RANGER AGAINST WAR: Rodeo Clown <

Monday, July 18, 2011

Rodeo Clown

[emendation -- Belgian corkscrew;
so the Austrians don't have a sense of humor --ed.]


Every faction in Africa calls themselves

by these noble names - Liberation this,

Patriotic that, Democratic Republic of

something-or-other...

I guess they can't own up to what they usually are:

the Federation of Worse Oppressors

Than the Last Bunch of Oppressors.

--Lord of War
(2005)

There's been a load of compromisin'
On the road to my horizon
But I'm gonna be where the lights
are shinin' on me

--Rhinestone Cowboy
, Glen Campbell

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys.

Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks.

Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such

--Mamas Don't Let Your Babies
Grow up to be Cowboys
,

Waylon Jennings

________________

Ranger recently filed a congressional inquiry with freshman Representative Steve Southerland's office based upon a charge by the Social Security Administration that they have mistakenly been overpaying him for three years and that he owes the government $10,740. He discussed this snafu in "Effing Wrong" 20 April 11.

Three months on, the inquiry has not been answered and the SSA has not provided any justification to verify the correctness of their allegations and actions. Since April his account has been garnished to pay back the contested monies and his monthly payments have been reduced, all without one iota of proof from the SSA. [A more paranoid person might wonder if blogging while on Social Security is the new DWB.]


There is no way to appeal the action without the facts. The SSA may have made an error, or they may not have, but withholding the facts is no way to run a government agency. Thus far, Rep. Southerland's Social Security rep has been unable to garner any additional information; he informed Ranger that he is currently handling 55 cases from constituents and that the going would be slow.


Meanwhile, we were delivered of brochure yesterday from the patriotic-sounding conservative PAC -- Heritage Action for America -- heralding Southerland as one of the "Magnificent 11" for cutting the fat out of government. "Fighting for Us!" is the tagline, but how can he fight for "us" when his staff is so stretched thin?


The back of the glossy featured a mounted cowboy in silhouette, holding an American flag. This was obviously not the good Rep., who was an undertaker prior to taking office this year.
It's all hat, no cattle.

We feel that Rep. Southerland's actual profession is far more suggestive of the current state of the union.

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14 Comments:

Anonymous Blackhawk187 said...

"[A more paranoid person might wonder if blogging while on Social Security is the new DWB.]" Ranger

I believe I was the paranoid person that suggested that your blogging might be the casus belli with you and the SSA. A friend of mine in Florida wrote a letter to his congressman expressing his opposition to the current wars, three weeks later a SWAT team broke down his front door armed with MP5's and shotguns, cuffed and arrested him for felony posession of more than 20 grams of pot. It's is possible that the local SWAT got the address wrong. Welcome to Brazil.

Monday, July 18, 2011 at 8:10:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger Lisa said...

BH,

Brazil -- now that was a bleak film.

Monday, July 18, 2011 at 11:11:00 PM GMT-5  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Guess being able to cope with the smell of death during his prior job, will put him in good stead for his daily corridor walks amongst the rest of his ilk. Who knows - he may have reached the ultimate rung on his personal achievement ladder, being surrounded by those few who have caused and continue to cause, so much death and misery on this planet. Happy as a Pig in Shit, so to speak..

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 4:11:00 AM GMT-5  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have you contacted Sen. Nelson's office? My Mom had an issue with her SSDI and I swear, they were all over it in a NY minute... what with this election stuff going on, I'm sure his staff want to be very responsive these days. We've always had very good luck over the years with Sen. Bill Nelson's people. Just a suggestion.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 10:49:00 AM GMT-5  
Anonymous Blackhawk187 said...

Hey, Happy as a pig in shit! I got news for you, feeling safe hiding behind your cloak of Anonymous? I know who and what your are.You've posted here before, the same blockhead. A paragon of virtue are you? If you had any minerals you'd tell us about your self, but it's obvious your a coward and a faux bully. Get your head out of your ass and smell what it's like to be a human. If you really 'walked the walk' like my friend did, bet your ass you'd be singing a different tune

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 11:30:00 AM GMT-5  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

??? Blackhawk, I might be mis-reading Anonymous's comment but it seems to me he is referring to Southerland's previous profession (undertaker) and current company (super patriotic politicians) - not referring to or criticizing Ranger.

I also think his advice to purse the Soc Sec question through Senator Nelson's office is worthwhile.

Jay in N.C.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 11:53:00 AM GMT-5  
Blogger rangeragainstwar said...

Anon 1:17,
Thanks for the idea which Lisa also suggested, but i wanna ride this bronco for a while.
I find it humorous that my new Congressman believes in less gov't and he can't help me with the government that we have. In case he hasn't noticed it ain't workin' in his own office.
Also his web site says that he's dedicated to No. Fl.values which leaves me confused. Wasn't he elected to uphold the Constitution?
I appreciate your comment and concern.
jim

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 12:24:00 PM GMT-5  
Anonymous Blackhawk187 said...

Sorry about that everyone. I didn't catch the 'Sunshine State' inside joke from 1500 miles away. My reflexes got the better of me

BH is always cocked and locked, laughable idiot

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 3:22:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger rangeragainstwar said...

BH,
Cocked and locked - yes.
Idiot- no.
If you were an idjit you wouldn't still be kickin'
jim

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 5:49:00 PM GMT-5  
Anonymous Blackhawk187 said...

I the the first poster was referring to my comrade in arms who after possessing >20 grams of pot, a felony in Florida, A lesser charge of smoking materials,loss of license one year...no escape. 1500 miles north, the first charge a would be a $100 ticket and no record. He will lose all his SS benefits and VA pension and his home.

Ranger,in your case with the SSA, if you are refused to know the charge, how can you defend yourself, and what toll has it taken on you? Note fist case Florida State law, yours federal. Sorry Lisa but it is 'Brazil' and yes, a very bleak outlook of our hard fought freedoms, we and our forefathers fought for and paid in blood. I can be rather blunt but from my view in Vietnam I realized the lie.I have a gift or curse of seeing the future. The America we loved is gone forever. My only solace is to fight for family and friends and keep kicking.

Churchill got it right in his typically bulldog stance, when he said to the English people in their darkest hour was blunt, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself".

Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 6:30:00 PM GMT-5  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

please ignore; merely a test....Hi Jim & Lisa....let's see if this one sticks...

avedis

Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 7:27:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger Lisa said...

avedis,

Success! Hope you're enjoying your new computer.

Sunday, July 24, 2011 at 2:12:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger rangeragainstwar said...

To all, As of yesterdays news the SSA is gonna cut down their office hours , as will the USPS.
Welcome to the new reality.
Now less service equals the new standard here in a nation building nation.
We are so f..ked!

Monday, July 25, 2011 at 10:32:00 AM GMT-5  
Anonymous Kyle said...

Well said. Thanks for sharing this topic. It is my first time to visit your site and I have a great time reading your article. Thanks for posting...

Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 4:38:00 PM GMT-5  

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