Nov. 22, 2000 "Brooks Brothers Riot" and January 6, 2021 actions in DC were all by fascists

Supporters of the mob prefer to call the action the "Brooks Brothers Riot." So claimed Brad Blakeman, who coordinated the action that broke up the Florida vote recount after the 2000 Presidential election.

At the time,  I referred to that action as closely resembling something performed by Hitler's Brownshirts in the 1930s. In other words, it was pretty scary., especially when one understands what it represented.  I also feel that way today. Also, it displayed, in spite of Blakeman's denial, lots of intimidation and threats of violence. Blakeman might have sworn that any resemblance of the mob's actions to those by Hitler's Brownshirts was strictly one's imagination. To that, I would say, "Bullshit!" These creeps weren't selling Girl Scout cookies; they were stealing your right to vote.

Because apparently no one went to prison for the Nov. 22, 2000, fascist action, I confidently state that that lack of treating terrorists as terrorists, played at least some part in the gruesome attack in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. In the January 6, 2021 incident, my choice would be long prison terms for the rioters, and even longer for Trump, and whomever else egged on those "fine people," who were out for blood.. But, that will happen only if enough people have any sense of justice.

No one else has brought up this possible connection, but I do, being a devout believer in history repeating itself, especially when no one wants to be the adult in the room. My life includes enough study of Kenpo Karate to believe that when someone is punching you, you have two choices You can do nothing, and your face will be re-arranged to whatever tune your attacker sings, OR, you can fight back. You might not triumph, but you won't be the only one hurting. Unfortunately, on many counts, America chose cowardice and inaction for the Florida mob.

Too bad no one fought back literally or legally over the Florida recount breakup, but if someone had, at least those ringleaders, like that creep Blakeman, would have paid for their folly, and possibly, Trump would have egged on fewer twits on January 6.

To those who wield any power, I say, you (or someone else) screwed up once. Don't let it happen again, or you'll see more of the same.

Be like Hank Aaron, and keep swinging; and be like Hank Aaron, and make it count.

 I will clarify two things: I own several firearms, none of which is a paramilitary model.
Two, that thug, officially known as "President" Trump (who has never received my vote or y my sympathy), has many gallons of blood on his hands, representing the volume held at one time by the total n umber of mass shooting victims (victims of an incredible 250 mass shootings so far, in 2019, representing more than one mass shooting per day, (the most recent mass shooting, this one in Ohio, by some white trash, knee-jerk punk on what was day 215 of 2019).

Second point is to confirm that that thug Trump has that much blood on his hands, and more, representing every person of color who has been gunned down since the 2017 presidential inauguration. Really, where do these idiots who call themselves "free-thinking Americans" get their "information"? How about from the demented barfing of Trump himself, and from his sounding board, often known as Fox News (to which I often refer as Fox Spews, and which others have creatively named).

As my girlfriend recently pointed out, Charles Manson never kills anyone; he got his witless but angry followers to do it. Well, folks, if it's not clear the Trump has not inspired white trash, knee-jerk morons to do the same, please explain

Who has referred to Hispanic immigrants as "rapists and murderers"? Who has convinced his faithful that these freedom-seeking folks are par of some dangerous "caravan"? Correct, that asshole (Trump), who has proven that the main danger in the U.S. is having a cretin and his gang running the farm.

Donald Trump understands one language- violence. The man-child who has frequently opined that his adversaries should be "body-slammed" (imagine that kind of language coming from a real President) needs a good physical beating, stopping soon enough that his heart (ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!) is still beating, found guilty of corruption, nepotism, gross incompetence, aiding and abetting the enemy (Russia), and more, and given consecutive life sentences in a hard-ass prison.

I have often responded to e-mails that call for some kind of justice, by pleading for exactly this to occur. Why haven't I performed this needed public service? Because I'm a nobody. The Secret Service members might shoot me full of holes--fatal in 100% of cases--or I might land in prison for life-- or worse. The beating needs to be conducted by someone who can get any with it, and it needs to be done very soon.

