Cowboy Safety Means Understanding How Things Work

Cowboy Safety means understanding how things work. It means being able to take an event and understand it in the context of something else. It means a focus on others, the audience, customers, clients, patients, or whatever you call them and not on yourself and your business. What do they want and how do they perceive things? What you are doing may be a waste of time and expense. It may put you at a disadvantage to your competition. 

The Financial Times today has a full page interview with Angelina Jolie. There are only two references to performance arts. A brief mention of a film she is directing from her office with a cast that no one knows. The other is that she prefers being a Mom to the boring task of acting. The rest of the interview is about what she does with all the money that she makes from her movies. Jolie understands that profit is revenue minus expenses. She is one of the leaders in keeping costs down by lowering quality while maximizing the revenue. She also understands the real ways that people today define and consume arts. She knows how to present it. Her real performances are free. The interview will increase the number of people going to her movies. That will give her more money for her real performances such as the planned 28 day camel trip across the desert that will have her children staged at various points along the way. 

Yesterday, the only things that took place on the floor of the House of Representatives were discussions about naming a post office and people displaying unreadable charts about the economy. All of that involved Congressmen who are unknowns who don't drink, have no mistresses (or misters) and had nothing else to do.  There was even a nameless bearded buffoon who would periodically bang the speakers' gavel. All of the biggies from both parties were elsewhere holding press conferences on their own stages.

Jolie and the House of Representatives are both producing profitable high-grossing low-cost performances while doing their own thing elsewhere. 

On a somewhat related subject, Cowboys and Aliens opened yesterday. We went last night. There were faked images of tobacco use by some of the characters. There is a warning on the website (at the bottom of the home page) and at the tail end of the credits, after the No Animals were Harmed certification, that the movie has depictions of actors smoking. Some are saying that it should have an "R" rating because of the images of tobacco use. Binge drinking, consorting with "soiled doves" and not going to church are ok elements of PG-13. 

David Sneed

Narcissism in the New Economy

Yesterday I had some communication with a business associate. In the context of what we were talking about he mentioned about a clipping service that daily tells him of where his company is mentioned in the press. That is a common activity from the past and clearly in the present. In the new economy it is nothing but narcissism.

What he should be doing is having a clipping service tell him about who has an interest in the type of services that he provides.

A brand does have value but not in a void.

What more can be said?

David Sneed

The Two Opposing Sides

Clive Crook in his column today in the Financial Times made a succinct and politically neutral statement.

"On one side you have the unrivalled energy and ambition of the American worker. On the other you have the unrivalled complacency, self-righteosness and bloody-mindedness of Washington. I never thought I would say this but I am starting to wonder which one will prevail."

I believe that the American worker will win out by moving partly and surreptitiously into the government tent. There is a new type of union, a new type of corporation, and a new type of business model rapidly coming onto the scene. All of that is prompted not so much   by proactive thought as by a new spirituality. How can I live and support my family without the surrender of the substance of life?

Below is a photo of the tombstone of the father of Benjamin Franklin. The epitaph reads:

Josiah Franklin and Abiah his wife lie here interred. They lived lovingly together in wedlock fifty-five years; and without an estate or any gainful employment,with God's blessing, maintained a large family comfortably; and brought up thirteen children and seven grandchildren reputably. From this instance, reader, be encouraged to diligence in thy calling, by constant labour, and honest industry, and distrust not Providence. He was a pious and prudent man, she a discreet and virtuous woman.

Josiah Franklin knew something that is today mostly lost. Perhaps the realization that the government giveaway is unsustainable will inspire a new era of self-sufficiency and "the unrivalled energy and ambition of the America worker will prevail."

David Sneed

Global Warming Anecdote

I read an article recently that described global warming as "the unbeliever's last days." I thought it a cute saying until I thought about it. Those who believe in global warming are believers and don't know it.

To the global warming folks, every environmental and geological abnormality is caused by the activities of modern man, predominantly white, using technology and industry. Indigenous people and poor people are victims.

Let's don't debate the so-called cause right now. Let's look instead at where the damage occurs.

The ocean is at the exact right level until man interferes.

The temperature of the air and the oceans is at the exact right level until man interferes.  

Hurricanes, tornados, typhoons and other storms were manageable until man  interferes.

There is a balance conducive to plant and animal life until man interferes.

I could go on and on.

To the global warming advocate the earth was perfect until there was interference from man. Do these folks believe that the earth was created perfect for man and mankind is fallen? THey certainly must not believe that it all just happened.

