as we trekked upstream upon the faint trail, the vegetation 
became scarce and twisted. The rich soil turned to dry sand and rocks became 
common. We knew we were getting near our goal when we saw the cryptic message 
warning us to "Take Out." We pondered the meaning. Take out our weapons? Take 
out our good luck charms? Take out our souls and leave them behind the nearest 
rock where they would be safe? We decided to take out our common sense and leave 
it behind. Clan Crazy4 would not falter now!
Soon we found ourselves crossing into another dimension. Fields of boulders and 
water hazards blocked our way. It was time to put our elvish training to good 
effect, and even tho we leaped gracefully from rock to rock, lightly skimming 
the treacherous boulders, and avoiding serious injury, it took us many scores 
of minutes to pass the last 1000 feet. We left behind no footprints, nor shreds 
of flesh or clothing. We were indeed fortunate.
Then, there it was.
We had arrived.
Strangely anticlimactic (for the moment!)
We approached. Our skin began to crawl. (and it wasn't just woodticks!)
Had we been deceived? Was there an army of darkness hidden within?
We bolstered our courage and decided to do as had been done by those who came 
before us. One of us would enter while the others stood at the entrance. As 
leader (and because of my dwarvish nature), I would search for the treasure. 
I squeezed past the twisted metal that partially blocked my way, and began 
the dark descent into the earth. The underground river was cool, clear and 
refreshing. My sense of dread was somewhat dispelled, for surely no evil 
forces could exist here! I found the hoard easily. We exchanged tokens. We 
left MAYMAYGWAYSHI "a little trickster spirit who is covered with hair, 
smells like fish, paddles a stone canoe, and lives inside a rock cliff." 
Maymaygwashi has been pleased with us so far and has brought us only good 
luck, perhaps it was because we had found Maymaygwayshi the previous week 
on Friday the 13th.
After replacing the hoard with our lucky traveling token, I was returning 
to the light when I slipped into the water. Would our luck be changing? 
Maybe for the better, for I saw a flash of gold in the disturbed riverbed. 
A massively large, round ring! I grabbed it and rushed for daylight. 
Examining our unexpected find we knew we now had in our possession another 
of the rings of power. Could this be the long lost "SNORTLE - Snoreons' 
Circulet of Somnolence and Certain Servitude?" Perhaps.
This ring would now become another of our traveling tokens, joining previously 
released BOOGER TBGW30.
The sky grew darker and the rain began.
We departed and retraced our steps downriver."

We are Team Crazy4! (thinking now that we are really the INSANE4!)

June 20, 2006

From: Greg 
To: Dawn
Subject: Re: G Meier sends you back in time.

Hi Dawn! Hi Mike!
 We kind of figured out who Mike was, but didn't want to make him get out
of character by talking mundanely! That's why I go to faire; to forget work, to escape reality!
If Mike would like to approach us in character, that would be great! He could introduce himself
by saying something like: "Good day! Are you the travelers from our Bruce Clan to the North?"
"I have ties to that area, perhaps you know a member of my clan?"  Sound like fun?

You asked my opinion. I was writing one to send to the owners.
I will send it to you, and you maybe could promise to pass it on to anyone who may be
interested in an informed but biased opinion (pro-faire!). Here goes...

HUZZAH! Our THANKS for bringing the faire to Chippewa!

We have been going to the "MN fest" every year (but one) since 1984. It is a 3 hour drive for 
us and we can usually only do that only once a year. We're very, very happy that our NEW local 
faire is less than an hour away! We intend being there every weekend. We have bought season 
tickets. (3 in our family ) and have attended the first two days. We will be bringing two more 
family members next week and are trying to arrange a visit with some friends the week after. We 
fervently hope we will be attending for years to come.

Now for some comments:

1. Super site! Great potential! Looking forward to the finished product! 
It's neat seeing the birth of a new faire.

2. Great theme and characters! Favorites so far: the Huntress and Poacher(?), Cuthbert 
(village idiot?) Lord Gower ( Note: We're just NOT interested in fancy dress royalty 
like at MN and could never get into the story line there or the characters.)
In actuality, we NEVER interacted with the royalty at MN in all those years. I did have 
a fun encounter with some pirates once!

3. I thought there would be armored jousting? Coming soon I hope? The jousting seating 
is super and the ring has great potential. As I'm sure you might guess,  armored jousting 
will draw VERY large crowds. It is very popular elsewhere (Shakopee). Invest in it. People 
like to see horses and knights in action. The two horses on opening weekend were magnificent 
to watch, but we were half the crowd at the first show. I think it was hard to perform to 5 
people! At least we got a lot of personal attention from Lord Gower and his squire.