How can this thug (those who disbelieve that should have their skulls examined for gray-matter content) keep skating? Where is the Democratic Party that reportedly took over the House of Representatives after the 2018 mid-terms? Where is the "liberty and justice for all." that our Pledge to the Flag mentions? Ha, that's why I don't recite this bucket of barf when I'm on hand to photograph a sports event.

Yeah, I know. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (who infamously proclaimed when she first acquired that title, that the House she would not condone prosecution of George W. Bush and the ever-dangerous Dick Cheney) is a first-class wimp, who should retire, travel to the nearest beach, and construct sand castles. Imagine not investigating Dick Cheney, who illegally consorted with, and conspired with coal industry executives, and has been a major war-profiteer. My response? Okay, if you don't care to prosecute Dick Cheney, then release every inmate from every prison, as not one of these folks is as dangerous as Cheney.

Imagine not prosecuting that punk Trump who is a complete failure as a human being, and who now has the most important position in the world, all while trashing the nation he's supposedly leading.

Maybe, getting back to the original theme of this diatribe, Trump and Pelosi could be cell-mates. Wouldn't that be a blast?

By the way, the same theme of beating and imprisonment should apply to "Moscow Mitch" McConnell, who is as dirty and as evil as has been anyone in history, and to vice-President Mike Pence, a fascist on his own.

By the way, when i studied martial arts, the implication was that if someone attacks you,  the choice is clear: you take a beating, and maybe die, or you fight back. Hey, folks, we've been under attack. It's long past time to fight back.

Even if you don't believe in global warming . . .

We live in an interesting country. Lots of folks profess a disdain for government of almost any size. Okay, fair enough. One would think they would opt out of the system, live off the grid in a fairly remote area, and have as little to do with organized government as possible. So why do some of these individuals run for public office, announcing their intent to create Constitutional amendments, new laws and such. Maybe they like the taxpayer-funded health benefits that so many of them try to stop-- for others.

George W. Bush professed a dislike for "big government," but one of his dubious legacies is the Department of Homeland Security, created, it seems, as a high-salaried post for his buddy, that rabid environmentalist and bastion of truth (ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!), Tom Ridge.

And where is Tom Ridge, that anti-environmental Congressman-turned-anti-environmental Pennsylvania governor these days? He's raking in big bucks as a shill for the natural gas industry, continuing to display what public service is not about.

I'm miffed. According to the bombastic (and lying and apparently highly insecure) Alex Jones, Democrats had planned to launch a civil was in the U.S. on July 4, 2018. Previously, Mr. Conspiracy Theory had told his minions that they should start a war on liberals.

If this is true, why has no one notified me, and appointed me supreme commander of the Democratic troops, especially with my long anti-war and pro-environment experience?

This war stuff must have been some sort of rumor. Loud noises yesterday (mostly after dusk) were from fireworks, not firearms.

A question for Mr. Jones: Uh, what do you tell the folks whom you must have convinced of the Rapture-- you know, those poor, dumb schmucks who are still waiting to be airlifted to Never Never Land (emphasis on Never Never, as in, it ain't happening, you morons), leaving their fellow human beings behind?

Jones apparently loves conspiracy theories, seemingly to the point of starting his own-- lots of his own. One link lists 45 of his failed predictions. Make it 46.

Bsically, he seems to love scaring people into accepting his loudmouthed attacks on decency.

He also loves to work his followers into a lather by making shocking predictions, of the sort that would embarrass any Madison Avenue advertising tycoon.

Another question to Mr. Jones: what are you hiding?

Most folks who snarl and bellow (Joe Arpaio and Rudy Giuliani, for example) look as though they have something to hide, to the point of all but screaming that they have something to hide. We know what, among other things, Rudy has been hiding-- his ineptness with, and hate for, women. What is Joe hiding? What is Alex hiding? They snarl too much, as if to use that snarling to hide something truly despicable in their personalities or backgrounds.

Maybe Jones is hiding a family history of swindlers, much like that of Donald Trump. But, hey, we really must hand it to Trump. Who else has been sued some 3,500 times, without much, if any, result; who has been accused by multiple women of objectifying and even assaulting (raping) them; and what President (or, in this case White House liar-in-chief) has skated on showing his tax returns?