They are believers and not unbelievers up to a point.

They believe that salvation comes from government.

David Sneed

Wyoming as a Case Study

In the Bible we find that God took a small group of people, starting with Abraham, and created a case study for us to learn about him. The Jews were a brand new culture to be descended from Abraham who came from Ur of the Chaldees. God even had them start out fresh in a new location in the desert. Abraham had a chance to  set up in the developed area near the Dead Sea yet he gave that to Lot.

The Old Testament provides a history of where the Jews did right and where they did wrong. All aspects of human nature are covered. Over several thousand years we can see cause and effect of obeying or of disobeying God's laws, many of which are vital to sustainable business.

Since sustainable business is a goal of Cowboy Safety, the Laws of God are fundamentals.

Wyoming is a case study on its own. The history of Wyoming includes cowboys, indians, ranchers, miners, mountain men and travelers along the trails, the railroads and today the highways. The population even today is low and the land area is huge.

While the Wyoming story is not in the Bible, it has a good start in  Owen Wister's book The Virginian. If you have seen the movie or the tv shows you have seen the wrong story. By all means read the book. It is the quintessential book on equality and on the good and evil in mankind. I won an contest in High School for an essay titled "What Makes a Man the Best?" based on the character of the nameless black cowboy called The Virginian. Wyoming has the distinction of being the first government in the world to allow women to vote.  At the time of Wyoming statehood, that distinction was not an asset.

J C Penney started his first store in Kemmerer Wyoming. The old Jay Em ranch was a model for how business should be run for efficiency. The smallest population county in the state, with 2,200 population yet with a land area bigger than Delaware and Rhode Island put together, has developed an excellent on-line K-12 education program. In the next few months the world's largest computer will be functional just outside of Cheyenne near a wind farm and a Wal-Mart distribution center. That computer center is in Wyoming because of cheap reliable electricity, fiber optics and a state government that can make an investment to create new high-paying jobs and to attract ancillary businesses.

The list is long of people who have from the early days come to Wyoming for a fresh start. The frontier is still open for opportunity in Wyoming. Energy companies try out new ideas in Wyoming before doing it elsewhere. Cowboy Safety draws from real things happening in Wyoming whether retail, customer service, manufacturing, distribution or agriculture.

Cowboy Safety not only develops applications but has customized tours of firms in Wyoming doing those very things.

David Sneed

Common Sense

A key principle of Cowboy Safety is the use of common sense. Common sense in the design of a process can save money and can result in fewer incidents.

American society has many safeguards to protect our freedoms. This often means that something happens that does not seem to make sense. And we have to live with it. The Wyoming Supreme Court recently ruled that nine pounds of drugs ceased in a traffic stop cannot be used as evidence. The driver was stopped because he did not use a turn signal entering the interstate. The wording of the law speaks of turning a vehicle. The defendant's attorney said that he was not turning but was taking the only path straight onto the interstate. The court found that since it would have been easy to be clear about this type highway that the legislature did not intend to require a turn signal at that point. Therefore no probably cause to make a stop. The drugs were inadmissible as evidence

This week at Yosemite three people went over the falls. They were all over 21, there are warning signs, there is a physical barrier, there are trespassing laws, there was no alcohol or drugs involved, there were about a hundred people present who were there with those who went over the falls. Yet it was described as an accident. Prevention expense was incurred yet the incident happened due to lack of common sense. All those present are to blame because the three could have been forcibly pulled back inside the barrier before anything happened.

At the  small town rodeos in Wyoming there are almost no safety precautions. Cheyenne Frontier Days goes to great cost and effort for safety. Are there fewer incidents at Cheyenne Frontier Days?

At one of the small town rodeos that I attend there is an ambulance present by the arena gate. Other than that there is nothing. No deputies, no security people, no signs, children running around everywhere, people bring their own alcohol into the stands or on truck tailgates, people climbing on the fences, and people leaning over a catwalk above the animals. People walk thorough the mud, around animals, trucks and trailers. The culture becomes look out for yourself.

Too often the culture is that someone else must look out for you. Common sense is dropped.

David Sneed

A Current Comment on Healing

I had a recent case of someone telling me that healing is not for today. I needed to give a quick answer. I decided to find a way to agree with him.

"Do you know that there is a scriptural basis for what you say?" I asked.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." If we want to know what Jesus is NOT doing today then all we have to do is see what he did NOT do yesterday. I could sense the man felt he was in trouble.

