the alberton papers

Name:
Location: alberton, mt., United States

I am a retired steamfitter and vocational instructor, Current member, alberton town council, having served two terms previously, several years ago. Resident of alberton almost 28 years. I am fiscally conservative and socially progressive, a free thinker and an advocate of good, responsive, honest government.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

The Alberton Papers
Volume II, #4
By Dick Darne 6-25-06
Good ideas, bad ideas, brainstorms, incubation and the devils advocate.
Someone once said that there are no bad ideas. He was wrong. Most bad ideas started life as a good idea (or at least at the time it seemed so) and then went awry. Perhaps it is due to a flawed method of presenting and processing them. Many years ago, while not settled on my course in life, I took a college class, ( it seems like business 101 or something basic like that) and a few things stuck with me even though I never became a big business tycoon. To keep from having good ideas go bad and to properly solve problems, we should approach them in this fashion: 1) Consider that there may be other ideas or solutions. Identify what the goal is, and if it will affect others, have a "brainstorm". This is the only time that all ideas are good. Write them all down. 2) Now comes the "devil"s advocate", one or more of the best brains participating will attack each idea, until all but the best few are remaining. 3) If possible, break, or move to other matters, for now our brains can process the ideas or problems internally in a process known as "incubation"(I’m not making this up) 4)Return and apply the "devil’s advocate until a plan is formed. If it is a truly good idea it will survive. At the time our country was formed, the absolute best brains in the world worked on it. It was no accident that government was set up to be slow and deliberative, (not to be confused with the present incompetence that passes for our national deliberative bodies). These same wise men also believed that only men with time on their hands could have good ideas, which being retired and having time on my hands should uniquely qualify me to write on such matters. Keep-a-thinking, dd 722-4575 aldermandarne@hotmail.com Http://albpap.blogspot.com/

Monday, June 05, 2006

The Alberton Papers, vol2, #3
By Dick Darne 6-6-06
In this paper we will discuss another serious problem, poor raking skills by our youth. Nobody wants to "rake like they mean it" anymore. When I was a young feller, I not only raked like I meant it, I did it uphill all day. Barefooted too. Absolutely glad to have the opportunity to develop my raking skills. I was also torn by conflicts in my multi-cultured upbringing. My Teutonic genes made me want to rake straight lines in an ever shrinking square or rectangle, culminating in a perfectly symmetrical finished pile. On the other hand, the genes originating in the emerald isles made me inclined toward the "willy-nilly" style of raking. Thanks to my developing character, (and not a few slaps from the old man), the "rake like you mean it" style won out. Alas, I was not as successful with my own progeny, they once "wobbled the job", hoping I would just do it myself. I showed ‘em. We spent the whole weekend doing a four hour job. 30 years later they will testify that’s what made them what they are today. I tried to teach my daughter the virtues of good raking and all I got was a full bore mutiny. When Adam Good worked for me all thru high school, he was a natural raker. My boys said they didn’t rake right because I didn’t pay them anything. I guess that proves that "it’s not the principle, it’s the money". Kids will work for other people, so I propose a two pronged attack: 1) establish "Camp Rake Like You Mean It", where kids can learn this important skill instead of frittering away the summer. 2) establish a "Kid-Exchange". You need work done around your place, drop off your kid and pick up another one. All that’s left is lean back and enjoy some good raking. Happy raking, dd

Sunday, June 04, 2006

The Alberton Papers Vol 2, #2
by Dick Darne 6-5-06
Lets turn our attention now to a very serious problem, that affects many Americans. If unchecked, it can cause great aggravation, loss of self control and eventually undermining the very moral fiber of our nation. I believe this problem started when we stopped making our own socks and allowed the likes of Wall-Mart to procure our metatarsal undergarments from low wage sources. These products are prone to growing LINT-BALLS. That , combined with strategically placed seams constantly rubbing on the cuticle of one’s big toes, dwarfing the ancient, but manageable problem of one’s socks migrating to the tips of one’s shoes, can turn even Casper Milquetoast into The Hulk. Rant, rave, holler at family members, kick the dog, all to no avail. The only relief being to change socks until comfortable. Having suffered this problem for years and being somewhat of an authority on this matter, I will share my accumulated knowledge with you. 1) if thine sock offend thee, cast it out. It wont get better on it’s own, cut it into small strips and consign it to the rag bin, don’t give it away unless it’s to someone you don’t like. 2) try wearing them inside out. You’ll feel dorky for a while, but soon you will feel smug in the knowledge that there are other poor unfortunate souls out there who are not facing lint-balls head on . 3) Buy ten dollar boot socks at a western wear store. Check them out carefully, ten dollar lint balls and ten dollar aggravating seams can be fatal. Note: sending your wife out for socks more to your liking the second time can also be fatal. 4 ) Try a primal scream. It won’t help the problem but it’ll make you feel better and let the family and neighbors know you mean business. 6) share your experiences with others. We are not alone. I have to go now, there are a couple guys at the door wearing white coats...........