Yeah, you have to love that Teflon suit.

Maybe Jones is simply trying to hide possibly having at least one authoritarian adult in his young life. Studies have shown that authoritarian parents often produce (jeez, who would have thought) maladjusted kids, with social problems.

Of course, it's obvious to most students of politics that Jones is hiding a terrible lack of knowledge regarding the U.S. Constitution, and its Bill of Rights. Wake up, Jonsey, ever hear of the First Amendment-- Freedom of Speech? It's for all of us, not just bellowing conspiracy theorists. Right now, I'm exercising that right, you moronic twit. We're not simply allowed to blare the fact that Trump is a dangerous, cowardly, corrupt, treasonous, anti-everything-good creep; but we're duty-bound to protect our fellow Americans and our fascist-bound society from his (and your) hateful ways.

So, really, what we liberals and progressives must do, is start a war on Alex Jones and his loudmouth whimper-alikes-- not a violent war, but one to show what a conceited, lying bimbo he is, and to learn what he's hiding (besides his obvious ignorance of the Constitution), and let the world (especially his knee-jerk supporters) know.

Why does Jones hate Democrats? Possibly because Democrats (especially real progressives) believe in such nonsense as clean air, clean water, and food that doesn't poison us, our friends, relatives and the rest of humanity with industrial pesticides. We believe in being responsible for one's actions, especially those that might negatively impact others. We believe that morality goes far, far, beyond sex, and really does not include sex (What two adults do--generally behind closed doors--is their business, and no one else's). We believe in the Golden Rule. We believe that windmills and solar panels should replace fossil and nuclear fuels, that workers deserve jobs that are not death sentences. Ooh, maybe he hates us because we also don't like that fossil and nuclear fuel production and use, expose innocent people (workers and many others) to premature and horrible deaths, poisons everyone's air and water, and rapes our land, while forcing taxpayers to subsidize the billionaires who are killing us. Maybe Jones has a problem accepting truth.

We believe in universal truths, such as people's right to good health. We believe in science. Maybe Jones has caught on that we don't like the immense externalized costs associated with the coal, oil, gas, chemical and nuclear (among other) industries-- you know, those costs that allow really bad people (too nice a term) to become billionaires, while having enough surplus jack in their wallets to buy off many elected and appointed officials. Ooh again, maybe he hates us because we want all private money out of politics, so criminal corporate CEOs can't buy their way into killing us. We believe quite simply, that people shouldn't put their mouths where their money is.

Ooh, yet again, maybe, like most hateful people, Jones really hates himself, just like his fearful leader, Donald Trump.

I'm not blowing smoke. According to a study conducted by Gwen Dewar, P.h.D., "kids from authoritarian families are less resourceful, less socially-adept, and more likely to become involved in bullying."

Researchers cite "mounting evidence that heavy-handed tactics make kids worse.

When kids misbehave, it might seem tempting to enforce good behavior through threats, harsh punishments, and other forms of psychological control. But research suggests these tactics don't result in long-term behavioral improvements.

On the contrary," says the research, they seem to make things worse.

For instance, let's consider what psychologists call "externalizing behavior problems" -- disruptive, aggressive, defiant, or anti-social conduct. If authoritarian disciplinary tactics work, we should expect them to lead to fewer such behavior problems as children get older. 

But, the research continues, "that isn't what we observe when we track children's development." In a recent meta-analysis of more than 1400 published studies, Martin Pinquart found that harsh control and psychological control were actually the biggest predictors of worsening behavior problems over time (Pinquart 2017)."

Kids subjected to these authoritarian tactics at one time point tended to develop more externalizing behavior problems at later time points.

What about other types of misbehavior? Like adolescent alcohol use? Once again, the most current evidence suggests that kids with authoritarian parents are more, not less, likely to use and abuse alcohol (Glozah 2014; Calafat et al 2014). Kids from authoritarian families may find it more difficult to fend for themselves and make friends. And they are at higher risk for involvement in bullying -- both as perpetrators and as victims."