"In Matthew 13:58 the Bible says "and he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief." The account in Mark 6:5 is that "And He there did no mighty work save laying His hands upon a few sick folk and healing them."

Yesterday Jesus could not heal because of unbelief. Today he cannot heal because of unbelief.

David Sneed

What I Like About Rodeo

Today we went to a rodeo performance at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

The pre-Rodeo event was Kids Barrel Racing. The contestant rides a fast well-trained horse in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. The record time at Cheyenne is 17.03 seconds.

Today some of the children in the 10-12 year old range scored in the low 20 second range. One six year old girl, Schuylar McDonnell, had a time of one minute 53 seconds. That's 113 seconds. She is learning and the horse did not move very fast. Schuylar received much applause, not out of feeling bad for her, but because she completed the course even with horse problems. She did everything that would be done by adult champions on exactly the same course.

In rodeo there are no special deals to equalize contestants. An animal is drawn and the contestant must ride or rope or wrestle that animal and must obey all the rules. Penalties are given without mercy. Had this 6 year old touched a barrel she would have been penalized 5 seconds for each offense the same as an adult world champion would have been.

The contestants understand the game. The audience understands the game. The rookie may score well. Last year's world champion could come in last.

The announcer pointed this out. "Where else could a cowboy who has paid a $375 entry fee, score 12 seconds behind the go-round leader and be able to walk back smiling while the crowd applauds?"

I notice other things at The Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo.

The announcer reminds us of the basis of our nation's founding. There is no apology. He does not worry about offending other religions. No offense is intended. He speaks of our spiritual background. He does not condemn other religions.

There are many contestants from Canada and some from other countries as well. Yet there is one flag. The American flag. There is one national anthem. The Star Spangled Banner. This is not meant to offend the foreigners. It is meant to honor this country. As they do in theirs.

Much of the placating of others, other religions, other races, other nations, or whatever, is symbolism over substance. There is the belief that talking about something is the same as doing it. Why not have substance?

What better way to have substance, to show our religion, our nation and our freedom than to actually do something. In Cheyenne during Frontier Days there is a free pancake breakfast on three different days. Thousands are served very rapidly. Everyone is invited. No donations are requested. The only request is do you want more coffee or do you want more pancakes? At Disneyworld there are flags of all nations. And every nationality is equally charged through the nose. By showing other flags their country is dishonored so as to separate them from their money.

At the the Cheyenne Pancake Days the pancakes are not gluten-free, the meat is pork, the syrup is not sugar free, and the coffee is not decaffeinated. There is real butter. That is what is served. No bagels. No English muffins. no bran muffins. No Canadian bacon. No falafel. No offense is intended if you do not like what is served. You come to Cheyenne you get Cheyenne.

Every morning thousands are served. And everyone seems to like it. If there were multiple variations the mission would not be accomplished.

Cheyenne is the Cowboy State. It is also the Equality State. Wyoming was the first government in the world to allow women to vote. Owen Wister's book "The Virginian," is the quintessential book on equality. In high school, I won an essay contest called What Makes Man the Best?" based on the character of the nameless, and most likely black, cowboy called The Virginian.

From its earliest days Wyoming has been the place where it does not matter who you were where you came from. All that matters is who you are now. Race, color, creed made no difference in the past. They make no difference now unless you want everything to change to suit you.

There is a restaurant menu in New England that offers New England Clam Chowder. It also lists Manhattan Clam Chowder with the notation "Take Interstate 95 South."

There is a lot here to think about. Please do so.

David Sneed

Opportunity Losses

One of the biggest losses in any business is opportunity loss. In the past this has been known as opportunity cost. With a new economy based on experiences and transformations the costs of a missed opportunity can appear to be zero.

There are alternatives to every use of time, labor, money, machines and materials. With money there are the issues of use of working capital vs borrowed money vs leases.

Often the loss occurs because the alternatives are not known. And the alternatives are not known because of lack of knowledge or a lack of creativity to understand customer choices.

The "market" for "opportunity cost" is increasing rapidly. The book "The Four Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferris explores the subject in the area of the time of the entrepreneur.

David Sneed

The Great Bicycle-Airplane Race of 2011

In a race between an airplane and bicyclists, the bicycles won!

The 405 in Los Angeles was closed the weekend of July 15, 2011 for the demolition of a bridge overpass. What was described as Carmageddon turned out to not be so bad. People had plenty of notice to plan their weekend travel needs.