4. There was  poison ivy here and there, (some by Iron Wolf Forge) kids or people in sandals 
could get into it. (Hope there is someone on the crew who can identify it. Roundup treatment 
on just a few leaves will be taken into the root system and kill the entire plant. Digging 
it up is dangerous and broken pieces of root will re-grow.)

5. I thought it humorous (really!) that all 4 wheel drive vehicles were directed to the same 
rough section of the parking area!  (Lock those wheels!) I got a chance to try ours out when 
we sunk in the sand on our way out. Fun! (really!) 'course other people may not have my sense 
of fun. :-P

6.  We are personally spending more money than we ought to at the faire as we selfishly want 
it to succeed!!!! I've already bought a sword, mug and T-shirt. Wish there were a lot more 
artisans there, especially those offering a selection of handcrafted, medieval type wares. 
Most interesting vendors were the sword shop, the blacksmith, and the cement statue guy.
I have my eye on a great little Gimli the Dwarf statue. Gotta check how our checking account
is doing!

7. The Angus Pub is  a real hot spot. Great atmosphere and music. Hope to see the nearby 
trebuchet in operation some day. I predict the pub, barracks, trebuchet area will become a
place of major entertainment and maker of memories. Met the Drunken Uglies. Guess we were 
hangin' around the pub so long, the one named Peter came over to chat. Great guys.
Starboard Watch was GOOD! Glad these two decided to make a duo. Lookin' forward to a new 
CD from them. As I understand, neither of these groups is going to be at this faire the last 
weekend. Hope they have replacements that are just as good.

8. We drove in from the north and the blue and white Renaissance Faire direction signs were 
a happy surprise! The city of Chippewa is helping out? It gives the new faire a professional 
air and if they stay up all year, are super advertising. There was no signage we could see 
when coming in from the east, which we did after going to Walmart and coming back that way.

9. The first day was extremely hot and there was little shade. Some canvas strung between 
posts would be appreciated.

10. I'm going to make a webpage with photos and comments about our first weekend at the faire. 
I will send you the URL when done. I was thinking it would be neat to do a mini-podcast to 
complement our photos. A photo of each inhabitant of Doon Douglas along with a short audio of 
them describing their character and welcoming people to come to the faire.

11. If I was not already into this strange interest in attending faires, I might have never 
heard about this one as there was hardly a mention of it anywhere, and we were watching for it. 
The article in the Eau Claire Leader was about all I saw. Increase advertising? Yep!

12. When we were hanging around the gift shop at the front gate, two ladies walked in through 
the gift shop and asked me where they could get a program. When I told them they handed them out
at the ticket booth, they asked where that was, I realized they had just waltzed in to the faire 
without paying. They did go back out to get their ticket and program, but others might have wandered 
(snuck) in this way. If it is a promotional strategy to allow people in to peak their interest in 
the hope they will return again as a paying customer, fine. Otherwise, it needs fixing.

13. I think they were playtrons, but a small group of characters in the Angus' Pub late on Sunday 
greatly stimulated the medieval ambience! Some people might  recognize  someone dressed as Aragorn 
with his sword Anduril, but if you didn't know any better, you'd just think it was great, faire theater.
An elf lady and  guys in mail and armor were part of this group. I think they were visiting SCA royalty. 
One wore a coronet and carried a banner with the blazon, Gules, a compass rose argent, something, 
something, something...I'm no expert. I was a member for a few years but never had time for it.

14. Give me time, I'm sure I've forgotten something! :-)

Hope you enjoy my comments! Remember, you asked! :-)
Greg
a jack of many trades, a master of none.

To: Tim Wick 
Subject: The Dregs in Chippewa Falls?

Hi Tim,
The Dregs are GREAT! Long may they sing!
Maybe I should have talked to you about this when we saw you perform up at Twig.
(Say, ever wonder how many mosquitos a dragonfly will consume in one hour?)
What's the chance of The Dregs coming to the new Wisconsin Renaissance Faire
in Chippewa Falls? After we attended the first two days, I feel this faire is going to be a great success
and The Dregs should be part of it. We would really like to hear you guys sing in Angus' Pub!
Or maybe on the Glenn Ruin Stage (more seating). They have made a great start and I can see
a diamond in the rough (it is pretty rough yet!).
Selfishly speaking , Twig and the MN renfest are both a 3 hour drive for us and Chippewa is less
than an hour. I'm getting old and decrepit and driving that far and back home the same day is too much.
Although we had a lot of fun at the new faire, I missed The Dregs several times. Once was at Angus' Pub
when I ordered an Angus Ale and the keg ran out. They gave me the half-full glass of ale from the bottom
of the keg for free. I said to myself, "Thanks for the dregs!" and thought of you guys. Again, when I heard
someone singing, "If I had a million chickens!" and "rollin down to old Maui" , I thought of The Dregs.
So, when will we be able to enjoy The Dregs at Chippewa? BTW, you guys were great at Twig! I was worried
that I wouldn't like The Dregs so much with two new members, but it might even be an improvement, if that were
possible. Anyway, there are still 3 weekends left at Chippewa Falls!
(Someday soon I will take The Dregs CD out of our trucks player and listen to something else whilst driving.
One or the other of your CD's had been in there most of the last year. Love those bloopers!)
A friend of The Dregs!
Greg