Regarding Jones's loudmouthed prediction that we were launching a civil war, here's another question for Mr. Conspiracy Theory:

What time was that to happen? Could it be that we failed to begin an insurrection because my official NRA alarm clock, set to go off with a twenty-one rifle salute, somehow failed? Maybe we all slept through our supposed insurrection.

Critical Thinking for Dummies

Hey folks, this blog title sounds insulting, but I have no intention of scaring off all three or so folks who follow this stuff. It's nothing more than an attention-getter. That said, do you ever wonder who creates the titles and content for many of the e-mail pleas sent us by the dozens?

An example: You've received e-mails imploring us to sign petitions to protect bees, and other pollinators, from pesticides. Anyone who follows the Neanderthals in the so-called human races, knows that these folks commonly respond to such pleas as, "You only care about the bees (or whales, porpoises, trees, or whatever the e-mail is urging us to save). You don't care about people." These folks don't care much about people (except for themselves), but they have a point.

More than once, I've replied to these e-mails (after signing the petition) that they'd get more traction in their efforts by urging us to think about chemical factory workers, farm workers, farm families, and those who use water that has been poisoned by these chemicals. In other words, talk about real human beings. I've urged them to target their e-mails to those who might find it more important to save people than pollinators. Sure, we must prevent pollinators from dying, but guess how much any pollination will help if many of us die from these chemicals, too? You have it-- damn little.

Here's another point that no one seems interested in making. Back in the mid-1960s, when I was entering my teens, my older, and protective, cousin bought me several annual memberships in the National Rifle Association-- yeah, that same NRA that today more resembles a fascist organization. Actually, it is a fascist organization.

Back then, the NRA was about safe firearms handling, and promoted various degrees of target-shooting, and safe hunting. Now, it has devolved into a racist, anti-environmental herd of bigoted (and stupid) old (and not-so-old) mostly white guys. Want to know who's most responsible? Search the web with "Who hijacked the NRA,? and you'll find the name Harlan Carter, who began his dirty deed in 1977. A common louse named Wayne Lapierre continued to spread Carter's brand of poison, using the oldest tactic in the world--fear--to turn his minions against the thought process.

In the "World According to Wayne LaPierre," accomplishing background checks for potential firearms buyers is the first step toward government confiscation of firearms. Here's where the actual thought process should come in. Under eight years of Bill Clinton, and under eight years of Barack Obama, how many attempts were there to seize private firearms? How about zero? But, according to these fear tactics, "the Democrats are out to take our guns." Never mind, for example, that many Democrats (yours truly, included) own and use firearms. Never mind that anyone who believes what the late and great hunting writer Jack O'Connor would refer to as "applesauce," or "pure moonshine," would also believe that a single parking violation, followed by prompt payment, would get your car seized. If one's skin is black, it could happen, but those white, flag-waving morons who believe that tripe will keep their car until its wheels fall off, and most will keep their firearms if we institute better background checks. School shooting survivors need safety, not those misconceived "thoughts and prayers," and not better CPR techniques. Teachers largely understand that if they are armed, the police will rakishly assume that those with firearms are the perpetrators. It's probably impossible to prevent every school and other mass murder by psychologically unfit folks, but keeping the latter from being able to legally purchase or own firearms, will help plenty. We can also re-institute bans on the kind of weapons which prompted 2008 Democratic Primary Presidential candidate (retired U.S. Army General) Wesley Clark to say that a place exists for those who want to use military weapons. Clark wonderfully referred these wannabes to the Army. Also, fearful and non-thinking Americans give mental health professionals as much credit for their work by as they do climate scientists who correctly point to human activities as the reason for global warming (or climate change; take your pick).

I see none of this kind of response on any of the many e-mails in my box urging me to fight the NRA.

Where do all these self-named "free thinkers" get that they're able to think at all? The only "thinking" they seem to be capable of is what the bozos on Faux News whisper in their tender ears. In other words, they prefer to "think" as long as someone else does it for them. My guess is that most of these folks have/had at least one authoritarian parent. Research on that topic seems to indicate that the best way to cultivate authoritarian and socially-irresponsible children is to become an authoritarian parent. In other words, to rule by fear and dogma. Doesn't work, folks.

