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railwayhistorical · 5 years

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Contemporary Views Along the First Transcontinental Railroad

Between now and the beginning of May or so, I will be putting up some images from a project I’ve been working on since the summer of 2010. I will alternate daily between images taken along the Central Pacific and that of the Union Pacific. We’ll begin in Sacramento for the former, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, for the latter. The final post will be from, of course, Promontory Summit.

Here are where my most important images were taken...

Artist Statement

While construction of the Pacific Railroad ostensibly began during the Civil War, it was not until that great conflict was over that it really got rolling. In a race for government subsidies and land grants, the Central Pacific built eastward from Sacramento, California, while the Union Pacific built westward from Omaha, Nebraska. The two railroads met at Promontory Summit, just north of Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, on May 10th 1869. It was a watershed moment.

I follow in the footsteps of photographers Alfred A. Hart and A. J. Russell who expertly recorded the construction of the road. But this is not a re-photography project—it is, rather, photography as archaeology. In making a comprehensive series of photographs along the original route, my goal is to give the viewer as strong of a connection as possible to this 19th century engineering marvel through the remaining visual evidence of the human-altered landscape. And while not visible, I also hope to evoke the various peoples involved with the railroad, as well as those affected by it.

~ ~ ~

I have always been drawn to western landscape photographs, particularly the work of Carleton Watkins and Timothy O’Sullivan. I tend to see their imagery as existing on opposite sides of an aesthetic coin—with the former rendering the beautiful and the latter portraying the sublime. These two 18th century linguistic terms, beautiful and sublime (usually considered in relation to one another), were used to categorize one’s emotional response when viewing artwork. Imagery that promoted pleasurable and familiar feelings was referred to as beautiful, while pictures that evoked feelings of awe or terror, often brought on by the immense scale of nature, were referred to as sublime.

The story of the first transcontinental railroad is one of contradictions and oppositional forces not unlike the conceptual inter-relatedness of those two aesthetic terms. The surveyors explored an Eden, but initiated its destruction. The road was a crown jewel of the industrial age, but the actual building, the grading and tunneling, was done almost completely without machines. The railroad conquered time and space, but this led quickly to the decimation of the American bison which pushed the people who depended upon them to the brink. This was the first transcontinental railroad in North America, or anywhere for that matter. The pounding of the Golden Spike signaled the completion of a great human achievement, but it must have sounded like a death knell to Native Americans. It put a bow on Manifest Destiny and served as a primer for the questionable business practices that would follow in the Gilded Age.

~ ~ ~

In the end, I want these images to be a pictorial accompaniment to well-established textual histories of the building of the railroad, the foremost being David Haward Bain’s Empire Express. His book tells the complete tale, but when I’m in the field I most often think of the people who built the line with their hands and their backs—primarily the Chinese, who performed so well for the Central Pacific, and the Irish, who toiled proudly for the Union Pacific.

The railroad is still active over much of the route—which was preceded by pioneer trails, joined by the Lincoln Highway, and eventually succeeded by Interstate 80 and air travel. While I have photographed along much of the line, I tend to linger where the steel has been pulled up, those portions of the line that has been abandoned for a less steep or curvy alignment. I enjoy the calm of those deserted areas most—through modern absence, I find it most easy to imagine a 19th century presence.

Richard Koenig

#railroadhistory #railwayhistory #transcontinentalrailroad #goldenspike

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edgereye77 · 3 years

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Tips For Finding The Best Fence Company

Tips For Finding A Fence Company

The horizontal rails are extremely essential when installing a fence. You need to utilize three rails per section when building a 6' or 7' tall fence.

The 2" x 4" rails tend to hold the weight of the pickets better than the 2" x 3" rails preventing future sagging of the areas in between the posts. The horizontal rails are connected to the metal posts using a metal bracket (WPA-0 or Simpson Bracket) which has 4 pre-drilled holes for attaching the rail with lag screws.

This will help avoid your fence rails from cracking in the future. The wood frame gates are usually adequate if built less than 44" in width and if you utilize the right design and hardware.

7 Tips For Choosing The Right Fence Company

We recommend the "Ameristar" hinges and lock when building your gate. Ensure and install 3 hinges per gate when utilizing a wood frame gate. We extremely suggest the metal frame gates when you require a broader gate or you pick the "Board on Board" or "Board and Bat" design of fence.

