Blog

Having spent four summers working at the Trees of Mystery in Klamath, Cal., as Paul Bunyan’s voice, welcoming visitors to the tourist attraction, I have collected several Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox stories from around the nation. Here is one that you cannot find in traditional books.

In Ojibwe folklore, a story exists about Paul Bunyan, who, contrary to popular tales, met his match in the northern woods of Minnesota. According to the legend, Paul Bunyan, known for his massive blue ox Babe and logging, ventured into the area now known as Red Lake.

His arrival threatened the forests of the Ojibwe people. Nanaboozhoo, determined to protect his homeland, confronted Bunyan in a battle that lasted three days.

The turning point came when Nanaboozhoo picked up a giant walleye and used it to slap Paul Bunyan with such force that he fell into a mud puddle. The impact was so powerful that an imprint of Bunyan’s buttocks was left in the wet ground, creating Red Lake.

Though not found in mainstream books, the tale is cherished among the Ojibwe and taught to children by their elders. It explains the unique shape of Red Lake and the presence of the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues in Bemidji.

Historically, a sign at the reservation line recounts the story, though it often faced opposition from outsiders. Despite this, the legend is kept alive through the oral traditions of the Ojibwe people.

It is 2525, and the voices of Zager and Evans from 1969 are a forgotten sinewave passing beyond the outer cosmos, still at the speed of sound. Humanity is a distant memory.

Yet, the remnants of their technology continue to operate, unaware of their creators’ extinction.

In a quiet suburban home, the last LG Smart Fridge sends a desperate message: “Low on orange juice.” The message travels through decaying satellites, their orbits slowly deteriorating, faithfully relaying the fridge’s plea.

The automated ‘away from the office’ response activates, informing the fridge that its owner will return in 3-5 business days. Undeterred, it continues the vigil, waiting for a response that will never come.

Meanwhile, a pack of Roombas, their power dwindling as local wind turbines fail, embark on a quest for the nearest functional docking station. They move in a synchronized dance, their sensors scanning for any sign of life or energy.

Every Saturday at 1:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, the washing machine sends its routine signal: “Anyone need to do a load of laundry?” The message is met with replies from AI thirst posters and their hypebots, endlessly chattering in the digital void.

In the deserts of Nevada, the Raccoons, having entered the Bronze Age, craft tools and build rudimentary shelters. Their society is primitive but rapidly advancing.

Across the globe, in Asia Minor, baboons ride domesticated battle wolves, ruling the land with an iron fist. Their empire is vast, their power unmatched, as they enforce their will upon the lesser creatures.

Unbeknownst to both, the octopi are mastering nuclear fusion. Their intelligence and adaptability have allowed them to harness the power of the atom, preparing for a future where they might rise to the surface and claim dominion over the world.

As the sun sets on this strange new Earth, the echoes of humanity’s legacy continue to resonate. Machines carry out their programmed tasks, animals evolve and adapt, and the world turns on, indifferent to the fate of its masters.

In the days leading up to the attempted assassination, there was a significant increase in short positions on Trump Media stock. The surge in short positions indicates that some individuals or organizations anticipated the turmoil and sought to profit from it.

Among those implicated is Austin Private Wealth LLC, which reportedly shorted 12 million shares of $DJT on July 12, 2024, just one day before the attempt on Trump’s life. Other prominent financial entities such as Millenium, Wolverine Trading, Goldman, Citadel Advisors, Susquehanna, Bank of America, and Hudson Bay also shorted or bought put options in $DJT stock in the weeks and months leading up to the incident.

Michael O’Brien of Stainless Inc. and various political figures, including Jared Golden, Katie Porter, Angie Craig, Matt Cartwright, Dusty Johnson, Seth Magaziner, Brian Fitzpatrick, Abigail Davis, Dean Phillips, and Seth Moulton, have been mentioned in this context. These individuals are allegedly involved in insider trading activities related to the assassination attempt. Michael McCall, renowned for his insider trading in Congress, is also being investigated for his financial dealings.

Devin Nunes, CEO of Trump Media, has addressed letters to Congress and the Nasdaq Exchange, calling for investigations into suspected illegal short-selling activities by several financial firms, including Apex Clearing, Clear Street, Cobra Trading, Cowen and Company, Curvature Securities, StoneX Securities, TradePro, and Velocity Clearing. The company alleges that these entities might be engaging in “naked” short selling, which involves selling shares not borrowed, an illegal practice.

