Category: random

Maybe it is time for me to stop watching all those YouTube videos about shapeshifters, skinwalkers, werewolves, and wendigoes. I say that with tongue-in-cheek jest, as it won’t happen — at least not anytime soon.

It was 5 a.m., and I had gone to my truck to start it and warm it up to melt the skin of ice it was encased in, especially the windshield. As I closed the truck door, I heard a hoarse barking, looked up, and saw a rather large dog come racing at me.

A second later, I realized it was a neighbor’s pup, Henry, a Mastiff-Cane Corso mix. Slowly catching up came the dog’s human, jogging, huffing, and puffing as she ran after the friendly beast.

A butt scratch, a rub behind the ears, and a short chat with my neighbor, and it was back inside for me to get warm. Besides, she and the dog were on a morning walk for exercise.

Ten minutes later, I climbed in the cab, slammed and locked the door behind me, snapped my seat belt across my body, released the parking brake, and slipped the truck in gear. It drove up the street, still adjusting the heater, the wipers, and my radio.

Approaching the top of the hill, I saw someone standing next to a tree in the corner yard.

“What in the…” I started to say.

The person had one arm outreached, leaning on the tree, head lifted and sniffing a bag of birdseed hanging from a branch. Then it looked at me, and I saw the damned antlers on it.

My brain screamed in panic, and I ran through all the Creepy Pasta stories I had heard over the last three or four years as my bladder leaked some yellow juice before shouting, “Wendigo!”

Instinct said — drive faster, faster, you fool, you fool — as I spun out on a patch of ice in the intersection. Then the cryptid sprinted by me — slow enough for me to realize it was a White Tail buck with his tail up as a warning.

Odd, he should think he was so scared, feeling it necessary to warn whatever other fellow deer were in the area with his raised tail like a flag because I’m the one who returned home to change skivvies.

Over the past three years, the woke regime and Biden Administration have launched a relentless assault on freedom of speech, viewing it not as a fundamental right but as a hindrance to its political agenda.

Under the guise of promoting group quotas over individual merit and constitutional liberties, the regime has erected a sophisticated apparatus of information control unprecedented in human history. The advent of the digital age has provided the woke regime with unparalleled tools for censorship and manipulation.

By outsourcing speech and information control to private entities and using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, opinions, and thoughts are suppressed or silenced. Central to this information control apparatus is what has been termed the “Censorship-Industrial Complex,” a convergence of government agencies, media outlets, tech giants, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that operate to construct pseudo-realities where truth is labeled “disinformation,” serving to further the regime’s narrative and stifle dissent.

In testimony before the House Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, Michael Shellenberger likened this complex to Eisenhower’s warning about the dangers of the military-industrial complex. Just as Eisenhower feared the undue influence of defense contractors, Shellenberger highlights the threat posed by the censorship-industrial complex to constitutional government and individual liberty.

The transition of censorship from a foreign concern, such as Russian disinformation, to a domestic one, under the guise of protecting democracy, has been meticulously orchestrated. To wit: Merely questioning the legitimacy of an election, once considered an exercise of free speech, is now equated with attacking critical infrastructure and has been deemed domestic terrorism in some cases.

My Cousin Elmo says, “When I moved to Nevada, I adopted a dachshund as I figured I should “’get a long little doggie.’”

My Cousin Elmo says, “When I moved to Nevada, I adopted a dachshund as I figured I should “get a long little doggie.”

In the ongoing debate surrounding the removal of dams from the Klamath River, proponents of restoration point to the success of Washington State’s Elwha River. Removing the Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam, blocking the river for nearly a century, has resulted in a rapid recovery of its ecosystem.

One resident of Sequim, WA, Scott Gussman, witnessed firsthand the remarkable transformation of the Elwha River. Describing it as the “rapid recovery of nature,” he has observed sediment revitalizing the river’s mouth, plants and trees reclaiming land once submerged, and the resurgence of salmon and other wildlife.

Gussman emphasizes, “Nature knows best.”

The Elwha Dam fell in March 2012, followed by the removal of Glines Canyon Dam, the tallest dam ever taken down at 210 feet high, in September 2014. The undertaking began in 1978 when Elwha Dam failed its safety inspection, leading to a collaboration between the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Robert Elofson, River Restoration Program Director for the tribe, expresses pride in their lead role in the project. As the five-year mark approached, he noted the tribe’s anticipation of resuming ceremonial fishing next year after a moratorium in effect since 2011.