We do not recommend utilizing the square tubing frame gate which is secured to the post with domestic chain link style hardware. We recommend utilizing the round 1 5/8" x Set up 40 heavy bonded frame which will last much longer and is secured to the post with heavy commercial "Bull Pet Hinges".

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Some people choose to set up a concrete curb under their fence. The concrete curbs likewise add a couple of inches of height to the fence which supplies more privacy.

Likewise, set up adequate expansion joints to avoid cracking in the future. The concrete curb is not important to getting the full life out of your fence. The most fundamental part of your fence is using a heavy metal post that is set the right depth in concrete. The posts hold all of the weight and tension of the fence, not the concrete curb.

How To Find A Good Fence Company

There are many different designs of fencing available. Visit our fence display room at 12116 Slide Road (122nd St. & Slide Roadway) to see the various designs readily available or you can visit our website at and look under the menu heading "Styles". In addition to designs of fence, there are various heights of fence offered.

We are seeing more of the taller fences being set up by those who wish to have more personal privacy. The taller fences you see in the area are generally 7' tall fences. The 8' high fence is also readily available. The "Board and Bat" and "Board on Board" fences offer total personal privacy. A lot of lumber is green when it is set up and will shrink some.

As with any natural wood, Western Red Cedar will darken and turn the familiar grayish color that we associate with wood fences. You might notice some fences that maintain that "brand-new appearance".

Western Red Cedar is a porous wood and needs to be allowed to breath after being stained. We highly advise utilizing the "Penofin" stain when sealing your fence.

Tips On Finding A Good Fence Company

Wait at least two weeks prior to applying the stain to your new fence. 9. If you decide to let an expert install your fence, then we have some pointers to assist you pick the best fence company: It is important that the company that works for you is fully insured.

If an employee is injured on your task and his company does not have the appropriate insurance coverage, you might be accountable and accountable for all medical costs and other compensation which could be extremely expensive. It is important to discover a business that remains in good standing with the Bbb.

Have a look at the referrals of finished jobs performed by the business that you are consideringu utilizing. Ensure the business that installs your fence has numerous years of experience. Top Tips For Finding The Best Fencing Company. Experience is very crucial when deciding who to use in installing your fence.

The info in this guide is for academic functions just and is not a replacement for qualified legal guidance. Missouri has 2 fence laws: the general fence law (upgraded Aug. 28, 2001) and the regional option fence law. In addition, Missouri law addresses unique scenarios of property bordering a road, a railroad or a body of water.

10 Tips To Find (& Hire) The Best Fence Company

This guide responses typical questions about these laws. General information, The following 19 counties currently have actually decided out of the general fence law and undergo the local alternative fence law: Figure 1. Lots of northern Missouri counties have pulled out of the basic fence law in favor of the more livestock-owner-friendly local choice law.

Clair, Sullivan, Worth, Gentry and Worth counties voted to adopt the regional choice considering that the general law was updated in 2001, and Cedar County adopted the option law in 2015. The other 16 counties voted prior to then, with Macon being the last in 1986. All other Missouri counties go through the basic fence law (See Figure 1.).

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

How much does it cost to put up a fence?

The typical cost of setting up a fence is between $13 and $50 per direct foot. The typical total expense of setting up a fence is around $988,however expenses can reach $ 7,000-- or more. The length of the fence,products used and add-ons such as gates can impact just how much you end up spending for a fence installation.

What is the cheapest fence to install?

The most inexpensive fence you can install is a wire fencing at $2 per foot typically,while a 6-foot high wood privacy fence costs $13 to $25 per direct foot,and vinyl fencing for $15 to $30 per foot.

How much does a 300 ft fence cost?

Backyard Fence Costs Per Foot Linear Foot Cheaper (Wire or Electric) Moderate (Wood) 8 $10 - $50 $100 - $200 100 $100 - $600 $1,000 - $2,000 150 $150 - $1,000 $1,500 - $3,000 300 $300 - $1,800 $3,000 - $6,000 1 more row

How much does Home Depot charge for fence installation?

Fence Installation Costs According to Home Depot,it can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 to set up a fence,but the majority of property owners can expect to spend from $1,600 to $4,000. You can more properly compute what your project may cost by figuring out the number of direct feet your fence will be.

How much does an 8 ft fence cost?