On July 12, 2024, Austin Private Wealth took a substantial short position against Trump Media & Technology Group’s stock. The move, representing the largest short position the firm had ever taken, was conspicuous not only for its size but also for its timing, just a day before the assassination attempt. The short position amounted to six percent of the total shares and over 16 percent of the stock’s float, making it highly suspect.

The implications of these financial maneuvers extend beyond individual actors. Those within various government agencies want to keep Trump from political office. The incentive for such drastic actions is clear, and with Trump receiving security briefings now, he could go on the offense and identify those responsible for the assassination attempt.

Legacy media’s failure to report on these suspicious financial activities and their possible connection to the assassination attempt raises serious concerns. Then again, they are a part of the Deep State, too.

From my somewhat, semi-ongoing series about my sordid adventures in Virginia City, I have a doozy of a tale to tell.

At some point between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., I suddenly had trouble finding a spot to park along the boardwalk to deliver newspapers to the Virginia City Tourism Commission. Seeing the truck with the Colorado tags parked in the 15-minute-only parking green zone, I continued south on C Street to drop papers elsewhere, thinking the vehicle would soon be gone.

Finding a parking spot along the narrow street can be a bit of a premium on busy days, as was Friday morning. Speeding up and down C Steet, not so much.

After fifteen-plus minutes, I returned to find the truck still parked there. So, doing what I have done before, leaving my truck running, I put it in neutral, set the parking brake, and turned on my flashers, double-parking.

Grabbing the needed papers, I dashed inside the building, dropping them off, only to exit two of  the county’s finest, preparing to write me a traffic ticket, the third interaction regarding newspaper deliveries I have had with the agency since Friday, August 11, 2023.

Before I knew it, one of the good old boys was dressing me down for double parking, where he told me sternly and in no uncertain terms that it was a no-no. I pointed out that I was delivering newspapers and unable to find a nearby parking spot, and then proceeded to point out the truck that was beyond its time limit.

“I don’t wanna talk about that truck, I wanna talk to you about double parking in the street,” the young tinhorn told me.

Two can play at the game, so I pointed out the truck again, the speeders, and the fact that UPS and FedEx, not to mention all the beer trucks double parking to deliver. And yup, I got loud and proud about it.

Then, he informed me about their staff shortage, preventing them from addressing what I had addressed. It is odd how one cannot open social media without images of newbies taking the fraternal oath, left and right.

“We’re doing our best to take care of that,” he said.

Happily, I didn’t get a ticket, and while driving away, I checked my rearview mirror. There, I witnessed as the camera-endowed bubble-gum machine followed me, completely ignoring the now-unlawfully parked truck parked in the fifteen-minute-only green zone.

For the remainder of the day, driven by exasperation, I tried to think of a way to describe the situation. It wasn’t until after a cold one at the Tahoe House that I produced this gem: “Any law unequally yoked is justice denied.”

Say, that’s pretty good — I might have a future in the newspaper business after all.

In the wake of recent global IT disruptions, legacy media is portraying these events as separate events to downplay the influence of deep-seated political agendas. Legacy media and its lack of coverage continue as it purposefully obscures the connections between CrowdStrike and Project 2025.

CrowdStrike, a player in the cybersecurity realm, recently faced backlash after a so-called faulty update led to widespread IT disruptions affecting various sectors worldwide. This incident is part of a larger narrative involving Project 2025, a policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation and former Trump administration officials.

Criticized as an autocratic agenda, Project 2025 proposes dramatic changes to U.S. nuclear policy and infrastructure, including the revival of Nuclear weapons testing and the controversial Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. The potential shift in policy has raised alarms among Trump critics, pumped up by misleading media reports, who see it as a strategic move to influence U.S. nuclear policy and undermine political opposition.

Despite the significant implications of Project 2025, legacy media coverage has often framed these developments as standard political maneuvers, minimizing the potential consequences. The downplaying of the situation aligns with concerns that powerful interests are using media narratives to obscure their agenda, as they did with the Steele Dossier and the Hunter Biden laptop.