Jet Blue had a great PR idea for the weekend. They had four flights between Burbank CA and Long Beach CA for a fare of $4.00 with an upgrade for $1.00 to give more leg room. The distance is just under 40 miles. The 600 seats were sold out in two hours.

Some bicyclists proposed a race.  The start point was an intersection in North Hollywood close to the Burbank airport. The end point was the Aquarium in Long Beach. The bicyclists made it in an hour and thirty-four minutes.

Flying is not just air time. The man who was to fly had to drive from the intersection in North Hollywood to the airport, arrive the required hour in advance, fly, then get from the airport to the aquarium.

There are other elements to flying than airtime. I learned to fly with the idea of getting an airplane. It made sense financially and for improved time for my travels. What finally killed the idea was (1) what will I do when I land especially at small airports at night and (2) what about thunderstorms affecting my plans?

One time I did a the car part of a car-airplane race and almost won. A friend of mine needed a car brought back from Newport Rhode Island to his home in Gloucester Massachusetts. We flew in his V Tail Bonanza to Newport and went to lunch with the man who had been using the car. I dropped my friend off at the airport and on my own decided that I would try to beat him back. He would have to walk to his airplane and go through the pre-trip and FAA procedure to be able to take off. At the other end he would have to land at Beverly, the closest airport, tie down, and then drive the remaining distance home. When I got to his home, he was sitting in the living room with a beer looking as if he had been there all afternoon. Later his wife told me that he had just come into the house when I came into the driveway.

I have found that on a flight of less than 900 miles I can  get there quicker by driving. Kansas City for sure because of the distance into the city from the airport. Even more time is gained when there is the consideration of schedules and advance ticket purchases. Driving also allows more flexibility in leaving and return times and dates.

With everything we do, both program and process, we need to consider all factors. We may think of like cycles of products but we need to consider use cycles. Just with hand tools how many times do we misuse tools when we do not have the correct one at hand?

For the great bicycle race, did we establish the viability of bikes in LA or the non-viability of flights of short distance? Or both?

David Sneed

Healing of Old Age

For some time going back to the latter part of 2010, I had been developing pains in my back,buttocks and legs. The pain was not consistent in location or intensity.

I was told that by those older than me that it was a sign of old age.

I remember the joke of the man at the doctor complaining of pain in his right leg. When the doctor told him that it was old age he said "But Doc my other leg is the same age and it doesn't hurt!"

In studying the Word I was led to the passage where Elijah was discouraged. He had performed a great miracle to prove his God. Instead of being converted, the people had blamed Elijah for making their God look bad. Elijah asked God to take his life. In reading the whole context of what he did and what God had him do, I can see that Elijah may have had the leg pains as a manifestation of his discouragement.

The Lord healed me of my pains. They will not be back. And there is more.

Yesterday I went on my first hike since I was healed of leg pains. The hike was to a waterfall. Some in my party had been there numerous times. Others had not been at all. The distance total was about five miles. It was 95 degrees. Normally the day after a hike I am tired and sore. Not so today. Not only am I not tired and sore I am rested and feel good.

God will test our faith. There were four people along the way, other hikers to whom we talked, who made comments to me that seemed strange. "Are you ok?" "How can you hike wearing cowboy boots?" "Are you doing all right?" I told Cheri about it. "Do I look like an old man?"

I praise God for his mercies.

David Sneed

The Geographic Will of God

Often Christians stop at the positional will of God. They can, at least intellectually, accept the position that God wants us to have in Him. John 3:16 is comprehendible.

The geographic will of God, the GPS location if you will, is an important part of being in the will of God.

God is omnipresent. He can be everywhere at once. We are mono-present and can only be in once place at at a time. So to do what He wants us to do and to receive His blessings we must be where He wants us to be. The concept should be easy to understand. If someone is out of work, they will not get a job by siting at home watching TV.

Abraham was told to leave his people and go elsewhere. Philip was told to go to a certain spot on a certain road south of the city. Three men were sent from Caesarea to see Peter in Joppa. Jonah was told to go somewhere and he went elsewhere. God brought him back.

Jesus delayed in going to a certain feast. Jesus also delayed two days after hearing of the death of Lazarus. So there is also the when of geography and not just the place.

We should always be seeking where God wants us to be and when He wants us there. There are things He wants us to do. So how do we do this? Can I move to Bora Bora and and live on the beach? Surely God would want me to do that!

