tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58355512519334521712024-02-20T04:02:16.321-05:00One Man's FootstepsI live within sight of where I grew up, at Manquin, VA, about one-half hour east of Richmond VA, on US Rt. 360. Raised as a country boy I was free to roam the farm by the time I was 9. These are a few of my observations on the world.Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-14953507661728501692016-03-01T09:10:00.001-05:002016-03-01T09:10:13.585-05:00YES, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN - SHOT THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT !<br />
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<b>Republicans need to clean house and either disband/ rename themselves or forget about winning elections and leading our country to greater heights. Continuing to embrace the Tea Party mantra, more conservative(than moderate) philosophy will guarantee us the title of a second rate party. Will someone please stand up and declare a complete leadership change to a younger, wiser, more progressive party in Congress to begin this move. Then we citizens can hang our hats on a way to save our beautiful Country.</b><br />
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<b>Being known as the "Big Money" party sure doesn't help our reputation. It's already obivious each party is tied to BM!</b><br />
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<b>The debate was as good a side show, one of the best(worst) I've ever seen to showcase major representatives of the Party. It reminded me of my visits to the Barnum & Bailey Circus Shows of long ago. Is it humanly possible to get the Party reps from across the country together in convention and pick ONE really good candidate?</b>Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-24296494771441251772016-01-25T10:58:00.002-05:002016-01-25T10:58:29.674-05:00Neither Fish nor FeatherPresently I am neither Democrat nor Republican. Probably closer to Libertarian. It grates on me that the major parties seem to be headless, wearing blinders to outside ideas. Of course in a good picture or column in the local newspaper, our leaders manages to preen, ruffle their feathers and assure us "they" have all the answers. There are still some died-in-the-wool party members, like one of my relatives to went to NYC on election day to see a prize fight instead of voting. Unfortunately he had to stand to allow someone to pass to their seat- at that instant the winning knockout was landed and when he looked up the looser was on the mat.<br />
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<br />Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-54420325135842338662016-01-25T09:36:00.003-05:002016-01-25T11:00:02.699-05:00Greetings! The Manquin Cowboy is Back<b>Deep snow. New topic-who are we going to put in the White House next year. Once again the team I was cheering for, the Republicans, have shot themslves in the foot. This seems to be a common practice. Here in Virginia some of the best brains in our legislature are hugging the Tea Party, while the moderates limp along trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat and win the toss. The Tea Party has some good points, older more conservative ideas, which bear our attention. Their gaudy yellow signs and in some cases local units run by fellows with no give. Like cutting back on school budgets without proper knowledge. Most state and local hirings that bloat any budget, including schools are the hiring of another level of administrators.</b><br />
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<b>That's a sore subject with me-another level of bureaucracy. Another vote for the party in power. Government can reduce budgets, but firing a position/person is taboo.</b><br />
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<b>We've largely a new Board of Supervisors here in King William County, Virginia. About 20 miles NE of Richmond, still outside the Richmond metro area, but growing fast. We now have a Food Lion that could use some competition, and a full service drug store type. Our road traffic is now heavier. Born into a rural county some 80 years ago, our home on US Rt 360 now requires we wait, to drive out into traffic. Lots of new faces over the last 8-10 years. Good folks-especially those who see a need and step up to the plate to rebuild some organizations that have we natives have left to languished. </b><br />
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<b>Back to the elections. The man that's turned so many heads, Mr. Trump has raised some good questions, put some fire into the Republican Party, bruised lots of "old" ideas and sent potential front runners packing. I would vote for him first and Bernie second. Not Hillary. Some say Bernie's mantra is Socialist. If true and he's true to form - NITC! (Not in This Country).</b><br />
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<b>Thanks for your patience, I apologize to you kind folks who wrote and I appreciate constructive criticisms.Until we meet again & soon. WGT 1/24/16</b>Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-59536785733874558352012-08-05T17:41:00.001-05:002013-10-16T19:30:09.186-05:00<h2>
Silent Majority - It's Our Turn To Vote!</h2>
NEW REVISION: 10/15/2013<br />