Subject: Re: Wisconsin Ren Faire

Sunday is good, but not as good. We've been going late on Sundays.
Saturday we try to get there when they open at 10. Sunday, we get there
much later and then try to stay until the final gate show. We haven't been
there a full day, yet. That's what's nice about season tickets. You can go every
day, and run in for a few hours, go do something else, come back, etc..
On Sundays, Wendy has been busy in the morning as she's been driving
her sister to church and back. (BTW. Her Mom has been going downhill rapidly.
Doctor is adjusting medications to see if she will improve. They are having
trouble getting her to eat.) I will talk to Wendy and see what her plans
are for Sunday. At the moment, Sunday is OK with me, but we might only
be there from 3 to 7. I would like to see a full final closing gate show. (Haven't yet.)
On saturdays, we get there early, but then leave early. Last Sunday, I thought I
was going to have to bale hay, but then it rained, so we ran down there to check
things out, stayed a couple hours, got some food, enjoyed some music, watched the
royal court pick a new queens' champion, (Mike's title, but he injured his arm and 
couldn't fight, so they replaced him! ) then left early and went to visit with Dawn.
So far, I have managed to work around hay
baling, but there is a slight chance I would have to do that any day. I baled 50,000
pounds of hay yesterday from 7 to 9 pm, just avoiding  some storms that moved thru
last evening. I have a big field of hay to bale today and yesterday's hay to haul in and stack.
And that makes me say, Bye! Gotta go work. See ya!
Greg

To: Jim 
Hi
Wendys' Mom has stopped eating and drinking since Sunday.
The nurses say this is her way of leaving. Her condition is
deteriorating quickly. They don't expect her to last more than
a few more days. She did not want any invasive or extreme measures,
so is only receiving comfort care. They could send her to the clinic to
be rehydrated, but Wendy decided it would only prolong the inevitable.
Likewise, Joan did not want to ever be fed via stomach tube. Wendy
says they did that for her Dad and it was not good. 
Plans for this weekend must be tentative and subject to abrupt change.
Going to the faire is not totally out of the question, but we will have to
see how everyone feels about it. 
Take care.
Greg

From: Greg Meier 
To: Dawn 
Subject: Sad news

Wendys' Mom passed away quietly last night.
She had stopped eating and drinking but a few days ago.
Wendy and Amber had one last visit with her late yesterday afternoon.
She was eighty years of age.


Translated from Old Norse "Sayings of the High One".
   Cattle die, Kinsmen die, One(oneself) dies the same; I know one(thing) that never dies: 
   The name(reputation) of each one dead.
       http://web.telia.com/~u85906673/asar/havamal/havamal.html

Subject: Thank you inhabitants of Doon Douglas!

Thank you inhabitants of Doon Douglas!
A big THANKS to all the villagers who brought Doon Douglas to life! Being able 
to escape reality for a few hours each weekend was a great gift for us. Our 
almost daily visits are being sorely missed as the faire happened at a time 
of much stress and sorrow in our mundane lives. Our praise and a hearty HUZZAH! 
to you all! We give a special thanks to the performers who provided us with 
hours of enjoyment and distraction. Barely Balanced, Drunken Uglies, Jousting, 
Pizpor, Bounding Main, Starboard Watch, EricaJames, Teatro, Jugglenauts, 
Footweary Tunesmiths. Extra kudos to all who were committed to keeping the 
ice slushies supply available to combat heat exhaustion! Greg is missing the 
Gyros he had almost every visit. Amber is missing the slushies and mozzarella 
sticks. Wendy misses Valour and Apollo. A special mention to the person who 
thought of placing the water misters here and there about the village for a 
refreshing cooldown in the relentless heat. We hope to see you all again next year!

