stanley

How about trimming fat to balance the budget before any new things are purchased/promised/paid-for? All I ask is for a balanced budget. I have seen very little of Trump or anyone else working on trimming anything at all. The Republican party used to claim to be fiscally conservative. No more though. This kind of thing just frustrates me like you won't believe. I am absolutely sickened by politics. S. You know..... I seem to recall someone not wanting any political discussion on this forum. Then we had a new politics section opened with password requirements to prevent triggering. Hmmmm..... Interesting. No? By the by I agree with you Sctanley with a c Sometimes I just can't help myself!

How about trimming fat to balance the budget before any new things are purchased/promised/paid-for? All I ask is for a balanced budget. I have seen very little of Trump or anyone else working on trimming anything at all. The Republican party used to claim to be fiscally conservative. No more though. This kind of thing just frustrates me like you won't believe. I am absolutely sickened by politics. S.

Indeed I'm horribly troubled by both Bill's situation (there are millions like him) AND the final question in your statement: " ...where does all this money come from?" Spend, spend, spend..... NO balanced budget! 'Trump the 'business man' is going to get this country back on track. He will make American great again.' Sure he will. Just like his many bankrupt businesses. I hope to retire in the next several years, plus I have three young adult children. I am troubled for myself and them as well. Rant over. Sincere good luck weathering this Bill and everyone else negatively impacted! S.

I've worked for a Fortune 100 company for close to 30 years (though it was always big when I started, as opposed to a family company that grew). My first 'real job' out of college. The company generally takes a conservative stance politically, mostly weighs-in with regards to regulation & law having to do with the financial services & banking business. The company tends to be more liberal with regards to social types of issues, but don't come-out too strong either way. That being said, I definitely don't always agree with the 'party line' being espoused. For better or worse, I've found it pretty easy to just ignore the crap that I don't agree with. I'm considered an executive level (be it fairly junior... ), and there is often some pressure to support the company PACs, etc. I have learned over the years to just kind of ignore that kind of thing and keep to myself about it. I'm there to do a job and earn a paycheck, which is what I focus on. Some would accuse me of being weak in my convictions or apathetic to important causes, but I simply don't have the energy or interest to get that emotionally invested in every issue that is out there these days. I really suspect that if my company were to come-out and take a stance, that it would be on the liberal side of this particular topic. If they did, I'll simply ignore it like I have other things. I'll work, earn some money, and move on. The apparent hypocrisy of your company's stance it is interesting, but I guess maybe it sounds like they are trying to make some kind of a statement while at the same time trying to minimize the impact to the business. Or it could just be a brain fart! I wish you luck in dealing with your company! Sounds like you enjoy your work and the company thus far (else I have to guess you wouldn't have stuck it out this long.....). Hopefully things there overall are good enough to stick it out! If not, then I'm sure you will find good employment with a company that more closely aligns with your conviction! Sincere best of luck in dealing with it!! S.

Historically, the Portal does not get updated until after all draws are complete & final, and they are ready to post them as 'official'. Not sure of the dates, but my guess is that won't happen for a couple of weeks.

$270 charge on my account this morning. Looks like my two youngest (son & daughter) will be hunting late Dec cow elk on their Christmas break next year. Super excited, as with both of them being away for college it is hard to squeeze in hunting time. This hunt runs the last two weeks of December, so it's perfect!!! Fingers crossed for more! Good luck to all!!! S.

Wow!!! They didn't waste any time!!! $270 charge on my account today. That would be my two youngest! Put them in for one of the only late Dec elk hunts (cow hunt) so we could take advantage of them being home for Christmas break next year. Looking forward to getting out there with my son & daughter!!!! Fingers crossed that it sticks! Good luck to everyone!! S.

Super crazy (and kind of scary) quote from Trump yesterday: “I like taking the guns early,” Trump said. “Like, in this crazy man’s case that just took place in Florida — he had a lot of [flags], they saw everything — you could do what you’re saying, but take the guns first, go through due process second.” Seriously??? Ugh....

Will be very interesting, IMO to see how this pans-out. The established Republicans with their long held base are surely going to have cats (rightly so) with this position from Trump. I would not be a bit surprised to see him back-tracking a bit before it's all said & done, but we shall see. Is the President coming for our guns???

Walmart raising the age to purchase firearms and ammo to 21. Like a tidal wave.... Similar to Dick's, they obviously don't really have much of a selection of firearms anyway (just that goofy rotating plexi-glass case....). Certainly sends a message regarding where they stand though. S. http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/walmart-raises-gun-purchase-age-to-21

VERY curious to see how this plays out. I'm always skeptical when any news source quotes 'sources' in a story, but according to the article Trump is going to propose raising the purchase age to 21 for 'long guns'. If the information in the article pans-out, it looks like he is planning on rolling-out several changes that contradict the NRA's stance. We shall see.... S. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/28/trump-publicly-spars-with-republicans-over-concealed-carry-nra-influence-at-school-safety-session.html

VERY awesome! Holy crap! Cool as a cucumber, or what? I would have been whooping & hollering! Good stuff! S.

