4 April 2022

Garden Stroll 

 

Alan F. E. Thiese

1 April 2022

 

The President of the United States of America

The Senate Majority Leader

The House of Representatives Speaker

The Senior Senator for Georgia

The Junior Senator for Georgia

The Second District Representative for Georgia

 

Greetings Most Honorable Duly Elected Leaders,

 

Today I focus on Defective Decisions.  I am also guilty of doing them.  As I recall during my preparation for this the Fifth Letter to You I was a college student and I decided that I did not have to attend classes on a regular basis.  After some time of this charade My Parents pulled the plug on financing further College Education. 

 

You may be asking why I discuss this with you.  I consider each of you of being guilty of “Defective Decisions” in your role as a Leader in our USA.

 

The following is a quote and it is printed in Green so you can overlook it, however I feel that what You, Mr. President have done and the rest of You have condoned is simply not in the best interest of America. 

                                   Green!!

 

Batteries, they do not make electricity – they store electricity produced elsewhere, primarily by coal, uranium, natural gas-powered plants, or diesel-fueled generators.  So, to say an EV is a zero-emission vehicle is not at all valid.

 

Also, since forty percent of the electricity generated in the U.S. is from coal-fired plants, it follows that forty percent of the EVs on the road are coal-powered, do you see?"

Einstein's formula, E=MC2, tells us it takes the same amount of energy to move a five-thousand-pound gasoline-driven automobile a mile as it does an electric one. The only question again is what produces the power? To reiterate, it does not come from the battery; the battery is only the storage device, like a gas tank in a car.

 

There are two orders of batteries, rechargeable, and single-use. The most common single-use batteries are A, AA, AAA, C, D. 9V, and lantern types. Those dry-cell species use zinc, manganese, lithium, silver oxide, or zinc and carbon to store electricity chemically. Please note they all contain toxic, heavy metals.

 

Rechargeable batteries only differ in their internal materials, usually lithium-ion, nickel-metal oxide, and nickel-cadmium. The United States uses three billion of these two battery types a year, and most are not recycled; they end up in landfills. California is the only state which requires all batteries be recycled. If you throw your small, used batteries in the trash, here is what happens to them.

 

All batteries are self-discharging.  That means even when not in use, they leak tiny amounts of energy. You have likely ruined a flashlight or two from an old, ruptured battery. When a battery runs down and can no longer power a toy or light, you think of it as dead; well, it is not. It continues to leak small amounts of electricity. As the chemicals inside it run out, pressure builds inside the battery's metal casing, and eventually, it cracks. The metals left inside then ooze out. The ooze in your ruined flashlight is toxic, and so is the ooze that will inevitably leak from every battery in a landfill. All batteries eventually rupture; it just takes rechargeable batteries longer to end up in the landfill.

In addition to dry cell batteries, there are also wet cell ones used in automobiles, boats, and motorcycles. The good thing about those is, ninety percent of them are recycled. Unfortunately, we do not yet know how to recycle single-use ones properly.

 

But that is not half of it.  For those of you excited about electric cars and a green revolution, I want you to take a closer look at batteries and also windmills and solar panels. These three technologies share what we call environmentally destructive production costs.

 

A typical EV battery weighs one thousand pounds, about the size of a travel trunk.  It contains twenty-five pounds of lithium, sixty pounds of nickel, 44 pounds of manganese, 30 pounds cobalt, 200 pounds of copper, and 400 pounds of aluminum, steel, and plastic. Inside are over 6,000 individual lithium-ion cells.

 

It should concern you that all those toxic components come from mining. For instance, to manufacture each EV auto battery, you must process 25,000 pounds of brine for the lithium, 30,000 pounds of ore for the cobalt, 5,000 pounds of ore for the nickel, and 25,000 pounds of ore for copper. All told, you dig up 500,000 pounds of the earth's crust for just - one - battery."