Well another election is coming soon- time to change things. The peckerwoods in DC have finally done it. I'm voting <u>against</u> my incumbent in Congress. I can't wait to do the same for Senators Warner and Kaine at the next election You see, the powers in Congress, Democrats and Republicans, ignore what needs to be done to right this sinking ship and are interested only in feathering their nests!. Let them go back to their home state and make an honest living for a few years. The most dangerous members are the ones with the most seniority. Here in Virginia, our senators have little seniority but can freely trade their votes for paybacks later. In other states with more senior members, you, the local citizens can get the job done. Those half-wits in DC, including our Pied Piper President and Congress, have no sense of what's going on in the real world. As long as they get their exorbitant perks, they could care less for us as taxpayers. <br />
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<strong>Let's deliver a message. Less than half of us pay taxes. The days of a free ride on the weary backs of a few citizens is over!</strong><br />
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Everyone should pay some taxes, especially those with their hands out - the TAKERS! If you are naive enough to believe the present administration is going to help you - "the middle class," you should read the fine print. Remember Robin Hood's mantra, "Take from the rich and give to the poor." The only ones left with savings or a modest estate, (us), will be the donors. Guess who's going to end up with our life savings? In addition, we will be so fortunate to have most people of little or no ambition sitting at home feasting on welfare, figuring out how to get the more off our back. Don't get me wrong, the true needy should get help-as needed.Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-20508437328422733982012-04-05T16:41:00.003-05:002012-04-05T17:13:08.356-05:00Green Revolution or False Hopes ?The Wall Street Journal is an excellent source for news. Solar and wind energy are inefficient, expensive, and a waste of money. I see no evidence that either are efficient, by any stretch of the imagination. Instead they are "dreamchildren" of enviromentalists who hope to replace coal and oil. Only nuclear power is more efficient. I define EFFICIENCY as more return for dollars spent. Solar panel production as well as covering our land and seascape with windmills is a pure waste. Where are the professional scientists who will step up to the plate and vanquish this hoax?<br /><br />Natural gas is a plentiful, cleaner burning, much more efficient source for energy production. Am I the only voice crying in the wilderness? My scientific skills are limited, but my common sense has provided me with the tools to read, examine, research, and come to conclusions that seem accurate.<br /><br />A suggestion-let's pick one member of our U. S. Congress in each state to defeat along with the current resident of the WH. The silent majority has been silent far too long. Like others, let's block vote and make some changes. Stand tall,or this may be the last Greatess Generation of our wonderful country. God Bless America is not politically incorrect as some toads would insist.Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-77069474115136351282012-02-19T14:03:00.003-05:002012-02-19T14:30:53.540-05:00I was almost a Valentine! Born Feb. 15, 1936I had hoped to remove an old post or two, but still feel strongly about them. I think they'll stand the test of time. Still read plenty-even bought a Nook to take to my regular visits to doctors' offices. Most every week I go in for tune up or two: family doctor, chiropractor, dentist, massage, hearing aid lab or for an occasional x-ray. Still feel OK, able to get around. Moving across rough ground, I'm a little wobbly. Nowadays a foot race lasts abound five steps and to an observer- it's hilarous! Had cataracts removed, lens replaced- no glasses now. Just have to remember to wear safety glasses when I go out to my shop to putter. My pistol shooting is shakey, but at five steps I can surely nail a bad guy. I have pretty much given up hunting. I have some vertigo and can't find anyone to hunt with me when I'm carrying a loaded shotgun! Still lots of fun shooting my 22's at targets and tin cans. I daily count my blessings having wife Emilie as my lifetime partner. Over fifty years together and we're still civil to each other. I learned long ago who wears the pants in our family. It's scarey sometimes the way she looks at me like she can read my mind. At these times must concentrate on trees, clouds, and other things instead of unnamed items.It's trying to snow outside now-been a mild winter, but cold enough to break the bank on heating oil bills. Remember, "EVERY DAY IS A GIFT!"<br /><br /><br />I hope you have enjoyed my blogs and if you wish e-mail me <a href="mailto:wguyemilie@wildblue.net">wguyemilie@wildblue.net</a>.Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-67303480538348795142011-08-25T14:10:00.003-05:002011-08-25T14:53:46.893-05:00VIRGINIA MAY HOLD THE ANSWERWe here in Virginia have a one term governor. So, one has no need to campaign for a second term. Since most elected officials spend most of their time and energy running for another term and all the great fringes that go with it, why not limit them to one term? Six years sounds about right. Then we stagger the elections to stand for one third at a time so the newbies can't do but so much damage, if they are so inclined. All fringes should be identical to a typical corporate plan, including social security, and health insurance. No 100% retirement for anyone. Senators and
<br />Congressmen deserve no more than the forty percent of us who are now our only taxpayers. Everyone should pay some taxes. The poor could pay $20 a year and they might appreciate their gifts more.