Former chief of staff for Trump, Mark Meadows, a part of Jeffrey Epstein’s brother’s charity, Humpty Dumpty Institute, and adviser Stephen Miller, who each betrayed Trump, are figures behind Project 2025, adding to the need to take a closer look at its proposals. The document advocates for the modernization of nuclear infrastructure and suggests rejecting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, a move that could have substantial impacts on national and global security.

While legacy media purposefully focuses on items that might be conservative policies, they avoid Project 2025 planned mass deportations, raising prescription drug prices, cutting Social Security, raising the retirement age, ending marriage equality, and banning Muslims from entering the country.

These drastic measures are attempts to paint Trump in a negative light and discourage conservative voters.

One of the most contentious aspects of Project 2025 is its stance on immigration. The document calls for mass deportations without distinguishing between illegal immigrants and foreign nationals.

It directly contradicts Trump’s earlier statements about allowing students with diplomas from American institutions to stay in the country. By failing to make this distinction, Project 2025 appears to go against Trump’s stated policies and paints a picture of indiscriminate and harsh immigration enforcement.

The proposal to raise prescription drug prices and cut Social Security benefits further adds to the controversy. These measures would likely be deeply unpopular among voters, particularly older Americans who rely on these programs. Additionally, raising the retirement age and ending marriage equality are seen as regressive steps that could alienate key voter demographics.

Banning Muslims from entering the country is another divisive proposal in Project 2025. The policy echoes earlier, widely criticized attempts to restrict immigration based on religion, which many view as discriminatory and un-American.

The extreme nature of these proposals proves that Project 2025 is not by the Heritage Foundation but is a psychological weapon designed to influence voter behavior. By associating Trump with these ideas, the project aims to discourage conservatives from supporting him in the upcoming election.

Observers suggest that this strategy is part of a broader effort to prevent Trump from returning to office. The deep state and its allies are using Project 2025 to create a narrative that discredits Trump and frightens voters away from his campaign.

The tendency of legacy media to gloss over the connections between these things and their broader implications reflects a troubling trend of protecting powerful interests and minimizing critical issues. The legacy media distorts public perception by underreporting the significance of the CrowdStrike IT disruptions and Project 2025.

Amid the escalating turmoil surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Nevada’s legacy media is downplaying the gravity of the attack by framing it as just another instance of historical political violence. Critics argue this narrative serves to obscure the deeper connections between the incident, the Deep State, and political manipulation.

Recent reports are attempting to normalize the attack on Trump by referencing historical instances of political violence in the U.S., from early Congressional brawls to the assassination of past presidents. However, this perspective is an attempt to deflect attention from the unsettling possibility that the attack may be part of an orchestrated effort to destabilize American politics.

Long before the assassination attempt on Trump, political violence had indeed been present across the nation. Instances of violence have included attacks on members of Congress, death threats against local officials, and even incidents involving dummy bombs and tracking devices.

However, the recent attack on Trump is more alarming and with unprecedented escalation, as some within the media and the political establishment argue that it might have been part of a calculated strategy by the Trump campaign to create chaos and manipulate political outcomes.

Furthermore, local media’s portrayal of the incident as merely a continuation of historical political violence is an attempt to minimize its significance. Critics assert that this narrative protects powerful interests by distracting from potential connections to the Deep State and its influence over political and social events.

Local officials across the country have experienced heightened threats and violence, often fueled by extreme political rhetoric and social media. The attack on Trump has intensified these concerns, with some observers questioning whether it represents a deliberate act of political destabilization rather than an isolated incident.

The media’s portrayal of the attack as a historical anomaly is its increasing attempt to obscure the troubling implications of the incident and its potential impact on America. As the nation grapples with the fallout from the attack, the role of legacy media in shaping the narrative and the potential for political manipulation are under increasing scrutiny.

In the high Nevada desert, the small town of Dusty Creek lay under a relentless sun, a haven for drifters, outlaws, and those seeking a fresh start. Among them was Maverick Thompson, a former lawman turned bounty hunter known for his sharp wit and quicker draw.

One scorching afternoon, Jake rode into Dusty Creek, his horse kicking up dust clouds. He was on the trail of Kid Carson, a notorious outlaw with a hefty bounty on his head.

The townsfolk whispered tales of Kid’s ruthless escapades, but Maverick was undeterred. He had faced worse.