Getting the bigots out of the NRA is akin to getting private money out of politics, and nicotine out of tobacco. Those issues, and many others, will quickly be non-issues. How many elected officials could the NRA (or fossil fuel, nuclear, chemical, urban-sprawl house and highway-building industry, etc.) buy off, if they were not allowed to spend their private money on them?

It's all about the thinking (and following the money). I still like what Ben Franklin said long ago: "The way to see by faith, is to shut the eye of reason."

Send your (global warming-influenced) electric (cooling) bills to James Inhofe

        
When someone puts their money where their mouth is, I might disagree with their actions, but at least those actions sometimes follow some basic logic of personal belief.

To put me in fighting mode, show me some influential clown who puts his or her mouth where their money is.

Our good friend (read fiend) ostensibly representing the people of Oklahoma  (and the people of the U.S.) in the U.S. Senate, James Inhofe is one of the latter. Inhofe, famous for his anti-science, anti-human (anti-his-own grandchildren's present-and-future) denial of global warming, has converted dirty money into a series of lies and sick jokes more worthy of late night college dormitory conversations. Whether gleefully making snowballs in Washington, DC (heavier snows in winter are often products of higher-than-normal-temperatures), or writing a simple-minded book meant for simple-minded readers, to highlight what he calls the global warming "hoax," Inhofe is a conspicuous figure, hoping to be seen as sharp-witted representative of real Americans. Others see him has having adopted the part of a knee-jerk imbecile, with the imagination of a four year old (That reminds me of a comment made by Groucho Marx's character to Chico Marx's character in Horsefeathers: "Baravelli, you've got the brain of a four-year-old boy, and I'll bet he was glad to get rid of it." Apparently, Inhofe has found no takers for his dubious gray matter).

In a career built on what a friend calls "legalized bribes," a term with which I agree, and which has itself benefitted from the Citizens United decision, Inhofe's "legalized bribes" since 1989, according to OpenSecrets.org Center for Responsive Politics, include a combined $1,837,427 from the oil and gas industries, $586,317 from the electric utilities industry, and $327,325 from the mining sector (no breakdown shown).

Inhofe is far from the only twit vomiting these poisoned views. In West Virginia, where the cycle of coal from cradle to grave (putting miners and other residents in their own graves at an alarming rate; check out research by Michael Hendryx) has destroyed air, water and land resources, along with the lives of thousands, including friends of mine), look no further than Shelley Moore Capito, Joe Manchin, any recent governor of the state, and many state-level elected and appointed officials.

Capito is a special case in point. The daughter of former Mountain State governor Arch Moore, who served time in prison for stealing from miners' pension funds, Capito, who did not fall far from the tree, is a darling of the worst of the worst industries in the U.S., possibly one possibly equaled only by big (is there any small?) tobacco.

Capito, both a benefactor and beneficiary of mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining (which has leveled over 500 of the oldest mountains on Earth, plugged over 2,500 miles of once-pristine headwater streams with hundreds of vertical feet of demolished and poisoned mountaintops, decimated close to one million acres of the most diverse forest on Earth (along with wild game and fish populations, edible and medicinal plants, and forestry jobs), and put residents in grave danger from poisoned air and water from the toxic blasts) has prompted an environmental activist acquaintance of mine to use the term Shelley Moore Decapitate—because Capito favors decapitating mountains).

Our list of dangerous traitors includes, but is certainly not limited to, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul (those two wonderful public servants from Kentucky), Hal Rodgers (a long-time Kentucky Congressman whose claim to shame is putting the coal industry ahead of the physical, spiritual and financial health of those he swore to protect; and a smattering of elected, yet morally-challenged so-called humans from Pennsylvania and most, if not all, coal-producing or burning states.

In recent years, some 25,000 Americans died annually and prematurely from living too close to coal-fired power plants. If Dick Cheney and the above list of criminals had their way, those totals would be higher yet. As is is, that facet of coal alone has killed eight times as many people annually (in this country) as did the one-day terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Only the shutting down and otherwise non-building of some 150-200 similar facilities did anything to restore some faith in humanity.

