"John Smith" wrote in message
...
Jim:

I think you can "know all the answers" to the exam, and yet be a total
loss of how to apply it all, and how it all "really works"...
Years ago when I was a teenager, it was at clubs and activities I picked
up the "hands on", plus--even in the small town I lived in there were 3
hams! Now-a-days they are few and far between...

And, now with everyone hiding from terrorists, afraid your neighbor is a
child-molester, and too busy having to make a buck (wife too these days)
the new comers miss a whole lot--in the city I live in, can walk-about
all day long and not have one other citizen speak a greeting--if I don't
speak first... things have changed, I am afraid it is "adapt-or-die"
frown

Warmest regards,
John


Likely true, John

Unfortunately, our dear administration has been pointing the finger at a few
things (weapons of mass destruction, terrorists, and the gay issue) to avoid
the things that should likely concern us most (at least in my mind).

The stupid deficit is beyond comprehension. Not that long ago, we wanted a
weaker dollar so we could export more. Now, in the paper, Wall Street
responds positively to a *stronger* dollar. Could we be praying that folks
don't figure out that the dollar isn't worth the paper it is printed on?
What is going on?

We are turning into a nation of "turn in thy neighbor if you think they
aren't exactly 'right'". Sounds like Russia, China, or pre-WWII Germany.

Meanwhile, as you have discovered, both parents have to work today. Minimum
wage isn't increasing. Income tax for the 6 figure plus folks has been
decreasing, but how about your property tax?

I must admit that I am in danger of becoming a curmudgeon. Wages are
terrible. I was making less than 1/3 of what I made in 1989 (not counting
inflation!) and all of us were let go that were hired the first of February.

I have a small pension; I think I can live on somewhat over $300 per week
take-home. It would not be smart to take a $10.00 per hour job as the tax
will be "off the top" and I'd be lucky to take home $300 of the $400.
Meanwhile, I have to pay for gas to get to work? BTW, I had taken a $13.00
per hour tech job. Engineers (contract, anyhow) aren't paid much more.
Meanwhile, the city has a job for $11.85 as a parking attendant. The tough
requirement is that you have to be able to make change without the use of a
calculator or computer. Is something wrong with this picture.

So, I've been resting on my backside. I'm waiting for some small signs of
intelligence so that I will feel safe that there will be a *big* change in
the coming elections.

Then, and only then, will I go back to work.

Meanwhile, the FBI is getting a substation less than a mile away from me.
The police have moved back to a block from me. Somehow, however, I don't
feel a whole lot safer. Two shootings in the past 4 months within 6 blocks
of me.

Dang! Ain't Bush doing a heck of a job? Don'tcha just feel so safe? )

Meanwhile, I'd just like a few women to molest me. It has been so many
years .... )

It is tough getting old, but it beats the alternative


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA

ps - this background may be why you see some old timers getting their
panties in a knot. I don't care about cw (although I've enjoyed it), but
feel folks should have some *minimal* background for their ticket.

pps - it isn't about applying the knowledge; it is the fact that knowing the
answers to certain questions does *not* mean you even understand the
material.