We should seek God's geographic will for us in the same way we do all parts of his will. Study of the Word, prayer,counsel of elders,evaluation of circumstances,and our motivation.

David Sneed

Self Sufficiency

Cowboy Safety goes to the core of a business and where it fits in the economy.

There should be no dependence on government yet there should be nothing taking place that is illegal. The business must exist within the legal framework set up by government. There are many opportunities in doing that.

For basic people safety, compliance is not the sole purpose. Do the minimum of what is required. Then do what is needed to achieve the result of a safe and healthy workplace. This approach is both radical and a cost saver.

Outsourcing is a way to lower break-even point and to avoid onerous mandatory activities.   Outsourcing does not just mean sending jobs overseas. It may mean helping some of your employees become independent businesses. This is not the same as paying someone under the table. They would form a compliant corporation or you would form a compliant corporation. That corporation, doing something other than what is your core business would be able to compete in the marketplace for what it does.

In one case a seafood processing plant had employees who would clean the plant every night after closing. Management was difficult and there were quality problems. A separate business was formed. The seafood processor had a fixed cost and a minimum quality standard. The cleaning company had to perform within that cost and had to meet the quality standard.

David Sneed

A Car Insurance Claim Problem

In Cheyenne WY there was a severe hail storm on July 12, 2011. There was roof and window damage on homes and other buildings. Vehicles and airplanes had body damage.

I knew that there would be trouble getting through by phone so I went to my agent's office to make a claim. For the vehicle claim I was told to go get an estimate. I did so. When I returned to the agent's office I was told to keep it until the adjuster called. "We have a lot of claims and we could lose the estimate." In some further questioning I learned that the procedure they were using would be:

1. Get an estimate.
2. Wait for adjuster to call. Telephone tag will be involved for sure.
3. The adjuster will need to have the estimate on the computer.
4. I will have to take the estimate to the agent's office.
5. The estimate will be entered to the computer.
6. The adjuster will have to later go look for the estimate.
7. The adjuster will call after he sees the estimate. Telephone tag will be involved for sure.

For customer service and for minimizing claim handling cost the agent's office should be able to keep a  file of claims and a file of estimates. An unintended consequence of their procedure is that the policyholder will subconsciously wonder if documentation is frequently lost and that requested policy changes and other activity might also be lost. At renewal time there may be a move to another carrier.

I will stay with that carrier and agent for my personal vehicles. Yes there is this claim pain  that I wish was not there but my overall value is worth it.

My company vehicles are with an insurer that can handle a claim anywhere in the country quickly. Since those vehicles could be anywhere that is an important factor. That carrier does not require estimates. Their adjusters do the estimates, issue a check that day and if there should be a problem with actual cost they can deal with it separately. From all that I have read they actually end up paying  a little more than the actual cost. That carrier costs more for coverage but their emphasis is on a good claims experience.

David Sneed

Ratios

The Denver Colorado Police Department Monitor has determined that Denver police do not arrest off-duty police for DUI if there is not a crash. How can this be determined you may ask?

For a given period of time all DUI arrests of Denver police officers involved crashes. For the general public only 1/3 of the DUI arrests involved crashes. For Denver police DUIs in other cities only 1/4 of the arrests involved crashes.

Ratios can be used in an infinite number of ways to monitor activities and to minimize losses.

A new parish priest in Waterbury CT determined that there was theft. Over the years he had noted a stable ratio by dividing the total offering by the number of people in the parish whether they attended services or not. The deviance did not point to a suspect but alerted him to a problem.

I have always been amused at people wanting to own a laundromat so that they could have all cash income and thus evade taxes. There is a water bill for a certain number of gallons and each washer uses a certain amount of water. There is a ratio between washer loads and dryer loads. Revenue calculation is quite simple.

Records need to be kept and thought given to what ratios can be calculated and what they mean. Where possible extra records should not be required. The priest did not count attendees at each Mass. The offering was already known and the number of people in the parish was known. The number was no as important as the consistency or as he found a lack of consistency.

Quick test. How can you tell if a tire has low pressure when you do not know what the pressure should be?

Answer: Check the pressure in all the tires. Most will have the same pressure. Any deviance will be a low tire.

David Sneed

Trader Joe's Targeted

Trader Joe's has been targeted for wasteful food practices. I won't rehash the whole claim against Trader Joe's and others but will look at it from the Cowboy Safety viewpoint. 

There is the economic issue that waste is bad for business. And there is the emotional issue that there are hungry people. To use the latest terminology there are people who lack food security. 

