[subman]

I spent about 7 months last year working as an environmental inspector on a big natural gas pipeline being built across Nebraska. I was first in Hastings and worked from just south and east of Fairbury to just south of Hastings, then moved to Johnson Lake a little south of Lexington and worked to south of North Platte. I must say guys, I can see why my family left Nebraska, (Chester) in 1938. I have never been in a more miserable place in my life, hot, muggy as hell, more ticks and chiggers than I have ever seen and corn. 9.2 million acres and I swear the women eat all of it. I have never seen such obese women, if you can find one over the age of 35 who is under 250 lbs she is a keeper. Lots of turkeys, managed to run over 3 on the road, not a very bright bird. Everyone lived and died with the Cornhuskers and they sucked last year as well. I had about 50 dents to take out of my truck when I got back from the golf ball sized hail my truck was subjected to on more than one occasion. I was spared the baseball sized ones. Ethanol plants going up everywhere, now that is an interesting concept, takes more energy to make a gallon of the stuff then the energy it makes. Also did wonders for feed prices and hence beef and pork prices. No wonder the Plains Indians were so damn tough, had to be to live in that hell hole.

I will say it's the only place I've ever been where they would give you the land if you would build a house. But glad there are some of you that like it, don't count me as one of them. Did have a nice little drag strip at Kearney, no fast diesels however, in fact the two times I was able to go, no diesels at all. You guys don't have to come back and defend your state, you know I'm right.