Americans for Prosperity? NOT!!!!

Omaha, NE - The "Huckabee" rally in Omaha on Sunday was really a "Huckleberry Rally." It was organized and paid for by out of state money from tobacco and big oil. Nebraskans were duped. Just follow the money.

Who is "Americans for Prosperity?" "Americans for Prosperity" is a Washington based lobbying organization with NO ties to Nebraska. It paid for the TV ads and it organized the rally.

"Americans for Prosperity" is best known for the pro tobacco industry lobbying effort which has fought clean air acts and cigarette tax increases since 2004. It is a tool for money from big oil, retailers, the tobacco industry, and developers who want to cripple government for their own excessive profits.

"Americans for Prosperity" is controlled by Art Pope. Art Pope is the North Carolina businessman who runs Variety Wholesalers, Inc. in the Southeast United States, competing with the likes of Wal-Mart and Dollar Stores. Variety Wholesalers just had a product recall for putting lead painted toy trucks on its shelves just in time for Christmas. That is the kind of company Art runs.

Art is credited with the systematic elimination of moderate Republicans from the North Carolina House of Representatives. He is one man with a twisted mind and a lot of money. He does not represent Nebraska and he does not agree with our honest hardworking values. And he is playing Nebraska Republicans like a fiddle.

Get it straight: "Americans for Prosperity" does not care about health care. "Americans for Prosperity" does not really care about abortion. They are the problem, not the solution. How can they support tobacco and claim to be "pro-life" in any real sense of the word?

By being on the stage Sunday, Lee Terry and Jeff Fortenberry revealed that they are either dupes or they have sold out to the tobacco industry and big oil.

Vic Covalt - State Chair
Nebraska Democratic Party

King of Sweden Double-fretted Clavichord

After a 30-year hiatus, I'm diving into instrument construction once again. The last two instruments back in the day were Flemish harpsichords. They are now in the hands of other owners. My newest venture is a King of Sweden double-fretted clavichord. Due to its compact size and the ease of moving it around, I'll be keeping this instrument for my own personal enjoyment. I wish I could recommend the company which manufactures this kit, but I'm afraid that since the departure of David J. Way (who later called himself D. Jacques Way), the Zuckerman Harpsichord Company has gone downhill in the area of customer service and satisfaction. With this clavichord, I also ordered a stand but only received part of it. I didn't do the parts inventory within their time frame (you know, folks, sometimes life intervenes) and came to learn that half the stand was missing. They refused to make good on it, so I will be paying a custom woodworker to construct the balance of the stand for me using what wood Zuckerman generously gave me for the big wad of cash I laid on them. The kit was also missing the bridge pins, and it took two e-mails and a little arguing to get them to send me some. So if you're interested in buying an early instrument kit, I suggest you try Hubbard Harpsichords. While I have no personal experience with Hubbard, they can't be any worse than Zuckerman. Yes, I'm being a little whiney, but at the price I paid for this kit and that stand, I think I'm more than entitled. If you do decide to try Zuckerman, inspect the kit immediately. Print out the parts list and go through everything to make sure it's all there. At least Zuckerman won't be able to pull the old "it's too late" routine on you. My plan is to give you a blow-by-blow description of the building process. Stay tuned.

Fahrvergnuegen!

The official color is charcoal blue pearlescent. It's a 2004 diesel Golf, and I plan to run it on fast food restaurant oil. So eat them French fries and help the effort!

I purchased the car from a dealer in Gainesville, Florida, so to pick it up, a road trip was in order. Any excuse to thaw out, right? We picked up the car and drove along the southern coast, then spent a day in "Nawlins," eating etouffee, touring the French Quarter, and walking the river walk. Later we pigged out on beignets at Cafe du Monde (but of course). Then it was on to Ft. Worth to visit family.

When we got within 4 hours of home, the weather turned sour, and Old Man Winter reminded us he wasn't through with us yet. We've been freezing ever since.

Anyone out there from Tallahassee? I love that town and may need to retire there, although I've heard the heat and humidity are awful. I'll have to return during the summer months to see how well I like it then. As for March, it was perfect!

The deed is done!

The auction is over, and the Audi is soon to have a new home in Ohio. The winning bidder has 15 other diesel vehicles in his possession, so Old Blue is going to a good owner, I believe.

Now that I've sold three of our four existing vehicles out from under us and the remaining car is 300 miles away from us in our son's possession, I guess we better start looking for a couple cars.

My son wants a Rabbit. I could go for that, but a Jetta wagon would also work. Manual transmission is a must. Diesel is not a requirement, but it would be nice. If you have one for sale, drop me an email!

Farewell to an Era

I am not a car person. At least I didn't think I was until now.

For a variety of reasons, we have decided to clear the decks and sell our three oldest vehicles. As I write this, the heart-breaking realization has come to me that the oldest of the three - my beloved 1982 Audi 4000 diesel - has been with me half my life! But more on it a little later.

The first to go is a 1987 Dodge Ram Van. This was given to us by my mother-in-law. I've never cared for it because it's a behemoth. It has a high profile, and I've always been a nervous wreck when driving it. So when it got a bid at eBay Motors, I cheered.

The next car we listed was my husband's 1987 Volkswagen Fox wagon. When we married, my husband became a co-owner of a house I already owned, so the car became our first major purchase together. Our son, who is now a university sophomore, became the car's primary driver/owner about three years ago, but it has a fussy 4th gear, so we listed it on eBay Motors as well. Warts and all, it got a bid almost immediately. While my husband and son really enjoy the car, they realize it is time for it to go to someone who can tinker endlessly with it as it ages further.

The third and final car we listed is my Audi.

This is a gem of a car which I bought new back in early 1982. That makes it 27 years old. That car has been with me for half my life, and I still love it. Sure, the driver's seat needs to be restuffed. But the upholstery is still in great condition.

The odometer doesn't advance with consistency. It tends to lock up in warmer weather. It advances more readily in cold temperatures, which makes it a remarkable car. Imagine! A diesel that likes cold weather!

I have had the left front fender totally replaced to arrest some rust.

The car has been in three fender benders - one of which totaled the little Ford that hit me. The offending driver was an insurance salesman, so everything was fixed by his company to my satisfaction. He hit the right front fender, closest to where my infant son was asleep in his car seat. But my little baby didn't even wake up from the impact. Old Blue (and the car seat and seat belts) got between us and the other car and protected us.

The 1982 Audi 4000 diesel was, and still is, a solid car. My husband affectionately refers to it at times as The Tank. It currently has seven bids with a few days to go, and I'm using the remaining time to come to peace about the sale. I'll probably replace it with something lame while I patiently wait for Audi's release of their 2010 clean diesel vehicle.

Fond memories of this car. I do love it.