Elofson has witnessed the tangible benefits of dam removal, from abundant crabs at the river’s mouth to elk signs on the former reservoir lands of Lake Aldwell.

The Elwha River, with 83 percent of its length protected within Olympic National Park, has become the wild river it had been. The dams were the only major impediment to the river’s health, making it an exceptional case study in ecological restoration.

Elk roam where reservoirs once existed, and larger, healthier bird populations thrive. A young forest grows where sand once blew across former reservoir lakebeds, and the river’s teal green color returned as its channel stabilized.

Logs tumble and stack in the river, creating complex, braided channels, islands, and jams. Fish populations are booming, with over 4,000 chinook spawners counted above the former Elwha Dam in the first season after its removal. Overall, fish populations were at their highest in 30 years.

“It has been a real success,” affirms Elofson, underlining the positive impact of restoring the Elwha River to its natural state.

So, the Klamath River can return to its healthier, wild roots as it streams down towards Requa and to the Pacific Ocean, which Oregas and Rli Rq look out upon as they protect the river’s mouth.

Edward Bernays’ notion of propaganda as the invisible hand guiding our choices resonates with eerie clarity. Propaganda, he argued, is neither inherently good nor bad; its moral character hinges on its application. 

Yet, in today’s interconnected world, the pervasiveness of propaganda, both subtle and overt, has reached unprecedented levels, veiling truth with crafted narratives designed to shape our perceptions and sway our actions.

From the corridors of power to the halls of media, propaganda’s insidious influence knows no bounds. Recent events, like orchestrated protests outside the Supreme Court or the narrative spin surrounding international crises, are reminders of how misinformation can masquerade as truth, manipulating public opinion and policy decisions.

In politics, the playbook of propaganda unfolds with chilling precision. Crafted narratives, bolstered by selective presentation and emotional appeal, seek to mold public opinion and maintain the status quo. 

The Machiavellian belief that the masses are incapable of self-governance perpetuates a cycle of manipulation, where those in power dictate the narrative to serve their interests, often at the expense of truth and justice. Yet, amidst the cacophony of orchestrated narratives, there remains a beacon of hope—the vigilance of the individual. 

Just as Bernays understood the mechanisms of propaganda, so too can we, armed with skepticism and critical thinking, discern truth from fabrication by dissecting the rhetoric and identifying key manipulative strategies—such as simplification, appeal to authority, and preemptive discrediting—we can unravel the web of deception and reclaim our autonomy.

Take, for instance, the recent debacle surrounding the Nevada election “glitch.” 

In a masterclass of propaganda tactics, authorities sought to downplay the severity of the issue, deflecting blame and framing the narrative to suit their agenda. Through assurances of system integrity, appeals to authority, and preemptive discrediting of dissenting voices, they aimed to quell public scrutiny and cement their grip on power.

Yet, the truth remains our most potent weapon. By questioning the official narrative, conducting independent research, and creating a culture of accountability, we can dismantle the facade of propaganda and pave the way for a more transparent and just society.

Recent developments surrounding the removal of dams on the Klamath River have raised concerns about the environmental impact, the clay mud, and its far-reaching consequences.

Exposing the clay mud to the Klamath River poses a threat to animals attempting to reach the water. Wildlife faces a grim fate when stuck in the sticky ooze.

Dam-removal proponents continue to propagate as of yet unproven benefits, insisting that positive outcomes will materialize in the future. Meanwhile, local communities like Hornbrook, Iron Gate Lake, and Copco Lake feel neglected and ignored in the ongoing discourse.

Residents of Copco Lake, who invested in lakefront homes envisioning a retirement surrounded by the beauty of wildlife, now witness a distressing reality. The slow and agonizing deaths of wildlife have become a daily occurrence, prompting concerns about the long-term consequences of the exposed mud.

The Army Corps of Engineers estimated 20 to 60 million metric yards of clay mud in Copco and Iron Gate Lakes. Despite predictions that the breach would release 5 to 7 million yards downstream, leaving approximately 33 million yards remaining, concerns persist about the slow leaching of toxins and turbidity into the Klamath River over the coming decades.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Klamath River’s turbidity has surged to over 200 nephelometric turbidity units (ntu), surpassing levels that adversely affect fish eggs and survival. The slow release of pollutants from the remaining clay mud may transform the river into an eutrophic environment, which is the gradual increase in the concentration of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients in an aging aquatic ecosystem such as a lake, particularly during late summer and fall.

