Rants & Raves

Happy 4th of July from SJI’s Rants & Raves. Thoughts and comments on patriotism, citizenship, independence and (yes) fireworks are welcome, as are thoughts on any topic.

12 Comments

  1. Lately, our observance of July 4th becomes an increasingly contradictory spectacle each passing year as we supposedly celebrate our independence from a remote, overbearing, governmental authority, while at the same time demanding and embracing a childlike DEpendence on a remote, overbearing, governmental authority.

    For the time being, I will enjoy the hotdogs and beer, but I’ll reserve judgement on what all the celebrating signifies to We The People.

  2. The irony is that San Jose has no citywide celebration of the 4th of July.  It is a holiday that most civic leaders in San Jose seem to find offensive.  As Christmas and Halloween became seasonal holidays, San Jose’s PC Guardians focused their efforts to go after the 4th of July and succeeded.

  3. Just enjoying the freedom to remind readers that an SJ cop no longer pays into the pension fund or medical while often becoming exempted from Federal Tax (with disability). The net result of “90%” retirement is more like 120+% of working take home. If any of you have loved ones tredging thru the Afghan dessert right now, please describe their retirement benefit. Politics has rendered this great country increasingly to many absurdities, thus my celebration becomes increasingly muted.

  4. Anybody seen Joe Simitian, Jim Beall, Joe Coto, Ira Ruskin, or Elaine Alquist during this three day holiday weekend? 

    They must have had more important things to do at home instead of working through the weekend to solve California’s budget crisis.

  5. We have young soldiers dying in the war, people losing their jobs, and homes along with this spectacle costing taxpayers millions. 

    Unbelievable:
    Will the Michael Jackson Memorial Cost Taxpayers?
    http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/ask_the_answer_bitch/b132819_will_michael_jackson_memorial_cost.html?utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=netzero_celebnews

    One Congressman trying to make a name for himself~

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31760415/ns/entertainment-music/?GT1=43001

    Only in America.

  6. Hello P.O and other BSes (Big Shots).
    It ain’t easy to be “visionary” or “futurist”, but I’ll give it a try.

    San Jose town might earn some easy Ca$h.

    Don’t know who owns all that vacant empty land at both ends of SCJ airport, but some could be subdivided into 25×25 foot lots and auctioned off as garden plots for San Jose residents and current property owners.
    Many town folk would love to have a place to grow fresh flowers, organic vegetables, harvest a few fruit trees and raise some rabbits and chickens to consume fresh eggs (at least from the chickens). 

    Many “farmers” will develop rainwater collection systems or use grey water, but most will have to purchase water.  This irrigation water will come from recycled water of the Waste Disposal Plant near the Bay via new pipeline along Guadalupe Creek.  Without tearing up streets this should be relatively inexpensive project. 

    Garden plot owners could construct very small tool cottages, while central bathrooms (some with swimming pools for the kids) would supply potable drinking water.
    The town would collect lease and maintenance fees as well as taxes.  Gardeners with excess vegetables and fruits could sell them at 10×20 foot stands on West Hedding St.

    The rest of the land would be leased to local non-profit groups for developing orchards.  Most of the fruit trees will require little irrigation.  In lieu of small lease fees these non-profits will be required to hire local school kids for the summer harvest and on weekends, as well as provide volunteer opportunities for many seniors.  The harvest can also be sold on West Hedding St. and other selected locations to augment the non-profit revenue, thus expanding services without additional government support. 

    Some parkland should be set aside for ball fields, picnic, playgrounds and communal gathering spots, perhaps a classroom facility for teaching crop cultivation. 
    Public transit access should also be provided.

    Most European cities have such small gardens available for their citizens along their outskirts,  why not in San Jose, CA??

    The current empty ground near the airport is quite unattractive.  Rows of apple, pears, plum, peaches, cherry, citrus, nut trees would certainly improve the looks and put some life into the area, besides relentless traffic.  Some berry patches and table grapes would add variety.

    San Jose would again become “The Valley of Hearts Delight”.
    Why hasn’t something like this been developed when San Jose had oodles of money??

    pgp3

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