At first glance, it seems those thunderstorms, which have been present here for most of the spring and summer, are kind of like the elections of 2016, when we will be electing a new president.
Like the clouds, the election still seems far away, one is never sure what the clouds will bring and one can only wonder whether the clouds will disappear, bring a nice afternoon shower or bring the flood of the century.
So it is with the elections.
With more than a year to go, it must be said at this point that the really unknown quantity as far as any given candidate—and there are a bunch of them—is Donald Trump. Mr. Trump is an interesting study. He is an enthralling figure.
And his popularity is soaring!
I have a theory why he is so popular despite having said things that seem to make some people’s toes curl and hackles rise on their necks.
(I must interject here once again that since I was old enough to vote I have been a registered Independent, beholden to neither the Democrats nor Republicans and really not leaning one way or the other. I vote for the candidate and what he or she seems, at least, to stand for. I don’t care what party they are affiliated with; I just want to vote for the best candidate and in the past have cast my vote for a lot of Democrats and Republicans and a handful of Independents.)
Anyway, I believe Mr. Trump’s hair is atrocious, he often seems to be a bit of a cold-hearted bully and a lot of people think he is just a wacko.
I thought that too, but right now I’m not so sure.
For ever since I can remember, we have had presidents who said they would do one thing and then turn around and do something else.
Since before I was old enough to vote, I have recognized that political correctness has been almost an illness with politicians, and that is often the way the party faithful vote, believing the main line espoused by the candidates—true or not.
Trump is different.
Trump lets you know what he is really thinking, and like me, to some extent, I don’t necessarily agree with what Mr. Trump says and I think he is certifiably crazy to some extent, but, by golly, he is honest and I think a lot of people believe that is like a huge gust of fresh air.
He has thrown political correctness out and has taken an honest approach with what he believes.
Mr. Trump is saying—in many instances—just exactly what we believe although we would never say it out loud.
One thing Americans have long embraced, I believe, is the truth. We don’t have to agree with what one says, but it certainly is refreshing if someone speaks from the heart about what they believe.
Is “the Donald” a serious contender for the presidency of these United States in 2016?
If he continues to draw the people of both parties over to his way of thinking—and speaking—he could well be a very serious candidate.
Everyone seems to be in search of change this coming election, and Mr. Trump certainly has the ability to shake the establishment.
Can I see myself right now voting for the man?
Well, he and I have a totally different outlook on life—to some extent. Some of his ideas come across as ludicrous and some of his ideas ring with a strong feeling of reality.
I cannot see myself voting for him if the election were to be held tomorrow. But I don’t think I would state outright that I wouldn’t vote for him.
The election is still 15 months away, and we all know that a lot can happen within 15 months.
But, beware. If he continues on the route he has started, his popularity continuing to grow daily, then he could be the man to take office in January 2017.
If on the other hand, he offends everyone to the point he has alienated the electorate, we will all be able to look back on his campaign and at least remember the brief breath of fresh air called honesty that we were treated to for at least a little while.
Spending a couple days in Rangely for Septemberfest is one of the things I truly enjoy about this job.
I admittedly don’t get over to Rangely enough and don’t have enough time getting to know the many people there. There are other times I do go over there, but I always spend the night when I go over to Septemberfest, the Crab Crack, the CNCC Foundation Dinner and the college’s Wild Game Dinner. I also spent the night this spring before heading off early to see the CNCC dinosaur dig south of town.
But Septemberfest is the one time when it seems the entire town is out and about, and this past weekend was like the other two Septemberfests I have attended.
There is a wide variety of activities going on, from the mud obstacle course and tug of war at Parkview, the parade, the Rangely Fire Department breakfast, the car show and crafts fair at Elks Park, the community Elks barbecue (947 people—wow) and the church pork barbecue, the museum’s ice cream social, Bud Striegel’s car museum and The Tank, just to mention a few of the activities I took in. But there were plenty more, starting with the Crocodile Reef, which I would love to have attended, as well as the chili cook-off and the Rock ‘n’ Bull competition.
Septemberfest 2015 was in no way a disappointment, and already I am looking forward to Septemberfest 2016, when, once again, the best of the people in Rangely comes within reach. Thanks, folks.
I had one truly outstanding event happen while I was in Rangely on Sunday night for Septemberfest.
This newspaper has carried many stories and photographs regarding The Tank in Rangely, but this was my first chance to take in the sights and sounds inside The Tank.
If one can appreciate the sound quality inside a nearly perfect public auditorium, has ever been lucky enough to sit in on a recording session in a proper sound studio or sat close to a symphonic orchestra in a world class concert hall, you will never hear the incredible sound any less stimulating than that inside The Tank.
The Tank is a musical/even theatrical gold mine for those performing. If marketed correctly, The Tank could be a financial gold mine as well—up with and even possibly surpassing the sound studio Caribou Ranch outside Boulder up above Gold Hill that played home to recording sessions by U2, Billy Joel, Chicago, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Badfinger, Earth, Wind and Fire, Dan Fogelberg, Joe Walsh, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills and just about every major group and megastar performer around until it burned down in 1985.
The sound that resonates through The Tank hits you like it is swirling around the tank, descending on you down the sides and middle. It doesn’t seem to come from somewhere specific and it comes at you from everywhere.
The unique sound is that room.
When someone is playing an instrument, as was the case with two flutes on Sunday night, you could see the men playing the music but there wasn’t a direct line to where the music seemed to be coming from.
The sound was coming from the men and from their flutes on the ground, but the music is a bit like a shower, hitting you from every direction.
The Tank is a great find. It could have a huge/tremendous effect on Rangely’s future.
But, unfortunately, The Tank is not unique.
There are similar tanks all around the West, if not throughout the country, and I will make bank on the fact that it won’t take long before there are similar ventures elsewhere.
What ever can be done to take full advantage of The Tank right away should be done.
Rangely has a head start, but we all know how quickly some people will jump on an incredible bandwagon like The Tank, which I don’t believe can be safeguarded or copyrighted in any way.
Run, Bubba, run. Very quickly, very directly to whatever needs to be done. And try to find the right person or people to run to.
The Tank is a gold mine. And a gold mine can be invaluable or it can fall prey to gold robbers. It has been done in the past and certainly can be done in the future.