The City of Reno has come under fire for its reluctance to disclose the locations of its security cameras, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

The city provided only a vague list of camera names with non-specific locations, citing the Nevada Public Records Act as justification for withholding detailed information. An unnamed records official refused to clarify the abbreviations used for each camera, adding that producing the requested information would be burdensome and costly.

Requests for invoices, installation records, maintenance documentation, and footage came with a nearly $15,000 service charge after This is Reno filed a Freedom of Information Act. The city claimed no records of the purchased cameras.

Despite the city’s reluctance to disclose specifics, it’s known that several cameras are visible to the public and installed in various city properties, capturing footage of public areas, including one at City Plaza, which captured real-time video of rioters, and additional cameras documenting rioting within City Hall. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a group of University of Nevada, Reno students were able to geolocate many of the cameras using their names in Google Street View.

In 2022, the city purchased a license for Fusus, a platform enabling police to monitor private security cameras owned by citizens and businesses. While proponents argue that Fusus enhances public safety and police efficiency, critics, including the EFF, caution against potential privacy violations and the circumvention of legal safeguards. Beryl Lipton of the EFF expressed concern over the use of private companies for surveillance purposes, warning against the erosion of civil rights and government overreach.

Following a state primary riddled with glitches that further eroded voter confidence, Nevada Policy (formerly Nevada Policy Research Institute) released a 42-page paper outlining the need for bipartisan legislative action to address concerns and restore trust, security, and transparency in Silver State elections.

The matter is underscored by Nevada’s ranking of dead last in Election Integrity, according to a study by the Heritage Foundation. According to Heritage, the prevalence of vulnerabilities in the system makes election fraud easy to commit and hard to detect, further undermining trust in the democratic process.

A post-election poll by CNN revealed that one in five Nevadans lack confidence in elections and their results. Similarly, a poll by the Nevada Independent found that over 70 percent of Nevadans support Voter ID, indicating widespread concerns about election integrity.

The paper also criticizes the lack of bipartisan collaboration in recent election law changes. During a special 2020 legislative session, the Democratic majority unilaterally altered Nevada’s voting procedures without Republican input. The state’s adoption of vote-by-mail, ballot drop boxes, eased ballot cure processes, and other measures, without bipartisan support, further fueled skepticism in the electoral process.

Despite calls for bipartisan cooperation reforms introduced by Governor Joe Lombardo and Republican legislators, Democrats tabled each during the 2023 legislative session.

The once-thriving manganese extraction site Three Kids Mine is getting a makeover as developer Lakemoor Ventures LLC sets its sights on redeveloping the abandoned land into a residential community. However, the project is not without controversy, as concerns regarding environmental hazards and public health implications emerge.

With roots dating back to World War I, Three Kids Mine was a vital cog in the nation’s defense efforts with manganese, essential for strengthening steel. Yet, as the decades passed, the site fell into disuse, its mill now a canvas for graffiti amidst the rugged terrain of sagebrush and hillsides, serving as a poignant reminder of bygone eras.

However, a new chapter calls the Three Kids Mine into the future, as Lakemoor Ventures is planning a housing project encompassing 3,000 units. Spearheading a $250 million initiative, the developer aims to breathe new life into the land, leveraging state redevelopment laws and private investment to fund the endeavor.

Mindy Unger-Wadkins, representing Lakemoor Ventures, highlights the feasibility of such projects, drawing parallels with past successful ventures. Yet, as the project gains traction, dissenting voices within the community express apprehensions regarding potential health risks associated with the site’s historical contamination.

During a Henderson City Council meeting, residents like William Cappiello voiced concerns over the long-term implications of the project, citing fears of jeopardizing the well-being of future inhabitants. However, despite reservations, the council voted overwhelmingly to advance the redevelopment plans.

As the project moves forward, attention turns to environmental cleanup and remediation. Collaborating with environmental consulting firms and regulatory bodies, Lakemoor Ventures will address lingering contaminants, including manganese, lead, petroleum, and arsenic, left behind from decades of industrial activity.

Kirk Stowers, a principal geologist involved in the project, emphasizes the importance of stringent safety protocols, particularly regarding airborne pollutants during excavation. Despite challenges, developers remain optimistic about the site’s prospects, underscoring their commitment to responsible stewardship and community well-being.

If done right, the Three Kids Mine project could showcase Nevada’s relationship with its mining legacy, embodying the promise of economic revitalization and the imperative of environmental conservation. Yet, as debates continue to swirl around land use management and risk assessment, the path forward remains uncertain, balancing progress with prudence in pursuit of a brighter future.