8 Foot Wood Fence Cost The typical expense to develop an 8-foot wood fence is between $21 and $30 per linear foot using pressure-treated pine with dog-ear panels.

What is the best time of year to install a fence?

If you consider summer and spring the peak season,then winter is the best time to get the service and attention you want from your fence expert. Take advantage of the off season by doing your research study during the warmer months and getting ready for setup in the winter season.

Is it cheaper to build a fence yourself?

Among the advantages of installing a fence on your own is that you don't need to pay a company for the labor costs. This normally ends up being less expensive in the end,and one of the major factors most people consider a DIY in the first place.

Is it cheaper to build a fence horizontal or vertical?

Horizontal fences tend to be more expensive than vertical fences since they need a higher grade of lumber for the fence boards to reduce the possibility of drooping. Nevertheless,like any horizontally-oriented board,they might droop with time.

What is the easiest fence to put up?

Vinyl fencing setup is a lot easier the no-dig way. This indicates you can spend less time on your home projects and more time with your household,good friends,or whatever else you want to do.

The counties that have opted out of the basic law are normally strong livestock counties. Legal obligation, General fence law, Sections 272. 010 to 272. 190 of the Missouri Modified Statutes (RSMo), where the law is located, states that the livestock owner alone is legally accountable for structure and maintaining a fence to enclose the animals.

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370 state that when one landowner requires a limit fence, both landowners are legally responsible for their portion of the fence. Non-boundary fences, Regardless of a county's fence law, in cases of residential or commercial property lines along roadways (from interstate highways down to township gravel or dirt roadways) and limits along a water body, animals owners are accountable for confining their animals.

Top Tips For Finding The Best Fence Company

230 needs neglect be shown on the livestock owner's part in order to get damages on your residential or commercial property. Some products that would be neglect includea non-legal or broken down fence; animals that are being starved and looking for food; an animal such as a bull that gets out several times; orwatergaps that do not get repaired in a prompt way.

#fence #installation

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techcrunchappcom · 3 years

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New Post has been published on https://techcrunchapp.com/caseys-will-buy-buckys-for-580-million-national-news/

Casey's will buy Bucky's for $580 million | National News

OMAHA �� Omaha-based Bucky’s Convenience Stores is being purchased by one of its competitors, Casey’s General Stores.

The $580 million cash purchase of Buchanan Energy was announced Monday. The price includes tax benefits valued at $80 million.

Buchanan Energy operates 94 stores and 79 dealer locations in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas.

Casey’s operates about 2,200 locations in 16 states and describes itself as the nation’s fourth-largest convenience store chain. Casey’s is also acquiring the real estate Bucky’s had planned to use for future expansion.

Blair lands $85 million Dollar General distribution center, 400 jobs

For the consumer, it means that Casey’s pizza will become available at Bucky’s. The popular pizza has made Casey’s the nation’s fifth-largest pizza chain, according to the company.

Over the next few years the names of Bucky’s stores will change to Casey’s, said Katie Petru, a spokeswoman for Casey’s. It’s not clear how the purchase will affect personnel. Petru said Casey’s is assessing how to best combine the two companies. Casey’s said in its statement Monday that the company expects to achieve $23 million in “annual synergies” by the third year.

Nebraska sees strong year for small-business lending

Buchanan Energy was founded 40 years ago.

Steve Buchanan, founder and president of Buchanan, said he was pleased that the company found a home with a top convenience store chain.

‘There’s a lot of money to be made’: Nebraska border town ponders recreational marijuana

“Our shared Midwestern roots and community values are aligned as we continue to serve our loyal customers,” he said in the statement.

The sale is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

Profit jumps 82% at Buffett’s firm but virus hurts business

Fortune 500 and 1,000 companies in Omaha

1 – Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway

Fortune rank: No. 3 with revenue of $242.1 billion; down from No. 2 last year. First cracked Fortune list in 1989 at No. 205.

History: The holding company of large- and medium-sized firms and investments has grown largely from the singular wisdom of Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett. It started as an investment pool of family and friends in Omaha in the mid-1950s. In 1965, Buffett bought the textile company that gave Berkshire its name. (Ironically, he later called it his worst investment.) His philosophy of buying successful companies with firm niches and keeping leadership in place has achieved returns well in excess of the stock market. The move into insurance was key, as Buffett uses premium reserves available for investment to fund additional purchases. Forbes notes that Berkshire now generates nearly three-quarters of its revenue from its non-financial operating businesses. At 87, Buffett is the oldest CEO of a Fortune 500 company. The company has maintained its offices at Omaha’s Kiewit Plaza since 1962.

BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

2 – Aflac

Aflac

Fortune rank: No. 137 on revenue of $21.7 billion; down from No. 126 from last year.

History: Founded in 1955 as American Family Life Insurance by John Amos and his brothers Paul and Bill in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac pays benefits when people are sick or injured. It gained wider recognition starting in 2000 with a marketing campaign using a duck that announces its name. In 2002, Aflac moved its legal domicile to Nebraska for tax reasons and located a regional office in Omaha, although its main offices remain in Georgia.

BLOOMBERG

3 – Union Pacific

Union Pacific

Fortune rank: No. 141 on revenue of $21.2 billion; up from No. 143 last year. Listed each year since non-manufacturing companies were added to the list in 1995.

History: The company was created by the 1862 Pacific Railway Act, an act of Congress that called for construction of a transcontinental rail line from the Missouri River to the West Coast. The first track was laid out of Omaha in 1865, and U.P. grew into a national icon. Multiple mergers over 150 years helped U.P. amass the nation’s largest rail network, with operations in 23 western states and prime rail connections into Mexico. In 2004, the railroad opened a new 19-story headquarters downtown that serves about 2,900 of the company’s 42,000 employees.

REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD

4 – Pacific Life

Pacific Life

Fortune rank: No. 313 on revenue of $9.5 billion; the same ranking as last year.

History: Founded in 1868 in Sacramento, California, as Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co., the company’s life insurance, annuity and other financial products pay $2.3 billion in benefits each year. Although its main office is in Newport Beach, California, in 2004 Pacific Life moved its legal domicile to Nebraska for tax reasons and now has a regional office in Omaha’s Aksarben Village.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

5 – Peter Kiewit & Sons

Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc.

Fortune rank: No. 339 on revenue of $8.7 billion; down from No. 324 last year. Made its Fortune debut in 1991 and since 1998 has been listed every year but one. Is privately held but qualifies for the Fortune list because it publicly reports revenue.

History: Three sons of Peter Kiewit took over their father’s Omaha construction company, with the youngest, also named Peter, credited with turning it into one of the nation’s largest. The company took off while building military installations during World War II and the Cold War. It also built more miles of Interstate system than any other contractor, causing Fortune to dub Peter Kiewit “the Colossus of Roads.” Today, it is one of the largest employee-owned firms in the world and one of only a handful of construction companies big enough to take on billion-dollar projects.

SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

6 – Mutual

Mutual of Omaha

Fortune rank: No. 337 on revenue of $8.7 billion; up from No. 342 last year. Made its debut in 1995, dropped off in 2006 and 2007, but solidly on the list since.

History: Got off to a humble start in 1909 as the Mutual Benefit Health and Accident Association, initially struggling to attract policyholders. Under the leadership of Creighton medical student C.C. Criss and later V.J. Skutt, it grew and by the 1950s had emerged as a leading health and accident insurer. The name was changed to Mutual of Omaha in 1962, and a year later it became a household name with sponsorship of the popular “Wild Kingdom” TV show. The company rebranded its familiar Native American head logo in 2001, expanded into banking in 2007, and renewed its commitment to its midtown Omaha headquarters by developing the mixed-use Midtown Crossing.

JEFF BUNDY/THE WORLD-HERALD

7 – TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade

Fortune rank: No. 630 on revenue of $3.7 billion; up from No. 674 last year.

History: Founder Joe Ricketts saw an opportunity in 1975 when the Securities and Exchange Commission eliminated the practice of fixed brokerage commissions. Ricketts’ firm, First Omaha Securities Inc., began offering discounted commissions and helped usher in a new era of investing, coupled with technology that evolved from touch-tone phones to the Internet. Forty years later, TD Ameritrade has more than 11 million client accounts with more than $1.2 trillion in assets and custodial services for more than 6,000 independent registered investment advisers. Clients trade more than 940,000 times each day.

8 – Green Plains Inc.

Green Plains Inc.

Fortune rank: No. 782 on revenue of $2.7 billion; up from No. 804 last year.

SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

9 – Valmont

Valmont

Fortune rank: No. 782 on revenue of $2.7 billion; up from No. 804 last year.