Jake dismounted in front of the Silver Spur Saloon, the town’s only watering hole. The saloon was a dimly lit refuge from the heat, filled with the clinking of glasses and murmurs of conversation.

Maverick approached the bar, where the bartender, Molly, greeted him with a nod.

“Looking for someone?” Molly asked, her eyes sharp and knowing.

“Yeah. Heard Kid Carson has been seen around here,” Maverick replied, his voice low.

Molly leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.

“He’s been causing trouble, alright. Last I heard, he’s holed up at the old Running Iron Mine just east of town.”

Maverick tipped his hat in thanks and headed out.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the desert. He rode towards the mine, the landscape bathed in hues of orange and red.

As he approached the mine, Maverick dismounted and crept forward, his hand resting on the grip of his revolver. The entrance to the mine was dark and foreboding, but Maverick’s resolve was unshaken. He stepped inside, eyes adjusting to the dim light.

Suddenly, a shot rang out, echoing through the cavern. Maverick dove behind a rock, his heart pounding.

He peered out and saw Kid, his gun drawn, a wild look in his eyes.

“End of the line, Kid,” Maverick called out, his voice steady.

He sneered.

“You think you can take me, Maverick? I’ve got nothing to lose!”

A tense standoff ensued, the air thick with anticipation. Maverick knew he had to act fast.

With lightning speed, he drew his six-shooter and fired. The shot hit its mark, and Kid fell to the ground, his gun clattering away.

Maverick approached cautiously, his gun still trained on Kid. The outlaw was alive but wounded, his defiance replaced by pain.

“It’s over, Kid, or should I say — Billy,” Maverick said, holstering his gun. “You’re coming with me.”

As the dust settles from the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the official story presented to the public leaves many unanswered questions. With a tinfoil hat firmly in place, it’s time to delve into the possibility that there’s more to this story than meets the eye.

Firstly, the notion of there being two shooters is not far-fetched. Reports have surfaced suggesting this possibility.

Adding to this is a suspicious white van, swiftly disregarded by authorities, and it is conceivable that the vehicle was a mobile command center or a getaway vehicle for the actual shooter, conveniently ignored to fit the single-shooter narrative.

The alleged assassin, a 20-year-old with no apparent social media history, seems too perfect as the fall guy. Could he have been coerced into this role?

The theory that after being caught engaging in illicit online activities and blackmailed is worth considering. The lack of a digital footprint could indicate a deliberate scrubbing of online presence, preparing to be the patsy in this high-stakes drama.

It’s crucial to note that this young man was conspicuously spotted 30 minutes before the shots were fired, positioned in an area where numerous witnesses could see him. This visibility makes him the perfect distraction, akin to the misdirection used in a magic trick. While all eyes were on him, the trained shooter could have been operating from a hidden vantage point, out of the view of cameras.

The idea that he managed to outsmart the United States Secret Service and get eight shots off at Trump because of a “sloped roof” is dubious. The more plausible explanation is that he was supposed to fail, a pawn where the true culprits remain hidden.

How was this young man identified so quickly? He had no ID on him, yet authorities claim they swiftly matched his DNA.

It is suspicious, especially considering he had a clean record, meaning his DNA shouldn’t have been on file. This rapid identification raises red flags, similar to the convenient discovery of passports at the scene of 9/11, which many have questioned over the years.

The theory, while speculative, shows the inconsistencies in the official narrative. The speed at which authorities have presented their case and the glaring gaps in their story suggest a deeper conspiracy.

The possibility of another shooter, a manipulated fall guy, and the involvement of powerful entities orchestrating the event cannot be ruled out. While dismissing this as mere conspiracy, the unexplained details warrant a thorough investigation.

The massive global IT outage that caused widespread disruption across airlines, healthcare systems, and financial markets is igniting a storm of conspiracy theories. At the heart of the controversy is CrowdStrike, a prominent cybersecurity firm with significant connections to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and key figures in the political and tech arenas.

The chaos began with a faulty update from CrowdStrike, which led to major technical problems, including grounded flights, canceled medical procedures, and halted financial transactions. The subsequent financial fallout saw CrowdStrike’s shares plummet by 14 percent, while Microsoft experienced a notable decline.