The problem with giving away the food is that it will result in loss of sales. Giving away salvageable food would incur liabilities and would mean free food going to those who might otherwise buy it. Not a sustainable idea. 

What is needed is to find a way to sell that food where possible, to find ways not to waste it and to possibly change buying paradigms. 

This is a Cowboy Safety opportunity. Do you have some specific stories to share and possibly some ideas? If you are a food waster we can help you with solutions specfic to you and your location. 

David Sneed

Barbershop Lifesaver

In the movie High Plains Drifter Clint Eastwood plays the nameless cowboy who is one of the origins of the term Cowboy Safety.

He has arrived in town and goes to the saloon. Local residents at the bar do not welcome this newcomer. Who he is and what he knows are of no value to them.

He goes to the barber shop for a shave. He is in the chair and shaving cream is on his face. The men at the bar come in with evil intentions. The nameless cowboy is saved because he has a loaded handgun in his lap and he knows how to use it.

We wonder today why we have so many safety and security lapses when we spend large amounts of money and time on "safety." What is it spent on? To provide repetitive and     redundant "safety training."

If the High Plains Drifter based his safety on that he would have died in the barber shop. A stack of training cards from classes given by people with no experience would not have saved him.

David Sneed

Two Types of Knowledge

In the Bible in Hosea 4:6 we read that "My people perish for lack of knowledge..."

We know that people perish from lack of goals. But goals achievement requires knowledge.

There are to types of knowledge, explicit and tacit.

Explicit knowledge is the very specific. It may be called book knowledge. Encyclopedias,  dictionaries, and atlases contain explicit knowledge. I remember years ago one of my uncles telling me that he wishes he had the money back he had spent on an encyclopedia. Why did he say that? Because he had gained the tacit knowledge that explicit knowledge by itself would not bring him happiness or success.

Tacit knowledge is not easily transferred. Often it is only gained through experience.

I remember the old story of the machine that was not working. The owner of the machine was desperate as his entire business depended on that machine. A repairman came in. He examined the machine and then turned a certain screw. His bill was for $400. He was asked to itemize his bill. "All you did was turn one screw." The itemization came back. Turning screw $1. Knowing which screw to turn $399.

We need vision. We need goals. We need specialized knowledge. Then we need to gain explicit knowledge.

David Sneed

Safety vs Security

There is an important difference between safety and security.

Safety deals with unplanned events.

Security deals with planned events.

Generally, roadway incidents, tornados, and a welder falling from an elevated surface are examples of unplanned events. These are viewed as safety issues. The solution involves removing or lowering the probability of occurrence and preparation for what to if it does occur.

Generally a terrorist attack, burglaries, vandalism, carjackings and muggings are examples of planned events. They are viewed as security issues. The solution involves removing or lowering the probability of occurrence and preparation for what to if it does occur. The same as for safety issues.

Somewhat facetiously, though well-grounded in truth, security may well include protection from those who would sell you safety and security solutions that you don't need. Think on this one for a while. Safety and security are basic needs and that means there is a vast market for goods and services that ostensibly achieve those goals.

David Sneed

How Can Faith Be Used in the Real World?

The best definition of faith is in Hebrews 11:1.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Faith is now. The man at the Pool of Bethesda had lain there for 38 years waiting for his chance. Jesus explained faith ti him., He got up and walked away.

According to the Bible, faith is a substance, It is very real. While we cannot see what we are hoping for faith is the substance of it. Faith is the evidence of things not seen.

God calls things that are not a though they were. He has always rewarded faith.

The world says show me and I will believe. God says believe and I will show you.

In Jeremiah 33:3 we read "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and might things that thou knowest not."

David Sneed

Chronic Hazards

There is a whole new vocabulary in Cowboy Safety.

When we think of safety we usually think of protection from harm that can come from a sudden event. We think of car crashes, fires, falls and so many other things.

What about protection from long term harm? How do we avoid wasting time when building a career, a business, a family, or a marriage? How can we know that we will not end up in later life with nothing but regrets?

In medical terminology there are acute and chronic things. Acute is short-lived or sudden. A chronic condition usually lasts more than three months. A heart attack is an acute event. Heart disease and its causes is chronic.

Property and casualty insurance only covers the sudden things. Did your roof gradually rot away? Insurance will not cover it. Did a tornado or hail storm do it in? You're covered. Either way the roof needs replacement.