 

Sixty-eight percent of the world's cobalt, a significant part of a battery, comes from the Congo. Their mines have no pollution controls, and they employ children who die from handling this toxic material. Should we factor in these diseased kids as part of the cost of driving an electric car?"

 

I'd like to leave you with these thoughts. California is building the largest battery in the world near San Francisco, and they intend to power it from solar panels and windmills. They claim this is the ultimate in being 'green,' but it is not.  This construction project is creating an environmental disaster.  Let me tell you why.

 

The main problem with solar arrays is the chemicals needed to process silicate into the silicon used in the panels. To make pure enough silicon requires processing it with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrogen fluoride, trichloroethane, and acetone. In addition, they also need gallium, arsenide, copper-indium-gallium- diselenide, and cadmium-telluride, which also are highly toxic. Silicon dust is a hazard to the workers, and the panels cannot be recycled.

 

Windmills are the ultimate in embedded costs and environmental destruction. Each weighs 1688 tons (the equivalent of 23 houses) and contains 1300 tons of concrete, 295 tons of steel, 48 tons of iron, 24 tons of fiberglass, and the hard to extract rare earths neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium. Each blade weighs 81,000 pounds and will last 15 to 20 years, at which time it must be replaced. We cannot recycle used blades.

 

There may be a place for these technologies, but you must look beyond the myth of zero emissions. 

 

"Going Green" may sound like the Utopian ideal but when you look at the hidden and embedded costs realistically with an open mind, you can see that Going Green is more destructive to the Earth's environment than meets the eye, for sure.

 

Going Green is a lofty goal, but today and in the foreseeable future we really need to be energy independent here in the USA.  While our President is begging foreign countries to sell us fossil fuel, some who are considered  our enemies, it would appear proper to cancel the policies that were enacted just after 20 January 2021 so we here in the USA would not have to suffer because of the “Defective Decisions” made by Our President. 

 

So Congress people, why do I even bother you with this?  Just recently I hear the White House Press Secretary utter a response that directed the questioner to ask Congress regarding a situation in Ukraine because it was not the President’s responsibility.   I suspect that each of you are aware that You have a solemn duty to insure that the Way of Life of the U. S. Citizens is promoted!  I am confident that each of you are also aware that rapid inflation is eliminating any wage increases for  a USA worker that you often trout results in a negative increase in available financial funds needed to support one’s self and/or a family!!

 

In summary Each of You are not really focused on the Citizens of the USA!!

 

I will not address the Border Crisis in this letter simply because that was the first concern of My letter of 21 December 2021 to each of you.

 

I recently traveled on an
Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. and observed the “Changing of the Guard" at the Tomb of the Unknown.  These Heroes know their duty and the purpose of their duty.  After that we Visited “The Wall!”  Each of these Heroes knew their purpose and performed it well.  As You know they gave their lives!

 

 

Again, I say I am asking Each of You to Know Your Purpose just like each of the aforementioned Heroes Did!  You do indeed Serve the American People!!  Please go and do likewise!

 

Thank You.

 

Alan F. E. Thiese

 

 

 

Middle Georgia Honor Flight

Number 7

Saturday, March 12, 2022 

During the 2019 Time Frame I was a Volunteer Photographer for these flights when they departed the Airport and again when they returned.  On 12 March I arrived at the Airport to take the pictures.  I was informed that they had several cancellations and was asked if I would like to participate in this Flight.  It did not take me long to say "Yes."  I was on the waiting list, but this opportunity allowed me the chance to go and not have to alter any plans I may have at a later date when My turn would come up.

Following are pictures from this Trip.  As we traveled around Washington, D. C. in a Motor Coach we were informed that Our Group was the first Honor Flight for 2022.  

Each Veteran/Hero had a Guardian.  Additionally we had a wheelchair

to eliminate falls, etc.  For the Changing of the Guard this was essential

because it allowed to get very close!

My Guardian's Name was Larry!

The Welcome at the World War II

Memorial

The World War II Heroes with their

Guardians!