Greg Meier
jack of many trades, master of none
The Original Blue Hills Beast

http://homepage.mac.com/amacoy/wirenfaire/01/thanks.html

To: Jim 
Subject: Tuesday

Jim
This sounded great. I was making plans. I knew we could do it.
Then... the realtor called this morning and said someone wanted to look at
the estate property on Tuesday at 1 - 1:30. I said NO!  Wendy said OK.
So now we may be tied up. I'm trying to figure out if we can still do it.
We probably couldn't be to your place until 3 at the earliest. That would
give us enough time to be there before 5. I'm just trying to decide if
it's going to be worth the stress and uncertainty to try and do this. 
Wendy is going to contact the social worker on Monday to try and
get a caseworker assigned to help Sandy. Wendy has reached the 
end of her patience trying to secure Sandys' future. I have my doubts.
These are the same people that kept telling Wendy not to worry about 
Sandy when her mom was still at home and having problems. We could 
have had a six months head start on getting Sandy on SSI. If she already
was on SSI, she could have gotten a Parksite apartment right away. Who
knows how long it will be, if ever. They only had two openings now and if 
those are taken, Sandy would be put on a waiting list, maybe for years.
The Bruce Housing Authority would not give a waiver to allow Sandy in
because there might be someone else who is older and more disabled
that would want a room. They did give us the option of moving her in
but she would have had to leave if someone more needy showed up. If the
estate property would sell quickly, Sandy would have few options left.
Whatever money she gets from her half is what she would have to live on
for the rest of her life, (unless she can get on SSI.)
Wendy is now mostly convinced that Sandy could never drive safely,
could not hold a normal job and may be physically handicapped because 
of her age and weight. She has no medical insurance.

If things change and we would happen to be able to get out of here
early on Tuesday, we could have even more fun in Star Prairie as there
are 10 caches within 3 miles of town. I'm still holding out hope that
we can get together Tuesday. Never Give Up! Never Surrender! 
Greg

Subject: I sign the petition to censure Chaney.

Howdy Y'all!

WARNING!
CONTAINS STRONG ANTI-REPUBLICAN CONTENT!

Follow this URL to see proof and read my comment.

cheney.jpg

If your like me, you may feel the impulse to reply to stuff such as this
and spend a lot of time and energy replying to these kind of messages.
Please don't feel the need to respond to this one.
I will not changed my perfectly honed and measured opinion.
I would just like everyone to know what I think. Love it or hate it.
If you feel so inclined, go sign the petition.
Thanks,
Greg

P.S. We have a large bear in the corn on our north forty. It is also ripping apart
big bales I have stored there. The DNR just came and put a large live trap out
the catch the bear and take it far away. He baited it with cookies. Keeblers I think.
If only we could do that with people we don't like.    :-> He! He!  

>Subject: Hey DUDE! Re: I sign the petition to censure Chaney.
>Sorry Blue BeastÊ...Do not agree with you. Scott ( Former democrat) Cant be with a party 
>that WHINES all the time with not ever having any SOLUTIONS!!! I do not agree with all 
>Republicans BUT a lot more than the democrats who I feel are WAY TO FAR TO THE LEFT!! Scott

Hey Scott! 
Can't ever imagine it will ever come to a point where I could agree with you either.
(Please remember, it has taken me 30 years of observation and awareness to reach this point.)
I (as a former Republican voter e.g. Dicky Nixon, Ronnie Reagan, Tommy Thompson)
have been fooled TOO many times into voting against my own interests by politicians using 
slick sounding jingoism and promises that were never fulfilled,  even reversed. I realize I am
a freakish anomaly, as I am aware that if one is not a Democrat when you are young and reckless 
you have no heart, and if you are not a Republican  when you are old, wealthy and need your 
possessions protected, you have no mind. So I suppose I have been both heartless and am now mindless. 
I think I've always been an independent and don't relish being lumped in with a bunch of WHINERS 
(as you call them) but there is no reasonable alternative left, and I think I'm probably a 
socialist now anyway. SOLIDARITY! Republican solutions? I think it is treacherously simple AND easy 
to have SOLUTIONS if your motto is "Destroy All Enemies!", foreign or domestic. 
Or something such as "Just Do As We Say, Trust Us, We Will Save You! You Don't Even Need To Think 
Anymore!"  (ever read "1984" by George Orwell?)
Very easy SOLUTIONS. Yes? Mindlessly easy in my opinion. 
Complicated, far-seeing solutions are so much beyond the stunted abilities and parochial beliefs of 
most of our current leadership that the successful continuation of this country as a democracy is 
laughable. We are the only modern industrial nation on Earth that isn't concerned about it's people.
 Look at the concept of universal healthcare. The Clintonites were stomped down quick and hard when 
they suggested it. 
The Republicans PROMISED PROMISED PROMISED that if the Clintonites  cooled it, they would have 
studies done to come up with a BETTER solution. HA! In numerous instances these same REPUBLICANS 
lie and attack with lies. Have you seen "An Inconvenient Truth", No?
Do so. As a reader of scientific literature, I already knew most of the facts about global warming 
so wasn't surprised by the plot. What I was surprised with was the animated, personable, intelligent 
and informed performance of Al Gore, who has been successfully portrayed by the "LIBERAL MEDIA" 
(ain't no such thing) as boring, a trickster i.e. "He invented the Internet! " and a nutty 
environmentalist. 
It all boils down to this, the Republicans are the party of the Rich and Powerful, as I an neither 
rich nor powerful there is no reason for me to ever vote Republican again. I am not a one issue voter, 
it is against my nature. Aside from the rhetoric they use to get votes, they have NO connection to the 
"common man." They don't know what is like and they care even less. If you look you will notice that 
all of their actions follow the following premises; "We will help our buddies, the rest of you are on 
your own; we don't know how you live and we don't want to know how you live; if your not with us, your 
against us;  we will make fools of you as many times as you let us."  
I've run on too long. Need to go. As you were the first person to reply and this missive has allowed 
me to solidify my feelings, I might need to copy some of it to use in other emails. I appreciate your 
thoughts but you will  never have my life so will never be able to  feel where I am coming from. So we 
should each defend our way of life or strive to change it. I am going to do a little to change things back.
I will NEVER have anything in common with the Bushites. Never, ever will. Even if you gave me 10 million 
dollars I could never be one of them. I wouldn't WANT to be like them. I'd die first. On second thought, 
I think they'd like that. 
Greg