Hazard  analysis the Cowboy Safety way means to deal with what we will call a chronic hazard as opposed to an acute hazard, By using medical terminology we indicate that there are cures though not the same in each case.

Here and in the Principles blog we will be dealing with this subject in more detail. In the interim be thinking of the things that can affect your life, your career, or your business over a long period of time. It can be actions, omissions or attitudes.

A long term hazard may involve uses of money. Young folks often feel that they have plenty of time to deal with money issues. At what point do they become old enough to really get serious about it? The magic of compound interest requires time. The younger you start the better it works.

One of the oldest cures for the chronic condition of being broke, behind the eight ball or whatever involves a simple idea that has been around for a very long time. Put aside 10% of your income for savings as soon as you get it. Pay yourself first. Use the next 20% to pay off debt. Live off the other 70%.

We will be getting into others that are of at least equal value. If you have any ideas, comments, or questions please leave a comment.

David Sneed

Laws Are Not Always Needed

On July 3, 2011 there was a motorcyclists' rally in New York state to oppose helmet laws. Of course none of the riders was wearing a helmet.

As fate would have it, there was an incident where one of the riders, 55 years old, was thrown off his bike when he skidded. He hit his head and died from the fall. According to the police he would have survived with a helmet.

Helmet laws should not be needed for motorcycles. It should be common sense. Most of these bikers give meticulous care to their bikes. Why not to their heads?

Safety is too often viewed as a program or a process. Laws make it adversarial. Safety should be a condition of life that is as natural as breathing.

David Sneed

Is Freedom Enough?

On July 4 there are plenty of speeches using hack worn-out platitudes. Giving those speeches is one of the duties of politicians.

We should be most thankful for our freedoms. I love foreign travel but am always glad to get back to the U.S.A. Here's a new question for you. Is Freedom Enough?

The speeches list the freedoms we have. But does that list really make us free? Application is needed. And to apply these freedoms knowledge is needed. Let's take a simple one. Freedom of speech.

What is the point of freedom of speech if there is no one to hear? To apply freedom of speech we must be with others in person at public meetings even if just around the water cooler at work or virtually through letters to the editor, blogs, books and magazine articles.

What is the point of freedom of speech if we have nothing to say? To apply freedom of speech we should know what others are saying and we must read and meditate. We must have our own thoughts. Freedom of speech does not extend to taking other peoples thoughts literally. That is called plagiarism and may be a copyright violation.

College degrees are not always a necessity. For many things we do and for many careers college can be a waste of time and money. At college one should learn how to learn. Application of freedoms requires specialized knowledge. Specialized knowledge is the knowledge required to mow the lawn, get a plumber's license, start a business and untold other specific things.

David Sneed

Did God Make a Mistake with Hannele Cox?

Five years ago Hannele Cox, now 13, was diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection. Even rarer, the specialists determined that the bacteria had infected her bones and hand amputation would be required.

She was sent to National Jewish Health in Denver where she was examined. she has been sent home to be treated for a nerve problem. "After reviewing all available information, including a thorough review of previous medical records, physical examination, new imaging and blood tests, and consulting with an orthopedist, radiologists and physical therapists, infectious disease experts at National Jewish Health have determined that there is no evidence of an active infection in Hannele Cox's hand," a news release stated. "She does not require surgical treatment and no additional antibiotics at this time." 

Frequently we hear that God heals through doctors. Did God make a mistake with Hannele Cox? For five years she has suffered and has been forced to give up on her desire to be a gymnast. For five years she has been given treatment and has been told of the continuing progress of the bacteria into her bones. She went to Denver expecting to lose her hand. 

Doctors can do great things. That does not mean it is God at work.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:8,  "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." To know what Jesus does today and will do tomorrow we can look at what He did yesterday. 

The Bible has instances of Jesus healing. In one case He was not even present when the healing occurred.  

Jesus healed yesterday. He heals today. 

In Matthew 13:58 we read that "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. " Yesterday when He did not heal it was because of unbelief. Today when He does not heal it is because if unbelief. If you go to a doctor for healing it is not because Jesus changed his way of doing things. 

If you do not believe Jesus about healing is it possible that you do not believe Jesus about salvation?

David Sneed

Slow Speed Crash

On Wednesday June 29, 2011, my son Joshua was driving a Salvation Army mini-van at about 23 mph on a three lane one way street in San Diego. Speed limit 25 mph. He was passing a vehicle in the middle lane that was from South Dakota that was traveling about 15 mph. Behind that vehicle was a police car.