History: In 1946, Robert B. Daugherty spent nearly his life’s savings — $5,000 — to buy a small manufacturing company on a farm near Valley to build farm elevators. Years later, with the invention of center-pivot irrigation, Valmont found its niche. It then expanded into steel pipe and tubing manufacturing for irrigation systems and other industries. Through acquisitions and new construction, the company grew to be a global player in certain segments of the agriculture, communications and utilities markets. Today, Valmont’s worldwide operations are constantly looking for opportunities to expand its four business sectors: engineered support structures (steel and aluminum poles for traffic lights, street lighting, etc.); utility support structures (poles for electrical transmission lines, etc.); irrigation; and coatings (galvanization).

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

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#bucky #casey #million #National

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20th-century-railroading · 29 days

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Iowa Interstate - Blue Island, IL

The eastbound IAIS road train from Silvis is seen arriving at the IAIS yard located in the factory site behind, in June 1987. Former ICG GP10 has been renumbered IAIS No. 483, but GP 10 No. 8084 and GP8 No. 7964 retain their ICG numbers.

#iais #iowa interstate railroad #icg #illinois central gulf #1987 #trains #freight train #history #blue island #illinois

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guerrerense · 2 years

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Iowa Interstate Railroad’s CBBI on a foggy Sunday morning around 0700. 04/12/2020 Shoutout to connductor King (conducting the train) and all the other railroaders out there keeping the supply chain moving. #thankarailroader #essentialworkers #thankyou por Benjamin Root

#essential

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aryburn-trains · 3 years

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The east bound CBBI passes Iowa Northern's Hawkeye Express which is parked on Vernon Siding waiting for the next Iowa home football game coming up the following Saturday. Coralville, IA September 23, 2010

#hawkeye express #football special #ianr #iowa northern railway #cri&p #rock island railroad #iais #iowa interstate railroad #2010 #coralville #kinnick #trains #passenger train #freight train #history #iowa #university of iowa

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gdmli · 5 years

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A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

This blog will break convention by straying back to observations and reflections from throughout our time together as well as those from today’s class at Camp Dodge.

Also, much of the commentary in this and future posts will be through the lenses provided by my unique position (At Risk Coordinator) in one of Iowa’s neediest schools. ************************************************************************************************

At class orientation, some of us were given the question, What is one thing you enjoy about Des Moines? A few additional things have come to mind which deserve a shout out such as...

...our system of public libraries. Not only do we have a fabulous Central Library, but the East Side, Forest Avenue, Franklin Avenue, North Side, and South Side libraries give every neighborhood convenient accessibility. There is also programming available for every age. My favorites include the AVID series of lectures by prominent authors as well as the many events and activities for children which we frequent with our grandkids.

...the Downtown Farmers Market. Recently City View asked readers which was their favorite-the State Fair or Farmers Market. For me, it’s not even close! The Farmers Market provides small, often organic producers a venue to present and sell their wares to thousands of consumers each week. I make a point of visiting the large number of the small businesses which are operated by recent arrivals to our country. The food is always fresh and competitively priced. Recently I purchased a bounty of carrots, cucumbers, garlic, kale, Swiss chard, tomatoes for $15. Incredible!

...my favorite non-profit agency. 8th and College Connections utilizes space inside the Trinity Las Americas United Methodist Church and provides radical hospitality as well as language and civics instruction to newly arrived people to this country. As a volunteer teacher beginning my third year I come home after every class session with my heart warmed. These adult learners are grateful and ultra-motivated to learn the essentials for successful living in the US. If you are intrigued, let me know and I can tell you more. ************************************************************************************************

May I also begin a dialogue on the one thing we would like to see improved?

I think we need to clean up our act.

Let me first point out that living in the neat as a pin town of Pella for 22 years has left me just a tad psychotic about cleanliness. Despite this, it does bother me seeing trash lying around our city which could otherwise have been disposed of more appropriately. Both the areas where I live (just off SW 23rd) and work (East Side) seem to suffer from this malady.

My remedy has been to become a one-man clean up crew. Every day at work and once a week around my neighborhood I’m out picking up trash. My goals are to help beautify these areas as well as lead by example to motivate others to pick up after themselves and others.