My Guardian, Larry on

the Right!!

The return to Macon also was a

Heart Warming Event after

a Wonderful Day in

Washington, D. C.

My Thank You to

All Who made this day

possible!!

11 March 2022 

The Garden Stroll, prior to the predicated freeze of this weekend.  I thought it would be nice to capture the 2022 Spring Beauty.

 

Alan F. E. Thiese

4 March 2022

 

The President of the United States of America

The Senate Majority Leader

The House of Representatives Speaker

The Senior Senator for Georgia

The Junior Senator for Georgia

The Second District Representative for Georgia

 

Greetings Most Honorable Duly Elected Leaders,

 

The United States of America is Strong because of the People.  That is what I gleaned from the State of the Union the other evening.  As I commenced the composing of this letter to you I thought of our Former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.  She was recently asked during an Electronic Media Interview concerning the Putin invasion of Ukraine what kept her awake at night.  Her one word response was “America!”  So brief, but so poignant!!  If you are not focused on the United States of America we are looking at a tragic future!!

 

In my view your collective actions as you support our Commander in Chief, that is You Mr. President,  are questionable.  This summary of the “Great Give Away” along with the tragic loss of 13 lives of our Heroes back in August of 2021  which I addressed in an earlier letter should certainly cause great concern about the future of our United States of America.  I suspect that you understand that the World Leaders are looking at what I call “The Timid” actions of our Country and our current Leadership involvement as a Leader of the Free World.  If our potential enemies consider us as weak or even timid there is not much of a future for each of us.  That means You and I and all of our fellow citizens.  I am confident that each of you are keenly aware of the Leadership model that the President of Ukraine is currently showing the entire World.

 

President Joe “Afghanistan Debacle / Illegal Immigration - Drugs Debacle” Biden and his “GIFT” to the Taliban in Afghanistan!  

 

 Thanks to the Government Accountability Office, there’s now a clear picture of how much U.S. military equipment fell into the Taliban’s hands during hasty pullout from Afghanistan ordered by Pres. Joe Biden, as follows -
Aircraft: The Taliban now has 208 planes and helicopters -

110 helicopters
60 transport/cargo planes
20 light attack planes
18 intelligence/surveillance planes
Vehicles: Numerous Humvees included in total of 75,898 vehicles -

42,604 tactical vehicles
22,174 Humvees
8,998 medium tactical vehicles
1,005 recovery vehicles
928 mine-resistant vehicles
189 armored tanks
Weapons: 

 

599,690 weapons were left to the Taliban -

358,530 rifles
126,295 pistols
64,363 machine guns
25,327 grenade launchers
12,692 shotguns
9,877 RPGs
2,606 howitzers

 

Also, there were over two thousand night-vision goggles, surveillance drones, and communication devices.

Price tag: The total cost of US military equipment left in Afghanistan is nearly $84 billion dollars ! 

[Source: GAO analysis of Department of Defense data]

 

From My point of view, the “Great Give Away” summarized above was certainly not in the best interest of the United States of America.

 

During the recent State of the Union I heard about how vital our U. S. Military is.  This is understood by Myself and Thousands of Georgia Citizens as well as Freedom Loving Citizens in our entire Country.  Here is a summary of what our Military means to Georgia, U. S. A.

 

 

Military Bases in Georgia

A Summary of the economic impact of the 8 larger Facilities

 

Please Note that that the information below is what I was able to acquire from the respective Web-Sites of these Facilities.  There is no standard format required so I am presenting what I learned.

 

Warner Robins Airforce Base – Warner Robins.  2019 information.  Workforce 23,968 of which 14,821 are civilians, 6,188 are Military and 2,958 Other employees – most likely Contractors.  The 2019 Economic Impact was reported as 3.38 Billion.

 

Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Air Base near Savannah.  21,818 Active Duty.  Army 18,429.  Reserve Members 593.  Students 127 and 478 Other Services.  DOD Civilians – 4,983. 1,143 Military Family Members.  28,739 Retirees and Family Members 45,454.  Total:  121,763.