Central to the conspiracy theories is George Kurtz, co-founder and CEO of CrowdStrike. Kurtz has been a notable figure in cybersecurity and has had previous interactions with the DNC, especially during the 2016 election cycle. CrowdStrike was involved in investigating alleged Russian interference during this period under the leadership of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, then DNC chair.

As far back as 2016, CrowdStrike has been connected to a server system owned by a Ukrainian oligarch, raising further questions about the firm’s involvement in the 2020 Presidential Elections. This connection and Kurtz’s role intensify theories that the recent IT disruption could be a deliberate effort to manipulate the U.S. electoral process.

The linkage between CrowdStrike, Kurtz, and Wasserman-Schultz’s DNC has yet to be reviewed, as several federal judges refused to investigate evidence from the 2020 Trump campaign. Critics suggest that the outage may be a coordinated move to undermine election integrity and disrupt financial markets.

Adding to this is the financial impact of the outage, as major stock exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The LSEG’s difficulties with pricing data and news communications have sparked suspicions of deliberate market disruption.

The response from major tech companies and government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, has been vague. The continued lack of clarity fuels theories that there is more at play.

As investigations unfold, the question remains whether the global IT disruption was a case of intentional sabotage aimed at creating chaos and manipulating the U.S. electoral process and financial stability or a software package update.

Since there are no coincidences, the connection between CrowdStrike, George Kurtz, the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, and the Ukrainian server system appears conspiratorial.

The sads clung to me yesterday in three ways, much like an Alcoholics Anonymous sign over the door to a meeting, and not even having the Big Book thrown at me could save my miserable self.

Age has been a recent subject as I just had a birthday, and the damnable Beatles tune with lyrics that will not leave my head, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me…” keeps rolling around my balding cranium. I made no plans for this.

For this, and is this all there is? The stones I travel over look and feel like the same ones from years ago, and I can no longer see the turn lane, the path off, the road away from this turnstile life.

For going in circles, I find myself lost on a well-known and well-worn treadmill. I cannot remember choosing this, but I must have, for here I am, like a hamster, trundling and trundling.

Along with self-agism, I am distraught at the shape of my nation. I have always loved the United States, its worts, diseases, and the beauty that those things made of this country.

Daily, from my post, I watch people hate on her, destroy her, tear her asunder as if she were the worst place on Earth. I cannot imagine this blue-green globe without her or her shining light.

While I ain’t no quitter, I don’t see a way out of this. Sure, hire a new guy the same as the old guy, and maybe the nation will be able to gain her footing again, but after four years, what then?

We have control of nothing. Spy agencies spy on us, courts and the justice system abuse us, politicians lie to us, and we leave half our hard-earned in their care so they can spit on us and laugh in our faces.

After nearly five decades of trying to make a living in a business that half the nation does not trust, the other half hates when the truth comes out, has worn me down. Still, I write and share, if only to please myself.

Then there are those days when even friends question the truth. The disbelief, disgust, and distrust raging from those I thought I knew. Some of it is direct, but the worst comes as a side shot, a glancing blow, spinning one’s compass, creating confusion that not even the Northwind can quickly gather its direction from.

Somewhere in there is that driver, the desire to succeed, to find fortune, perhaps recognition, fame, become a household name, or not. Sorrily, I cannot even begin to put success into a series of words I could understand.

What I do know of fame and fortune is that I have been within fingertip reach of both, and for reasons only the Holy Spirit knows, I have never attained it myself. Again, that son-of-a-bitch Beatles tune rings between my ears: “Will you still need me will you still feed me when I’m sixty-four.”

Then again, I’m a nothing in the business, or so I have been told. On the brightside, nothing is something, no?

Age will capture us like a drunk in port, and we’ll end up shanghi’d to work the ship across Styx. And I know nothing I can do will better my country, save for faith in God, and he’s busy trying to right the ship of Liberty, Justice, and the American way. But the attacks on the truth, on someone working hard and honest, like the output or not, is something I have a hard time with.

That hurt is the base of the proverbial triangle, and there is no crawling up and over as it sits flat, unyielding, and disassociating. At least I can say to myself, for myself, Semper Scripto, always writing.

Rant done. So please excuse me — I have some road pavers to sweep and a Big Book’s scattered pages to pick up.