Please join me in this crusade. **********************************************************************************************

The gentleman who led our cemetery tour, Archie Cook, is a real gem you all need to know a bit better. Rather than kicking back in retirement, he takes on the very challenging assignment of substitute teacher for the DMPS. He gets around to a lot of schools, but is very frequently at East High. In fact, he graces our building so frequently he is almost part of the staff. Teachers and students all know him which goes a long ways towards establishing a positive learning environment. Our building can be pretty rough some times, but I’ve never seen Archie get his feathers ruffled. He’s always positive, always leads the classroom with compassion, and students always have a good day when Mr. Cook is subbing. This is a rare skill and our students are the beneficiaries.

**********************************************************************************************

One of the speakers at the Opening Retreat made mention of Des Moines’ talent shortage. This phenomenon is frequently sited by business leaders as an impediment to future growth (see here:

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2019/09/06/ grassley-ernst-immigration-employment-visas-iowa-business-leaders/2217840001/ ).

While I have no doubt as to the efficacy of liberalizing the H-1B process, it is also true we are neglecting a very large and potentially powerful pool of talented workers. The best part is these future stars are already right here under our noses. This untapped reservoir of talent are the thousands of young people who attend East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, and Roosevelt.

If you need further convincing, let me know and you can spend a day walking the halls of East High and you will see this too. If you prefer metrics, check this out as it paints a bleak picture of the situation in the city schools. https://www.iaschoolperformance.gov/ ECP/Home/Index. Either way you will see we are not doing our best for these youngsters.

Here are some additional thoughts on the topic of developing our homegrown talent. This is a blog post courtesy from Mr. Knox of Urban Dreams who spoke to us at Principal Financial Group: https://www.makedmgreater.com/grow-a-diverse-future/

***********************************************************************************************

The day devoted to social capital was and continues to be very thought-provoking for me. One source of inequity which has been on my mind recently is the lack of effective support for our English Language Learners (ELL). A critical piece to the educational process are the services provided by a cadre known as the Bilingual Family Liaisons (BFL). These people provide for open communications between school and home as well as support at school for students who arrive speaking little or no English.

The BFL with whom I work at East is one of the most effective educators I’ve ever met. She is extremely humble and would be very upset at me if I used her name, but she is an interpreter, teacher, coach, counselor, nurse, social worker and mom to countless students.

Therein lies the problem. Her workload is ridiculous. She not only supports hundreds of students and families at East, but serves additional clients at our feeder schools (that is to say elementary and middle schools whose students end up going to East for High School). I recently asked her how large her caseload was and she couldn’t even begin to provide a ballpark estimate.

Yes, resources are tight. That however is because of misplaced values by society and the policy-makers who represent us. In order to effectively influence the future of our nation we need to invest in our neediest students. ***************************************************************************************************

Over the weekend of September 13, I had a couple of “ah ha” moments related to the topic of social capital which I wrote about in my other blog. You can read it here: https://leadershipstars.blogspot.com/2019/09/friday-night-football-and-saturday.html

****************************************************************************************************

We are surrounded by military history, frequently without even being aware.

For instance, in order to get to class today I drove on two roads authorized by the National Interstate and Defense and Highway Acts, signed into law by (President) General Dwight Eisenhower on June 29, 1956. It is the largest public works project in the history of the world. My favorite stretch of this highway is the ten or so miles just east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. If you’ve ever driven this stretch of road you know what I’m talking about. **************************************************************************************************

The vision for our “interstate highway system” came in part from the mind of a junior officer (Dwight Eisenhower) taking a troop transport across dusty back road for deployment in World War I, in contrast to what the Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Allied Forces (SCAEF) saw from the Autobahn which the Germans had engineered prior to World War II. No doubt one of Ike’s ah-ha moments! ************************************************************************************************

The part of my drive from the East Mixmaster to Merle Hay Road was along I-80/35, built ostensibly for military purposes, is a portion of road which connects the George Washington Bridge in NY/NJ to the Bay Bridge which spans the Bay from Oakland to San Francisco. Have we ever thought about what a miracle that is? ***********************************************************************************************

And speaking of Merle Hay Road...Private Merle Hay of Carroll County was the first Iowan to die in the “War to End All Wars.” He lies in the West Lawn Cemetery in Glidden, Iowa.

