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October 6, 2008 Patterson, CA

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Fast Talk

Written by Ron Swift / Fast Talk

Friday, 13 June 2008

Economy, gas prices, Iraq war still heart of issues

Now that the Democrats have chosen their presidential candidate, we can count on five months of extensive debate on two major areas — the economy, including the skyrocketing price of gas, and the war in Iraq.

Having already spent more than $500 billion on the war, it is easy to conclude it directly affects this nation’s economy.

Ron Swift / Fast Talk

I know it’s simplistic to say, but why not give our troops a “well done” and bring them home? They superbly accomplished their mission when they took out the Saddam Hussein regime five years ago, and they have since battled an invisible enemy that is content to kill hundreds of its own countrymen a month in a religious war that we little understand. We’ve attempted to help the Iraqis set up their own government, but for several reasons, many of which we cannot be held at fault, that mission has not succeeded.

It’s illogical to think we can win the battle against so-called insurgents supported with manpower and weapons by nearby countries who are also our enemies. Our presence in Iraq is reason enough for our enemies to keep up the fight.

Since we won the war, let’s turn the mop-up over to those with a personal interest in negotiating peace in that part of the world, including those who don’t support the U.S.

Some argue that the death toll among U.S. troops has slowed considerably. Try that argument on those families who have lost loved ones. We’ve had tens of thousands suffer severe physical and emotional damage. The longer we stay there, the higher the count becomes.

Getting back to our economy, which surely is linked to our military spending, it’s time for the U.S. government to concentrate on US. Americans will have their say Nov. 4. So listen closely to candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

WHAT’S IT WORTH?
On July 1, a new state law will prohibit drivers from using hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel. Drivers younger than 18 will find it illegal to use even a hands-free communications device.

So what’s the fine for first-time offenders? A measly 20 bucks for committing an act that could result in serious injury or death on the roadway.

But throw a tissue out the window? That’s $1,000. Or copy a video? Up to $250,000.

Does the above comparison make any sense to you?

MORE MEMORIES
When the sprinkler system went off at Northmead Elementary School while families were settling in to watch the recent fiesta fireworks, it took some local memories back 37 years.

A similar incident happened then at the first football game in Patterson Community Stadium. It was the season-opener in 1971 against Gustine, and the game was halted for a number of minutes while a school custodian was rounded up to turn off the water. As we recall, the custodian in charge of the sprinkler was off on a deer hunting trip.

It did make for an interesting photo, and it did provide a few chuckles around town.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT
Twenty-five years ago this week, this column included an item about a few friends and Patterson Frozen Foods staffers hosting a luncheon at the Del Puerto Hotel to surprise George Klopping on his 50th birthday, a project of his wife Ruth. Attendees wore black arm bands.

George was nearly speechless, it was reported.

George speechless? Don’t believe everything you read.

FROM THE MAILBAG
Hey Mr. Know-It-All:

I’ll betcha can’t name one thing this wind is good for. — Gotcha

Dear Got: I can think of only one — flying the flag.

WORD FOR THE WISE
My dietitian informs me that red meat is not bad for you.

Fuzzy green meat is bad for you.

FOR THE SPORTS FAN
What little I know about horse racing you could easily hide under a saddle.

That said, let’s get to the subject of Big Brown, who obviously didn’t try very hard in last week’s Belmont Stakes.

Maybe it was because he heard all this talk about him retiring to stud. The poor guy might have wanted to save himself.

AND FINALLY …
Patterson’s in-town wildlife is getting interesting.

Not only do we have live-in raccoons, but an occasional opossum wanders around eating pet food and looking like possums look: ugly.

Then, hawks show up and make diving swoops for our small and sometimes young birds, which reportedly are bonier but easier to snatch than ground squirrels.

But the hawks have been observed having a tough time when sighted by Patterson’s crows. Probably protecting their young, the large crows gang up on single hawks and run them high into the sky.

It’s almost like living in the country.

Ron Swift is editor/publisher emeritus of the Patterson Irrigator. His column appears weekly in this space.

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