 

King’s Bay Submarine Base near St. Mary’s.  Because of Security Concerns the only population data available was from the 2010 Census.  A total population of the Military Community was reported as 50,513.

 

Moody Air Force Base near Valdosta.  The only data I found was the On Base Population was listed as 886.

 

Dobbins Air Force Reserve  Base near Atlanta.  2500 Air Force Reservist and more than 2000 Navy/Marine/Navy Reservist.  This does not include Family Members or Military Contractors.

 

Fort Gordon Army Base near Augusta.  Of special note at least 5,000 Military who serve at the Cyber Security Headquarters which was established in 2014.  30,000 Military and Civilian Employees.  Estimated Economic Impact 1.1 Billion.

 

Fort Benning Army Base/Training Command near Columbus.  120.000 Active Duty, Family Members, Reservist, Retirees and Civilian Employes.

 

Marine Corps Logistics, Albany.  1000 Military and 3000 Dod Civilian personnel and Contractors.

 

Additionally I learned from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Web-Site that there are 697,127 Veterans living in Georgia which is 8.98% of the Georgia population.  Of these over 88,000 are Female Veterans.  This data was as of September 30, 2017.

 

Compiled on 13 January 2021

 

I am confident that as you review the above list you will realize that many of these facilities are in Georgia because of the involvement of the Honorable Carl Vinson who served in the House of Representatives many years ago.  In fact His service had such a National impact that we have in Our U. S. Navy an Aircraft Carrier that bears His Name. 

 

I also did appreciate the State of the Union Address from the standpoint of the “Burn Pit” issue which was addressed.  I also appreciate that our U. S. Congress is correctly doing something about this issue.  Certainly a problem that many were aware of, but now a hot button issue. 

 

As I conclude this Letter I am not impressed with the fact that “Climate Change” is now an issue.  Is it on your agenda to focus on this as a means of earning votes this November?

 

I do recall simply because I have been on this Planet for some time about the “Upcoming Ice Age Scare” that garnered attention in the late 1960s and the 1970s.  I am sure that you all realize that this did not happen. 

 

Just as some of our current elected leaders used the Covid 19 Pandemic during the last election cycle are you now preparing to implement or continue some of the potential schemes that may have contributed to potential/alleged election fraud in the 2020 election cycle

 

I think it would be a shame if Covid 19 Crisis and Climate Change Concerns could be the genesis of altering the “Rules and Regulations” pertaining to our Elections this November 2022.   Tale this opportunity to remind each of you that elections in our U. S. A. have faced many challenges in our past History.  You and I know that Legal U. S. Citizens respect our Election System and it does not need to be altered to allow illegals to vote.  I also know that our systems of government was established on the fact that One Citizen is One Vote!  No more, No Less!

 

I look forward to your continued Leadership that You. Your Family, and all of our fellow Citizens can be very proud of.

 

Just as I did in the first paragraph of this letter to You when I cited a Former Secretary of State and her Leadership example I will close with another individual, not a Citizen of the U. S. A. but the “Queen Mum” a Leader by the example she displayed during her life with emphasis on World War Two.  She did not run and hide during the Blitzkrieg of London.  She remained in London and was continually with the fellow citizens of Britain. The attached is a copy of the print that I recently purchased.  The Event displayed on this print shows her arrival of Saint Paul’s in London when the entire British Empire remembered U. S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower during a Memorial service held on 14 April 1969 just a few months after his death.  Dwight David Eisenhower was the Commanding General for the conduct of “Operation Overlord” which is also called “D-Day.”  I was a part of the U. S. Honor Guard across the steps from the British Military!  The “Queen Mum” was either looking at Me or one of My Fellow Shipmates”  At that time we were all Sailors assigned to the Staff of U. S. Naval Forces, Europe located at 7 North Audley Street, London W. 1.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Alan F. E. Thiese