Mike Huckabee and Michigan

Growing up in the south, home heating was never a concern.  Now I’m in Michigan and we may get 6″ of snow tomorrow night, I’m interested.

Personally, I supplement my furnace heat with firewood.  Which is much cheaper here than in Texas or Louisiana.  I have many coworkers that supplement with wood, corn and wood pellets.  LPG has gone to $2.70 – very expensive.

Besides hearing Mike talk about the poor Michigan economy, I would like to hear him start talking more about energy and energy independence.  Now that ethanol is taking off, my corn burning friends are complaining.  But, it is still cheaper than LPG.

Can you imagine a day that a farmer sets aside a portion of his crop for generating the energy necessary to run his farm?  Take a look here http://attra.ncat.org/energy.php 

I really believe that ethanol will go the way of the phony emu market.  Not enough energy return to make it viable.  But there are alternatives that look promising.  And, the government needs to encourage the research in part by funding and in part by reducing taxes for companies to perform the research.

Huckabee Rally – Birch Run

Look for me at the Birch Run Rally on Friday. I should be easy to spot. I will be wearing a Mike Huckabee hat.

When I was younger, the parents of one of my friends were active in the Republican party. In fact, they supported GHW Bush in the primaries. They had several pictures with him (and were much more capable to contribute monetarily). History shows that he lost to the person I feel is one of the most important presidents since Lyndon Johnson – Ronald Regan.

While my dad was interested (and well informed) in politics, we were not active in any organization. I remember thinking my friends parents were unusual (if not odd) for being so pro-Bush. Nevertheless, I helped build and deliver Bush yard signs a few times. I had fun. I never imagined that I would become so interested in a candidate that I would support one so strongly.

Here we are, my oldest child not much younger than my early entry into politics, about to participate as a family in our first Presidential event. My wife is bringing Mrs. Huckabee’s Snicker-doodles, my kids will be wearing their I Like Mike shirts, I’ll be wearing my hat.

I’ll probably see you there!

Easily Annoyed

I rarely read articles with headlines like this.

I think it represents one of the major problems in our society.  We make excuses for behaviors.

Anyone working in industry today has had to participate in a Root Cause Analysis.  Fog does not cause accidents.  A behavior caused the accident.  People drive to fast for poor road conditions – it can be weather, volume of traffic, speed of traffic, condition of the road, etc.  I’ve been guilty of this – fortunately no accidents.

How many times have we heard excuses like he had a bad home life, the drugs made him do it, etc.

Don’t accept these statements – relate them to personal behaviors.

I know people that overcame bad home life and drugs.  One friend was passed from foster home to foster home.  Aside from a brother, he never had a normal family growing up.  But, he made choices that helped him learn a trade, get a job, find a wife and start (and keep) a family.  He selected his path and didn’t want the same childhood for his children.

Another friend experimented with drugs in high school.  He developed behaviors that enabled him to make poor choices – including choosing to go AWOL from the Navy.  He ended his career with a dishonorable discharge.  It took him several years to recognize the shortfalls of his choices.  He eventually managed to overcome the blemish on his record and found a good job.  And is now an advocate for continuous education and goal setting.  He is someone you would want to watch your kids if you needed help.

I tell my coworkers that you always have choices.   Choose to be careful.  Choose to be happy.  Choose to be responsible.

While you are at it . . .

CHOOSE MIKE HUCKABEE