The driver of the vehicle he was passing, the one in the middle lane, decided to make a left turn. A crash occurred. It was a fender bender. Both vehicles could drive from the scene. My son received a bruise from his seat belt and has twice been to the Emergency room with back pains. He has been given some palliative care but not much can be done as a cure. It will require six or more weeks of natural healing. An X ray determined no spinal damage.

The other driver immediately claimed fault. He had thought it was a two way street and with nothing coming felt he could make a left turn.

There are several points here to consider.

1. Slow speed may make us careless about what could happen.

2. An out of state plate could be a clue to someone becoming disoriented.

3. The slow speed of the other vehicle could be a clue of disorientation.

4. When passing there are blind spots that must be cleared. Although in this case the other driver was only thinking of oncoming traffic.

5. I don't know the cost of his hospital and doctor visits. Many, if not most, policies only have $5,000 per person for medical care. These days who knows what the emergency room visits can cost. In his case workers' comp comes into effect since he was on duty in a company vehicle.

6. Back pain for even six weeks is not so much fun. Yet slow speed crashes can cause injury. 23 miles per hour is 35 feet per second. Imagine the sudden stop from even that speed.

David Sneed

Unions in the New Economy

Ed Miliband, the British Labour Party Leader, wrote on his website that he would not support the strike on June 30,2011 by 100,000 British public employees. He said "You do not win public backing for an argument about pensions]by inconveniencing the public." Is this ever a change.

In years past strikes were common. Transportation would stop. Mail would not be delivered. Usually the workers won. The most notable time when they did not win was when Ronald Reagan fired all of the air traffic controllers who did not come to work. A gutsy move. Yet the airplanes kept flying as new controllers were hired and trained.

The idea of a union in the past was that workers could legally unite and negotiate for pay and working conditions with employers that were not benevolent. Often labor would win concessions that were themselves oppressive.

We have entered a new society and a new economy. Labor is viewed by management as customers and as partners. Management looks to balance the needs and desires of all the stakeholders. That includes customers, stockholders, employees, suppliers, management and the environment. Unions that only consider labor are obsolete.

This week we have heard Rahm Emmanuel, new Mayor of Chicago, telling labor that they have to change their attitude or even more will be laid off. Emmanuel has to close a $650 million budget shortfall. All over the country the new role of unions is primarily to help plan how much gets cut from pay and benefits and the break-our of impact between current and retired employees.

A new type of union is needed that can find a way to employ labor on a steady basis. It can work. In Massachusetts, as an unintended  consequence of a requirement for health insurance many employers have made deals with competitors to hire each other's employees when they lay off workers to keep from reaching the minimum numbers of hours where insurance is required. Could a union stop this from happening? What could it do when the employer simply cannot afford the insurance and be competitive? Customers will only pay so much for a hamburger. In years past, employers could raise prices to cover increased pay ands benefits. Automobile manufacturers' pricing was a method called target cost rate of return. They would work backwards from return on investment, add back costs and arrive at a selling price. The customers would always be there.

Like it or not we are not recovering from a recession. There is a new world out there. Not only can the automobile manufacturers not charge what they will but a baker has to think carefully before adding another nickel to the price of a doughnut. We are in a post consumer society where the customers can just as well say no to anything.

David Sneed

Timber for Solomon's Temple

I Kings 5:6-12

This is a simple story of a deal between Solomon and Hiram to provide wood for the temple that was to be built. Solomon requested Cedar. Hiram modified the order to include Fir as well as Cedar.

Solomon recognized that the Sidonians were much better hewers of wood than his people. This would indicate that the product to be delivered was more than just cut lumber.

Transportation would be to float the timber on rafts to a point that would be the closest to Jerusalem. At that unloading point payment would be made.

The payment was 20,000 measures of wheat and 20 measures of oil. A measure of grain was roughly what a man could hold in both hands. A measure of wheat would make a small loaf of bread.

What is somewhat puzzling at this point is the transaction itself. It sounds like this was a multi-year project. There is some indication of a measure of wheat being the pay for one man for one day. Overall the point is that there was an orderly plan and that there was a friendly arrangement to exchange what each party had for what the other party needed.

In use of the Bible for application to current times we should meditate on even such mundane things as the way the wood was secured for the temple. Everything in the Bible has a purpose. It may be too that John 6, the feeding of the five thousand, has a spiritual meaning connection to the timber contract fulfillment.

David Sneed