One might ask, "Who is a terrorist?" The above list is a good start.

Let's say for yucks that our man Inhofe is correct, and that global warming by humans is somehow (yeah, somehow) a hoax. Regardless of impacts on our climate (just why have we, in the foothills of western North Carolina, endured over one month of constant high humidity-- along with the allergies and asthma that such a conditions worsen and above-normal temperatures, similar to so much of the East), extraction, treating/refining, transporting and burning fossil fuels, plus the irresponsible disposal of waste, kills and sickens real human beings. These cycles of fossil (and nuclear) energy) kill and disable millions of human beings. As an environmental documentary photographer, I've seen the squalor that follows the coal, oil and gas industries; I've met and photographed many individuals and families whose land and lives have been ruined by the coal and gas industries, because their elected and appointed officials have abandoned their basic responsibility to protect them from these corporate killers. Food-rich seas and oceans, as well as every square foot of the Earth are poisoned by mercury (mostly) from coal-fired power plants.

In other words, we are subsidizing billionaire CEOs and their deadly operations, while they kill us off. But, don't worry, we don't face global warming. Just listen to James Inhofe and his cohorts put their collective mouths where their money is.

I say get Mr. Inhofe's (limited) attention by sending him your electric bills from any recent spring, summer or early fall months. We cannot extract our pound of flesh from these criminals, but we can at least serve notice that we understand where they pretend to stand.

Two of my West Virginia photographs are attached. The black and white image shows the late and great Larry Gibson, probably the greatest anti-coal activist in the U.S., and his dog (named Dog) looking over the continuing mountaintop removal mining catastrophe on what had been Kayford Mountain. Everywhere one can see was formerly densely-wooded mountainside with clear and cold tributary streams. At this time (2006), some 7,500 acres of this former paradise had been converted to a poisoned, lifeless landscape. Larry was born and raised on Kayford Mountain, putting into a land trust the remaining fifty acres of woodland not ruined by the coal industry. Most of what is visible in the foreground is part of the 450 acres that the coal industry stolen from Larry's great-grandfather in 1901. From 1986 through his death in 2012, Larry fought fearlessly to protect the land and the people of central Appalachia, and beyond, from the coal, oil and gas industries, and from traitors such as James Inhofe.

Shown in the color photograph is the Brushy Fork Sludge Impoundment, held back by a 900-foot-tall earthen dam that can fail at any time, and unleash a tsunami of nine billion gallons of carcinogenic sludge that can wipe out homes, families and villages. Such sludge impoundments are, by law, to be temporary. This photo was made a decade after construction began. Nearly a decade later, this toxic sludge will certainly kill many people, wither slowly by seeping into groundwater, or in a blink, from flooding. Note the dam in the background, made partially of coal slag.

Send those electric bills and any records of increased medical expenses for asthma, from keeling over while performing normal activities on hot, humid days. Send those, plus medical bills from illnesses and other conditions resulting from working or living near various parts of the coal oil and gas cycles:

James Inhofe, 205 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-3603. Darn, it's hot out there. Remember to hydrate well after licking your envelopes and stamps. He might claim otherwise, but he can afford it.

You might remember that Inhofe recently put down his own granddaughter's quizzing on his policies and statements.

Show me someone who takes dirty money, while knowingly and deliberately setting his or her own grandchildren adrift in a dangerous, poisoned world, and I'll show you a psychopath.

Some of my favorite products

Instead of constantly griping about major world concerns, I'm listing a number of outdoor-related products which I've sworn by because they (have) served so well. In no special order, they are:

Sears Craftsman 30-inch bow saw, vintage 1970s or earlier, inherited from my parents in the mid-1990s, and still serving well. It will accommodate a log about ten inches in diameter, is sharp and strong. Further, it takes up little space in my car.

Danner Yukon heavy-duty hunting boots, 1988-2010. With welted Vibram sole and heavy leather uppers (and Thinsulate insulation), they were no featherweights, but their performance and comfort (including while hiking) were magnificent.