************************************************************************************************

Camp Dodge derives its name from Grenville Dodge who was one of the chief members of General Grant’s staff in the Western Theater of Operations of the War Between the States. Mr. Dodge was born in Massachusetts and is buried in Council Bluffs. He became an executive with the Union Pacific Railroad and no doubt was a close associate of many of those Archie talked to us about during our Opening Retreat. ************************************************************************************************

The prominent signage in Camp Dodge made it clear that using one’s cell phone while driving is frowned upon. Wish the same could be said on all of out public roadways. **************************************************************************************************

As a certified history nerd, I wish a full hour or so or our class would have been set aside for the Gold Star Museum. My goal is to go back in the very near future. I have ancestors who died at the Battles of Pea Ridge and Shiloh (like nearly all native Iowans). I want to go back and do further research. ************************************************************************************************

I am too old and fat to have fully benefited from today’s exercises. I am in awe of those who have made this a way of life and those classmate who fully participated today. ************************************************************************************************

Those classmate who overcame fear and kicked ass on the Wall and in the other tests of courage, my hat is off to you. Also, the closing exercise in which everyone shared out from their experiences was the most inspirational part of the day for me. Bragging on each other with meaningful feedback is a great motivator.

*************************************************************************************************

I’m a big believer in Servant Leadership. On that note, I was really impressed to see the Lt. Col. making coffee at lunch today. *****************************************************************************************************

Thank you to him, his staff, and the GDMLI Institute for making today possible.

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marcellusbitsandpieces · 5 years

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Bits and Pieces Illinois birthday 2019 8/4/19

Last year June (2018) the grand and great-grandchildren wanted to celebrate Aunt Bobbie’s 99th birthday. Though Sue didn’t want to perpetuate the celebrations she did think that this year, which would have been her 100th, was a good way to have a final celebration.

The great-grandchildren called her GG, for Great Grandma, and the nickname stuck. The grandchildren wanted to go to Bobbie’s favorite celebration restaurant, and the great-grandchildren wanted to make GG’s cake.

The kids had very specific designs for the cake: chocolate with chocolate frosting and white ganache with pick decorations. The girls love pink and chocolate.

Sue and I made the cake in the morning and made it gluten-free. Then we packed it up with all the frosting fixings and drove to Burlington, Iowa for the finishing touches.

Heather has a large cooking island with sink and prep center. The girls (Rainie and Rielle) hopped up, Sue and I got out the materials and we all got to work. Sue made the frosting; the girls frosted the layers and Sue finished the sides. We all positioned the ganache and started decorating. The girls had a blast cutting out shapes in the pink ganache and “gluing” them around the cake. Rainie, the older one, was adamant about putting “100” on the side – because they had covered the top with other stuff.

GG would have loved it – especially the red hat above the 100. Of course, she would have loved it because the girls did it. She always took a zip-lock bag of Hersey kisses, for extra kisses from the kids – they loved it and her.

Then we all changed clothes, packed up the cake and headed to Martini’s for GG’s final birthday party. The girls were already to sing and celebrate. GG was loving it, and her presence was there in spirit.

Two days later Sue and I drove to Geneseo for birthdays #2 and #3. This week was also the birthdays of Sue and John’s wife, Gina. I took us all out to The Cellar – a favorite for celebrations there. No cake for us, just wine, steak and lots of great family comradery!

On my way home, I stopped in Moline to meet up with Anne who had come down to do some legal business for a friend. We met at the Denny’s in Moline just off the interstate for birthday celebration #4 – our combined birthdays.

Sandwiched in among all this was a drive to hometown, Galesburg for their annual Railroad Days. That’s next week’s column.

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anumberofhobbies · 5 years

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Pretty cool about the Postman!

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odinsblog · 7 years

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In an assault on the US Constitution and Civil Liberties, Republican lawmakers are proposing laws to criminalize protesting

THE REPUBLICAN POLICE STATE: Over the last 18 months, Republicans have proposed or introduced legislation that would turn citizens into criminals for organizing and participating in even peaceful protests, like those by Standing Rock protectors, Women’s marches and Black Lives Matter activists.

1. In Indiana, Sen. Jim Tomes proposed a bill (SB 285) that would require public officials to dispatch police within 15 minutes of reported “mass traffic obstructions” with instructions to clear them by “any means necessary.” (source)

2. In North Dakota, HB 1203 lifts liability from drivers who “accidentally” hit protesters who are in roadways. The bill was introduced amid demonstrations against the Dakota Access Pipeline, and legalizes running over protesters.