Ê

Subject: Re: geocaching questions
Howdy Paul,
The only place I have felt the need to ask anyone about placing a cache was at
the Flambeau Mine site. Any boat landing, park, wayside, etc. that is open to 
public access should not need permission. Some public land is designated as
State Natural Areas and is off limits to caching. We put a cache at a nice wayside
in Hayward that turned out to be on the St Croix National Scenic Waterway and we 
were told to remove it by the approver. We were not aware of that restriction.
I attempted to contact the local DNR to get permission but gave up as it was getting
too complicated. I also had contacted the Rusk County Forester, not so much to get
permission, but to inform him that caches were being placed on county forest land
in case they were accidently found. He knew very little about geocaching and brought
the subject up at the next county board meeting where is got a positive response, 
especially by  Economic Development Coordinator Alvorado, who contacted me
once about running a county wide tourism promotion using geocaching. I didn't
have time or the experience to help him on that. 
When you submit your new cache to www.geocaching.com, there is a fill in the blank
section where you can make comments that only the approver will see. This is where 
you tell that the land has public access, or you own the land and geocachers are 
welcome, or someone gave you permission, etc.

Adopting a cache can be difficult. You have the owners permission. Good. 
The WGA approver is the one who will actually transfer it to you, after getting
permission from the cache owner. We adopted two caches. One was easy. One was hard.
The one that was hard had been abandoned by it's owner who no longer geocached, being
inactive for 2 years. The approver posted a note on that caches webpage and we waited a month
for the owner to reply. They didn't, so the cache was transfered to Team Crazy4. I also remember having
some difficulty in the communication, but can't remember what I did to resolve it. 

Glad you have enjoyer our caches. We have been pretty inactive lately, but hope to get
back into it this fall. Looking forward to see what you will come up with on your cache hides.
See Ya!
Greg
 

 
Subject: Re: "Liberal Blue Beast"

Howdy Scott,
Gotta keep pushing that boulder up that mountain! Forever if necessary!

On Wednesday, August 23, 2006, at 09:21 PM, yipekia07@aol.com wrote:

>Say Blue beast maybe u can ski down the mountain with John Kerry????
 
I 'd rather be skiing with Kerry than cutting brush with Bush! But since I had to give up
skiing more 10 years ago because of back problems, I would have to classify that as
an impossible dream. But I guess a guy can dream, huh?

>I'm sure glad he is not the "MAN" running our country now.....

At least he is HU-MAN! I'm really nostalgic about the past that should have been. A 
war hero who is sneakily attacked by the supporters of a war shirker gets my vote any day. 
A macho talking frat rat with visions of retribution is what I'd call "SUB-HU-MAN."

>Have u seen the movie "World Trade Center"???

I don't need to see the movie, I saw the original story and remember it  well. Did you learn anything new?

>Our enemies that did that to us need to be "DESTROYED" my friend!!
 
("You will be eliminated!, you will be eliminated!"" is also the slogan of the cybernetic Daleks!)
Umm, the people that did 9-11 destroyed themselves in the attack. The ultra conservative, religious 
ideology that created those fanatical suicidal religious Islamic zealots is our enemy. If they sent 
someone to kill all your relatives what would you do? Nothing? or would you dedicate your future to 
destroying the people who sent them? The Iraq War (which is no longer a war but an occupation) has 
diverted our focus, our troops, our money, from the destruction of our real enemy. Iraq did not attack the
U.S. Iraq is not Al-Qaeda. Saddams' secular Iraq was an enemy of the "Islamo-Fascists."  Why is Osama 
still around? Because we have been sidetracked. Ever considered why Bush hasn't secured our borders
and is leaving millions of illegal Mexicans in?