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<br />Our president is determined to " Take from the rich and give to the poor." So, if you are making a modest salary, trying to spend your money wisely and hopefully save a little - you're a prime target. Yes, he's coming to take as much as he can to make us into his model as a socialist country. <strong>Whether you work or not you get the same size piece of the pie as the person who spends 40 hours a week trying to make a decent living</strong>. The present gentleman cares very little for the America way we all have loved and worked to perfect. I hope you will try to work through the media blitz, and "separate the wheat from the chaff " to get us a leader who MAY save our country in 2012. This maybe our last chance. Let's not drown following the Pied Piper-making the same mistake twice, into a disaster for our country.
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<br />The Presidency could use a fixed term also. The situation in DC is a mess, part of which we, the good citizens, helped create by demanding services we well could have done without or voluntered to fill the gaps.
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<br />Let's follow othe groups, vote as a solid block, to save our great country. It's our only and maybe the last opportunity to save our great heritage.
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<br />THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!
<br />Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-34578288323418861402011-06-09T09:47:00.004-05:002011-08-25T14:05:02.334-05:00I'm BackI've left my older blogs on because I think they are timeless, carry important messages and need to be published in this time of "political correctness", which I think is often used as someones agenda to brainwash the logical and straight thinking of sensible people. Generally, I consider "politically correctness" should be assigned the same level as a sewer rat!
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<br /><strong>A WORD OF CAUTION</strong>: WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH SOMEONE-ASK YOURSELF- IS THERE A CONFLICT OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST HERE? Most people tend to look after their interests first, so if your's comes second-button your pocket book and find someone else to help you . Thank you for visiting. WGT
<br />Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-15204406789942954552010-09-06T08:09:00.002-05:002010-09-06T08:17:55.480-05:00My Book - ONE MAN'S FOOTSTEPSThis is a small paperback, about my life. Born in 1936, growing up during WW II on a farm here in Virginia, my time on this earth has been challenging, exciting and full of wonderful experiences. My college English(composition) teacher must be turning over in her grave, I was a "C" student - I have managed to write and communicate in an uncomplicated way. <br /><br />The book i$17.50 total, if mailed. My address: W. Guy Townsend 661 Richmond Tapp Hwy Manquin, VA 23106. E-mail: <a href="mailto:wguyemilie@wildblue.net">wguyemilie@wildblue.net</a>Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-46735074049104993432010-09-06T08:04:00.003-05:002010-09-06T08:09:06.508-05:00FeedbackI am open to suggestions. My skin is thick enough to take criticism-good and bad! But please, think about what great things lie ahead for our next generations. Offer positive thoughts. Goodness knows negative inputs help no one. My e-mail: <a href="mailto:wguyemilie@wildblue.net">wguyemilie@wildblue.net</a>Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-86919465466467853982010-09-06T07:43:00.002-05:002010-09-06T08:04:15.195-05:00God Blest America!Our wonderful country was created with ambition and a a strong spiritual philosophy. The first arrivals to our shores were not wimps. They faced huge obstacles, they labored and succeeded in creating the strongest country in the world. They were individuals, not hamstrung by "polictical correctness." The spirit is still with us. I'm biased toward rural and small town thinking where plenty of "common sense" still survives. We must not lose this momentum. Dumbing down high school and college coursework serves no good purpose. When a student "graduates" to the real work, disappointment should not greet them. Teaching to tests is ridiculous. Teach the course work in English, math, science, and history. Insist on hardwork, discipline and satisfaction will bring success. We have much to be thankful for, so many wonderful positive things are in our future. The opportunities are there - we just need to take 'em!Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-59302053282438920252009-09-15T13:57:00.013-05:002010-09-06T08:34:44.240-05:00WAKE UP MIDDLE AMERICA !<strong>Unions</strong> have played an important part in the development of our country. Child labor laws, decent working hours and wages have helped make the United States strong. Unfortunately there have been excesses. The automobile industry, for years held the public hostage with management and labor rewarding themselves with excessive salaries and wages, all the while producing mediocre products. They've paid the price. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">NEA & AFT's</span></span> positions against charter schools, lack of enthusiasm for innovative improvements in education as well as a "protectionist" attitude for senior teachers,regardless of their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">competency,</span> is not being fair to our children, nor to our nation! Tenure is a joke. There is no tenure in the private sector- either produce or find another job! Teachers and college professors look forward to tenure as it encourages them to "slack off", doing just enough to keep their jobs and in many cases to detriment. to the entire educational process. California, is a good example of public employee unions holding the State hostage. As taxpayers we have allowed Congress and these unions a free rein because of our apathy. While we have idly stood by, wringing our hands in frustration, the unions have stolen our piggybank, sapped our resources and decimated our economies. Let's do thing, starting this fall!<br /><br /><strong>Political Parties: </strong>There's " Not a nickel's worth of difference" between Democrats and Republicans! The difference in the "worker bees and the drones" is about the individuals who are "givers" or "takers". Like tomatoes, some are good, some are over-ripe and some are rotten. The success of our Country depends on how to sort out the best ones and toss out the rest. Some of the most <em>senior </em>members need a closer look. Power breeds contempt. Neither should we "throw out the baby with the bath water." Select good people based our independent assestment, <strong>not</strong> on party affiliation.Voice your positive feelings at the next election, both state and national. It is our only hope!<br /><br /><br /><strong>Power:</strong> Power flows from the people! Growing up in a rural church, by the time I was elected to the church Board it was obvious that the church's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hierarchy</span> was calling the shots - not the people. Senior members of any governing body sometimes worship power and "forget" the peoples wishes. I know I'm biased when I say small town and country people have the edge on city folks when it comes to commonsense. It comes from growing up in rural areas, making do with the meager <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">resources,</span> and conservative values. In one of my first classes in college, our professor admitted he was an agnostic. Wow! Being in an agricultural program, conservative professors talked our language, but liberals <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">amongst</span> them slid in some new thoughts. Some liberalism is good, progressive. It prevents stagnation and lack of fresh ideas. I finished college with some moderate thoughts, picking up more as I matured, but my country roots hung in there. I was born a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Democrat</span>, worked later as a Republican <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">enthusiast</span></span> and am now an Independent,solidly. A third party won't work, but independent thought is our strongest suit. Term limits or at the very least strong voting by those of us with a grain of common sense is our only salvation! Fewer of us are paying taxes as greater feed at the public trough. Guess which group demands more service(our taxes)? It's our own fault for allowing this to happen. Remember,<strong> WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ! </strong>Contact your elected representatives in local, state, and national levels, <strong>now</strong>. Let them know your thoughts. Those folks get uneasy when we show up in big numbers! For God' sake, vote for sanity this fall-2010!<em> </em><br /><br /><p><strong><em>Conflict of Interest:</em></strong> When you're dealing with someone who stands to <em>gain, <span style="color:#ff0000;">more than you,</span></em> from your final decision, <em>not in your best interest. </em>An acid test!