“It’s shifting the burden of proof from the motor vehicle driver to the pedestrian,” said Rep. Keith Kempenich, who admitted the bill is in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in southern Morton County. (source)

3. In Minnesota there are relatively light penalties for obstructing traffic, but lawmakers there are seeking to make the punishment more severe with HF55.

Rep. Kathy Lohmer’s bill would significantly increase penalties for obstructing highways, including entrance and exit ramps. Right now, it’s a misdemeanor carrying fines up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. The proposed bill would make it a gross misdemeanor, carrying fines up to $3,000 and a year in jail.

Other proposed legislation in Minnesota would make persons convicted of “protesting” financially responsible for police costs associated with protests. (source)

4. In Washington state, Sen. Doug Ericksen floated the idea of a law that would make protests a class-C felony if they become what he considers “economic terrorism.“ This law would have been applied to protesters who block roads, railroad tracks, or anyone who uses their body to obstruct businesses. (source)

5. In Iowa lawmakers introduced a bill that, if passed, would mean protesters who blocked highways could be charged with felonies carrying penalties of five years in prison.

Senate File 111 was introduced in response to anti-Trump protests in November when more than 100 people blocked Interstate Highway 80 for 30 minutes in Iowa City, said Sen. Jake Chapman, the bill’s lead sponsor. (source)

6. Arizona Republicans introduced SB1142, a measure to expand racketeering (RICO) laws, which target organized crime groups, to also include rioting. The bill would redefine what constitutes rioting and allow police officers to seize the assets of those who organize protest events — personal assets could be seized on the spot, prior to any court proceedings. Claiming people are being paid to riot, Republicans voted to give police new powers to arrest anyone who is involved in a peaceful demonstration that may turn bad — even before anything actually happened, for merely planning or being present at a non-violent protest.

By including rioting in racketeering laws, it actually permits police to arrest those who are organizing the events. (source)

7. In Michigan two laws were introduced by the Republican-majority State House: HB 4630, which makes it easier for companies to replace striking employees, and HB 4643, which increase penalties for striking workers and allows employers to stop picketers - without showing any harm was actually done to their business: “An employer that is the subject of picketing may obtain injunctive relief against the picketers without a showing of irreparable harm.” (source)

8. In Tennessee one measure goes so far as to give civil immunity to a driver who hits a protester blocking traffic. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Hill, comes after a driver hit volunteers who were helping protesters cross a street as they demonstrated against the Trump administration’s Muslim ban in Nashville. (source)

9. In Colorado, despite overwhelming oppression, a bill was introduced that would raise the severity of criminal charges for tampering with oil and gas production equipment would be reclassified from a misdemeanor to a “class 6” felony, a category of crime that reportedly can be punished by up to 18 months behind bars and a fine of up to $100,000.

Resistance to the bill centered around the constitutional challenges that could surface inherent in the language of the bill. Opposition speakers felt the language was too vague, and potential charges could originate from simple rallying at the cite of a fracking well. (source)

10. In North Carolina, a Republican lawmaker has pledged to introduce legislation to criminalize protestors who heckle politicians, after an incident over inaugural weekend in Washington, D.C. where demonstrators persistently shouted at the state’s former governor Pat McCrory. (source)

11. In Virginia, lawmakers are considering an anti-protesting bill that would dramatically increase penalties for people who engage in an “unlawful assembly” after “having been lawfully warned to disperse.” Currently, this law is classified as a class 3 misdemeanor, which according to Virginia statute carries only a maximum $500 fine. The bill proposed by Republican Sen. Richard H. Stuart elevates such infraction to a class 1 misdemeanor, which means protesters would expect up to a year of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,500. (source)

Note: Snopes listed this as “half true” specifically because, as of late January 2017, “None of the proposed bills has been passed or made into law.” But that is an oversimplification that misses the point entirely — these bills are indicative of a fascist Republican Party hell bent on censoring free speech and suppressing our constitutionally protected right to protest.

These are attacks on Civil Liberties. The fact that such laws are even being proposed should be alarming.

Republicans only want “small government” and “states rights” when it allows them to oppress and discriminate against women and minorities. Otherwise, Republicans love BIG, intrusive, dictatorship-like government.

#politics #civil liberties #fascism #republicans #criminalizing protests #1st amendment #first amendment rights #protests

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