Cabela's camouflage Gore-Tex rain suit, 1994- (with occasional Revive-X treatment). A bit heavy, but so is the performance, and the Cordura/Taslan nylon shell is near-bulletproof. I've since purchased newer Gore-Tex parkas, but can never forget the opening day of antlered deer season in northcentral Pennsylvania in 1994. It was maybe 50 degrees all day, with steady rain and some wind. I saw no deer, but I was able to stay out from before dawn until after sunset, because I stayed dry and warm, while remaining nearly still.

Cannondale H300 hybrid bicycle, 1995- . . . Sure, it's heavier than my newer road bike, but it's so darn comfortable, and its gearing (42-32-22 chain rings, with large cassette) is great for climbing steep hills. Wit it, I've ridden across Pennsylvania in five and one-half days (group ride, with lots of climbing in days one through three), and completed two century rides in comfort.

Sportif USA rip-stop 160-denier Cordura nylon, lightweight hiking/climbing pants, 1997-2011. These were feather wight, fast-drying, tough, and allowed full range of motion. Double-layer seat and knees helped them last longer.

Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero Gore-Tex rain hat, 1997-2009 (when it went AWOL), and its replacement, 2011- . . .  It's feather light, good-looking, totally waterproof, and perfectly suited to winter hiking/walking when combined with a thin wicking beanie (Some size adjustment helps). The chin strap keeps it on in the wind.

Aku mid-weight Gore-Tex hiking boots, 1998-2008. Lightweight, waterproof, warm (400-gram thickness of Thinsulate insulation), and rugged enough for nearly any hiking terrain- on or off-trail.

Lowe Alpine Mistral 35-liter day (hut-to-hut) hiking pack, 2007. I've used this comfortable pack for literally hundreds of hikes of three to 15-plus miles in various terrain, mostly with 12-15 pounds of stuff added, and it looks essentially new. The built-in rain cover works very well, and is easy to use and store.

Any pair of Wrangler Cowboy Cut heavy denim jeans. I don't wear these for hikes (They are, of course, cotton), except for short outings near the house.

Kahtoola MICROspikes (traction devices for walking on ice and packed snow): 2008- . . .  Even I, an admitted chicken, practically danced up and over the ice-covered rocks on a section ofAppalachian Trail after a heavy freezing rain.

ESEE-4 fixed-blade, full-tang knife, with drop-point blade-- no serrations. If this is all I have, I'm confident that I'll be okay.

Duofold Vent-a-Layer Thermastat lightweight wicking, long-sleeve T-shirts. Back in 1997, I purchased two of these, at bargain prices. For high-aerobic activities, they remain superb. I've worn them cycling and hiking in temperatures as low as the 20s (F), with just a shell, (and alone, when hiking in the 40s), and have been adequately warm (too warm when hiking uphill, even in the 20s, which has necessitated an open jacket zipper, or no jacket or hat at all). Only drawback: As with many polyester products, they hold body odor. Wash often (and hang to dry). The black mesh armpits on white body look geeky (My wife makes fun of them), but the shirts are cotton soft, wick very well, and are still working great after 18 years of steady seasonal use. So, there!

MAG-lite 2-AA cell LED flashlight, 2009- . . . With about 70-lumens of light on good batteries, it's adequate for finding one's way in most night-time situations (I recommend at least 100 lumens if you need to avoid cliff edges and other dicy terrain). This has guided me back from many a hike in the dark. It also has a belt sheath, which makes it handy to wear at home when thunderstorms might trash your electric lights. I don't rank MAG-lites as the gold standard, but they're made in the U.S., are very good, and reasonably priced. As with knives, carry an extra, and (especially on the trail) always carry extra batteries in the factory packaging, and away from metal objects.

Leatherman Juice S-2 multi-tool, 2015- . . . Obviously a new acquisition (and a pretty new product), so I haven't used it a lot. However, I think this will be a keeper. I purchased it based on raves from Backpacker Magazine. Already, it has helped me adjust the brakes on my road bike (It's small enough to accompany me on rides), and open some packaging The knife blade is rather narrow, but helps keep the tool compact). It's lightweight and very compact. Will it do the job of bigger tools? Maybe not, but it will be there when you need something, and the bigger tools are at home or in your car.