Ken's Corner

04/29/2017

http://www.theolympian.com/news/business/article39135519.html

Ken Balsley, local blogger, historian and a member of Lacey’s parks board, was recently recognized by KGY radio for his years of service at the station.

04/14/2017

The Big Five Evils play a deadly game of poker

There’s no doubt that our form of government, right here in the United States, is the best form of government ever devised – – although some Millenniums aren’t so sure anymore. But, it is through our legislative process that the best interests of you and I – – the general public – – is served.
However, we have some evils in our country. Actually we have five evils – and they all have the same first name. They are – – Big Government, Big Business, Big Labor, Big Religion and Big Media.
Those five evils are in constant battle for dominance in our country. As long as the five evils fight each other then we have a period of relative calm. But, when one or more is in the ascendancy then our country in in trouble.
Because, those Big Five evils are constantly at war with one another. They sometimes gang up on one or the other, and sometimes they work together, but as long as they are all on an equal footing, then this country runs relatively smooth. But, when one or two gain dominance, then we have a problem.
During the founding of our country and into the 20th Century it was Big Business and Big Religion who were dominate. Big Labor peaked in the 40’s and 50’s then rose again at the beginning of the 21st Century with its control of one of the political parties. During the turbulent 60’s and 70’s it was Big Government and Big Media squaring off against each other. Right now Big Media is on the decline. Big Religion has reared its head off and on for the last 200 years, as citizens began to question the moral fiber of our country.
The Big Five evils are like players at a poker game. One gains and loses chips as the game progresses. One changes his method of play and rises back up, while the other players adapt to the new concept. As one has more chips it becomes more aggressive – until it over-reaches and loses a big pot. The it becomes more cautious and melds into the background, waiting again for the right cards.
As citizens, as taxpayers, it’s our responsibility to see that the Big Five have an even amount of chips. We do that through our support for one or the other by giving them more chips Our votes are our chips.
That’s our responsibility as citizens of this Democracy to make certain that all five players stay at the table with a somewhat even amount of chips. As long as they are locked in this deadly game of power, all’s right with this country.

04/10/2017

I love to fish. I haven’t done much of it lately. My fishing seems to run in spurts. I’ll fish everyday for one summer and then go years without fishing again.
I confine my fishing primarily to local lakes and rivers – but in my earlier years I spent a lot of time in Westport going across the bar and fishing for salmon.
I haven’t been fishing in about five years – not a single dipped line in the water. I haven’t bought a fishing license in that long either.
I’d almost given up any thoughts of fishing. So, imagine my surprise when my wife said she wanted to take me fishing. Her folks own a float house on the North River on Willipa Bay, and the salmon were running according to her dad.
I complained. I don’t have a pole and I don’t have a license. I quit buying fishing licenses when they reached over $50. The same time I stopped fishing.
Come on, she said. I”ll take you out and buy you a fishing license and a new pole. How could I resist? We went to Cabela’s. I gave them my driver’s license, answered a couple of questions and in a few minutes I had my fishing license. And, get this, it only cost my wife $15. I had a reduced fee because I was over the age of 70. Great so far.
Then we went into the fishing section, where Bill waited on us. My wife told him she wanted a good pole with a good reel – – and all the stuff that goes with it.
Bill said he had never met a woman who encouraged her husband to buy more fishing gear.
So, after considerable money, we left the store and the next day we went to our fishing spot.
After five hours of fishing – – three of them trying to untangle my fishing line – – I got a bite. Never landed a single fish.
Best day of my life.

03/31/2017

I’m glad he’s dead
March 31st, 2017 by Ken ~ Edit post
(Editors note: This is a repeat commentary because I’ve had many responses to it. I’m running it again.)
Read the obituaries the other day – – and a name popped out. Someone I knew, someone I had personal contact with – – had died.
But, rather than feeling sadness – I felt liberation. Yes, I felt joy when I read the name. I read the entire obituary to make certain that the person I thought was dead – was dead.
Because the person that died was one of the meanest people I had ever met. The person that died was a a bully – – someone who had caused me trouble all the young years of my life.
Whenever I passed his house on the way to school, he’d come running out – knock me off my bike – and throw it in the ditch. And then, sometimes, he’d hit me. More often than not, he’d just yell and growl – – but on occasions he would hit me.
It became a game for him – and something more sinister for me. I tried to avoid going by his house, but there was no other road. So I always tried to figure out if he would be home before I traveled. And, no matter how fast I rode my bike, I’d start to peddle even faster when I neared his house, hoping to out run him. Sometimes I did, but sometimes I didn’t. My efforts to get by him just enraged him and he’d be even meaner the next time.
Over the years I read about him occasionally – in the newspaper – being picked up for drunk driving, or maybe being thrown in jail for fighting. Whenever I read of his troubles, it would bring me pleasure. He was finally getting what he deserved.
So, when I read his obituary the other day, I had the same feelings of joy I always had when I read or heard about his troubles. It was kind of like I was getting even. I had outlived him and in the end, I felt like I had won.
All of the anger, all of the frustration, all of the fear I had felt for him had been lifted off my shoulders. It was over. The bully was dead and I was liberated from my anger.
But now, after thinking about it for a while, I’ve come to realize that this man had probably been an abused child. Probably the son of parents who gave him little love. He was probably a bitter and scared kid who found that taking his anger out on others – made him feel better.
But, you know what. I don’t care. I really don’t care about his problems, his bad childhood or his lack of self esteem. He took his anger out on me, and fifty years later it still gives me relief to know he won’t be bothering me anymore.
I’m glad he’s dead.

03/30/2017

Political office starts at the local level
March 29th, 2017 by Ken
It’s election season in our community. On the ballot this year are local city council seats. Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, all have positions up for election in November. In addition, the Port of Olympia has two races. Also on the ballot this year are school board and fire commission seats. For a full list, go on-line to Thurston County Elections.
In my household, elections are the subject of the day, almost every day. But, for the most part, no one really cares about local city, port, school board and fire commission races, except for those involved. And, that’s a shame. It’s been said over and over again that these local races have a greater impact on your life than any national or state election.
The people holding these seats decide what you’ll pay for water and sewer. They’ll determine what your child learns in school. They’ll decide how long it takes Medic One to get to your home in case of an emergency.
If you’re interested, the time is now to begin planning. Filing period isn’t until May, but serious candidates must be organized and going shortly. It takes time to get a campaign in place and it takes time to raise the money needed to run a serious campaign. It’s estimated that it will take between $10,000 and $15,000 to run a contested race for city council. School board seats and fire commission seats cost less, but special interests often play a role in those contests.
If you’re interested in higher office, you need to start at the local level. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler started as a member of the North Thurston School Board. So did State Senator Sam Hunt.
Not all people who run for these local offices have higher expectations. But, it’s the place to start. And, if you’re not planning on running for any office at all, educate yourself on the issues and the candidates running for these local seats. Be an educated voter.