>Or they will "DESTROY" u... We are FINALLY on the OFFENSIVE in this country!!!
> Where was our offense when Clinton was in office for 8 years??

In case you weren't paying attention, for the entire 8 years, the Republicans diverted the nation with
a witch hunt, spending 40 million dollars to discredit Clinton with their hatred of him keeping them
from helping do anything useful. 

>Also, I would not waste my money seeing anything by Al Gore or Michael Moore!

I will gladly send you $5 of my own money so you can see Al Gore. 

>Do u really believe that we are the only modern nation that doesn't care about its people??I guess 
>u think other countries care MORE about their people than the U.S.?? Man, are u smoking anything 
>out there in the corn fields????

What I BELIEVE is that our current leadership is totally clueless about what it's like to be an average american citizen. 
They are not only clueless, but they don't CARE about the average person. They don't CARE because they are so
far removed from having to be "average", they are UNABLE to even imagine what it's like TO BE in the average
persons shoes.  Our nations policies are tainted by the fact that we are being lead by people who are incapable
of identifying with the common person. Being out of touch with reality is also why they have no idea what they are
doing in the rest of the world. If they aren't aware of the lives of their own citizens, how can they make assumptions
about the enemy they are attacking? Slogans and cheers and talking points are not a plan of action.

>Too many people are SUCKING on the NIPPLE of the goverment SOW!!! ( Like that????) The American Farmer is BEST 
>in the World--NOT because of any government program BUT is in SPITE of a heavy-handed beauracy...

The American Farmer has the best soil to plant crops in and the best climate to grow the crops. A major advantage.
BTW, the price of milk for the last 8 months has been at pre 1980 levels. We have taken a 35% cut in our gross from
what we were getting last year, which wasn't that great either. We work 7 days a week for nothing. Our milk
income barely covers our operating expenses. Do you think we should reject the $200 - 300 a month subsidy we are
getting from the federal government MILC program? As long as we are giving our milk away, I was thinking of turning
the farm into a charity so that people could show some unselfish concern for the welfare of others by keeping us in
business so we can produce cheap food. If the price of milk ever responded to a free market the way it should,
the price of milk in the store should have fallen to about $1.89 a gallon. Has it?  

>The socialist form doesnt work and there are plenty of examples from aroundÊthe world to show that!!!! So 
>why import a FAILED system into our economy???
 
I'm still not sure it's socialism, but hopefully, we will see universal healthcare in this country in your lifetime.  

>Socialized medicine will mean mediocore CARE for all....

I'd rather have mediocre care than none at all. I'm happy you have enough money to secure the proper 
healthcare for yourself and family, but people who are thankful just to have running water and electricity
can't get sick or injured. They have nothing to fall back on. Besides, you would still be able to get "the 
best medicine money can buy." 
 
>Your letter is basically Democratic talking points and not a product of INDEPENDENT thinking.
 
Wrong. This is a lie. You trying to get my dander up? Anyway, the Republicans are the MASTERS of the 
talking point method. They have it perfected to the point of being ludicrous and boring at the same time.

>Do you really beleive that Democrats fulfill ALL promises???
 
At this point, I don't care if they keep ANY promises. If they didn't, that would just make them even 
with the Republicans, in my opinion.

>Oh yea, we have LOTS of friends who are REPUBLICANS and are NOT Rich & Powerful???
 
Yea, but then I remember when I supported the Republicans when I was poor and powerless
so I can only try to sympathize with them and pray they will see clearly some day. They don't
happen to be one issue voters? Anti-gun control people and anti-abortionist people can be stuck
voting for some real losers, don't you think?

>So when are u moving to HOLLYWOOD???
 
I hate California. Never move there in a millions years. Not my kind of life. Besides, it's going
to fall into the ocean one day! HURRAY! Hey I'm betting you hate how Arnold turned out! 
The Governator!!

>( Just kidding blue beast..we have had a lot of good times in the past BUT we do differ on the WAY 
>the country should be run. That is what is great about this country...we can differ and be friends! 
>I guess u will be voting for Hollary or Hillary?? Have a good day Blue Beast! Scott

Gee, I don't like Hillary much. I'm voting for Feingold! GO RUSS! 
But then, I'd  miss him as our Wisconsin Senator. 

Greg

From: Greg Meier 
Date: Mon Oct 9, 2006  9:44:29 AM US/Central
To: Jim Landreth 
Subject: The best laid plans of mice and me.