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong>Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835551251933452171.post-9173317497186560082007-11-05T18:14:00.000-05:002007-11-05T18:18:31.768-05:00DISCIPLINE-THE KEY TO SUCCESSAn excellent “Letters To The Editor,” letter by Candace Young in the Richmond Times Dispatch about the importance of discipline hits the bull’s eye on a main stumbling block for successfully teaching our children. Discipline, like most of the important lessons of life, needs to be started early in a child’s life. Depending on the child’s maturity starting at one year old, but certainly by two is not too early.<br /><br /> What follows is my assessment based on my parents’ teaching and general observations. I started the first grade at six years old, in 1942. I was born in February, so I had a maturity jump on some of my classmates. Old fashioned as it was, my parents got the job done and when I walked into Miss Brizendine’s classroom, respect for my teacher and classmates, and a basic understanding of right from wrong was molded into me. Much of what’s said in this article some will say is politically incorrect, sadistic, and unfair. My psychic was not ruined, my life has been for the most part optimistic and happy, and though my parents loved me, they guided me on the straight and narrow pathway that has served me well.<br /><br /> A “hickory tea” or the use of a switch from the forsythia bush at our back door was applied when I failed to heed a verbal warning. Though I don’t remember them (it’s said we only recall the pleasant things!) the palm of a well-placed hand to my backside was probably applied from time to time. We were taught to say Sir, Ma’m, please and thank you, open doors for seniors and ladies (as soon as one was strong enough), and to step back and not butt in front of adults. So much for us little folks to learn, but by the first grade, all this was embedded in me. Of course there were some slip-ups. As an early stutterer, sometimes my “thank-yous” didn’t come fast enough and a friendly “say thank you” was prompted as a reinforcement. Though a belt or slap across the face was never delivered to me, others received them partly out of frustration or for something they’d done “really bad”, most “survived”, but never forgot the lesson taught that bad behavior was not to be accepted.<br /><br /> Since Mother was the primary disciplinarian, it fell to her to “hand” out our “corrections.” Daddy was the back up and handled most of the more serious offenses. First - a warning! No second chance. Discipline was immediately “applied” in various forms depending on the severity of the offense. “Time out” was not in my parents’ vocabulary. For example: In the summer we ate on our screened back porch. Daddy sat at the head of the table, Mama to his left. Sally, my younger sister, and I sat across from each other. A common problem was kicking each other under the table. At the first lick, a warning. If this behavior continued (and it rarely did), the second stage happened and on very rare occasions when Daddy, after a long hard day’s work on the farm, slid his chair back and quick as a flash was out the screen door, back with a switch and I was usually the loser. Sally and I from time to time did our “dance,” as a small switch was applied to our legs as a result of some unsatisfactory behavior. The switching, though more for effect than injury was usually accompanied with some words to the effect, “I told you not to do that and I expect you to act your age and behave yourself!” It ended quickly with some resulting red marks, but no lasting scars. Not soon forgotten, however.<br /><br /> Our teachers were respected and any infraction in school was dealt with quickly. Following a similar routine first came a warning. Serious mischief called for a march to the principal’s office, standing in the corner (later in the upper grades, standing in the middle of the auditorium, or the dreaded warning, “One more time and I’m calling your Daddy tonight!” Oh yes, our parents never questioned the teacher’s call and in most cases we got more grief when we got home.<br /><br /> Ms. Young properly points out that a teacher cannot teach unless “classrooms are places of calm and civility,” and further “Students must learn self-control leads to self-respect-which leads to a productive, meaningful life.” So—as parents it’s our responsibility to send our little ones off to school, at least “green-broke,” to give our teachers a fighting chance as well as save us from extra grief from the kids later.Wm Guy Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06433522201580820075noreply@blogger.com0