We've been vacationing in the People's Republic for the last several days and some observations are in order. I know some of these can apply to other states or cities but we just happen to be in California, so...

I have spent time in a lot of big cities, Dallas, Miami, St. Louis, Phoenix, Detroit to name a few, but I can say without any hesitation that people in the Palm Springs area are the most self-centered, conceited, self-important jerks that I have ever had the displeasure of being around. I have watched more people demean others that are working the 'menial' jobs than I could have imagined possible. It's really sad how so many people are condescending to those that work hard for a living.

Looks are everything. A couple of those condescending wretches have clearly made value judgments based upon how my companions and I were dressed. We are here to watch a tennis tournament and entering a stadium is controlled. You have to wait until a specific time in the match to go to your seats. And sometimes, heaven forbid, you have to walk through the cheap seats to get to the high dollar court-side seats. On more than one occasion, I've had people tell me they are cutting the lines because they have to get to the lower tier seats, "I'm sure you understand." Imagine their shock when we sat down right behind them. I guess we weren't wearing enough Gucci or Rolex watches.

Stuff is so expensive here. We are staying in an VRBO house. We went to buy coffee and a few staples. A small can of coffee, store brand, costs as much as we pay for a full size can of Folgers in Silver. A half gallon of milk is $2.69, about what we pay for a full gallon. A six pack of Bud LIght is $14. I don't know how anyone working a regular job can afford to live here.

In a state that is worried about climate change and energy usage and all of those liberal pet causes, they have accent lighting on the palm trees lining the streets. Not buried in the ground but actually bolted to the trees. How is that energy efficient? Don't the trees feel the pain caused by having bolts drilled into their trunks? Don't get me started on the accent lighting in people's yards.

I thought CA had been mired in a drought? Natural landscaping had been mandated by law. Not in Palm Springs, where the rich folk live. Grass is everywhere. The parking lots at Indian Wells Tennis Center are grass. They mow them every morning and water them every night. The mowers are big diesel engine mowers pouring out green house gases. Every day, there is water running down the streets and sidewalks from sprinkler systems.

Yes, there are paper straws in every plastic cup of soda, lemonade, margarita. The straw lasts about half way through the drink before disintegrating. But don't worry, there are plastic straws available if you want to pay for them. You see, there is price on saving the dolphins and sea turtles. Oh, and you do have to pay for plastic bags at the grocery store.

The wind turbines outside of Palm Springs, designed to provide the majority of electric power for the climate change conscious residents; those essentially have been turned off. The power coming from those is inconsistent; never provided enough power to handle even a quarter of the valley's needs and it's killing birds and butterflies since it was built in the migratory path.

Despite all the incentives to purchase electric vehicles, including preferred parking spots or low interest loans, you rarely see any Tesla or Leaf logos. The preferred parking spots or areas are generally empty. Maybe they can't keep up with the speed on local streets (50 mph) or there aren't enough charging stations. They exist but I know at least 2 have been taken out since our trip here last year.

The People's Republic is the stereotypical socialist paradise. The 'little' people suffer while the rich people exempt themselves from the regulations.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.