The best laid plans of mice and me!
Hope you had a good time in Bayfield!
On a scale of 1-10 our weekend was about a 3.
We wisely decided we could not do two days in a row, so we
headed East to Eagle River Cranfest. Despite a late start and a
longer than predicted drive down a very boring section of highway 8
I was optimistic. The cranfest  was on our list of new places to go have fun.

We've now seen more than enough arts and crafts and flea market junk for this year.
The music was minimal and highly ignorable.  We did buy some good cranberry jelly beans.
40,000 people made a traffic jam in town and it took us 30 minutes to park.
We managed to squeeze in two cache finds which may just have been the highlight
of the day for me. (Sad, isn't it?) We got to see some new scenery and might want
to come back to explore the town when no one is around. There is more water than
land around here and it's very scenic but it is a classic tourist area with tons of
out-of-staters. Can't say I wish you were with us 'cuz it wasn't exactly our "funnest" day.
Sunday. Very tired. I think we started milking about 3 hours late.
Really hope you had a LOT more fun than we did! Looking back, I guess we should have
just went to Stone Lake and got home earlier. 'Cuz of our late start, Bayfield really
wouldn't have worked out for us very well either, but we did miss meeting up with you.

To all my email friends.
I give you the rare chance to experience democracy in action!
I have posted my contribution to democracy at this URL.

http://homepage.mac.com/amacoy/images/2stupid.gif

It only takes 32 seconds to run. I'd appreciate if you'd  take the time
to let my democratic memes soak into your brain. Perhaps they are contagious!
I apologize in advance to all my Republican friends. I'm really sorry
your Republican, oops! a Kerry moment! I mean, I'm sorry if you find this offensive,
but I'm on the offensive and have learned many lessons from the very
best propagandist  in existence! Karl Rove.

Greg Meier
jack of many trades, master of none
The Original Blue Hills Beast
http://airstreamcomm.net/~blbeast/index.html

Subject: Re: Quiet Liberal???
>On Wednesday, December 6, 2006, at 07:51 PM, yipekia07@aol.com wrote:
>Hey Blue Beast......Why so quiet lately??? All your Dem's are running things???? 
>U still skiing down the mountain?? Scott

Hi Scott. This is Greg. ... Quiet Liberal?...or....maybe... Quite Liberal?!

Skiing? What's that? Oh, right!  I guess it's been at least 10 years since I last did any skiing.

The shit has hit the fan and I am sitting back and hoping there are enough competent
leaders to clean up the mess!  The biggest blunder in the history of America is still in
office and I am fearsome of what the next two years will bring. Maybe all the kings horses and all the
kings men (the ones who helped break "it") should be made to put it back together again!  
Or go to jail instead. 
Ya know, I'm still pissed that Ken (Kenny Boy) Lay got out of paying his debt to society by
up and dropping dead, and that's about where I'm at right now.
Hey, here's a question. 
Should our "stay the course" leader be held responsible for his incompetent, autocratic ideology  or 
should  the people who enabled, and encouraged, and voted for him accept  responsibility? 
I am finding great joy that Fox News is finally being exposed as the administrations propaganda tool! Hurrah!
And Rush, that ol' right wing mouthpiece seems to be having even more conniption fits and temper tantrums! 
Hurrah! Hurrah!

Have a Grand Christmas! 
Got your card today. 
Great family you got there. "Kids" look like a million bucks.
How come Scott and Barb aren't in the picture? 

Conversation with a Right-Wing Conservative.

Subject: Re: Blue LIB Beast - or- Does Scott love Bush?

Scott,
Ya know, before I continue this important but apparently useless discussion we're having, ya 
need to know how I think that Bush's War is but the tip of the iceberg as far as the damage 
this administration has done to America. Signing statements, an atrocious national deficit, no 
universal healthcare, brutal partisan politics, elimination of 75% of food inspectors, lobbyists
spending $10 million a week trying to convince our representatives to destroy Net Neutrality, 
Bush's denying global warming (which was agreed upon by over 1000 peer-reviewed research papers 
even BEFORE Bush poo-pooed it's reality) All related to the fact that the people now in power 
have no EMPATHY or UNDERSTANDING for the common man or anyone who makes less
than, say $100,000 a year. This administration empathizes with persons of privilege and family 
connections and political affiliation and corporate power. The rest of us might as well be living 
on a different world; for all they think or care about how people like me manage to exist.
(Better get your thinking cap on and start getting prepared for trying to debate all THAT stuff! ) 
I have this terrible realization that Bush has done more damage to the United States than a thousand 
terrorists ever could have done and he still has two more years to go.

>If u ever wastched Bill O'ReillyÊu would find he is not happy about Iraq and has voiced his opinion 
about our government not handling the war properly.