More information on companies doing business with or NOT doing business with the NRA. (not necessarily sponsors, but various degrees of B2B partnerships....). Some interesting names on the 'yes' list. Apple, Amazon, Roku for instance. Primarily programming deals. Wonder if they will stick with it? S. https://www.yahoo.com/news/companies-sticking-nra-191134849.html

Have you left yet??? I'm no expert, but have come across a pig or two (or more ) while chasing birds in 37B over the past few months. Feel free to call or text at 602-399-4769 if you want to chat, and maybe I can give you a tip or two on locations. Thinking with that little bit of rain a couple of days ago it is a good time to go! Fresh tracks!!! (Was out last weekend and it was SO dry for so long there was just dusty tracks on top of old dusty tracks EVERYWHERE!) Good luck! S.

+ 1 on El Conquistador. I really like staying at the Arizona Inn as well, if you want to be closer to downtown and like the historic feel. That being said, it's tourist season in Tucson and if you're blinking at $150 per night, neither of those will likely be in your price range. My advice would be to lock-in at the first place you find in the area $100-$150. Safe? Anywhere on the NW side, maybe?? If you want the resort experience, be prepared to spend twice that. Good luck! And good luck to your son as well!! S.

imagine cnn writing this about the first lady. wouldnt happen. https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/10/asia/kim-sister-olympics/index.html the diplomatic gold goes to NK https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2018-northkorea-diplomacy-an/north-korea-judged-winner-of-diplomatic-gold-at-olympics-idUSKBN1FV0JV best thing about the olympics, NK cheerleaders. http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/11/north-koreas-200-cheerleaders-best-thing-winter-olympics-7303624/ Well, I suppose if I was in the habit of watching the local liberal media (CNN) or news sources based in the UK, then yup I would have seen some stories about how great North Korea is. I tend to stay away from those sources, so I haven't seen much of that hype..... As for Bruce Jenner, or Katelin, or he/she, or whatever. I'll say it again, I don't really give a crap about any of that. If some dude wants to try to change himself into a woman, I simply don't care. These guys aren't hero's of mine, simply entertainment and competition to watch. I don't have enough energy to spend caring about any of this beyond that. Maybe I'm just simple minded... S.

Why would you try to get in touch with Amanda? Do you expect her to police all of her sponsors regarding customer service levels??

Political agenda, Russia, dudes talking about how great North Korea is (I hadn't heard anyone saying that yet...), whatever, who gives a crap.... I can find some reason to hate on just about anything in this world if I want. Just like always, I'll be watching some of the Olympics this winter. I'm not a crazy super fan or anything, but for some strange reason all through my life, every 4 years I become interested in sports/events that at any other time or under any other circumstances I do NOT give a rat's butt about. C'mon.... Luge, bobsled, FIGURE SKATING?? Don't care about any of that, but I'll darn sure watch some of it over the next week and a half. I think it has something to do with tradition. I remember being a kid growing-up and watching. Didn't know why I liked it, but for some reason got all excited about it when the whole family would sit around and watch. I think it's still pretty cool to have countries compete against each other. S.

+1 on the greens!! Meat looks cooked perfectly!!! Outstanding!!!

Oh man, that brings back some great memories! Spent MANY hours cruising around the desert and river bottom as a kid in Kearny on my sweet little home-built mini bike with a 5HP Briggs & Stratton. Old man helped hook me up with a belt driven centrifugal clutch on that baby, and it would climb any hill in town! Nothing like a good ol' Briggs & Stratton motor to get something going! Somebody should snap that up and build something awesome! Good luck selling! S.

Never tried it, but a couple of guys at work have with apparently good results. For me, I'm feeling like "Then what?".... What do you do when you've lost the weight? I'm not obese in any sense at all, but middle age has caught up with me and I've gained about 15 pounds in the past 5 years or so. Recently I've committed myself to simply eating 'better' (watching carbs, fried foods, and sweets a little more closely) and getting just a little more active. Decent results for me so far, but it's more about living a little healthier as opposed to dieting. Good luck! S.

Local news finally caught-up to the story.... https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2018/01/31/arizona-elk-headed-w-virginia-east-looks-undo-native-species-regional-extinction/1076316001/

I was born and raised in Kearny, the son of a mining engineer. The topic of mining and the impact it has on recreation is always interesting to me. Should have heard my old man rail against the EPA back in the day! At the Ray pit, mountains of overburden sit on top of many of the canyons and washes where we used to chase muleys and quail. Was always glad I lived up wind of the tailings and smelter in Hayden. Sometimes I'm sad to see it, but overall the impact of mining seems to be quite small compared to how much land we have to hunt here in AZ. Fortunately or unfortunately, the world is hungry for copper and that area of our state is rich with it! (Too bad a local company can't be the one to exploit it.....) Progress? Who knows.... S.

+1 on minnows. Small chartreuse power grub on a 1/32 oz lead-head jig (4lb test) is my old standby.