I watched Fox news and O'Reilly all the time until I realized how absurdly partisan it all was. You'll 
find more unvarnished truth in the National Enquirer tabloid!
I really can't spend the time and energy trying to separate the tiny bit of real news from the loads of 
garbage Fox News dumps on us every day. That's why I deleted that channel from our TV guide a long time 
back. I do check occasionally to see if they have changed from their partisan propaganda mode.. 
They have not.

>DO u really understand WHYÊwe went into Iraq??

Well, we've all been repeatedly told numerous times that it was because Iraq:

A. (according to Bush/Chaney/Rumsfeld), " WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR 9-11"  (no connection whatsoever!
 Remember that other guy, Osama bin Laden? and know that Saddam hated Osama bin Laden! Probably 
still does. Wouldn't give him the time of day!  Saddam would have nothing to do with
 religious extremists! He a was a secularist They were his enemy! Did you know that?)

B. (according to Bush/Chaney/Rumsfeld), "HAD WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION?"   
(nothing found because there was nothing there! )

C. (according to Bush/Chaney/Rumsfeld)  " WE HAD TO BRING THEM DEMOCRACY?"   
(a made up goal after the blunder of invading Iraq became clear?!)

 So you see, I do understand WHAT our leaders have been saying for WHY they took us into Iraq? 
(I have heard it repeated often enough.)

Or did you mean...
Do I "really understand" the reasoning behind the excuses our leaders have been using for 
why they took us into Iraq?
Do I "really understand" how they thought they knew more than all the inspectors, historians, 
Iraq experts, and all other scientific geo-political studies?
Do I "really understand" why they decided to invade even acting against the advice of G. Bush 
the First?
NO, I GUESS I DON"T UNDERSTAND! Want to try and fill me in?

YES I do feel safer as the terrorists all get attracted to Iraq.
So all the terrorists in the world are going TO Iraq? I thought it sounded as if you believed 
they CAME FROM Iraq?
Anyway, I think we're both right, as there are more terrorists being CREATED in Iraq. 
(It really is a great training ground for them.)

>I have talked to plenty of soldiers who have returned from Iraq and the stories of GRATEFULLNESS is unreal.

I admit you have the advantage here in having had personal contact with eyewitnesses who have experienced many
positive and uplifting and genuine examples of interaction with Iraqis who have benefited from our sacrifices and the
benefits of our free society.  However, these types of encounters do not justify the overall situation - An unjust war.

>U have your opinion and I have mine.

My opinions are based on a life of observation of what people actually do, and not what they say. I'm no longer
influenced much by what anyone says anymore, only what they have done in the past. Actions speak much louder than
words. It's just ridiculous to vote for someone based on things they say while they are running for election. I can
still enjoy a great speech that uses effective and inspirational rhetoric, but find it's substance and history that count.

>We will never agree. I just wish the incompetant and misguided Clinton in office would of handled terrorist actions!

Well, Clinton did leave all those reports and warnings about the terror threat for the Bush administration to use,
but you know how they rejected ANYTHING connected with the Clinton administration because of the fanatical
hatred  Republicans have for anything Clintonesque. "Clinton administration officials repeatedly warned their
Bush administration counterparts in late 2000 that Al Qaeda posed the worst security threat facing the nation."
Bush had the information and choose to ignore it.

>Are u hoping for Obama for 2008?? We call him (Eddie Haskell) down here from Leave it to Beaver.

I don't know anything about his record, but he is the kind of person I would vote for. I think he's a bit
premature running for president. I would rather see him wait a few years and get more experienced.
I'm going to watch him and maybe send some campaign contributions his way, just to help him to
get his ideas publicized in the next two years, ideas that will have to be taken into account by the
Republicans who will be desperately trying to get elected in 2008. Clinton-Obama in 2008? I don't
think there are enough intelligent voters yet to make that a winning ticket. But... maybe if the Republicans keep
screwing up?

BTW, did you see Bush Sr. crying the other day because Georgie has destroyed Jebs' chances of ever becoming president?
Apparently Jeb is the real favorite son and the bush clan was wishing Dubya would have listened to Dad Bush more
than once... wait, I don't think smirky Dubya ever took ANY advice from the previous prez!  Hey, how do you feel
about the upcoming DRAFT preparations? Do you feel it's just another Bush administration fear and scare tactic?
Believe it or not, but I listened to Bush's last news conference that lasted over an hour. He sounded sincere, responsible,
thoughtful and willing to cooperate with the Democrats for the good of the country.... then all those darned liberal reporters
asked all those pesky liberal and "dangerous" questions that he had to answer. Ouch!

Greg, "One of those liberal thinkers who are going to dominate the next 20 years."

To Be Continued.....